Book excerpt: The mission seems simple: head south, collect the bride promised six years earlier, and ensure that nothing odd is going on among the nomadic Tatars. Ogodai anticipates no problems. In fact, he looks forward to the chance to break free of his father and establish himself in a horde of his own. But Ogodai's betrothed seems wary at best, his half-brother has competing plans for both the girl and the horde, and even the briefest investigation shows that indeed, something very odd is going on in the nomadic camp. Before long, Ogodai realizes that the contest threatens his own life and his betrothed's happiness. But can he persuade his unwilling would-be queen that an alliance with him offers more than the traditional role of chief wife?