The Cobwebby of Spirals

By Alena Melnikova

The title of the story "The cobwebby of spirals" - reflects the metamorphosis of power, love, and mysticism into which, like into the web the main character gets. The plot of the novel tells of a young teacher of archaeology Vlad Nagorny. He dreams of a scientific career, but fate brings him with Gleb Chernov. A new friend learns about Vlad's unmatched talent as an artist and sculptor and offers to engage in a falsification of artistic values. This meeting changes the life of the main character, and out from an ambitious intellectual he turns into a swindler. From now on, Vlad's life filled with luxury attributes, fabulous fees and the style of Bohemia is not at its best. He thinks about his choice, but it's too late. Vlad got on the hook to the "Strengths of this world" and is dragged into the game, where the rules are in the dark, and of the participants here are much more than sitting at the "gaming table." Not suspecting of anything, the main character, along with his friend, enters into clinch of mystical Intricacies. From one reality they fall into another. Gradually, behind the "game table," characters appear who are the "gray cardinals" of this party and make the primary color in the general line of the novel... In the course of mystical events and overcoming of obstacles, the life values of the protagonist are reconsidered and fill the palette of his world views with new colors. On the verge of confrontation, he meets love. The game comes to the logical end - the cards are opened, and the stakes were so high that they affect the story. The constant disagreement between Light and Darkness chose Vlad to nominate the winner of this party at his discretion. But everything is not so simple, his love involved in one of the sides of confrontation, and it’s hard to make an actual choice. The masks were removed, and the incomprehensible was not left... The struggle of the supernatural superpowers opened up for him in a different light and exposed all sides of its essence. The past and conventional notions of the world have irrevocably collapsed. On these ruins as on canvas, a new picture of the universe appeared. The characters of this painting in the sunlight reflected like shadows, and the darkness exploded in a cascade of golden jets. What kind of a decision will the main character take?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alena Melnikova
• Release date: Jul 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370058532

Book preview

Chapter I

The world is pierced by thousands of invisible spirals, in whose intricacies, as in the spider web are fates of people, civilizations, and worlds. The Chimera of these weaves unceasingly creates a magic cloth, on whose canvas, like in the filmstrip its characters come to life. However, sometimes, under the influence of the play of light, the meaning of the plot of the universal canvas - changes to the opposite. The outlines lose their shape, bright colors fade, and the sun glare turns the darkness into light.

    In the dim light of the room sat an old man. His slim silhouette was illuminated by the moonlight and loomed out in the background of an open window. An Oriental music was sounding and a canary, picking up a melody, twittered in the cage. The bird`s song soothingly acted on the old man, forcing him as a tin doll, to rock slightly in the chair. It was Keitaro Yamamoto - an outstanding political figure of Japan, whose name had been flashing in the headlines of the political press. He has long retired from the worldly bustle and only occasionally reminisced about old days.

The old man looked thoughtful. As if hypnotized, he watched after the footsteps of a female figure disappearing in space. Yamamoto could never clearly see her image. The woman appeared under cover of night, was enveloped in a dark halo that hiding her appearance. Sometimes it seemed to him that he saw on the red-haired head of a stranger`s the horns and behind her were black wings and a tail. Once again, the old man could not understand, whether there was a conversation with her in fact? Or was it a Mirage like the one that makes travelers see a blooming oasis in the middle of the desert?

For the first time, she appeared to him before he had found the manuscript. Was this Providence? – The old man thought. - Perhaps it was. That Providence, which forces to throw away the habitual, look forward, and without looking back start everything from the beginning. Yamamoto fell his head on his bony hands and plunged into reflections. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice a knock at the door and a young man appeared on the threshold. Shifting from foot to foot, Takamatsu patiently waited for attention. Finally, the old man noticed him and frowned eyebrows, asked:

- What happen?

The assistant replied indecisively:

- We collected all the operational material.

- Is it enough? - asked Yamamoto and with cotton of palms turned on the light.

Carefully examining the young man, he disappointedly made a wry face. Takamatsu's habit of shaving his face and make his hair in the Western manner irritated Yamamoto immensely. The old man was conservative concerning appearance and believed that a man should not turn in front of a mirror and preen like a woman. The old man adhered to the oldest samurai tradition - he tied his hair in a tight knot on the top of his head, and also wore a beard and mustache. Yamamoto repeatedly suggested the young man follow his reception regarding appearance, but Takamatsu, courteously listening to the old man, appeared every morning with a smooth-shaven face and an abundant layer of gel on his hair.

