The Ignob Giants 1e155k

THE IGNOB GIANTS

Barry Miller

Copyright © 2021 Barry Miller All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS

Prelude…Magic

1. The Magic Castle

2. Einhofen

3. Abba

4. The Ignob File

5. Ben And Abba

6. Ignatius Ignob

7. Ulrich Probe

8. Smoke

9. The Old Man And Ignatius

10. First Probe

11. The Village Of Ignob Welcome You

12. Trapped

13. Haupmann’s Run

14. Garrick

15. Jorg

16. Ignob The Village

17. The Leaving Of Ignob

18. Abba And Ben

19. Haupmann

20. Sophie

21. Abba

22. Ben And Bot

23. Mittwoch

24. Abba And Ben On The Road

25. Softness And Rest

26. Two Men In A Hat And Coat

27. Goodbye For Now

28. All That And The Wooden Box

29. Bruno

30. Jorg And Ignatius

31. Troubles

32. More Trouble

33. Haupmann Returns

34. Giants Under The Hay

35. The Road Ends

36. The End Of Flowers

37. Abba

38. Rudy And The Smoke

39. In Garrick’s Woods

40. Ignob Village

41. Ignatius In The Village

42. Rader

43. Dawn

44. Reunion

45. Next

46. To The Top

47. The Dawn

48. Up The Mountain

49. The Battle Up The Mountain

50. Captured

51. Rader’s Dinner

52. A Pact With Giants

53. Rader’s New Plans

54. Ben And Sophie

55. Rader Up In The Air

56. Ursula

57. Malzeit

58. Rudy By The Stone

59. Rope Dance

60. Ignatius

61. Abba

62. In Reinhaus Village

63. Up And Up

64. Rescue

65. Reinhaus Village

66. Ignat

67. Warriors

68. Ignat

69. To Battle Ground

70. The Battle Begins

71. Final Run

72. The Dogs

73. Last Day Walk Up

Epilogue

Author Notes

Excerpt Of The New Book By Barry Miller

PRELUDE…MAGIC

The concert will start in two minutes and the performance hall is full. The violinist’s fingers are gently wrapped around his instrument. He has waited for this moment for years,following hours of arduous, repetitive practice. Now is his moment when all eyes in the hall will be on him and his violin. Not only will he make his debut with this finely honed orchestra, famous throughout the world, but he will play his solo on an instrument made especially for him. No one in the world has played this piece of magic except for one man. The violinist has never met this man. In fact no one has ever met this man. The creator of the instrument lives in the mountains according to rumor. Some say he lives in the high mountains north of Dresden in a small village. The world knows of this man solely through the intricately carved wooden boxes. In these boxes of magic he places his finely tuned violins when he feels they are finished. There is only one place to buy these violins and that is in a small village in , called Reinhaus. The performer holds his beauty gently. A fine instrument such as this one should not be held tightly for fear that its delicate neck will lose its form. As the lights go down in the concert hall and the audience falls silent the maestro looks down at his violin. “Now we show the world, my love. Now you will belong to them, too.” He turns the violin very slowly to gaze upon it while it is still his. When he plays it the world will claim it, too. As he turns it a bit of light darts into the body to show the name of the man who made it. The label simply reads, Ignatius Ignob 1946. Minutes later the conductor turns to the maestro and gives him his cue. As the bow rests softly on the strings, the maestro closes his eyes and begins to play. The sound of the instrument reaches out to the audience. It soars above them then falls softly on their ears. The beauty of the clear resonance of the violin brings tears to the eyes of many in the audience. When the piece is finished the hall is silent. The audience sits transfixed with their eyes on the stage. Then tentative, polite, applause comes from the audience as if they are not in agreement with one another. But then, agreement reached, the people rise to their

feet. The ovation lasts for five minutes. Magic has been made.

1

THE MAGIC CASTLE

A black Mercedes rolls slowly under the main gate of the SS castle known as Wewelsburg. This is the headquarters and prized gem of SS head Heinrich Himmler. Only the elite of the SS are called here. The staff car has the flags of the SS Commandant on its front fenders, so it is waved through the main gate. The shiny sedan rolls up to the main entrance and a door is opened for the officer inside the car. He gets out of the car and pauses to run his hand down the front of his uniform, pressing out the wrinkles. He stands straight and proud for a moment, then very deliberately he places his headgear. The sun shines down on the SS badge on the cap, sending out a flash of reflection. The officer, SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Ulrich Rader, is lead up two flights of stairs that wind around toward the office of the SS leader. Rader is escorted into the outer office which is the waiting area for Himmler. No one says a word. Efficiency is carried out here in silence since everyone knows his or her duty and everyone is expected to know that duty down to the last detail. No commands need be given and no questions are asked. An attractive blond woman, dressed in a two piece black uniform, a blouse and skirt that appears tailored to her athletic figure takes his cap, then places it on a shelf above a coat rack. Rader allows himself a quick look at the girl before she turns to direct him to his seat. He thinks he should maybe make small talk with her and try for a date perhaps. What is he thinking? This is Himmler’s office and he has no idea what will occur once he is in the office of the Commandant. He must stay focused. He gives her a quick smile as he runs his hand down the front of his tunic. He must look sharp for the Commandant. After five minutes the brown box on the secretary’s desk makes a buzzing sound. The secretary gets up from her desk and walks around it, then motions for Rader. “The Reichsfuhrer will see you now Hauptsturmsfuhrer,” her words are crisp and confident as though she has been rehearsing them for this moment. She points to

a wide door where a guard dressed in the black uniform of the SS comes to attention as Rader enters. He moves slowly, not sure of where to look. The room is cavernous. The room is too large for one man it seems, but of course this man is Himmler. Some say he is the second most powerful man of the Third Reich. As Rader gazes across the shined, lustrous, floor he reasons the distance from the door to Himmler’s desk is approximately twenty feet. Should he advance or should he wait for Himmler’s invitation? He has been summoned so he decides to advance. Like a good SS officer he makes each step precise as if he were in formation with his comrades marching to uphold the honor and strength of the German nation. He wants so much to take in every detail of the office, but this is not the time for that. He keeps his eyes focused ahead and his back straight as he approaches Himmler’s desk. As Rader, draws nearer Himmler, remains in his seat with his attention on the file in front of him. This is the only item on his desk except a green lamp that is on the left side of the desk. The glow of the green lamp casts a greenish tinge on Himmler’s face. As Rader raises his arm to give the Nazi salute he is struck by the moment of standing very close to power. The thought excites him and he must fight to keep from smiling. “Heil Hitler!” Rader says with all the feeling and confidence he can put in his voice. Himmler raises his head very slowly as if he is just noticing Rader. “Heil. Please sit Rader. Would you like something to sip on while we talk?” Himmler says, in quiet, measured, tones. “No Reichsfuhrer. That will not be necessary,” Rader has been briefed by other SS men that have met with Himmler. He likes to keep his meetings short. He is not a man who likes extras while he is working. Drinking tea or coffee is considered extra. Rader takes his seat in a chair that is very close to the Reichsfuhrer’s desk. It gives him little room to cross his feet or relax. Rader, does not complain or show displeasure of any kind. He is sure that the position of this chair is an intentional piece of the ambiance. He sits at the position of attention. Himmler studies the file on his desk reading each line as if he were memorizing it. There is no sound in the office but the subdued rustle of the pages as Himmler reads the file.

Rader can see that this file is his official service record of every unit in which he has served. It will tell of all the citations he has been rewarded and of all the battles he has fought. In short, this file is his war, up to now and what he has done in it. “Major you are a very good soldier. Very brave..very brave. Your men seem to follow you without question as they should. Do you agree?” Himmler asks quietly. When Himmler raises his head the green desk lamp throws a cartoonish glow over his face. Rader, noticing this, has to suppress a smile. “Sir, I lead my men to be fearless, but not reckless. They are trained to fight with precision and with no regard for their own lives. They fight for and the fuhrer.” “Yes very good. Do you believe in magic Major Rader?” “With your permission Reichsfuhrer, I have no room for magic in my life.” “That is a shame Rader. I think magic, or maybe put better, myth is a very effective part of what we do here,” Himmler waves his hand in the air signifying the room, “I have built a room in this castle dedicated to that myth. Have you heard of the round table here in my castle?” “Yes, Reichsfuhrer, I have heard of this table. I would hope one day to sit at that table if I may be so bold to say that.” “You may, Major. You most certainly may do that. Perhaps one day you will. But you will have to earn that right and that is why I have called you here this morning.” Himmler leans forward, “I am sending you on a mission that may be very dangerous. It may turn out to be very trivial in the schemes of the battles that we face in our nation at the present time. If so, you will have accomplished your mission and can return to your unit. But, if this mission turns out as I think it will, you will be helping our nation in a very great way, Rader. We need morale. We need to show the world we are strong. We need to accomplish the mission that our fuhrer has sent us out to do. You may very well die Rader, as many have done for our fuhrer.” As Rader awaits his orders he keeps his eyes focused on Himmler. His heart is

ready. “I am sending you to a mythical place, Rader. Very few have gone there and I have been curious about that. For me, a man who values myth and mythical figures, even magic if you will, I have a need to find this place. It is not just a place. I am told it is where mythical men dwell and I believe they are there. Oh yes, I have read of them. I want you to find them, Rader and then bring me the leader. I want to use this man to show the might of our country.” “Yes, Reichsfuhrer I will do this for you. For our fuhrer. Tell me who are these men?” “The Ignob Giants” “Giants?” Rader doesn’t want to appear doubtful to his commandant, “Excuse me, Reichsfuhrer, do you speak of mythical men? They actually exist?” “Yes,” Himmler gives a hint of a smile as if he is thinking of a joke, “Yes, tall men. Very tall and powerful men. Possibly the best fighters ever known in this country or in the world and I want you to bring me these giants. At least one or two. I believe our Russian enemies would run at the sight of such men, don’t you?” “When do I commence?” “Why of course very soon. As soon as you can get your men ready. I would think before the week is out. Before you leave today you will check with my adjutant for maps and such. I have also given you a file to study. Get to know these giants. It may help your campaign. We believe these giants to be up in the mountains where the thick trees are located. They like to hide there.” Himmler removes his glasses. He pulls out a silk handkerchief from his desk drawer then proceeds to gently clean his glasses with it. Rader gets the signal, or at least what he thinks is the signal to leave, “Heil Hitler Reichsfuhrer! I will do my duty with honor.” “Yes I am sure you will do so. And Rader,” he places the silk handkerchief on his desk, “if they don’t want to cooperate…well you are a very able soldier of .” Himmler studies a tiny speck on his glasses. The meeting is over.

2

EINHOFEN

Einhofen is a small village that is nestled in the grape country of southern . The grape fields rise above the village as if they are protecting and watching over the small town. In these fields a boy walks in the sun. The boy is very small for his age. This is not a major problem for the boy because he lives mostly to play his music and make up stories. He is alone most of the day. His home, which he shares with his father, whom he calls Abba, is a place of quiet and peace. At anytime during the day a soft melody may float through the small house. The house is much quieter since his mother died two years earlier. She died of a disease. The boy can’t the name of the disease. It doesn’t matter to him. His mother is gone and he wonders always why she had to die leaving him and his Abba alone. His father is a maker and seller of good violins. He spends much of his time in his workshop caring for his other children, his violins. The boy’s name is Benjamin. He was named by his father just seconds after he came out of the womb. In Hebrew the name means Son. That is all his father wanted was a son and the father is very proud. His son is a singer of songs, a teller of stories, and has much promise as a violin artist. Many in the village laugh at little Ben as he walks the streets talking to himself. He is also constantly falling from his bicycle. Ben doesn’t mean to fall. It is only for the simple reason that his legs aren’t long enough to reach the pedals properly and dismounts are difficult. Ben has his favorite trees and walls in the village that he uses for for his mounts and dismounts. His bicycle is very battered from all of the rough landings that have occurred in Ben’s brief bicycle career. Ben doesn’t really talk to himself as people say. He is talking to his friend Bot. Bot has been his friend for all of the years of Ben’s short life. He can’t when Bot wasn’t with him. Bot is completely bald and has the kindest face of any human on earth. At least that is the way Ben sees him.

“So what do we do today?” Ben says as he pedals his bike through the streets of the village. In Ben’s mind Bot doesn’t have a bicycle. He always walks with Ben, or runs when needed and Bot somehow always keeps up. “I don’t know Ben. We could practice violin. You know Abba will be expecting you to practice.” Ben rides his bicycle to the highest part of the grape field. This is where he can look down on the village. It is quiet here. Everything is neat, all in row, all in order. As Ben comes to an awkward halt one of the winery workers waves to him. “Yes, I know. I will Bot. Don’t be a pest. I thought you were my friend.” “I am your friend, Ben. But we do have a recital soon. It would make your mother proud to have you play in the most beautiful manner.” Ben walks his bicycle along the path. He looks over the village as Bot babbles on about his mother, the sun, and other things they can do on this day. Bot always talk about Ben’s mother as if she were still alive. “Maybe we could see Sophie! That would be fun. You do like Sophie?” Bot asks. “I don’t think she likes me very much.” “Whatever you say, Ben.” “Why do you always agree with me? It makes things hard when you do that. Do you think Sophie likes me?” Ben turns to Bot. “Yes, she looks at you funny.” “What do you mean funny? Do her eyes cross when she looks at me?” “You know Ben. She gets that far away look in her eyes. Especially when you play your violin.” “Did you hear her say that?” Ben walks his bicycle to the next lower level of the grape field.

“I didn’t have to hear anything. If you weren’t such a blind fool you would see she really enjoys your playing. She adores you Ben!” “You don’t have to be so upset.” “I’m sorry Ben.” Ben looks at his friend, “It is fine Bot. Maybe we should go see Sophie.” Ten minutes later Ben and Bot are in front of Sophie’s house. It is one of the largest houses in the village because her father is the Mayor of Einhofen. Ben thinks Sophie’s father doesn’t like him much. This doesn’t bother Ben. He is used to people looking over him, or not liking him. He makes people uncomfortable with his silence and his talking to himself. Ben stands in front of Sophie’s house. Black and red flags hang over the door as they do over other doors in the village. Ben has heard that the people who wave these flags are called Nazis. Ben calls them Nasties. The ones that he has met don’t seem very happy. They are always frowning. Abba tells him to stay away from these people. “Well are you going to knock on the door?” Bot asks. “Wait a minute. I need time to think.” “Ok, Ben. You wait. Take all the time you need. Maybe hair will grow on my head while we wait.” “You are a pain in my back!” Bot mumbles under his breath. Ben is about to ask him what he said when a car rolls up in front of the Mayor’s house. The car is long, black, and very shiny. Like all of the cars that come into the village that are shiny and black this car has the black and red flags on both ends of the fenders. A man dressed in a crisp gray uniform gets out of the driver’s side and, with purposeful steps he walks to the rear door of the car to open it with dramatic flair. Ben looks on in fascination as a man exits from the rear of the car. He is also dressed in a clean, crisp uniform. This one is black with silver buttons down the front. The man is short like Ben, and he wears tiny glasses that barely cover

his eyes. Before the man steps to the Mayor’s front door he takes a moment to run his hand down the front of his uniform to straighten it. He places his official looking cap on his head. It has a large eagle on the front of it. The man glances toward Ben. At first his gaze is very serious, but then a smile crosses his face as if it were an afterthought. Ben smiles back. Ben is a little frightened of this man. As he looks more closely at the man’s cap badge, he sees that the eagle is, in fact a skull. Skulls are never a good thing. Ben has read of pirates who steal ships and women. They have skulls on their flags. They wear black like this man is wearing. Ben wants to run, but for some reason he can’t move. He feels Bot’s hand on his, tugging at him to walk away. Ben stays. The front door of the Mayor’s house opens and Sophie’s father gives the salute that many people have been giving lately. Ben thinks this is a strange way to say hello. The man in black clicks his heels together and gives the same silly salute. The two soldiers who have accompanied the man in black click their heels too. Then the men go into the house. Ben takes one last look and there peeking from around the corner of the door frame is the pretty face of Sophie. She gives Ben a wave before someone pulls her gently inside the house.

3

ABBA

“Abba, Abba, are you there?” Ben rushes into his house. “You left the door open Ben.” Bot says. “You can shut it.” “It is not my job.” Ben runs back to close the door with too much force making it slam shut, causing the pictures in the parlor to rattle on the wall. “Benjamin! Benjamin! I have told you how many times to not slam the door.” “Sorry, Abba. I am really sorry but I must tell you something.” Ben meets his father in the short hall that leads to the violin shop next door. As always his father is dressed in a gray shirt that has been washed many times. He wears a black sweater over the shirt. He wears the sweater everyday. It makes no matter if it’s summer or winter. The sweater is stained with varnish, paint, and glue even though his father wears an apron over it. “I tell you this Ben. This door makes my hands jump. I like the quiet. The violins need quiet to heal.” “Yes I know, Abba. Now please listen to me.” “Yes, my son. I am listening,” Abba leads Ben back to the shop. There is a long wooden bench that has a padded stool in front of it. This is the stool where Ben’s father does his magic with the violins. This is where he heals them. Abba pulls up another stool, “Please sit Ben,” Abba smiles and says, “Please tell.”

Ben climbs up on the stool, “At the Mayor’s house there was a car, a black car with the red and black flags on the fenders. You know what I mean, Abba? We have seen them.” Abba’s patient smile leaves his face. He leans forward wanting to hear more. “Yes, a man got out of the car. He was dressed in black. A small man no bigger than me. He wore glasses, tiny glasses like a teacher would wear.” “Yes. Tell me more. Where was the man going? I assume he was seeing the Mayor?” “Yes. He knocked on the door and the Mayor was there quickly as if he were expecting this man. The Mayor gave the man the funny salute. You know what I mean?” Abba nods his head, “Was the Mayor happy to see this man?” “Oh yes, the Mayor was saluting all over the place. Bot saw them too.” “Yes, Bot. How is Bot?” “He is good, Abba. I wanted to tell you. The man was very mean looking. Very grouchy,” Ben hesitates,” almost diabolical.” “Yes. Diabolical. That would be the word I would use. Very good Benjamin. Now please leave me for a moment. And thank you for the information.” Ben wants to say more but the look on Abba’s face tells him to leave. Ben wants to put his arms around his father but he doesn’t. Since his mother died his father sits in silence for many hours. Ben knows to let his father be. In the past Ben has heard his father talk to his mother. This is fine with Ben. He has Bot. Ben goes outside and picks up his bicycle from the ground. The bicycle rattles when he touches it because of the many crashes it has endured since meeting Ben. Ben doesn’t notice or care about these rattles. With Bot running by his side he rides out of the village to the small river and to its bank where he likes to sit and think.

4

THE IGNOB FILE

Ulrich Rader sits in his small office sipping on his morning tea as he reads the file on the giants. He is very impressed with the research that Himmler’s staff has put together. He holds a ten page file that is bound by a dark leather cover with no title because it is secret information for his eyes only. There is only the label that reads: ATTENTION MAJOR ULRICH RADER. Within the ten pages is the “ALLEGED HISTORY” of the giants that Ulrich is to find. The report begins: “From facts gathered through the papers of noted intellectuals who study the relevance of mythology we have found this history of so called giants. ……” Ulrich reads about the THIRTEENTH TRIBE which was taken from Egyptian mythology. This tribe was created by a prophet/scientist named Yacub, who was said to have created this tribe as an experiment which was to last 6000 years. This tribe created much havoc and was banished to The Caucasus Mountains. As he reads, Ulrich takes notes. “What kind of havoc?” he writes on a pad beside the bound report. Then it was said that Moses went to the mountains and civilized these tribes or giants as was written in the journals. He taught them how to cook, to build houses, and write. It was these people were given the ten laws. He taught them how to divide and conquer nations. But in these teachings they were told that they would be destroyed. As he gets to the third and fourth pages of the report, he finds that the Celts and Gauls were giants. They were fierce fighters and many of them ranged from 6 feet to over 12 feet in height. Because of their size they easily conquered and formed ruling dynasties over the people they found living in early Europe. “What kind of weapons did they use?” Ulrich writes on his pad. He reads that, of course, not all the Celts were giants; but their number was filled with enough of these giants that they put terror in the hearts of the conquered people. In the report it is written that some Celts stood to a height of over 14 feet tall. As they plundered Europe these Celtic tribes grew to over 60 feet tall. In Upper Asia and Mesopotamia, and Asia Minor, these tribes

were known as Gomarian Sacae. Once they settled in Europe they called themselves Celtae, which meant potent and valiant men. Ulrich lights a cigarette, one of two that he will smoke in a day. The report goes on to say that in there were two tribes of these Celtae that waged war. One tribe, the Scythians, drove the other, the Cimmerians, into Central and Eastern Europe. It was there they became known as Germans. Being an impatient man Ulrich skims to the end of the report to read that one or two of these tribes eventually split off from the rest and migrated to the least populated sections of Europe. Some settled in the mountains of around Dresden. Over the centuries they assimilated the best they could to civilization but were steadfast in keeping the traditions of their past. Some of the tribes remained fierce fighters while others were said to adopt more gentle ways in order to exist in the modern world. The gentler population still remained. These tribes were very hermit like. They did the outside world through special ordinary men who kept their whereabouts secret. It is reported there is a tribe in the mountains in Saxony of that nature. Their exact location is not known. “Fighters or hermits?” Ulrich writes. He takes the final drags of his cigarette and stares at the words. Fighters. Hermits. Well, it is better than going to Russia, which is a rumor Ulrich is hearing. War is coming to all.

5

BEN AND ABBA

“Hello Ben, what happened to your bicycle?” Sophie asks as they in the own square of Einhofen. It is Sunday, just after church and the sun is still high, but it is dimming as it gives way to the winter sky. There is still a warmth in the air that gives the people more reason to smile and allows young boys to get on their battered bicycles to ride around town looking for something to do. Ben looks around the square and sees Sophie. He is so distracted by the sight of her that he runs into a fat man coming out of the stationary store on the square. The shop stays open on Sunday so that people can buy a paper or stationary on their way home from the three churches in town. The Catholic church sits at the top of the square, and the Protestant church sits around the corner. They are virtually back to back. The Jewish temple is on the edge of the town. Ben mumbles an apology to the fat man who shakes his finger at Ben as he walks on. Sophie is just ahead of Ben as they leave the square. “Go on, catch up with her. Say something to her!” Bot says as he follows closely behind Ben. “What should I say?” “You are a dumb head. Why don’t you say how are you? That would be very clever, don’t you think?” Sophie is almost at the old town gate when Ben catches up with her. “How are you, Sophie?” Sophie looks at Ben. There are tears in her eyes. Perhaps she doesn’t want to talk

today. Ben isn’t sure. Maybe she doesn’t like him as much as he thinks. “So there you are, Bot. I told you she wants to be left alone.” “I’m sorry Ben. I have no idea about girls. I’m just a child,” Bot says in a defeated voice. Ben turns his bicycle around to head down the narrow street beside the wall. “Wait Ben. I must tell you,” Sophie says. She has stopped to wait for him. “Tell me what?” Ben says as he makes a futile attempt to stop and turn his bicycle but, this maneuver is too difficult for his skills. He falls off, but he manages to look very casual and calm as he does it. He is proud of himself, because he hasn’t needed a tree to stop his bicycle this time. “I heard my father talking to that man who came to our house the other day.” “You mean the man with the crisp uniform and the funny salute?” “Yes. He is not so funny, Ben,” she says as she brushes one of her many curls from her face. “You don’t have to stare Ben,” Bot says from behind Ben. Ben wants to swat at him but he can’t. Ben thinks how beautiful she is. Her hair glows in the sun and the light from it dances around in her curls. Ben can’t help but stare. He is still in wonder as to why she talks to him. He is short, has big ears, and he rides a battered bicycle. But she talks to him! Now she is crying in front of him. “Sophie, please,” Ben wants to comfort her, but he hesitates. Sophie turns to look around to make sure there are no walkers about, “This man. He told my father that soon all Jews will have to leave Einhofen. He was angry with my father for not making the Jews wear the yellow stars on their clothes. My father may be punished!” Ben looks to Bot. He knows nothing about these stars. “What kind of stars?”

“They are yellow. They are meant to make fun of the sign you and your father put on your Temples. They label you as a Jew.” “So why do we have to be labeled?” “Do you not listen to the radio, Ben?” “My father doesn’t let me listen. He says they are too noisy. He wants peace in the house.” “You will have to leave, Ben.” “I don’t understand this Sophie. Is that why you are crying?” “Yes. I wanted to tell you the other day but I couldn’t. I am afraid for you and your father Ben. You must leave soon.” Ben stands transfixed as if rocks have been tied to his shoes. He feels the tears coming but he fights them because he doesn’t want to cry in front of Sophie. Sophie steps closer to Ben and does something he will for the rest of his life. She touches his cheek with the tips of her fingers, then kisses him on the cheek. “Please go, Ben. They will come for you soon.” Ben watches her as she slowly walks away from him. The curly hair hanging down her back sways with each step she takes. He rides his bicycle home as fast as he can. The fenders rattle with each pump and thrust of the pedals. When he reaches his house, he lets the bicycle fall to the ground as he dismounts. He nearly falls into the front door as he enters, but he re to touch the mezuzah on the door frame. When he enters the house Abba is standing in the small parlor waiting for him. Abba looks at Ben with sad eyes that tell Ben everything that Sophie told him is true.

6

IGNATIUS IGNOB

Ignatius Ignob is the best toy maker in the Esceberge Mountains. Little children think he is a magician. From little scraps of wood he can make wonderful things like miniature houses with real windows, opening and closing doors, and shutters and chimneys that look like the houses that sit on the side of the mountains. He can make toy cars that look like the mighty cars that race in Berlin and in Italy. He paints them in bright colors, which he knows will make the children smile. Some say that Ignatius Ignob is a genius. He doesn’t know what that word means. He knows only that his day is not complete unless he makes one good toy. Igantius Ignob is truly a happy man who makes toys as a diversion, while the glue dries on the violin that he is crafting in his shop. In his tiny village, happiness is becoming hard to find. Some say war is coming. “Why are they coming? What do they want with us?” Ignatius asks his wife. “Why do they come, Rosa? What does our village have? We make violins. We make toys.” “You are a good man Ignatius, but sometimes you are so thick.” “Feed me woman. I feel grouchy. I feel I may say something mean to you. Why do you talk to me this way?” Rosa puts a large, brightly painted bowl of goulash soup in the middle of the table. She carefully places a spoon for each of them in their places at the table. As she goes about her supper chores she smiles at her husband, “I am playing with you, Ignat. That is why I love you. Who would have thought that I would find a man like you? There aren’t many of us, you know?” “Yes, somehow we all have come to this place. Our families are very lucky. We have a trade, we have each other. The world doesn’t know what to do with us.

Please, let us eat our meal and have a glass of wine after.” “Yes, let us do that,” Rosa sits down and softly says a prayer to herself before she eats her meal. “So why do you think I am thick? I don’t see this.” “Ignat, we are different in this land. I in the last bad war they looked for us to fight for them. They think we are good at war. They think because we are so tall, so big, we would make great warriors and we would be great soldiers for their armies. My brothers talked to these men. ? They took them to fight. They never returned. They wanted out of Ignob so they left. But they never returned,” Rosa leans against the long wooden table that Ignatius made for her years before. It creaks from her weight as she dabs at her eyes with the corner of her apron. “Why do they want that? I like this village. It is quiet, a good place to make toys. We have great wood here. We have our tools,” Ignatius lifts a large spoonful of goulash soup into his mouth,“and we have very good soup here, too! Rosa this is very good! A triumph my dear!” “Thank you, Ignat,” Rosa smiles which only makes her soft face prettier.

