Alexander Zubkov
Ascension. Saksaywaman. Shard of eternity

Foreword

Dear friends! Before you start reading this book, let me tell you what motivated me to write it. When I was thirteen years old, I learned firsthand about allergies. With the sensation of incredible pain in the stomach, perpetually stuffy nose and swollen face could still somehow be put up with. But when the itching started, everything just faded away. I was literally tearing myself apart. It was so horrible that my mind was filled with completely wrong thoughts about my stay here on planet Earth.

After a while, I realized what foods I was reacting to, and I simply eliminated them from my diet. There were many such foods, and it was very difficult to give them up, but, remembering the scary moments, I did not hesitate for a second. It got easier, but no medication could save me from seasonal allergies. I spent a lot of money on them. It relieved the symptoms for a while, but the next day I had to do it all over again. Every summer that I loved so much was lost to me. When the grasses started blooming, I felt so suffocated that only hot chloride shots saved me. It was really scary. I was so afraid of allergy season coming on that I started thinking about moving somewhere north, someplace where the grasses don't bloom. But it was very difficult for me to make that idea come true.

So I lived like that until I was thirty, and then I began to think. Have I really had to take medication my whole life? Would I never taste the foods I loved so much and always dread the onset of summer? I didn't want to put up with that, so I started looking for alternative treatment options. And that option came up. I don't remember how or when, but it came to me. It turned out to be the same diet, and I became a vegetarian. After quite a long period of abstinence from meat I started to practice fasting and tried to eat mostly raw plant foods. The results were overwhelming. Maybe it was the attitude, maybe it was my sincere faith, but the disease receded. I literally walked in the thickets of ragweed and never ceased to be amazed at the limitless possibilities of man. But that was not all.

When my body was clean enough, I began to see such vivid dreams that when I woke up, I could not distinguish the line between them and reality. Then it became even more interesting. When I had another dream, I could consciously control it. Now, in that world, the boundaries existed only in my head, and when I realized this, I began to do incredible things, and the sensations from those experiences were much stronger than from the strongest experiences of the physical world. Then, as I gained experience, I began to experience two worlds at the same time. When dreaming, I could quietly open my eyes and find myself in the bedroom on the bed. After that I closed them and was instantly transported into my dream. Believe me, it's amazing.

After that, I decided to share my unusual experience, and like an insight, came the idea of writing a novel. Read it, ponder it, experiment with it. There are no limits, I now know this for sure.

Regards, Alexander Zubkov

1

Matthew stood by the window and just listened to the rain. He loved the sound of rain. As the drops crashed against the windows, he seemed to catch the smallest details of their subtle beauty. At such moments, he began to dream of a fireplace, about his fireplace.

«What could be better than the sound of rain, – he thought. – Just the crackling of the wood. Although not. The crackling of the wood and the noise of the water in any manifestation of it stand in the same place. One cannot be better than the other. Water awakens one emotion, fire another, the rustling of leaves from the blowing wind another…»

Shifting his gaze from the flickering cars outside the window, which were already consuming dusk, to the window sill, he concentrated on the drops that broke into much smaller ones as they came into contact with the hard surface.

«I wonder, – the thought suddenly flashed, – if a drop holds a huge amount of information in it, does its smallest part hold as much or less? And could one single drop carry all the information of the world's oceans. Suddenly, everything that has ever happened in the water space is encoded in it. I wonder if anyone has done the research to find out. If we take it on faith that there is a divine spark in each of us, then why can't one single drop carry all the information the ocean holds?»

Matthew ran his finger across the window pane, following the trail of flowing water.

«Yeah… if you think about it long enough, you could end up in a clinic for the mentally ill», – his mind raced, and a slight smirk appeared on his face.

A phone call brought him out of his reverie.

– For some reason I wanted to hear you specifically, – Matthew said instead of greeting.

– Hello, my friend. I'm glad you take my calls that way, – jabber a chipper voice on the other end of the line. – I'm not surprised, though. I usually bring good news with me.

– That's right, – Matthew confirmed.

– Okay, – continued Andrew. – Let's get to the point. I'm afraid to sound important, but Lord Hamilton came to my office. Lord! Think of it!

– In my opinion, such clients you have not yet had, – Matthew picked up the enthusiasm of his friend.

– Exactly. There were many. But a lord… Definitely not.

– A lord is a lord, – Matthew went on in a calmer tone. – What does he want to know?

– He said he'd like to discuss it in person.

– Discuss it where? In London? – Matthew was astonished.

– Why in London? He is here in the city. And is waiting to meet at any time that is convenient for us, – solemnly concluded Andrew.

Matthew moved away from the window and sat down in an armchair.

– At any time? Usually such serious people appoint the time and place themselves.

– What does it follow from that? – nudging his friend, Andrew hinted. – That he is very interested in us. Right?

– It seems so, – Matthew nodded. – I'm free tonight. Make an appointment for evening.

– It's evening already, – laughed into the phone.

Matthew turned his head and looked through the glass at the dark sky.

– Well, yes, indeed. I look out the window, and the fact that it is already dark, I do not notice. You call him. If it's convenient for him today, tell him we're at his service. If not, have him set a time and place.

– Wait for the call, – Andrew concluded briefly, interrupting the conversation.

The wait was not more than a minute.

– You can't imagine how happy he was, – rejoiced Andrew happily. – He said he was waiting for us in two hours at the hotel “ Wales ”.

– Interesting, – drawled Matthew thoughtfully. – A true British lord. Even here he keeps in touch with the home country, so to speak.

– I think it's much simpler than that, – said Andrew. – Have you ever been there?

– Honestly, I've never even heard of it, – Matthew admitted. – Where is it located?

– North of the city. Been there once. It's awesome. That's why I wasn't surprised that he was staying there. It's small, but it's charming. Apparently, the lord didn't want to draw the attention of the press to his presence.

– Perhaps, – Matthew agreed. – I don't need to know its location, though. Pick me up when you are ready to go.

– No problem. Come down in exactly one hour without calling. By the time we get there… I think we'll be right on time.

– Deal, – summarized Matthew instead of goodbye, and pressed the reset button.

With the phone in his hand he went back to the window to listen to the already ceasing rain.

In the silence of the room the pictures that he had been dreaming about in his dreams began to take shape in his mind. Endless forests with age-old trees enveloped him, and beckoned him to walk along their invisible paths. The trills of unfamiliar birds, the cries of monkeys and the rustling of leaves were heard so distinctly that Matthew could hardly believe in the illusory nature of these sonic entanglements. Such feelings he experienced only when he heard the gentle murmur of water and the crackling of burning logs. That's why he never missed an opportunity to enjoy such simple, yet so pleasant sounds. In those beautiful moments of connection to a dual reality, he was drawn there by an unknown force, and more than anything, he wanted to be in that mysterious place.

Matthew moved a little away from the window – and as soon as he stopped hearing the sound of drops hitting the glass, everything stopped. Giving in to the impulse, he rushed to the window again, but when he glanced at his watch, he stopped.

Time rushed and forced him to hurry, so Matthew headed for the shower, at the same time thinking about what he could wear to meet the titled person. Standing by the open closet, he took a quick glance at the contents and, without thinking twice, chose dark pants of classic cut and a dark purple shirt with cufflinks, leaving his jacket and tie unnoticed.

«It doesn't look formal, – he thought, looking at himself in the mirror judgingly, – but it's not casual either».

Glancing at his watch, Matthew put some money in his pocket and left the apartment. A little over an hour had passed, but Andrew had not yet pulled up. The rain was barely drizzling, which was a real pleasure, but the small drops were getting his shirt wet, and Matthew didn't want to appear slovenly at an important meeting. He did not have to go back inside, though, as the familiar car showed up in the yard.

