Summary

Chapter Nineteen, July to October 1916, Grigori returns to Petrograd after two years of serving in the army. He serves under the brutal Major Azov and Grigori has become a revolutionary by fighting alongside the ruling class, as he sees how corrupted and uncaring they are. Grigori fights to live for Katerina and her son, Vladimir while also wishing he could have been a better parent to Lev. In battle, Grigori had become very good at keeping his platoon off of the front lines, earning their trust. So, when Major Azov brings orders to follow the swamp to the West, Grigori is certain they will all die. He asks for ammunition and is punched by Azov, losing his front tooth. He walks his men through the mud then pretends that he found an enemy encampment. Hours later...