Kreyu nods. "She will be more comfortable without a man there," she tells Skellig. She gives him a brief kiss on his cheek. "But I will call you, if you are needed."

They hurry off and Koshchei looks at him, his face crinkled with worry. "Ludmilla is hurt?" he asks, confused. "Not understand point of boiling water. I can take injury, heal it, not need water."