– Good evening, – Andrew greeted his friend as he opened the door and threw over the seat next to him. – Sorry, I was a little late. Came to the store to get dressed.

– It's much easier for me, – Matthew answered, getting in the car and looking around. – What have you bought? I think it's all yours. I don't see anything new.

– What do you mean, you don't see it? I have a new tie, – and as proof of that Andrew showed him the tip of the tie hanging on his chest.

Matthew smiled.

– I agree, not much, – Andrew confirmed, – but it's enough to make you feel a little more confident.

– Yes, but not the point. Tell me please how he contacted you, – Matthew sharply changing the subject. – I want to be prepared before the meeting. Hamilton… Who is this lord? How old does he sound?

– You know, – Andrew confessed honestly. – I was so surprised that I let it go unnoticed.

– Well, that's not the point, dear friend. You know how important little things are in our business. And this is no small thing. I did a quick search on the Internet before I went out, and I found three Lords Hamilton's in a search engine. And that's with time constraints. There may be many more.

– Interesting, – Andrew remarked. – I thought there were only a few.

– I don't know much about hereditary titles, but I'm inclined to think you're right. I think they're probably just relatives. So it turns out that age doesn't really matter. Even an 18-year-old kid can make an appointment. He's caught up in some love affair, and he's worried that his father will react negatively. These days, if you give the media a reason, they'll make such a big deal out of it that you can't get away with it.

– It's not so bad for me, – Andrew smiled. – It's a big part of my income.

Nighttime street lights flashed through the car windows. Matthew really liked to drive in silence, and Andrew, well aware of his friend's habits, took his time to maintain the fading conversation. The traffic on the road was very heavy, and they could not drive at high speed. A light rain continued to drum on the windows, making the silence even more inviting. However, Matthew could not enjoy the ride to the fullest as the car turned off the main road and he realized that the hotel was already close.

– I take it we're almost there, – Matthew was the first to break the silence. – Yes, and it's about time, or you would have got there earlier.

– Absolutely right, – agreed Andrew. – We'll be there in a few minutes. The small building with the pointed roof on the left is our final destination.

The parking lot was right in the hotel, and the heavy rain did not seriously hamper the short drive. Already at the entrance Matthew understood why this particular hotel attracted the lord's attention. The walls of dark red stone decorated with noble natural stone rose majestically above the cypresses that surrounded the building. The roof, as Andrew had already noted, had a fairly steep slope, which allowed for the construction of an attic. The colors of the roof tiles matched the walls and emphasized the restrained style of the building. A small porch was lined with sprouts of wild grapes, as were the side columns. A narrow alley was accompanied by luxurious shrubs and small trees, whose names Matthew did not know, but whose appearance resembled young mulberries. All this austerity and conservatism very clearly betrayed the features of the English architecture of the cozy hotel with the characteristic name of “ Wales ”.

At the entrance to the lobby Matthew's attention was immediately attracted by a small fountain near the receptionist's table. The murmuring of water and a light aroma of coffee unobtrusively attracted visitors. A pretty, friendly girl also evoked a feeling of trust.

– What can I do for you, gentlemen? – she inquired.

– We have an appointment here with a gentleman, – answered Andrew, unbuttoning his jacket.

– May I ask whom exactly? And how shall I introduce you?

– I beg your pardon, – Matthew cut in, – but I'm sure you understand quite well, who we are talking about, and how to introduce us. It is in your interest, or rather in the interest of your hotel, not to mention the name of your guest. Please excuse my bluntness.

– Of course, – answered the girl, and her sincere smile became artificial.

Andrew looked reproachfully at his friend, making it clear that he was not very polite. The girl invited the men to sit down in chairs opposite the fountain, and she herself went up the marble stairs to the upper floor. Not three minutes later she approached them again.

– Please follow me, gentlemen, – the hotel employee suggested, barely bowing her head.

As if on cue, the men rose from their seats and, following at her heels, headed up the stairs.

«A very beautiful hotel», – thought Matthew, leaving behind him the amazingly beautiful cypresses and palm trees growing on either side of the stairs in huge wooden tubs.

Overhead, in onyx pots attached by massive chains, loomed curly ivy and ficus. With the barely audible gurgling of the water in the fountain, it created an impression of such comfort and coziness those visitors wanted to visit the place again and again.

Climbing up to the top floor, Matthew noticed that there were only two rooms. They were located far away from each other, each in a separate wing, which no doubt created additional comfort for visitors.

– Please, the left wing, – the girl pointed out with a slight movement of her hand and left the young people behind.

As they approached the large oak door, Andrew looked with surprise at the massive bronze ring hanging from the lion's mouth, and taking hold of it, knocked three times with a theatrical look.

– Come in, please, – the men heard a voice with an obvious English accent behind the door.

The guests opened the door, and one by one they entered the mysterious semi-darkness. Only the light of the corridor disturbed the mystery that aroused Matthew's curiosity. In the huge fireplace the wood hummed and crackled noisily, which in all likelihood was the only source of illumination, which did not, however, prevent him from discerning all the attributes of the room quite well.

«Kindled about five minutes ago, – Matthew noted to himself. – The owner of the room is quite punctual and most likely wanted to create just such an atmosphere of mystery».

– I am glad to welcome you, my friends, to my temporary abode, – the lord greeted the guests. – My name is Wilton. Lord Wilton Hamilton. You have no idea what honor you have done me by agreeing to meet me.

– It is no less an honor to meet you, – Andrew extend his hand to the lord and bowing slightly. – And this is my old friend and companion Matthew Vorokhov.

– My lord, – Matthew greeted the lord briefly, shaking his hand as well as Andrew, bowing his head slightly, emphasizing respect for the high title. – I hope our meeting will be very productive and rewarding for both sides.

– I have no doubt of that, – the Lord replied enthusiastically. – Otherwise I should never have applied to Mr. Kronov's organization. Let us sit down by the fireplace, my friends, to make our conversation more fruitful.

– I beg your pardon, – continued the Lord as he sat down in his chair, – but, as I have already remarked, I would never have approached you, Mr. Kronov, had I not been informed of your friendly relations with Mr. Vorokhov. I wanted to contact him directly, but it was rather difficult, for my opportunities in a foreign country are limited.

– I'm used to it, – Andrew answered smiling. – Matthew is an old friend of mine. You can't buy friends like that. He's a childhood friend, and I treasure our relationship. And it's not hard to understand you. Matthew's reputation and his track record speak for themselves.

– Exactly! – the lord exclaimed, raising his index finger. – The business I wish to entrust to you requires strength, observation, analytical ability, and experience, all of which are present in your dear friend and are worthy of the highest praise. So, gentlemen, let's get down to business. What have you heard about Saksaywaman? – turning to Matthew, the lord inquired.

– Not much, – Matthew admitted after a moment's hesitation. – I know it's the remains of a fortress or a temple in Peru. I can't name the city. I also heard that modern scientists are still arguing about how such huge blocks were built.

– Well, – drawled the lord contentedly. – Now I am sure that I did not come to you for nothing. Many people have no idea about this truly unique wonder of the world. By the way, I've just come from Cusco. This particular city in Peru has preserved a unique monument of an ancient civilization, which undoubtedly surpassed us in its development. As soon as you see in person these blocks, perfectly fitted to each other without any binding substance, you will understand that our modern knowledge needs to be improved. That, by the way, is exactly what I want to ask you to do.

– To explore Saksaywaman? – Matthew clarified.

