“Tsarevna, brave men do not do anything against their will,” said the Tsarevich proudly.

She was pleased with this answer. “Stay with me here as a guest,” she told him.So he dismounted and went with her. Before two days had passed they had fallen in love and he went back with her to her palace where they were married.

They lived in happiness for several months, but then news came of a rebellion in a distant part of Marya Morevna’s kingdom, and she was obliged to set off with her army to crush it. “Look after the palace while I am away,” she told her husband. “Only whatever you do, don’t open the door of the locked closet in my inner chamber.”

The Tsarevich promised to obey, but she had not long been gone before curiosity overcame him and he unlocked the closet door. And there to his astonishment he saw an old, old man, writhing on the wall to which he was chained with twelve chains.

“Who are you?” asked the Tsarevich.

“I am the wizard Kaschey the Deathless,” gasped the old man. “Marya Morevna’s father imprisoned me here, and I have suffered tortures for ten years. You have a kind face, bring just a drop of water to ease my torment.”

The Tsarevich pitied the sufferings of the poor creature, filled a cup, and brought it to him. The wizard swallowed it at a single gulp. “After all these years my thirst is great,” he said. “I pray you bring me more, and I will give you your life when danger threatens.”

This time the Tsarevich came back with a jugful. The wizard tossed it back and pleaded again. “Just one last drink,” he begged, “and twice I will give you your life when otherwise you would perish.”

The Tsarevich brought water in a bucket and Kaschey emptied it without drawing breath. This time all his strength returned; he strained at the twelve chains and they snapped like rotten thread. “My thanks, Tsarevich,” he shouted. “You are now as likely to have Marya Morevna again as to see your own ears!” He flew out the window in a whirlwind, overtook Marya Morevna at the head of her army, and carried her away across three times nine tsardoms to his own land.