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Nenetsia, 1241

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Let the spirit of the Bear and of the

Earth protect you, son.

You’ll need all their help.

And remember what was said, Maansi.

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Forget the traces left by men.

Follow the path the swans will draw for you.

For it’ll be the heaven the one to guide you to the sea.

To Buyan

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EARLY THIRTEENTH CENTURY, THE WORLD IS AT WAR AGAIN, REVIVING THE CURSE OF HUMANITY. INTERMINABLE FIGHTS AMONG GODS, KINGS AND

PEOPLE; REMEMBERING THAT ASH AND FIRE ARE STILL OLDER AND MORE POWERFUL THAN FLESH AND BLOOD.

IN THE HEART OF NORTHERN ASIA, IN THE VAST PLAINS OF MONGOLIA, THE ECHOES OF THE EMPIRE OF GENGHIS KHAN HAVE BEGUN TO TAKE UP RENEWED FORCE. HIS GRANDSON, BATU KHAN, ONCE AGAIN LEADS THE GALLOPING GOLDEN HORDE, BURNING THE GRASS IN HIS PATH. HE HAS LAUNCHED THE “SCOURGE OF GOD” AND THIS TIME INTENDS TO GET TO

THE FINAL SEA, TO THE SHORES OF EUROPE.

THE PEOPLES AND KINGDOMS OF EUROPE CAN BARELY REPEL THE ATTACKS OF THE GOLDEN HORDE, TANGLED AS THEY ARE IN INTERNAL STRUGGLES.

THE NEW GODS CLAIMING THE BLOODY HEADS OF THE ANCIENT GODS; THE NEW KINGS, THE CROWNS OF THE OLD; MEN CONTINUE TO KILL MEN.

ONLY A FEW CHOOSE THE OTHER WAY. ONLY A FEW HAVE A DIFFERENT OBJECTIVE. AN UNCLEAR HORIZON, FRAUGHT WITH STILL BIGGER RISKS...

BUYAN.

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IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY.

SO IT WILL BE LATER, UNTIL THE DAYS AND YEARS

LOSE THEIR NAME.

YOU ARE THE SONS OF THE EARTH AND THE MOON AND THAT IS

YOUR DESTINY.

NOT TO UNDERSTAND THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS.

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DENYING YOUR GRIEF.

IN A VAIN STRUGGLE.

AGAINST GODS AND SWORDS ...

NOT UNDERSTAN-DING THAT LIFE IS NOTHING BUT

ESCAPING.

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LIKE AN ARROW.

THAT FLIES FROM ONE PIECE OF MEAT TO ANOTHER

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It’s over, Bogatyr.

It was a beautiful struggle.

The ancestors will welcome you by their side with honour, Dobrinya.

You go first, dog!

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Get ready to see the face of your gods.

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IN THE TUNDRA EVERYTHING IS UNIQUE.

SNOW, ICE, WIND.

ALL WHITE, ALL THE SAME. TILL MAN AND TUNDRA

BECOME THE SAME.

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We have arrived at the border, Noho. Here the road begins.