The Relics of the Holy Wolf

A convict’s fate is hard. Year after year, the same road to the quarry became painfully familiar. Every bump was felt through the thickened soles of Vasily Temnov’s feet. There and back, there and back—pushing his wheelbarrow along in front of him—Vasily Temnov was one of those who cursed the whole world and all people. And there was good reason for it.
It seemed his fate was predetermined: if only a bit more time passed, he would disappear in the mine—until the overseer, Borov, spotted him in time, or rather before death. But something told Vasily that he would live longer. He was sure—fate would give a sign, and he would break free from here. Whoever seeks will find. Even underground, under careful supervision, he saw what would save him. And the lucky chance arrived—when the tsar, Peter Alekseevich, had a son…