John decides to release his brothers from captivity but they have already run to Novgorod, a freedom-loving city which is openly against Moscow. They want to begin a war to get what they are entitled to after the death of Prince George. Gathered in the Novgorod council, under the leadership of the ruling Novgorod widow Marfy Boretskoy, they begin killing all those who stand in defense of John.

Winter is coming. Ahmad Khan sends ambassadors to John with an offer to surrender and pay tribute to The Horde. John refuses and is ready to go to war. Facing the river, John guarantees Khan that he will get nothing. Ahmad is utterly offended and swears that he will kill the Prince of Moscow.