«But I’m sure we’ll find out. For his sake.»
The medallion on Alexei’s chest warmed again, as if agreeing with his words. The mystery was only beginning to unfold, and the price had already been paid in blood.
Chapter 6: The Guardian’s Vow
Morning mist shrouded the mountains, descending to the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in milky swirls. The sun had just begun its journey, and its first rays, piercing through the veil, fell on the smooth surface of the lake, creating a fantastic play of light and shadow.
Monk Thomas stood on a rocky promontory, gazing into the distance. Behind him, on a small plateau, nestled an Armenian monastery – several stone buildings surrounded by a low wall. Here, in this secluded place, the surviving Nestorians had found temporary refuge.
He heard careful footsteps behind him. The monk did not turn – he knew who had come.
«Teacher,» David said quietly, stopping beside him.
In the early morning light, the young man’s face seemed especially youthful and vulnerable. Despite this, his eyes reflected a determination that Thomas admired.
«Good morning, David,» the monk replied, not taking his eyes off the lake. «It’s beautiful here, isn’t it? As if the Lord Himself created this place to remind us of the perfection of His creation.»
David nodded, but there was nervousness in his movements. He anxiously fiddled with the silver medallion that Thomas had given him the day before.
«You must leave today,» Thomas said, finally turning to his pupil. «Before dawn.»
«But the scouts report that the Mongols are still combing the area,» David objected. «They know we’re somewhere around here.»
«That’s precisely why you must leave now.» Thomas placed his hands on the young man’s shoulders and looked him intently in the eyes. «While their attention is focused on the monastery, you have a chance to slip away unnoticed.»
«I cannot leave you all, teacher,» David’s voice was filled with despair. «I cannot abandon the brothers, sisters, children…»
«You are not abandoning us,» Thomas gently interrupted. «You are fulfilling the most important mission. What we hid yesterday must be protected, and knowledge of it must be preserved for future generations.»
He looked around to ensure they were alone and lowered his voice to a whisper:
«Do you remember everything I told you about the crystal?»
David nodded, involuntarily touching the medallion on his chest.
«It’s the „Key of Solomon,“» he said quietly. «A relic found in the mountains of Judea during the time of the great king. A crystal capable of healing diseases and opening the eyes of the soul.»
«And?» Thomas pressed.
«And… amplifying both the light and dark sides of the human soul,» David finished. «Granting light to some and plunging others into darkness, depending on what they carry in their hearts.»
«Correct,» Thomas nodded. «The Templars entrusted us with guarding it when the danger in Europe became too great. They knew about our community here on the Silk Road and believed that in these lands, far from wars, the relic would be safe.»
He smiled bitterly.
«They did not foresee the Mongols. No one did.»
Thomas turned away, looking at the rising sun. Clouds, penetrated by golden light, were reflected in the waters of Issyk-Kul as if in a giant mirror.
«Do you remember the map I drew?»
«Yes, teacher,» David nodded. «It is safely hidden.»
«And the cipher I gave you? The symbols for identifying other guardians?»
«I have memorized them as you taught me,» the young man replied, touching the symbols engraved on the medallion. «I repeat them every day so as not to forget a single detail.»
Thomas nodded with satisfaction.
«Now listen carefully, David. What I am about to tell you is not written in any book. This information is passed only from teacher to chosen pupil.»
The young man straightened, his whole demeanor showing readiness to heed every word.
«The crystal is only part of the secret,» Thomas began. «To use its full power, you need an astronomical instrument created by ancient masters. A disc with concentric circles and special markings. We deliberately separated them so that no one person could accidentally unite them.»
«Where is this disc?» asked David.
«In a safe place,» Thomas replied. «If the Mongols capture you and torture you, you cannot reveal what you do not know.» He paused. «But I have left clues. The medallion contains instructions, understandable only to one who knows what to look for.»
David looked at his teacher in confusion.
«You speak in riddles, teacher.»
«Time will pass, and you will understand,» Thomas smiled. «Right now, the main thing is to preserve the medallion and knowledge of the crystal. Find worthy followers who will continue to guard the secret after you.»
He turned back to the lake.
«You know, I have pondered much about the power of the relic. About why the Lord allowed the creation of an object possessing such power, which can bring both blessing and curse. And I have concluded that it is a test for humanity. A test of our wisdom and our morality.»
Thomas fell silent, as if listening to something. Then he continued in a different, more tense voice:
«I have created traps for those who will seek treasures out of greed. False caches, deceptive signs. He who craves gold will find only death.» He looked directly into his pupil’s eyes. «But he who seeks truth will be guided to it, if his heart is pure.»
The wind strengthened, bringing freshness and the scent of water from the lake. Thomas shivered and adjusted his tattered cloak.
«You should know something else, David. The Mongol shamans… They sense the crystal’s power. Some of them possess the gift of seeing the invisible. They are already trying to find it. Genghis Khan sent his best baghatur Subutai with divers to search for it at the bottom of the lake.»
«But we hid the crystal in a cave, not in the lake,» David frowned.
«Exactly. I have made sure to spread rumors about treasures being submerged. This will throw them off the track.» Thomas smiled subtly. «Besides, the entrance to the cave will be visible only under special lighting, one day a year. At other times, no one will find it, no matter how thoroughly they search.»
David shook his head with involuntary admiration.
«You have foreseen everything, teacher.»
«Not everything,» Thomas objected. «But enough to buy time. A lot of time. And now,» he squeezed his pupil’s shoulder, «it’s time to say goodbye.»
Tears glistened in David’s eyes.
«What will happen to you? To the others?»
Thomas looked away.
«God will decide our fate.» He was silent for a moment and added more quietly: «I will try to negotiate life for everyone, and if that fails – to buy time so that as many brothers and sisters as possible can escape.»
«They torture prisoners,» David whispered. «The Mongols. They tell terrible things…»
«I know,» Thomas replied calmly. «But remember that physical suffering is temporary. They can break the body, but not the spirit.»
He rummaged in the folds of his garment and took out a small leather pouch.
«Here,