7

ULRICH PROBE

The old man sitting at the cafe sips on his midday beer. He has one every day with his meal. He sits at the same chair in the cafe’, so he can see the street of his village. The sun always shines on his face when he sits at this spot. It is Fall in , his favorite time. His daughter owns this little cafe of two tables inside and two outside. She makes the Spaetzle, and the bread every day, the same way her mother made it. Today is a good day because all four of her tables are filled with happy eaters. Some of them are farmers. Some are owners of the three other shops in the village. It is lunch time, Malzeit. As the daughter takes the sausage sandwich to her father, not quite boiled, just warmed, with an onion and a piece of her homemade bread, she hears, then sees trucks rolling down he main street of her town. The old man has his beer mug to his lips when he sees the command vehicle and the two trucks filled with a cargo that he doesn’t want to see. The old man knows of these trucks. He saw many of them in the first war. “Papa, what is this? Why are there soldiers?” “I don’t know, Ursula. I will have my sandwich now, please.” “Yes, of course,” the daughter, with her attention on the street, almost drops the plate of food on her father. “Careful, my child. My onion will not taste so good with mud on it!” the old man says with a smile. The small convoy stops in the middle of the town. A man dressed in a crisp, gray uniform gets out of the command car. The car is an older Mercedes that is painted gray all around and has the red flag of the Nazi party painted on the side doors. The obligatory red and black flags fly from the fenders. The old man

knows without even asking that this man is an officer from the way he walks and the silver badges on his collar. “I need to see the Mayor of this village. We are here on official government business and it is essential that I see him immediately,” the officer proclaims to the old man. The old man takes another sip of his beer. He doesn’t like officers. His experience in the first war taught him that most officers were brainless fools who obeyed every foolish order given to them. These foolish orders sent men over the top of trenches to certain death. The old man takes another sip of his beer then slowly gets to his feet. “I am the Mayor. What is it that you want?” The old man stands by his table with his hand resting on the chair back. The officer approaches the old man, “Heil Hitler!” the officer throws up his right arm. The old man looks confused. He has not seen this salute very often. He says, “Guten Morgan.” “My name is Major Ulrich Rader. May I sit down please?” Rader grabs a chair and sits before the old man can reply. The old man takes a seat on his favorite chair. While his lunch sits on his plate getting cold, he studies this soldier sitting before him. The man reminds him of an actor he once saw in a play in Dresden. His acting was comical even though the role was very serious. This soldier could have been that actor. “I need information. May I have your name, sir? I didn’t catch it.” “I didn’t offer it,” the old man says as he stares at Rader. He turns his head very slowly to gaze out to the trucks and soldiers in his town. He takes another sip of his beer, “My name is Stromberger, Herr Stromberger and I am the Mayor of the village. I assume because I am the oldest and have lived here a long time the people turn to me for decisions. What is it you want?” Rader adjusts himself in the chair. He is losing patience with the old man and they are not even two minutes into the conversation, “This is a beautiful valley. A nice little village nestled in the cradle of these two mountains,” Rader waves his hand in the general direction of the hills that surround the village, “It looks

very peaceful.” The old man listens, his hands on the table, his eyes focused on Rader. He could reply to this officer but he chooses not to. “It would be a shame to disturb that peace,” Rader says. “Major Rader, I have found that soldiers like you live to disturb peace. It is what you do. Now please tell me what is it you want with us. If you get to the point I will be glad to help you.” “I have misjudged you, Herr Strombecker. Yes, I will get to the point. I have been ordered to find a group of people that I believe live in these mountains. Those mountains,” Rader points to the tree covered peaks that stand over the village, “I have also been told that this village may know about these people and can help us to find them.” The old man picks up his beer mug to take more than a sip. Rader notices this, “Herr Strombecker let us not waste time. I can see that my words have an effect on you. You need a drink of your beer to steady your nerves. We have half a day left of good light. I want to find these people today, if possible. You will lead me to them.” The daughter has come to stand behind her father. Her hands are on his shoulder giving him . Rader sees this too, “Now, please. Someone tell me about these people.” The daughter shifts her feet as if she is preparing to say something. The old man speaks first, “I do not know about these people. I have heard rumors but I have never seen them.” Rader raises his head to view the peaks above the village. He is a good soldier. He will do what ever is needed to accomplish his mission. He is now in a small battle of words and he needs to end this battle. Rader gets on his feet, causing his chair to fall to the side. “t Brainert!” Captain Brainert, a very young, fit looking boy, steps quickly to Ulrich’s side. “Yes, Major!” He stands at attention. “Put your pistol to the side of this old man’s head and keep it there until I order

you to remove it.” “Jawohl Major!” t Brainert withdraws his Luger pistol from the shiny black holster in one crisp movement. The pistol’s barrel is flat against the old man’s gray haired skull. The daughter puts her hand to her mouth as she fights back tears. “Now you see Herr Strombecker my men are well trained. They will do whatever I ask of them. If I ask them to burn your foul smelling little town to the ground they will. We are in a war Herr Strombecker. Men will die. It’s up to you. Now where are the giants?” The daughter’s fingers dig into the old man’s shoulders, “Father think about what you are doing.” The old man does indeed know of the giants. He has known about them for most of his life. They live up there in the trees in the woods that hide them and protect them. He re the day when one of them came into the village. He was a young one. The old man re how the young giant laughed as he walked into the village and how he stared at the villagers as they ran from him and then stopped to turn and stare. His laughter was not derisive of them but more laughing with a joy of seeing people who were so tiny to him. They were like toys. The young giant put up his hands as if saying, “I mean no harm.” When he spoke, his voice was deep sounding as if it came from his large heart and lungs. “I want to see your Chief. I mean no harm,” the giant said. Yes, the old man re that day and how later the giant would meet him at the edge of the woods with his violins and toys to take to the village. He said they were for sale. The giants could make more. They wanted supplies. They wanted books. They would trade their toys and their instruments for the supplies and books. The giants name was Ignatius Ignob. The old man laughs to himself as he thinks of the name even as he faces this evil man with the pistol. The giants became the friends of the village from that day on. Ignatius Ignob told him that the giants would protect them from harm if they ever needed it. Many of the giants were warriors who were ancestors of the warrior giants that conquered the lands of the East and North. Now this man with the pistol wants him to betray the giants. Where were the giants now? Why weren’t they attacking these men. The old man says, “I will

bring you a giant. You can talk to him. Yes, they are close by, but I can’t take you there because I have never seen their village.” Ulrich Rader studies the old man. He keeps the pistol to the old man’s head, but he has taken his finger from the trigger. “When will this happen?” “There is no time. I will have to make the trek to the trail and then they will me. I leave a message and then my comes down from the village.” “Is this trail far?” “It is 5 kilometers up the mountain.” “Then you will make it. I suggest as soon as you get your hiking boots on.” The old man takes a long sip of his beer. He is thirsty but he needs time to think. He knows what he has to do but he needs more time. “Give me one hour then I go,” he turns to Major Rader giving him a smile like a good German citizen, “If you wish, you and your men can use the field at the end of the street to stay for the night. I hope your men have tents. We have little room in our houses.” Rader is not happy with this but he needs no further trouble or delays, “Yes, that would be good. When you are ready, I will give you the documents you need to take to the giants.” The old man nods, “Meet me here.” “Yes, one hour. Then you go,” Rader turns to t Braineret, “Take the men to the end of the street, put up your tents and prepare for an evening mess. I think that these fine people can provide food for us, don’t you think, old man?” Clinching his teeth in frustration and disgust, the old man again nods his head. Then he turns to walk to his house.

8

SMOKE

The daughter follows the old man as he slowly walks to his house, “Father what are you saying? Are you actually going to show them how to get to the village? We cannot betray those people of Ignob. They have been our friends for ages. They protect us. If you betray them I fear their wrath will be greater than these thugs!” “You must build a fire. Do it quick. Put the wood, you know the wet wood, the smoking wood. We must send the signal and I hope the soldiers don’t catch on to what we are doing. I only hope that Igatius sees it and comes to the trail. We must warn them.”

• • •

Ignatius Ignob is sitting on the trunk of a massive tree that he cut down many years before. He enjoys sitting here after the evening meal as he smokes his tiny pipe. The pipe is of normal size but in his hands it appears like a miniature piece from a doll house. The pipe was given to him by his friend in the village, Rudy Stromberger. Rudy has been his friend for many years since he sent the first box of toys to the village. The village sold the toys and then soon after when Ignatius made his first violin and showed it to the old man, he sold his first violin. This has been in secret and Ignatius and Rudy have never revealed where they meet or the trails they take. Except for the first visit to the village Ignatius has never seen the people he has made happy with his toys and violins over the years. Ignatius puffs away on his pipe, happy with the world on this evening. As he

puffs away something catches his eye, something out of synch with this lovely evening. At first it is only a slight suggestion of smoke, just wisps, but then there is no mistaking. One, two, three, puffs of black, gray, smoke, then stopping. Then, three more. No mistake. The old man is calling him. “Rosa, I must go!” Ignatius ducks into the doorway of his house as he enters, “Rosa, where are you woman? I have to go. The old man is signaling me. Something is wrong. It is the three puffs.” “Are you sure? Maybe he is only burning bad wood.” “No there is no mistake. I must go,” Ignatius places his pipe on the shelf. “Where are my walking boots? You know how I hate to walk. It bothers my feet so.” Rosa brings out the boots that are made with soft heels and soles to protect her husband’s tender feet. Most of the giants have very bad feet that are not made for long walks. He kisses her and sets off for the trail head. He knows he should stop to tell Jorg, their leader, but he has no time. Ten minutes later Ignatius is walking steadily through the thick woods known as Garrick’s Woods. Garrick is one of the Warrior Giants, a man who has grown to the height of 14 feet. He is a very solitary man who angers easily. Garrick and his pack of dogs are one of the major protectors of the village. It is not long until Ignatius hears the dogs as they rut and sniff him out. He can hear their growls and yips as they talk to one another excited in the hunt. He slows his walk waiting for the first dog to make his appearance. This will be Korg, the lead dog, and it is this dog that makes the decision of whether the walker is friend or foe. If he is foe, he will die. “Korg, my loyal hound let my friend Ignat . What are you doing here away from the village? I had no warning. You are lucky I was close to my dogs!” Garrick appears from the brush. Ignatius stops to look around. In the thick woods it is difficult to see another man even if he is a giant. “Ah, my friend Garrick. I see you now,” Ignatius turns to see the giant, dressed in his leather battle apron that covers his legs and chest. Garrick is a loner and

not of good nature. He is a ferocious fighter. Garrick is a throw back to the earlier giants who were covered with hair and lived outdoors for most of their lives. Garrick wears a beard that has grown down to his knees, and his hair streams down his back. His eyes dart from left to right as he is always looking for predators and something to kill. Even from the distance in the woods Ignatius can see the wild eyes darting from tree to tree always looking for the enemy. Ignatius fears this man has been alone for too long. “I have to go the trail head to see the old man. Something is wrong in the village.” “Hah! I can smell them from the village. They have machines. Guns. This is not good. We need to kill them now.” “Let me talk to the old man and then we can decide. Patience, my friend. Can I ?” “Come, Korg!” The dog stands tall over the path as he gives Ignatius one last look before he moves from the path. As the dog backs away, Ignatius notices the ripple of the dog’s leg muscles as he moves. Just the sight of the animal gives him pause. There are more dogs out of sight and even though he is a giant, the hidden dogs give him fear. The woods grow silent once again as he moves to the trail head. The smoke signals said the old man will be there soon.

9

THE OLD MAN AND IGNATIUS

The old man reaches the stone wall which has been the location of his meetings with Ignatius Ignob for many years. Like his wife’s hands, the feel of his bed, and the way a new rain feels to his face, this wall is a good friend. The old man has been hanging packages of food and delivering messages to the giants for twenty tears. The giants trust him because he has never told anyone except his daughter the location of this wall and of the giant that has become his friend. His trip to the wall has made him short of breath. His chest is aching from the effort. His trips to the wall take longer than they used to because he is older; but today he had to hurry because of the Nazi Major. In his hand is the document that he has to show to Ignatius. He waits as the sun creeps slowly over the hills. He pulls a small piece of bread from his pouch and takes a bite of it. His daughter has made him bread with jam, covered with butter. The butter has melted a little and the taste makes him feel a little better about things. He jumps to his feet when he hears the unmistakable sound of a giant stepping through the woods. The old man has been around the giants for so long that he can tell if an older giant is approaching or if the man is a Warrior Giant. He knows this is Ignatius Ignob, the builder giant, a maker of toys and a man who has soft feet. His gait is unusual because he favors his feet so much. The old man turns to see his friend approaching. “Ignatius, my friend, how are you?” the old man waves as Ignatius lumbers toward him. The old man notices that the giant is limping a little. “Hello Rudy, my old friend,” Ignatius has to stop to lean against the stone wall. “My feet are hurting me very much today. I am not used to walking, but, now I am here! Tell me what is the trouble?”

The old man hesitates, but the words must be told. “They are coming for you. Not just you, but they want the giants to fight for them, or even worse, I fear.” “I thinks I already know. They want us to the Army? They want to come into our village and take our men for fighting, just as they tried in the last war?” Ignatius asks. “Yes, they will be on your ground soon.” “Why is this, Rudy? How will this happen?” “They will kill my family, I fear. They have found out about you and your people somehow. I have to show them something today.” Ignatius looks at his friend, probing for how he is feeling this morning. He can see Rudy is desperate and afraid. He would have done the same. “How many men do they have?” “It’s a very small company. Two trucks came. Maybe thirty men.” “You will lead them through the Garrick Woods trail, the one I just came down. They will not survive the woods. Garrick will see to that.” “Garrick. He is the raging one isn’t he?” the old man asks as he peers up into the woods. “Yes, he can rage if he wants to. Rudy, I am saddened that you have brought me this news.” Rudy hands Ignatius a newspaper which the giant unfolds very carefully. He reads the paper slowly. He can speak Rudy’s language, but has trouble reading it. “I am too young to go blind, Rudy. What does it say?” Rudy doesn’t look at the paper. He knows the words. It says needs the giants. They will help win the war and they will be heroes. They need them to fight the Russians. “Russia, the land of the Czars. Home to many of our ancestors because they

helped to conquer the land. So they want us to fight like last time in the war. They think we are all savages don’t they Rudy?” Rudy looks down at the ground, shuffling his feet, “I am sorry my friend?” Ignatius begins to pace around almost knocking Rudy over as he tramps the ground, ranting about the war, “I am sorry, Rudy. I am sorry to act like such a stupid man. Let’s have a drink. Do you have your wine sack?” Rudy smiles, “I always have it when I visit you Ignatius. And, yes, I have this. This came two days ago. It is addressed to you,” Rudy hands the wooden box to Ignatius. It is from the man in Einhofen. “I will read this later. He probably wants more violins repaired. Not a good time hey Rudy?” The two friends take two swigs of the sack. Wiping a trickle of wine from the side of his mouth Rudy says, “I have to go, Ignatius. I hope I see you again.” Ignatius stretches his arms as the sun comes over the hills. “You feel that, Rudy? I want to store it in my chest and in my heart. I fear we are in for a long cold one.” Rudy nods his head and then puts out his hand, “Good bye, my friend.” “Not goodbye, Rudy. Not goodbye,” Ignatius shakes the old man’s hand. Then the two men walk slowly apart to face their difficult tasks.

10

FIRST PROBE

Major Ulrich Rader, has placed his men in formation at the edge of the village. At Rader’s request, one of his men has found a wooden crate for Rader to stand on as he addresses his troops. “You men are the core of a great fighting force. You are the best that our Fatherland can offer. That is why we are here on the edge of this village about to embark on a great mission. We have been asked by our Commandant, Reichsfuhrer Himmler, himself, to advance into these woods and find giants.” Rader stops for only a moment to let these words sink in. He steps off the crate to walk among his men. As he es the first rank he looks into each face. He doesn’t expect to see any fear. These men have been picked to be the best of the best. They are all with him with full devotion to him and the fuhrer. “I have picked t. Brainert, and Sgt. Haupmann, to lead a small patrol into the woods to make with these giants. We want them to our forces. We are only taking the message of our fuhrer to them. We don’t expect any trouble. Those of you on the patrol must now prepare your equipment. The rest of the company will stand down for now but be ready for movement. We need to accomplish our mission as quickly as possible. t. Brainert, prepare your men. That is all.” Rader, turns with a very crisp about face movement, and then walks to his command tent at the edge of the woods. Thirty minutes later t. Brainert, accompanied by Sargent Bruno Haupmann, one of the best in the unit, and ten other men make their way to the trail head where Rudy awaits them. He knows the giants will not go with these men and that there will be a battle soon. Rudy is afraid he won’t make it through this day. t. Brainert, walks to Rudy’s side then nods for the patrol to move out.

When the men enter the woods, the pine trees are so thick that all sunlight is blotted out letting only small rivulets of light enter through the thick boughs. If the men are fearful of this darkness they say nothing. Some of them have been in battle and they have learned to stay in control. The darkness makes their patrol and their mission more difficult, but not impossible. Rudy, takes careful steps. His senses are on high alert for any sound that merits attention. Haupmann, is behind him, followed by t. Brainert. The men are spaced in patrol formation so that if attack comes they will not be wounded in bunches. The last man in the patrol is a new recruit in the SS unit. He is a very able, large, farm lad who loves the army and is dedicated to this unit. However being last man in the patrol in the dark woods in search for giants puts a streak of sweat down his back. He takes deep breaths to stay calm. He has found that these SS men are not gentle with slackers. As the patrol move on their senses work at double speed. They hear everything in the woods and, for every step they take, they sense distant steps all around them. Every man believes that someone is watching them as they walk. Every man in the patrol is hoping that the man in front of him is hearing the same distant sounds and is feeling the same eyes. Regardless of their fears the men go on because they have been ordered to do so. They have been walking for two hours and yet the woods do not change. The trees seem even thicker on this part of the trail that they can barely see. As they climb, the rays of the sun thankfully gets through the thick trees and this gives some relief to the men. There is murmuring among the ranks and slight laughter from some of the men. But when they are at the top of a small mountain, they find trees even thicker than the ones they have just walked through. t Brainert, raises his hand for the column to stop. “There, up ahead. Behind the trees. See it?” Brainert says softly to Haupmann. Haupmann, sends two men forward to recon the area. “It looks like a wall Captain,” Haupmann says. The wall is covered with thick, dense, dark green vines. The vines look as if they have been on this wall for centuries. They appear as if they are embedded in the the wall and the wall itself seems to be part of the woods. The two scouts

examine the wall and the vines and give an all clear to the waiting patrol. Brainert, approaches the wall very slowly. He knows all walls have gates somewhere and, after a brief search up close, he finds one. The gate is nearly twenty feet high and as he gazes up, he sees there is more wall above it. “What now, Captain?” Haupmann, asks as he steps to the Captain’s side. “They have let us come this far. They have been watching us. Something is behind us, too, and watching us at this moment.” “Yes, I have felt that, too,” Haupmann says. As he speaks the gate begins to move. There is the sound of metal rubbing on metal as the gate inches slowly inward. The SS men step back with their weapons raised.

11

THE VILLAGE of IGNOB WELCOME YOU

As the gate opens, a long street is revealed to the patrol. They see two very tall posts that are topped off with iron baskets. As Haupman, studies the baskets, their purpose is obvious to him. The wood in the iron baskets is for lighting at night. Behind the towers, several feet back, are barely seen dwelling places, or what the German soldiers assume are dwellings. “Captain, I have never seen such large houses,” Haupman whispers to Brainert. “Well, they are giants, Seargent.” “Yes, giants. Should we go in?” Haupman says softly, as if the giants will hear him. “I don’t like this, Haupmann. This looks to be a trap. If we go in, there looks to be no way out. We stay here until we see the welcoming party.” Haupmann, is happy to hear of this decision. The streets are narrow, lined on both sides by the towers, and the dwellings or what appear to be dwellings. Haupmann needs a cigarette, but he knows this is not the time for a smoke. The sounds he hears at that moment put him on alert. “What is that? Dogs? Wolves?” Haupmann, says to the Captain. He brings his weapon up to his shoulder in the firing position, clicking the safety off as he does so. As the sounds gets louder he is sure the animals are dogs, but unlike any dogs he has ever seen. “Form a circle, men. Shoot the first dog that attacks,” Haupmann says, not waiting for the Captain to give the order. As his words float away into the woods, the first of Garrick’s dogs reaches the circle of soldiers. It is only one dog, a very large one that stands nearly three feet from the ground, standing on legs that could be small trees. The sight of the animal freezes Haupmann. As he

stares at this monster, he has a momentary feeling that his time to die is near. But his instincts kick in and he fires his weapon at the first dog. When the round hits, the dog is pushed back but it doesn’t fall to the ground. After a moment of hesitation, the dog jumps forward again. Two other dogs attack from behind the wounded animal. As the dogs attack, Rudy watches in fear from the rear of the patrol. He knows for certain that he is about to die. He looks to the heavens in search of an answer or for someone to talk to before he is mauled by these wild beasts. He begins to pray, saying the words very fast as the soldier beside him is taken down by a thick necked dog. The jaws of the dog are into the man before he hits the ground. Rudy knows it is time to run. He pushes the soldier who is nearest to him forward, and, using him as a shield heads for the gate. A dog leaps for the soldier, and just before the animal hits him, Rudy is through the gate of the village and running down the main street. As he runs for his life, too fast for an old man, his chest burns and pain shoots through his old legs. Up ahead a giant steps from one of the houses and into the street. It is Igantius, his friend. Ignatius, waves to Rudy, and then seeing that the old man is struggling takes two broad steps and he has Rudy in his hands. The giant picks the old man from the ground like he is a small piece of wood. In seconds Rudy and Ignatius are inside the giant’s house and Rudy is placed on the floor very gently by his friend. “Rudy. Rudy. Please!” Ignatius, is over him with a wooden cup full of water. He gently raises Rudy’s head to take the water, “Drink, my friend. Drink slowly.” As he gets his breath, Rudy, takes small swallows of the water. His chest is burning and his lungs are gasping for air, but the water helps him and slowly his breathing slows. He is covered in sweat, “My god! I was almost killed.” “Yes. Now Jorg, has them just where he wants them,” Ignatius says as he stares out into the street.

12

TRAPPED

The men have nowhere to go. The monster dogs are coming from all directions out of the woods. The men form a protective circle, but the dogs have ceased their attack. The dogs circle the men and their hot, vile, breath falls on the soldiers like an evil fog. But the dogs do not attack. Someone in the woods is controlling them. “Captain, what are your orders? We have to fight our way out of here,” Haupmann shouts to his captain. The circle of men becomes smaller as the dogs lunge and nip at them. Haupmann has been in many battles and has been a fearless soldier, but these dogs are of another world. He looks to his captain for answers, but Brainert, is frozen by the monsters in front of him. “We will kill the dogs. Fire on my orders,” Captain Brainert finally exclaims. “Fire!” Haupmann shouts to his men. They raise their weapons but a booming voice from the open gate stops them. “What do you want?” the question comes from the giant with the red beard and huge leather apron that he wears across his chest and legs. He has seemingly appeared from thin air. “My god, he is very big!” Haupmann says. “You have a knack for the obvious, Haupmann,” Brainert says as he peers up to the giant. Captain Brainert, steps forward after hesitating for a minute.“Good day, sir. I hope you are the man we need to talk to.” “Why do you want to talk to me?” the giant says. He holds what appears to be a giant club in his right hand. On his shoulder sits a huge bird. As Brainert,

quickly glances at the bird, he identifies it as a hawk, but a very large hawk that appears to weigh more than any common man could carry on his shoulder. The sight of the hawk causes Brainert, to lose his thought for the moment. The giant’s long, red, beard reaches down to his waist. His uncovered arms are thick with muscle, as are his legs. He is dressed in what appears to be a leather apron that covers his chest and extends down to mid thigh. His face is dirty and his hands are covered with dust and sawdust. When he speaks his voice comes from a deep cavity, causing the sound to reverberate through the woods. Brainert, feels the hot breath of the giant leader. He can smell the sweat of the man towering over him. Brainert, tries to speak, but his throat seems to be full of gravel. Finally, he gets the words out, “I have been sent here by our Fatherland to ask you to serve your country. We need your favors.” “What favors can I offer you?” As Brainert, thinks of his next words, two additional giants the red haired one at the gate. They each hold large clubs in one hand and a large broad sword in the other. They take station on each side of their leader. Haupmann, raises his rifle, but Brainert, puts a hand on the barrel to gently push it down. “We have come here on orders of our army to inform you that all of your men have been drafted into the Army of our Fatherland. We are at war and your country needs you.” As he says the words he offers a piece of paper to Jorg; as if this paper will make this mission official. “My country! This is my country…all of this. Your country has laughed at us and made us feel like fools. We live here, out of your way. Leave us alone!” Jorg, takes a long step toward Brainert, ignoring the paper in the officer’s hand. Brainert, uses all of his will and soldier’s pride to stand his ground. “That is not our concern. I have papers here!” Brainert holds them out again for Jorg to take, “men will be here soon to transport you and your men.” Jorg turns to give an order to someone inside the village walls and two giants quickly appear appear at the towers on the each side of the wall. Each one has a large bow in his hands and the strings are pulled back ready to fire down on the

soldiers. “Captain, I think it is time to fight,” Haupmann, says very quietly to his leader. Brainert, looks confused. He knows that he is now in a place that many soldiers over the centuries have experienced and a decision has to be made. It is time to fight or die. “So you refuse my order,” he says to the giant at the gate. The giant turns to the men by his side and he laughs. It is a mocking laugh that sends fear through the patrol. It is time. Brainert, slowly moves his hand down to his pistol, “Seargent, do you have a grenade on your belt?” “Yes, Captain.” “Then use it. Kill the one in the door.” Jorg takes two steps forward, which moves him ten feet or more. He swings his club down on the Captain and it hits Brainert in the side of his head with such force that his head is detached from his body, and it flies through the air like a ball in a child’s game. Jorg brings his arm around again to take a swing at Haupmann, but the Seargent is too quick and the giant misses. The force of Jorg’s movement still knocks Haupmann off his feet, making him fall back into the woods. When Haupmann falls back, he hits his head on a tree trunk, which stuns him for a moment. Then, from somewhere, he has no way of knowing where, he hears the sounds of battle, of men dying, and of giants shouting and then the sound of the dogs coming for him.

13

HAUPMANN’S RUN

Haupmann, is freezing and night has come to the woods. His leg hurts with a throbbing pain that refuses to give way. He ran till his lungs burned. He ran till he couldn’t hear the dogs howling. But he has found that these woods and this mountain hide many animals. As he ran through what was left of the day he heard howling all around him. Now as he crouches beside a large tree he hears the footsteps of animals or some form of creatures that live in these woods. From the brief, ferocious, battle he witnessed he is certain that these creatures will kill him. He can hear them sniffing the ground not far from where he hides. He runs his hands across the tree trunk and it feels alive, menacing like the woods. Even the tree’s branches seem to be moving down on him,but they are hiding him and that is important. He has time to sit for a moment. He looks down to his throbbing leg with waves of new pain. He sees a long gash that runs the length of his calf muscle. He needs food, so he takes off his pack and digs inside. He finds a piece of bread and dried beef. He takes a drink from his water canteen. He is getting tired from the walking and running through the dense woods. Every small hill seems like a mountain. Roots and dense brush make every step a chore. He wants to sleep, but he knows if he does, he will be dead. His eyes say differently. They grow heavy as if rocks have been tied to them. They plead to be closed. Being the professional that he is, Haupman, knows that he cannot give in to this urge. He resorts to the heart and soul of what he is. He is SS. He cannot be killed. He will not be conquered. He can endure any pain and kill any man. Haupman, recites the words he was taught by his training….Meine Ehre heist treue. My loyalty is my honor. He will not fail at his mission. He has to get back to the village to report to his major. Haupmann, wants to take another bite of his bread, but he needs to save it. A cold wind walks across his face, making him more aware that he has to move. Darkness is falling and it is becoming harder to see in the thick woods so he

decides to stay here in this hiding place. He has one cigarette, maybe two. He digs into his tunic pocket and pulls out a crumpled pack. “What are you thinking, Haupmann? If you light a match, even one puff of the cigarette and the dogs will find you,” he says to the woods. He pauses to listen for new sounds but the woods have grown silent for the moment. He scoots over the the trunk of a fallen tree and sits. He props his head against it and lays his rifle across his legs. He hopes that his soldier’s instinct will keep him alive this night. He is awakened by a sudden alarm, a spasm in his brain that tells him to wake up or he will die. It is still night. The woods are silent. Only the wind is moving. Slowly, Bruno Haupmann, crawls from his little alcove under the ancient tree and stands very slowly, letting his muscles stretch and to get blood flowing back in his legs. There is a glimpse of light coming through the tops of the pines. He has slept longer than he wanted and much sounder than was safe. But he is still alive. He is sore, he is hungry, but he is alive. That thought gives him hope. He is sure that the soldiers in the giant village will be dead soon. Now at the first sign of light, he has to head south. There will be soldiers there. He is sure of it. So, he waits. As the first, dim, spark of daylight makes it’s way through the trees, Haupmann moves on.

