Ryaba the Hen and Ryaba's family
Ryaba is a speckled hen who lived in the village of Sitnitsa, about two days' travel away from the city of Ladeisk. There was nothing special about the hen, and it was in no way magical, but at one point, it laid a golden egg. The egg became a local sensation, as the family thought the egg was a sign from God. The family's barn became a destination for local pilgrims and gawkers, and the family fully expected the hen to lay more wondrous eggs.
The news of the egg reached Ladeisk, and was recounted to members of the Serpent Slayers by Vanya and Vasya, as well as Mother Feodosia, and, at Lokan's behest, they set out to Sitnitsa in order to get a glimpse of the wonder. When they got to the barn, they saw the hen carefully watched over by its peasant owners and their extended family. Immediately, Agapia detected a swirling of both good and evil energies around the egg, and saw that it had the potential to cause great harm, as well as great weal. Lokan wondered out loud what would happen if the egg was cracked, and was told by an old woman named Cherniava, who also lived in the village, that the real treasure was not the egg, but what was contained inside, and that cracking the egg would give the owner power, wealth, and knowledge beyond their wildest dreams.
That night, Lokan stole the egg, and along with most of his companions, returned to Ladeisk. Along the way, Stinker (also called Terentii) - a rat who belonged to Cherniava and left with Agapia, broke the egg with his tail. The contents, a golden yolk that weighed as much as it would if it were made of gold fell on the ground, and was then eaten by Agapia. Trouble then began to follow the girl wherever she went, until she was swallowed, and then disgorged by Grey Wolf. Lokan, however, picked up the golden eggshell, and brought it back to Ladeisk, where he gave it as a gift to Prince Trofim Andreevich.
Meanwhile, Yuri woke up alone after a night of debauchery, and was set upon by Ryaba's family, who accused him of stealing their egg. Yuri claimed he had no idea what happened to the egg, and led the family back to the city, where they pressed their claim at the prince's court. The prince wanted to keep the eggshell, and pressed Yuri to deflect all questions as to its whereabouts at court. But as the cossack had learned in the interim that Lokan had stolen the egg, and then given it to the prince. Trofim Andreevich was furious, but was forced to return the shell to the peasants, not wanting to be seen as a thief. He then forced Yuri to leave the city.
Ryaba has not been seen since. When the Serpent Slayers returned to Sitnitsa, they found the family's compound abandoned, though they later located their bodies with all throats having been cut. As all the village residents rose again as navii, it is likely that Ryaba's family were among them.
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