My memories of the Mongol-Tatar invasion are coated in mist. Back then, I thought everything happened too suddenly, but really, we all saw it coming. Some princes urged the principalities to unite and defend together, but most princes were too proud to fight side by side. And so their cities were sacked, one by one. I know that Dmitri and Nicolai refused to make the deal with the Tatars, unlike I did, and they paid dearly for that. Dmitri lost all his diaries, where he recorded the period after the invasion, so he didn't remember what actually happened afterwards. All he remembered was the day when he and little Nicolai woke up in the Lithuanian house.

Toris Laurinaiti turned out to be a kind host. As I knew him back then, he behaved like a thug and was still pagan. Yet, Toris was smart enough not to ruin the remnants of the Kievan culture and traditions. He copied the Kievan lifestyle very well and even began to fancy Chritianity, and neither Dmitri nor Nicolai were bothered by that. Toris and little Nicolai influenced each other when the later was growing up and I sometimes think that Nicolai is now probably more related to Toris than to me. But I will never confess these thoughts to Nicolai because I know he won't like that.

After the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Union of Lubin in 1569, Dmitri fell under the Polish control. But nothing was smooth between Feliks Łukasiewicz and Dmitri: Feliks thought Dmitri was an easy catch, but I knew my older brother too well and I imagined him causing some troubles to the Pole. Dmitri did not want to accept Catholicism. Feliks insisted that after the Tatar invasion, his house must feel like a blessing to poor Dmitri, who only nodded solemnly in response.

And so Nicolai was now with Toris and Dmitri became Feliks's subordinate. And I was left in the cold forest, completely alone, having to choose either death or the Tatars. And I honestly did not know which one was worse.

But later I actually considered myself lucky. I was officially thought to be under the Tatar Yoke, but it did not last very long. Tatars granted the patent to Muscovy to collect money from the other principalities, and it gave me an opportunity to become rich very quickly. I reorganized my political centres, and with the support of the Orthodox Church my state became stronger. All I had to do was to make regular payoffs to the Tatar-Mongols and they let me be. Eventually, I managed to shatter their stability and there wasn't much they could do about it. I was still bothered by their presence time to time, but it was no longer the same.

In the meantime, I was allowed to visit Dmitri on what was then Feliks's territory. Much to my surprise, Dmitri was happy to see me. He has changed, but not by much: his clothes appeared different, but it was still the same face I remembered from childhood.

"You look bigger and more confident, Ivan", he said proudly.

"And you look rather polonized. Enjoying Feliks's hospitality?"

"Do not start. Why are you here? I thought you didn't need my lessons anymore."

"My boyars and military leaders are illiterate. We lack good educational institutions at home. Can you teach me to read and write? Please, Dmitri."

"How can I refuse my brother?" his mouth stretched in his usual bright smile, just as I remembered. "Sit down, I will bring some books for you," he went to another room and I looked around. Dmitri's place was very modest. The house had low ceilings, small windows, some dusty rugs on the floor. The only bright piece was rushnyk[i]embroidered with red threads lying on the table. Clearly, Feliks didn't treat Dmitri to any luxury. And yet, Dmitri seemed surprisingly lively somehow. I wondered what was the cause.

He returned with a pile of books and for the rest of the afternoon we set there, reading. I tried to pay attention to his lectures, just like I used to do a long time ago, but my mind kept wondering off. I watched his hands and his lips, how they moved. He looked beautiful but manly at the same time. No wonder Feliks wanted to have him.

"I must work in the fields today," he remembered all of a sudden, "Feliks won't be very happy if he finds out that I was slacking."

"You still haven't answered my question. Do you like living under his roof?"

Dmitri looked irritated. "What does it look like to you? I'm only his servant, Ivan. I work hard to serve szlachta[ii] but I will never be recognized as his equal. This union was my trap." Knowing that Dmitri has always been naturally proud, I felt how much this bothered him.

"And how is little Nicolai doing?" I asked.

"He's not little anymore, Ivan. And he's doing fine - Toris is taking care of him." I frowned at that. Some time ago, I thought Toris would become my friend. But signed me off as his enemy and we ended up fighting a lot. Because Dmitri and Nicolai were in their house now, the bastard and the Pole thought they actually have rights to Kievan Rus. I couldn't let that happen.

Dmitri was staring at his hands as he spoke. "I should be going." He looked up. "It was nice seeing you today, brother, please come visit again. And bring your bible next time. Mine got really old."

"Sure I will," I turned around and was about to leave, when suddenly I felt his arms on my sides as he pulled me into a hug from behind.

"Oh, Ivan, my little brother, tell me what should I do?" he sobbed against my back. I was not sure how to react to that, so I just stood still. "They have abolished our principalities, you know?" he continued, "My people are getting tired. But I'm not ready to fight Feliks, not yet. What should I do?" I turned around and cupped his face in my hands. It felt strange that we were of the same height now.

"Everything will be okay, Dmitri, do not worry. I promise to you that one day, I will defeat the Polish-Lithuanian union and will bring you and Nicolai back to my house. I promise."

I wasn't sure about what I said back then. But the hope in Dmitri's eyes added confidence. I already knew back then that I must unite the Kievan Rus lands under my name.

[i] Rushyk is a ritual cloth embroidered with symbols and cryptograms of the ancient world. They have been used throughout Eastern Europe in sacred rituals, religious services and ceremonial events such as weddings and funerals.

[ii] Polish nobility.