Last year, I drank excellent wine in this tavern.
The swill we make is far from excellent,
but we sure are famous for it.
What's your name?
You can call me anything you like, as long as you're a paying customer.
- Where's Kudim? - Who?
- The owner of this tavern. - He was murdered.
Why?
He used to water the wine and short-change customers.
And then he got caught fornicating with a local merchant's wife.
Are you sure she wasn't your wife?
Let's roast this duck to take with us?
Hey, master?
Wait!
Your turn to kill.
Bring me a sack.
- Was it them who maimed you? - No, it wasn't them.
Some other Polovtsians attacked me on my way to Khan Konchak.
That time, I was supposed to go instead of you.
Then, Tatiana would've been mine.
You think, life with her is sweet as honey?
If I knew how headstrong she was I wouldn't have come near her.
You wouldn't have lasted a week.
We're honored to see you and your son welcoming us at the border, Lord Oleg.
Lord Vladimir is offering me to take Chernigov under my rule.
I see he's giving his neighbor what he couldn't manage himself.
I am not offended.
I will take it.
Was he too busy to pay me a visit?
Then you, noblemen, be my guests.
Today they're his guests, tomorrow they're his loyal subjects.
Oleg wants Kiev for himself...
- Should've captured him. - He killed himself.
I was too late, Lord.
- You saved my life. - It's my duty, Lord.
Lutobor!
Master, your wife is giving birth!
She's screaming so loud, it must be a future warrior.
Go to her, Lutobor.
No, no, Master, you can't go in! Not yet! Wait here!
Be patient. Your lady will deliver soon.
Every new life begins in suffering.
Since when are you so wise?
When my wife was giving birth to our sixth child I got drunk
so I would suffer less.
Everything will be alright.
- Do I have a son?! - Wouldn't you love your daughter?
I wouldn't. How dare she be born before my son?
- Give me the baby. - You have a son, Master.
Lord Oleg is here!
- So, you have a son now? - Yes, Lord.
Would you name me the godfather or do you have a better candidate?
Are you joking, Lord? I wouldn't have dared to ask.
- Let's see your son. - Tatiana!
Oh, look at you...
He looks just like you.
In a year's time, I want a grandson just like him.
This sword is yours until your son is old enough to hold it.
- That's an honor, Lord. - You've earned it, Lutobor.
Well, show us your swordsmanship.
This sword is beyond praise, Lord.
- Are you any good in real battle? - Want to test my bravery, Polovtsian?
Are you scared?
I don't want to contaminate this soil with your blood.
No swords! You can wrestle each other.
Don't hurt the Khan's son too much. They're my allies nowadays.
Enough!
A threatened blow is seldom given.
Open the gate!
That was a good fight.
Well, you humored me, but you made yourself an enemy.
That's fine. The Polovtsian was asking for it.
- True. Well, I'll take my leave now. - Stay for the celebration, Lord
I'd be happy to, but I have my princely duties to fulfill.
Prov!
Feed the musicians
and heat some water so I can wash the Polovtsian snot off me.
What's this? Look at him...
Easy there, my warrior. Save your caresses for later.
Did you stitch it up?
You're good as new.
I'll seal the wound with a spell.
Lutobor!
He is still alive, bastard.
What are we going to do with him?
Lock him in the shed!
Lutobor, my friend, I feel your pain. We'll find them, I swear.
I heard about what happened.
What are you going to do?
What do the kidnappers want? Ransom or something else?
Talk to me.
The lives of my wife and son in exchange for your life.
That's a high price.
What did you choose?
I chose my duty to you, Lord.
Thank you.
Hold on to the poison for now.
Here's to my right-hand man Lutobor!
It was him who poisoned me!
Poison... He has the poison!
My husband will track you down!
We were told not to touch you...
but I wouldn't refuse if you got the desire.
Where's Marten?
He was killed by Lutobor.
How convenient. Marten was going to challenge you as the leader.
