Gozerov thought for a moment, then nodded. "Kursk has a large number of merchants and young nobles. The Society has considerable influence there. If we stir up an uprising there, we'll soon be able to gather several thousand Resistance Army soldiers."
The dejection in Kishchenko's eyes began to fade. He said anxiously, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's leave at once. The Tsar's army could arrive at any moment—" Major Nestetov, studying the map, cut him off. "Kursk has an Infantry regiment permanently stationed there. Even if we catch them off guard and enter the city, what then?
"Dolgurukov is still hot on our heels. The Austria Hussar battalion from Tula has surely already moved out and is waiting for us in the east. Are we supposed to turn south again, toward the desolate Kharkov? We won't be able to obtain any supplies there in winter."
Tula was an important Russian arms-production center, garrisoned by a large number of elite troops. As for heading to a place like Kharkov, where one could travel for miles without seeing a living soul, they might as well wait to starve to death.
Panic crept into Kishchenko's voice. "We can't worry about all that now. We'll get through this immediate crisis first..."
"Since we're going to die anyway, I'd rather fight the Tsar's lackeys to the death here!"
"Perhaps the Kursk garrison will join us."
"Denisov would never—"
Just as they were arguing until their faces were red, two soldiers led a short man dressed as a merchant into the room. "Major, this gentleman has a special pass."
Chaddov, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, immediately rose upon seeing the man. "Mr. Sidorov, why are you here?" Kishchenko also bowed to the newcomer. He knew that Sidorov was one of That