14

GARRICK

“Where are my dogs? Where are my beauties?” says Garrick. He is a giant much larger than the others. He’s had his breakfast and now he is rested. Yesterday was a good one. The soldiers came. They were weak and small and they thought they could take what they wanted. Garrick and his dogs put the terror into them. No man comes into the village uninvited. No one es the boundary. Any man or army that does get past the boundary will die. Yes, it was this lone Giant, the Hunter Giant, known as Garrick, who taught that lesson. Garrick, has lived in the woods since he was a child. His father and mother were killed by the cold winter when the sickness spread into the woods. It was a sickness brought to the woods by two giants who ventured out to the world. They were put into a carnival, made fun of, to be stared at by the outsiders. The outsiders are known as Tinies by the giants. The giants escaped the carnival to come back to the woods and to Ignob. When they did, they brought the sickness with them. Garrick’s parents were the first to die from it. Garrick, was raised by other mothers, but he proved to be too wild and too strong to stay in the houses and in the village. One day he vanished, not to be seen for many days until he was found by two of the Warrior Giants living in a small shack, that was built for the hunters to seek shelter. When the giants found the boy, he was eating a small deer. He had killed and fired the deer himself for eating. The blood of the deer was on his hands and arms when the giants found him. The boy smiled and laughed at them. The giants left him there in the woods. They knew the wild light in Garrick’s eyes would not be extinguished. For the safety of all, it was best to leave him. He would survive in the woods. Through time, the boy, then the young man, proved to be a good protector of the village. He grew to be a Warrior Giant, the largest, the strongest, stronger than Jorg, the leader. Garrick had no desire to live in the village, so he never challenged Jorg. He was and is content to live alone with his dogs. Garrick is happy today. The sun has found itself through the pine trees. The air

still has the hint of summer. Garrick knows that soon the cold wind will blow and the times will be harder as they always are this time of the season. Now it is time for hunting to get the food for the winter. But his dogs have been howling all night. They are anxious to hunt. There is something in the woods, a man perhaps, that has excited his dogs for the kill. Garrick can smell the prey too. He knows it’s a man, probably one of the soldiers and he hopes to find this man before the dogs do. His dogs are not of the earth. They have been bred from a strain older than the trees in the woods. They are massive, thick, animals that can take a man down; even a giant with one thrusting attack. If Garrick does not find the man in time, the man will be dead within minutes.

• • •

Bruno Haupmann doesn’t know that the woods he walks in are called Garrick’s Woods. He doesn’t know the distant howling he hears are Garrick’s dogs. He knows that it is time to run again even though his lungs burn so badly that he wants to lie down and give up; but that is out of the question. He walks on, alert to all around him when the sound of water stops him. It is large water by the sound of it, maybe a river, a water fall. At the same instant a new, more forbidding, sound is behind him. It is the dogs and they are very close. Haupmann runs toward the sound of the water and finds himself on the edge of a water fall. When he looks below he sees the boiling rapids. He estimates the drop from the cliff to be about ten feet or more. He pulls back, then takes one more look to find a safe place to land. Will he land on rocks or sand? Will he break his neck? The thoughts run through his mind, but he has no time to decide on a good plan. The lead dog has found him and is on him. Haupmann, jumps.

15

JORG

The Nazi bullet is removed from Jorg’s leg as writhes on his bed which may be destroyed by his struggle. His fellow Warrior Giants have tied him down to the bed, but they haven’t been successful. As the knife digs into the thick hide of the giant, his left hand breaks free of the binding and grabs for the poor giant who is doing the digging. The poor knife wielding man ducks his head as Jorg’s right hand swings for his skull. “Hold him!” Two giants jump on Jorg, putting their full weight on him; but his free hand is able to grip the wooden railing of his bed frame, which he is tearing to pieces as the knife digs deeper. Then Jorg, es out. Before he comes around, the piece of bullet is found and removed. Because he is Jorg, and because the leather apron he wore in the battle has been cured for many days to be hardened, he will survive this wound. He has lost some muscle and pieces of bone, and he will have to use a large crutch. The giants are not looking forward to telling him about the crutch. “Beer. Beer. Give me beer!” Jorg, has awakened. “Am I alive?” “Yes Jorg, my bellowing friend, I am quite sure you are alive,” says the giant, Aldemar, who removed the bullet from Jorg’s leg. Jorg takes a long swallow of beer from his wooden mug,“Are they all dead?” “Yes, Jorg. All but one. Garrick saw him this morning.” “Fine. He won’t last long in the woods. So now,” he takes another swig of his beer,“we wait. They will return, I am sure. They will bring machines and more men next time.”

“So, what do we do?” Aldemar asks. “I have been told by Ignatius that the country, their country, is in war again. They war with England, the country of our ancestors. Russia too has declared war, fighting on the side of the Germans. The world has gone berserk again. You would think they’d have no time for us giants.” The giants drink more beer. As the evening progresses the thought of more attacks becomes dimmer and less likely. As the giants dance and sing their war songs, they become braver. No man will dare attack them. They are invincible. All sing and chant of their invincibility. All sing except Jorg, who knows better.

16

IGNOB THE VILLAGE

The giants of the village held their meeting that night in the great hall with the high ceilings and thick, legged chairs that are placed around the huge tables. The tables are made of the strongest wood, by the best craftsmen in the village. Jorg, stands at the head of the table that is covered with wooden pitchers of beer and plates of meat and bread. Jorg has long been the Warrior Chief of Ignob. He is the bravest, the oldest, the fiercest , besides Garrick, so his station in the village is earned. “So, we are here again. As before, in the last great war, we have been called upon to fight. Like the rest of you I hoped this day would never come. We spent many days of suffering in the last war. Some of us went to the woods to hide; some of us fought for the Army; some of us died. Mercifully it seemed that the leaders of our country saw the error of their ways and let us come home. We were not fit for trenches. Too tall and too large, they said, so they put some of us with the horses, and some of us were builders of machines where our size didn’t matter. But I fear these men.” Jorg waves his hands toward the massive wooden doors at the front of the hall, “I fear these men will not listen to reason. I have heard of this Hitler. This man is not a man of peace as we have heard. He wants countries, he wants lives to be lost, he wants war.” The other men around the table nod in agreement but remain silent. They have learned to allow Jorg, to say his piece before discussion is welcomed. “We cannot fight these men. They will come and they will bring more weapons. They will bring weapons unlike we have ever seen. They have machines that can fly. Not the slow and ponderous machines we saw in the last war. No, these machines fly much faster and will rain down metal on us. There will be death. Being giants, being great warriors, will not save us. We have decisions to make,” Jorg gazes at each man. They are all friends who have lived with him for years.

They have hunted with him and shared meals with him at his table. He has helped them through sickness and the great blizzards that came over the mountains. Seeing their faces makes him sad and happy at the same time. Jorg is a warrior, but what he must say brings tears to his eyes. “You have two ways to go. You can leave soon with your families. You can go into the mountains and live the best way you can until this war is over. You know how hard that will be. But the hardship may save your family from death. You may die anyway, but at least you will have the say of how you die and maybe when you die.” He pauses as he gains control of his words and emotions, “You can stay and fight them when they come. Some may choose to do that. We can hold them for awhile, giving time for the others to get higher in the mountains. Of course, as I said, you may die. So, I have foretold of our future. What say you men?” “What will you do, Jorg? Are you staying?” Ignatius Ignob asks. “Yes, I will stay. I am alone now. I would want for my children to leave of course. My son, the warrior that he seems to be, will want to fight but I will not allow this. He is too young. My daughter will go with the others. They are strong like their mother was.” Ignatius, nods in agreement. He looks around the room at the other men of the village. Their faces show the sadness of the memory of when Jorg’s wife died giving birth to their son. It was a hard labor which took her life. They how Jorg, went to the woods and how he wailed to the sky. He wailed for two days through the nights and days. His mighty voice echoed through the pines as he railed at God. But Jorg, being the warrior that he is, lived through those days and when he came down from the woods no more was said of her death. “Do you think we can make a pact with these men? We have good hands, we can work in their factories, we can make things here in the village for them?” a young giant says. “We are good with wood. We are good with toys. These men don’t want toys. They want steel, they want weapons, they want our strength, our power to show the people of this country how strong Germans can be. We will be the Giants of their army! They will drape flags from our shoulders and parade us around the streets,and then they will send us off to war to kill in other villages and other

countries,” Jorg, waits for their questions but the giants are silent. “It will be a clear night. Your way will be clear for the path into the mountains. Any man who leaves will not be judged harshly. If any man stays, we will make sure your family gets looked after.” The men stand, each lifting the wooden mug that sits in front of him. The mugs have been filled with fresh beer for the occasion. “What of Rudy, my friend?” Ignatius says. Rudy, is standing beside him hardly seen among the giants. Ignatius says, “Rudy, please stand on the chair. I will steady it for you.” Jorg looks at the old man, “Yes, the old man who has helped us. Your friend Ignat. So, my dear old friend, you must go back to your village and warn them. Garrick will lead you back down. You can’t stay here. Be with your people. Jorg waves him away as if finished with him. He turns to his warriors and the others. “So, I say to you men, you Giants of Ignob. Be proud always. Be strong always!” Jorg, lifts his mug to the men and then drinks the beer down in three gulps. The men do the same. The wooden mugs are then placed on the table with great care by each man. These mugs have been in the village for centuries. From before the flying machines, and the tanks, the mugs have been used by these men. They have been in the village since there were moats of deep water that protected this village of giants from the rest of the world. Each man looks at his mug with reverence for a moment before leaving the table. These mugs are the last vestiges of the old times that may never be told of again.

17

THE LEAVING OF IGNOB

“We will return someday, Rosa. Please believe me. That is what we must take from this day. We will return. These people will not drive us from here forever,” Ignatius says as he lifts a wooden crate into his cart. The giants are leaving their low village. “They have done so already. What are we doing, Ignat? We are not cooking breakfast. We are not talking over our morning mug. We are leaving and you are a fool to think we are coming back here,” his wife shouts from the house. The words hurt Ignatius, but he can’t show weakness this morning. He must be strong for his wife, for his village, his friends. He has been picked to lead this small caravan up to the place in the mountains where they will continue to live as always. “So, my friend you are leaving. Good to see you have packed your cart well,” Jorg says as he leans against the cart. Even in this dark time the red bearded giant speaks in a strong voice. He is full of promise and fight. He will lead the other Warrior Giants of the village where they will fight to slow the advance of the soldiers who carry the evil red flags. “Don’t worry about your friend, the old man. We will get him back to the village. I will make sure Garrick’s dogs don’t kill him.” “Thank you. He is in my house now. He is afraid to come out! Yes, thank you, Jorg,” Ignatius turns to his house, “so now we are ready. There is nothing to be done now.,” “I have one favor to ask, Ignat.” “Yes, Jorg. We owe you much.”

“Take my new son and daughter with you. They are all that is left of my family. They can’t stay here. There will be blood, I am sure, so take them as your own,” Jorg steps aside to reveal his two children. He pushes them forward to Igantius but he is gentle with them The boy is very young, nearing four years; but he is the height of most men. Like his father he has red hair and already has the look of the warrior in his eyes. The daughter is twelve years old. She is old enough to realize what is happening. She takes the boy’s hand and leads him to Rosa’s side. Ignatius hesitates. This is a great question that has been asked of him. He is not one to make quick decisions. He looks to Rosa for a sign. Yes? No? Maybe wait for someone to else step up to take the child? Rosa answers with no question as she puts her arm around both the children and pulls them close to her side. The boy resists but, seeing his sister give no resistance he moves closer to Rosa. “Yes, we will take your son, but he will always be your son Jorg. We will raise him and take care of him and your daughter. We will tell them of their father,” Rosa says with a smile. “You speak as if I am not long for this world Rosa,” Jorg, laughs but the tears in his eyes tell the truth of this moment. He touches his son’s thick head of hair, letting the silence and the softness of his touch say all that needs to be said. “Be proud. Be strong, my son,” he kisses his son, then leans over to kiss his daughter on the top of her head. He nods to Ignatius and then walks away to prepare for the coming battle. Ignatius watches the red-bearded giant stride proudly to the other Warrior Giants. He helps Rosa and their children up into the cart. Wrapping a blanket around them, he pulls himself up to the seat of the cart. He looks back to the others in the caravan who will follow him to the heights. He slowly motions with a wave of his hand and the caravan sets off for the future.

18

ABBA AND BEN

‘”Where do we go, Abba? Why do we have to go?” Ben sits at his kitchen table on the same morning that Ignatius Ignob is leaving his village. Ben’s father has given him a piece of bread with jam and butter and a glass of Applesaft. This is a favorite of Ben’s. His father sits across from him at the table as the sun is having trouble shining through the window. Clouds are coming in many forms. Abba forms his words carefully, “Benjamin we have to leave for the simple reason that we will be taken to a bad place. I am hearing things from people. ” “What have we done? You make violins in a quiet house. We harm no one. Did you do something Abba? Have you said something?” Abba takes a breath. He has asked himself this same question many times in the last months. His country is changing. There have always been the words spoken behind his back about his people. The Jews have all the money. The Jews are the roots of the economic troubles. It is the Jews who have caused the unrest in the country. But now, with the new government it is becoming unbearable. “It is about fear, Ben. When people have different beliefs or look different or maybe act in a different way than most of the world, fear takes over. Men will and have done very insane things when they become afraid.” “Insane. Does that mean they are crazy?’ Abba smiles, “Yes, in a way they become crazy.” “Is that what this is? Fear is causing us to leave our home? Where can we go?” Ben repeats the question. Jacob tries to answer. He has thought of this many times, too. He has a sister in Berlin who plays in the symphony, maybe they could go there. No, Berlin is the center of the madness of the Nazi movement. Maybe Switzerland? Yes that

would be a good choice. He will ask the Mayor about this. “Let me make some calls, Ben. We will find a way.” Abba places his hand on Ben’s shoulder, “Are you enjoying your bread and jam?” Ben takes another bite. Frau Klein, one of their neighbors makes the jam in her kitchen. She enjoys giving the jam to Ben, and he is sure she is not one of the people who are making him leave his home.

19

HAUPMANN

With the dog on him, Haupmann plummets down for what seems like minutes. But it is only a moment when he hits the cold water of the river below. The river grabs him as if it has been waiting on him. He goes deeper and deeper as the current pulls and pushes on him. But, as if deciding that it is tired of him, the river lets go and he comes to the surface, gasping for breath. The dog is gone. The river has decided to keep him. This thought gives Haupmann some hope as he fights the river and swims through the rapids. He knows he has to get out soon. The cold of the river has made his hands and feet numb. So, when the river takes a bend, he has the chance to kick forward and out of the current toward the bank. He finally gets to the muddy edge where he stands and is able to walk out of the river. The mud sucks at his feet, but he gets to the dry bank where he lies down to catch his breath. He falls into the grass, letting the scent of dry land welcome him back. A feeling of great joy comes over him and begins to laugh. He laughs for several minutes as the clouds look down on him. “So I am still alive?” Are you not ready for me?”he asks the sky,as if God was behind it. He waits for an answer, but the clouds have nothing for him. “Well, I thank you.” It has now been almost a full day since Haupmann escaped from the dogs. Now what does he do? Where is he? He needs food and warmth. He needs to find his soldiers and warn them of the giants. “Giants! Bloody giants!” he shouts to the sky. What of the dogs? Do they stalk him? Bruno listens to the woods around him, but only the wind in the tree tops gives him a weak reply. He makes good time, even though the ground is muddy from recent rains. Soon, he sees cows grazing on grass and a small house up ahead. A woman is hanging clothes on a line, oblivious to the war in the world. She hasn’t seen Bruno, which

gives him time to study this situation. He doesn’t see the man of the family. Maybe he is in the barn. As with most small German farms, the house and barn are attached, so Bruno will have to get closer to the house. The sound of barking dogs gets his attention. Bruno shakes his head at his bad luck. He’s had too many encounters with dogs. He sees a large sheep dog lumbering toward him and the farmer is close behind it. The farmer is carrying a rifle. “Elsa, we have a visitor,” the farmer shouts to his wife. She turns to view Bruno. There are two clothes pins in her mouth, put there as she hangs the clothes. She can’t speak but she nods to Haupmann as she adjusts the last bed sheet on the line, then drops the pins in her basket on the ground. Bruno waves to the two trying to look friendly; but knowing that he looks like a convict with his tattered uniform, “Hello to the farm. I mean no harm,” he raises his arms, “please, I need water and a little bread if you have it.” The farmer warily approaches Bruno keeping the rifle pointed in the vicinity of Bruno’s head. “Why do you come here? How?” the farmer glances toward the river. Bruno keeps his hands up, “I mean no harm. Please. I have no weapons. I am a soldier who has had a bad time of it.” The farmer studies Bruno up and down looking down his nose as if that will allow him to see Bruno better. Finally, coming to a decision he lowers the rifle, “Yes, I can see that. I was a soldier once. What battle have you been in?” “If you show me a warm room and a piece of bread I will be happy to tell you my story.” “Elsa we have a visitor. You have food for this man?” The wife stands two steps behind her husband giving Bruno a stare that says many things and none of them are good or positive. She walks into the small house, serving as a good wife to her husband. “You can wash in that basin over there,” the farmer says as points to a wooden barrel with a spigot on the bottom. A wooden basin sits under it. Bruno, takes two steps toward the barrel stumbling a bit. He gains his balance and slowly

washes his arms and face. The water puts him awake but he is still very tired. The farmer leads him into the house and points to an empty chair at the table. Elsa, the wife , places a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. “I put a little cognac in there. Maybe you need that.” Bruno, mumbles his thanks then slowly brings the cup to his mouth. After two sips he leans back in the chair to collect himself, “Ah, yes. Wonderful coffee,” he takes two more long sips then sits back again. His eyes are so heavy. The warmth of the house makes his sleepiness more profound. He has to talk now before he sleeps. “Giants. Giants. I have seen giants.” The farmer turns to his wife and they exchange knowing glances. “You were in battle with the giants?” “Yes.” The farmer nods his head as he glances to his wife, “So our fuhrer is going after the giants?” Bruno takes a long sip of the coffee, “You know these giants?” “Yes, oh yes. We live in fear of them. We have lived close to them for years and they have never bothered us. They could come at any time and kill us; but they never have. So I think our fear is not needed.” Bruno thinks about the farmer’s words for a moment, “They have much power. They should be feared. Now, Frau, do you have that food?”

20

SOPHIE

The trucks came at three in the morning. Sophie is having a dream of playing her violin at the opera house in Dresden. She is standing in the wings of the great stage as the audience sits motionless in their seats transfixed by what is about to take place. The orchestra is in their seats. They are dressed in their elegant tuxedos. The violin players have their instruments at their chins with their bows raised above the strings ready to begin the first measure of the piece. The man with the microphone calls her name and the applause rises as she walks to the center of the stage. Sophie, steps to the center but her legs feel like wood. They don’t want to move. Her hands are jumping at the end of her arms as if they were unattached. Finally, she reaches center stage and raises the violin to her chin. She raises her bow above the strings and then, after a nod to the conductor, she lowers the bow. The bow won’t move. No matter how hard she tries, the bow will not move. The silence of the crowd is unbearable. The world is waiting on Sophie to play her masterpiece, but Sophie cannot play. Outside the theater she hears the sounds of motors revving and someone is hammering on the front door of the theater. Men are shouting words, but Sophie cannot understand the words. “Sophie! Sophie! Please wake up!” Her mother is above her bed shaking her. “They are here. Please stay here. Do not come down!” Her mother moves away, leaving the slight image of her nightgown flowing behind her as she leaves the bedroom. Sophie, jumps from her bed going to the window. She looks down on the village square to see five trucks lined up in front of the gasthaus and the pharmacy. There are soldiers in formation receiving orders from other men who are shouting and pointing in all directions. The soldiers obey quickly and move out through the village. She sees the red and black flags of the new waving from the fenders of the trucks and the lead car. “I must go!” Sophie, finds her coat on the chair and then looks frantically for her

shoes. She finds them, and quickly she runs down the back stairs to the back door of her house. Taking the alley beside the wall of the town, she heads for the south gate of Einhofen. Ben’s house is beside the gate. As she runs, she hears the unison steps of the marching soldiers, as they quick step to the different areas of the town. Einhofen, is a small town, so she doesn’t have much time to warn Ben and his father. She reaches Ben’s house to see a small light in the window. She peers through the window to see shoes in the hallway. Two pair of shoes, one pair for the boy, and the other for a man. She hears them inside speaking very softly. She goes to the front door and knocks very softly, hoping they hear her. The door opens slightly and there is Abba, Ben’s father. “Ben, Abba, you must go now!” she says before Abba speaks. “I know, Sophie. We heard the trucks coming before they reached the square. I was working very late in my shop. Thank God. We are ready. The car is parked and packed. I knew this night was coming thanks to your father.” The marching feet and the shouts are closer to the house. Flashlight beams shoot down the alleys and into doorways. Not far away is the beating of fists on a door. “Come out now, Juden! Rouse!” Abba pushes Ben toward the back door and the car, “We go now Ben. Now!! Get in the car.” Sophie follows them to the back alley next to the south gate of the town. All they have to do is drive out of the gate and they are free of the village. A flashlight beam searches down the street in front of Ben’s house searching for the commotion in the alley. “Stop or I will shoot!” Jacob, starts the car. Sophie, stands close to the car, getting one last look at her friend, who she may never see again. The car jumps forward before the back door closes. A shot rings out. Sophie, screams and falls into the car. “Abba, we must stop. Sophie is hurt!” Ben, leans over her to see the blood coming from her leg.

21

ABBA

He drives with tears in his eyes. What has he done? He has kidnapped this little girl, the mayor’s daughter. He will be hunted down by the Nazis and the town police. “Ben, how is she?” Jacob, looks into the rear view mirror and sees only the top of his son’s head. “She is crying, Abba.” “Good. How is her color?” “Her color? She is red. Her face is all red.” “Are her eyes open?”They are not far from the next town. That is good and bad. Are there soldiers there, too? There is no way to by- it. All of the roads in this part of the country connect the towns like pieces of rope. The next town, smaller than Einhofen, has mostly farmers and small shops. It is so late that everyone is probably sleeping. Who does he know here? Who can help them? Jacob wonders as he drives. Is he being followed? No. There are no soldiers her in this town…yet. They will hunt for Jews here later. “I know where to go,” Jacob, says to himself. The house is easy to find. “Ben, stay here with her for a moment. This man can help us.” He stops the car in front of a white house, that sits off the road. Jacob, taps on the door very lightly, not wanting to cause alarm in the rest of the village. No movement. He taps a little harder. No one is coming. He pushes down on the handle of the door. It comes open and he is relieved, No one locks their doors in these country towns. Jacob, steps very softly into the room where the soft light of the coming day

leaks into the kitchen, and he sees the kitchen sink. Something warm and soft brushes against his leg. He reaches down to put his hands on a cat that purrs contently. A living thing, so peaceful, so content, and so naive about the evil outside. He takes time to bend down and rub the cat’s head. This seems like a worthwhile effort. In the next room comes the creaking of the floor. Jacob hears the tentative steps of the owner of the house coming to the kitchen. When the man steps inside the kitchen door Jacob, says, “Dr. Aehrne I need your help.” “Jacob Rodenhaus. Why are you in my house?” “Please, come with me,” Jacob leads the man to the car and opens the back door, “She has been shot. Can you help her?’ “Yes. Bring her in. Who shot her? She is just a young girl,” the man bends to lift Sophie, from the back seat. “The soldiers.” The man carries Sophie, into his house, then turns to the right to enter into a side room that was added on as his business grew. He lays her gently on the exam table, “What soldiers? I have never heard of this before.” “Yes,” Jacob hesitates, “yes they came to take us. The Jews, they came to take us, the Jews.” Dr. Aehrne, the veterinarian, hesitates for a moment. “Yes, the Jews.” Dr. Aehrne, cleans the wound, a small hole that found its way through Sophie’s, calf muscle. “The bone is not broken. There’s a small fracture, but it’s barely touched. Something right on a terrible night, I suppose.” After a half an hour of cleaning and probing the doctor bandages the wound, “Do you feel like sitting up, young lady?” Jacob, and the doctor help Sophie, to sit up on the table. The doctor studies her for a moment. “You are the Mayor’s daughter?” Before Jacob, can say a word, Sophie, says, “Yes Sir. I am his daughter. I was helping my friends escape when I was shot by the people who are supposed to be protecting our country.”

“Well it certainly sounds like you know your mind young frau.” Sophie, smiles, only because she doesn’t want to appear insolent. She doesn’t appreciate his sarcasm. “So, Sophie, you will stay here with Dr. Aehrne, who will take you back to Einhofen when the sun is up. I am sure your parents are worried.” Sophie, turns to Jacob, “No. I will come with you.” “Yes, Jacob, I am afraid we will both be in trouble if they find out I treated her and she may also be in trouble. Who knows where her parents are.” Sophie, nods her head toward the window and the world outside, “Who knows where they are? They told my father many days ago to put up the signs. He was told to give you the yellow stars to wear. He didn’t. Now? Who knows?” Her voice falters and her words are broken by tears. “Jacob, you must go. I see headlights coming down the road.” “Ben, help me with Sophie, to the car. We go now,” Jacob, turns to Dr. Aehrne, “How can I thank you?” “You can give me a new set of strings for my violin.” “Done. We will play a tune together,” Jacob places his hand on the doctor’s shoulder. Their eyes meet, saying the things that people say when trouble is outside the door. “Yes,” Dr. Aehrne, says. He stands at the door watching the little sedan fade into the darkness. His cat rubs against his leg as the world goes quiet once again.

22

BEN AND BOT

Ben and Bot ride side by side in the back seat of the Abba’s car. Ben, has attempted to sleep but he can’t. “Bot, are you awake?” “I am always awake, Ben.” “We are really in trouble.” “We are safe here you know. In the town we would be taken. You need to calm down.” “I can’t calm down. You! You are always so calm. You irritate me! Where are we going? I don’t think Abba, knows where we are going!” Ben, whispers in the dark of the back seat. He is watching Sophie, sleeping against the opposite door of the car. When the sedan hits a small bump in the road her head jumps a bit. “She looks very uncomfortable Bot.” “She is fine Ben. Why don’t you make her more comfortable. Get closer to her. Put her head on your shoulder. That would make her feel better.” “Don’t mock me Bot. You know I hate that.” “I am not mocking, only giving advice. You are such a baby at times.” “What if she wakes up?” “Then you can have a nice conversation with her.” Ben, thinks about this. He glances toward the front of the sedan. In the soft glow

of the dashboard lights he can see one side of his father’s face. Ben, watches his father struggling to see in the dark as he wills the car to speed on. “Look at Abba, Bot. He can’t see in the dark.” “He will be fine, Ben. The sun will be up soon.” “Who are you talking to, Ben?” Sophie says. “Oh, no one. I talk to myself a lot.” “Do you mock yourself? You said don’t mock me.” She pushes herself from the door frame and looks ahead, “Where are we?” “I don’t know. Somewhere I guess. Do you need to stop or anything?” Sophie, turns her head slightly to look at Ben. She smiles as she wraps the donated coat from Abba around her. “I don’t suppose you have any clothes around do you, Ben?” Ben looks around the small confine of the car as if there would be an extra suitcase there,“I’m sorry, Sophie. Maybe we could stop and buy you a dress or something.” “My leg is hurting. I wish it would stop.” “You were shot. No, I mean you were hurt as we left Einhofen,” Ben, thinks he shouldn’t have said so much. She is a girl after all. It may be too much for her. Sophie, feels the new bandage around the wound, outlining it with her fingertips. “I was shot, I know that, Ben. They shot me as we ran. Did they shoot my father?” “I don’t know, Sophie.” “The man with the glasses, the black hat, he told my father he was not happy. He said there would be reper…something.” “The word is repercussions. It means when you commit a sin you have to be responsible,” Abba says.

