The Whisper of Submerged Sanctuaries

From below came a gunshot, then shouts and sounds of struggle.

«We must hurry,» Rustam approached the window and opened it. «Dinara, you go first. Help me climb down, and then Alexei should jump.»

Without hesitation, Dinara climbed out the window and skillfully descended the thick trunk of the apple tree. Rustam handed her his pouch, then began to climb out unhurriedly. For his age, he moved with remarkable confidence.

Alexei nervously glanced at the door, expecting the pursuers to appear. From below came new shots and curses. Ermek was still holding off the attackers, but it was clear this wouldn’t last long.

When Rustam safely descended, Alexei climbed onto the windowsill. At that moment, the door to the room burst open, and a man in a black mask with a pistol appeared on the threshold.

«Stop!» he shouted.

Without hesitation, Alexei jumped. The apple tree cushioned his fall, but it still hurt. A shot rang out from above, the bullet whistled past and embedded itself in the tree trunk.

«Run!» Dinara pulled him along.

They dashed through the garden toward the back gate, with Rustam following them at a surprising speed for his age. All around, shouts echoed, and flashlight beams darted among the trees.

«This way!» Rustam pointed to a narrow path winding between the trees.

They ran beyond the garden’s bounds and found themselves amid tall cornfields. Dark stalks closed over their heads, hiding them from pursuers. Behind them, more shots rang out.

«What about Ermek?» asked Dinara, breathing heavily.

«Your uncle knows what he’s doing,» Rustam replied. «He’s distracting them so we can escape.»

They made their way through the cornfield, trying to move as quietly as possible. After some time, a glow flared behind them – Rustam’s house was on fire.

«Their usual tactic,» the old man said grimly. «Destroying evidence.»

Finally, they emerged from the cornfield and found themselves at the foot of a hill. Here began a sparse forest, with trees growing on the steep slope.

«We need to go up,» Rustam indicated. «At the summit, there’s a cave where we can hide and wait.»

The climb was difficult, especially for Rustam. Despite being in good physical condition, age was taking its toll. Alexei supported the old man by the arm, helping him overcome particularly steep sections.

«Are you all right?» he asked when Rustam heavily sat down on a stone to catch his breath.

«Just a short rest,» the old man smiled. «In my youth, I could climb this mountain in twenty minutes. Now I need to stop.»

Dinara nervously looked back at the valley from which they had come.

«They might follow our tracks,» she said. «Especially if they have dogs.»

«The path we’re taking is frequently used by shepherds and their flocks,» Rustam replied. «Our tracks will be lost among hundreds of others. Plus, it should rain soon.» He pointed to heavy clouds obscuring the stars.

They continued their journey. The higher they climbed, the cooler the air became. The wind strengthened, bending the grass and making trees creak. Soon the first raindrops fell, and then a downpour began.

«This is good,» said Rustam, although they were all soaked to the skin. «The rain will wash away our tracks.»

Finally, they reached a small rocky ledge, behind which opened the entrance to a cave – a narrow crevice in the rock, barely noticeable in the darkness.

«We’ve arrived,» announced Rustam. «We’ll be safe here.»

They squeezed inside and found themselves in a small but dry grotto. Rustam took flint from his pouch and lit a small oil lamp, which was also in his baggage.

«You came prepared,» Alexei remarked, looking at the old man with respect.

«When you’re eighty-four years old and keeping an ancient secret, you need to be ready for surprises,» Rustam grinned. «At my age, you don’t run as fast as you used to, but experience suggests what might come in handy.»

Besides the lamp, Rustam’s pouch contained crackers, dried meat, a bottle of water, and, most importantly, that ancient book with his ancestor’s records.

«You specifically took it with you,» Dinara noted. «You knew they would come?»

«I didn’t know, but I suspected,» Rustam replied, carefully taking out the book. «Since Alexei called you from St. Petersburg, I’ve been preparing for this moment. Secrets of this magnitude don’t remain unnoticed for long.»

He opened the book and, by the light of the oil lamp, began turning the fragile pages.

«What I told you earlier is just a small part of the story,» he said. «This book contains knowledge that my ancestor received from old David, the last keeper of the Nestorian secret.»

Rustam frowned, turning the pages.

«Strange,» he muttered. «There should be a map here… Or at least a description of it.»

He quickly looked through several pages, then stopped.

«Here it is. The map was hidden in the medallion. In that very medallion you now have, Alexei.»

Alexei took the medallion from under his shirt.

