That was more than he could bear. As soon as Mary Morevna had gone, he rushed to the storeroom, opened the door, and looked around. And there hung Koshchei the Deathless,[1] fastened with twelve chains.
Koshchei besought Prince Ivan:
"Have pity upon me and give me a drink! For ten years have I been tormented here, and I have had nothing to eat or to drink and my throat is all dried up."
The prince gave him a whole bucket of water. He drank it down with one gulp and asked for more.
"One bucket is not enough to quench my thirst; give me some more!"
The prince gave him another bucket full. Koshchei drank it down also and asked for yet a third. As soon as he had drained the third he regained all his pristine strength, took the twelve chains, and broke them all at once.
"Thank you, Prince Ivan," said Koshchei the Deathless. "Now you will never see Marva Morevna again, no matter how you may long for her!" And with a terrible whirlwind he flew out of the window, fell upon Marya Morevna, the beautiful queen, on the way, seized her, and carried her off.
- ↑ Personification of Death.
