Two Empires, one enemy. The Holy Roman Empire rules Europe and the Mediterranean, and is under attack by the Mongols from the east. The Soong Empire rules Cathay and holds south east asia in tribute, and is under attack by the Mongols from the north. Two men from opposite sides of the world are thrown together by the politics of the greatest Empires in the World. In the wilds of an Australia still inhabited by giant beasts they both confront their greatest fears. The Monqhul horde has been defeated. Now the dragon riding priests of the Temple of the Mothers Naked Heart face an invasion in disguised as a trading mission from the Qhan of the Monqhul Empire. In the 13th century an exceptional linguist priest travels on a mission to Cathay with Marco Polo. He has been sent by the Mater of the Holy Reform Church to record their journey to the great Silk Empire. Brother Maximillian Hart finds this Empire in turmoil with the Monqhul and Soong antagonists in a fragile truce. Hart is chosen by the Qhan of the Monqhul to accompany a joint trade mission to the Spice Islands and to Katithandra, the Southern Dragonland. Hart becomes immersed in the politics of the Mission and the melded society of Aboriginal and Asian customs that is the Temple of the Mothers Naked Heart. Ambitious Soong Empire military officers and government officials have for centuries taken the “Journey to the South,” to Katithandra to learn from the dragon riding priests of the Temple. Hart is caught up in this tradition and is confronted on all levels of his being as he travels deep into Katithandra and Temple society. Where do his loyalties lie? To the Mater and his Order, to the trade mission or to the priests of the Temple. What will this young priest become?
49 parts