"THE PRIMORDIAL RUS" "After the book of the same name by Valentin Ivanov" "Ratibor!" "Ratibor." "Son." "Don't hit, don't wake the earth." "Let it rest." "Spring is coming." "In Spring the earth will wake up, give birth to berries, grain, wonderful flowers." "It'll give birth to everything." "Throw the twig away." "No." "Look, son." "This snow, these rivers, forests with our ancestor's spirits, - all that together is like... a living tree." "And our land is a small leaf on it, and we need strong arms to defend it, son." "We have our customs, father's percepts and eternal heritage, and the prothetic dream in the shadow of these forests, and whisper of grass in Spring on fields, on meadows." "And the rustle of our cereal in furrows, made by the hand of Ross, and the horse's noise, and the footfall of herds, and the scream of the birds - all ours is here." "Here are your Gods and brothers." "We are Perun's army, we're clan's strength," "strength of the ross speech, its sword and shield." "Do you want to be with us, Ratibor?" "Yes." "Prepare to take the oath." "Our father fire, you're a father to all fathers, you're a fire to all fires." "The way you burn the grass on a clean field, the roots of a moist oak." "So burn me, if I should brake the oath to my brothers." "6th century." "Episode one." "Ey-hey-hey-hey!" "Krok!" "Lead the herd to the lakes." "Torop, let's help him." "The horses need water." "The water is clean." "Not deep." "Good for crossing the river." "Krok." "Alarm the guards." "Khazars." "We are a border land," "Ours are behind us and on the sides." "But in front of us is the steppe." "That's why, Vseslav, we can't go on living like that, relying only on our strength." "So, harden it." "You are right, father." "It's time to unite the tribes, to defend ourselves against the steppe, to build an army out of all clans." "We can't resist on our own." "But how to achieve that?" "The Ilvichi and Vyatichi look at us like enemies." "And I can't find an agreement with the others as well." "Don't get mad, son." "Work with other Slavs together, the ones who agree with you." "And when the knyazs go to the elders' meeting, then we'll make a final decision." "Since the times of Homer and Herodot" "[Byzantium - 532 AD] the northern Slavs had many names," "[Byzantium - 532 AD] uniting them with a rough word "Barbarian"." "I, Procopio de Cesarea, want to tell you about the life of these nations, the ones, who the roman imperator Justinian couldn't force into slavery and submission." "I want to know, what's going on in the empire and outside it." "Everything is ok in the empire, Devine." "People are glorifying you." "But I gave and order to send another 3000 of our men, let them reveal the unsatisfied ones." "Three have already been revealed." "The handicraftsman Diamed, drunk, spoke badly about your reign." " Two crosses." " Blinding and exile." "The citizen Malkh is accused of heresy." "Further, the peasant Far didn't hand over enough grain." "A dash." "Execute." "Execute." "But isn't that too gruesome?" "Your Highness, it's magnanimous to spare the condemned ones - that's human nature." "But to not spare the innocent ones - that shows real greatness." "It doesn't matter who gets punished?" "Important is, that all are afraid." "There is no good and evil, only benefit to the Divine or harm." "Because Basileus is God's Will on earth." "From where grows another threat?" "I assume not from the west." "Goths, that conquered Italy, are exhausted, in the east we keep the Persians busy with negotations and wars." "Only the north is saving an unknown strength." "My man has returned from the Slavs..." "What news does he bring?" "He says they have become too many, and these tribes" " Slavs, Anty, aren't ruled by one man, but live in a commune." "Oh, democracy." "Anty..." "Anty, anty." "You can hear the root of the latin word "antique"." "Or is that "anti" in Greek?" "Anti." "Against." "Against me?" "Proceed." "So, they're trying to live in democracy." "They don't know of destiny, and don't acknowledge, that destiny has any meaning to a man." "Oh, that's interesting." "I'm their destiny!" "Trebnya, maybe we should send an army to Dunai?" "The empire needs subjects, what do you think?" "Yes, my Lord." "The Slavs must be reminded, that they are only mortal, and their lifes are not in their hands." "And what do you think?" "Just like you." "Just..." "like you." "I'm pleased with you today." "How was your morning, Dear?" "Go." "I was discussing the empire affairs." "And what was... my Uncomparable doing?" " You're looking good today." " You think so?" "My love," "I spoke with the patriarch Epifaniy." "And?" "He wants to send bishop Demetriy to the Slavs." "I think, that barbarians need only sword and fire." "And only after that the holy baptismal font." "Yes." "Well, maybe you're right." "My laws protect the right of the lands, even the Slavic lands, to be processed." "Slavs, Anty, love earth, work and... freedom." "I'm content to have such subjects." "I'll save them from wildness." "But only I will rule over their freedom." "You have the right to, the wisest." "Today in the afternoon, in the bull's area, the disobedient ones will be executed." "I wouldn't want to wait for you." "Be hasty, my love." "I'll be." "By the order of the God's chosen today will be