Wherever the traveler’s journey begins—in the principality of the Shuiskys or in the high mountains of the Celestial Empire, behind the high Kremlin wall or in noisy million-plus cities overseas—he cannot predict future encounters, losses and gains. Paths converge, and many who follow them are destined to become enemies, while others fall in love... after intense hatred. But the completion of the path will still depend on the goal set at the first step. Some people wanted wealth, others wanted power. Maxim Samoilov, entering his first year at Moscow State University, simply wanted to become an emperor.