In the center of the story is the confrontation between the temnik Burundai and the tribal prince of the Krivichi Milovan. They are both skilled military leaders and have many similarities. They even like the same type of women. Their rulers treat them equally. The low-born Burundai is considered an upstart by the Mongol nobility, and Batu Khan himself is jealous of his talent as a commander. The Grand Duke of Vladimir does not like and fears Milovan, for he is a prince with a more ancient pedigree. In addition, unlike the descendants of the alien Varangian king Rurik, Milovan is of the same blood as the people formed as a result of the merger of various tribes in the north and northeast of Rus' and who began to be called Russian.