mlm

In those years, blasphemy was punished harshly in Rus'. And by blasphemy, many priests understood everything. Especially love between two men. After all, wars, famine, and pestilence are never enough for people. You also have to delve into other people's souls, otherwise the day is wasted.

Ratibor had served at the prince's court since he was fifteen. A young knight in heavy armor, with broken knuckles and the look of a man who had been beaten by life more often than by his enemies. His servants feared him and his warriors respected him. Only in church, amid the soot of candles and quiet prayers, did he become calmer.

There he met Miroslav. The baptizer's son lived at a small church outside the city walls, helping copy books and tending candles. He was quiet, fair-haired, with such clear eyes that Ratibor at first thought he was a saint, accidentally forgotten by God among men.

They started talking after evening service. Then they met more and more often. By the well, in the church garden, to the sound of bells. But for such love, they could be stoned to death before the guards could be reached.

Then Miroslav grew his hair long and began wearing his late mother's headscarf and caftans. People mistook him for a girl. Even the women at the market didn't realize there was a man walking beside the knight.