Byzantium, the years of the Lord 552. From the imperial authorization, the scout Taurus and Olympiodoros go to far Asia to reveal the secrets of silk production there. Indeed, they can steal the caterpillars of the mulberry smash and hide them in hollow pilgrims. In the disguise of the Buddhist monks, they try to transport rare prey unscathed to Byzantium - eight thousand miles along the silk path. The knowledge of the precious substance holds all nations alive, whose monarchs begin to prosecute. Soon the life of the two Byzantines and their mysterious guides are chen-ccheuje on the silk thread ...