– Not exactly, – corrected the lord, rising from his chair and tossing some logs into the fireplace. – I would not look for a skilled and expensive mercenary such as you to explore Saksaywaman. Saksaywaman is only the ruined remains of the grand structures of antiquity, but there are surviving structures not far away, in the backwoods of the jungle. It is impossible to see them from the satellite, because the trees there are incredibly tall and absorbed these unrecognized by modern people structures. It is extremely difficult to enter the thicket. Wild animals, and most importantly, the natives of those lands strictly guard this secret. That's why I am willing to spend a lot of money to get the results of research.

The Lord was silent for a moment to let the men consider his words, and then added as if nothing had happened:

– I love fire. Watching logs burn makes you think about eternity.

After these words Matthew concentrated his attention on the lord. And this time his intuition was right. Of course, he was no eighteen years old, but he was no more than thirty. He was no more than a hundred and eighty centimeters tall, lean, but rather stout. His handsome, noble features spoke of noble birth.

«And yet very young, – Matthew thought to himself. – I wonder if not everyone at that age thinks about eternal things. Maybe he's just a doer, and the customer is a more serious connoisseur of antiquity. What's the point, though? A lord, after all. And his thoughts… No. He's clearly acting on his own behalf. Hm! I am not the only one who sees beauty in simple natural phenomena, through which one can uncover the design of all things».

– Fire, water, wind, – Matthew theorized in a long voice. – All these things make us feel like something more than a mere mortal creation, if, of course, we take our minds off the mundane and concentrate on such thoughts.

Now it was the Lord's turn to focus his growing interest on Matthew. He seemed to have the same thoughts that had been swirling in his guest's mind a moment ago. He did not want to sound overly interested, and his eyes moved as if they were inches away from his companion. No one present dared to break the silence. For a long time now Andrew said nothing, but kept looking from Lord to Matthew and back again. Matthew himself was somewhat puzzled, as normally he was the one who “scanned” people with his inner intuitive sense, but now he was in the opposite position.

After a while, the slight tension from the prolonged pause subsided. The lord relaxed visibly, stretched himself at ease in his chair, stretching his long legs forward, and Matthew realized that he had made a final unspoken decision for himself about their cooperation.

– Well, my lord. What exactly is our mission? – Matthew asked in a confident tone. – I shall not go there merely to see it. What exactly are you interested in? Artifacts, writings, or maybe the verification of legends?

– Everything you've listed is very interesting, – the Lord answered, – but they are only details and tools to achieve the final goal. The main thing is to solve the problem. How exactly were these edifices erected? The most important thing is the technology. First you need to find them and pinpoint their exact location. After that, examine the ruins and try to understand how they were built. I understand that the task is extremely difficult. The whole scientific world is working to solve it. But it requires an unconventional vision. That is why I am turning to you. If you can't find out the technology of construction, examine these ruins and determine their true age. It is a very realistic task. I am sure that scientists have easily determined it, but they are… let's call it that, afraid to talk about it. Have I made my thoughts clear, gentlemen?

– Quite, – the men answered in one voice.

– The task is clear, – continued Matthew. – I am very interesting to take on the affair. All that remains is to calculate the financial side of the question. We will discuss it after we have gathered all the information, which will determine the number of participants in the group and the required route.

– Gentlemen, there is no need to calculate anything, – assured the Lord. – I'll pay three hundred thousand dollars for the tickets and equipment. If the result of the expedition is zero, the rest of the money stays with you. Of course, you will report the results and all your considerations to me in full. If you establish the real age of the buildings with irrefutable proofs – you will get half a million dollars. If you get the technology and demonstrate the recreation of the building, your financial account will be increased by three million dollars. Is that all right with you?

– More than that, – Matthew replied, after a silent exchange of glances with his companion. – I'm sure the initial amount is enough for two or three months of work and living in Cuzco. If we find nothing during that time, we can safely return home. If…

– I beg your pardon, – interrupted the Lord, – but you will have to go home from Cuzco through London, for I will be there, and I need a first-hand report.

– As you say, my lord, – Matthew agreed. – If the expedition should be extended, I will contact you with my thoughts. You will make further decisions on the basis of the information you receive.

– Very well, – replied the Lord. – But if it is necessary to consult on the further development of the expedition and, accordingly, on the additional investment, you will have to fly to London. It will not take much time. Any telephone conversations are simply inadmissible in such a case. – That number, at which I communicated with you, Mr. Kronov, – the lord said to Andrew, – has already been destroyed. So any technical and financial questions you will solve with my confidant, Mr. Lambert. He will contact you in an hour after my departure for London.

– Everything is clear, – expressed Matthew, getting up from his chair. – I think we have no more questions to ask each other.

– Tell me when you intend to fly to South America, and I dare not detain you.

– Usually it takes about a week to collect and process information, – Matthew answered after a little thought. – But to make the work more productive, in three days I'll go to Spain and from there I'll take a boat to Brazil. During this voyage I could think over all the details in peace. Besides, traveling on a sea liner, away from land, is very fruitful for the thought process.

– I'm sure it does, – the lord nodded approvingly. – It was a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.

After shaking the lord's hand, the friends left the room. After its mysterious surroundings, the light in the corridor blinded their eyes. When they went down to the lower floor, they said goodbye to the receptionist, taking the business cards of the hotel.

– I am sure you have one of the quietest and most beautiful hotels in Europe, – said Matthew goodbye. – I will certainly recommend it on occasion.

– Thank you, – she smiled and slightly bowed her head.

Men went out of the lobby, got into the car and left the hotel.

– So, – Andrew started the conversation, – what shall we start with?

– I'm afraid, dear friend, you won't be able to help me in this case. I have all the information I need. When you get in touch with the Lord's confidant, tell him what accounts to transfer the money. You will keep ten per cent for yourself, which is thirty thousand. Now about the rest of the money. Consider half a million in our pocket. It shouldn't be too difficult to determine the real age of the stone. I'll take the professor and my friend Linda Chizhevskaya with me. You are not acquainted with her, but we will fix that before we leave. As for the construction technology, I'll tell you straight out, the chances are not too great. But believe me, I'll do my best. It's not every day that you get a chance to uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations, and with such generous financial support.

– I do not doubt you, my friend, – did not take his eyes off the road, Andrew replied. – Do you think three months may not be enough time to work?

– Anything is possible. There are so many mysteries in South America, you could stay there for years. I know three groups that have been there for more than a year, so three months is not a long time. By the way, I'm going to visit one of them, although they are doing very different things, they are already quite proficient in the local dialects, which is not unimportant. To collect legends I will have to communicate with the locals. Who better than them knows the traditions and lore of their lands? The most important thing is to get them to like you or interest them in something, but it is more valuable to understand what they are talking about. In Spanish, you know, I can speak it quite well, but there are many dialects: Mapudungun, Quechua and Aymara are the most common. And I don't think anyone knows how many of them there are. Although, most likely, they are very similar to each other, so I will not get bored during the voyage.

– Will it be just the two of you, or do you need a bigger crew? – Andrew asked.

– Linda is enough for me. The Lord has set very specific tasks. Who else would I need? I can take care of the equipment, and Linda has the necessary instruments for analysis. I need permission to transport them, by the way, and I'll need cash for that, since our expedition is unofficial.

– Everything will be, – shortly answered Andrew, turning into the alley and approaching the house of Matthew. – Let's rest today, and as soon as I am contacted by the representative of the Lord… what's his name?

– Mr. Lambert, – reminded Matthew.

– Yes, exactly, – Andrew nodded. – When Mr. Lambert has contacted me and we've settled all the details, I'll let you know at once.

