Excerpts from the book:
The Vyrajians had no doubt that this was done intentionally. Firstly, Volkolaks never simply attacked people. Secondly, they were too far from their hillfort hidden in the forest. And thirdly, if they suddenly wanted to actually kill the boy for some reason, they would have done it without difficulty. After all, what is a five-year-old child against adult Volkolaks?
In connection with such strange events, the Vyrajians left the Slavic tribes for some time and urgently gathered for a council in Radogosh, in the palace of Triglav.
"Why would the Volkolaks let the boy drink their blood?" Perun was perplexed.
"You're right, all this is very unusual..." Mokosh confirmed.
Discussions and disputes boiled down mainly to the fact that none of the Vyrajians understood the motive of the Volkolaks.
"If for some reason they wanted to harm him, they would have done it without much effort," Triglav noted. "But the Volkolaks allowed the boy to kill one of them and, most importantly, drink his blood! This probably carries some deep intent! But what does it mean? Will he now become a Volkolak or will he simply gain wolf senses?"
Suddenly Sirin, who had previously maintained a thoughtful silence, said:
"Five years ago, when Mecheslav's mother, Ladomira, and the hunter Lesyar left Velegosh, the she-wolf joined them on the way to Stargard..."
"Yes, I remember you said that it was not the simple she-wolf, but the Volkolak," Ziva immediately responded. "She also admitted to Ladomira, before leaving, that she would also have a child with Lesyar. But women from the Volkolak tribe often have relationships with humans, there is nothing strange about this."
***
..."I'm dying..." the High Bishop said with difficulty, addressing the cardinals gathered around him. "Soon Logos will separate from my body and choose a new successor, the next High Bishop..."
Everyone looked at Gregory and listened to his words. The High Bishop took a breath and continued with difficulty:
"When Logos chooses one of you, that person will become his new incarnation on Earth. Listen to him and honor him..."
The cardinals nodded and assured Gregory IX that it would be so. After this, the Bishop closed his eyes and breathed his last. The cardinals gathered at his bed offered a prayer to the almighty Logos, so that he would choose a worthy successor for his immortal soul.
They didn't have to wait long. About a minute passed (but at that moment it seemed to the cardinals that it lasted an eternity) before a clot of golden haze slowly separated from the chest of the deceased. The cardinals froze in religious awe, prayers froze on their lips. The haze, meanwhile, slowly continued to swirl over the Bishop's body.
Finally, the golden haze slowly, one by one, flew around the cardinals, frozen with anxiety, choosing Leo of Luxembourg. Logos, being in the body of Gregory, had already looked closely at him earlier, as well as at several other cardinals. But in the end, he decided to choose Leo.
Although Leo of Luxembourg had entered old age, he did not complain about his health. In addition, the Cardinal had great influence and many useful connections.
The golden haze hovered opposite the new successor for a few moments. The Cardinal, frozen with tension and anxiety, felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. How he wanted to become the next High Bishop! But what if Logos doesn't choose him? What if he changes his mind?
To the greatest amazement of the cardinals, the golden haze approached Leo's chest... And then completely disappeared into it. The Cardinal was seized with a certain trepidation, then it seemed...