it’s slippery here,» Rustam warned as they began descending a steep slope.
The air was becoming humid, and the sound of running water could be heard. Soon they found themselves in another grotto, significantly larger than the first. A small underground stream flowed here, disappearing into a crack in the far wall.
«We go that way,» Rustam pointed to a narrow passage to the left of the stream. «It should lead us to the other side of the mountain.»
At that moment, voices and flashlight beams came from behind – the pursuers had discovered the first cave and were now following them.
«Quickly!» Rustam commanded, heading for the passage.
But before they could take even a few steps, people with flashlights and weapons appeared from the opposite side of the grotto.
«Stop!» one of them shouted. «Don’t move!»
They were trapped – the way forward and back was cut off. People in black clothing and masks surrounded them, weapons pointed.
«It seems the game is over,» Rustam said calmly, lowering the lamp.
From behind the armed men emerged a tall, middle-aged man in expensive mountaineering attire. He had a well-groomed face with sharp features, dark hair with gray streaks, and eyes full of cold calculation.
«Timur Karabaev, I presume,» said Rustam, looking at him.
«Rustam-aga,» the man nodded. «At last, we meet in person. I’ve heard much about you.»
His Russian was impeccable, with barely detectable accent.
«And you must be Professor Sorin’s grandson,» Karabaev shifted his attention to Alexei. «Alexei Igorevich, if I’m not mistaken. And, of course, Dinara Kambarova, talented ethnographer and special services employee.»
«I don’t work for the special services,» Dinara replied coldly.
«Come now, dear,» Karabaev smirked. «Your work on the commission for cultural heritage protection is a cover for counterintelligence activities. But that’s not important now.» He stepped forward. «What matters is that you have a medallion that belongs to me.»
«The medallion belongs to no one,» Rustam objected. «It’s the key to a secret that our ancestors have guarded for centuries. A secret you are incapable of understanding.»
«Oh, I understand its value perfectly,» Karabaev replied. «Better than anyone else.» He turned to Alexei. «The medallion, please. And the book too.»
Alexei instinctively covered the medallion on his chest with his hand.
«And if I refuse?»
Karabaev smiled – a cold, soulless smile.
«Then I’ll have to take them by force. And believe me, it will be unpleasant for everyone present.»
Rustam stepped forward, shielding Alexei and Dinara.
«You will get neither the medallion nor the book, Karabaev,» he said firmly. «You are unworthy to touch them.»
«Worthiness – such a subjective concept, Rustam-aga,» Karabaev shrugged. «Who determines who is worthy and who isn’t? You? Your ancestors? The Nestorians, long since decayed in the earth?» He shook his head. «No, in our world, everything is decided by power and money. And I have both.»
He nodded to one of his men:
«Take the medallion and the book from them.»
The masked man stepped forward, heading toward Alexei. At that moment, with unexpectedly quick movement, Rustam drew a knife from his belt and lunged at the attacker. The knife entered the masked man’s shoulder, and he cried out in pain.
Immediately shots rang out. Rustam jerked, taking a bullet to the chest, but continued to stand, shielding Alexei and Dinara.
«Run!» he shouted, pushing them toward the passage.
Dinara screamed, seeing her grandfather take a second bullet. Alexei grabbed her hand and dragged her to the exit.
«Don’t stop!» Rustam shouted, taking a third bullet and falling to his knees. Blood soaked his shirt, but he continued to grip the knife in his hand. «Find the truth!»
At that moment, Karabaev approached him and pointed a gun directly at his face.
«Where is the disc?» he asked. «The astronomical instrument?»
Rustam raised his eyes, full of contempt:
«You will never find it, Karabaev. Even with the medallion.»
«We’ll see,» Karabaev replied coldly and pulled the trigger.
Alexei, dragging Dinara toward the passage, heard the final shot and her desperate cry. He looked back and saw Rustam’s body lifelessly sinking to the stone floor of the cave.
«Let’s go!» he shouted, pushing Dinara into the narrow passage.
They ran through the dark tunnel, stumbling over rocks, scraping their hands on rough walls. Behind them came shouts and the sound of footsteps – Karabaev’s men were pursuing them.
«Faster!» Alexei urged, though he could see Dinara was barely keeping on her feet from shock and grief.
The tunnel gradually widened but became steeper. They were sliding rather than running, grabbing at wall protrusions to avoid falling.
Finally, dim light appeared ahead – the exit from the cave. They burst outside and found themselves on the opposite slope of the mountain. Rain was still falling, turning the slope into a slippery mess of mud and stones.
«There, to the trees!» Alexei pointed.
They ran down the slope, slipping and falling. Behind them, the first pursuers emerged from the cave. Shots rang out, bullets raising small fountains of mud near the fugitives.
Suddenly Dinara stumbled and fell, rolling down the slope. Alexei dashed after her, trying to stop her fall. He grabbed her hand, but the momentum was too great – they both rolled downward, collecting mud, leaves, and small stones.
The fall ended in a small ravine overgrown with bushes. They lay there, breathing heavily, dirty and soaked to the skin.
«Are you all right?» asked Alexei.
Dinara silently nodded, but her eyes were full of tears.
«Grandfather…» she whispered.
«I’m so sorry,» said Alexei, embracing her. «But we need to go. They’re still looking for us.»
He helped her up. The bushes concealed them from pursuers, but it was temporary shelter.
«The book,» Dinara suddenly said. «We lost the book! It’s with Karabaev!»
Alexei automatically checked the medallion – it was still in place, hidden under his shirt.
«We have the medallion,» he said. «So not all is lost.»
He looked around. The downpour had turned into a drizzle, visibility improved. Below, in the valley, the lights of a village could be seen.
«We need to go there,» Alexei pointed. «We need to find shelter and decide what to do next.»
Dinara looked at him with eyes red from tears.
«Karabaev killed my grandfather,» she said resolutely. «And he will answer for it.»
«First, we need to survive,» Alexei reminded her. «And find what your grandfather was looking for. Do you remember his last words? „Find the truth.“ He gave his life so we could continue the search.»
Dinara nodded, wiping away tears.
«You’re right. We can’t give up now.»
They began cautiously descending the slope, staying close to bushes for camouflage. Above, on the mountainside, flashlight beams still