In the Shadow of Mordor

Chapter 8

An early autumn crept into Moscow, wrapping her in gold and crimson, almost stealthily replacing outgoing summer, but preserving its warmth and adding its own special tints. The temperature remained pleasant, in no hurry to give way to rain-induced depression. But this time of year that inspired Russian poets had little effect on Olga.

She was aware of Sergey Illarionov’s death. According to the official reports, the dissident writer was attacked and robbed while walking through Bittsevskiy Park at night. He had been unfortunate, perhaps even foolish in his choice of routes.

Vlad would be shattered by his father’s untimely end in so violent a manner, but Olga could not bring herself to go to her old school friend’s apartment to offer condolences. The unpleasant conversation at the Kremlin Palace, especially his disparaging remarks about Gleb Solntsev terminated their friendship so far as she was concerned.

In fact, she had to admit to herself, the sudden absence of Sergey Illarionov meant that the odious man’s lies about Gleb were now silenced forever.

That gave her comfort even though Gleb would easily have weathered such obvious slanders. Hadn’t he told her not to worry about it? “We have a powerful weapon on our side — the truth, and we have to spread it. Sooner or later the slanderers’ house of cards will collapse on itself.”

His words were those of a man absolutely certain of his own verity.

The world was unambiguous, clear-cut, black and white — divided between true friends and obvious enemies. There could be no middle ground in the struggle for the Motherland’s soul.

Pasha, Kostya, and Volodya (whom they simply called “Vovchik”) were recent acquaintances. She had rarely seen them at meetings and was surprised when she when Gleb took her into his “inner circle” that these previously barely noticed men were there.

Her first serious act with them was the provocation at Golovina’s office when she won her spurs and Gleb Solntsev’s respect, perhaps even admiration. She would be making more speeches at public rallies, and she had even appeared on television, standing on the stage next to Solntsev. She could imagine no higher honor.