Ben leans over the front seat, “Are you all right Abba?” “Yes Ben, I am fine. There will be roadblocks up ahead. There must have been phone calls made of our escape.” Ben, leans back against the soft rear seat, “He has trouble seeing at night. I hope he is alright. Sophie, are you crying?” What a dumb question he says to himself. See the tears, you idiot! “I would have to agree with that,” Bot, says from his little perch on the other side of the back seat. Ben, ignores his friend, “Sophie, we will be fine. Time always takes care of us.” “What does that mean, Ben?” Sophie asks between soft sobs. “Well, I don’t really know. My mother used to say that. I was very young, you know, when she said those words.” Sophie, wipes a tear with the sleeve of Abba’s coat, “Maybe it means that with time things get better. Maybe that is it.” Ben, looks upon her with wonder. How could a girl be so smart and so beautiful? Even though this has been a bad night, he is glad she is with them.

23

MITTWOCH

Dawn. Jacob, is asleep across the front seat of his car. Ben and Sophie are asleep in the back seat of the car. Sophie’s, head rests on Ben’s narrow shoulder. Ben, is not sleeping. How can he be? The fact that Sophie is resting her head on his shoulder keeps him awake. And he is afraid. He is afraid for his Abba, afraid of the rest of the day. He is afraid for Sophie, even though she is not family. She should not be here, but she is. He is thinking of what to say to her when she wakes up. As he thinks about what to say, he notices her fingers moving while she sleeps. They move separately as if counting something. Maybe she is counting sheep, as the grandmas say. Maybe money? It is difficult to tell, of course. He looks down at her fingers, which are resting in her lap, and then he knows. She is playing her violin. “Bot, do you see? She is playing for us. I wonder where she is performing?” “Probably the backseat symphony, I would guess.” “You are so stupid at times!” “Well, I thought it was clever.” Ben, ignores him as he watches her fingers move faster and faster. He can hear the music in his head. He can see the audience. The stage is brightly lit. The crowd is hanging on her every note. She stops moving her fingers for an instant to reach up and scratch her nose, but she doesn’t wake up. “How can she do that?” Ben wonders. Out of the corner of his eye he detects a movement, just a shadow of someone, or something. A person moves outside very close to the car, and then that person taps on the rear window.

“Abba, Abba! Wake up please!” Ben, leans over the front seat and looks down on his father. “Abba!” “Open the door please,” the man tapping on the window says. Abba, pushes up from the seat, wiping the sleep dust from his eyes, and the dribble from the side of his mouth, “Ben, what is it? Oh God, I have slept too long.” Then, seeing the man he says, “Yes, just a moment.” Jacob looks in all directions as if his thoughts are in the air and he needs to gather them, “Stay in the car, children. If things get bad, drive away!” Before Ben, can say anything, his father is out of the car. The morning mist swirls around them as the men stand face to face. Ben puts his ear close to the door to hear their words. “So, who are you, Sir? Why are you parked here?” The man, fat, young in the face, wearing lederhosen and a leather hat stands in front of Abba. He is swaying a little and his cheeks are rosy as if he has been running. Ben notices a bicycle parked near by. “I was sleeping, as you can see. I am sorry, I didn’t know it was your town,” Jacob says. The young man leans to the left, as if he is standing in a boat, “Are you getting clever with me?” Jacob realizes at once that the man is drunk, “Are you all right? You don’t look well. Can I offer you anything?” The young man steps back, “Well, what do you have?” “Oh, I don’t know,” Jacob, looks through the window of the sedan searching for something. Of course, he knows there is nothing to offer this man except a wounded girl and his freedom. Ben, knows what to offer this man. In the back seat, stuffed down in the pocket of the back seat is candy. He put it there on the last trip that he and Abba took to Nuremberg. Until he heard the man ask his question he had forgotten about it. Ben, digs down into the pocket and quickly puts his fingers around it. It is still

wrapped in the red paper and it is sticky, but not totally unfit for presentation. He taps on the window and holds the bag of candy up for Abba to see. “Why yes, do you like sweets?” Abba, offers, “Please hand it out, son.” Ben, does so, rolling the window half way down and quickly handing the sticky bag to his father. Abba, holds it out for the man. “Do you take me for a fool, sir? What is this, a piece of dreck you offer me?” The man holds his hand up to his mouth as if he is going to be sick. “No, please, that is the last thing I would offer you. You look like a fine boy. This is all I have. You see my son and I are visiting a friend. We had to leave our home suddenly to get to her. We had no time to pack a lunch” The young man stares at the candy. It is hard to tell if he is debating Jacob’s fate, or if he is going to fall over. Making his decision he snatches the bag from Jacob.“What kind of candy is this?” “I believe it is flavored like the Gluvine, the hot wine of Christmas,” Jacob takes a guess. The man puts a piece of the candy into his mouth. The candy puts a smile on his face, “This is very good. Like Christmas yes!” “So now we must go, young man, I hope you have a wonderful day,” Jacob says as he steps toward the little sedan. The young man lowers the candy bag. Wobbling a little, he steps closer to the car to take a better look inside. When he sees Sophie he steps back, “I know this girl. You are the Mayor’s daughter from Einhofen. You play violin. I heard you at concert at our church.” Jacob wants to say the man is mistaken, but he remains silent. “You are doing something here,” the young man says. Jacob, is tired, “No, sir. What we are doing is getting on with our trip. Now you have a good day. He opens the door of the sedan. The door hits the man in his shoulder with more force than Abba, had anticipated.

The young man sways, “Wait! I command you to wait. I will report this!” He shouts and points his finger at Abba, as if he were a man of authority. “You go right ahead. My name is Herman Goering,” Jacob shuts the door. As he drives away, he sees the drunken man fall into the ditch.

24

ABBA AND BEN ON THE ROAD

The little black sedan is running out of petrol. This has happened once before to Abba, because his petrol gauge has been broken for months. The engine coughs once more and the car coasts to a stop on the outskirts of Dresden. Finding a petrol station should be no problem. He has enough coupons, but he has another problem, and she is moaning in the back seat of the little, black, sedan. Sophie is trying to be brave, but the pain of her leg cannot be ignored. “Sophie, we will stop. I am worried about your leg.” “No, Mr. Abba, we cannot stop. It is only hurting when we hit the bumps.” Yes, yes, you are a brave little girl.” Up ahead he sees a petrol station. “Children, we are stopping. Sophie, you must sit up and be strong for me. We are a family going on a trip and we must appear strong and happy. Wrap my coat around you. Act as if you are asleep. Lean your head back on the seat. Yes, yes, that’s it. We are stopping now.” Jacob, pulls the sedan into the small petrol station that has two gas pumps under a wooden roof, that keeps the sun and rain from the cars as they pull in for service. He gets out of the car and smiles to the attendant, who is there immediately to serve. Ben, sits in the back seat with Sophie and he takes a quick look through squinted eyes. He, too, is feigning sleep as instructed by his father. The attendant is talking to his father. He looks well fed, but not happy, putting petrol in the cars today. He is talking to Abba, as he pushes the hose into the gas slot. “Where are you headed?” he asks Abba., “Oh and how much do you want?” The man turns the small handle on the side of the pump. This sets the pump whirring, waiting to pump.

Jacob, checks his ration tickets. “I will take three please. I have a long way to go.” “Yes, of course.” the attendant says. “You have a tire going low sir. Did you know that?” Jacob, glances to the tire, “Yes, I see. I don’t pay much attention to tires. If the car is rolling I am happy!” he gives a soft chuckle. The chuckle is forced because this is the last thing he needs. The bell on the pump stops ringing. The attendant pulls the nozzle from the gas slot of the car and places the hose back into the side of the pump,“Let me check that tire for you.” He pulls a small gauge from his overall pocket. The overalls are very clean, like the station. He bends to check the tire pressure. “Oh, yes, as I suspected. Not much pressure. You are lucky it didn’t blow out on the road. I will put some air in it to see if it will take it. Maybe that is your only problem.” He bends down again to a small pumping motor that has the air hose attached to it. He wraps the rope around the pulley and gives it a good pull. The engine coughs a little, but does not start. The man mutters under this breath, then takes a deep breath, “No problem, sir. I will have you on the road in no time.” Jacob, smiles at the man as his attention is drawn by another black sedan that is ing by. It slows and the four men inside give the gas station a closer look. “The watchers. They think I am a spy.” Jacob, wants to say something clever, but he pauses to watch his words. “Well, that wouldn’t do now, would it?” he says as smiles. “Where are you from, Sir?” the man asks again. Jacob, wants to lie, but thinks better. “I am from Einhofen. Do you know where that is?” “Oh yes, they have excellent wine from there.” He gives the engine another pull and it starts, puffing out little clouds of smoke as it smooths out. “Now the air will come!” He puts the air hose into the tire valve and the air makes a hissing sound as it enters.

“So, those watchers. Who are they?” Jacob, is trying to be nonchalant but he is failing. “Oh, Gestapo. They don’t have Gestapo in Einhofen? War brings out the watchers and doubters,” the man adds. “Yes, yes, I am sure.” The air pump stops. The man takes the hose from the tire, then wraps it around the pump. “I hope that gets you to your destination. You are heading North?” “Yes, going to the relatives.” “Yes, well, that will be four marks.” Jacob pays the man with the few coupons he has, “Thank you, sir. Have a good day.” The man quickly puts the coupons into the leather pouch that he’s pulled from his overalls. He nods to Jacob. As Jacob drives from the filling station, the attendant man checks in both directions for more traffic or ing sedans before going back to his building. Jacob, continues on, relieved that the visit to the petrol station went smoothly. Soon he is heading into the center of Dresden. The beauty of the city always calms him, giving him faith that man will not always endeavor to destroy himself. As he drives to park along the center boulevard, the sight of the Italian Opera house to his right and the towering dome of the Frau Kirche gives him joy. To see the sun reflecting off the Elbe River makes him feel more easy. He looks again to the Italian Opera House, where he and his wife attended many concerts. At those performances he heard the violins that he had helped to repair. Jacob, always received free tickets to the performances. His wife thought that was so grand to see these operas and orchestras perform for free. She said that she felt like a thief and then she would giggle and hug Jacob as the curtain went up. She said the Italian venue was like magic when it was lit up at night. It looked like a gold jewel box. “Abba, I am hungry. Can we eat?” Ben says from the back seat. “Yes, of course,” Jacob is pulled back from his memories. He sees a small

wagon in the square. “How about a brat and a drink?” “Oh yes. Can we get Sophie something, too?” Ben says. Yes, of course. Sophie, are you feeling well?” Sophie, smiles, but the smile looks painted on her face. “I will only be a minute,” Jacob gets out of the sedan. Ben, watches his father, as he walks to the small food wagon with the red and white striped awning stretched out in front. His father looks happy as the sun and the red and white stripes brighten up the square. How can you not be happy on this day? Ben smiles out at the day, but seeing Sophie sitting beside him staring out through pained eyes gives him worry. Jacob, waits for the three brats and bottles of juice. He wants a beer, maybe wine, but now is not the time. A man bumps into his arm, “Jacob, why are you in my city? Then you don’t come to visit me?” Jacob, turns to see a familiar face, “Sebastian! How are you my friend?” Jacob, put his arms around the man and then steps back to shake his hand. The man is Sebastian Schnell, the caretaker of the stringed instruments of the opera house. He has been a friend of Jacob, for 15 years or more. “You are eating here?” Schnell, looks at the stand with a look of disdain. “Have you lost your sense of taste?” Jacob, glances to his car, which is now under the attention of a policeman. The policeman is motioning for another man to approach the car. “Sebastian, forgive me. I have to.” Jacob turns to his car. “Excuse me, can I help you gentlemen?” “Jacob, please let me handle this,” Schnell puts his hand on Jacob’s arm, “Yes, Herr Oran, good to see you today, sir.” He steps quickly to a man, dressed in an ill fitting sit. Besides not fitting him, the suit is not appropriate for this warm September day. “Herr Schnell. Good to see you, too,” the man in the thick suit says. “There seems to be a problem with this car. Excuse me for a moment I need to check the plate number.”

“I know this car,” Sebastian Schnell says, “at least I know the owner who is right here beside me. Jacob, what were you thinking, parking your car here?” Schnell, gives Jacob, a wink that is unseen by Oran. “Yes, yes, I was buying my son and daughter a brat. They are always hungry. Spoiled. My wife has spoiled them,” Jacob says adding to the charade. He hopes he hasn’t added too much. What if they check papers? How can he explain Sophie? “Yes, of course. Oran are you coming to the opera this weekend? We have a seat for you and your frau or whomever you are bringing,” Schnell adds. Oran, looks confused. He needs to explain that yes, he has need for a ticket but he is not bringing his wife. “Yes, Sebastian, I will need two tickets. Please tell your friend to move the car at his convenience. Get the food first, take your time. Then, of course, he must move it, but when he is ready.” Oran waves his arms like a stage director for Jacob, to precede. “Of course. Thank you, Oran. Take my card, call this number and tell them I told you to call. I will arrange it later this afternoon. I will take care of you,” Schnell, hands the man a card. The man bows twice, and he and the policeman step away. “Get your brats Jacob. Then we talk,” Schnell, waves again to Oran, as Jacob retrieves his order . “Sebastian, can I give you a lift?” Jacob turns to his friend. “Yes, I need to return to my office. But maybe we should go to my house,” Schnell, says, noticing the pale, tired, look of his friend. Jacob, nods as he gets in the car. “You look well, Sebastian,” Jacob steers the car out of the square. “Thank you, Jacob. I wish I could say the same for you.” He turns to see Ben and Sophie enjoying their brats in the backseat. “What do we have here, Jacob? You do not appear to be on a pleasant holiday. The little girl appears to be wounded.” “Is this the way the way to your house? I have only been here once or twice.” “Yes, not far. Turn left here and, head for the river.”

“I’m afraid we have to travel,” Jacob, stops the car to wait for another car to exit the roundabout. Schnell, chooses his words carefully, “Yes, these seem to be difficult times for some people. Now two blocks up. You will see it, it is the brown and white house on the corner.” Jacob, finds the house and pulls the car close to the curb. He turns to Schnell, “Thank you for your help back there.” “Jacob, please bring the children in to clean up. Have a meal with us tonight. You look very tired. Now, I will put your car in the back alley where there is a small garage. It would be better there, I think” Jacob, fights tears that have come suddenly in his eyes. This day has been more taxing than he thought, “I think we can do that. What do you think, children? Would you like to see Herr Schnell’s house?” Sebastian, leads them to the front door, “We live on the bottom floor mostly. It is good for us. No stairs to climb. Here we are.” He opens the door into a small foyer and leads them to the front room. It is filled with a long couch that sits under the window, and two chairs are on the opposite end of the room. One is a rocking chair, with a very large pillow for a seat. Sophie finds this chair immediately. “I love rocking chairs!” She settles into it. “Yes, my wife loves that chair, too. She sits there while she knits. The light is good in the day, as it is now. Please sit, Jacob, anywhere you like. Let me move the cat!” Sebastian, gently nudges a large, over fed, gray, cat from one end of the couch. The cat gives him a hard stare before deciding to move. Ben and Jacob sit down on the couch, with Ben sitting close to his father. Schnell, leaves to call his wife, “Annaleese, we have company.” Moments later, Schnell returns with his wife, a tall, neatly dressed woman, who has a shawl around her shoulders. She wears a dark dress with a tiny embroidered collar. Her hair is worn in a tight bun. Her smile adds to her beauty. Jacob gets up from the couch to embrace her. Her brown eyes flash warmth and goodness.

“Annaleese, so good to see you again. You look lovely as always.” “Ah Jacob, good to see you too. Sebastian didn’t tell me we were having company today.” “So, I will move the car. Be right back,” Schnell says as leaves the room. “Well, we are traveling, Annaleese. I had no way to tell him. We met in the city… I am sorry.” “No, no,” she waves her arms as if pushing something away. “Let’s have a snack and then we talk. Perhaps a wine, some coffee, maybe?” she sees Sophie on the rocking chair. The girl is asleep, but there is a frown on her face. “She is hurt?” Annaleese steps very softly to the rocking chair. She rubs the top of Sophie’s head with soft strokes. “Yes, we have much to do here, I think.”

25

SOFTNESS AND REST

The late afternoon es slowly. It is filled with coffee and cakes, and naps in a room full of soft light from the setting sun. The sun light lays on the bed as if it waiting for company. Frau Schnell fixes Sophie’s bandages and cleans the wound. Then a warm bath and some consoling words from Frau Schnel, followed by another nap for Sophie with the warm sun on the bed. Ben, takes a nap on the couch after a short conversation with Bot, who doesn’t have much to say. After the nap, Ben, finds himself in the parlor while the adults drink the afternoon coffee around the small dining room table in the other room. He can hear Frau Schnell, in the kitchen preparing a meal. He picks up a magazine from the small table in front of the couch. On the cover he sees a picture of women and children. Many of them are carrying suitcases. They appear to be on a trip like he is. He reads the caption under the photo. “We feel safe now. We are treated so well in . We feel safe now,” the captions repeats.” Ben tries to understand what the travelers are talking about. Herr Schnell walks out of the dining room to ask Ben, “Benjamin, that is your name, yes?” “Yes, Sir.” “Would you mind if I show that magazine to your father?” “No. I was only looking at the pictures.” “You see how they justify things, Jacob?” Herr Schnell says as he walks back to the table. He holds the magazine out for Jacob, to see the cover. Ben shrugs his shoulders and settles back into the soft pillow on the couch. Soon he is asleep again. Later, five minutes, ten, he has no idea someone is shaking him. He opens one eye to see who the culprit is who would bring him from this

nice sleep. He sees Sophie, standing in front of him. He thinks it is her, but he could be mistaken. Her hair has been done up into a bun, similar to Frau Schnell’s hair style. Sophie wears a blue dress with lace around the bottom and the collar. Her face is clean. “Shiny”, is the word Ben has in his mind. Ben, stretches his arms, taking a deep breath to catch the faint scent of flowers. Flowers? If Ben were older, he would know that the scent is the perfume that Sophie is wearing. She asked Frau Schnell, if she could wear it. She wanted to feel like a lady just for a moment. “It is time for the meal, Ben,” she says softly. For a late, hasty, meal it was extraordinary. Hot bread, butter, jam, cheese, coffee, tea for Jacob. And the main prize, pieces of roasted chicken served over noodles, a specialty of Frau Schnell. The children had two helpings of this wonderful dish. Ben, had never seen this before. After the meal, after more coffee and cake, Herr Sebastian Schnell, invites Jacob, into his small music room where he practices his viola. Frau Schnell, takes the children back to the living room to show them pictures of her children when they were young. “So, my friend, now please tell me why you are traveling with a daughter that I didn’t know you had, and why you look as if you haven’t slept for days?” “Sebastian, I talk to you as a friend. Do you know what is happening across our country? With the Jews? Now we are told we must leave our homes. They came to Einhofen, the other night and we only escaped because of the graces and decency of the girl’s father.” “The girl, Sophie? She is the daughter of someone important in the town?” “Yes, the Mayor. A good man. I fear that he is either dead or in prison now because of his help.” Jacob takes a moment to breathe, “I, we, had to leave Sebastian. The girl had come toward us. They shot at us, Sebastian. They shot her by mistake. Our own soldiers! As you can see, she was not wounded seriously, but she has pain. She has pain because of me, because we are Jews.” Sebastian, leans forward in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee as he does so. He looks down at the floor, choosing his words, “Jacob, I have seen this here in Dresden. It is everywhere. Many of the musicians in the orchestra, you know many of them are Jews, too. Lately I am seeing empty chairs. No word as to why they are gone. I know of this. I don’t agree with this. That I must tell you now.”

“It doesn’t matter who agrees or disagrees. They are the conductors now.” “Yes, and I am afraid they are tone deaf!” Sebastian, gives Jacob a wink. The two men have a quick laugh. “It is good to laugh, Jacob! Yes, am I correct?’” Jacob, forces a smile, “Yes, my friend.” “So, tonight you stay here and see what the morning brings to us.” Jacob, cannot argue with this proposal.

26

TWO MEN IN A HAT AND COAT

Ben and Bot are up from their night’s sleep. Ben, is awake because Abba, snores when he sleeps. Ben,was too excited to sleep anyway. Very quietly he rises from the blankets and comforter that Frau Schnell, so carefully made up for him on the floor of the living room. He goes to the window to catch the sunrise. Even at this early hour there is some activity on the street. Ben, watches as the beer man sits a couple of bottles on the porch of the house across the street. “Bot, are you there?” “Yes. Of course. I am always here. You know that.” “I didn’t sleep much last night.” “I know. You were talking in your sleep.” “I was? What did I say? I didn’t know I talked in my sleep.” “You know you do. We have talked about this before.” “Tell me what I said,” Ben says, as he yawns. “You were running and making this sound like an animal.” “Yes, now I . The men were chasing me, huge men, like black shadow people. They were running very fast and close to me.” Ben, sees something across the street. He blinks his eyes to make sure he is seeing clearly. Yes, a car is across the street. “I was getting tired and I decided to face the shadow people,” he squints his eyes to see the car more clearly. “You’ve had these dreams before Ben. We have talked about this I think.”

“Do you see that, Bot?” “Yes, Ben. You need to awaken your father…now.” Ben, nearly falls over the blankets as he steps over them to get to his father, “Abba., Abba!Get up. It is the watchers!” “Ben, you are having a dream. Go back to bed,” Jacob, waves his arm above the bundle of blankets he is wrapped in. “No, I am awake. It’s the Nazis. They are looking for us.” Jacob, rolls from the couch and almost falls, as he searches for his glasses. He goes to the window, standing to the side so the men can’t see him. Yes, a car is slowly rolling by the house. Two men can barely be seen in the car. “Get down Ben,” Jacob, pushes Ben to the floor, keeping his eyes on the car as it rolls by. “Get dressed, Ben.” Five minutes later the car has turned around and is stopping in front of the Schnell house. Two men get out of the car and open the wrought iron gate of the tiny fence that Frau Schnell, insisted be erected to protect her small vegetable garden. The two men could be twins. Both are wearing broad, brim hats, and tan, cheap, looking raincoats. It is not raining and the morning is not cold, but this is their uniform. One of the men beats on the front door with his fist. Jacob, is standing on the other side, tucking his shirt in his pants as Sebastian comes down from the upstairs bedroom. He takes a glimpse from the small front window. “Let me handle this, Jacob. Follow Annaleese,” he takes a breath, waiting on Jacob and the children to follow his wife. He opens the door, “Good morning Gentlemen. What can I do for you?” “Yes, Herr Schnell. I am sorry to bother you at this hour,” it is Oran, the man who needs the opera tickets. “Oran! Problems with your tickets?” “No. We are …”

The second man puts an arm on Oran, to gently shove him aside, “Herr Schnell we have reason to believe that you have Jews here. They are wanted by the government.” “They are wanted. What do you mean wanted? And who are you Sir?” Oran, begins to answer for the man but the man says, “I am Rudolph. Gestapo.” Rudolph flashes a badge, then quickly snaps it back in his raincoat pocket, “we have reports from other sections that they have escaped from another town.” “Escaped. Did they do something wrong?” Sebastian doesn’t want to vex this man. Perhaps he has already, but he needs to buy Jacob, time. “Yes they were here last night. They stayed for a meal then the father, who was very agitated, said they had to leave.” Sebastian, is still in the door way, hoping to block the view of the house. “May we come in, Herr Schnell?” Oran says. “Of course. Come in gentlemen. Would you like a tea or something?” Oran, smiles, “Yes, Sebastian, that would be nice.” “No, we are in a hurry Herr Schnell. Did they say where they were going?” the Gestapo man asks as he glances around the house. “Yes, I believe he said something about Nuremberg. Wasn’t that it Annaleese?” Frau Schnell walks from the rear of the house. Sebastian takes a breath. He hopes Annaleese has accomplished her mission. “What is it these people are wanted for?” “We are rounding up all Jews. The ones that are causing trouble for our people.” “And these people are Jews? Annaleese, did you know that our friends were Jewish?” Frau Schnell, shrugs her shoulders. She is too afraid to say anything at this moment. She is having trouble breathing. “Since the troubles in Poland, we are asked to round up more Jews. There may be trouble here as well.”

“Yes, I saw the picture in the magazine. I am sure the German citizens are elated that they were saved by our gallant soldiers,” Sebastian, fights to hide the venom in his voice. He is having fun on the surface, but the sight of this man in his house makes him sick inside, “Well, I hope we didn’t hurt your operation here in Dresden. I had no idea these people were Jewish. How can I tell if I should see more Jews?” The Gestapo man gives Sebastian, a sharp look. He is not a clever man, not used to sarcasm. “Do not take this lightly, Herr Schnell. I know you have a very prominent position but you are not above suspicion.” Sebastian, puts his hands behind his back and rocks on his heels like a school boy does when scolded, “I understand, sir.” “Very well,” the Gestapo man keeps his eyes on Sebastian, “we will be watching this part of the city. If they return you must let us know.” “Yes, inspector. We will do that. And Oran, please, I will be sure to get your tickets. Are you an opera lover Herr Inspector?” Sebastian, winks at the Gestapo man. The man doesn’t answer because he is stepping out the door. The tails of his coat flows behind him like a cape. He is the crusader on to his next quest. When the two men are out of the house Sebastian, turns to Annaleese, “Where are they? Are they gone?” “No, Sebastian. The car will not start. They are still in the garage.” “This would make a fine opera, don’t you think Annaleese?” Schnell, winks at his wife.

27

GOODBYE FOR NOW

Sebastian, walks slowly through his house, heading for the back door. When he steps into his small back yard, he turns his head to the short alley behind his garage, looking for the Gestapo’s black sedan. Satisfied they are not around, he opens the side door of his garage. He usually stored his car here in bad winters, but now he has no car. He sold it a year ago, because he tired of it. Dresden has a good transit system. In the garage, he peers into the window of Jacob’s car. “Jacob, are you in there?” Sebastian says in a whisper. A head pops up, “Sebastian, thank God. I have never been so terrified in my life!” Jacob steps from the car. “Yes, it was a near miss. We will wait for a few minutes and then you must go. I can’t hide you here, Jacob. I am sorry. They will be back. They may be close now.” “That is fine, my friend. I have a place I can go. I just have to get there. I haven’t told you of this place,” Jacob, helps Sophie, from the car. “You can tell me. If you want.” Jacob, runs his fingers through his hair while getting his thoughts together, “You I have told you of the crafted wood boxes I receive from the carver in the mountains?” “Yes.” “I have sent a wooden box to him with a message. I have told him of our troubles and I have told him that I need to bring my son, and now young Sophie, to his place for refuge.”

“Yes. That sounds like a good plan. Go on.” “I am heading there now. I have an address. The name of a small village, where the man lives. For some reason I believe we would be safer in the mountains.” “They have no phones there? No way to talk to him?” “No. These people are very secluded. Very secretive about where they live. I only know this man from his beautiful violins that he sends me to sell. I can’t explain it. We have a bond, like us Sebastian. I believe this man to be a good man. He has to be to make such beautiful instruments.” “I hope this is a good choice for you Jacob.” “What choices do I have? Can I leave ? No. Where do I go? This is my home. Until this problem rolls over our country, I must hide my son, and Sophie. There are few choices.” Sebastian, paces back and forth. He stops for a moment to stare at Ben and Sophie as if he is thinking of another plan for them. As he paces, Frau Schnell, enters through the side door of the garage. “I have to go Sebastian. I have no time for dramatics,” Jacob says calmly. “Dramatics! This is all dramatics. Because you are a Jew you have to hide in a garage while other people go about their lives today. Now you are running off to hide with some man you don’t even know!” “Yes. This is our reality.” “What is this man hiding? Why does he keep so secret?” “I don’t know, Sebastian. Now I must go.” “These violins I have seen them. They are things of beauty. Who can carve wood like that?” “His name is Ignatius Ignob.” “Ignob. What kind of name is that?”

“Well, very unique, like the violins.” Sebastian, steps outside in the alley. He watches up and down the alley for any activity. “I have heard of people who live in these mountains you are heading for. Tribes they call them. Like fairy tales. Myth, if you will. Perhaps this Ignob, lives there with these tribes.” “So, yes, then, I will meet these mythical tribes. They can’t be as bad as the Nazis”. “I hope so. I hope not, I should say. Now Jacob, you must go. me if you can. I want to know where you end up. I will do all I can to get you out of .” “Thank you Sebastian, and thank you Annaleese,” Jacob, gives Frau Schnell a final embrace. Sebastian, goes to Ben, and Sophie, putting his arms around them, “You will be safe children.” “You must wait,” Frau Schnell, runs out of the garage and into the house. Shortly she is back with a bag of food. She hands them the bag of bread and jam, cheese and a bottle of water. “You will need this.” Jacob, gets into his sedan to wait for Sebastian to open the garage door all the way. With a quick shove, it is opened, then Sebastian steps out to the alley to check for cars. He motions for Jacob to back out. There is no time for final goodbyes. “Go Jacob,” Sebastian, motions with a wave of his hand. Jacob, puts his sedan in gear, and with tears in his eyes, he drives away.

