Eight Mongolian symbols.
By
the light of a full moon, in Ulaan Baataar, the capital of Eastern Mongolia,
Hamar Zargal, a 38-year old Member of Parliament, also the Democratic Party
leader and a descendent of Kublai Khan, is stabbed to death. In his will he
nominated his cousin, Sergheij Irbis Zargal Andeev, an ex-KGB agent (now know
as FSB) as his successor. The same Irbis Zargal who has just returned to his
homeland after years of solitary confinement in Siberia.
This begins an
international intrigue, which takes place in the complex setting of Mongolia
and Central Asia. An exotic background, where, among isbas and ghers, one comes
into contact with a world full of history and tradition. A plot which will
touch upon Turkey’s difficulty in becoming a member of the European Union,
maybe as a result of the Middle East crisis, the Tibetian tragedy caused by
China’s imperialistic aggression as well as the nationalistic aspirations of
the Caucasian republics, that have been crushed for many years by the genocides
at the hands of the Russians. There is also the rivalry between Russia and
China. Both after one thing the immense riches these magnificent Easter
territories have to offer-uranium and diamonds.
The lovely Elena
Skutova, newly appointed Russian Ambassador in Mongolia, will have to face a
heated politico-economic situation. She will also find herself torn between two
lovers. Although already romantically involved with Stephen Schmidt, a
journalist working in Israel, she is physically attracted to Irbis Zargal, who
she meets several times while looking for an ally in this new and strange
country, and this leads to a brief
affair.
Another ally comes
from an unusual quarter, Dalah, Irbis Zargal’s woman. She accompanies Elena to
see another side of Mongolia- the world of Buddhism and Shamanism. An illuminating experience for
Elena, especially the visit to the sacred temples of Khara Khorum. During this
visit Elena is curious to know more about a Lama who is sitting near them, a
very mysterious person. Elena also notices a strange red tattoo on Dalah’s left
shoulder. Dalah explains that it is one of the eight Mongolian symbols
representing goodness and wisdom and offers protection and good luck.
A series of brutal
murders follow and two attempts on the life of Alim Muratbek, a history
professor at the University of Almaty and a member of the Resistance and
Independence Movement in Kazakhistan. The last thing Alim wants is an alliance
with the new Russian Federation. While out walking one day, Alim’s lover is killed
by a sniper bullet meant for Alim himself. Whereas Elena, during a romantic
meeting with Stephen in St. Petersburg, comes across the headless body of a
Communist Party Member, Anna Melnikova. Are all these murders and assassination
attempts, including Harmar Zargal’s brutal murder, connected to each other in
any way?
Further
investigations, led by Anna Melnikova’s brother and Iris Zargal (old
acquaintances ) will lead to a very unlikely suspect. Who was behind the plot?
Who was pulling the strings and turning Russia and China against each other? No
other than the Lama (the Buddhist monk mentioned previously), intent on taking
revenge for the horrors his family had undergone at the hands of the occupying
Russians. When discovered, there is only one way out: suicide.
Back
to normality, Elena and Stephen take a well deserved holiday and meditate on
the meaning of the eight Mongolian symbols.