«But I’ve already opened it. There was only a parchment with Latin inscription and a schematic drawing.»

«Perhaps there’s a second hiding place,» Rustam suggested. «Let me see.»

Alexei handed the medallion to the old man. Rustam examined it carefully, turning it different ways and studying each symbol.

«Interesting,» he murmured. «According to the records, the medallion contains not only the location of the treasure but also the key to opening it.»

He pointed to a strange symbol located in the center of the cross on the front side of the medallion.

«Do you see this sign? It’s not just decoration. It’s the arrangement of stars on the summer solstice. If you look from a certain point on the shore of Issyk-Kul, the stars align in exactly this order above the place where the treasure is hidden.»

«So the medallion is a kind of astronomical instrument?» asked Alexei.

«A map, a compass, and a key,» Rustam nodded. «The Nestorians were not only religious figures but educated people, knowledgeable in astronomy, mathematics, medicine. They created a protection system inaccessible to the Mongols with their primitive understanding of the world.»

Rustam turned a few more pages of the book and suddenly froze.

«Here it is,» he whispered. «Just as I thought.»

On the page was text in old Kyrgyz and a drawing depicting a crystal of strange shape, surrounded by radiance.

«This is the „Key of Solomon,“» said Rustam. «A crystal found in the mountains of Judea during the time of King Solomon and crafted by ancient masters. They gave it a special form which, it was believed, enhanced its natural properties.»

«What properties?» asked Alexei.

«Healing,» Rustam replied. «Insight. The ability to see the true essence of people and things.» He shifted his gaze to Alexei. «That’s why Karabaev is so desperately searching for it. He has a rare form of degenerative disease. Doctors give him no more than a year to live. He believes the crystal can heal him.»

«How do you know about Karabaev’s illness?» Alexei asked in surprise.

«In small communities, it’s hard to keep secrets,» Rustam shrugged. «Especially when you’re rich and influential. His frequent visits to Swiss clinics didn’t go unnoticed.»

Suddenly, noise came from outside – through the roar of rain and wind penetrated the sound of engines.

«Have they found us?» Dinara asked anxiously.

Rustam approached the cave entrance and carefully looked outside.

«Not yet,» he said. «They’re combing the slope in a large group, but they haven’t found this cave yet.»

He returned to the book and quickly flipped through several pages.

«We need to find the exact location of the treasure before the summer solstice,» he said. «And for that, we’ll need another item.»

Rustam pointed to a drawing in the book – a strange disc with concentric circles and unusual symbols.

«This is an astronomical instrument created by the Nestorians. With it, one can calculate the exact time and place to look for the entrance to the cave with treasures.»

«And where is this instrument?» asked Alexei.

«I don’t know,» Rustam answered honestly. «According to the records, it was hidden separately from the medallion in a place called the „Abode of Faith.“»

««Abode of Faith’?» Dinara repeated. «That’s what they call an ancient burial mound near the northern shore of Issyk-Kul.»

«Possibly,» Rustam nodded. «The records only say it’s a place associated with great sorrow and the death of many people.»

The noise outside grew louder. Flashlight beams darted across the slope, picking out rocks and trees from the darkness.

«They’re getting closer,» Alexei said anxiously. «We need to leave.»

«There should be another exit,» said Rustam, rising to his feet. «All caves in these mountains are connected. If the records are to be believed, this grotto connects to a large cave system that emerges on the opposite side of the mountain.»

He raised the lamp and headed deeper into the cave. Dinara and Alexei followed him. The grotto narrowed, transitioning into a narrow corridor where they had to walk bent over. The corridor gradually descended, deeper into the mountain.

«Careful, 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 flickered – Karabaev’s men continued their search.

«We need to search not for treasure, but for truth,» Dinara quietly repeated her grandfather’s words. «What did he mean?»

«I don’t know,» Alexei admitted. «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, take this. Inside is what will help you on your journey. Some gold, the seal of our community, and a letter to the brothers in Kashgar. If you manage to reach there, they will help you.»

David took the pouch but did not hide it, continuing to hold it in his hand as if he could not bring himself to accept this last gift from his teacher.

«And if… if they catch me?» he asked in a strained voice. «And I cannot withstand torture?»

Thomas looked at his pupil attentively. During his long years of wandering and service, he had seen much, but always found the strength to remain true to his principles. He had witnessed the fall of Jerusalem, fought in the Crusades before turning to faith and becoming a monk. He knew what fear and pain were. And he knew how to cope with them.

«David,» he began gently, «do you remember the story of Saint Peter?»