Your plan has been put into action, at least, but the part you have to play in it is still unresolved. You kneel in the mud on the bottom of your cage and let your mind drift back to your strange journey to the spirit world. The gods were listening there, and they came to your aid against Zhan-Ukhel then. Surely they're listening now, too.
"Svarog," you begin to say. "If you are out there, and if your words were true, then hear me now." You hear Vanya issue a curt warning beside you, but you ignore him and keep on talking. "My own people stand with me," you say, "but we need your help, Svarog. Lend us your power, so that we can defeat these bandits, these Black Wolves, in your name."
"Basileios!" says Vanya urgently from beside you, and you look up to see Dugu once again marching toward you.
"I know you are not alone in this wood," he says, coming to a halt before your cage. "The Great Wolf said as much. Who were you talking to?"