In the Spring of 1031 CE a Song Empire trader sails from Shanghai. Zahn has a good ship and a crew as daring as he is. Following the currents North and East from trading in Korea, they travel past the point where others turn back. He discovers a new continent and the trade is beyond their wildest dreams-but the natives are astute traders as well-seeking knowledge as well as goods. A raving-mad shaman of the Grasslands People; the accidental introduction of smallpox to the new world; fear that the Empire will find them before they are ready drives them to find out how big this new land really is, and establish the People as allies rather than subjects.First they must defeat the Shaman's invaders. The war throws Hawk of the River People, and Midnight from the Grasslands together in an unlikely alliance to defeat them, aided by Zahn's new technologies. With Hawk driving their defense, and Midnight on the offensive, the bodies begin to stack up. It's alliance or slavery, and neither side is backing down. Either way, the Empire will find them sooner or later.