"Is such a thing possible?" Alexei asked doubtfully. "A cave entrance that's visible only under special lighting?"

"There are many unusual things at Issyk-Kul," Rustam replied. "But in this case, we're talking about a natural phenomenon. The entrance is located in a cliff and under normal lighting blends with the surrounding rocks. But when light falls at a certain angle, it creates a contrast that makes the entrance visible."

"And when does this happen?" Alexei inquired.

"Once a year, on the summer solstice," said Rustam. "Which, by the way, will occur in a few days."

Alexei and Dinara exchanged glances. What a coincidence. Or was it fate?

"So if we want to find the 'Key of Solomon,' we only have a few days?" Dinara clarified.

"Exactly," Rustam nodded. "But there's a more serious problem than the timing." His expression darkened. "Karabaev. That man is obsessed with finding Nestorian treasures. For years, he's been gathering information, financing expeditions, bribing officials. And now that he's learned about the medallion, he'll stop at nothing to get it."

"But how did he find out?" asked Dinara. "We were careful."

"In our time, it's difficult to keep secrets," Rustam sighed. "Especially from a man with such resources and connections. Perhaps someone at the museum told him about your conversation. Or they found mention of the medallion in Igor's papers in the university archive."

Ermek, who had been listening silently to the conversation, spoke up:

"Whatever happened, we must get ahead of Karabaev. Find the 'Key of Solomon' before he does."

"I agree," Rustam nodded. "But we need to be extremely cautious. Right now, his men are probably combing the area looking for us."

"Do you have a specific plan?" asked Alexei.

"Yes," Rustam replied. "Tomorrow at dawn, we'll go to where your grandfather found the medallion. It's a cave complex in the mountains not far from Kurmenty. There we'll find clues that will help us determine the exact location of the entrance mentioned in the legend."

"But won't Karabaev's men be watching these caves?" Dinara questioned.

"Surely," Rustam agreed. "But there are old paths known only to locals. We'll take those. Plus, we have an advantage—the medallion. Without it, Karabaev will never find the entrance, no matter how many men he sends."

Alexei picked up the medallion from the table and looked at it pensively. In the light of the kerosene lamp (Rustam principally did not use electric lighting in the evenings, preferring "living fire"), the silver gleamed dully, and the strange symbols seemed to come alive, moving in the play of shadows.

"Do you really believe that this crystal, the 'Key of Solomon,' possesses such power?" he asked Rustam.

The old man looked at him for a long time before answering.

"I've lived a long life, Alexei. I've seen many strange and inexplicable things. Especially here, at Issyk-Kul." He paused. "I cannot say with certainty that the crystal possesses all the properties mentioned in the legend. But there is something special about it. Something that made the Nestorians hide it from the world. Something that made your grandfather keep the secret all his life." He looked Alexei directly in the eyes. "And something that makes Karabaev so desperately search for it."

Silence fell in the room. Only the wick in the lamp crackled and night sounds came from the garden—the chirping of crickets, the rustle of leaves, occasionally the hooting of an owl.

"Now you need to rest," said Rustam, rising. "Tomorrow will be a difficult day. Aigul will show you to your rooms."