Miryem takes over her father's unsuccessful money-lending business in the peasant village where hers is the only Jewish family. Her success at "turning silver into gold" attracts the attention of the Staryk king, who rules a winter kingdom full of magic. The Staryk are using their power to make the winters in Lithvas longer and longer, blighting the crops and impoverishing the kingdom.
Wanda and her brothers are peasants in Miryem's village, whose drunken father sends Wanda to work for Miryem to pay off his debts. In Miryem's family they find warmth and safety, which they loyally try to return when Miryem is taken away to the Staryk kingdom.
Irina, the daughter of a duke in Lithvas, has a Staryk great-grandmother and three magical items of Staryk silver. A demon of flame, who holds power over the handsome tsar of Lithvas, plans to devour her. Irina, with Miryem's help, offers the demon a bargain: if he will spare her "and all she holds dear," Irina will help him to devour the Staryk king in her stead. Irina and Miryem hope that this will push back the encroaching winters the Staryk are causing.
1 sa.
Naomi Novik