The assistant corrected his tie and, with a slight coughing, continued with a more confident tone:

-The astrologer was right, the object connected with art, but there is one nuance. You see, the object leads not an entirely honest business - he is a fraud.

Takamatsu went to the computer and dimmed the light. Soon, on the canvas of the projector appeared a slide with the image of an unknown man. Yamamoto straightened abruptly in his chair.

He turned off the music and, stroking with a wrinkled hand over his gray beard, gazed intently at the image of the stranger. The Canary, having lost the accompaniment, immediately fell silent.

- This is a man, whose birth matrix coincides with the coordinates on the manuscript and Mr. Yukio's calculations, - reported to Takamatsu and put a folder in front of Yamamoto: on the front side of it was the two-headed eagle. Then he returned to his seat and continued to comment:

- His name is Vlad Nagorny. He is Russian.

- What?! Why Russian?! - exclaimed Yamamoto and maliciously bit his lip, and his face acquired an angry grimace. Bony fingers clenched into fists, and it seemed, turned blue with rage. He swore in all the languages he knew. Throughout his life, Yamamoto hated Russia, its power, and politics. This worldview about the Russians and to Russia, in particular, evolved on the ideology of the Black Society of Dragons, the honorary member of which was once the old man. The main direction of this organization was limited to the anti-Russian movement. The society had not functioned for a long time, however, Yamamoto, while remaining a true patriot of his party, continued to repeat: One day people will come to their senses and the Black Society of Dragons will again take the leading position in Japan. His dislike for Russia was not absolute and had exceptions. He was always bewildered: how the Russians, from whose always smelt of garlic, vodka, and anything also could have created the most beautiful and unique masterpieces of art?

  Yamamoto was a very visionary and successful businessman, and his credo was not to enter into any contracts with the Russians, and no matter what profit this did not promise. Frustrated and still muttering curses, the old man lit a cigar and, casting an angry glance at his ward, said:

- When we got involved in this development, I fully trusted you to conduct the operation." But, damn it! -He exclaimed helplessly, - did you, knowing my attitude to the Russians, could not prepare me for this news in advance?

- Sir, Keitaro, I acted solely within the limits of the protocol you set,- Takamatsu said in confusion. - You did not want to go into details of the information-analytical part of the operation.

The old man sighed irritably and, frowning, asked:

- How was the Russian in the time of «Iron Curtain" of the Soviet Union born in Geneva?

- A father of Nagorny was a diplomat and, at that point, was on an official visit in Geneva, together with his pregnant wife, - the assistant explained. - But, unfortunately, we do not have another variant.

  - Well, -Yamamoto muttered with despair in his voice and put on glasses. Making an indefinite gesture with his hand, he signified his readiness for further hearing.

- He teaches at the Moscow State University at the Department of Archeology. He has knowledge of ancient languages, - commented Takamatsu. - Vlad defended his thesis on the development and application of experimental methods for studying ancient writing. His work was a breakthrough in science and, Nagorny received worldwide recognition among scientists. And after that, proposals from many research institutes of the world with proposals for cooperation sprang up. We also were not an exception and at that time, made the most favorable offer and place at the University of Tokyo. We have already developed a scheme for his recruitment.

- Turn the project with drugs? - Prosaically Yamamoto remarked.

- We use only proven means, - having shrugged his shoulders, indifferently answered Takamatsu, - but Nagorny went to excavations in Egypt, where his career as a fraudster began. By his act, he has confused our maps and added work, but the result is the same.

- Mmm, how exciting!  A scientist with a world name became a fraud? Did Egypt influence him so much?

- Not at all, - Takamatsu explained and transferred to the next slide. A fanciful face of a brown-eyed man appeared on the screen, which, it seemed, never smiled, but caused an involuntary smile among those around him.

- Who is it? - Having corrected his glasses, Yamamoto interested.

- Gleb Chernov, a former employee of the Tretyakov Gallery. He is an Art critic. He was considered one of the best experts. Chernov also has a scientific degree, - not paying attention to the old man's astonished eyes, reported to Takamatsu. - However, this person's data are ambiguous and has dark spots. Chernov emerged as if from emptiness. We could not find out anything about the birth and former life of Chernov. The thread strangely aborted: no credit cards, no telephone numbers, no accounts registered in the name of Chernov, up to a certain point have not existed.

