Book 7. Cursed Gold and River Journey

By Olga Kryuchkova

Lands of Bohemia. End of VII — beginning of VIII centuries.
Prince Czech and his large tribe leave their homes and rush in search of a new homeland. Říp becomes the capital of the new principality called Bohemia. From Říp, Czech rules over his lands and decides the fate of his people, the Czech tribe.
Young Krok and his family decide to leave Říp and settle in the still free lands. They find a suitable place near the stream. Once in the forest, young Krok meets the beautiful Medulina, not suspecting that she is a forest spirit. Love breaks out between Krok and Medulina. Medulina's parents, the forest god Bor and the goddess of childbirth, Didilia, bless their marriage. Three daughters are born in a young family: Kazi, Teta, Libuše. Medulina already knows about the destiny of her daughters. However, she is unable to change their fate, because the fateful threads are woven by the divine sisters of the Sudenitsy themselves.
Over time, Krok becomes the Duke of Budeč. The alien Prince Ladvik appears in the forests with his tribe, who left their native lands under the onslaught of the Saxon tribes. Ladvik is strong, cunning and worships the god Veles. Veles, in every possible way, favors his faithful admirer. Ladvik and his kmets (are warriors close to the ruler) ravage the border lands of the Czechs and Luchane. Krok enters into a military alliance with the Prince of Luchane, Radoslav, in order to confront Prince Ladvik. Together, the allies manage to repulse him. Ladvik suffers a crushing defeat and goes into the thicket of the forest to serve Veles himself in the guise of a bear. However, Veles is not happy that Krok and Radoslav intervened in his plans. Veles wants revenge and finds an ally, a dark god, Chernobog.
Medulina is trying to protect the family from the wrath of Veles and saves her husband from certain death. Bor and Didilia jointly oppose the magic of Veles and Chernobog. Veles and Chernobog retreat for a while. However, Veles, by all means, intends to get even with the Krok’s family and to start using the eldest daughter Kazi. For this Veles attracts Libor, the son of the Forest Prince Ladvik. Libuše and Medulina intend to protect Kazi, but in vain. From the connection between Kazi and Libor, a boy is born, intended to serve Veles. Medulina takes her newborn grandson and leaves the human world with him. Krok is very upset by the disappearance of his wife. Teta and Libuše try to support Kazi in every possible way, and soon she marries the Prince of Luchane, Radoslav. At his sister's wedding, Libuše has visions that foreshadow the death of a young man while hunting...
Prince Czech died. A struggle for power began in the capital of the principality. Branka, the wife of one of Czech's sons, dreams of elevating her husband to the throne of power. To do this, she resorts to the help of the Dark Forces. However, Branka's plans are crumbling. And she enters into a relationship with the magical Demon-snake.
At this time, Libuše had a love affair with Mirek. From time to time, Libuše was visited by visions that foreshadowed trouble. Libuše tried to understand their meaning and protect her relatives, subjects and beloved Mirek from the Dark Forces.
Nevertheless, Chernobog is strong and defeated the Light Gods. As a result, Libuše's father died.
God Veles in the form of a bear appeared before Kazi to take her child. Veles intended to raise a child and make him his faithful servant. Medulina is ready to protect her daughter Kazi and grandson from Veles and, if necessary, from Chernobog.
Libuše parted with her beloved Mirek. She was very upset by their breakup. Fate brought Libuše together with the son of a local Voivode named Přemysl. However, Vlasta, a faithful friend of Libuše, fell in love with Přemysl. And Vlasta does not intend to share Přemysl with Libuše.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Kryuchkova
• Release date: Feb 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215294468

Olga Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova began her creative career in 2006. During this time, the author had more than 100 publications and reprints (historical novels, historical adventures, esotericism, art therapy, fantasy). A number of novels were co-written with Elena Kryuchkova.

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Olga Kryuchkova

Princess Seer. Crown of Power Series

Book 7. Cursed Gold and River Journey

Chapter 11

Libor, who had lived as a hermit in the forest for a long time, entered the sanctuary of Veles, which was still built by his father, the Forest Prince Ladvik. He sacrificed a forest doe to the god. The young graceful animal was only wounded, its legs were tied. Libor threw the doe on the altar and cut its throat with a confident gesture. Hot blood rushed onto the stone, dripping onto the ground…

Ladvik said glorification to Veles, and then a prayer. After that, he paused and asked his patron for the most secret:

For many years I lived in the forest, served you faithfully. You turned me into a bear, a deer and a boar. I did not dare to resist your will. I lived half my life in the forest, I have neither a family nor an heir... So I will die here... I beg you, Veles, let me go... I'm tired of such a life.

Recently, Libor more and more often remembered Princess Lyubomira, the daughter of the Prince of Wagri. After all, he fell in love with her, but the girl considered Libor a brother. Often he regretted that he had not listened to her father Gotlib and remained a kmet in Stargard. Maybe then his life would have turned out differently...

Libor froze, fearing that now Veles would bring down his anger on him. However, this did not happen. On the contrary, there was a ringing silence around the temple. Finally, it was broken by a bird's hubbub.

And suddenly Libor heard the voice of Veles:

Go to Kazin, there lives the one that you possessed by my will. Go to her, love her. You will have a wife and a child.

A shudder seized Libor: Veles had never spoken to him like this before. He fell to his knees before the idol and thanked god. Then he went to his dugout, packed his belongings and went to Kazin.

Libor walked through the forest, and now he reached the Mže River. And he continued his way along its course, hoping to get to Kazin. Libor had never been to the city and walked intuitively, believing that Veles himself was guiding him. And he was not mistaken, Veles really directed the forest Prince, and god had his own reasons for that.

Finally he reached the bend of the river Mže. It curved so that the protruding shore washed by it turned into an island over the years. It was on this island, many years ago, that Princess Kazi built her city and named it Kazin.

The city was connected to the banks by wooden bridges. And in the event of a siege by enemies, the bridges were set on fire and the city became impregnable. Kazi has always been proud of this place. It was not only strategically located, but also crossed many trade routes. In addition, the Mže River was navigable. And traders, merchants from all over the Principality rushed to Kazin to profitably sell their goods.

It was the beginning of summer, Rusalkian Week had passed. And therefore, canvases and shirts were still hanging on the bushes and trees along the river, which the locals brought as a gift to the rusalkas.

Finally, a picturesque view of Kazin opened up in front of Libor. Involuntarily, the Prince felt uneasy: he had spent almost all his life in the forest and had not been in a big city for a long time. However, Libor stepped onto the bridge leading to the city and headed towards his fate.

Ships and boats of all colors and sizes were visible around the city. They brought merchants to the fair, which for many years has been held in Kazin at this time of the year. Libor also had something to offer the townspeople. He did not come from the