In this chapter, Dima returns to Lake Ladoga in the spring, this time helping to bring supplies into the besieged Leningrad by boat. He tries to plot his escape to head south to look for his grandmama, but to his surprise, he is called before the ship's captain and told he is one of seven chosen for a special mission down the Volga River (amazingly, in the direction he needs to go.) The mission will be bringing something vital to the war cause to Stalin's bunker.
The beginning of the journey down the river is peaceful, Dima can't comprehend how this calmness can be while the war rages elsewhere. One night aboard ship, the captain begins raging in a drunken stupor - he's peeked at their special delivery and discovered it's a painting. Amidst words damning Stalin, he has to be restrained from destroying the painting. Dima and the rest of the crew deliver the painting to Stalin and are "rewarded" by being sent into the "most noble battle" at Stalingrad.
As the boat descends into Stalingrad, Dima is shocked by the absolute destruction all around him. His boat is hit during a Nazi bombing but he makes it to shore while imploring God to stop protecting him.
Melodic flavors of Eastern Europe and Central Asia merge with Celtic sensibilities and hard-driving rock rhythms to shape the sound of Srazhalys. J Roth