The Wizard of the Kremlin

by Giuliano da Empoli

“If your friend dies, don’t bury him. Stand by and wait. The vultures will gather soon, and you’ll have many new friends.”

—How do you think they reacted? said Baranov. Badly, of course. Within the aquarium, all is forgiven, whether you’re a robber, an assassin, or a traitor. Desertion is different. What! You don’t want something we’d kill for? The courtiers can never forgive you for it.