The old man looked at Takamatsu incredulously, and, arching an eyebrow, looked at Chernov's photo:

- Such newborns provides the world with a witness protection program. On the victim, he is not like, more likely a recidivist with experience. But it's not our goal; let's get closer to the topic.

- In general, after Chernov and Nagorny met in Saqqara, they work in tandem. In addition to his specialization, Nagorny has extraordinary talents of a sculptor and artist. Copying the style of famous masters by re-engraving, scammers sell their works from underground auctions.

- Fascinating! Is Nagorny so talented?

-  It is necessary to pay tribute to his work; they almost do not differ from the originals. Only paint and cloth, but it can be noticed only by a very experienced expert, but not everyone. The same can say about sculptures - they are excellent! Well, if to consider that Chernov certified the masterpieces of Nagorny, and then the doubts did not remain at all ... Chernov, being a public representative of the expert department of the Tretyakov Gallery, still enjoys the high trust of collectors. He is always present at auctions and, no one doubts the authenticity of the creations exhibited by scammers. Their work can be called impeccable.

- Enough compliments, - the old man interrupted him roughly, - is it that scientists have not yet learned how to identify forgery?

- It is not that simple. The art market was overwhelmed by changing of a face of canvas, - and, noticing the bewilderment in the eyes of the old man, Takamatsu explained: - Perelitsovka - this is when out of a cheap canvas of a little-known artist creates a work of an advanced artist of the same era. Only it is estimated not in hundreds, but a thousand times more expensive. And no microscopes show differences between sketches of the same Shishkin and the works of his classmates in the international academy. But, this is not all of their merits. After the planned reconstruction of the Tretyakov Gallery paintings, where the expert was Chernov, scammers replaced several paintings by famous masters to the counterfeits created by Nagorny.

Yamamoto took a deep drag on the cigar, causing the wrinkles on his forehead have  gathered into constant and frequent lines, and, looking at the lunar disk, that was peacefully swaying in the sky, said:

- There are so many intricacies in the world, but the plexus, forming a disorderly ornament, only for an inexperienced eye seems as chaos... Chaos is the highest order, and every spiral strictly follows the path that the man has charted for him with his thoughts. Such adventurers are to my liking and, perhaps, in this matter - they are beneficial. If a person does not like working honestly, then he likes risk! There is an Eternal desire for new pleasures and accomplishments.  People of this sort are accustomed to the motto - All or Nothing, they want everything at once!  Show me the object again, - the old man ordered, gazing intently at Nagorny's newly smiling face.

- My people finish the operation on the Tretyakov Gallery. Soon a grand scandal will take place in Russia! It was a very complicated scheme!

A grand scandal, - said Yamamoto indifferently, - that's good. It seemed that the old man missed this valuable information and Takamatsu decided to repeat it again. However, Keitaro immediately waved his hand, and the assistant understood that he must shut up. The old man tilted his head slightly. Looking steadily at the screen, he only was stroking his beard and mustache, as if it would be allowed him to understand better the secret signs he was trying to read on the stranger's face. Or maybe even learn all of his hidden fears and desires. Finally, releasing the next ring of smoke, he insinuatingly began to speak:

- The person's face is as accessible to reading as it is to books, the only difference is that they are read in a short time, and less deceives us. Look into his face, even though he is a Russian, these eyes glow with strength and common sense. His penchant for fraud is given only with his bent eyebrows.

  At these words, the young man automatically touched his eyebrows, as if he wanted to hide them from the old man's all-seeing eye, but he jerked his hand in time. A shadow of a smile flashed across Keitaro's face. He did not doubt Takamatsu, but a slight suspicion crept into his soul.

Yamamoto adopted Takamatsu when he was a street boy.  He gave the boy a new name and brought him up as his son. The education of Takamatsu was engaged with Yukio.

Yukio was not only Takamatsu`s tutor but also an excellent astrologer and the strongest magician in all of Japan. Yukio studied magic in Europe, Africa, and America and perfect mastered all kinds of magic.  About his last ability knew a few. They were very influential people from the highest echelon of power and sometimes turning to Yukio to compose a horoscope or to defeat theme’s enemy. Yukio was the best in his business, and the glory that was passed on from mouth to mouth grew every day. Despite the rather high cost of his services, Yukio never aspired to money. He was unpretentious and contented with what generously shared with him, Yamamoto.