I was chosen by Ares as the strongest of the Wolves.
I will lead the pack.
Ares will decide that.
Why, Lord?
- I've been faithful to you. - I know that.
But I want my enemies to think that you, Lutobor, poisoned me.
I recognized the poison - it's powdered hemlock.
A person who takes it suffers for seven days before dying.
You have seven days to get your wife and son back,
and to find the man who wants my death.
- Thank you, Lord. - Don't thank me just yet.
Now you will escape,
and I will announce a reward for your head.
That's the only way, otherwise the enemies won't believe you.
Spare the executioner. I still need his services.
Forgive me, Lord, for not sparing his life.
Prov! Prov, come here.
- Master? - Be quiet. Where's the captive?
In the shed. I think he's with the Wolves of Perun -
the gang of hired assassins.
Bring me my sword and armor, and a change of clothes.
- And water for washing. Quick! - Right away, Master.
Do you want to live, Wolf?
I do. Forgive me for God's sake, I've done you wrong.
Evil people took me in and lured me into doing bad deeds for gold...
Shut your mouth.
Help me get my family back and I'll set you free.
I'll help you, I swear to God...
I know you don't believe in my God...
but I will take your oath.
You'll swear it at a shrine, before the idol of your god Perun.
Well?
Agreed.
Where's your master?
I don't know where he is now.
I haven't seen him since he left for the Lord's palace.
Where are you taking me?
Is this an ancient temple?
A secret shrine?
Here's your god Perun. Swear an oath before the idol.
Woof...
Oh Perun, god of lightning...
I pledge before you to help Lutobor get his wife and son back...
- Alive and well. - Alive and well.
His oath has no value. He does not honor Perun.
Who are you? Show yourself!
He prays to a different god.
He is from an ancient tribe that now lost its greatness.
The last of them make a living on bloodshed.
Isn't that true, Wolf of Ares?
That's true, at home I honor Ares, but I respect your god too.
Who are you?
He is Perun's Guardian. Untie me, Lutobor.
His people swear oaths on a sword
washed in human blood.
Why should I believe you?
I am the keeper of ancient knowledge.
He's blind.
Oh, but it is you who are...
blind.
Are you seeking death, Guardian?
Oh, but it is you who found it.
Kill him!
Calm down. He's dead. Untie me.
Your people swear oaths on a sword washed in human blood.
Give your word.
I give my word.
It's good to have your trust. I won't disappoint you.
Marten.
- What? - Call me Marten.
Why didn't you strangle me, Marten?
Because I honor Ares. I wouldn't disgrace him before another god.
I will keep my word.
I wonder what it's like to have only one wife. Don't you get bored?
One is enough for God's humble servants. Let me baptize you.
No, thanks. A faith that prohibits concubines isn't for me.
Also, how can a single god rule over everything - mountains,
forests, thunderstorms?
For you, it's about women, not thunderstorms!
There's no chance you're going to heaven, mark my word.
Lutobor?
That might be my name, but I don't remember your face.
My name's Troyan, I'm a merchant.
We met once. I heard many stories about you.
What kind of stories?
- About your strength and bravery. - And nothing else?
Lord Oleg is searching for you.
He announced a big reward for your head.
But I won't hand you over to him.
Your father said a word for me before the Lord once.
Troyan's honor cannot be bought or sold, even for gold.
Although, for so much gold, a father would sell his own son.
Could Troyan spare two horses?
I don't have many horses, but I'll give you two.
Stay with us for the night, have some rest and some food.
I'll give you the horses tomorrow. They need to rest as well.
- Tired horses won't take you far. - Yes, the horses are very tired.
Don't tell anyone I didn't hand you over for the reward.
People will think Troyan's gone crazy and won't do business with me.
Well, my dear guests, partake of our humble offering.
Eat.
Damned savage... Animal!
Why did you kill them? They sheltered us.
The merchant is still alive.
Please spare my life, Lutobor.
