The Ninth Savior by Boris Akunin. Short summary

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Three friends after years of separation meet in Moscow to serve faithfully Peter I. They must uncover plots against the Russian throne.

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The nobleman Dmitry, the priest Alexei, and the peasant’s son Ilya are foster-brothers and friends since childhood. Their life paths diverge and intertwine again against the background of the confrontation between the heirs to the Russian throne, Sophia and Peter.

Having survived personal dramas, adventures and long wanderings, the milk brothers enter the service of Peter the Great. The boys are involved in political intrigue. Repeatedly they confront the villainy of boyar Avtonom Zerkalov.

The boyar rushes to power, not disdaining the most heinous means. He kidnaps the sacred icon and his illegitimate daughter Sophia. He prepares a plot behind the backs of his patrons. He uses and betrays three friends who trust him.

The friends fall in love with Vasilisa, daughter of Princess Sophia. But the beauty chooses Peter, son of the disgraced Avtonomus, and follows him into exile.