"Good news," she said with a smile. "Uncle Ermek will be happy to see us. He's currently in Cholpon-Ata, a town on the northern shore of the lake. We can leave early tomorrow morning and be there by lunchtime."
Alexei nodded, trying not to show his concern about the recorder.
"Great. What about your grandfather? Will we be able to meet him?"
Dinara frowned slightly.
"Grandfather isn't feeling very well right now. Age is taking its toll. But I asked Uncle Ermek, and he thinks a visit might be possible if Grandfather feels better."
She sat down opposite Alexei again, taking her cup of tea.
"Now it's your turn," she said. "Tell me more about how you found the medallion and what else was in your grandfather's archive."
Alexei gave a detailed account of the folder's contents, the diary, photographs, and the note his grandfather had left specifically for him. He omitted only his suspicions about the voice recorder—first, he needed to understand what was happening.
"It's strange that your grandfather kept this secret for so many years," Dinara remarked when he finished. "Apparently, he believed the medallion might be dangerous or lead to something dangerous."
"Yes, and that concerns me," Alexei admitted. "My grandfather wasn't prone to exaggeration or mysticism. If he felt it necessary to warn me, he must have had serious reasons."
Dinara thoughtfully twirled her cup in her hands.
"There are many legends about cursed treasures and mysterious artifacts at Issyk-Kul. The lake holds many secrets." She placed her cup on the table. "But as scientists, we should approach such stories skeptically, right?"
Alexei nodded, though deep down he felt there was something more to this story than just local legends.
"Of course. But I'd like to know what was so special about this medallion that my grandfather concealed it his entire life."
Dinara looked at him intently.
"Did you really come here solely out of scientific interest? Or is there something else?"
The question caught Alexei off guard. He hesitated, choosing his words.
"I… don't know. It's probably a combination of factors. Scientific interest, certainly. Respect for my grandfather's memory. The chance to see you again…" he faltered, unsure whether it was appropriate to mention their past relationship. "And, honestly, some financial difficulties. An archaeologist's salary in Russia leaves much to be desired."
Dinara nodded, as if his answer confirmed her suspicions.
"I understand. Many come to Issyk-Kul hoping to find treasures. Legends of sunken cities and immense riches attract fortune seekers from all over the world."
Alexei thought he detected a slight disappointment in her voice, and he felt the need to defend himself.
"I'm not a treasure hunter, Dinara. I want to understand what my grandfather found and why it was so important to him."
She sighed and softened.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to accuse you. It's just… I've seen how treasure hunting changes people, and not always for the better."
They sat in silence for a while. The sun had begun to set, and shadows gradually deepened in the office. Finally, Dinara stood up.
"It's getting late. I'll drive you to the hotel. And tomorrow early morning, we'll head to the lake. It's quite a journey, so I advise you to rest well."
Alexei also rose, discreetly returning the medallion to his inner pocket.