28

ALL THAT AND THE WOODEN BOX

On the third evening since they arrived at the high camp in the mountains, Igatius Ignob has lit a fire. He is past exhaustion. The journey from the main village was slow. Two carts broke down from the loads they carried, but nine families made the journey to the high village. Through times gone by, the giants have used this village before. The forest is thicker up here and the small trail is covered with rocks, and many switchbacks, that make it difficult to travel. The trail was made for that reason so that armies of other tribes couldn’t move fast. With the rocks, the switchbacks, and the elevation the nine families had a hard journey. Ignatius being the leader of the small caravan carried the safety of the families on his shoulders. Hard work, long days, and the weight of being the leader has made him tired. Now they are safe and the families are in their old houses. They had to clean them out and repair the wooden doors of the stone houses. In one house, a family of deer had to be removed and in another there was a moment of excitement when a wolf was found and he did not want to leave. He was shot by Aldemar, the archer who traveled with them. Ignatius is enjoying the new fire. He is very proud of himself for having lead this expedition to the safe village. He worries for a moment that bad things will happen, but the heat of the fire and his favorite chair that he brought with him, makes the worry go away. His wife Rosa, is in the woods with other women gathering firewood. It is a job that never ends for the giants. The cold has found them once again and the battle is on with the winter, which is coming soon. Ignatius, is about to fall into the soft, quiet, comfort of sleep when the wooden box somehow jumps into his brain. The wooden box, the one that Rudy gave him before the troubles began. He has forgotten about it. “Ach! There is always something that pulls at a man!” Ignatius pushes his large body from the wooden chair. The wooden box has been placed on the fireplace, forgotten until now. Ignatius, made this box when he was younger, and was just

beginning to make his violins. He made the box to send his violins down to the Tinies, the little people of the village, and to the violin maker in Einhofen. Ignatius, has never met this man, but he feels he knows him. He has seen pictures of the man’s son. Ben, he calls him. The man’s name is Jacob, and Ignatius enjoys the pictures of the son. Jacob, must be very proud and he wants to share his joy with Ignatius. Once Ignatius received a note, sent in the box, with payment for a violin. The note told of the death of his wife. It was a very sudden death brought on by disease. Ignatius, takes the wooden box in his hands, wiping the sleep from his eyes before he turns the brass lock with one of two keys. Jacob, has the other key. Ignatius, opens the box, expecting to see a violin or at least a shell of one.The box contains an envelope. “So what is this?” Ignatius, says to the fire. The burning wood snaps in the fire place. Ignatius, glances to the fire to make sure that no sparks have flown to the floor. He also does this too to forestall opening the letter, which he is afraid to open. It may contain terrible news. Jacob, has never sent the box empty like this. Ignatius, uses the knife that he always carries with him to open the envelope. The letter says:

Ignatius, I write this letter to you with some embarrassment. It is true I have never met you, but I feel I know you to be a good man. A man who carves with such precision and beauty has to be a good and decent man. It is out of this decency that I ask you to please consider giving shelter to my son and myself. For reasons that I can’t understand, I have been forced to leave my village. I would pay you, of course, and do whatever is needed to earn my keep. I fear that we may have to leave soon, or may be on the road when you receive this letter. You may reply if you wish, but I may not receive your reply. I will honor your wishes and feel no recrimination if you choose to not give us shelter.

Respectfully, Jacob Rodenhaus

Ignatius, reads the letter again, going over it line by line to make certain he has missed nothing. His first thought is to let this man come to the village and live with him. What harm would there be? “Ah Ignatius, you are a fool. No outsiders. Never outsiders!” he knows it has always been this way. It is the reason he is hiding with the other families in the Safe Village. The giants have had to live alone, away from the wars, the diseases, the chants, the embarrassment of being so different He stares at the fire, as he ponders the reasons Jacob would have to leave his village. Ignatius knows the reason. It is this new order, the Nazis, they call themselves, the ones who have brought war to the country once again. Why are they forcing Jacob to leave his village? Ignatius, has no answer for that question. What if the man is on his way with his son Ben? The old man Rudy, brought the box to him days before the small battle in the main village. Ignatius, needs to talk to Rosa. She will know what to do. Yes, that is the answer. He will sit back and enjoy his fire now. But he can’t do this because Jacob’s words jump at him. He needs to move now. He has to return to the main village. If Jacob, somehow finds the village, Ignatius, is certain that Jorg, and the Warrior Giants will turn him away or even harm him. He takes a deep breath, taking one last look at his wonderful little fire, then jumps to his feet. The boards creak as Ignatius walks to get his pack. He has to look for his sword, which he dislikes carrying. He is not much good with, it so he never knows where it is. Finally, after spending too much time looking for it, he finds it among a pile of blankets that Rosa has put at the end of the long rope bed. On his journey, Ignatius may meet up with Garrick’s dogs, or other evil creatures in the woods. Soon he is ready. “Rosa, where are you? You are never here when I really want you,” he says to no one. As soon as the words flash in his brain he is sorry he has said them. Rosa, is his rock. He is the craftsmen, the man who can dream up intricate carvings with his hands. She is the one who talks of reason. So he sits back in his chair to enjoy the last of his fire. Again sleep comes to him. “Ignatius, you lazy man get up from there!” Rosa’s voice is coming into his thoughts. Why is she here? Ignatius opens one eye to see his wife standing above him, with clumps of small twigs in her arms, “You were in my dream just now. I fell off my cart. You were cleaning me.”

“Yes, I am always cleaning you. Why are you sleeping? Why is your pack beside your chair?” “You ask too many questions woman. I was waiting for you. I have to go back to the main village. There is a man coming to meet me.” A man? We have had enough men. Who is this man?” “His name is Jacob, he is running from the Nazis like we are. He needs my help.” “He is the man with the wooden box?” “Yes, how did you know that.” “I read his notes and you have shown me the pictures of his son, little Ben,” Rosa puts her arm full of twigs by the fire. She holds her hands out to warm them, “You will be gone a short time I think?” “Yes, just long enough to see him. To persuade Jorg, to let him stay.” “Jorg, may kill him you know.” “Yes, and that is why I must go now,” Ignatius leans down to kiss his wife. He picks up his pack, then places his sword over his shoulder, “I hate this thing.” “Yes, you are a lover, not a fighter,” she smiles and pulls him down to give him another kiss.

29

BRUNO

Bruno Haupmann has been walking for half the morning. Following the directions of the farmer he takes a road that leads to the next town. He knows he looks like a hobo, even though the farmer’s wife let him wash himself in the cold water of the river. He is wearing his bloodied uniform from his escape from the giants and the dogs.His pant leg has a rip in it, from where the farmer’s wife treated his leg wound. Regardless of all this he has to find his unit and report back to Rader. The sooner the better, because Rader, is not a man who tolerates failure or desertion. It wasn’t Haupmann’s fault, not completely at least. It was t. Brainert, the fool who lead them into the trap of the giant village. Brainert is dead. Of that, Haupmann is certain. A short time later Haupmann, is in the next village. The few citizens who him pay him little attention. He is just another battered soldier to them. He finds a bench that sits in the cobble stoned square of the village. The sun on his face feels good, so he has time to think and rest for a moment. “What are you doing here?” Haupmann looks up to see a Wehrmacht Captain standing over him, “I repeat what are you doing here!” Bruno, jumps to his feet. “Sargent Bruno Haupmann reporting, sir!” The words come out automatically, as the salute goes in the air. “Why do you look so haggard? Are you injured?” the Captain asks. “I have been in battle, Captain.” “Battle. What Battle is this? I know of no trouble here.” “No, Captain. No troubles here, but up in the mountains.” “Perhaps you should come with me Sargent Haupmann.”

• • •

It is an hour later when Bruno Haupmann sits in the office of the Captain. He was unfortunate to meet the Captain who was going into the center of the village to have a beer at the gasthaus. The Captain returns from talking to his adjutant, who sits at the desk in the hallway of the small headquarters building. “Now, Sargent Haupmann, please brighten my day. I am very bored serving here in this little village. We are supply here, so we don’t get to participate in battles like yourself. Please tell me of your trouble. I need the entertainment.” Bruno doesn’t say anything for a moment. What should he tell this young man who sits in his soft chair doling out supplies? Should Bruno tell this man of his battles at the Somme, or Verdun? Where God let him survive, as other men died of the gas and the machine guns that cut men into five pieces like so much cheese. No. He will not tell him of those battles. He will not tell this man when he got home his wife was gone. She had gone to marry a man who didn’t fight battles, who delivered the mail actually and was home every night. “So Haupmann, you have gone deaf and dumb?” “No, Captain, I am here talking to you. What would you like to know?” “Let’s start with your unit. What is it?” “I am with the 102nd Armored unit. We are attached to SS.” “Ah, you are serving with the Skull and Cross Bone men.” “Yes, we were sent to a village to find giants.” The Captain lights a cigarette, then pushes the pack toward Bruno. Bruno takes one, and waits for the Captain to push the lighter across the desk.

“Oh, sorry, now tell me. Giants! I am very interested.” “Yes, we were ordered by the higher command to probe the village where these giants were to be.” Haupmann, tells of the entrance into Ignob, and being trapped inside the village. He tells of the largest giant, the one with the flaming red beard, and how he threw soldiers away as if they were rag dolls. The Captain sits in his chair, hardly moving except for the casual, movement of his arm to puff on his cigarette. He has kept his eyes on Bruno, throughout the whole conversation. “So, you were attacked by giants, you say? You are talking of giants as in the fables we read as children. Twenty feet high giants?” Bruno hesitates before giving his answer. He fears this Captain will doubt him or maybe send him to the crazy man unit. “Yes, Sir. One of the giants was at least twenty feet high. He seemed to be the chief, and the best fighter. He is the one that threw the soldiers around.” “Did these giants have pistols or weapons?” “No, sir. No weapons of that kind. Only swords and bows. Very thick, large, bows. They had great size and speed for large men, and they covered ground very fast.” The Captain’s cigarette burns down to his finger. He has forgotten about it until it burns the side of his finger. He winces, then puts the butt out in the ashtray, “Why were you sent for these giants? Why does the high command want these people?” “I wouldn’t know, sir. I suppose because of their size. Maybe the high command wants them to be super soldiers,” Bruno, smiles a little. “And now you are here. How did you escape?” “There were dogs, Sir. They let the dogs loose on our men, and in the confusion I ran into the thick woods. Through luck, I was able to get out of the woods. Then I jumped from a cliff into the river, and a farmer found me later.” The Captain allows himself to slouch in his chair for a moment, losing his

military bearing. “Sargent Haupmann, I will tell you something. I am not a professional soldier. I may act like one, may look like one, but I come from a rich family. I could have stayed away from all this. I find it very amazing that our army has stooped to the escapades you’ve told me about. Now we need giants to help us fight our war! So, I release you to go back to your unit. I could have you punished or reported you as AWOL, but I think I will not do this. I am writer, a poet, a singer of songs as they say. I observe things. So now I am sending you back to this insanity, so that you may find your giants and kill them or be killed by them. I wish I could see the battle when it happens.” The Captain stands, as does Bruno, “Now, please tell my orderly outside to feed you, then find your unit and then he will type out orders, that will say I have heard your story, have found you to be fit for duty and ready to die.” Bruno, comes to the position of attention. He steps back to give the Captain a proper military salute. The man returns the salute with military respect. Bruno, knows this man will survive this war somehow. For that he has to respect him.

30

JORG AND IGNATIUS

Jorg, is not a happy man. His step is slowed because of the bullet that was in his leg. It causes him little pain because to him, it is only an irritation. He was given a crutch, but it lasted only a day. Normal men with such a wound would be in bed. Normal men would expect care from their wives or friends; but Jorg merely growls and mutters under his breath. He has no wife to moan to. He is limping around his shop and muttering to himself when Malmut, one of the warrior giants enters his house without knocking. “Jorg, are you here? Here you are? Yes, I have Ignatius Ignob, at the door. He wants to talk to you.” “Malmut, you are an idiot. What if I was bathing myself? What if, and may my late wife strike me dead, have a woman in here?” “Jorg you don’t bathe much and what woman would have you?” “Bring in Ignat.” Ignatius, is in the shop before Jorg, gets his words out. “What do you want, Ignat? Why are you not up there with your wife, Rosa. A woman any man would die to lie with?” “Yes, this I know Jorg. I would not have bothered you except we have a problem you should know about.” “What problems can I have? We have been attacked by these fool Nazi or whatever they call themselves and one of them tried to kill me. Garrick’s dogs have had a feast with them, though. Am I right?” “Yes, as always, Jorg. There is a man coming to this village. I say coming, because he may not make it. He wants to live with me and my family,” Ignatius,

waits for the outburst watching Jorg, who is behind his bench with his back to Ignatius. After a minute he continues, “This man is a normal man, a Tiny. He is a violin player and musician,” Ignatius says his piece then waits for the strong words that he is sure will come. “Do you know this man?” “I only know him from his letters and his work. I carve his violins for him. I know he has a son and his wife has ed away. Like yourself.” “You know the rules, Ignatius. We allow no outsiders and you know the reasons for this rule.” “Yes, I know. They bring death, sickness and other evil things from the outside. But Jorg, what have we just seen? Death, turmoil, evil, and you have told us it is coming back. This man is a friend of the Mayor, the old man. This man has seen the evil, too. They have driven him from his home. I fear they will kill him, and his family, for unknown reasons.” “Why here? Why does he think we live in peace?” “He does not know of our war. He knows only of his war, and his war spreads all over the world. He only seeks shelter and friendship.” “You are a good man Ignat. You have always spoken with reason, and you are a man who takes care of friends and family. You know if he comes here, he will probably die with us.” “He will die someday.” “Ha, you are a scholar and poet, too!” Jorg turns from his bench and offers his hand for Ignatius to shake, “If this man wants to live with giants, let him come. But once he comes here, he can never leave again. He will be one of us. Maybe he can sing songs for us!” “Thank you, Jorg. Now I must find this man. He may be dead for all I know.”

31

TROUBLES

Jacob has no idea of where he is. He is two hours from Dresden, and by using the map that Sebastian gave him he knows he is close to the mountains. He has kept to the small roads hoping that he will not be stopped for a document check. His documents say that he is a craftsman, a maker of violins, and they say he is a Jew. He has thought about smearing the ‘J’ from his papers, or say that he has lost the papers; but he hasn’t time for that now. He has to keep moving, pushing on to the village in the mountains known as Reinhaus. He knows the name by the return address of the notes that Ignatius sends to him. He is hoping and driving on chance. Ignatius, may live up in a cave for all he knows. He drives on hoping for the best. The sun is in the middle of the sky and it is time for lunch. A small town looms ahead. He will stop there to find some water and let the children eat the food that Frau Schnell gave them. A stop will do them good. “Alright, children, we are stopping. I must ask you to keep very still. Do not talk to anyone unless you have to. I am going into this gasthaus to get water for us, perhaps a bottle of juice or something. Keep low in the car.” Jacob pulls the car off the road next to a low stone wall. The wall is old and weather beaten, and appears to have been built many centuries before, when horses pulled carts and chariots. Another car sits next to Jacob’s sedan. The vehicle is dirty and by the smell, it could be used for carrying feed and dirty farmers around. He goes into the gasthaus dining room. There are four tables, and two of them are filled with locals eating and drinking their luncheon beers. They are farmers from the look of their clothes. The room smells of cooking beef, sauerkraut, and fresh dirt from the farmers’ shoes. Jacob steps to the small counter that separates the room from the small bar and kitchen. An older woman gives him a wary look as she carries a tray of food to

one of the tables. “One minute, please,” she says as she es. Jacob waits, glancing outside to his car. “Yes, Sir. May I help you?” she says on her return. “Yes, I would like some bottled water if you have it, and maybe some bread to take along on our trip. My children are outside in the car.” “You are in a hurry?” “Oh, yes. I guess we are. You see, we are visiting relatives in the village up ahead. I think it is up ahead.” “What village would that be sir?” she says. Jacob does not like these questions but he is trying to be patient. “Reinhaus, I believe it is called.” “You have never been there before?” “No. I’m afraid I am a bad relative.” She keeps her gaze on Jacob for a moment as if deciding something important, “Yes, I will get you the water. We have some bread to sell, too. We make it here in the kitchen.” “Yes, that would be grand.” Jacob attempts to look calm as he waits by the counter. He can’t help but notice the stares he is receiving from the farmers who are sitting at the tables. Jacob, smiles at one of them when he catches the man in mid stare. The man doesn’t smile back. He looks away as if being caught meddling. “Here you are. If you would like, sir, you can eat outside on our little patio. We have chairs there for that reason. I like to sit there in the evening with my wine!” the waitress says with a smile. “Yes, how much please?”

“Oh, let’s see. How about a mark twenty?” Jacob, pays the smiling lady and takes the two bottles and the wrapped bread to the patio outside. He waves for the children to come out of the car. What can it hurt? They need the sun and the air. They will only be for a minute, “Ben, come. Sophie, bring the food too.” Ben waits for Sophie to climb out. She moves very slowly but her leg seems to be getting stronger. At least she is not complaining of the pain. “This is nice here, Abba. The sun feels good,” Ben says as he pulls the wrought iron chair closer to the table. Jacob, helps Sophie with her chair. The sandwiches are pulled from the lunch bag Frau Schnell packed for them. The food makes the day better for a minute. “How far is it, Abba?” Ben, says between bites. “Not far,” Jacob, gives the adult answer. He has no idea. He is about to open one of the bottled waters when a fat man in a uniform comes out of the gasthaus. “Hello. Are you going to Reinhaus?” “Yes, I am going there” Jacob says. If only he had driven on. Now what are they dealing with? “Well I have to tell you that there is trouble up there. Why are you going there?” “I have relatives there. I am going to visit them.” “I see,” the man says. He studies Jacob for a moment before turning to look at Sophie, who is focused on her sandwich, then he gives a quick glance to Ben. “These are your children?” “Yes,” Jacob says too quickly. “Why aren’t they in school? I know of no holiday.”

Jacob is tired. His mind is numb. He has no resource for these questions and the quick answers. He builds lie after lie, “Their uncle is sick. I had to pull them from school. He is very ill and may go soon.” “I see. Well, there are soldiers there in Reinhaus, I saw them go through yesterday. Many of our best troops. They are SS which tells me there might be trouble in the town. You may be stopped so have your papers in order. Now I will go to enjoy my meal. The woman told me you may need directions.” “Yes, well as a matter of fact I have forgotten how to get there. Do I take the next right fork or the left? The map is old.” “You will go to the next small round-a-bout and take direction Reinhuas. It will be on the sign. You will have no trouble. Now, I will have my meal, Heil Hitler!” The words send a bolt through Jacob, making him sweat under his shirt, but he throws his arm to the sky and says, “Heil Hitler!” The man leaves the table to go inside. “Come children. We must leave, finish your sandwiches,” Jacob stuffs the remaining parts of his sandwich in his mouth. Life is pushing him.

32

MORE TROUBLE

When Jacob sees the small roundabout, he feels elated that he is almost there. Only three roads come into it, and there are three little signs in the middle, giving directions. One of the signs reads, “Reinhaus”. Seeing the name of the town calms him. Seeing the name tells him the place is near, it exists. What comes after he arrives is for another day, but for now the good thought is the town is very close. He drives the little sedan with great care through the round-about then takes the direction of the arrow for Reinhaus. Two miles down the road, and around a sharp bend in the road and he sees the mountains. “Abba, do you know these people we are visiting?” Ben, asks from the back seat. “No, Ben. Well, yes, I know this man to be a good man. I guess I know him.” Ben, smiles, “Sophie, are you excited? Sophie, what are you doing?” Sophie, is on her knees looking out of the small rear window of the sedan, “I am watching the car. It is coming very fast.” Ben, turns in the seat and watches with Sophie. Yes, a car is coming very fast, and as it draws closer, Ben, sees the driver is wearing an official looking hat. “Abba, the man is chasing us. It is the fat policeman from the gasthaus.” Jacob, glances to his rear view mirror, to see the dirty car, the same one he saw outside of the gasthaus. He thinks of speeding away, but that is a ridiculous thought. His little sedan is moving at peak speed. Now the dirty car is on his bumper and the driver is waving his hand out the window, pointing to the side of the road. Jacob, sees a small area by the side of a pasture. It is appropriately large enough

for two cars. In the pasture he sees two bored cows standing calmly, watching as his life is unraveling. Ben, sees the cows too, and he is thinking maybe he should be a cow right now. The policeman pulls his car up against Jacob’s. When he gets out of the car, Ben and Sophie watch him walk slowly to their car. He doesn’t look as friendly as he appeared ten minutes ago. He knocks on the window of Abba’s car. Abba, rolls the window down half way. It won’t go any further because it stopped working many months before. Abba, didn’t think to get it fixed. “So. as I was eating my meal my curiosity overcame my appetite. I am afraid I must ask you for your papers, Sir,” the policeman gets right to the point. He is calm, and sure of his authority as he stands over Jacob and his little sedan. “Of course. I must find them. It will only take a minute,” Jacob says, freezing a forced smile. “You should always have your documents, Sir. Our Fuhrer proclaims it!” “And so he has!” Jacob says, attempting to sound interested but his words come off as sarcasm. In the back seat, Ben and Sophie watch this part of their journey play out. “Ben, are we in trouble?” Bot asks. “Yes, Bot. We are. Abba can’t find his documents.” “You should do something Ben.” “What can I do, Bot. I am a small kid. Besides that, I have to pee!” “Yes, Ben. Be the baby you always are!” Bot mocks. “Ben, I know you talk to yourself but this is not the time,” Sophie whispers. Ben looks at her and when he sees the calm, unafraid look in her eyes, he knows what he is going to do. He puts his hand on the door knob, then gently pushes on it.

In the front seat, Abba finally finds his papers and hands them to the policeman. The fat policeman looks them over. His eyes see something he doesn’t like, “Mr. Rodenhuas, I must ask you to get out of the car please.” He steps back, giving Abba room to open the door. As Abba gets out of the car, Ben moves quickly, and with more grace than he has ever done in his short life. Abba, exits his car with legs that don’t want to move. This is the day when his life stops. What will happen to his children? What prison will he go to? All of these thoughts run through his head as he forces his himself to move. As his father gets out of the car, Ben, slowly opens the rear door of the sedan. This distracts the fat policeman for a moment. “What is this? Please stay in the car young man!” “I have to go to the woods Abba. Now!” Ben says, making a pitiful face and jumping around like he has bees in his pants. “Do you have to go now?” Abba says. “Yes. Please!” Ben jumps to the left and right, and the fat policeman is now so flustered that he almost drops Abba’s papers on the ground. Ben, jumps around a few more times, then suddenly he darts toward the the fat policeman, pushing him backward, causing the fat man to fall over Sophie, who has cleverly placed herself behind him. The fat man falls back, his hands in the air, as if he is pulling for balance on some unseen handle. Abba’s papers go flying in the air. Sophie, laughs in delight and Abba looks on in wonder. The fat policeman falls on his back, then his head hits the ground like a heavy rock. For a moment he lies there trying to sort out what has happened to him. This gives Ben and Sophie enough time to jump on him. They hadn’t planned this part of the play, but suddenly it seems like a good idea. Ben sits on the man’s face and Sophie jumps on top of his fat belly. Abba watches this with fascination, as if he is attending a play, but he soon comes to his senses. “Please, children, we must go!”

“God will punish. God will punish!” the fat policeman shouts at the kids. They answer with laughter. Jacob, comes to reality and reaches down to take the man’s heavy club that he has in a leather sling. The club is very heavy on one end, and the other end is wrapped in tape for the gripping. Abba doesn’t know what to do with this club. Should he hit the man? Should he let him go? How hard does he hit the man? His answer his given as the policeman suddenly grabs Ben, and throws him off his fat belly. He is about to grab Sophie by her hair, when Abba brings the club down on his head. The fat man collapses to the ground. He isn’t moving. What do we do now?” Ben says. Abba looks down at the policeman, and then at the kids. “Well, we have done enough I think.” The fat policeman stirs a little, moving his head from side to side and groaning. Then he tries to get up. Like a fish out of the tank, he gulps for air as he crouches on the ground like an old dog that has run too far. “We have hurt him, Abba,” Sophie says, the laughter now gone. The reality of the day has slipped in beside her. “We have to go now. Sophie, watch him. If he stands, do something. Ben, help me,” Abba motions for Ben to follow. “How do you open this thing?” Abba asks as he studies the bonnet of the policeman’s car. “Here, I think,” Ben says. He puts his hands on the handle on the side of the bonnet. One side of the bonnet raises, revealing the engine. Abba peers inside to find what he needs. He pulls a black wire out of the distributor. Of course Jacob doesn’t know this is the distributor, but he knows pulled wires must do something. He puts the wires in his pocket, “Now, we go.” “Ben, do you really have to go to the woods?” Abba asks before they get back into the black sedan. Ben, has already made his way to go, behind a thicket only feet away. Sophie smiles, a little embarrassed, then the smile turns to a giggle. She gets into the

back seat and Ben soon follows. Abba studies the man on the ground, “I am sorry, sir. The times demand these actions.” He gets in the car thinking about what he has just said. As he drives away as fast as his little sedan will go, Abba decides his words should have been stronger.

33

HAUPMANN RETURNS

“Sargent Haupmann, we thought you were dead!” Major Ulrich Rader says with some enjoyment. “No, Major Rader. I am not dead.” Haupmann stands at attention. “The thought ran through my head that maybe you had deserted. But then I said, this is Bruno Hauptmann! He is a leader of men. A man who obeys orders and will run into the thick of battle if so ordered!” Rader is enjoying himself. Hauptmann, has no answer for this. He stares straight ahead, putting his attention on the fly that is battering itself against the window behind Rader’s desk. “Where is your uniform? Where is your weapon?” Rader asks, no longer enjoying himself. The Major sits in his chair like a true military man, his back straight and his shoulders squared. He is a vision of coiled intensity. “I lost it, Sir. I should say, most of it was ripped when I jumped from the cliff into the river. The woods took a lot of it.” “The woods. You mean the woods around the village?” “Yes, where the giants lived.” “So, there were giants? Did they take your weapon?” “Yes, we were trapped. The Captain, if I may speak Sir, was not prudent.” “He led you into the trap, didn’t he?” “Yes Sir. I warned him but he went straight in. They were too powerful. Too strong. They move very fast.”

“Yes. You see, Sargent, sometimes you have to test your men. You hope they will succeed but there are times when you must throw them into the cauldron and see who comes out of the pot!” Haupmann turns his head slightly, as if not understanding his Major. “Stand at ease, Haupmann. Tell me how you escaped. Tell me of these giants.” So, Haupmann, tells his story. He tells of the tallest giant, the red haired, wild bearded giant with the falcon on his shoulder, who threw soldiers around like dolls. He tells of the dogs in the woods and the way they tore into the unlucky dead. He tells of his close escape from the same dogs and how and why he jumped from the cliff into the boiling river below. “How many giants were there?” “It was hard to tell, Major. I saw three, I think. When the red bearded one attacked I was trying to defend at the time.” “They have no weapons?” “Yes, they have weapons. Bows, large bows and they have axes and swords. They are so big, that these weapons are good enough. On that day we were overpowered by them. Because we were trapped, we had no choice but to lay down our weapons.” Rader, stands, then walks very slowly around the desk, and then circles the sargent twice. Finally, he stops pacing to stand in front of Haupmann,. He leans to whisper into Haupmann ear. “How do you think our Fuhrer will react when he finds out that our best SS troopers surrendered to medieval giants?” “He would not be pleased, Major.” Rader, leans in even closer, “You are very correct, Sargent. You aren’t as stupid as I thought you were. Now I want you to prove to me and your Fuhrer that you are a brave man,” Rader, walks away from Haupmann and returns behind his desk. Haupmann, waits for his punishment.

