The two dynamic stories in this book are separated by several centuries. A Moscow historian travels to the Onega region to confirm his theory that it was there that Russian civilization was born more than a thousand years ago. Finding himself in a distant village, the historian becomes an involuntary participant in the dramatic events taking place around him. Modern Varangians - bankers - are trying to take away from the local residents their main wealth - the forest. These events are reminiscent of what happened here many centuries ago. Then several tribes living in the endless forests of this land decided that it would be easier to cope with numerous dangers if they united. They built the City, chose a prince, and created a squad for defense. This did not please those who for many years freely robbed their homes, and drove people to other lands to be sold into slavery. Both in the past and in the present, people are united by the desire to be free: to live and love in their own land. Contains obscene language.