executed:" "for murder" " Nicolaus from Kefania, for heresy" " Malkh from Frakia, and the citizen Far for hiding grain from our Lord." "All three will be executed in the bull." "Everyone will be punished like Nicolaus, because of Ponifiliy's murder, a family member of Astargor." "And what is he guilty of?" "Great Lord, have mercy." "I'm innocent," "I have five children." "I hid half a bag of bread for my children." "The Wisest." "Let him live." "I've been reported, that people are aggressive today." "Murderer!" "Jesus Christ, if you're kind, why do you allow evil?" "Have mercy!" "The Great has chosen." "So shall it be!" "Guards, stop them!" "Stop!" "Bring the condemned back to the execution place!" " Stop!" " People!" "Ask for mercy." "Basileus!" "The Great!" "Have mercy on the unlucky man." " Like God himself just did." " Mercy!" "Mercy!" "Out of the temple!" " Dog without origin!" " We're paying the price for you!" "Brothers!" "You'll get the penalty, because of your rage and disobedience." "Stop the mutiny!" "Go back to your houses!" "Murderer!" "Go." "Go!" "Go!" "Be ready, everyone." "Gane, why worrying?" "Khan Gamsol will love you." "Your life will be better." "The Ross got away!" "Good evening." "Velimudr, help!" "She's wounded." "A Khazarian woman?" "!" "I'm begging you." "Please, help, I need her." "In the name of Gods." " Knife." " What?" "Give me a knife." "Ratibor, she won't live." "She will, Velimudr!" "Help!" "Hasn't Ratibor returned from the patrol yet?" "Not yet." "The women have found this." "A good arrow." "A new one." "The guests have arrived." "A Khazarian one." "Here are the news from the steppe." "Patrol!" "Where did they find it?" "On the haymaking." "Khazars." "They're at the Sweet Stream." "Didn't Krok report back?" "Krok didn't show himself." "Krasa, give me a drink." "How many were there?" "There are many horses." "There are saddled and reserved horses." "Judging from the herd and the fires, not under one hundred." "Yes." "The steppe has come." "Anything else?" "That's all." "Torop, gather troops." "They didn't come for nothing." "A-a-a, urus!" "Urus!" "What do you have?" "Say." "Your son, Ratibor, hides a Khazarian woman at the temple." "Differences." "The earth will releave the people from the revenge of the Khazarian soul." "She will go on the funeral fire." "I won't let her be buried." "She will wait for me there." "Velimudr!" "Allow it, please." "Well, be it your way." "Papa." "The Khazars came with a mission." "For investigation." "And found the evil." "A stranger on the funeral fire!" "That never happened before." "To put a Khazar together with dead Rossichs." "Lord, we are surrounded!" "The rebels killed all guards, and are storming the palace." "They've gone cracy." "They've gone cracy!" "Lord, save us!" "We want to hear the opinions of our subordinates." "Should we stay in the palace or depart and tame the peple from outside?" "You." "The legions went over to the rebels." "We are defenseless." "You." "The prisons are burned down." "The rebels freed the prisoners." "The streets are full of armed people." "Understand, it's too dangerous to remain in the city." "Speak." "I'm for departing." " Lord!" " What?" "We're all ready to die for you." "But I'm for departing." "Lord, run." "The galleys are ready." "It's only temporary." "Temporary." "Divine, believe me, it won't be a departure." "It will be a temporary absence." "Feodora, Feodora." "I believe, that it's excessive to argue if it's decent or not for a woman to be brave, while the men remain in uncertainty." "Many have said:" ""Departure, temporary absence"." "I'll say it straight." "Flight!" "And I think, that fleeing is the worst option, even if it saves our lifes for a short time." "Even though we can't avoid death." "The one, who once ruled, cannot bear being an exile." "So... run, Divine, run, if you wish." "You have mountains of gold, the ships are waiting for you." "The sea is open to all winds." "But after that, you would prefer death to such a rescue." "I'm staying." "The purple of power - is the best shroud." "What's your idea?" "It's really dangerous to stay." "I called for Ipatiy, the nephew of Anastasiy." " He'll be here shortly." " What for?" "The people need a leader." "We'll give them a leader." "Let him unite them and lead them to where we want." "We're staying." " Trebnya." " Yes, Divine." "Order your people to call Ipatiy, my nephew," "Basileus." "Yes, yes, yes." "Let the city know it by morning." "Let them write on walls Ipatiy." "Ipatiy will be Basileus." "I want it that way." "Krasa, be healthy and young." "Oh." "Mother Aneya!" " I was telling fortunes." " Mother!" "Mother Aneya!" "The children are big." "Go and play." "Sit down and rest." "Sit down." "Try some bred with salt." "I wasn't here for a long time." " Where is Vseslav?" " He's here." "On patrol, rattling swords." "Again." "I got lucky again." " I was telling fortunes." " I see." "You'll give birth to a boy." "Aneya?" "Are you healthy, Aneyushka?" "I have a difficult task for you." "Krasa, bring some cold water." "Something wrong at your house?" "My house is alright." "Then why did you come?" "My son, Ratibor, lost his brain!" "I'm ashamed!" "Why is that, he is one of the best warriors." "That's not the problem." "It's time for him to marry, but he doesn't want to." "He