“Now Sargent Haupmann. To prove that you are a brave man, a brave soldier, I am giving you another chance. I suppose the fact that you are still alive and the other men of the patrol are dead or soon will be proves that you are a resourceful man. You will lead the next patrol. It will be a larger patrol. They will have more weapons. You will go back to the giants. You will kill the ones that resist and bring back one or two as prisoners, so we can show our Fuhrer and Himmler the prizes they seek.” “Yes, Major!” “And, Sargent Haupmann, I don’t want to see your body again unless you are leading two giant prisoners by a rope in a triumphant parade.” Major Rader rocks back and forth on his heels, “Or I will see your body on a stretcher being carried down from the mountain headed for your grave. Do I make myself clear Hauptmann?” “Jawohl, Major!” Remaining at attention, Haupmann looks to the window once again. The fly is gone. Haupmann, sees a tiny opening at the bottom of the window, where it had been left open.

34

GIANTS UNDER THE HAY

Rudy Stromberger, has been home for two days since the battle in Ignob, and in those two days he has not slept. He has nodded off after a meal, and when he goes to bed he goes to sleep quickly, but in two hours he is awake. It is the dreams that wake him. He dreams about the giants and men flying through the air. His dreams are in black and white images, like he saw in the Charlie Chaplin movie in Munich once, when on holiday with his wife. The film was funny, and sad, but pleasant to see. His dreams are filled with terror, with no funny parts, and the dreams have been the same the last two nights. In black and white he sees the giants picking the soldiers from the ground, then throwing them against the green,moss covered, wall around the giants’ village. He can still hear the sound when they landed. Some sounded like rocks hitting other rocks as their bodies found their last place of rest. Others screamed out when they were thrown against a tree, where the sharp branches sliced their bodies into two parts. It has been one of these dreams that has pulled him from his bed on this third night home. He goes to a chair in his bed room. It is a clear night, and the stars are out, shining so peacefully in the ink black sky. Rudy, turns from the stars to stare out through his window, where he sees his small barn. The clear night calms him a little. He is afraid of these giants, maybe not Ignatius, his friend, but the others. The people of his village have always feared the giants, but the village inhabitants always felt safe somehow, knowing the giants were up on the mountains and never ventured down to the village. After seeing the ferocity of Jorg and his giants, just the thought of the battle causes Rudy to break out in a nervous sweat. The battle was over so quickly. He was so happy to be led out of the giants’ village, which he knows as Ignob; even though he was sad to say goodbye to Ignatius. Rudy knows that in time these dreams will soften. He can only hope.

As he stares out through his small bedroom window, he begins to doze. Good, yes, now he can return to his feather bed and sleep till the sun brings the new day. He is about to rise from the chair when he sees a tall dark form moving from the edge of the woods to his barn. There is only one living thing that moves with that steady gait. Rudy, puts his clothes on and just as he was calming, the sweat has returned. What can this be? He closes the door of his house very softly. He doesn’t want to wake his daughter. She has been through much worry the last two days. Walking very slowly he crosses his barnyard and looks both ways for any soldiers. They shouldn’t be bothered with him being camped on the other side of town. He enters the barn. “Ignatius, I hope that is you.” From the corner of his barn comes the sound of heavy breathing, sounding more like a bellows than a man. “Yes, Rudy, it is me.” Ignatius Ignob makes his entrance, rising to his full height from in the corner of the barn. “I thought I would never see you again, Ignatius.” “Oh, Rudy, surely not. After all this is over we will be friends again!” “I would not want to be enemies of your tribe.” “Yes, that was a bad time the other day.” “What will happen to those soldiers?” “You know the law of Jorg. Soon they will be seeing their god, I suppose.” “If they have a god. I am glad you are my friend. I am the only man to see the giants and the village and still be alive.” “As you will be for many years. Now we have a new problem to solve.” Ignatius’s words come down on Rudy. The barn is filled with the warmth of the giant, and the scent of his sweat mixes with the straw, the feed for the horse, and the night air. “It has to do with the wooden box I gave you I guess?”

“Yes. The man who sends the box. He is coming here, if he makes it. He wants to live with us. He wants to live with us giants. I think he believes we can protect him from the ones with the red flags. “This is not a place to live, Ignat. I have thought of taking my daughter from here myself. The Nazi are going back up there. You know that I suppose? There will be a battle like no one has seen.” “I know that and I will take this man up to the safe village. We will try to live the best way we can.” Rudy, sits down on a nearby milk can, “Ignatius, I am very tired. I am not ready for another war.” “I know, Rudy. I only ask one thing. Send the smoke signal again as you did before. I need to know when he reaches here.” “Are you sure there will be a town for him to come to? What about you? Do you plan on being alive tomorrow or the next day?” “I don’t plan, Rudy. I survive. Can I count on you?” “The soldiers will be watching my town. They seem to patrol constantly,” He points to the edge of town, where the soldiers are camped, “They are preparing for another attack.” “Yes, I must get back to my people. I will be looking for your signal.” “Ignatius, wait,” Rudy steps over to a small tool box. He reaches in to bring out a bottle of wine, “I keep a spare out here. For when I need a little happiness.” The two friends each take a swig. Then they sit in the silence of the full moon for a while.

35

THE ROAD ENDS

The little black sedan is sick. A rumbling type of sound emits from the front of the car, as it bounces, and rolls down the road. Jacob knows the problem. He has a flat tire. God is truly testing him. He takes a deep breath to calm himself, as he leans his head against the steering wheel. “Is your father well?” Sophie, asks Ben. She leans closer to the front seat to check on Jacob. “I think he is praying,” Ben says. Jacob, pushes off from the steering wheel. “Stay in the car, children. Please.” He gets out of the car, stretching first before he walks around to the front of the car. He sees the right front tire is flat, as suspected. The rubber is hanging from the rim as if a rock or something sharp has torn into it. It is quiet on this road. The birds are singing in the woods not far up ahead. A soft breeze is blowing, and the wild flowers have not given up for winter yet. This makes Jacob feel somewhat better as he walks to the trunk of the car to get his spare. When he opens the trunk what he sees ruins his morning. There is no spare tire. “Do you need any help Abba?” Ben, appears by his side. “I thought I told you to stay. No, there is no spare, Ben. It has been stolen, I would guess. I was too focused on getting out of Einhofen. I didn’t check it.” “So now we walk, Abba?” Jacob looks up and down the road and he sees only wild flowers. Not too far off is the mountains, and he guesses, the village of Reinhaus. They will walk to the village. That is their destination anyway.

“Yes, we walk Benjamin. Maybe we can get a new tire or get this one fixed when we get to the village. Grab your packs. Get Sophie, and bring your coats. We may need them for later.” Minutes later Abba, Ben, and Sophie are walking in a line of three toward the town. Bot is there too, but only Ben seems to know that. “Are you scared, Ben?’ Bot, asks as they walk. “No, Bot. Don’t bother me right now. Sophie, might hear me talking.” “I can hear you, Ben. Why do you whisper to yourself? I don’t mind, though. Is Bot your friend?” Jacob walks ahead of the children, pretending he doesn’t hear the children. He smiles to himself. Bot has been around for a long time. Ever since the mother died, Bot has been in the house and walking with Ben, wherever he goes. It is good to have a constant friend. Ben, doesn’t answer at first. He adjusts his back pack, thinking about what he is going to say. “Yes, Bot is my friend,” he decides to go with the truth. “What does he look he look like?” Sophie asks. Ben, turns to answer Sophie, but Abba has stopped walking, holding his hand up, signaling to stop. They have come around a bend in the country road and the village of Reinhaus is up ahead. So are the soldiers at the roadblock. “Get down here. Now!” Jacob, says in a whisper as if the soldiers could hear them. The three get down in the shallow ditch beside the road. Behind them is the field of flowers and tall weeds. Jacob, studies the field for a moment to see if there is any hope of bying the roadblock. “Sophie, how is your leg? Is it hurting this morning?” “No, not so much. It is only a dull ache now, Mr. Abba.” “Good. You children must be very quiet and stay very low. We are going to the woods up there.” “Do you think they have seen us?” Ben says.

“No, if they had they would have called out for us.” Jacob, looks behind him at the car sitting there by the road. Time is wasting. “We must move now children. Sophie, you get in the middle. Ben, you are in the lead. Stay low and I will be right behind you.” “Make sure you bring Bot,” Sophie, says as she crouches down to begin the journey through the field. They are in the middle of the field, and still the soldiers have not seen them. The going is slow. They are finding it very hard to crawl and stay low and be quiet all at the same time. Jacob, is sweating as he goes. He is a violin maker, a man who sits, and who does not crawl through fields of flowers. Still, he smiles as he crawls. The breeze is blowing and the flowers smell fresh and innocent, if innocence has a scent. He is still alive, he is with his son, and Sophie is a treat to have around. They will make it! They will make it! He knows this. He wants to take his coat off, but he knows he can’t because the soldiers might see him if he stands. So, he decides to stop for a moment to catch his breath and cool off a bit. Ben, does not know that he has stopped. He and Sophie are crawling on and doing an excellent job of it. Jacob is on his back, slowly working his arms from the coat. His body odor is strong, because of this sweating, and the fact that he hasn’t changed his clothes for two days. He did bring another shirt, but it is still in his pack. He is saving it. He finally gets the coat off and is trying to tie it around his waist when he hears the soldiers on the road behind them. They have found the car. Jacob, lies very still among the wild flowers, “Please, God, protect them from the harm that its in this world. Forgive me. Is this the best choice? Is it?” The breeze blows no answers for Jacob. Still he lies there, waiting for the words or a feeling, a sign, maybe a bird coming down from Heaven with a message for him. No bird comes down from Heaven. And, even though there is no answer from his God, he is at peace with the world. He had the answer before he asked for it. The soldiers are moving from the car and across the field. They are heading straight for Jacob, who is staring up to the sky contemplating his last moment. The soldiers are laughing, apparently happy from having something to do.

Roadblocks can be very boring duty. This is what Jacob is thinking as he lies there. How will he die? Will they shoot him as soon as he rises from the ground? Surely not. Men are decent for the most part. They will want to take him somewhere to question him. That is good. This will give Ben and Sophie more time to escape to the woods. Oh, Ben, the child he will never see again. But God has answered his request. The children will be safe because of him. He waits. The soldiers are getting very near. He props himself up on his elbows waiting for the soldiers to reach him. He is on his knees, and his head is barely above the flowers that wave in the fall breeze. It is such a nice day. Jacob begins to cry. He raises his arms, surrendering to this war, to these people who bring the evil to , and the world. Jacob rises from the ground on legs that don’t want to stand. “Stop crying, Jacob. Don’t let them see you crying,” he says to the flowers.

36

THE END OF FLOWERS

Ben is nearly at the end of the flower field. He turns to Sophie. He smiles at her because he has led them to safety. She smiles back at him, giggling a little. Ben, puts his finger to his lips, “Quiet. We must be quiet, Sophie. Where is Abba?” Sophie, stops giggling for a moment. She becomes very still, as she and Ben wait for Abba to catch up with them. There is only the silence around them that is interrupted by the sound of voices from the middle of the field. These are brittle voices, unwanted voices, from men who recite the orders of war. “Get up! Rouse!” “They have found Mr Abba, Ben,” Sophie, says very calmly. Ben, rises to his knees to see better, but he sees nothing except the flowers. As the flowers bend and wave in the breeze, they allow Ben to briefly see the helmets of the soldiers and his father with his hands over his head. They are walking back to the road. His blood seems to have turned hot, and it burns inside his body as he watches his father being lead and prodded by the soldiers. His legs go weak, making him fall on his hands and knees. “Ben! Stop it. Please, get up!”Sophie pleads. Ben, looks at her as if seeing her for the first time, “I am sorry Sophie.” “We must move now. Get to the woods. Get your pack and crawl. They will be here soon,” she pleads. “No, they won’t. Abba, is leading them away from us. We have time,” Ben, says, as he gets to his knees to watch the small procession. Will he ever see his father

again? He is frozen by the thought of life without Abba. Sophie, pulls at him and they begin to crawl. Ben crawls through the flowers, yellow ones, red ones, purple ones, beauty all around him. He should be enjoying this beauty, but he is crawling to save his life. When he gets to the edge of the woods, where the flowers give way to the thorns and bushes he stops to rise up to see where he is. “Bot, are you with me? Sophie? Where are you?” Ben, whispers, as he crawls to the edge of the field. He feels Sophie’s hand on his shoulder and they stop for a moment. “Are you hurting, Sophie?” “My leg hurts, but not enough to stop.” Ben rises just enough to see ahead. Beyond this area are the thick woods filled with towering trees that seem to grow so close that the sun can’t shine between them. Ben goes back on his knees to crawl slowly forward. He looks back to the field and beyond to the road. The road is empty except for their little black car. It is a reminder of the life that Ben had only minutes before. Now that life is over. His father is gone. “We have to go, Ben. Please say something to me. I am afraid.” Ben, turns to her to see the tears in her eyes and her mud stained pants and the smudge of dirt on her face that mixes with her tears. It is at this moment that Ben becomes a man. He doesn’t know this, of course. He is still a child in the face of the world. But it is here that he gets off his knees, and takes Sophie’s hand. He leads her slowly to the edge of the dark woods. “We will be fine, Sophie. We will find this man that Abba is seeking. We will find help. Don’t be afraid.” Sophie, wipes the tears from her dirty face. She sobs quietly, then takes a deep breath to calm herself. The feeling of Ben’s hand on her own makes her feel better. “Do you know where your friend Bot is right now?” Sophie is smiling. It is a weak smile, not very enthusiastic, but a smile.

Ben, returns the smile. “I don’t think Bot likes to crawl through the mud and flowers. I haven’t seen him lately. What a coward he is!” The two kids enter the woods, where they soon have to climb up a steep hill. They have no idea where they are going. Up, seems like a good place to start.

37

ABBA

Abba sits on a wooden chair in the middle of the room. The room smells like cigarette smoke, and body odor. Abba looks around to see that he is sitting in a living room of some family’s house. A breeze comes through the open window and this gives Abba some comfort. The Nazi flag is sitting to his right, just off his shoulder. The flag seems like a live being to him sitting there on its pedestal emitting evil. As he sits, Jacob conjures up a melody in his head. It has to be something soft, with minor chords that will make him feel better. The song will have to be a melody that can take him out of this room. The melody is not coming, so he has to concentrate. A soldier, an officer, by the silver on his collar, struts into the room. “So, what do we have here?” Major Ulrich Rader, says as he circles Abba’s chair. He stops for a moment and sniffs the air, as if detecting a bad odor, “Do you not know of soap, Herr Rodenhaus? Mr. Jacob Rodenhaus, who lives in Einhofen, I believe, is your full name?” Jacob lifts his head to look at this soldier. He starts to say something, but Major Rader interrupts. “Do not speak, Jew.” He continues to strut around the chair. “You smell, as a Jew does. Why do you people think you can live with us?” Jacob, doesn’t answer as ordered. Major Rader, finally sits behind a table that looks out of place in this room. He places his folded hands under his chin, then taps on his cheeks as if thinking, “Why would a Jew drive his little car here to these mountains? To this forsaken place? There is nothing here except these peasants and whatever tribe of barbarians who live up there in those mountains. Why is that, Herr Rodenhaus?”

Jacob, meets the Major’s gaze with his own vacant stare, that is meant to be barren and fearless. “Now you may speak Jew. Tell me some lies.” Jacob, runs his hands down his legs, wiping the sweat from them. He glances down to see if his hands are shaking. He is trying to think of some reason, but failing. He tries anyway. “I make violins. I make violins for many orchestras. In fact the orchestra in Dresden uses my instruments. I was coming here to see a man.” He tells the truth. It is easier. He has always found that to be a better rule than lying. Then you have to tell another lie to cover the first one. It becomes tedious. “Why did you run? Why were you hiding in that field?” Jacob, takes a breath. As he gazes upon this strutting soldier, who hides behind the red and black flag, he is not afraid. This feeling surprises Jacob. “You have already stated the reason Major. You are a Major am I correct?” Rader, lifts his head so that he has to look down his nose. “You are very brave, Jew. Impudent I might add. Yes, I am a Major.” “I am a Jew, yes. As you stated. Would you not run if you were myself? I was caught out in the middle of the country, with no friends, and my car dead. Would you not run if you were a Jew?” Rader smiles, “Well, Herr Rodenhaus, you are wasting my time. You will not see the man you came to see. You will be transported soon to a camp where you will your kind. Let the state take care of you. I have other things to do today.” Rader waves his hand as if he were swiping crumbs from a table top. One of the soldiers takes Jacob by the arm and pulls him from the chair. Before they reach the door, Jacob pulls up, causing the soldier to stumble over his feet. Jacob, manages to turn his head toward Major Rader. “What are you afraid of, Major? Why do we frighten you so?” “You mean Jews? Jews! You don’t frighten me, Herr Rodenhaus. You repulse me!” Major Rader smiles once more, then gives the soldier another wave of the

hand. Jacob is taken out of the house.

38

RUDY AND THE SMOKE

Rudy sits at the same table in the gasthaus where he has sat for the last fifteen years. From this table he can see the very center of Reinhaus, the town he has lived in all of his life. There has been much to see lately with the soldiers camped at the end of the street. As he sips his beer he waits for his friend Albert. The two men have met on this same patio for those many years. They have only missed two occasions. The first was when Albert had the gout so bad that he couldn’t walk. The second missed day was when Rudy’s wife died. Rudy, spent it at her bedside. But the next day he was sitting on this same chair, on the small outside patio of The Gasthaus Anna, named after the buxom woman that first owned it. As he takes a slow pull from his beer stein, he happens to glance toward the soldier’s area. The leader, Major Rader, has taken over the house of the widow Steffnel, who spends most of her time at her daughter’s house since the Nazi soldiers have moved in. It is from his table that Rudy sees a man being pushed across the square of his village by two soldiers. They are urging the man across the street to a barn. From where Rudy, sits he can see that the man has his hands tied behind his back, as if he were a criminal. Why would this man be taken like this? Who is this man? In a very short time Rudy turns to see a black sedan rolling very slowly down the street. A soldier drives the car, and he is smiling and shouting to the other soldiers who walk by him. “Look at my new car. The poor Jew didn’t have a tire. I found one! Look I have a new car!” Rudy, watches this parade over the top of his beer stein. As the car rolls by, he takes note of the plate on the back. Rudy takes pride in knowing the numbers and prefixes of the cars and where they are from. By this plate he sees it is from the south in the wine country, maybe around Nuremberg or not far from there.

“What are you doing Rudy? You look as if you are solving the world’s problems,” it is his friend Albert, taking a seat across from Rudy. Instantly a beer is brought to him by Rudy’s daughter. “Thank you Fraulein Anna. Ah Rudy, why is she not married? Such a beauty.” Rudy ignores his friend. He watches the sedan as it rolls to the end of the road and turns into the soldier’s camp. Whose car is this? “Yes, the man from the south. That is the man Ignatius told him about. He is the man with the wooden boxes. Rudy turns his head to stare to his friend. He is surprised to see him. “Rudy, have you suddenly gone deaf? You always were a little thick, but this…,” Albert says taking a long swig of his beer. “Albert, I must go. I am sorry. I have to go to my house.” Rudy not wanting to waste a good beer takes a long swig, then leaves his money on the table, “Auf Wiedersehen, Albert.” “Yes Auf Wiedersehen, you old fool,” Albert, shakes his head. It is a fine morning and his beer is fresh. Rudy, walks quickly to his house on the edge of town to go to his wood pile where he searches for the wettest wood in it. When burned, this wood will give off much smoke and he needs smoke to signal Ignatius. Within ten minutes, the smoke is rising over Reinhaus as Rudy waves a blanket over the fire, sending the white smoke out through the chimney in patterns. He hopes Ignatius, is watching for the signal.

39

IN GARRICK’S WOODS

Ben and Sophie walk out of the flowers and into the woods. They go deeper and deeper, and with every step daylight seems farther away. The ground seems to be rising under their feet, as they go up, walking toward a destination that holds unknown dangers. They walk in silence, both lost in their thoughts, hiding their fear from each other as a consideration. They know only that this place, their destination, is away from the soldiers. The silence of the woods overwhelms them. And, although they don’t speak of it, the silence fills them with dread. The dark woods surrounding them brings on more dread. Without speaking they both stop at the same time. “Sophie, are you good?” Ben says as he turns to her. “Yes, Ben. Fine,” Sophie says. The breathless quiver in her voice tells Ben, she is not fine. He turns to her, putting his hand on her shoulder, to help her sit on a nearby stone. Ben, sits beside her searching for words to say to her that will make her day better. As he looks around at the darkened woods, the clinging roots, the creeping bushes, and the large hole that beckons to them just ahead, he can find no words of comfort. “I will never read Grimm again. This place is just like those tales that those brothers wrote. They must be very unhappy people.” Sophie, turns her head, looking at him as if he suddenly appeared. “What did you say? How can you talk of fairy tales when we may be dead before this day is over?” “Yes, you are right.” Ben’s words trail off as he gazes along the dim trail that leads to who knows where. “I think Abba will be all right,” she says.

Ben, looks to the ground, acting as if he is very interested in a rock lying there. He is actually trying hard not to cry, “I appreciate your words, Sophie.” “This hill is very steep. Maybe there is light at the top.” Ben, looks up the trail to see more thick trees that block out the sun. “Are you hungry, Ben?” Bot. From out of nowhere it is Bot. “I see you have returned. Where have you been?’ “I have been here, Ben. Do you think Abba, will be alright?” “How should I know, Bot. I have to keep walking now. Do you have food? I suppose not.” “No. I think you should find something in these woods.” “Good, Bot. Where do you think I should find this food? Look at this place. It is so dark how could anything grow here?” “Think, Ben . What grows in dark places? What is your favorite food with butter on it? Fried, I think is how you like it.” “Bot is here. You are talking to yourself again,” Sophie says from close behind. Ben, makes a face. He is embarrassed a little. Why not just live with it? “Yes, Sophie, I am talking to Bot. Now get your mind on things. Look over there.” He points to a spot up ahead. A crumbling, dead tree lays across their path. From the abundance of the moss on it the tree appears to have been in this forest for a very long time. Ben, walks to the relic of a tree and bends down to peer at something on the ground. “Hah, I knew it! Mushrooms!” He finds six fat, large, mushrooms just waiting for him to pick. He bends down to pick them. “Ben, do you hear that?” “Yes,” Ben picks the mushrooms, then places them very carefully in his pants

pocket. He gets to his feet, watching as Sophie does, from right to left, up and down the hill. Something is running toward them. “Sophie, do you think you can squeeze inside this log? I think it is hollow enough for us to hide there.” The running steps are getting close to them. “Ben, I don’t know,” Sophie looks at Ben, then at the log. “Go now, Sophie,” Ben says very calmly. He surprises himself with his calmness. Sophie, crawls inside the log with Ben, right behind her. Cobwebs grab at their faces as they crawl as fast as they can go, heading into the dark log. “Ugh, it’s wet in here, Ben. Something is crawling on my arm!” Sophie, whispers to Ben. They hear sniffing, snorting, fast little steps. It is an animal of some kind from the sound of the steps. The animal is panting, as if it has been running for a long time. It stops near the log where they are hiding. The animal pants, standing very still, listening to the woods. Inside the log, Ben and Sophie hear another sound, coming through the woods. Many running steps and dogs barking. But these are not ordinary dogs. This sound is something ancient and primal. The animal closest to the log runs away. Ben reaches out in the darkness of the log for Sophie’s hand. When he finds it, he holds her hand tightly, as the running animals are on them. Outside the log they hear some sort of animal squeal, like it is in pain. They hear the dogs growl and snort, rustling in the leaves. From inside the log, Ben and Sophie hear the struggle as the dogs fight over the dying animal. Ben feels Sophie’s fingers tighten around his hand. Her fingers dig into his hand, hurting him, but he can’t make a sound. They hear heavy steps coming toward them, the sound of a man walking. He says something to the dogs in a language they don’t understand.

Ben and Sophie cower inside the log, afraid to breathe or to even move a finger to wipe away the errant cobweb. Through the rotting sides of the log they hear the dogs snarl at each other, apparently fighting for the morsels of the fallen animal. The snarling stops shortly after, and the dogs root around the old log. The loud sniffing and rooting of the animals make Ben and Sophie draw back further into the log. The dogs grow more frantic, their growling more menacing. One or two of them attempt to get inside the log, but they are too large. The man says more words in the strange language, then laughs to himself. He continues to laugh as he bends down to look inside the log, then seeing Ben inside, the man picks up one end of the log. Inside pieces of rotting wood, rocks, and twigs fall into the faces of the children. They try to hang on but they are sliding out. “Ben!” Sophie calls out. Ben can’t answer. He is paralyzed by fear. He is slipping and falling to the end of the crumbling log. It is too rotten and old to withstand this torture. Ben and Sophie fall to the ground, when the log breaks apart in the middle. The dogs descend on them. Only the sound of the booming voice of Garrick the Giant calls them off. Ben and Sophie lie on the ground, motionless, frozen, waiting to die. Garrick says more words, which sound more like guttural noises than words. The dogs back away further. Ben feels the breath of the giant as he stands over them. This is not happening. This will go away. They are only having a dream. They are asleep in the log. No. They are alive. Ben feels the damp air of the woods and the hot stinking breath of this giant as he towers over them. He doesn’t want to, but Ben looks up to get a better view of the giant. What he sees takes his breath away, and he cannot speak when the monster shouts down on him in the strange primitive sound that is his language. The giant seems to be speaking German, but Ben hardly recognizes the words. “Ben. I call myself Ben,” Ben offers up. The giant makes a mocking sound, imitating the tone of Ben’s voice. Sophie laughs. She can’t help herself. A minute before she thought she was dead. Now she is alive. She is hearing a cartoon, like she’s seen at the cinema in Nuremberg. It is Micky Mouse from United States talking to her now! She, too,

looks up to see the hairy man. He is so tall that his head seems to be touching the surrounding pine trees. She is aware of the dogs that are near, waiting to pounce on her, she can smell their hot breath, and their dirty fur that is full of mud, dirt, and old moss. The giant mutters words at the dogs. The dogs stop, staying low to the ground, snarling and growling as they obey their master. “Argha! the giant prods them with his large foot, throwing rocks and mud on Ben and Sophie. Before they can even realize the audacity of the moment, the two children run to stay ahead of the big foot that stomps the ground behind them. As they run, Ben and Sophie fall, but the tremors of the stomping feet behind them, get them up quickly to run forward. Ben hears Sophie laughing, hysterically, out of control, then her laughter turns to crying. Ben feels the same way. They are going to die, soon. He is sure they are going to die.

40

IGNOB VILLAGE

Garrick the Giant, stomps into the main street of the village of Ignob. He growls to himself, and scowls at everyone who sees him. He is unhappy that he has to bring these two Tinies into the village. He is only happy when he is alone with his dogs out in the thick woods and roaming free. He goes directly to the house of Jorg, with the other giants following him. Several steps behind him, Sophie and Ben are being urged on by two of Garrick’s dogs. They are in a half run, almost collapsing. When they finally stop Ben and Sophie lean on each other for . “What have you Garrick? What have you brought us? Pets?” one of the Warrior Giants calls out. Garrick, gives the giant one of his baleful stares as he strides to Jorg’s house. Jorg, is waiting. He hears all and sees all in his village. Especially now that the village has a new enemy. He holds the door open for Garrick, and points to his workshop. Garrick holds the door open to wait for the children. With their feet dragging, they go where directed to Jorg’s workshop. In the middle of the shop is a table so tall that Ben and Sophie can only wonder what is on the top of it. Before they can think, Jorg has swooped down with his hand and lifted them up to the table. They lay there, sprawled in the middle of the huge table that seems like a house on its own in the middle of this room. Even though they are on the table, they have to look up to Jorg. Ben, is the first to stand. He turns to face the red bearded, mongrel of a man that is Jorg. The giant chief wipes sawdust from his beard as he studies Ben and Sophie. “They look like tiny urchins that you’d find in the middle of a pond!” Jorg says in German. He looks at Garrick and the other giants in the room and gives them a wink. He turns to Ben and Sophie then gives them a growl just for the drama of

it. “And you Garrick. You could use a wash in the pond. You reek, my friend. Your dogs smell better than you!” Garrick has to stoop in this room, for he is taller than Jorg. He is thicker and broader at the shoulders with legs built for climbing and running at great speed. Looking at his legs, the children are reminded of tree trunks. “You want me to protect your village or spend my time bathing in the sun?” In his native tongue, Garrick says to his chief, “I am sorry if I offend you, Jorg.” “So. Are they from the village? How did they get by your dogs?” “My dogs were about to rip them when I came along. I am feeling generous today, so I thought I would bring them to you.” “Can they speak? They seem so tiny down there,” Jorg shouts to the room. His voice is loud, almost like a thunder clap and when he speaks down at the kids Ben has to steady himself. “Yes. I can speak,” Ben says. His voice is like a whisper in this large room. He says it again, “I can speak.” “Good, tell me what you were doing in Garrick’s woods.” “Running from the soldiers. They have taken my father to a bad place. They were coming after us,” Ben shouts up to Jorg. Jorg rubs his long beard, causing pieces of wood and sawdust to fall out of it and fall on the table and onto Ben and Sophie. Sophie makes a face showing disgust, then brushes the pieces from her body. “Yes, they are here. Getting ready to attack us I fear. Why did they take your father?” “Because he is a Jew,” Ben shouts back. He sees no reason to lie to this giant. For some reason he feels that this man can help him and Sophie. “You don’t live in the village down there? Why were you coming to this place?” “My father is trying to find a man. He makes violins and he lives around here.

