The Cardinal Of The Kremlin 里姆林宫的枢机主教
THEYcalled him the Archer. It was an honorable title, though his countrymen had cast aside their reflex
bows over a century before, as soon as they had learned about firearms. In part, the name reflected the
timeless nature of the struggle. The first of the Western invaders—for that was how they thought of
them—had been Alexander the Great, and more had followed since. Ultimately, all had failed. The Afghan
tribesmen held their Islamic faith as the reason for their resistance, but the obstinate courage of these men
was as much a part of their racial heritage as their dark pitiless eyes.
THEYcalled him the Archer. It was an honorable title, though his countrymen had cast aside their reflex
bows over a century before, as soon as they had learned about firearms. In part, the name reflected the
timeless nature of the struggle. The first of the Western invaders—for that was how they thought of
them—had been Alexander the Great, and more had followed since. Ultimately, all had failed. The Afghan
tribesmen held their Islamic faith as the reason for their resistance, but the obstinate courage of these men
was as much a part of their racial heritage as their dark pitiless eyes.