About the book: 2013 / Cruel XIV century. Rus' is exhausted under the yoke of the hated Ig. By splitting the “Russian ulus” into five “great principalities” and fanning hostility between them according to the “divide and conquer” principle, the Golden Horde prevents the unification and strengthening of the Russian Land. But while the princes pay the steppe inhabitants a “way out” and squabble for the khan’s “labels,” free fellows from Veliky Novgorod on military boats, “ushkuys,” make campaigns in the lower reaches of the Volga, twice ravage the Horde capital Sarai-Berke and force the khans themselves to pay them tribute! These river pirates were nicknamed “ushkuiniki” and “povolniki” - because they did not recognize anyone’s authority over themselves. Their bands terrify the Volga cities. Their daring raids will become the first reconnaissance in battle for Rus', proving: the Horde can be beaten! And they will wash away all past sins with blood on the Kulikovo Field!