– All right, – said Matthew, closing the car door. – Good night.

– Good night to you, too, – said Andrew, turning on the light music and stepping on the gas pedal.

2

When he got home, Matthew took a shower and went to bed. But sleep did not hurry to envelop him. All his thoughts were preoccupied with the upcoming trip, promising thrills and good earnings.

«I was overreacting about the fact that one man is enough for me, – Matthew thought, throwing his hands behind his head. – I wouldn't want regret it later. Who knows what secrets this unknown land holds? Besides, one would have to deal with people who were far away from civilization. But most importantly, Linda would have her own job, and I would have mine. She will be alone quite often, and I am not going to risk her life in any way. And if that's the case, we need another person. I am a loner, and an assistant can only hinder me, but Linda just needs an assistant who, besides, can ensure her safety».

Having made this decision, Matthew calmed down a little, but he still could not sleep. His mental activity and his overblown fantasy unfolded and grew exponentially. He mentally transported himself to the place where the surviving remains of ancient structures were located. Among the virgin rainforest, untouched by man, were huge solid blocks of stone, overgrown with the shoots of climbing plants. Matthew wandered along the path that wound around the complex of structures and gradually led him deep into the jungle. The trill of the birds sounded so realistic that Matthew lost the line between fantasy and reality. His attention was now completely focused on the new sensations, and they were truly impressive. In addition to the singing of the birds, the surrounding space was saturated with the rustle of the leaves as they were touched by gusts of wind. At these moments, the cries of the monkeys and the distant roar of the wild beasts were hushed, as if they too were enjoying this enchanting jungle music. Meanwhile, the pleasant coolness of the forest beckoned farther and farther along the barely visible path. Without any sense of fear, Matthew went deeper into the thicket, enjoying the newly discovered scenery. Huge ancient trees on either side of the path stretched straight into the clouds that enveloped their tops with their impenetrable canopy. But this did not prevent the setting sun from breaking through the foliage, creating a staggered illusion of the surrounding space. It seemed that this entire splendor was one whole organism, and all the trees, animals, and insects were just its component parts.

Gradually the path led him to a babbling brook, and the noise of the water merged with the singing of birds, the rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects and the barely audible roar of animals. It was mesmerizing. It was sweeter than the strongest sensations Matthew had experienced in real life. It was as if he was not walking, but rather floating above this majesty of the jungle. The sensation of the lightness of his body was comparable to the state of weightlessness that Matthew had experienced before on duty.

Looking around a bit, he began to notice that the evergreens enveloped the majestic ancient buildings, and the succulent fruits of these plants hung almost above the ground. Their sunlit, ripe appearance beckoned one to taste these exotic fruits, but in this world they were of value only because of their sweet smell, which inspired and satiated the travelers of this mysterious path. As he inhaled their delicate fragrance, Matthew felt an unprecedented power awaken within him. He felt his power. If he wanted to, he could move the age-old blocks lurking under the thick green cover of tropical plants. And not just move them. He could tear them apart into tiny pieces. Boundaries did not exist here. Matthew could feel the energy of the stones. No doubt they were alive here and bowed to the lord walking among them. He lay down on the silken grass carpet and closed his eyes to try to communicate with this world that was new to him, but instead of fabulous sensations he found himself in his room, lying on the bed.

– No! No! – he was horrified. – More!…

Quickly closing his eyes, Matthew found himself there again, among the living, radiating energy of mysterious structures. The sensation of dual reality was beyond his comprehension. He could be here and there at the same time. Feeling like a demigod in his visions, he would open his eyes again and turn into a helpless, limited creature. Returning again and again to the dream world, he sought a more detailed view of the stone structures.

The layout and shape of such grandiose structures were beyond doubt as to their man-made origin. The window openings, which were favored by countless hordes of monkeys, stood out clearly. No doubt, Matthew's imagination drew him a picture of a whole abandoned city, which, judging by its boundless size, was inhabited by a whole civilization that had long since fallen into the abyss of time…

The alarm on his cell phone interrupted his visions of an illusory world, bringing Matthew back to the harsh reality. Compared to the sensations he had experienced, he felt so exhausted that he could not even come close to the coveted oblivion for a moment.

«Well then, – he thought to himself after a little while. – Maybe I'll get some more later. I wonder what such vivid and colorful dreams depend on. I'll finish my examination of the ruins and go to the experts. Maybe there's something wrong with me».

Having come to terms with his lost opportunities, Matthew regained his indestructible willpower and the powerful energy of the physical world. Instantly sketching a plan for today, he glanced at his watch.

«Quite decent for a phone call», – he decided, dialing his friend's number.

– Good morning, Matthew, – a gentle female voice came over the phone.

– Good morning, Linda. Sorry for calling so early, but the case is very urgent and cannot wait.

– Somehow I'm not surprised, – she laughed. – That's your trademark. Quick, all at once. Are we ahead of schedule this time, too?

– No. It's much more leisurely now. The only thing is to leave as early as possible, and the work itself is quite painstaking and measured.

– I'm intrigued, – she admitted without false modesty. – Will you enlighten me now, or should we meet?

– You know I don't like unnecessary chitchat on the phone, – Matthew answered. – Is it convenient for you in the morning, or are you busy?

– With my love for my profession I'm always busy, but for you I'll cancel all business. My work, unfortunately, does not bring the expected income, and in this respect you have never disappointed me.

– That's reassuring, – Matthew smiled. – The more so, the case I want to offer you offers the prospect of a very decent income, of course, based on the result. Shall I come to your place, or shall we have breakfast in the restaurant?

– Do you really think a girl could refuse to go to a restaurant with you? – Linda laughed again. – Do you remember one time?

– Who should I invite but you? – Matthew was surprised. – You know I'm a recluse at heart. I appreciate our friendship, believe me, and I'd give a lot for it.

– Come on, – she confused, not without pleasure. – Where to go?

– You're insulting, – claimed Matthew. – I'll pick you up in an hour. Do you have time to get ready?

– Of course. I'm waiting.

Matthew got out of bed and made his way to the climbing frame installed right in the sleeping room. He had developed this habit since high school, and it must be said that it had helped him out more than once. After his fifteen-minute workout, he hailed a cab and headed for the shower.

A gray morning enveloped the still quiet city as Matthew rode in the car. Overnight, the sky had completely given up the rest of the moisture to the earth, leaving it on the roadway, which slowed things down a bit.

– Would you be so kind as to turn off the music, please, – Matthew asked the driver.

– Do you like silence? – the driver nodded understandingly and turned up the volume.

– Yes. Besides, it's a lot to think about.

The driver did not dare to interrupt any further, which allowed Matthew to concentrate on the conversation to come. He comfortably sat in the back of the car and concentrated his attention on the cityscape flashing by outside the window, after thinking over the main details of the conversation. Multi-story buildings were buried in the greenery of densely planted trees and shrubs. The first pedestrians were already beginning to appear in the streets.

«Sooner or later it will all turn into a jungle, – Matthew thought. – The trees will completely take over their territory, the buildings will collapse, and everything will be as it was long ago before us modern humans. The wild animals will come back here again and reign over their land. And in time, someone of intelligence will explore these places, and try to understand those who lived here long before them. Our nature, our architecture, our thoughts. At first, explorers will marvel and wonder how those who lived on the planet could have built such tall and grandiose buildings. And a little later, there will probably be misunderstandings and smirks from such primitive logic of thought as ours. Although this is a rather optimistic prognosis, it’s quite possibly the most attractive one for our home planet. Maybe it will all be buried under tons of sand and dust, where no living organism can penetrate. Or it will end up at the bottom of the ocean, and our homes will become a haven for unseen creatures swimming among them. And in time, perhaps, it will all sink into centuries of ice, which will preserve the memory of us for many millennia. Yes. All this has already happened. It is there now. And it will happen again. How many times? Most likely, and the wisest will not find an answer».

