view opened up before them – an enormous blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges. The water shimmered in the sun with every shade of blue, from azure to deep indigo.
«Incredible,» Alexei exhaled. «Now I understand why there are so many legends about this place.»
Dinara smiled.
«That’s not all. When you see the sunset over the lake, you’ll understand why our ancestors considered it sacred.»
Suddenly Bakyt braked sharply and swore in Kyrgyz.
«What happened?» asked Alexei.
Bakyt said something quickly to Dinara, pointing ahead.
«There’s a checkpoint ahead,» she translated. «Armed men checking all vehicles.»
«Police?»
«No,» Dinara replied grimly. «They’re not in uniform. Bakyt says they’re Karabaev’s men. They’re acting increasingly brazen.»
Bakyt turned the car around and drove back.
«Is there another way?» asked Alexei.
Dinara translated. Bakyt nodded and turned onto an even narrower road that seemed to lead straight into the mountains.
«He says there’s an old road used only by local shepherds. It will take us to the lake below Cholpon-Ata, but it will take more time.»
The road became increasingly difficult. In some places, it was washed out by rain; in others, it was blocked by stones. Bakyt skillfully maneuvered around obstacles, but even his expertise was sometimes tested.
«He’s a real ace,» Alexei remarked when they passed a particularly challenging section.
«Bakyt was a mountain guide until he injured his knee,» said Dinara. «Now he’s a farmer, but the skills remain.»
Bakyt, hearing his name, smiled and nodded. Then he said something in Kyrgyz.
«He says if you can survive in the mountains, you can survive anywhere,» Dinara translated.
They continued driving along the mountain road. The sun was already setting when they finally emerged onto more level ground. Below, the lake shimmered, and on the shore, the lights of a small settlement were visible.
«From here to the nature reserve where Uncle Ermek works is about an hour’s drive,» said Dinara.
Bakyt said something, pointing to the road ahead.
«He says it will be safer from here on. This isn’t a tourist route, mostly locals use it.»
They descended to the lake and drove along the shore. The sun had almost disappeared behind the mountains, coloring the water a deep purple. Alexei was enchanted by the view, but anxiety didn’t leave him. Who were these people pursuing them? And what was so valuable about the medallion that they were willing to expend so much effort to obtain it?
It quickly grew dark, as often happens in the mountains. Bakyt turned on the headlights, and their beam cut through the darkness, illuminating the narrow road running along the lake. They passed several small settlements where occasional lights glowed.
«We’re almost there,» said Dinara when they passed a sign reading «Nature Reserve.»
The road improved, and light poles appeared. Soon they saw a gate with a sign «Staff Entrance.» Bakyt stopped the car and honked three times. After a minute, a guard approached the gate with a flashlight. Dinara lowered the window and said something to him in Kyrgyz. The guard shone his flashlight into the car, carefully examining the passengers, then nodded and opened the gate.
They drove through the gate and headed down an avenue lined with tall pines. At the end of the avenue stood a two-story Alpine-style house with a wide veranda. A light was on on the veranda, and there stood a man whom Alexei had seen in the photograph in Dinara’s office – her uncle Ermek.
Bakyt stopped the car, and they got out. Ermek quickly descended from the veranda and embraced Dinara. Then he shook Bakyt’s hand, saying something grateful. Finally, he turned to Alexei.
«Welcome, Alexei Igorevich,» he said in clear Russian with a slight accent. «I’ve heard a lot about you from Dinara. And, of course, I knew your grandfather. He was a great man.»
He firmly shook Alexei’s hand. Ermek had an open face with deep wrinkles from sun and wind, penetrating dark eyes, and a thick, slightly graying mustache. He was dressed simply but neatly – in jeans and a plaid shirt like Dinara’s.
«Thank you for the invitation,» Alexei replied. «And for your hospitality.»
«Come inside,» said Ermek, gesturing toward the veranda. «You must be tired from the journey. Dinner is ready, and I have excellent cognac.»
They climbed to the veranda. Inside, the house proved spacious and cozy. A large living room with a fireplace, walls hung with photographs of nature and wildlife, bookshelves from floor to ceiling, and a large wooden table already set for dinner.
«Dinara, show Alexei Igorevich to his room,» said Ermek. «Meanwhile, Bakyt and I will take care of the car. We need to hide it in the garage so it doesn’t attract attention.»
The men went out, and Dinara led Alexei up the stairs to the second floor. There was a corridor with several doors.
«This is where the reserve staff live when they’re working on long-term projects,» she explained. «But now they’re all out in the field, so the house is at our disposal.» She opened one of the doors. «Here’s your room.»
The room was small but comfortable. A bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a window with a view of the lake. On the walls hung photographs of local fauna – snow leopards, argali sheep, golden eagles.
«Make yourself at home,» said Dinara. «The bathroom is across the corridor, the second door on the right. Come downstairs when you’re ready.»
She was about to leave, but Alexei stopped her.
«Dinara, wait. You still haven’t told me why you were recording our conversation at the museum.»
She froze for a moment, then closed the door and turned to him.
«You noticed,» it wasn’t a question but a statement.
«Yes,» Alexei nodded. «And I turned off the recorder.»
Dinara sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.
«I don’t just work at the museum,» she admitted. «I also consult for a government commission on cultural heritage protection. We track attempts to illegally export artifacts from the country.» She looked Alexei in the eyes. «When you called and told me about the medallion, I had to report it. It’s part of the protocol.» She lowered her eyes. «But when I saw that it was truly what you described… I decided to wait. To understand what it was first.»
«You don’t trust your superiors?» asked Alexei, sitting down beside her.
«It’s not about trust.» Dinara shook her head. «It’s just that lately, some of the commission’s decisions have been… strange. Valuable artifacts were transferred to private collections for ’study.» Documents were forged. Reports of thefts weren’t properly investigated.» She raised her eyes to Alexei. «And behind many of these stories stands Karabaev’s name.»
«You think he’s bribed commission members?»
«I’m certain of it. But there’s no proof.» Dinara stood and walked to the window. «So I decided to act at my own risk. I wasn’t sure if I could trust you, which is why I recorded our conversation.» She turned to him. «I’m sorry.»
Alexei was silent for a while, considering what he’d heard. Then he nodded:
«I understand. In your place, I’d probably have done the same.»
The tension between them eased somewhat.
«Uncle