The Eastern Roman Empire is locked in a mortal struggle with both a widespread rebellion and with the hostile Bulgars to the west. All seems on the point of collapsing but the emperor Basil II has a plan to save his realm.

Sealing a deal with the Prince of Kiev, Vladimir, Basil is sent six thousand battle-hardened axe-wielding Varangians, descendants of the Vikings, to bolster is collapsing army. And amongst them is one man who has seen so much warfare in his abnormal life, the immortal soldier Casca.

Casca finds himself in the front line, battling not only the traitors to the emperor, but the stubborn and mobile forces of the Bulgar Tsar. It is the latter against whom Casca eventually directs most of his efforts, and he will fight battle after battle until either the empire or the Bulgars lie defeated.