The car, meanwhile, was approaching its destination, and willy-nilly the driver had to get his client out of his philosophical contemplations.

– Approaching, – he told briefly. – Is this the final destination, or are there any other requests?

– Yes, – Matthew answered, coming out of his pensive state. – Wait here. In about ten minutes I'll come down with my companion, and you'll take us to the Chameleon Restaurant. It's not far from here. Do you know it?

– Of course, – the driver nodded. – I'll be waiting.

– Thank you, – Matthew said as he got out of the car.

He went up to the third floor and rang the doorbell. Linda did not keep him waiting long and opened the door with a radiant smile.

– Good morning! Please come in, I'm almost ready.

– You look just gorgeous, – Matthew marveled, kissing the girl's hand. – Well, you always do, don't you?

– I have to hold your own with a man like you, – Linda laughed, blushing a little. – Sit down on the sofa. I'm almost ready.

She waited until Linda had finished packing and then they walked to a waiting cab.

– So, – Linda began after fifteen minutes, taking a seat at a table in the restaurant. – I'm so impatient.

– Believe me, I'm in a hurry to share the information myself, – Matthew assured her, taking his seat across from her, – but let's order something to eat first, because we probably won't be able to eat properly today.

– Sure, – Linda nodded, pushing the menu aside. – Just a glass of orange juice for me.

– An extra order of shrimp and a pitcher of fresh orange juice, – Matvey turned to the waiting waiter.

– Aren't you afraid to order like this, without warning, – Linda asked apprehensively. – I don't want to see you like last time.

– Thank you for reminding me, Linda. I'm a frequent visitor here, and they know my cooking habits. Everything I order is seasoned only with salt, no seasoning, so there's no problem.

– That's good, – she said with relief. – You haven't seen a doctor since then, have you?

– They all say the same thing: either medication, or elimination of the foods to which I am allergic. I have eliminated foods, but nothing works against seasonal allergies, not even medication.

Linda thought about it.

– It was a pity, of course. So many healthy foods had to be excluded from the diet.

– It's not so bad when you think about the attacks, – Matthew answered and smiled. – But let's not talk about sad a thing, that’s not why we came here.

– Yes, I'm sorry, I just remembered our last trip to the restaurant.

– Yes, it's sad to remember, – Matthew flinched a little. – But let's get to the point. I've been commissioned to investigate ancient structures in South America. There is no doubt that they are not natural creations. Definitely they were built by intelligent beings. Hence the emerging tasks. The first and most necessary are to find out their true age. When exactly were they built? That's what I need you for. The second is to determine their purpose, as well as to try to figure out the technology of their construction. Here I will work on my own, though I do not exclude the possibility that your clear mind can be of invaluable assistance in this matter.

– South America…– she repeated thoughtfully, staring into space as if remembering something. – South America…

– Something confusing? – Matthew became suspicious. – Please tell me you accept! I really need you in this expedition!

– Confusing? – Linda livened up. – Yes it's the dream of any archaeologist. You yourself know very well how many secrets this mysterious land holds.

– That's right, – affirmed Matthew. – And to solve them, you have to communicate closely with the local tribes, who have not yet broken the civilization.

– Isn't that scary? – she smiled enigmatically, staring intently into her friend's eyes.

– What do you mean? – Matthew didn't understand. – Don't you know me?

– I know you very well, and I'm sure you're not afraid of death or torture. But I'm not sure that you know the legends of South America very well. There are worse things there than death.

– From this point, please, – Matthew asked, anticipating a new challenge.

– All right. You're quite a stable young man. I'm sure you'll manage. Have you heard anything about professor of archeology Matvienko?

– He's even published a book, if I'm not mistaken, – Matthew answered after thinking for a while. – A very serious scientist.

– Absolutely right, – expressed Linda. – But, among other things, he was my mentor.

With that, Linda leaned over the table and spoke more softly.

– One night he called and asked me to come over, – the girl leaned even lower. – What I heard him say was beyond my comprehension, but there was no reason not to trust him. An international team under his leadership was in Peru. There they collected evidence of all sorts of legends and tales. One evening one of the local shamans showed him an unknown plant and told him to get Ivan Grigorievich undressed and rub him all over with it. After that he sent him for a walk in the woods, asking him to keep his eyes open and his ears perked up. The result was impressive, – Linda emphasized. – It got dark quickly, but he could see better than he could in daylight. The juice of the plant lulled his rational mind, sharpened all his senses to the extreme, making him feel like a wild animal. He said it was incomparable to any of the pleasures of our physical world. This plant gave him so much vitality and energy that it allowed him to share it with everyone around him. He no longer felt himself an individual, but an integral part of that world. Ivan Grigorievich said that he could clearly see energy flows flowing through him,– the girl paused to emphasize the effect of what she had said, and continued her story again. – After a while an Indian came up to him and asked him to help him catch fish for the children. They went together to the river. Ivan Grigorievich said that the fish came to him on its own, but when he took it in his hands, he cried, because he felt an incredible kinship with it, and then he let it go.

Matthew thought for a moment. The story reminded him so much of today's dream.

– It looks like the effect of a psychotropic potion, – he informed Linda. – I have heard of them and that they are very common among shamans. Thank you for your valuable information. Our trip will have to be postponed for a while. I have to meet your mentor. It will save us some time.

– That's not going to happen, – Linda concluded, leaning back in her chair. – A month after we met, he left for Tibet as a pilgrim. More than two years passed, and no one has heard from him since.

– I see. So, are you worried that I will go as a pilgrim, too? – Matthew smiled.

– That's no cause for irony, – Linda said reproachfully. – People change completely when they come back from there.

– Thank you, – Matthew answered just as seriously. – It's really valuable information, and it's a pity we won't be able to meet your mentor. Now let's get down to business. Do you agree to come?

– You're asking! – Linda exhaled happily. – Yes, I am.

– That's wonderful! – exclaimed Matthew, and leaned back comfortably, following her example. – How much time do you need to finish your business?

– Not much, I think. I have a very good assistant now, and at the moment there are no cases he can't handle.

– Great, – Matthew said happily. – So, we need your instruments. I'm worried that we won't have time to gather all the necessary documents to transport them to South America, because I'm setting up to leave tomorrow, the day after tomorrow at most.

– If you really want to, – the girl objected, – you can do it. Is that all I have to do so far?

– That's the main thing, – Matthew nodded contentedly. – Now tell me what their approximate weight is. That will determine whether we take them with us or fly them out by cargo.

– They're not too heavy, – Linda answered. – They're mostly reagents. I have my own ways of doing things. By the way, how many of us will be on the team?

– That's the second and very important question, – Matthew answered, – which is entirely up to you. At the first stage I'll help you a little, and we can work together to determine the age of the buildings. Afterwards we would have to separate, because I have to go deep into the jungle, as I said to find out the technology of the buildings. You will be alone. And I don't want that. So please, choose any assistant you see fit.

– You risk not having a team at all, – Linda pouted, crossing her arms across her chest defiantly. – We'll do the necessary analysis, and then we'll go wherever you see fit, just the two of us. What do you think I am a burden?

