Summary

The Grand Prince of Muscovy – Narration describes how, the day after Vasya’s disappearance, Pyotr punishes her, but not too severely because she had caught a chill while out in the woods. Narration then describes Pyotr’s decision to go to Moscow to seek a wife for himself; to seek a husband for Olga; and to take Sasha and Kolya with him to introduce them to the city. After weeks of preparation (during which Sasha, who has a way with horses, calms Pytor’s skittish stallion), and after two weeks of travel, Pyotr and his entourage arrive in Moscow. They are shown into the dining hall of the Grand Prince, Marina’s half-brother Ivan. He greets them briskly, paying particular attention to Sasha, who reacts uneasily. Pytor tells him to be careful: men of power like the Prince, he says, are always watching...