Ascension. Saksaywaman. Shard of eternity. Alexander Zubkov

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