And, Yamamoto, in turn, had real dividends from this union and was considered a practically holy person in Japan: nobody wanted to make himself an enemy in the person of a powerful magician who would not forgive the insult inflicted on his patron.

The astrologer was completely absorbed in the science and training of the boy. Takamatsu was growing up very smart and complaisant child. Everyone was happy.

  When the young man reached seventeen, it was decided to send him to Yale University. Upon termination of training, Keitaro realized that he had not wasted so much time and money on the boy. Takamatsu had the innate ability of a schemer, delicately combined with Eastern restraint and natural cunning. After returning from the university, the young man turned into Yamamoto's right hand and led all his affairs.

  For outsiders, Takamatsu was considered his son. However, the young man never forgot that he was adopted. This invisible border between Keitaro and Takamatsu, which the latter did not violate and always knew his place, and the first did not let him forget, constantly was present between them, clearly defining who the boss is and who is the subordinate. Takamatsu respectfully and patiently treated the old man and never addressed the adoptive parent, except as Mr.

  Yamamoto again looked intently at his ward, trying to scan his son's thoughts, whether does he think of anything bad? From this massive glance the young man, like an ostrich, wanted to hide his head in the sand. He never deceived the old man for large sums: only a couple of times he wrote off a couple of million dollars. But it was unprovable, and now, he suddenly became frightened and even a little ashamed.

  Congenital intuition Keitaro that hour prompted that Takamatsu's confusion is not accidental. Without taking his eyes off him, he mentally scrolled all possible variants of betrayal or deceit on the part of the adoptive, but without finding any, decided to return to the main topic:

  - What did the family ties test? Has he a family?

  - He has no living relatives, - Takamatsu answered with a sigh of relief, and, wanting to get rid of the uncomfortable sense of anxiety as soon as possible, continued, - Nagorny grew up in Moscow. After the death of his parents, he was brought up in the family of his aunt, who instilled in him a love of art. She was a teacher in an art school. Currently, Vlad Nagorny is a subject of France. His house is in Nice, where he creates his masterpieces.

-What about women?

  - He does not have a serious relationship. Observing him, we did not notice that he was with the same girl twice.

- It’s complicated. This scoundrel will not be surprised with quiet family evenings and a football match on weekends. It's obvious that Nagorny-player and in our power to provide him with a good play.

- There is one more player in the party,- Takamatsu said meaningfully and paused, expecting the old man's reaction, but seeing that, nor one muscle did not flinch on his face, he continued: - We are talking about the Minister of the Russian Security Council, Major-General Zorin Aleksandr Alexandrovich. The official has unlimited power in the law enforcement agencies. Zorin was the best friend of George Nagorny, the father of the object. After the car accident, in which the diplomat died along with his wife, Alexander Alexandrovich became Vlad's guardian. And, when Nagorny began to organize auctions, the minister turned into a kind of roof from unpleasant meetings with representatives of the law and illegal structures. On this point, there are additions: Zorin is not altruistic and does not experience any particular paternal feelings towards Vlad. Nagorny for him is a chicken carrying golden eggs. From each auction, the Guardian gets a good percentage. And to keep the fraudsters under the hood, the minister arranged for them falsified detention when they were transporting part of the Tretyakov Gallery exhibits. The minister managed to maintain a trusting relationship with them, veiling that detainment for the real actions of the special services and portraying himself as a hero who, at the risk of his skin, pulled them out of the bullpen, promised them further protection in exchange for a generous jackpot from auctions. Zorin secretly kept the file in the archives of the ministry and kept it in a case of disobedience or refusal to make contributions. However, Nagorny and Chernov are not aware of this delicate nuance.

Yamamoto sighed sadly and, releasing a club of bluish smoke, said: - To snatch Nagorny from Zorin's claws, something more serious than this folder will be required.

- Despite the offshore, we have tracked the financial flows that transferred from scammers to Zorin's account. So, the arguments are more than enough.

The old man cheered up and, looking at Takamatsu, with unconcealed joy and pride in his voice said:  - This time you have surpassed yourself! The Minister of Russia on the hook planted up! Well done, pleased me in my old age! Only one problem, - the old man frowned again, focusing his attention on the documents, - Russians will not sit idly!

I think when Zorin finds out what information we have, he will have to give up Nagorny.

