Volodimir Vladko - Descendants of the Scythians

“The treasure that has been waiting for centuries to be discovered,” Lida said.

Ivan Semenovich cast a last glance at the gold nuggets scattered on the floor of the cavern.

“Now, let’s get started, my friends,” he said with a sigh. “We are much too tired after all we’ve had to go through. We have to get back to the surface, and it’s still a long way, mind you, and uphill too! We’ll take a short rest and then come back here. Besides we have to inform the scientific world and the authorities of our discoveries. Artem, my friend, put a couple of these nuggets into your bag as samples and material evidence so we won’t think it was all a dream when we get back to the surface… nothing but a fantastic dream…” the geologist said, overcome with emotion.

They turned and began to walk back to their great stalactite cave, past the pictures of the boar and the Scythian head. Artem lagged behind, letting his friends go ahead to have one more look at the face. It did indeed resemble his blood brother!

“Varkan, Varkan!” he whispered mournfully.

Artem, his eyes half-closed, summoned up memories of recent events: the camp fire in the forest… he and Dmitro Borisovich listening to the conversation of Ronis and Varkan, their heated arguments, their plans… the reflections from the fire playing on the energetic face of the Scythian… Ronis leaving… Varkan sitting with them by the fire… the silent forest… heavy, massive clouds moving across the low underground sky… the quiet, friendly voice of the bold Varkan.

“Artem! What’s holding you up? Come on!” Ivan Semenovich called out to him from a distance.

“My dear Artem, where are you?” This time it was Lida’s voice, so gentle and soothing that was a pleasure to hear.

Artem roused himself from his reveries.

“I’m here, I’m here! I’ll be with you in a minute!” he shouted back.

Artem turned and began to walk briskly toward his friends; the light from his lamp danced on the rocks, stalactites and stalagmites, creating phantasmagoric pictures on their uneven surfaces.

THE END

kibitka — a wagon with a tent-like cover used by many of the Asian nomads in the past