doesn't want to take the bride you chose." "Then find another one, or wait for him to do so." "He'll get fired up - you won't be able to stop him." "Remember, how you once loved?" " Aneyushka." " Stop." "I won't forget the young you." "You're a father, and I'm a mother." "I don't have a husband, I'm alone in that matter." "The impossible is happening." "Do it!" "I think, that Ratibor..." " ...searches for his death." " Do it." "Do it!" "He likes that Khazarian woman." "Help me!" "So that he won't become an outcast without origin." "So that our seed isn't wasted in him." "What a..." "You're right." "Such men are worthless." "She bewitched him, I know it!" "Be quiet, that's enough!" "It's alright." "Not a word to anybody." "We won't break him, but bend him." "Ratibor!" "Vseslav is calling for you." "Inhale after parrying the sword." "Don't break the formation!" "I heard you don't want to marry." "The Khazarian woman?" "She's dead." "She is not among the living." "You can't change that." " I love her." " Love?" "Love is a creator." "And what will your love create?" "It won't give birth to anything, like a ploughed up earth without a seed." "Our clan has raised you?" "Yes." "I taught you to hold a weapon, to be strong." "Now you have to help us, to continue the Slavic blood." "You was a son, you'll be a father." "And no one can exchange you." "That's all." "My friend." "You've come." " I'm happy to see you in good health." " Uncle." "Uncle." "Nephew." "My nephew, Ipatiy." "People's voice" " God's voice." "The people want you." "That's your destiny." "I'm old." "I'm not worthy of the diadem." "Well, well." "Well, calm down." " The empire is dying." " Uncle." " Save it." " Uncle, I can't." "You can." "You're a son of the empire." "It's your duty to care for it's destiny." "You're young." "You can do it." "You can." " No, I don't want to." " You have to!" " No!" "No!" "No!" " You have to!" " You have a future." " Uncle, I'm scared!" " Save it!" " I'm scared!" " Look, you're cut out to do it!" " No, no!" " Look." " No!" "No!" "Come here!" " Glory to the new Basileus!" " Lord!" " Glory to Ipatiy!" " Lord Ipatiy!" "Glory!" "Glory!" " Ipatiy, save us!" " We're your slaves!" "Save us!" "Save us, Ipatiy!" "Save us, save us!" "Kiss the sandals!" " Basileus!" " Kiss the sandals!" "Have mercy, he'll be killed." "He'll die, and so will we!" "Have mercy on my children!" " Glory to Ipatiy, the Basileus!" " Glory!" "Glory!" "Let the diadem be on Ipatiy's head." " Glory to the new Basileus Ipatiy!" " Glory to Ipatiy!" "Ipatiy Basileus to the tower." "We want to hear, what he will promise us." " Ipatiy to the tower" " To the tower!" " Ipatiy to the tower." " Glory!" "Glory!" " Glory!" "Glory!" " To the tower!" "Johann!" "Ipatiy lead the rebels to the city square." "Johann!" "Ipatiy miraculous got out alive." "My Basileus, one of Ipatiy's man came." "He lead the people to the bull's place." " Where is the man?" " In the tower." " Who did he speak to?" " Only to me." "Wonderful." "Ipatiy will serve out bread!" "Johann!" "Johann!" "Let Ipatiy hear our demands." "Ipatiy is a good Basileus!" "Velizariy, the people gathered on the bull's square." "All of the rebels." "They're waiting for my resignation." "Velizariy." "Take my remaining men, help Ipatiy to stop the mutiny." "You are a son of the empire, Velizariy." "The luck is before you!" "Take it!" "Velizariy." "Velizariy." "Velizariy!" "What's that?" "You're my old friend." "Velizariy." "For the imperator." "Procopio, don't condemn me." "You have to understand me." "I love my people!" "This whole horror is for the future of our empire!" "Don't look at me like that." "You're wise, you'll write only the truth." "Understand, old man!" "The people are at fault." "They wanted it that way." "Ipatiy, good morning." "Please." " So..." " Yes." "Did your wish came true?" "Yes, it's alright, wise Ipatiy." "Your loyal acting blinded the godless rebels." "The fortune helped us to defeat the people." " Godlike." " Yes?" "Why did Ipteus act so slow, with his power?" "Yes, right, what did take you so long?" "Why did you allow the people to burn down the city?" "Who did that to you?" "Those beasts." "Why did they this?" "Go." "Basileus is breaking his promise." "Go!" "Oh, you poor man." "You decided to take advantage of the mutiny to become a Basileus." "You see how it turned out." "Well, goodby, smart guy." "Goodby." "How could you, Ipteus?" "How dared you?" "A pig to the young ones." "Me, my brother and my family." "Let's go!" "Let's go!" "Who wants a baked pig?" "Who wants a pig?" "Who wants a baked pig?" "To grieve about something you never possessed." "A secret I'll never understand." "Don't be sad, Aneyushka." "Ratibor will get used to Mlava." "An arm gets used to the sword, a body to the weight of armour, and a heart to a loss." "Good wedding, Knyaz." " Good luck." " Sit down, Torop." "Drink to the health of the newlywed ones." "Did something happen?" "Roman ships near the Torzhok-island." "Here is a messenger of the Kamichi." "We're asking you, Vseslav, to send your troops to the Torzhok-island." "My troops, why?" "Trading doesn't concern me." "My warriors aren't trained for that matter." "Seven Springs ago Knyaz of the Krivichi was almost killed." "And they gave him bad goods." "Is it far?" "Two days away, we have