Maybe in Ignob, a village that is supposed to be close to here. Jorg, gives Garrick a knowing glance, “What is this man’s name. Say it.” His name is funny, like Ignot or Ignatate.” “His name is Ignatius Ignob and he is a good man who makes violins. This is the man that sent the box to your father,” Jorg turns to Garrick, “Send me one of the giants. Send me Anatole, the archer.” Garrick lumbers out of the room hitting his head on the door frame as he leaves. He grumbles to himself. No sooner has he left the room than another giant enters the room. He is smaller than Jorg, but still very tall. Almost 7 feet. This giant has a smile on his face, the smile broadens when he sees Ben and Sophie. He walks with a limp as if his feet hurt him. “Ignat, you are a magician. I was about to send for you,” Jorg says. “I saw smoke from the old man down in the village, so here I am. There is trouble. Now I see some of it is here on your table. “You know these children?” Ignatius peers down, studying Ben and Sophie, as if he might have seen them sometime in his life, “No, Jorg. I have not seen these children before.” “I ask you again. Why are you here? You should be with your lovely wife.” “I need to go to the old man again. I saw his smoke. The signal for trouble in the village.” “I sent you to the Safe Village to protect them. Now you are here again. You are a good violin maker but as a soldier,” Jorg shrugs his shoulders, “what good are you dead? The battle will be here soon. I need warriors here, not sore footed violin makers.” “My father could be dead,” Ben yells out. The giants turn to look at Ben, acting as if he had just entered the room.

Ben sits in the middle of the table, with his arms folded as he sits observing the giants talking. “You are the son?” Ignatius says. “Yes.” “I will go to the village. I will get your father.” Jorg, begins to laugh from deep down in his stomach, “Ignat, you are a fool. As I said, you are a good man, but not a warrior.” “I go. If I don’t…. well, I will not be a good man.” “You will have to kill Ignat. Have you swung a sword lately?” Ignat shrugs, “I go now.” Another giant wearing Warrior Leathers, his arrow quiver across his shoulder, enters the shop. “Anatole, go with Ignat. I think you go at dark. Giants do better at night. Stay in the trees.” “You children, you will stay here with Jorg,” He will tell you tales of his bravery I am sure,”Ignatius says to the children. Then he is gone and the archer follows him.

41

IGNATIUS IN THE VILLAGE

Rudy, the old man, sleeps on the edge of the woods. He has been here since the evening meal. His daughter told him to stay in the house, but he went anyway. Now he waits, knowing that his friend Ignatius will be here soon. He sleeps the dozing sleep that old men master in late life. They sleep, but they listen to the world around them so death doesn’t sneak up to them. It is a calm night here at the edge of the woods. It is a peaceful place, like an island between war and the noise men make preparing for war. Here, there is peace among the shouts, the commands, and the prayers that men say before they go to battle. Rudy enjoys the quiet, and the soft song of the evening breeze, and even the sound of his own breathing. He is still alive! His enjoyment of life is interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps coming very slowly down the mountain. As he waits for Ignatius, he looks toward the village, his village, and he hears the sound of an engine revving up and down. Rudy, knows it is the sound of a tank engine clearing its throat before the battle. Rudy, takes a breath as he turns to see the large shadow approaching. By the sound of the steps he knows it is Ignatius. But there is another sound, heavier footsteps. Someone is coming with Ignatius. This would be a Warrior Giant. Rudy hasn’t seen many Warrior Giants. There has been no reason for them to come down from the mountain. “Rudy my friend. I come again,” Ignatius says, kneeling a bit so that Rudy can take his hand. “Ignatius, I am sorry. They have taken your friend I think. It is the man with the boxes, I am sure of it.” “Yes, his son is in the High Village now.” “God, how did he get there? The dogs!”

“He was blessed by the gods, I think. Garrick was in a good mood.” “Who is your friend?” “I am Anatole. The Archer, sent by Jorg.” the giant says in clear German. He says the words in a dramatic manner, like he is on stage. “Yes, Anatole. Good to see you,” Rudy reaches up to shake the offered hand. His hand is lost in the Archer’s grip. Ignatius, looks out past the small field and to the village, “I can hear them. They are preparing for something, a battle maybe. Tomorrow, I would guess.” “Yes, we must act soon if we are going to act.” “Rudy, you must go back to your village. It would be best,” Ignatius says, smiling down at his friend. Rudy, hesitates for moment. His fear tells him to move, but his decency as a friend makes him stay. “Go now. We will send for you later when this is over.” Rudy, takes a step into the clearing. “Let me lead you around to the other side of the village. I know some trails. Then you can start. I know which building your friend is in.”

• • •

As the shadows grow and night finally falls, Ignatius, Anatole, and Rudy go very slowly to the other side of the village. This is the where the soldiers are taking up residence in the field next to the Mayor’s house. This is Rader’s headquarters. Across from this building is the barn, Rudy’s barn, where he once kept his horses and plows when he was a farmer. He had made it large so he could keep his horses in it. He had always wanted to be like a cowboy, like from America, but he never got around to buying a horse.

It is difficult for the two giants to stay low and under the trees, especially Ignatius, who is not trained for this sort of thing. Anatole, is the hunter and warrior and all of his senses are on alert. They go on very slowly and as quietly as they can. After ten minutes, Anatole says it is time to rest. They are at the edge of the village. As they take their little break, Rudy says, “So, how will you get this man from the barn?” Anatole looks out from his hiding place, using both hands to part the thick bushes and shrubs. “Is the barn good?” “What do you mean Anatole?” Ignatius whispers. “How is it built?” Rudy looks at the two giants, then suddenly realizes that he should be the expert here, “Well, I helped to build it with the help of some others. But that was many years ago.” Anatole, studies the structure even though it is hard to see now with the darkness, “It appears to be leaning.” “Yes, I have noticed this, too,” Rudy says. “So, we can help that lean, can’t we Ignat?” Ignatius, has taken his boot off and is rubbing his left foot, “Yes. What did you say?” Rudy says, “He wants you to help him push the barn down.” “Yes, yes, the barn is leaning. It is not built well. I heard all of that.” “So here is the plan.” Anatole the Archer explains the simple plan. It is close to ten ‘o clock when Anatole draws back on his first arrow. When he feels the full tension on the bow, he lets it go. Within seconds the arrow goes through the heart of the soldier that guards the barn. He falls to the ground. The world hears nothing as the man dies.

“We go now, Ignatius,” Anatole says. He is already on his feet and moving quickly from the edge of the woods. This is the part of the plan that worries him the most. Giants aren’t well advanced in being stealth. Stalking a deer is many ways different than stalking a soldier who has a weapon at his side. Slowly, Anatole, steps to the side of the barn. Because it is old and in bad shape, there is space between the boards, making it very easy to see inside the barn. Anatole, has to lean very low, getting on his knees to see inside, but he has good luck. To his right, there is the man they have come to save. He is slumped over in a chair with ropes around him. He has been roughed up by the soldiers it seems as there are bruises on his face. By the sound of his snoring, he is now asleep.” What else is there to do when you are tied to a chair?” Anatole says to himself. He waves for Ignatius. It is time for the hard work. “Put your back to it Ignat. This should not take very long.” The two giants lean against the barn, and their heads rub against the sagging roof. “I have a nail in my back! Ignatius says. “Quiet, Ignat. Push! Push!” The barn begins to creak as the weight of the giants press on it’s sides. “A little more, Ignat.” The barn moans as it moves to the North as the Giants push from the South. “Stop now, Ignat. Wait a second.” Anatole stands to listen. The soldiers are still in their tents, the guards not around. He turns and puts his hands under the nearest board to pry it off of the barn. It comes off very easily since the nails are old, and the wood is tired. He looks inside to see the man in the chair, who is now awake and looking right at him. Anatole puts his thick finger to his lips. He tears off another board, then reaches inside with his long arm, to slowly wrap his fingers around the chair leg. He pulls on it. The man seeing what the game is, pushes with his legs to help Anatole. The chair and the man are heading for the opening. When the chair gets to the opening, Anatole says to Igantius, “Now, Ignat, push harder. Bring it down, man!” Ignatius Ignob, the giant with the tender feet, does as told and pushes with all of his giant strength, which even for a giant with tender feet is very formidable. The barn seems to moan as the giants push on it, and with one last burst of strength

the barn begins its fall. At first it moves in an easy manner, falling slowly as if a giant hand is pushing it, which it is! Just as it falls flat to the ground Anatole pulls the chair with Jacob Rodenhaus toward him and from the wreckage. His ropes are taken off very quickly and the giants, without introducing themselves, drag him to the woods. Once there, Anatole kneels down and Ignatius puts Jacob on his shoulders. Jacob, looks surprised but not shocked that two giants have saved him. He is too happy to be afraid. He is free. He says only a few words, “Are you Ignatius?” The sound of the falling barn draws the soldiers from their tents. As they shout and point in different directions, the giants have made it to the other side of the village and are headed up the mountain.

42

RADER

Major Rader, is not happy. His tunic is half buttoned and, his eyes are puffy. His undershirt hangs out of the bottom of his tunic, and his belt is not completely tightened. His step is not as sharp, and he seems to stumble slightly as he walks around the rubble of the fallen barn. “He was killed by an arrow. I find this very odd, don’t you Sargent Haupman?” “Yes. Quiet and efficient I would say, Major,” Haupmann says. He follows Rader, as he walks around the rubble of old wood and rusty spikes, which have been ripped from the wood as the barn fell. “And the Jew is gone. I find that more than odd. I find that unacceptable.” Haupmann, follows but says nothing. He looks around at the other soldiers, who are in formation awaiting orders. “How can a barn fall like this? I heard no tanks, no machines tonight. Did any of you men hear an explosion?” Rader turns to look at his men.“No? I am not a man who believe in myths. Did you find any signs of this ambush Haupmann?” “Yes, Major, we found tracks, very large tracks, heading for the woods. I would say tracks of giants.” “Yes, Giants. That was my thought, Haupmann. How did they know the Jew was in this barn? Why did they even rescue the Jew? Personal reasons? A connection with someone in the village maybe, Haupmann? I want you to wake up the village and bring them all out here now.” “Jawohl Major. First squad fall out. Take the far side of the village. Second squad, you will take the rest of the village. Bring them here within ten minutes. If they refuse we will burn the village down!” Haupmann, looks to his Major for

confirmation of his orders and Rader gives a nod of approval. With his hands behind his back, Rader, waits, and watches. Within ten minutes the village is standing in front of Major Rader. The soldiers have lined the people of the village, all 124 of them into an orderly formation. Some are dressed, but most are in their night clothes. The children are still in their pajamas, but they wear shoes so they don’t catch cold. They stand before the soldiers, and the gaze of Major Rader, clinging to one another. The men of the village try to appear brave. Some men look angry and confused as to why these soldiers, these protectors of their country, would bring them out of their beds to stand in shame like this. “Tonight, if you don’t know of this event,” Rader turns to point to the rubble, “this barn was brought down. A destruction of German property is a small crime. But what is the larger crime is the fact that a prisoner of my army was taken from the barn. He was an enemy of the state. A man who fled from another town,” Rader says calmly. As he speaks, he looks at the people who stand in the front rows of the crowd. Some of them meet his eyes and try to appear interested. Others appear sleepy and bored, with maybe even a hint of frustration that they have been awakened. Tomorrow they have to work in the fields or run their shops. Major Rader, throws his head back, just a bit for the dramatic effect of his next words, “I am sorry to say this. But action will have to be taken. Now! We are in a war. Whoever has done this has committed treason against me, against our country, against our fuhrer. So, if you know anything about this event please step forward. Your information will be used wisely and if you are innocent you will not be harmed.” Rader, takes a position directly in front and center of the village formation. He waits. The people of the village stand still. They stare back at Rader with blank expressions on their faces, attempting to hide any guilt or knowledge. No one steps forward. All are innocent. Rader paces back and forth and waits for another five minutes. The silence is unbearable. For every second of silence, questions remain unanswered and the patience of Major Rader is reaching an end. He takes a deep breath. Waits. Nothing. No steps are taken from the village formation. “Hang two.”

“Please repeat, Major. I want to be clear.” Sargent Haupmann turns to his Major. “Choose two from the village. Hang them at daybreak.” Rader, says, with no more feeling than if he had told Haupmann to bring him a loaf of bread. He walks away from the scene. His steps are deliberate, like his orders. Haupmann follows the path of his Major as he walks away. He is waiting for maybe a wink, or a turn around with an addendum to the order. There is no wink, no turning around with a change of order. Haupmann, hiding his confusion, and misgivings about this affair, turns to the formation of the village. Now the women and men have taken on looks of fear, of utter disbelief. One woman falls to her knees putting her hands together in prayer. Her husband kneels beside her to calm her. How to decide? How do you choose for hanging? Haupmann wrestles with this question as he studies the faces of the people. He will choose two men. It will be easier. He points to a man who looks middle aged. The man wears a mask of brave defiance. Yes, it will be easy to hang this man. He is brave. Haupmann, doesn’t want a screamer. Then he chooses the next man. He will need an older man. Again, easy to kill an old man. He will have lived his life. He points to Rudy. High on the mountain side, hidden in tall thickets, Ignatius has been watching the events of the village. The lights of the torches and a small light in the yard of the Mayor have given him all the light he has needed. Anatole and Jacob Rodenhaus are most likely in the Safe Village with Jorg. He has stayed behind to see the consequence of their raid. When he sees Rudy step forward, when he sees the woman drop to her knees, he knows what has happened. Ignatius is tired. His feet are hurting. He wants to be home by his fire. It will be some time before he can rest. He needs to catch up with Anatole and Garrick. But there is work to be done, before they can take the violin maker back to the village named Ignob.

43

DAWN

Rader, awakens and feels well rested with but three hours of sleep. He was hoping to hear a knock on his door, but no knock came. The village remains silent. They know nothing, or at least they pursue the charade of knowing nothing. He straightens his uniform and smiles at himself as he looks at his reflection. He can hear his mother’s words when she first saw him in his new tailored uniform, with the skull brass on the shoulder. She was so proud of her son,“You are giving your life and our pride and joy to the fuhrer. We are so proud, Uli.” That was her nickname for him and she was the only person who ever called him that. To his men, he is Major Ulrich Rader, the steel man. Efficient, ruthless when needed, and a brave leader who leads into battle. This morning will add to his legend. This pleases him as he walks briskly from his quarters to the village square. In the square are two freshly built, wooden, gallows. They are not very high, or grounded with cement. In the center of the village are but two, thick, pieces of wood, standing in bases also made of sturdy, thick wood. It is a strong gallows made by two local carpenters, who had to work all night. Rader, looks on as Haupmann stands at the base of one of the gallows, waiting for his morning orders. “Very good, Haupmann. Let’s get on with this business.” Haupmann, nods to two of this soldiers, who step off briskly to retrieve Rudy and the other unfortunate man who was picked. Rader, stands in the new sunlight as the sun has risen to look on this spectacle. As he looks at the houses he can see the curtains moving as the people peer out. In a short time, the two soldiers lead Rudy, and the other man to the center of the village. Rader, points to the first tower where Rudy is left by the soldiers. The

other man is taken to the second tower. “Where are the ropes, Haupmann?” Rader says. “They are coming. We couldn’t find good rope last night.” “Very well. We can wait,” Rader says as he gazes over the village, waiting for a door to open, perhaps, for a man or woman to come forward to confess. He stands in the relaxed position of At Ease, in military . His hands are folded behind his back, his feet spaced apart at the exact length specified in the field manual. The events are out of his control now. He has set them in motion and there is no turning back. Two strands of rope are carried out by a man from the village. The man hands the rope to Haupmann. Haupmann, notices that the man’s hands are shaking. As he backs up, almost bowing, the man from the village looks into the eyes of his friend Rudy. There are tears in Rudy’s eyes as he nods to him. He is ready to die. He is the guilty man, but only he knows this. The ropes are tied at the end with the noose knot, the hangman’s knot, which Haupmann has tied. He is hoping that the knot will hold. He has never executed a man before. The ropes are thrown easily over the towers because the towers are tall enough to get the men off their feet, but not too high to throw a rope over. “Do you want one at a time Major?” Haupmann says. “Him first,” Rader points to Rudy. Rudy is pushed gently to his gallows. The rope is put around his neck. He sees every strand of it as it es by his eyes. “Do you want his hands tied behind his back?” Haupmann asks again. “No. Let him struggle. Maybe it will loosen their tongues.” “When you are ready, Major,” Haupmann, says as he stands aside from Rudy and his gallows. Two soldiers have taken station at the end of the rope, ready to pull Rudy off the ground. The birds in the trees sing a morning song, as Major Rader’s arm slowly

rises. Two arrows, coming from hidden bows, fly through the air and each one finds a home in the neck of two soldiers. Before the soldiers can react, two more arrows fly from the woods, taking three more soldiers down. One arrow goes through two men, who are standing close to one another. As Rader looks on in shocked surprise, two giant men run across the town square. Before Rader realizes the audacity of the moment, he sees the blade of a very large axe, cut two of his men in half before they can raise their weapons. One of the fallen men says something, a muffled word, before he dies. His last vision is that of a giant screaming at him before the giant kills him. Rader, with a soldier’s instinct, looks for better ground to do battle. He has no idea how many giants are attacking. He draws his pistol as he runs. When he finds the protection of one of the houses, he turns to take aim but the square is empty. The two men who were to hang are gone. The ropes swing empty from the two gallows. He sees a soldier lying on the ground, screaming in pain as he attempts to pull a long arrow from his neck. Blood is spouting like a fountain from his neck wound, taking all his life with it. He sees another soldier rise to fire into the woods, but an arrow takes him down. He dies quietly. In five minutes the raid is over. Rader, stands alone in the square as the new ropes swing in the wind.

44

REUNION

“Ben, Ben! Wake up!” Bot, shouts from somewhere in the room. Where is he? Ben jumps from the bed, forgetting he is in a giant’s bed. He is at least four feet from the floor making for a rough landing. He rolls over, then gets up, feeling embarrassed. He looks around the strange room where everything is tall, tall table, tall chairs, even the windows of the house are so high that he can barely see over the sill. The giants, three of them, and very rough looking, with long beards that appear as if they haven’t been washed in years, shuffle around outside the room. One of them peers in to see what’s making the noise. Ben, turns to look at the giant who wears a sword and the leather apron that Ben has seen on other giants since he has been here. Ben, has decided that these giants are the soldiers. It was the three giants who told Ben, and Sophie to climb up and sleep on the bed of animal skins. The skins were warm, but Sophie was bothered by the animal skins. As Ben looks around the room, Sophie, awakens and sticks her head over the side of the bed. “Be careful when you jump down. It is a long way,” Ben advises her. “Where are we?” Sophie, dangles her legs over the side of the bed, then pushes off to land with more grace than Ben. “We are in the house of the chief, I think. I think his name is Jorg,” Ben, says as he goes to the window. He can’t see the rain, but he can hear it on the roof of the house. A tree branch beats out a steady rhythm on the closed shutter. The shutters are closed in weather and when the sun is out the shutters open. Heat comes to Jorg’s house only in summer. In winter, if the fire is not roaring in the hearth, dampness and chill are enemies.

“Are you awake now?” Bot says, standing beside Ben. “What is it, Bot? Where have you been?” Ben, says as he rubs the sleep sand from his eyes. He calls it sleep sand, and has since he was very small. “Are you scared?” Bot asks. “Yes. And that is nothing to be ashamed of, is it?” “Well, yes. Like that one. Look at his beard. He could grow crops in that beard!” Ben laughs out loud. Bot is correct. Sophie, comes to his side, with a large blanket wrapped around her body. She has pulled the thick, wool blanket up to her chin. “It is cold here Ben. Make it warm. Why are you laughing?” “Bot. He said something funny. Look at the beard of that giant.” Sophie, looks across the room, which is lit only by candles and the low burn of the ashes in the fire place. She squints her eyes to see the giant sitting in an oversized chair. His head is on his chin, and he is snoring so loudly and with such force, that his beard hairs are moving back and forth as he breathes. Even in repose the man is scary to her. He is very large, hairy, dirty, and smelly, all at the same time. As she studies him, she thinks she sees small insects crawling around in the beard. The mass of hair is spotted with gray hair, and black hair, and even yellow has dropped into the mix. It is difficult to tell the true color of the hair mass. “I see nothing funny about the beard,” Sophie says.” I am hungry, Ben. Is there food in this place?” “How would I know, Sophie? I have been here on that animal-bed all night. These people probably eat children. Like the Frau Kerr.” “You know about the Frau Kerr?” “Yes. When I was very young, my father used to tell me if I didn’t behave I would be taken to the city where the Frau Kerr is. I would be fed to her!”

“Yes. The same with my parents. Have you ever seen it?” “No. I think I am looking at it now!” Ben nods toward the sleeping, smelly, giant on the chair. He waits for Sophie to say something. No reply from Sophie. He turns to say something more to her. When he does, she is gone. “Sophie, are you there?” he realizes she is on the floor, curled up in a little warm ball, with the blanket wrapped around her. She is crying. Ben places his hand on the top of her head. He feels awkward in doing it, but it seems like a good thing to do. He has no words for her. He is so young, a kid, a son without his father. What can he say? “It will be good, Sophie.” “It’s not good,” her voice is muffled from under the blanket, “we are going to die here. We are orphans, Ben. My father is dead, I know it.” Ben, leaves his hand on her head. Her head feels warm to him. “It is her sadness, Ben,” Bot says. “What?” “She has to cry now. Let her cry. Be with her. Be a friend.” “OK, Bot. I think I can do that.” The giant sleeps on. Nothing seems to bother him. The other two give her a short stare, then leave the room. “Wake! Get up you sloths! We are back. We have killed, and pillaged, and now we are hungry!” Jorg’s heavy footsteps shake the house, and make the floor move under Ben. Ben, walks from the room into the main room, which seems to be the kitchen and living room all in one. He touches Sophie on the shoulder. “Sophie, please come out with me.” When Ben walks out to the main room, he sees Jorg, and the smiling giant, the one who went for his father. And behind Ignatius, are two other men. One is old, he seems shaken and frail. Ben, sees another man, a smaller man with a familiar walk. He is bent over, tired looking, dripping with rain. He sits down in the first

chair he finds. “Abba.! Abba! It is you!” Ben runs to his father, wrapping his arms around Jacob, who kneels to hold his son. “Yes, Ben. I am back. What a time that was! These men, these wonderful men, pulled the barn down. I have never seen such a thing.” “Ignatius. Ignat, you smiling fool. Make us breakfast. Cheese, some cakes, some hot coffee, Look at these children. They are starving!” Jorg commands. Ignatius, smiles to all in the room. His feet are hurting, of course, like always, but he is happy to be here too. “Yes, yes, a Kugen! Do you have cherries? Fruit? Coffee, yes, coffee, and cheese, and some warm bread. We will have a feast! A victory feast!” Abba, goes to Sophie, in the corner. He sees her puffy eyes and the wetness on her cheeks. He gives Ben a wink and sits down beside her. Jacob, gives her a smile. She smiles back at him. For now the world is better.

45

NEXT

“We had to kill them. I had to free my friend Rudy,” Ignatius, rests his arms on the wooden table, that is Jorg’s dining and meeting table. “You are a warrior after all, Ignat!” Jorg drinks his third cup of coffee. There is more warmth in the house since the fireplace has a good fire in it. The aroma of hot cakes fresh off the griddle, fills the room. There is cheese on the table, with fruit, that was newly canned that summer. The men are full and the children lay on a thick blanket in the corner of the room. They listen to the conversation. Jacob is fighting sleep. The warmth and the food have done their duty for him. “Then there is war for sure and then they will come and soon. I thought they would be here already. They don’t know what to make of us,” Jorg mutters to the other giants. “Take them now to the High Village,” Jorg leans closer to Igantius, “Do you have anymore to rescue Ignat?” Jorg gives him a wink. “No, I believe my rescuing days are over, Jorg,” Ignatius smiles as always. “Very fine. Take them now,” and saying that, Jorg rises from his creaking, wooden, chair and stretches, “Now I will sleep before I fight.” Ben watches the giants as they talk and plan. They seem like walking towers but they are men, and they speak like men, and they move somewhat like men, but when they move the air moves differently, like a small storm is in the room. They are like supermen. The smiling one lumbers toward him, “We must go now, little one. Bring your sleeping father and your pretty little doll friend. We have a hard journey in the rain. Rosa, waits for us,” Ignatius runs his fingers through his thick mane of black hair, as he waits patiently for the kids. As they walk outside into the gentle rain, the larger giant, Garrick, barely gives

them a frown as he retreats back into the woods with his dogs. “We will have to walk, I am afraid,” Ignatius smiles down on them, even though his feet are hurting. With a smile and a grimace he sets off.

