Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

A Family Reunion
Tiflis 1907
Every morning Konrad took Otto along the paths of his rides with Alexandra, to
Zaguramo and Zedazeni, across the mountain to Betania, and in the end on a two day ride to
Kakheti. They visited Alaverdi and Telavi and spent the night with George and David
Chavchavadze at Tsinandali.
Konrad and Otto, Tiflis 1907
On their way back Konrad took Otto up to Shuamta. Konrad had never been there, and
approached the three little churches in the meadow with apprehension. But the place evoked
no sensation of the drama between Dato and Alexandra. Konrad rode off disappointed. On the
way down he realized that unconsciously he had brought innocent Otto along as a shield
against Dato’s lingering ghost. Konrad felt so moved by this discovery that he told Otto the tale
of his mother’s abduction and her heroic escape with the gun.
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