Version with SI: 05/27/2008.* * *Author’s abstract: The second novel of the “Pre-Bronezhnaya Tetralogy”. Varang of Smolensk blood, who entered the service of the Novgorod mayor due to problems in his personal life, takes part (together with his friends) in the struggle of the conspirators against the government.* * *Publisher’s abstract:Which of the cities of the Russian land can be compared in grandeur and glory with Kiev itself? Only Holmgard. Goods from the midnight countries flock here, warlike Norwegians seek profit here, and cunning Greeks are hired to serve in the princely treasury. In Holmgard, even street girls speak the language of the Britons. And at the same time they make very strange speeches. It seems that there was some witchcraft involved. You say, you know nothing about such an amazing city? But that’s not true! After all, it was here that the legendary warrior Helier, sometimes mistakenly called Ilya Muromets, went with his friends in search of adventure.