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The saga of the blue bead continues. Where a bead has been and and who its previous owner was often remain a mystery...

Six monks and two novices worked quietly as the sound of rain echoed through the yawning onion domes of Saint Basil's Cathedral. The Russian Orthodox missionaries gathered their few belongings together and listened to instructions about their upcoming voyage to North America.

"Take gifts," said the monk instructing them. "Things like this. Small, easy to carry. And beautiful." He held up the blue bead.