to hurry." "That's it, Belyai." "Prepare the ships." "I'm also going to take a look at the Romans." "And who will be the troops leader here?" "I choose Ratibor." "Can you handle it?" "Vseslav, take me with you, please." "Well, good people." "It's time for bed." "And the newlyd ones - for fair business." "You deceived me, when agreed to the wedding." "You decided to laugh at us." "Mlava will go back home." "You bring shame to our clan." "Well?" "You hear that?" "The last cockerels." "Don't come near me!" "I don't want to live!" "Don't come closer!" "Eating forbidden food again?" "A glutton." "Oh, God." "I was a legionary, taught grammar to people in Alexandria." "I was ascetic, following the Mani teachings." "For that I was condemned, they wanted to burn me." "But the guard sold me to the merchant Ripatiy." "I heared, that heresy is dead evil." "Evil." "Call him for me." "We, of heresy, don't call our teacher "Love", like you, christians." "Jesus was a good man." "Slave, you talk too much." "Go, go." "Bishop Demetriy is calling for you." "Go." "This chistian is confused in his thoughts, because of incomplete knowledge of church's canons." "Release him." "I heared everything." "But I can keep my mouth shut." "I need a competent man." "I hope you'll repent and help me." "Freedom costs much." "Teach me what to do." "I'm sailing to the Slavs." "On the way after Jesus Christ, the angels and sacred men will strengthen Basileus' might with an invisible weapon, and the second Rom will be eternal." "And for your help in the education of the barbarians, you'll get freedom." "I agree." "To lose such a slave." "Why isn't there any wind?" "!" "Why don't you like this fur?" "Take another one?" "Look at this one." "Take it." " You want to look?" " Take it, we have many more." "Good, quality honey." " How sweet." " Wax, clean and new." "From this year." "The sweetness lasts in your mouth for a whole week." "Oh, how sweet." " Wax, clean and new." " Who needs honey?" "Pearls, pearls, come here." "6 kun, 6 kun not 4." " 6 kun, 6 kun." " 4." "4!" "We have a deal?" "A deal." "I'm taking this, this, the marden, yes." "Like that." "Okay." "3." "You know, 3." "So." "So." "This... well... 3." "3 handfuls of salt." "Okay." "I take it." "For that... 2 handfuls." "For the fox, 3." "3." "4, 4, 4." "4 handfuls." "This and this..." "This isn't good, but I take it." "This also, this also." "Don't touch it." "That will also do." "4. 1, 1, 1 and 1." "So, we have 11 handuls of salt in all." "Hey." "Don't offend me." "Throw the knife away!" "What are you doing?" " Captain, help!" " Ratibor!" " Look at what your men are doing!" " Torop!" " Look at that!" " Don't touch the Romans!" "Go to your ships!" " Captain, you promised..." " Go to our men!" " Load your grain!" " Yes." "See, Golub, one has to buy slaves like that." "Load, come on, load the grain." " Poor out!" " What are you waiting for?" "!" "So, you're saying, should I accept your belief," "I would go to heaven?" "Yes." "Be christened and you'll be saved." "And our ancestors?" "Our Mothers, Fathers, Grandfathers, that didn't know of your belief?" "Where are they, in heaven?" "No." "They're in hell." "Burning forever." "Be quick to accept the True Belief." "No one knows his final hour." "God himself is speaking with you through me." "Be quick, otherwise - hell, fire and the end to all of you." "Consider thinking before speaking." "My ancestors lived fair." "What is their sin?" "I spoke about God's rage, considering saving your souls." "You misunderstood me." "Allow me to stay with you, speak to you," "And you'll want the Christ's belief to come to Ros'." "Well... everything has its time." "Everyone should belief what his soul wants." "And different beliefs don't prevent us from being friends." "Hey!" "Hey!" "Who wants honey?" "Who wants wax?" "Who wants wax?" "Fresh honey, Romans, come closer." "Good honey." "Try it, man." "I'm grateful to you, son of steppe and forest." "You saved... protected a man." "I'm Malkh." "Malkh." " You?" " I'm Ratibor." " What origin are you?" " I'm a Rossich." "You look like..." "Wait." "You look like..." "Here." "Like the God of Warriors" "Ares-Mars." "He's the son of Zeus." "Look, you look alike." "Look!" "I was also a warrior." "I was fighting for the empire." "Then I quit." "It's a long story." "Our imperator prohibited all Gods, even Ares-Mars!" "What's a barbarian doing here?" "While I, the unworthy, am trying to enlighten the pagans, you, slave, instead of helping me spoil their souls with wine, satanic speeches and images." "Forgive me." "God is merciful, but horrific tests are waiting for you in hell." "Forgive me." "You'll be blinded, you'll loose your tongue." " Forgive me." " Pray, that it won't happen." "Forgive me." " Forgive me." " I pity you." "Here, take it." "Take it." "You're a slave?" "That Roman is your master?" "He offended you." "No Rossich would bear such humiliation." "I'll bring back your God." "Take it." "You can have it." "I invited you to express my thanks." "You'll possess gold, food, weapons, loyal men." "but not to torment the empire with your raids." "It's time to start a war with the Slavs." "Malkh!" "Demetriy isn't happy with you." "He is very angry at you." "You helped badly preaching the True Belief to the Slavs." "I'll tell you something I