– Forgive me for being blunt, – Matthew protested, – burden isn't quite the right word. Believe me I've been in situations where I could only survive on my own. If I'd had a partner with me, even one of my own calibers, we'd have been stuck there for ages. And there have been several such situations. That's why I'm a loner. I don't have much skill in teamwork.

– I see, – confused the girl, completely drooping. – To tell you the truth, I don't know who I could trust as much as I trust you. So there's no one I can take.

– Well, let's not lose heart, – encouraged her Matthew. – Let's change our plan a little. We'll go together. We'll survey the area. Determine age. How long will that take, by the way?

– I can't say definitively, – Linda concluded. – So many factors can affect the analysis. In addition to chemical studies, we would have to look at the inscriptions and writings. We would also have to study the climatic conditions of the area at different points in time…

– Is that possible? – Matthew interrupted her.

– Science never stands still, – the girl stipulated with an expert look. – It's not only possible, it's not even very difficult. But you would need close visual inspection and painstaking analysis of all the samples. Any little detail could make a decisive difference. If we take an average timeframe for this kind of work, the two of us can do it in three weeks.

– Great, – Matthew said enthusiastically. – In the meantime I'll survey the surroundings and make the necessary contacts. As you say, every little detail may be important here, but which one? So it's just the two of us. I will take care of the tickets and equipment, and you will prepare the equipment and authorize its transportation. In the evening, we call to discuss and adjust plans.

– I'll need some cash to buy some reagents and arrange a work visa to take the equipment out. How will we travel, by the way? This is necessary to know in order to get the paperwork.

– Our route will take us tentatively through Portugal, where we'll take a flight the day after tomorrow, – Matthew stipulated. – From there we'll take a boat to Brazil, and it won't take long to get to the mainland.

– О!… – Linda exclaimed with undisguised pleasure. – Oh, that is simply splendid! A cruise across the Atlantic would be a dream come true. But it's too expensive and time-consuming, isn't it? Why should it be?

– You know I speak Spanish quite well and that most of the South American population speaks Spanish dialects. While we're sailing, I can learn three, maybe four basic ones. The sound of the waves creates a great atmosphere for learning, well, and for relaxing too. I recently finished a case and was planning on taking a break, but offers like this are not to be turned down. Moreover, it is in your part too.

– Thank you, Matthew, – Linda replied, looking warmly at the man sitting across from her. – I may never get the chance to go there. It is a really important trip for me, which will give quite a lot of material for my further work.

– I hope you understand that all our results are closed to the scientific community, – cautioned Matthew, looking seriously into her eyes. – This is a private commission, and the customer pays a lot of money just to keep the results out of the hands of the public.

– Of course, – Linda answered calmly. – But the results and conclusions may be indirectly useful to me in other studies. I will not mention this expedition.

– Good, – said Matthew calmly. – It's nice when work brings not only money, but also pleasure. Isn't it?

– Definitely, – agreed Linda. – Your profession wouldn't make sense otherwise. Besides, if you're not into it, you're not likely to get to the top.

– I agree, – Matthew nodded. – Now that we've discussed all the working points, we can focus on the food. I love the way the prawns are cooked here. They're not boiled, but just lightly fried, which keeps them tender. I do that too.

– You couldn't tell before? – Linda smiled. – Now I want to try them too! May I steal some off your plate because I'm drooling?

– Sure, – Matthew smiled and moved the plate to her friend.

She looked around making sure no one was looking, and took the shrimp with two fingers. She took a bite, covered her eyes, and chewed it slowly.

– It's just great! – she drawled. – Can you cook like that?

– Everything is ingenious, – Matthew replied. – I'm not fond of culinary delights, so I make the simplest dishes. That's why they turn out so tasty.

– I've never tasted anything like that. If you get a chance, can you show me how to make such a delicious dish? I will definitely include this dish in my diet.

– Let me order for you, – Matthew suggested. – You saw, it's quick to make.

– Thank you, Matthew. I'll take one more and that's enough. Let's wrap it up, there's really a lot of work today. I'll take care of some business, and then I'll do the paperwork on the equipment. It's not that easy.

– I agree, – he told as he finished his portion. – Do you want me to call you a cab?

– No. It's not far from here to my work. I'll stop by the lab first, and then I'll call a car from there.

– Okay, come on, I'll walk you out for a while, – Matthew said as he got up from the table.

After paying the bill and thanking the waiter, they left the hospitable establishment for the street, which was lively in front of their eyes. Friends said goodbye, and Matthew decided to walk for a while, as he could not do anything until he talked to Andrew. The clouds had long since cleared and the bright sun was shining, leaving no trace of rain on the sidewalks. Before he had even walked a hundred paces, Matthew heard the phone ring.

– Good afternoon, – sounded a breathless voice of a friend. – I've been running around all morning. I met our client's confidant, Mr. Lambert.

– How did it go? – Matthew asked.

– You won't believe it. His Russian wasn't much better than my English. But we worked it out. The result – the money is in your accounts. Please check the receipt of funds and call me immediately if there are any problems.

– Sure, I'll check it right away. We don't have a lot of time.

– We do? – Andrew was surprised. – You said that my mission ends after financial matters.

– Yes, sorry, – Matthew answered. – That's right. I think there shouldn't be any problems. I just met with the professor, and she's agreed to be part of the group. Of course, that was what I was counting on, but you should have seen the pleasure she took in it.

– How can you refuse such a lucrative offer? – laughed Andrew.

– You don't understand, – insisted Matthew. – We haven't even talked about the financial side of it. But her eyes really lit up. She was really excited about this trip. And she told me things about South America that would make anyone's hair stand on end.

– I'm sorry, – Andrew interrupted. – I think this is not a phone conversation. Maybe you could come over and talk to me. By the way, you promised to introduce me to her.

– Of course – I will definitely drop by. If we can, we will come together.

– Now we're talking. I'll be expecting you at my place. We won't be seeing each other much longer now, and I'd like to have a quiet time together.

– All right, – Matthew agreed. – See you soon.

After the positive news about the financial side of the matter Matthew began to prepare. He had been on many such trips before, so everything was going smoothly. He visited several stores and found himself with a respectable arsenal of travel gear, from small carbines to flares that were not covered by the travel ban. The crowning feature of his equipment was a set of knives that could be used for self-defense if necessary. Matthew was a master of this type of weapon and when camping he never missed an opportunity to stash this deadly toy in a special calf-bandage. He also paid special attention to phrasebooks on the dialects of South American tribes. Of course, it is almost impossible to find this kind of literature on the regular market, but Linda helped him in this matter by providing him with quite a decent supply of guides to the dialects of Peru and Chile, which formed the basis for the Mapudungun and Quechan dialects. These languages, related to Spanish, required scrupulous training, which Matthew planned to do while crossing the Atlantic. He planned to replenish the lack of vocabulary when he met the expedition groups working there.

Now it remained to take care of the tickets. By evening Matthew dropped off the passports to a travel agent's friend, informed him of the group and the route he wished to take, and, having thanked him for his urgency, headed for home.

«So far everything is going pretty smoothly, – he thought as he sat down in his favorite chair. – But the most important part of the preparations lay with Linda. She assured me everything was fine, but crossing several countries is not so easy».

Still, deciding to trust a professional, he chased away his anxiety and fell into a sound, healthy sleep. That night colorful dreams did not disturb him and Matthew woke up the next morning alert and full of energy. After paying due attention to his morning workout, he decided to call Linda first of all.

– Good morning, – Matthew began. – Sorry to interrupt, but frankly, I'm a little worried about the permit to transport the equipment. Are you sure I can't help?

– Absolutely sure, – Linda confirmed. – I've done all I can. I'll have the papers by noon, and if our itinerary remains the same, there won't be any problem.

