could be old, but not how old.
He saw that the nature minister was waiting for him to go on. “Frankly, I don’t expect to find any prehistoric remains,” he said. “There have been no such discoveries in the Pamir. However, it may take time to make a determination, so I beg your indulgence.”
Apparently, Delyanov had already ordered for everyone, because a waiter in a Nehru jacket began to serve. Which didn’t take long, as the meal consisted of a large bowl of carrots, onions, and beef cooked in oil and mixed with brown rice.
“ This is called osh, ” Delyanov said. “It is the Tajik national dish.”
And well it might be, Calder thought. It smelled delicious—similar to Mongolian barbecue, but heartier.
The five ate in silence, spooning the food onto individual plates and using western implements. Befitting its aroma, it proved delectable. Calder stole a glance at Teague, who sat at his elbow, and saw that even the no-nonsense facilitator seemed to be enjoying the meal. At least, he thought, the man had some sensibilities.
When they were finished, Fitrat took out a cardboard package, extracted a twisted black cigarette wrapped in tobacco, and lit up. As a tendril of pungent smoke curled around his head, Calder guessed the Tajiks had yet to ban smoking in public buildings. Either that, or government functionaries simply did what they wished. Pushing back his plate, he sighed.
“ Your country’s food is wonderful.”
“ They’ve had much time to establish their culture,” Delyanov said, and Calder noted he used third-person pronouns. “The area is a crossroads between the Hindu Kush, Tien Shan, and Karakorum ranges, so it has been civilized for thousands of years.”
“ Even so, I understand you’ve had some trouble in the southern Pamir.”
The nature minister frowned, and Calder reckoned he’d touched a sore point. “After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan was torn by civil war. There is still unrest in Gorno-Badakhshan province. At present there is no fighting, but we cannot tell if there will be a recurrence next summer. That is one reason I am allowing Mr. Salomon to make a preliminary survey.”
Calder reckoned there were more tangible reasons, but held his tongue.
“ Great,” Blaine said. “Will we be safe?”
Delyanov nodded. “Government agents, including our forest rangers, keep watch on the militants.” He indicated Fitrat. “Gulnaz will accompany you and will make all decisions. In case of trouble, she will evacuate you.”
“ Humpf,” Fitrat muttered. Her thick body was hunched over her cheroot and she was scowling. “As director of antiquities, I should be making this survey. Not a pair of foreigners.”
Delyanov looked amused. “And how are you at—how they say—scuba diving?”
Fitrat glared at Calder, then Blaine. “Upon your return from the cave, you will inform me of everything you found. Is that clear?”
“ Quite,” Calder said.
“ You are to look, only. Do not to disturb anything. And you must work quick.”
“ Agreed. But you understand that, at a depth of ninety-five feet, we cannot spend long on any one dive. To investigate the remains, plus determine the nature of the drawings, may take a few days.”
“ You must conform to my guidelines,” Fitrat said. “If you deviate, you will be expelled.”
She glanced at Delyanov, who nodded.
She frowned at Teague. “Although these two are making the preliminary physical examination, you are to remember that I am in charge.”
The facilitator’s hard face remained blank. “Of course,” he said in his hoarse voice.
#
The vintage Yakovlev was jammed with passengers and cargo bound for Khorugh. Calder and Blaine found seats halfway back, behind Teague and Fitrat. Calder tried to fasten his seat belt but discovered it was broken. Most passengers wore the quilted coats favored by Tajiks. The 32 seats filled quickly, later arrivals sitting cross-legged in the aisle. A
He saw that the nature minister was waiting for him to go on. “Frankly, I don’t expect to find any prehistoric remains,” he said. “There have been no such discoveries in the Pamir. However, it may take time to make a determination, so I beg your indulgence.”
Apparently, Delyanov had already ordered for everyone, because a waiter in a Nehru jacket began to serve. Which didn’t take long, as the meal consisted of a large bowl of carrots, onions, and beef cooked in oil and mixed with brown rice.
“ This is called osh, ” Delyanov said. “It is the Tajik national dish.”
And well it might be, Calder thought. It smelled delicious—similar to Mongolian barbecue, but heartier.
The five ate in silence, spooning the food onto individual plates and using western implements. Befitting its aroma, it proved delectable. Calder stole a glance at Teague, who sat at his elbow, and saw that even the no-nonsense facilitator seemed to be enjoying the meal. At least, he thought, the man had some sensibilities.
When they were finished, Fitrat took out a cardboard package, extracted a twisted black cigarette wrapped in tobacco, and lit up. As a tendril of pungent smoke curled around his head, Calder guessed the Tajiks had yet to ban smoking in public buildings. Either that, or government functionaries simply did what they wished. Pushing back his plate, he sighed.
“ Your country’s food is wonderful.”
“ They’ve had much time to establish their culture,” Delyanov said, and Calder noted he used third-person pronouns. “The area is a crossroads between the Hindu Kush, Tien Shan, and Karakorum ranges, so it has been civilized for thousands of years.”
“ Even so, I understand you’ve had some trouble in the southern Pamir.”
The nature minister frowned, and Calder reckoned he’d touched a sore point. “After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan was torn by civil war. There is still unrest in Gorno-Badakhshan province. At present there is no fighting, but we cannot tell if there will be a recurrence next summer. That is one reason I am allowing Mr. Salomon to make a preliminary survey.”
Calder reckoned there were more tangible reasons, but held his tongue.
“ Great,” Blaine said. “Will we be safe?”
Delyanov nodded. “Government agents, including our forest rangers, keep watch on the militants.” He indicated Fitrat. “Gulnaz will accompany you and will make all decisions. In case of trouble, she will evacuate you.”
“ Humpf,” Fitrat muttered. Her thick body was hunched over her cheroot and she was scowling. “As director of antiquities, I should be making this survey. Not a pair of foreigners.”
Delyanov looked amused. “And how are you at—how they say—scuba diving?”
Fitrat glared at Calder, then Blaine. “Upon your return from the cave, you will inform me of everything you found. Is that clear?”
“ Quite,” Calder said.
“ You are to look, only. Do not to disturb anything. And you must work quick.”
“ Agreed. But you understand that, at a depth of ninety-five feet, we cannot spend long on any one dive. To investigate the remains, plus determine the nature of the drawings, may take a few days.”
“ You must conform to my guidelines,” Fitrat said. “If you deviate, you will be expelled.”
She glanced at Delyanov, who nodded.
She frowned at Teague. “Although these two are making the preliminary physical examination, you are to remember that I am in charge.”
The facilitator’s hard face remained blank. “Of course,” he said in his hoarse voice.
#
The vintage Yakovlev was jammed with passengers and cargo bound for Khorugh. Calder and Blaine found seats halfway back, behind Teague and Fitrat. Calder tried to fasten his seat belt but discovered it was broken. Most passengers wore the quilted coats favored by Tajiks. The 32 seats filled quickly, later arrivals sitting cross-legged in the aisle. A
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