shouldn't." "Demetriy asked me to chain you before we go on land, and give you to the archons." "Run." "I'm free." "I'm free!" "Don't kill me!" "Russich!" "Ratibor!" "I'm Malkh, remember?" "Torzhok-island." "Ares-Mars." "Well?" " Roman?" " Yes!" "Malkh." "O, o-o-o." " Mother..." " Oh." "Kolot, give me a hand!" "Oh..." "You're ready, my dear." " Glory to Rod, our God." " Bear it, my dear." " Bear it." " He'll help you." "Now, take your fur coat off." " Yes." " Take off the scarf and the belt." " Well?" " O-ho-ho-ho." "Heart from the stone, body from the finger, bone from the cloud..." "We're burning, we're burning!" "Fire, we're burning!" "We're burning!" "A-a-a-aa!" "A-a-a-a-a!" "Fire." "We're burning." "We're burning!" "Fire!" " We're burning!" "Fire!" " Stop fooling around." "Run to Ratibor, tell him - he's got a son!" "Ratibor!" "Ratibor!" "Ratibor!" " Ratibor!" " What's the commotion?" "Ratibor!" "Ratibor, come quickly." "Your wife gave birth to a son." "A son." "Grandchildren of Slaven, Scythian and Ross." "I'm speaking to you." "Traditionally every clan has its warriors in its city." "Vseslav decided to change that ancient custom, and wants, that the elders give warriors for the border patrol." "What will we decide?" "Vseslav thought out" "something unheard." "Never did the tribes, that lived in Ros', mix their troops." "Defended together - yes." "Yes!" "And every group went into battle with its own captain." "One strong army will take our freedom." "And people need freedom." "Freedom, to exchange it for the Khazarian slavary?" "We need freedom!" "Priest, allow Roman to speak." "Let him speak." "Malkh, you're allowed to speak." "Roman!" "Come here!" "Tell them all." "Tell them, what you know about the Khazars." "I heard from the merchants, that Basileus is a friend of the Khazars." "The khans are often invited into the palace." "That is well known." "On the way to Ros' I saw a Khazarian camp." "I saw it myself." "Let the Rossichs speak." "Speak." "The Ilvichi have 1243 men." "The Kanichi have 578 men." "He counted all." "Looks like he sent a man to count." "So, the Ilvichi have five times more men than us and the Kanichi together." "But they don't give any men for patrol." "I'm asking: give me some men, under the united Ross army the plowman won't be troubled anymore, if he or the nomad will harvest the crop." "You use cunning, Vseslav, you're scaring us." "You want to get power with other clans' help." " We're not timid." " The Roman can't be trusted." " He's a stranger." " That's right." "We mustn't believe." "You'll recollect Vseslav's words after the disaster comes." "Khazars came in summer." "Why did they come?" "To investigate." "Looking for resting places." "Who will send their men to the Ross patrol." "It's decided, Vseslav." "Half of the clans give you their men." "Halt." "The Spring is comming." "Khazars will come or not, but we need to plough and sow." "I'm busy with ploughing." "I won't give you any warriors, step aside." "Don't allow our blood to die." "I feel it - the disaster is coming." "I said enough." "My warriors aren't worse than yours." "Clear the road." "Is that so?" "Look at you, fat from all the honey." "I'm fat?" "Let's ring our swords." "Let's ring." "I can't waste my iron on you." "Not worse... than my, you say?" "I'll wait for you men when the snow melts." "I'll send them to you." "Saddle the horses." "Khazars." "End of the first episode." "THE PRIMORDIAL RUS" "Episode two." "I'm Chemota, from the Vyatichi, I've brought 100 men." "Chemota, you'll stay at the ford." "Goroboi sent us." "We are 50 men." "Glory to knyaz Goroboi." " Cross the Ros'" "River." " Roger, captain." "Out of 10 clans only 6 gave warriors." "Vseslav, Muzhilo didn't send anyone." "A backstabbing from our own kind, like from strangers." "Kolob from the patrol." "Did you count?" "Many!" "I could go crazy counting them all." "About 1500 and this one." "How many are you?" "What are your plans?" "Malkh, ask him." "Heat the spear." "Three khans are leading the nomad army to Ros'." "Khan Sunika Ermiya," "khan Egan Saol" "and khan Shamoel Zarol." "Pride to our brothers, who have come to share the bloody harvest with us." "Shame on the knyazs and captains, who didn't send warriors." "Our grandfathers and fathers bequeathed brave acts to us." "Let us stay strong and not surrender to the Khazars!" "Let them damn their God, because he lead them to the Ross lands!" " Ros'!" " Ros'!" "Rus!" "Rus!" "Take and read it." "Malkh." "Translate, it's written in Khazarian." "If you, Ross khan, can resist our army, fight us." "If you think you're weaker, come to us for negotiations, to your lord, with water in hands, in a sign of obedience and submission." "Vseslav." "Torop!" "Har, har, har!" "Hey!" "Take our answer to your khan." "Rus gave gifts worthy of you, great khan." "Strange gifts." "What's happening with the Slavs?" "Find out!" "Great khan!" "They're conjuring their horses before battle." "Rus looks at us with contempt." "And these strange gifts." "Something is wrong." "They're not afraid of us, and are planning something." "We won't start today." "The enemy leaves us its land and water." "The mouse lives in the earth." "The frog in the water." "And the bird - like a horse." "And the arrows?" "They're putting down their weapons." "These gifts have another