Inaround800AD,twomendivideuptheworld:theEmperorCharlemagneintheWestand,rulingfromBaghdad,theCaliphRachidPachaintheEast.TheCaliphsendstoCharlemagneanambassadorwhobringswithhimanelephantasagift.Consideringtheanimaltobeasymbolofforce,andthusathreat,CharlemagnedecidestorespondbysendingemissariesbacktotheCaliph.TheEmperorentrustshisimperialcross,encrustedwithanenormousruby,toamonk,amanofletterslittleinclinedtoaction,fatherSeraphim.Inthisway,CharlemagneaimstodisplayhisforceandwealthtoRachidPachaand,insodoing,tomaintainthebalanceofpowerbetweenthetwoempires.Attheendofalongvoyage,Charlemagne'semissaries,accompaniedbytheCaliph'sambassadors,makeafinalhaltinanoasiswheretheyarekilledbyagangofthieves.Charlemagne'scrossisstolenbutFatherSeraphimismiraculouslysparedbythethievesasisyoungMorgiane,themagicianAlMiradjan'sdaughter.