“You are unable to settle in the United States?” Vadim said, warily.

“Oh, I could,” Mike said, hastily. “I just like… call it the wilder places. But a region that’s about to have a border war with Russia might be a bit too wild. I’ll probably just stick around until the roads get cleared, then pass on.” He paused and frowned. “I met some of the people down in the valley, asking directions. They seem…”

“Unusual,” Vadim said, nodding. “They’re the Keldara, the people the region is named for. Georgia is a collection of many different peoples that have survived for thousands of years, protected by the mountains. Bits and pieces of dozens of cultures that were conquerors or driven out by the people that conquered the plains. There’s no such thing as a Georgian, just many odd tribes like the Keldara. Did you see any of the women?”

“Yes,” Mike admitted. “Spectacular.”

“Very,” Vadim said, grinning. “And they make the best beer in the world. You had some last night.”

“I’d wondered where that came from,” Mike said. “It was incredible.”

“Secret recipes of the Keldara women,” Vadim said, shrugging.

“How long until the roads clear?” Mike asked, looking out the windows. The sky had cleared, slightly, and the snow had stopped falling.

“A week or more,” Vadim said, frowning. “There is another storm predicted for a day or two from now. If it clears for a time after that you might be able to get out. Until then I’m afraid you’re stuck. Unless you can call in a helicopter.”

“I could afford a helicopter,” Mike said, looking back at the cop. “I’m not exactly without funds. But I’m not someone who can, for example, call Washington and get a helicopter sent in.” Okay, a little white lie. He probably could do exactly that if there was a reason. “So what is there to do in Alerrso besides watch the snow fall?”