Alexei waited with anticipation for his first glimpse of the legendary lake. When they reached the pass, a stunning 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.