He was going to send a messenger to the Lord, and collect the reward.
In God's name, don't kill me.
What's your god's name? Dajbog, Perun or maybe Hors?
I'm begging you in the name of Jesus.
The devil tempted me to avarice.
"The devil tempted him." "They sheltered us."
You, Lutobor, aren't very good at telling people from savages.
"Troyan's honor cannot be bought or sold?" Is that right?
You will be given to the man who paid us to kidnap you.
Who is he?
You'll find out when he collects you. You alone, without the child.
As for your son,
he will either be sacrificed to Ares or trained to become a Wolf.
Our boys start eating off a knife as soon as they're weaned.
The training is tough. Only one pup out of ten becomes a Wolf.
And starts killing people for gold?
We wolves do not kill, we hunt. Otherwise, my people would perish.
I will pray for my son to avoid such a fate.
Pray, but here, in our land, your god is powerless.
You're an animal, not a human.
Yes, I'm an animal.
When I'm not the hunter, I'm being hunted.
- Now, we're both being hunted. - What?
Hurry forward!
Come on!
Down the hill!
Get up, get up.
They'll follow our tracks and find us.
So, we'll give them a fight.
That would be suicide.
We're outnumbered.
And they're warriors, not peasants with pitchforks.
Warriors or peasants, I don't care.
I can't escape with an injured leg.
Marten?
The bastard left me to die.
One has disappeared, but we're still on Lutobor's track.
Three of you, come with me! We'll head him off at the pass.
And we meet again... Prepare to taste the blade of my sword, scum.
Your death will be slow. I'll chop you up and feed to animals.
And when all that's left is your head,
I'll find your wife and make you watch as I tear her up.
Your bastard will be my slave and eunuch.
He'll live with the dogs and scrub my boots
while I drink wine from your scull at the Lord's table.
Too many words. Shut your trap and fight.
That was a good fight.
Bandage your leg and drink plenty of water.
I'll fill the canteen. Water will be scarce from now on.
Lutobor, don't drink the...
Don't take anything from the living!
Water these days...
Who the hell are they?
The Forest People. They worship Veles.
Look, it's Berendey. They will give us to him.
- How comes, no one can beat him? - Why no one?
A crowd with spears or another Berendey can cope with him.
- Can the two of us beat them? - No chance. But we'll give a fight.
- Oh yes? - Well, we can't just give up.
Well, it was nice knowing you, Lutobor.
What's that on him?
We do not take servants of the crucified god as sacrifices.
He'll be our slave. Praise Veles!
Throw the other one into the pit!
It's a good knife!
Ares!
Lutobor.
Why aren't you rejoicing, Lutobor? We escaped death. Be happy!
Happy? Because I killed innocent people in a bestial frenzy?
No, because a gift was revealed in you!
You can transform into a bear in battle.
This gift is not from God, but from the devil.
I committed a sin that can't be forgiven.
I hate to tell you that, but...
with that gift, you'll commit many more sins.
No, I won't.
Once a bear has awoken in you, you can't stop or expel him.
I can, and I will.
The bear only awakes if the warrior drinks that wretched potion,
but I'll never drink it again.
I heard that, if the gift is strong in you,
the bear awakes without the potion.
And if the gift is very powerful you can even tame the beast.
But your spirit has to be strong.
But...
God is merciful. Merciful!
He won't let me shed any more innocent blood.
Lutobor, that crucified god of yours is weak.
Ares is strong. He has a liking for blood.
What about your blood,
spilled by one of your own with a treacherous blow?
Come on now.
We're almost there. Wait here.
I need to blindfold you.
Do all outsiders get blindfolded when they come for a visit?
Some don't get blindfolded. They get sacrificed to Ares.
Didn't you say Marten was killed? What will you tell me now, Yar?
I'll tell you!
Lutobor...
Don't be afraid. Everything will be fine, I promise.
Oh great one...
we honor your greatness, through the seasons always.