meaning." "They want us to fly away like a bird, hide in the earth like a mouse, hide in the water like a frog." "Otherwise... these arrows will kill us." "Egan Saol!" "You'll cross the river near the hill of our camp." "Shamoel Zaraol!" "You'll cross the river on lower land, and strike from the back." "And I'll be staying here." "What do you have?" "Three divisions of Khazars stand before us." "I can see it by the smoke." "Three divisions, or one, doesn't make a difference." "Vseslav ordered you, from young to old, to flee into the forest." "Don't expect any help." "Not all knyazs gave warriors." "We are few." "Leave the city." "Mother!" "Mlava!" "Mlava!" "My love." "My love." "Where is mother?" "Somewhere around here." "Sonny." "Flee into the forest." "Flee." "No, wait!" "Let me remember you." "Go, be quick." "You'll die if they find you alone." "My dear!" "Take care, my dear!" "I pledge to you." "If we die, take a new wife." "Who will go into the woods?" "This land is ours." "It's not the Ross way to flee from every problem into woods and swamps." "A big disaster is coming." "But we mustn't allow our houses to be abused." "We have to defend the city together." "I believe, good people," "Vseslav will come to help us." "Well." "Then, it's decided." "I need to weed the area between the Gods." "But there's no time." "The Khazars are coming." "I'll show you!" "Why didn't you see it coming?" "!" "Old man." "You're arguing with Svarog." "Aren't you afraid?" "He is the father of us all." "And relatives can have a quarrel sometimes." "We have to secure the tables and the clans' history." "Write." "Yesterday, knyaz Goroboi resigned from his post." "Resigned from his post:" ""I don't want," - he is saying, - "to ruin my clan... with my helpless old age..." "Let the young ones... learn how to stand for the clan"." "For the clan..." "Finished?" "Vseslav!" "There is 1/3 of the Khazarian army, the others can't be seen around." "Vseslav, the Khazars crossed the Ros' River." "Below the Ilvichian border." "They're also crossing the river on the other side." "They want to fight us divided." "We haven't the strength to start the war." "The Khazars are over 3000." "We have six times fewer warriors." "Well." "We'll save the small strength to break the big one." "We retreat as planned!" "We retreat!" "The Rossichs are running without fighting." "I would have acted the same after encountering a great strength." "That Rossich-khan wants to save his warriors behind the wooden wall." "We won't hurry." "The Slavs have no strength." "Khan Shamoel Zarol and Egan Saol will conquer their cities and come back." "Then we'll attack the troops together." "Hear my order." "You, Ratibor, take half ot the army at night and intercept the khan, that is going to your city." "You, Pavich, make many fires near the walls." "We have to keep the Khazars here." "Let the khan think, that here hides the whole Ross army." "Aha." "We lost the path." "Be quiet." "Silence!" "After me." "Malusha." "Malusha." "Quickly, hide the tables and take away the horse." "Quickly." "Do it." "He spoiled the sacred place." "Perun, punish him with your thunderbolts." "Praying?" "Pray, old man." "Burn everything down!" "Burn the Ross Gods!" "Mlava, run to my house and hide there." "My khan, we're ready for the assalt of the Slavic fortress." "The whole Rus army is behind the wooden walls." "All of them?" "Yes, my khan." "Help, people!" "Help!" "Khazarian bastards!" "Neighbor, make it quick." "Quickly." "Mother, I won't go without you." "Mother, save yourself!" "I'm staying." "Mother!" "You heard me." "Go, my dear, go!" "Save my grandchild." "Quickly, quickly." "Quiet, sonny, quiet." "If we barricaded good, then they won't hear us." "And if badly, then they'll find us anyway." "A-a-a!" "What was that?" "The burnt house fell down." " That's it." " Everything collapsed." "Now we can't get out of here." "No, no, I won't go!" "Don't touch me!" "Let me go!" "Lada, save me!" "Mama!" "Mama!" "We have to get out." "We'll die here." "We'll choke." "You think, we should go out?" "No." "Into the city, to the Khazars?" "No." "Through the side." "Don't cry, good boy." "Rus!" "Rus!" "Rus!" "Rus." " Take your weapons!" " The horses!" "Give me a horse!" "While khan is planning," "I'll go and help Ratibor." "You are the new captain here." "Torop!" "Catch the khan!" "Ratibor!" "Cover me!" " I want to drink!" " Water!" "Sleep." "All of them sleep." "She's also sleeping." "Get up, Milava, get up." "Let's go gather flowers." "Murderer!" "Nasty beast!" " Let me go!" " Lyubava." "Let me go!" " Lyubava, it's me." " The earth is burning!" "The sky is crying!" "Let go." "Show the khan and the famous Khazars our honour through disconnection." "A-a-a-a-a!" "That's it." "That's it." "All in vain." "I can't anymore." " We won't make it." " Be quiet, stupid." "We saved the Ross children from the Khazarian arrows." "The clan lives." "Be quiet." "Vseslav!" "Don't let the khan escape!" "We are going back!" "They died." "Khan Shamoel Zaroel and all of his warriors." "That's all." "The all died?" "All, my khan." "You're lying." "Coward!" "You ran from the first waving of the Ross sabre." "I'm not lying." "Away!" "The Khazars are ready to attack, but, it seems, they're leaving." "Vseslav!" "Vseslav." " Urus!" "Hey, urus!" " Hey, urus!" "The