Summary

The Winter Bear – When she returns home, Vasya is greeted by the angrily relieved Alyosha and the nervous Irina, both reacting with disbelief to the snowdrops that Vasya has brought with her. When she learns that Anna has disappeared, Vasya realizes that the Bear has the witch he needs (Anna) to gain freedom and power, and races out, calling for Solovey. He appears and they begin to ride, Vasya convincing him to take Aloshya on his back as well and insisting that she will be the one to take down the Bear. Anna, meanwhile, comes close to death, but the Bear’s moment of triumph is interrupted by the arrival of Vasya, Solovey, and Alyosha, quickly followed by Morozko and the white horse. Medved and Morozko both call the spirits of the forest, and they come, some joining each spirit.

As a...