– Let's hope they don't let us down with the tickets, too, – he answered. – If you have almost everything ready, I invite you to dinner at my friend's place. We'll discuss what we're going to do next.

– With great pleasure, – Linda agreed. – Is it okay to mention our trip in front of him, because you said it was confidential?

– That's right, – Matthew confirmed. – But the customers contacted me through Andrew, and he will directly help us with questions that can be solved remotely.

– I see. Of course, I'd be happy to. What time is the meeting scheduled for?

– Andrew didn't give us any time constraints. I've already done my business, so tell me when it's convenient for you?

– Drop by at six, – Linda said after a moment's hesitation. – I won't need much time.

– Understood, – Matthew answered briefly. – You'll have to wait.

At half past seven p.m. the friends were standing at the gate of the mansion, looking forward to a pleasant conversation with a good dinner. The door of the house opened, and the owner appeared on the threshold, who hurried to meet them with a big smile.

– Good evening, – Andrew greeted his guests.

– Good evening, – Matthew shakes his friend's hand. – Let me introduce you to the professor of archeology, my old acquaintance and now companion, Miss Linda Chizhevskaya.

– Pleased to meet you, – the girl smiled amiably.

– I did not think that the title of professor is awarded immediately after graduation! – Elegantly joked Andrew. – Besides, I had no idea that archaeology and beauty could somehow be combined in one person.

Linda smiled embarrassedly, and her cheeks flushed.

– Thanks for the compliment, but I was promoted to professor exactly nine years after I graduated from grad school. I'm only three years younger than Matthew.

– It's amazing! – Andrew exclaimed. – I never would have told you that. You look amazing. And, by the way, to get a professor in such a short time is very rare. Or am I wrong?

– It can be faster. It all depends on the results, well, it takes luck. But if you set a goal and follow it, you will achieve what you want. Nothing in the world is impossible.

– Forgive me, please come into the house, otherwise I keep you on the threshold. But I think it's forgivable – any man would be confused here.

– Don't worry about it, – Matthew answered, helping Linda to take off her jacket. – The cozy, homey atmosphere was inviting. Besides, it smells pretty good.

– Yes, I ordered an excellent pizza. It just arrived. I used to help a buddy of mine open a pizza place, so I get the tastiest, freshest pizza I've ever had. Have a seat on the couch by the fireplace.

– What I love in private homes are fireplaces, – shared his dream Matthew, looking at the fire. – You know about my passion.

– Why don't you do it in your apartment? – Linda asked. – I heard there are bio-fireplaces now and you don't need a cooker hood.

– There are bio and electric fireplaces, – agreed Matthew. – But there's no substitute for a real fire. When the wood crackles in the fireplace, I feel a strange and incomparable feeling of peace.

– Yes, yes, I know your passion for fire, that's why I lit it before you came, – Andrew nodded, distributing pizza to his guests. – How's the packing going?

– My gear is ready, – Matthew answered, – I'll have the tickets in hand soon. Linda was taking care of the paperwork for the transport of the equipment. So far everything is going swimmingly.

– Things always go smoothly when you are dealing with you, – she smiled.

– The main thing is to have a clear and unwavering intention, – said Matthew, his voice becoming theatrical. – Isn't that what you told me?

She nodded.

– Yes, I did. By the way, a number of world-renowned scientists are working on that question. Not all the results are made public, but even the few that are made public are enough to take it as truth.

– You talk very interestingly, – joined the conversation Andrew. – I'll be sure to experiment. But let's discuss our expedition a little, though. Bring me up to date, because I shall have to meet Mr. Lambert and give indirect reports.

– No problem, – Matthew answered, enjoying a hot pizza. – Everything turned out just great with the tickets, though we had to pay a little too much, but given our capabilities, or rather the capabilities of our client, we can afford it. So, tomorrow we leave for Portugal at noon. We only take Linda's equipment with us. We will spend the night in Portugal and the day after tomorrow we will take the liner to Brazil. Of course, this is not the most convenient route, it would be easier and faster to sail to Venezuela, but there are reasons for this. First, Venezuela does not border Peru, and the final destination, as we know, is located there. Going through Brazil, we would only have to cross one border, which is much more convenient. Second, there is a group of specialists in Brazil, including a good friend of mine. It would be foolish not to visit him and ask him about the intricacies of living with the natives, since the main emphasis will be on getting to know and communicate with them. All the basic equipment will be on a cargo flight and will be waiting for us in Peru. Now ready to answer questions.

– After such an exhaustive report, there can hardly be any questions, – assessed the depth of the plan Andrew. – In any case, everything is clear to me, and to you Linda.

– As for the trip, – Linda went on, – the itinerary looks more like a walk than a business trip. Though, I must confess, I've been dreaming of traveling by ship for a long time.

– You're absolutely right, – Matthew agreed. – But the fact is that I recently finished serious work and planned to have a little rest, and this order has made adjustments to my plans. First of all, it's interesting from the financial point of view, and secondly, it's of personal interest to me. It is not even a job, but more of a hobby. Now we are counting the time. We would not fly straight to Peru because of the need to visit the expedition team in Brazil. Direct flights to Brazil take a very long time, which means we would have to fly from Portugal. Including the overnight stay, that's two days. We would also spend about two days in Brazil. Moving to Peru takes three days. That makes seven. Now let's take our itinerary. It is the same, only instead of flying to Brazil, we will sail. That will extend our trip by five days. That makes a total of twelve. Compared to the total duration of the trip, that's nothing. Besides, on the way I will be able to expand my knowledge of the local dialects and get some rest, which, by the way, is very useful before a difficult case. These are all my considerations.

– Your judgment is as good as ever, – declared Linda solemnly. – And, as I said, I like this route.

It made no sense to speak loudly, for there was an extraordinary silence in the house, and only the sound of crackling firewood filling the air.

– Thank you, Matthew, – said Andrew, getting up from the sofa. – Now everything is clear. I suggest we celebrate our forthcoming trip with a glass of champagne.

– You know I don't drink alcohol, – Matthew reminded. – But as every ceremony has its own meaning, I wouldn't refuse a glass of juice. I wonder what the glasses are for?

– Frankly, I haven't given it much thought, – she answered. – But if you think about what happens, it brings to mind the clinking. The clinking of glasses. In every culture there is the ringing of either some object, or the same bell ringing in temples. It is a sound that has a very strong beneficial effect.

– Maybe you're right, – Matthew agreed. – It would be interesting to study the information about the influence of sound on our environment. I will do that when I return home.

– Juice it is, – Andrew brought the tray with the decanter. – What about you, Linda?

– I'll support Matthew, – she answered.

– Then you leave me no choice, – Andrew gave up, pouring the cool drink into the glasses. – Let's complement the crackling of the wood in the fireplace with the clinking of our glasses, and may it bring your expedition success and good luck.

3

A beautiful sea liner was smoothly crossing the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, carrying more than a thousand passengers on board. The calm waters stretched for miles around, but many were not at all interested. Most of the passengers behaved as if they were in an entertainment establishment on land, depriving themselves of the basic pleasure of watching the mesmerizing water element.

The third day of the voyage was approaching, and many had already ceased to appreciate what Matthew would not trade for any achievements of modern entertainment innovations, which the ship was fully equipped with. But there were those who shared his interests and spent all their free time in comfortable loungers on the upper deck, which had a panoramic view of the expanse of the ocean. The day was nearing its end and a huge disk of fiery red would soon touch the horizon with its edge. Such moments Matthew never missed, because of the opportunity to admire the flight of our home planet.