khan has come out." "Come to us." " They are unarmed." " Come out!" "Urus!" "Malkh, you're coming with us." "Come, come!" "Let's hear what they have to say." "My khan, powerful and glourious, of the clan Sunika Ermiya, wants to speak to you." "I, Sunik Ermiya, want to return to the steppe." "I'm have no anger towards you." "I didn't do evil to you." "And what did you make the ladders for?" "I changed my mind." "You want to go without fighting?" "Go." "We're happy to resolve everything peacefully." "Lay down your arms and swear by your God, that you, your children, grandchildren, won't ever come with evil plans to this land." "One cannot live in the steppe without a weapon." "I don't know, how the Gods will lead my children and grandchildren." "Nothing happens without the will of God." "Did you attack us by your own will or the will of your God?" "We know, not God, but the Romans sent ambassadors to the Khazars." "We, Khazars, have contact with many." "We have contact with the Romans." "The one loses face, who discloses the entrusted." "The other khans went from the steppe into the forest and, by the will of God, died there." "Your brothers died by our will, not by the will of your God!" "You attacked us!" "Destroyed our cities, killed our people!" "You burned down the images of our Gods!" "Vseslav!" "He doesn't swear, that he won't come with evil." "I'll give you redemption." "The commanders of Basileus give us redemtion, and we go away peacefully." "There is no shame to it." "There is glory." "You use cunning, khan." "Cunning." "You came to fight." "We'll fight." "I'll do everything, so that everyone of you" "will remember and tell the others:" ""Don't go to Ros', there lives the Khazarian death"." "Vseslav." "Khan still has strength." "We're equal in power, one on one." "The steppe is dry." " And the wind is on our side." " Yarilo is helping us." "Dubok." "Go ahead before the Khazars, keep a distance, cover up the wells and water sources." "You, Ratibor, are going after the khan." "Don't go into close fight!" "There are some rumors about a knyaz Vseslav." "That Slav crushed our mercenaries, the Khazars." "If he succeeds in uniting the barbarians, we won't be able to control the north." "It's impossible to unite the barbarians." "I heard, that the Slavs don't aknowledge any power." "And hate each other." "Well?" "I plan to send a reliable man" "to the barbarians." "I hope he will be of use to us." "We're with you now, Rossichs!" "With you!" " Glory to you!" " Glory to the winners!" " Glory to the winners!" " Glory!" "Glory!" "The Khazars were screaming before our cities, they became wild of the smell of our blood, and they are gone." "And for that, glory to you!" "Glory to you!" "Glory!" "Glory!" "Alive!" "My beloved one!" "It's alright." "E-hey!" "Is your knyaz, Vseslav, at home?" "And who are you?" "I'm the messenger of the Basileus," "I bring a message to your knyaz from the imperator." "Let it be, you'll be hurt." "Beast." "I like you, Vseslav." "After getting to know you, I see in you qualities of a great commander and ruler." "I'll say it straight." "In the empire, weaklings longed for the diadem of Basileus." "They took it." "The knyazs in Ros' aren't fair to you." "You crushed the Khazars, freed your cities, but you're a mere warrior, not a knyaz." "You pity me, why?" " Because..." " Sit down." "Sit down." "Ratibor!" "Treat the guests." "So, the empire offers to help me or the Slavic kind?" "We, Romans, are always ready to help a good neighbor to restore justice." "I thought, that you had enough problems without us." "And Basileus, we heard, is more interested in getting more gold." "And spreading indignation among the neighbors." " No." " No, no." "The empire has always wanted a good relationship with the Slavs." "Our merchants trade with you from ancient times." "We're not friends with the Khazars." "I give you my word, it's the truth." "The Khazars are cruel and betraying." "And your name is well known now." "Basileus wants to hire your warriors." "We need some good warriors." "You'll be paid well." "You have my thanks." "For your friendship - my friendship." "We have our own problems." "Tell that to him." "I wish to drink wine with you." "For our friendship and your glorious victory." "For the vicotry!" "Accept it from the Basileus." "It's for you and your people." "By the words of the ancient pagans, the God's favourites die early." "I wish you... us... let the destiny bring us death at the right time." "For the victories!" "For the victories!" "For the victories." "Take this cup." "As a sign of respect and love." "Expect news in winter, big and surprising news." "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" "Who are you?" "I'm you." "Hasn't the sun risen yet?" "No, Vseslav, not yet." "Why are you lying?" "Get up." "Get up." "Let's go." "You're a warrior." "Go." "Your horse is waiting for you." "Revenge!" "Our land raises warriors not for revenge, but for defense." "We'll take revenge for the death of Vseslav!" "We must resolve everything peacefully." "Not by splitting someones blood." "We mustn't forgive the evil!" "Mustn't!" "We mustn't indulge the enemy!" "The Romans may consider it our weakness." "The Romans' land is big, but they come to us!" "For the sake of our children and grandchildren, let the