The expedition took the heights by and by, spending nights in different villages. It was right to do so, for they got acclimatized without any problems.

* * *

Fernando was very attentive to Lakpa from the very first day, but nobody noticed it. His odd behavior became obvious and of common knowledge only on the fifth day. Norbu Sherpa, Gialtsen Nuru’s devoted friend, got very upset and indignant. He took Lakpa aside and said:

“Is anything wrong going on or have I gone mad? Have you forgotten all about your fiancé?”

Lakpa looked at him in amazement, but then she surrendered for she knew that Norbu was aware of everything.

“Fernando loves me,” she said, “He promised me to hire several Sherps to help me to get to the peak, and I will be the first Nepali woman who climbed Everest from Tibetan side... Then we’ll go to Bergamo and have a lot of children,” she added turning her head aside, “I love him, too.”

“It can’t be true!” exclaimed Norbu Sherpa, “How is it possible to fall seriously in love with a man in five days’ time? What are you going to say to Gialtsen Nuru?”

“I don’t know,” Lakpa answered, “ What I know for sure is that I’m going to Bergamo with Fernando.”

Norbu Sherpa was dumbfounded. Nevertheless, he decided to talk to Fernando.

For two days he couldn’t manage to do so. Besides, at times he thought it was none of his business... But when he recalled Gialtsen Nuru’s eyes, full of love, he felt confirmed in his decision.

In the end, he arranged to be alone with Fernando and asked him right away:

“Tell me, is it true what Lakpa says, or have you got a different attitude to her?”

Fernando looked at Norbu with an absent look. Then he thought for a while and answered:

“I love her... And it’s my right to love her. We are going to leave for Bergamo.”

Norbu had nothing to reply. He felt that his heart sank... but he also felt it was none of his business.

* * *

Several days later, Gialtsen Nuru and the other mountaineers arrived to the base camp. The meeting was awkward – all of the men felt uneasy. But then it was all settled, for Lakpa told her former fiancé everything herself, asking him to go away as soon as he could.

Gialtsen Nuru didn’t leave his tent for three days, refusing to eat anything.

On the fourth day he came out with an expression of someone totally insane, said good-bye to his companions including Fernando, and several hours later he left the campground.

The team lost the best mountaineer and, possibly, the most reliable friend.

The expedition was coming to an end. Only two more days were left until the final step when Norbu noticed Lakpa Sherpa sitting sad by her tent.

When he neared her, she burst into tears. Having calmed down a little, she told Norbu:

“You were right; I have nothing to say in my defense... You also know that my life, despite Everest, came to an end. Sherps will never forgive me my betrayal!”

Norbu was puzzled. “But you are leaving for Bergamo, aren’t you?” he asked in amazement.

“No, I’m not,” was the answer. “It was only a fun for him,” she added, sobbing bitterly.

Norbu was dumbfounded once again, and he left the woman hastily.

Next day he got Fernando and asked him right away:

“Why have you ruined the lives of those two poor people? Is what Lakpa told me true, or did you play a joke on her?”

“Are you kidding? You are not as gullible as she is, are you? Don’t worry, she will find another gialtsen nuru for herself!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Norbu gave him a terrible blow on his jaw.

* * *

Three days later, the expedition went back to Katmandu from where each of the mountaineers left for their country with heavy hearts except Fernando, who left with the wires in his jaw.

After a fortnight, terrible news came from Nepal: Lakpa Sherpa committed suicide – she jumped from the cliff near Namche Bazaar[12], leaving behind the memory of a pretty young woman who had dreamt of climbing Everest and having a lot of children.

* * *

This sad story took place many years ago. A lot of people have visited Himalayas since. There is scarcely anyone who remembers what has really happened. Gialtsen Nuru left Nepal long ago, and nobody knows what has become of him.

But time and again, the sweethearts in Solo Khumbu, in the land of Sherps, can see the smiling face of Lakpa Sherpa high up in the clouds.

Nepal, 2011.

THE KING OF MUSTANG

Monarchy was abolished in Nepal several years ago. But in the north-west of the country, near the Tibetan border, there exists a tiny kingdom, with thirty thousand inhabitants, which still has a king. The King’s name is Jidney. He is an extraordinary person – taking care of his beloved people day and night, and always going on foot like his ordinary compatriots. He is not accompanied by the guard or an escort or courtiers; He just walks all by himself, absolutely alone.

Jidney has lively eyes. He is a very smart man, always smiling and comprehending the others concerns from half a word.

* * *

“Jidney, I need your advice. I wish to grow rice on my plot. It might be profitable to sell it down in the lowlands.”

“You’d better find a companion and grow potatoes. Our land is favorable for potato-growing. Besides, we are short of water here, and they have a lot of rice of their own down in the lowlands.”

“Jidney, my father is against my going to Pokara[13]. He wants me to look after the herd of yaks. But I’d rather learn carpentry and come back here with good skills.”

“All right. I’ll talk to your father and try to assure him.”

Or something like this:

“My son doesn’t want to become a monk. And I want to send him to Samagaon Monastery to serve the Almighty there.”

“It’s his right to decide what to do. Don’t make him obey your will. By the way, be sure that we all serve the Almighty in our own way.”

This is what one can here in the streets of Lomtang[14] when the King walks there.

* * *

He walks calmly, stopping everywhere, with a broad smile on his face. If asked, he gives a piece of advice. In the evening he eats a humble supper – nothing more than the poorest family in his kingdom.

He never interferes with anybody’s actions if they don’t infringe the other people’s rights.

He never calls himself the King. Only his people refer to him by this title. Sometimes, during the major Buddhist festivities, he wears the expensive clothes left by his predecessors. It makes him feel terribly awkward and embarrassed, and after each of such occasions, he prays for two days.

* * *

The province of Mustang is known for its dwarf horses, looking like ponies that walk up and down the streets stunningly decorated.

The local people resemble Tibetans a bit, but they are quite different from Nepalese.

The kingdom of Mustang had been closed to the foreigners for quite a long time, until Dijney inherited the crown. Now the King is as happy as a child when guests turn up, and never refuses their request of an audience of him.

The Kingdom has no official status, for it is a part of Nepal. Yet everyone calls it The Kingdom of Mustang.

***

During the day, when the King gets tired of walking, he starts riding his little horse. He nods his head in a humble hello to everyone he meets in the street, as if a bit ashamed that he has got tired of going on foot.