Now Ares, hear my words. I challenge Yar, leader of the pack.
Make your ruling!
The challenge has been made.
I accept this Wolf's challenge. Make your ruling.
The challenge has been accepted.
Anagast, I fulfilled my part of the agreement!
Now release my wife and son!
The agreement?
The lives of my wife and son for the Lord's life. I poisoned him.
Is that true?
We didn't have an agreement with you.
The agreement was with the man who paid us to kidnap your wife.
But what about the letter and the poison?
The letter? We don't even know how to write.
Who paid you to kidnap my wife? Name?
As part of our agreement, we must keep his name secret.
Your fate will be decided after the Ruling of Ares.
Lutobor...
You swore an oath.
Don't worry. I know I will kill Yar.
I'm stronger than he is. Don't doubt me. I will keep my oath.
What will happen to you?
Ares decides who will be the leader.
No one will challenge me, I am stronger than others.
The pack can not survive without a leader?
Agast will forgive me, he will punish me,
but he will leave me alive. Ares forgive too.
I swore an oath.
What happens when Yar kills you?
It will be bad, Lutobor.
You will be sacrificed. Your son will be raised by a wolf.
Your wife will be given to the one who paid the gold.
Don't worry. I'll kill Yar. I know, I'm stronger.
Hold on, it's not the gods thing. In people.
Many years ago, Yar killed my father and became the pack's leader.
From this day onward, the Wolves will follow me.
Is that your ruling, Ares?
I'm the leader!
Ares made his ruling.
Is there anybody who wishes to challenge the new leader?
Does anybody wish to challenge the leader?
I will challenge him.
He can't challenge me. He's an outsider.
Ares gave us a sign.
The challenge has been posed.
I accept the challenge.
Where is my family?
Your family is the pack's catch. It's been paid for in gold.
I killed the old leader. I'm your leader now.
The catch is mine too.
You're our leader now. Alright then.
Leader gets the first bite. Follow me.
From now on, the pack is your family.
I'm not going to live with the pack.
There's nothing honorable in killing innocent people, Anagast.
- We don't expect you to kill. - What do you expect of me then?
You're a warrior.
Even when the beast awakes in you, your human nature prevails.
We're different. We're assassins by trade.
Don't you want to live in peace?
There's no one to protect us, so the last of us will perish.
If you stay here, you'll perish anyway.
I know that.
Give me my family back, Anagast. We don't belong here.
You can't go back, remember? You're the Lord's enemy.
What if I'm not?
The man who paid you to kidnap my family is the Lord's enemy.
The Lord is alive and well. He's just pretending to be ill.
He trusts me. I'm his right-hand man.
If I find out who wants his death he will trust me even more.
I will put a word for you.
He will take you under his protection if you agree to be loyal to him.
I need to know who the enemy is.
We can help with that.
Finally! I'm so tired of lying on this deathbed.
Lord, I did as you wished.
Let's see who wants my death.
Did someone instigate you?
Luchezar, the Kievan envoy. He said I would rule under Kiev's protection.
Forgive me, Father! Don't kill me!
How could I?
You're my only son.
Lord is dead.
All hail to the new Lord of Tmutarakan!
May he rule wisely under the guidance of the Lord of Kiev!
Don't be too quick to celebrate my death, Luchezar.
Lord, you made a wise decision
in taking the last Scythians under your protection.
They'll serve you faithfully.
Well, where are they?
They trust your word, Lord.
What is happening, Lord? No!
Why, Lord?
In my land there will be one people - my people.
And one power - my power.
I have been loyal to you my whole life.
We had an agreement. You gave me your word.
My subjects don't make agreements with me.
They make pleas.
Serve me well.
I'm not your servant.
Who are you then?
The last warrior.
Goodbye, Lord.
We've wanted to hunt down those bandits for a while.
And now, finally, it's done.
Lutobor killed my son.
He's off to get his wife.
He is yours.