Session 13 - The Flight of Miroslav

General Summary

On the road to Bychii Brod, Hrefna talks with Svetlana, who is being brought to keep Anastasiya company. Svetlana asks that the two women be left alone as Hrefna not being a Gaalite is a distraction for Anastasiya from her pious ways. Through Svetlana we also learn Anastasiya was born a Gaalite, with her mother being the one who converted and later convinced her husband to convert on his deathbed. 
Hrefna also confesses to Radu that Miroslav is being kept prisoner and swears she is working on a way to release him. Radu opts to stay in the woods rather than enter Bychii Brod. Vadim  also chooses to stay in the woods to locate his wolverine.
The party finally arrives at Bychii Brod. Ruslan calls Hrefna and Vladimir for a private conversation and reveals that they received message several days ago that Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavovich (Anastasia's brother) has been taken captive. In normal circumstances, the Prince's retainers in the capital would be raising funds for a ransom but instead they are keeping it a secret. This leads to the suggestion there is possibly a coup in the works. This adds further complications to the religious war already brewing and Sigurd's place in it because Rurik is next in line to rule because of his marriage.
Vasilii talks to Miroslav, who is still in the pit. Miroslav still support the war between the followers of the Old Faith and Gaalites and doubts the prophecy Vasilii's mistress saw. Vasilii reveals he met a brother of Miroslav but refuses to give Miroslav more information unless Miroslav reveals whether the Raven Tsar is behind the war as two of her sons were found with cults who are pursuing it. They fail to finalize a deal and split.
Leontii, meanwhile, takes a job working in the fields. Between his hard work and his hard drinking he becomes fast friends with the peasants. He asks Hrefna for an introduction to Ruslan, who he wants to ask about tracking down his brother, who was captured and sold into slavery. Ruslan says that if Leoniti proves valuable to Rurik, they would be amenable to helping him find his brother.
Ruslan talks to Hrefna in the Rover tongue, asking about the party's next move. They are split between returning to Ladan' and heading west to the war front to find Rurik and inquire about the prince directly. Ruslan states that he does not trust Svetlana, because he does not trust Anastasiya's mother Olga Gostomyslovna, who sent her. Hrefna asks Vladimir to spy on the noble women. Vladimir talks to Svetlana, offering to make her a bracelet to win her over. She reveals that she wants the group to escort Anastasia to Ladan' but does not want them to tell Ruslan.
Vladimir calls for the group to meet outside the walls of Bychii Brod. He makes the proposal to take Anastasiya to Ladan' and turn her over to Sigurd, allowing Sigurd to take control and prevent him siding with the followers of Veles and starting a war. Vasilii asks the gods for guidance about this and is told it is a bad idea. Hrefna is opposed to it as well, as it would betray her kinsman Rurik.
Vasilii talks to Miroslav again. He says that his brother's name is Radu. Miroslav reveals that Radu is actually his uncle and that the Raven Tsar is not involved with the war. In fact, he frowned on Miroslav leaving and getting involved in mortal affairs. In return, Vasilii tells him Radu is nearby waiting for him. He vows to help Miroslav escape after finding out from him that he was not involved in the attack on Anastasiya and her son.
Leontii learns from a peasant that his brother was taken by Rurik to fight along side him in the war and wants to leave to find him immediately.
But Vladimir goes to the woods to talk to Vadim and Radu. Radu gives them three days to free Miroslav before he takes matters into his own hands. Vasilii and Hrefna plan to free Miroslav that night. While Hrefna distracts the guards with gossip, Vasili takes the form of a spider and sneaks into the prison pit. There he uses his scissors and is blessed by his goddess with the ability to cut through the holy sash. He returns to spider form and leaves. The party goes to bed without being caught.
In the middle of the night, Hrefna is awoken to be told Miroslav has escaped. She and the rest of the party get packed, meeting up with two guards and a pack of dogs to pursue Miroslav's trail into the woods.

Report Date

05 Jan 2025

Primary Location

Bychii Brod