- Or to kill him, that makes the matter resolved.

- The minister is sure that the documents are in place and nobody knows about his freelance work as a roof. While everything is going according to plan and, I see no reason for concern. As soon as Zorin detects the loss of documents, our agent will notify us. The situation is under control. Also, as I said before, for the neutralizing of Zorin, in a case of his unwillingness to accept our position, my people are finishing the matter of the Tretyakov Gallery. It is the trap from which the minister cannot escape.

- I do not like Russians for being unpredictable! You never know what can get into their heads. If there is a missing folder, for Russians the first suspects will be Chernov and Nagorny, and if by that time they will be with us, then we can celebrate the victory. But, if Zorin decides a crossword puzzle before, you need to be prepared for any surprises - looking at the sleepy canary, the old man suggested.

- In the development of the operation was included the point of that the minister would found the loss at the right time. His knowledge will help us to kill two birds with one stone at a time.

  - Something I do not understand, what are you talking? - Slightly lowered his glasses, was interested in Yamamoto.

  Takamatsu's eyes showed a stern determination, and he said:

-Zorin can not officially resolve the situation. Therefore, the game will follow our rules. In any case, he will need time that he does not have. Our operation is almost complete. The sensation on the Tretyakov Gallery will also tickle the minister's nerves. Zorin will have to act extremely quickly. And hastiness in such a delicate situation may prove inappropriate and will have a detrimental effect on the achievement of their goal. In turn, it will certainly lead to an error in tactical calculations. The tactical calculations of the Russians will be clear: they will try to neutralize us, but about this, - he snapped, - you do not have to worry. Everything prepared.

-  But how will the object behave? What are your assumptions?

- Nagorny is not a stupid man. Having learned the truth about his benefactor, he as an intelligent person will take our side. He will lie down under us or in the grave. I can also add that the mansion of the facility, like its vehicles, is stuffed with a listening system, and we are always aware of its plans.

- Well, it's a good job. I agree with you in many respects ... Let's hope that everything will be successful. And what is heard from our wise men from the Institute? Will scientists not let us down?

  - In the last report, they summarize the successfully conducted tests, but they do not give guarantees, as always. They decided to arrange a symposium for safety and more objectivity. In scientific circles, there are already gossips on this topic. Despite the fact that the theory of our scientists has more opponents than allies, yet several whales of quantum mechanics supported the underlying hypothesis and put that theory on a par with Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and Newton. Naturally, we are talking only about the academic component. Empirical data are classified and not subject to discussion.

-What else?

  The young man pulled two plastic cards from his inner pocket and, putting them in front of the old man, said: - In a week, in London, there will be an auction of Nagorny and Chernov. These are entrance tickets to the auction, by the way, their value will more than justify the sale and without sales.

The old man looked curiously at the Sphinx depicted on the gilded map and, not noticing the irony about the high prices, asked:

- When is the beginning of the operation scheduled?

- Analysts find out the last details, - Takamatsu began, but an unexpected knock on the door interrupted his report.

Chapter II

Vlad ran among the thick bushes.  The screams of the pursuers grew louder and louder. The spears and arrows have been flying above him, not touching him by a miracle.  He lost his balance and looked back, but at that moment he stumbled and fell to the ground.  Suddenly the screams died down.  Lying on his stomach, he lifted his head and saw a pair of slender, tanned legs.  His gaze slid higher - it was a beautiful long-legged woman. She had blond hair which enveloped her with a golden waterfall.  Green eyes burned with rage.  After the chase, she was breathing heavily, and her full breast was rising with every sigh. The girl swung a spear over him and was preparing to strike a death blow. - A-ah!  - Vlad shouted and, waking up, jumped on the bed.

    A woman that was lying on the either side of him stared with fright.

- Vlad, what's the matter with you? - asked one of them, rubbing her eyes.

-  Nothing, just a nightmare, - Vlad blurted out and, groping for a bottle of whiskey near the bed, greedily took a few sips.  He was trembling and sweating. There was a woman in his mind ready to pierce him with a spear.  Vlad shook his head, trying to drive away the nightmare and, putting on his robe, headed for the terrace.  The fresh sea breeze gradually brought him to life.  He caught himself thinking that to the subtleties he remembers her features and smell.  It was the scent of the first May thunderstorm and the warm wind that brings the fragrance of wild flowers from the mountain peaks.

  From recently, Nagorny was on edge.  He