Issue Date: June 1995
Snow White charms the Seven Dwarfs.

Having lost the hunt for glory, Farlaf hides in a distant backwoods, waiting for Naina.  The sorceress leads him to a quiet valley where Ruslan sits.  Imperceptibly, a dream flutters over the hero.  He glances at his maiden with troubled eyes and falls asleep.  Farlaf quietly draws his sword, ready to cleave the knight in two.  Encouraged by the witch, the traitor plunges cold steel into Ruslan’s chest three times and races away with his precious plunder.

In the morning, Ruslan lifts himself up with effort.  He looks around then falls, motionless and breathless.

Sixth song

Farlaf rushes to Kiev, while Naina flies overhead. Great Prince Vladimir sits, languishing in his habitual thoughts.  The door opens.  With silent whispers everyone says, “Ludmila is here! Is it really Farlaf?”  The old prince hurries to his daughter, but the sweet maiden doesn’t stir.  Farlaf says, “I found her this way in the backwoods of Muromskij forest in the hands of an evil wood goblin.  We fought for three days.  But who can break this magical sleep?  I don’t know!”

New anxiety soon disturbs Kiev.  In the morning fog, tents shine white across the river.  Riders appear in the distance.  The Pechenegs, an enemy tribe, are up in arms!

But at that moment the Finn, powerful lord of souls, is in a magical valley that has two springs.  One flows with living waves, and the other flows with dead water.  The hermit fills two jugs with their waters.

In two moments he appears beside Ruslan’s lifeless form.  The old man sprays the dead water over the corpse.  The wounds instantly heal.  Then the old man sprinkles the hero with the living water.  Full of new strength, Ruslan arises.  But where is Ludmila?  His blazing heart sinks.  The Finn hails him.  Embracing Ruslan, he prophesies: “A bloody feast calls you; your terrible sword will destroy misfortune.  Take this sacred ring and touch it to Ludmila’s brow in Kiev.  The powers of the secret spell will disappear!”  The knight gallops away.


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Pursuing
Their Fate
Author:
Daniel Marshall
May 1995