The year is 1540. The boyar's son Ivan the Smart, nicknamed Laska, went to the west for living water. Living water will not be sold for any gold, but will be exchanged for royal favor. The kings will not take a minted coin from the good fellow, but they will reward him for his service. The road of adventure leads further and further from home, and there is no one on this path. Monsters, sorcerers and witches. People who aren't quite human. Talking animals, birds and snakes. Devils and devil-knowers. Author's notes: The plot connections in the first book are designed for a trilogy. Beyond the trilogy, a plan is laid out for a long cycle.