Romans see our measure!" "I give you my men!" "Me too." " Lead us." " Lead!" "I appreciate your trust, knyazs." "If peace depends on the Roman ruler, then we'll go to him." "You'll send a messenger at night." "Report:" "Slavs, in the amount of 3000, on horses, crossed the border." "But they are much fewer." "The more of them, the more victory will cost." "We'll get much gold, if we can crush the barbarians." "Think." "We only need to hold them back for 10 days." "The army of Velizariy will arrive in 10 days." "Golub!" "Go and speak to the barbarian leader." "You know what I'm talking about?" "After me!" "Make fires!" "Ratibor!" " 1200 crossed the river." " Take care of the horses!" "Look!" "They noticed us." "Be it plague or hunger, but the barbarians won't enter the fortress." "Ratibor, we have a messenger." "I'm Rekilla Golub." "You crossed the sacred border of the empire." "You'll see the sword of punishment." "We want to confirm, if you can hold that sword." "Barbarian, you are probably interested in gold?" "Make yourself at home!" "In ten days you'll be rewarded." "For now I can only give one coin to five men." "How many men did you bring with you?" "Trading." "Not interested?" "Know, that the sacred Justinianic rage will burn your land, and blood..." "You recognised me, Golub?" "Torzhok-island..." "Ratibor." "Well, Ratibor, you should know, that nobody has ever conquered these walls." "And there is no other way into the empire." "Tomorrow at noon you'll open the gate and let my warriors pass." "Otherwise we'll do it ourselves." "Everyone receives 10 golden coins for the victory." "We'll crush these barbarians!" "Nika!" "Nika!" "Nika!" "Nika!" "The Roman said, that nobody conquered these walls." "A problem." "Nobody except us." "It's high." "They don't expect us from the sea side." "Then I'll go that way." "Go." "I'll go." "Why not?" "Go." "Try to break through the gate." "I'll distract them." "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" "How stupid!" "They want to break through the gate with those poles." "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" "Stupid!" "Savages without the knowledge of beauty." "Climb here, climb the wall." "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" "Marksmen get ready!" "Cavalry to the gate!" "Ratibor!" "Ratibor!" "1200 went through the fortress and are going to Constantinople." "We're waiting for you." "Let us alone." "We meet again." "You, servant of your empire, sowed the seeds of hatred." "It's harvesting time." "You visited us, this time we came." "Your victory... doesn't mean anything." "Pray before death, it's your custom." "Remember the warrior Vseslav, poisoned by you." "Have mercy." "I'm... rich..." "How much do you want?" "The empire is eternal, it will crush you." "But I... can be of use... to you!" "With few men we are standing before a big army." "Don't bring shame to the Slavic land!" "Our bones will rest here!" "The dead don't feel any disgrace." "What's happening?" "The barbarians have gone crazy." "They are getting... ready for death." "We'll pay much for the victory without finding glory in battle." "This is the will of the imperator." "Carry out the order!" "Good." "We begin." "Go and fight any of them." "Why me?" "Then take the army and bring victory." "This is not my duty." "And my duty is to keep the army and its pride." "This group of barbarians is dangerous!" "A-a-a." "Well?" "Divine, the army of..." "Velizariy blocked the barbarians' way and was ready to fight, but a storm came." "The mercenaries started to grumble, and Velizariy changed his decision..." "Why?" "Help him." "A-a-a-a!" "Velizariy may have thought, that we, intelligent people, don't need to test the craziness of people, who are despaired in life." "This occurrence can lead to similar actions." "Velizariy is a brave and experienced commander, but he may think, that our victory lies in the enemy's retreat." "We are dancing on the blade's edge." "But, if the barbarians break through, they can get help from, the slaves and citizens." "We're safe from the sea side." "The walls and towers are being strengthened." "Divine, I don't think..." "It's time to start." "Johann!" "What do you suggest?" "We must take away their reason to come to Constantinople." "Don't let them, by all means, near the walls of our city." "Justinians relation to the nordic Slavs lead to a storm, that shaked the ground of the empire to its highest top." "For several days, the armies of Velizariy and the Slavs were standing against each other, without fighting." "Who is the Slavic knyaz?" "Basileus Justinian is amazed at your bravery, Slavic archon." "He's admiring you." "I'm ordered to give to you a decree about peace and friendship." "Let's be friends, Rossich, let's love each other from the bottom of our hearts." "Let us prevent, that someone from our subjects would make evil deeds." "We'll try with all our strength, at all times, throughout centuries, to keep love and peace with you, confirmed by our oaths, by our word, and by this writing." "I'm also ordered to tell you, that the empire doesn't want to be at enmity with you." "And we're willing to pay a contribution at the border." "The suggested peace," "and the oath, confirmed by this writing," "we accept." "We're going to Ros'!" "Let the barbarians through!"