When the forefather Čech left the land and went to the eternal hunting grounds, strange times began in the region. The people, accustomed to a firm hand and wise words, suddenly found themselves in anarchy. Disputes and quarrels spread everywhere, for no one had such authority that their word was law. In those restless times, everyone’s eyes turned to a single man, who was known to be wise and just beyond all doubt. He was Krok, a judge from a prominent family, who resided in his castle near the village of Zbečno, by the river Mže, which is today called Berounka. People chose him as their ruler to bring order to the land and show them the way.
Krok was a man of extraordinary spirit. It often happened that he looked into the future, perceived the hidden currents of fate, and knew how to offer sacrifices to the forest, mountain, and water gods to gain their favor and wisdom for his decisions. With such a gift of spirit, he soon realized that his original seat, though strong, was not safe enough for future ages. Therefore, he sent his messengers to all corners of the world to find a place that would be naturally fortified and where a new center of the land could be born. After long weeks, the messengers returned with news of a rocky promontory above the wild Vltava, which rose to the heavens like a natural guard. Krok recognized the place as suitable and had a mighty castle built there, which the people called Vyšehrad. He then moved there with his court and ruled the entire land from that place.
Krok was not alone in ruling with wisdom and special gifts. He had three daughters, each excelling in extraordinary abilities, which they learned to develop in the sacred place of Budeč. The eldest of them was Kazi, a woman who was nicknamed the sorceress. She knew in depth the healing power of herbs and spices, could heal diseases that afflicted the human body, and tame pain with just a word and a spell. Her power was such that it was said she could bend the Fates to her will and even restore life where it seemed forever lost. For her art, she had her own castle built, Kazín, which stood near the river Mže, the same one where her father resided.
Krok’s second daughter was Teta, who became a pagan priestess. Her life was dedicated to religious teachings and rituals. She taught the nation about the old gods, their power and will, and led the people in worshipping nature and its spirits. The very air around her was said to come alive, for it was whispered that Teta could speak with the spirits of ancestors and nature, thus gaining knowledge forbidden to ordinary mortals. She also built her own seat, Tetín castle, which stood near present-day Beroun and from where she oversaw the spiritual life of the people.
The youngest, but all the wiser, was the daughter Libuše. In her, her father’s foresight was combined with an extraordinary gift. She was a virgin seeress, who possessed prophetic abilities. She saw into the future, predicted events that were yet to come, and her words were often the key to understanding what was happening around. Her wisdom and clairvoyance were a great blessing for the people, for they turned to her with requests for advice and prophecy. For herself, she had Libušín castle built, which stood in the region near Kladno and from where she spread her wise advice and prophecies.
Krok ruled long and wisely, leading his people with a firm but just hand. His reign brought peace and prosperity to the land, and the people honored and loved him for his wisdom and foresight. However, when his time came and Krok, weary from years and toil, died, it was again time for decision-making. The people gathered to choose a new ruler, and their choice fell upon the youngest of Krok’s daughters, Libuše. She, who had inherited her father’s wisdom and his prophetic abilities, ascended the princely throne and continued her father’s work, to further lead the Czech people towards a bright future.