«During sunrise and sunset, you can truly observe the power of the universe, – Matthew thought. – The planet rushes at tremendous speed around the sun, and we cannot notice it only because there is no proper reference point. How much everything changes when it appears. As the sun approaches the horizon, it is this mesmerizing movement of our planet that we can concentrate on. It's a shame that such moments can be observed only twice a day. And for residents of megalopolises they are practically not available at all. Besides, most people are immersed in illusory problems, which they invented themselves. And if you could just look around, you could admire the world around you. To feel its power. Its power… The masters of the earth… what nonsense they put into our immature minds. Who are we? Just grains of sand. Though some of us are beginning to realize that. I'm not the only one sitting here. And even though it's mostly the elderly, who cares? The main thing is that I am not alone in my thoughts».

Though the sun's rays no longer illuminated the deck, its soft light made it possible to read, and Matthew picked up the dictionary again, which he had set aside for the time of his viewing the sunset. After half an hour it became difficult to look through the book, so he decided to check on Linda. The girl was not in her quarters, so Matthew made his way to the swimming pool, where she liked to spend her evenings. The pool was also on the upper deck, where Matthew had recently come down from, but only at the stern of the ship, and it took him at least fifteen minutes to get there. As he approached, the splashes of water and the enthusiastic cries of the bathers began to be heard. There was no shortage of visitors at this time, just as there was no shortage of other entertainment venues.

Since the pool was on the open deck, and the cool ocean cyclone of the night enveloped the ship with its coolness, many vacationers preferred to soak in the warm water. Matthew didn't immediately find Linda, so he decided to take a seat at the bar nearby. He ordered a glass of orange juice and started to watch the customers, trying to find his friend. Soon he noticed her coming out of the pool. Linda also saw Matthew and threw a towel over herself and went to him.

– Good evening, – he heard a joyful voice. – Who are you looking for?

– Good evening, Linda, – Matthew answered, getting up from his chair. – Who should I be looking for but you? Have a seat. You're in great shape.

– Thanks for the compliment, – Linda smiled, and took the cocktail the barman offered to her. – I keep hoping to see you in the pool without a shirt, but you do not break away from your dictionaries. How about now?

– I don't want to draw attention to myself, – Matthew joked, – besides, I don't really like swimming pools. But I'd dive into the ocean right now, if they gave passengers the opportunity.

– It's true that you attract attention, especially from women, – Linda smiled, raising an eyebrow meaningfully. – Your serene study of dialects on the deck will cease because of the many groupies. Look how many beautiful girls are swimming.

Linda looked around the pool area while sipping her cocktail through a straw.

– If you stay close to me, no one will dare to compete with you, – Matthew supported the verbal game and raised an eyebrow at her friend's example.

– How can you sit all day on the deck when you can rest so well before the serious work. You ought to meet somebody. A good company, a change of scenery is good for the learning process.

– I agree, – said Matthew. – And so I will.

– Really! – exclaimed Linda. – Shall we go swimming then?

– No, I'll pass. But I saw some poker tables in the casino the other day. I guess I could play a little.

– It sounds pretty boring to me, – frustrated Linda. – We'd be better off buying.

– It depends on how you play and what tasks you set, – Matthew objected.

– What kind of tasks is possible? – Linda wondered. – To win and leave the casino with the money.

– Don't tell me, – countered Matthew. – You're not playing with a robot, you're playing with real people. It's easy to win with a good card, but beating your opponent when you have a weak card is another matter. In order to do that, you have to learn to feel your opponent, to anticipate his train of thought. That's where the interesting game comes in.

– Maybe you're right, but it's definitely not for me. Let's sit a little longer, and then I'll go to my room. I want to leaf through some records, too, and enjoy the starry sky on my way back to my cabin.

– You're right, – Matthew agreed. – The light is rather strong here, and you can hardly see the stars, though they're very bright at these latitudes.

– It's not the latitude, but, as you rightly pointed out, the light. In the big cities, even at night, there is too much light, so the stars are not seen as well. But the fact that other constellations are visible here is interesting.

– I agree. It's so nice to watch. At times like this, you start to think about things you would never think about in everyday life.

– Yes, I've noticed that you sometimes dive into some kind of peculiar state. I don't consider myself a big expert on the subject, but I have read that the human brain can operate at different frequencies. According to researchers, there are four: alpha, beta, theta, and delta. The beta frequency, for example, characterizes readiness for conscious thinking, the alpha frequency is a state of easy relaxation, the theta frequency is responsible for creative inspiration and the delta frequency reveals heightened perception.

– I have read about it too, but I have not really dived into the information, – Matthew confessed.

– Well, – Linda continued, – I think that when you observe natural phenomena, your brain switches to the theta frequencies, which is not common. During those moments you receive information that is impossible to receive in the ordinary state.

Matthew thought for a while. He remembered his colorful dreams and his intention to study the subject in more detail.

– Linda! – he exclaimed. – You are priceless. You wouldn't believe it, but that's a question I was very interested in, only I didn't know where to look. And you opened up the veil. Thank you very much. After our expedition, I will devote some time to it. I get this condition very often.

– See, that's good, – Linda smiled. – You never know where the information you need will come from.

– You never know, – affirmed Matthew, putting the empty glass aside. – I'll think about it before I go to sleep.

– It's getting late. I wanted to go to bed early, I have a few things to do tomorrow, and you can go have fun in your casino.

She got up from the bar, kissed Matthew on the cheek, and headed for the exit.

Matthew did not immediately go to the casino, but decided first to walk out onto the open unlit deck and look at the sky. Of the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere he only remembered the constellation of Scorpio, because he himself was a Scorpio by horoscope. Having a rough idea of what it looked like, Matthew spent about ten minutes looking for it. Finding nothing that even remotely resembled a picture from the book, he abandoned the venture and continued on his way to the gambling establishment.

«I'll play for a while and come back here again, – he thought, quickening his pace. – I should at least learn the names and locations of the constellations, you never know what might come in handy».

With these thoughts Matthew entered the casino. The bright light interrupted his reverie and displaced it with the anticipation of a good game. He passed the roulette tables and made his way straight to the poker tables, one of which was the object of a heated discussion. Five players were playing another hand, while four seats remained vacant.

– May I join your game, gentlemen? – Matthew turned to the contestants with a quick glance around.

Everyone at the table, including the croupier, looked at the stranger sternly.

– What's wrong with an empty seat? – suddenly the elderly gentleman turned to the players. – I'm sure, young man, that you will make us good company. I think there is no reason to object.

As everyone else was silent, Matthew sat down in a vacant seat and exchanged five hundred dollars for chips from the dealer.

– That's all I can afford today, – he declared to the players. – If I lose, I won't buy more.

– We'll remember your promise, – the thin man gave him an unfriendly look.

That look. Cold, piercing, sticky. It was as if it cut right through him, penetrating him. Anyone else would have been unable to bear that piercing stare, but not Matthew. A pleasant chill ran down his back. He knew the feeling well, and he liked it. It appeared in moments of danger, and made him mobilize unknown forces, prompting him to crazy actions that more than once saved his life and dignity. He looked at his opponent with calm confidence, and the latter, fidgeting in his chair, was forced to say something not to betray his confusion:

– Well, we'll be glad to test your fortune. My last name is Cheryshev. Perhaps you've ever heard of me?

– I haven't, Mr. Cheryshev, – quietly shook his head Matthew. – I understand that I'm putting myself at a disadvantage, but still, like I said, I won't buy any more. I simply need to pass the time, and I hope that you will kindly help me with that.

– How may I address you? – the croupier asked the new player.

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