46

TO THE TOP

Jacob, walks behind his son and his new daughter. He knows she is not really his daughter, but he is the father, the one who has to keep her safe, along with his own child. Her life is totally in his hands. He pulls the blanket around his neck to keep the rain from running down his neck; but the rain finds new channels to run. As they climb higher up the mountain the chill attacks without pity. “Are you alright, Sophie?” Jacob calls to her. Sophie walks on, captured by the rhythm of her footsteps. “Sophie, are you alright?” Jacob repeats, walking to her side. “Yes Abba, I am good,” she says through chattering teeth. “Here, put this around yourself.” Jacob pulls off his black suit jacket that he has worn since the night of their escape. He wraps it around her neck. The sleeves hang down to the ground but the coat seems to warm her immediately. Her smile is the answer that he wanted . “Look at me, Ben. I am like the lost soul!” she says. Ben, turns and nearly falls as he does so, “You look like Charlie Chaplin.” “Yes, that is what I am. The little tramp who has no home.” The small group continues up the mountain. The trail becomes narrower and the trees grow closer together. What light there is left in the day, is fading fast. On the ground, thick roots that seem to grow in random fashion, grab at their feet as they walk on. Ignatius, is far ahead of them, and he has to stop to wait for the others. He is not

used to walking with short legged souls. They catch up with him, and he smiles down on them. “You must try to keep up. I know you are tired. The hot food should help you. Think of that warm fire and you will go on. We will be there soon. Are you able, my friend Rudy?” “How much further, Sir?” Rudy says, then nods to Ignat. Ignatius, points up the trail where the trees grow wider apart, “We will go there and after that it’s only a little farther.” Jacob smiles, then gently puts his hand on Sophie’s shoulder to give her a slight shove. The group trudges on. The rain is still falling, but the drops can’t reach them, because the trees serve as a roof over their heads. The beating of the rain on the treetops gives them a soothing rhythm that helps them to walk in a calming trance. For a while their world is only the rain, and the root covered ground, and the sound of the unique footsteps of the giant. Ignatius and his steady, swooshing steps makes Ben smile. SQUISH, WOOSH, WOOSH, SQUISH, WOOSH, WOOSH. Ignatius walks on. When they reach the clearing of the trees, the trails takes a sharp left turn that causes the walkers to break stride and step more carefully. If they go off the trial, they will drop twenty feet into a dark chasm. The drop off is on both sides. On the right of the travelers is a great mound of dirt that looks unnatural here. When Ben sees it, he thinks that it may have been put there by the dinosaurs many thousands of years before. God did not make this mound. There are no trees on the sides of it. It is merely a huge mound of dark, packed dirt, with rocks placed on the side in a very random fashion. Ben, stares at this mound while being careful as he walks on the rough ground. As they the mound the top of it rises, only inches, showing the eyes of a Warrior Giant. The eyes watch the travelers as they . The travelers do not see these eyes, as was planned many years before by the giants. It is many hours past the noon hour when they reach the top of the mountain. As Ben and his family turn slowly to see their new conquest, they see more thick trees that surround more tall mounds of dirt. This ground is covered with black roots that wind close together, and they appear as if they have been on this ground for many years. A thin fog hovers over this hovel of dirt and roots. Then

slowly, as if controlled by a huge hand, doors and windows begin to open in the mounds. Ben counts them as they open up, five, six, seven mounds open and from them the giants come out to greet the new Tinies. The giants are all women, the wives of the Warrior Giants, who are in the lower village preparing for battle. Heads appear from the tops of the mounds one by one, and out of one of the mounds steps a strikingly pretty woman. She smiles and waves to the children. Ben has never seen such a smile that spreads across her wide face. The woman, almost at a run, steps from the doorway of the mound and takes stair steps that Ben did not notice before. She takes the steps three at a time, down to the trail. Up until minutes before, the steps, the door way, and the shelter were all hidden from the new arrivals. “Ignat, you must never go away again!” The woman envelops her husband in a warm hug that almost topples him. She kisses him, two, three, five times. Her kisses are so loud that Ben is afraid that the soldiers in the village will hear them. “Rosa! You are glad to see me? You are a thing of beauty!” Ignatius says. He turns to Rudy and the others. “These are parts of our new family. They will be living with us until they don’t,” he says as a matter of fact. Rosa looks at him and her dark, thick, eyebrows rise in question. After a quick thought she smiles and motions for them to follow her. “Of course, they will. Come into my house and warm yourselves. You look horrible. This little girl, she is shivering so much her eyes will fall from her face!” Rosa reaches down to touch Sophie very softly on the shoulder. The tenderness of the touch surprises Sophie at first, and she draws back, but she quickly realizes that this woman means her no harm. Sophie, follows Rosa, up the steps of the mound house. As she walks up the steps, she realizes that this mound is actually made of wood and covered with dirt to hide the structure from enemies. The mounds around them are all houses where the giants have taken shelter in the High Safe Village. They enter into a large room of the house, a stone hearth sits in the middle, with a new, bright, fire, built just for them, it seems. Around the hearth are wooden chairs that the “normal” people can’t sit in. They are, of course, made for giants. “Please sit on the floor for now. I will make you new chairs soon. I wasn’t prepared for your visit,” Ignatius says, a little embarrassed at the strange looks coming from Jacob and his family. Soon, the looks become smiles, as they sit by

the nice warm fire. Warmth brings smiles. So does a plate of hot soup that is so thick and smells so good that they feel as if they have been in this house for a long time. After an hour or so in the house, Jacob and his family have gotten over the idea of being in the same room with giants. They grow accustomed to looking up when they talk to Ignatius and Rosa. Two children enter from another room. One, the daughter, who is pretty like her mother, is as tall as Jacob. The boy is taller than any normal person. He has hair that glows as bright as the fire. He studies the Tinies with a frown, as if solving a problem of numbers. The boy giant trundles to Ben. He extends a very large, wide hand, that feels hard and rough, like the ground, when Ben takes hold of it. “My name is Buster,” he says .He is speaking Ben’s language but it has a strange rhythm to it. “Hello Buster. My name is Ben, this is my friend, Sophie,” Ben says as he looks around for Bot, but of course, Bot is not around at the moment. “Buster, you must find some skins for Ben, and Sophie. They are very cold. They need something to wrap around for the evening,” Ignatius says, calmly and, gently. “Yes, Pappa, I will get them,” Buster says. He looks like his father, and he has inherited his father’s constant smile. Because he has followed Ignatius for miles up the mountain, Ben is very accustomed to the way the giant walks. His son has the same steady gait which is deliberate, easy and non-threatening. Ben likes Buster immediately. Soon Buster returns from the back room of the mound house with two small sheepskins. Ben, is surprised they aren’t larger because everything seems large on this mountain. The skins are carefully wrapped around Ben, and Sophie, and they thank the Ignob family for their care. “Rosa, do we have any beer?” Ignatius booms out across the room, as his wife tends to the soup bowls. “I only brought one barrel. You know that it has to last us for a while. You know that!”. “Yes, but my friend Jacob needs a beer, and I, too! It is a long climb up the

mountain and the roots were treacherous. Yes! A beer is needed!” Ignatius, winks at Jacob as he looks down from his wooden chair. Jacob smiles back. In no time the beer is brought out by Rosa, “I have nothing to serve it in. I am sorry Jacob,” Rosa, looks around the room as the fire light dances around the walls. “Ah, I have it!” She brings what looks like a small cup from beside her chair. “My thimble will work very well for a beer cup for Jacob.” Jacob smiles at her and then he begins to laugh. He feels like laughing today. As Ignatius dramatically pours the beer, Jacob can’t stop laughing. What an evening it is. He is drinking beer from the thimble of a giant woman who is as beautiful as any woman he has seen in the movies. Jacob, decides she looks Italian, with a hint of Greek. He reminds himself to ask Ignatius when the time is right, if they have any Greek in their blood. Maybe later, but for now he will drink beer. Ignatius, drinks his beer, laughing between every gulp. He is enjoying the evening. He enjoys it so much he drinks his first beer down in two gulps. He holds the mug out for Rosa, to fill it. She hesitates at first, but she loves her husband too much. The beer is poured and the beer continues to flow into the late evening.

47

THE DAWN

On the dawn of the next day, the SS soldiers are called to formation. These men have trained together, eaten meals together, fought and died together and celebrated their victories and few defeats. Poland, Austria, the Sudentland, they have fought in these places. They have won every battle except for the recent patrol into the giant’s village. On this quiet morning, as the mist hovers around them, the soldiers stand at rigid attention. They barely blink their eyes for fear that Major Rader will dress them down. Major Rader, is not in a good mood this morning as he paces in front of the formation. He walks with his head held high, and his square chin leading the way, as he walks and parts the mist. Sargent Haupmann, stands in front of the formation. He wants to get into the battle. This waiting is the worst for the men. It is no time for speeches, but he hopes that Rader has strong words for the men. “Our Commandant Himmler is waiting. In his very fancy, Roman tiled office he waits for my word. I know he arose very early this morning, as you men have done, to wait for the results of our mission. A mission we have failed to accomplish. I do not like failure. We have won every campaign. You are good men. Sargent Haupmann, who will be leading this mission, is a good man. You men know that. Have no fear. I am sure he will lead you as I would lead you. To VICTORY! You must be lead to victory. If you do not win this battle, and you come back down this mountain with words of failure, like little school boys who have wet their pants,” he pauses, studying the faces of the men close to him, “you will be shot. If not shot, you will be sent to units that clean shit houses of the Jews!” Rader, stops to stand beside Sargent Haupmann. He is so close their shoulders almost touch.“You will not fail me, men. You will kill giants, you will burn their

village, you will bring me two or three on a rope to be taken back to our Commandant. I have told Sargent Haupmann this and now I am telling you. If Sargent Haupmann should fall in battle, which I do not wish him to do, one of you will pick up the sword and carry on. For our fuhrer! For ! HEIL HITLER!” As one, the chorus of hardened soldiers return the salute. Their voices are heard up the mountain, and through the trees, to echo to the upturned ears of Garrick’s dogs. Rader, returns a quick salute to Haupmann, then struts to his command car to watch his men walk off to battle. As they march away from him, he smiles at the might of this wonderful army. His men are ready. He has planned this attack as best he can. His men have the weapons, and soon there will be terror from the skies to put the “icing” on the attack, as Rader put it. His men have fire machines to burn trees and giants if needed. They have machine pistols to kill quickly. They have fear, which is the best motivator to put in a soldier’s pack. That is Major Rader’s belief.

48

UP THE MOUNTAIN

The planes come as the sun breaks over the horizon. A new day and a new terror has come to the mountain. Ben, jumps from the thick blanket bed on the floor of Ignatius the Giant’s house. He is brought upright by a sound that penetrates the cabin, and vibrates the floor. He is about to turn to ask Jacob beside him what this sound is, when the second plane makes its run. Jacob is up and running to the door of the cabin. By the time he gets to the heavy door, the planes are gone, but Jacob hears them turning for another bomb run. “Ignatius! Rosa! You must get up! The army is coming!” Heavy footsteps come from the other room, as Ignatius peers around his door. His eyes are half open and his voice is crusty with too many beers and a sleep interrupted. “Jacob, please no yelling. What is it?” His question is answered by the second run of the planes making another attack on the village. This time the sound of rapid fire and explosions breaks through the morning stillness. Ignatius steps outside to listen as the planes fly directly over him. They are diving on the village. As they make their third run, Ignatius hears the war cry of Jorg, even though the giant chief is two miles away, and down the mountain.

• • •

In the lower village of Ignob, Jorg stands in its center and watches the planes attack. He waves his ax in one hand and his sharpened broadsword in the other. This is all he can do. He will have to wait until the soldiers come face to face with him. Then it will be time to kill. Until then all he can do is watch as the

machines strafe the hillside, hoping to kill whatever is there. Jorg knows that Garrick is in those woods, too, and watching the planes. He knows he is probably burrowed inside his cave with his dogs. They are also waiting for the soldiers. The woods are burning. The rockets have done their job. The fire starts on the ground, eating on the dried sticks and leaves and then it searches for the smaller trees. Eating on the young trunks and the little branches of lower trees, the fire gets larger. The smoke turns from a light gray, like the color of a new rain cloud, to black, like a storm sky. It gets thicker as the fire finds new food to eat. The smoke flows over Jorg’s face and makes his eyes burn. He growls in frustration. With these fires, the Nazis are hoping to burn a trail for themselves and take away his defenses, which is the woods. Jorg thinks this Army chief is very clever. Jorg will enjoy killing him. The planes turn to make another run. On the return run they go higher up the mountain to search for new targets. The thick trees make it hard for them to see clear targets, but they still attack as ordered. Their bullets cut through the thick woods in search of kills. Some of the rounds find the streets of the village, which is nestled under an extra thick cover of red and orange leaves, that will soon succumb to winter. The rounds make a little dance in the dirt of the street as they search for targets. “Soon my brothers, soon, you will have your chance,” Jorg says softly, to himself, knowing and hoping that his fellow warriors are in their positions. The Nazi soldiers will be on the mountain soon, and making their climb. “Soon you will have your chance, my Schatze. soon,” Jorg says to his hawk, that sits on its thick wooden perch, gazing down at him. It hears all that is around it, and it sees things that Jorg can’t see. The hawk perches with its talons wrapped around the thick perch. Her head swivels slowly, seeing everything. She turns her majestic head to give Jorg, a slow blink of her eyes, as if saying to him, “Yes, I am ready.”

49

THE BATTLE UP THE MOUNTAIN

“Where is my radio?” Major Rader, says with a deliberate calmness. He wants his men to know he is in charge and capable. He is rested and full of a good breakfast of strong coffee, a plate of cheese, and a small bowl of hot cereal. The cereal was oatmeal, which he has learned to enjoy from trying a bowl once in England. That was before the war, when he was getting a first hand appraisal of the enemy he knew he would one day fight. A young, eager, soldier comes to his side trailing a long wire. The microphone is on one end the radio is on the other. If all is going well, the radio should be in with Sargent Haupman up on the mountain. “Get me Haupmann,” Rader orders the soldier. “Jawohl Major!” In seconds, the radioman hands the phone to Rader. “Haupmann, do you see the planes?” Rader assumes the Sargent is on the other end. “Jawohl Major. They have made their first attack.” “Are you in the village? Near it?” “No, Major. The woods are on fire,” Haupman, says calmly. “There is much smoke. I have sent a patrol up ahead to scout the terrain.” “Haupmann, you must attack. Attack schnell!”

• • •

On the other end of the radio conversation,“Jawohl Major!” Haupmann hands the microphone back to Schmidt, the radio man. “If I can’t see, I can’t attack,” Haupmann mutters to himself. The shifting wind turns the smoke around, toward Haupmann and his men. They pull their handkerchiefs over their mouths and noses, and lay low to the ground. Once the smoke clears, Haupmann leads his men up the hill. The fire is at the front gate of village Ignob. Jorg, is now at the left front turret in the tower. He knows the turret should be well hidden, because like all of the attack points in the village, the turret has been built to blend in with the woods. It is built with rocks and covered with packed mud and stones. Fire will not burn this turret or any of the walls of the village. Two of his best archers stand at his side, looking out to the woods through their narrow slits. The slits are just large enough for a man to draw a bead with his crossbow.

• • •

Sargent Haupmann hopes the thin trace of ground is a trail that leads him to the walls of the village. This has to be the only way. He knows from experience, the back way is impossible, because that is a cliff. It is the same cliff he jumped from when the dogs attacked. But even this trail bodes no good. This is too easy, too accessible. He is being lead this way for a reason. The dogs! That is one of his concerns. He knows they are out there in the woods protected by the thick foliage. He thinks the dogs may be hidden in a low valley crouching close to the damp earth waiting for their master to release them. “Keep alert men,” saying the words calms him. His point man stops and points to something up the trail. Haupmann steps up to the man and looks to where the man has directed. Through the smoke rolling down the mountain, Haupmann sees the body of t Brainert, who was killed in the first skirmish with the giants. He is hanging like a rag from a cross. It is a

hastily built cross made of two large tree branches, strapped together with leather ties. The makeshift structure leans far to the right, as if the wind has not quite finished bringing it down. “What did that, Sargent?” Schmidt the radio man asks from behind. “Your enemy. Your enemy did that. Now this changes things. We take no prisoners. No matter what happens, we take no prisoners. Let every man see this. the word.” Haupmann walks on, with out taking a last look at his fallen captain. The patrol walks on slowly. Suddenly the point man cries out, his cries growing fainter, but still heard. Haupmann and two other men rush up the small rise to where he was. They stand on the edge of a deep crevice. “Down, men!” Haupmann shouts. He knows this is a trap. If this was his land and his defense he would attack here. His men are on top of the rise with no where to go, and the trail thins out here. Roots cover the ground. They make running or walking very slow if attempted. How could he be such a fool? Haupmann takes a quick appraisal of his men and he sees what he knew he would see. Fear, just a trace, but there is concern. An ambush is sure to come. It does. In the span of the next two minutes five men die. The dogs come silently, leaping with no sound from the thick trees. Five dogs find the neck of their man. The kills are made quickly and silently, before the dogs return to their master with blood on their teeth. Calmly, Haupmann gives the signal for his men to kneel. He makes a signal with his finger to circle for protection. The men obey instantly, forming a tight circle with their backs together. All eyes and ears are trained to the woods. The safeties of their weapons are clicked off and ready to fire. From the tangled bushes, to the right of the circle, there is a rustling of leaves, followed by a low guttural, animal sound. Haupmann levels his machine pistol and rakes the undergrowth with a short burst. The soldiers hear the yelp and cry of something wounded, mixed with the rustle of the leaves and sticks breaking caused by the running animals escaping back into the woods. “That is our enemy. A dog. Just a dog. Bullets kill them,” Haupmann says as he

puts a new clip into his Ma. Looking up the mountain, he estimates that they have maybe a kilo to go till they reach the burning wall. The black smoke creeping down the mountain disturbs him, but there is nothing he can do about it. “Radio, Schmidt!” Haupmann turns to his man. Rader comes on the other end, “Are you in the village, Haupmann?” “No, Major, we are working on it. Send in the planes and watch for my flare. Half a kilo up from my flare,” he waits for a reply but there is no answer. They wait. Five minutes, ten, listening for the rustle of leaves, a growl of a dog. Who are these animals? Who are these giants? What weapons do they have? All of these questions are running through their minds. Where are the planes? Goering’s Air Force is never there when needed. The question is answered quickly as the whine of the planes is upon them. Two Messerschmidts come in as fast as a shadow can appear. The ground ignites as the rockets and machine gun rounds find their mark. The earth explodes, sending huge clods of dirt and rocks down on the soldiers. Then silence, with only the fading sound of the ME 109’s engines gaining altitude and leaving them on the ground. “We go, Schmidt.” Haupmann observes the damage that has been made to the ground ahead. He is ready. He has to move. Where to go? Haupmann turns to the radio man, who is on his knees with his hands wrapped around the shaft of a long black arrow, which has pierced his throat. Schmidt looks at his Sargent with pleading eyes. He is trying to talk but there are no words. He is dying quickly as the blood flows to the ground. His eyes cloud over. Haupmann puts his hands on the soldier’s shoulders and gently lowers him to die. There is nothing that can be done. “Take the radio,” he says to no one in particular. Haupmann takes the name plate from the man’s neck, then pauses for only a moment to honor the man’s death. He was a friend, a good soldier, who needs to be ed, but Haupmann knows the longer he stays in this spot, the better target he will become. His men have scattered looking for trees to hide behind or bushes to hover under. Another black arrow finds a man who, has been too slow. The arrow pierces the man’s neck at the base of the head. “Where are they?” Haupmann shouts out, “Find them! Find a target!”

But there are no targets, because this woods has been made into a fortress many years before this battle. Haupmann has to do something. If he fails in this mission, he will be sent to other fronts, more dangerous fronts, like Russia, with the winter coming on. Maybe the desert, in Tunisia, where men are starving and dying from the heat. He is too good a soldier to let these ancient men defeat him. They have no guns, no tanks, and no planes. They will not defeat him. Haupmann hovers close to the ground making himself a smaller target. He studies the terrain ahead of him. Up ahead of his position there is smoke wrapping around the trees that stand together so thick he can’t see through the forest. His attention is moved to a tree, taller than the others. It stands half way up the hill. The smoke has shifted again, making it difficult to see anything, but he keeps his eyes on the tree. He has to lower his head for a minute as the smoke rolls over him and his men. When he looks up again, the tree has changed. It is not in the same place. Not by much, as Haupmann can see, but he is certain the tree has moved. “Oh, yes, you clever bastards. Oh yes!” “Men, on my move shoot the trees. That is where your enemy is!” Haupmann rises firing his Ma from his hip. His men do the same. Their rounds cut through the trees, making bark fly from the trunks. To his left, Haupmann sees a tree move, shifting to the right. He follows it as it moves away from the bullets of his patrol. He watches the tree, to see two well sized arms come out of the tree holding a huge bow, that is pointed at him. Haupmann fires, but too late. The arrow has hit its mark. Pain shoots down his chest and brings him to his knees. As he falls, he sees other men around him firing and running. Two men close to him appear to be dead, and, their eyes stare back at him as he falls.The sound of the howling dogs comes from behind him as he sinks to the ground. The last image he sees before he loses consciousness, is a giant swinging his ax to cut down soldiers like they were Christmas toys.

50

CAPTURED

The pain brings Haupmann back to reality. Haupmann has never been much of a praying man, but he prays now. He prays for death, as he sees the red bearded giant and two others standing before him. Being a sensible man, and a man who has trouble with God, he knows his prayer will not be answered for a while. He is hanging by leather straps under a wooden frame ed by heavy beams on each side. His hands are above his head, and the leather straps have cut into his wrists. He is sure there is pain in his wrists; but the agony in his chest and shoulders have erased all other. Haupmann can see out of only one eye. His other is closed because Jorg hit him across his face with his huge right hand, like an anvil as it collided with Haupmann’s face. Jorg is angry, because his village is burning and two of his warriors are dead. “We warned you, Tiny. We warned you. And now here you are hanging in my village like the stupid fool that you are!” Jorg spits down at Haupmann. As he speaks, he turns the black arrow that is still embedded in Haupmann’s shoulder. “Kill him, Jorg. What reason do you have for keeping him alive?” Anatole the Archer says. He is hungry and it has been a long day. He wants this nonsense finished. “He is the link to the man that sends him,” Jorg says, training his eyes on Haupmann as if he ires the prize that he has captured. It felt good to strike this man who brought this pain on his village. “Can you speak German?” Haupmann moves his head up and down, and even this small movement sends pain through his body. He tries again to speak, but no words come. His lips are so dry he can hardly get them apart. “Throw water on him,” Jorg says. One of the smaller and younger giants takes

two quick steps to the well to haul up a bucket of water. Once filled, the young giant pours the icy water down on Haupmann. The brittle cold of the water slaps Haupmann so hard it makes him shout out. “So, yes, you speak. Now tell me, do you know how to use this?” Haupmann struggles to understand Jorg’s words. Finally he says, “Yes, I know how to use the radio.” “Good, then we will talk to the man who sent you. We will make a pact. We will deal with him. You are the piece of money that I am betting . Do you feel like dying today, German?” Haupmann is gone. The pain has taken him again and he has ed out. The water hits him and again he shouts out, “You shit! You shit, I will kill you!” “So, he has the life. He has the spirit! A good soldier. No wonder he was sent to fight us. I like this man!” Jorg turns to his warriors and laughs. They laugh in return. Some of them have mugs of beer in their hands. They have won a battle. Now they are enjoying the spoils, which is Haupmann. “Cut him down. Bring the radio over here,” Jorg commands. The radio is put before Haupmann who is now on his knees fighting to stay conscious. One of the giants kneels down to hand him the hand piece of the radio. “Talk to the man!” Jorg says. “Repeat what I tell you.”

51

RADER’S DINNER

Ulrich Rader sits at the table of the beer garden. He doesn’t know, of course, that Rudy’s daughter owns this gasthaus, but he has suspicions. He has seen the picture of Rudy in the hallway that leads to the bathroom. The old man is younger in the picture and he is dressed in the uniform of a German soldier from the trenches of the first great war. “Yes, the Great War, but not so great for our country,” Rader says to himself as he returns from the bathroom. He needs a good home cooked meal, a Bavarian meal, made by a Bavarian woman who knows what she is doing in the kitchen. That is why he has come here. He is tired of waiting on word of the battle that is being fought up on the mountain. When this battle is won, he will deal with the old man and the village. In the meantime, he is having a meal. He goes back to his table where a new stein of beer is waiting for him. Ulrich Rader prefers wine, but tonight a beer is needed. Something to refresh him. A toast to the victory that is sure to be announced at any moment. One of clerks runs from the company area with the message of victory. “Yes, Stoessel. What word do we hear from Haupmann?” “He is on the radio, Major. The radio is coming to you. Please wait.” The radio truck comes quickly as the clerk finishes his sentence. A man jumps from the truck with a microphone connected to the console by a long wire. The wire will not reach Ulrich so he is asked to come closer to the truck. Reluctantly, Rader does so. “Yes, Haupmann. Tell me it is over,” Ulrich takes a deep breath to calm himself. Major Rader.” The words come slowly and are very faint. “Yes, Haupmann, please speak up man. I can’t hear you.”

“Major, they want to make a deal with you.” “A deal! Haupmann, did you say deal?” Ulrich Rader holds the hand piece away from his face as if it were a snake. “Yes,” Haupmann pauses as if he can’t find breath. “Yes, leave them alone and they set me free and there will be no more.” “No more. You mean no more war? No more battles? No more soldiers coming to their mountain? There must be more, Haupmann. More men will come. They have defied the fuhrer and our Commandant Himmler. And they have defied me. Do you hear me, Haupmann? Now tell them that they must give up. It is over. Take them now and bring them to me. We want the giants for !” There is no answer from Haupmann. There is only the sound of static and empty air. Then the sound of a struggle is heard through the mic. Rader hears groaning, heavy breathing, then the sound of someone blowing in the mic. Words are spoken, a mix of German and a strange kind of language. Haupmann speaks again, “Goodbye, Major. Tell my wife if you would that I have thought of her everyday of my duty here.” “Haupmann, listen to me. How many men do you have left with you? Do you need more men?” “All dead, Major. I am the only one left. They will kill me if you don’t make this deal with them. Don’t worry about me, Major. Goodbye.” The SS Major stares at the mic, as if willing Sargent Haupmann to come out of it. A strange taste suddenly appears in Rader’s mouth. His mouth has become a pit of dry sand, and bile comes up from his throat. It is the taste of defeat, which is a strange taste to Rader. A burning pain shoots across his chest. It is so sharp that he has to lean forward a bit to catch his breath. “Are you well, Major?” the radio man asks. Rader nods. He can feel the colds hands of Himmler wrapping around his neck. Major Rader gazes up toward the mountains, where his Sargent is probably dying, or dead at this moment, “No. Yes. I don’t know,” Rader stands erect. He brushes his hands down the front of his tunic, as if brushing away the events of the last five minutes. He picks up his head gear from the table. This cap is a

precisely cleaned prize that tells the world that he is SS. Hard to defeat, hard to kill. He adjusts the cap to his liking before he walks tall and straight to the road “No, this is not over.” As he walks back to his command center, he is thinking of how he is going to destroy the village of Ignob, and the giants who protect it.

52

A PACT WITH GIANTS

The dogs are inches from his feet, so close he can feel their hot breath on his ankles. The only factor in the world that prevents them from killing Haupmann is Garrick. Garrick waits for the signal from Jorg, and Haupmann is dead. Haupmann can barely see the dogs at his feet. His sweat, and the tears in his eyes make it hard for him to focus. He wants to live. He wants to die. The feelings come and go, like a child would flip the pages of a school book. Haupmann has not given up, but he is very close to letting the decider of his fate take him. He hangs by his arms, strung up between two trees. He can barely breathe. He is being slowly crucified. As he hangs in the middle of the village on display for the giants, he tries to think of simpler times. His mind goes back to his school days, to spring time when the flowers came out in the fields around his village. He goes back to the smiling faces of his mates and how in the second year of his school, he was so enamored with the teacher. Hr name was Frau Binger, in her yellow dress and with her tanned face and her soft smile. Why is he thinking about her now? As he struggles to stay conscious through the pain he needs to see her face in his mind. She is soft, happy, innocent. The sun seemed to always shine on her face, even in the winter days the light in the room seemed to follow her. Yes, the light, brightness, the soft smiles and tenderness; these are the words he needs now to get him through this moment. He is soon to die. He is certain of this. He wants her face on his mind when he es. He is trying to bring the face of his wife to his mind, but she is not appearing. Only Frau Binger is there. Haupmann, in his confused mind and pain, doesn’t question this image.. Jorg paces around the crucifying frame saying words to the other giants that Haupmann can’t understand. The giants laugh and nod their heads in affirmation as Jorg shouts out some sort of song. Then the giants take another long drink from their wooden beer mugs. One of the dogs makes a lunge toward Haupmann’s feet, but Garrick shouts them down.

“Kill me, you bastards! Kill me now!” Haupmann uses all of his strength to shout at the giants. The red haired one stops his pacing, to look down on Haupmann. He smiles. The red haired one points to one of his giants, then waves him off as he shouts out an order. The giant runs away out of the village and up the mountain. The red haired giant gazes at Haupmann for a moment, then turns to the dog handler to mutter some words. The dog handler takes another drink of his beer, then picks up his battle ax and a pack of some sort. He calls to his dogs and they walk off into the thick woods. The red haired giant draws out his sword from the leather shroud on his hip and swings it over his head. Haupmann struggles to get his head up, so he can see the blow that will kill him. He wants to die like a soldier should die, unashamed, unflinching, aware of the way he will die. The blade comes from his left, as the giant is using a back hand motion to make the kill. The blade comes toward Haupmann’s neck. He tenses, but keeps his eyes open. He needs to see Frau Binger, but he cannot. All he sees is the broad blade of the sword coming at him. It is not his time to die. The blade whistles above his head to cut the leather straps that release him to fall hard on the ground. He lands in a ball, his legs curled up, his hands covering his face. Nothing happens. He is left to lie there. The giants seem to have lost interest in him for the moment. As the air gets colder, and the sun goes down, Haupmann hears tree branches breaking and the rustling of leaves. Two giants and a normal man dressed in a vest and black slacks come down the mountain. The red haired giant has returned and now he is talking to another giant, who has come down from the mountain. This giant smiles more often, and is not as tall as the others in the village. This smiling giant turns to the normal man. The normal man then turns to Haupmann and says, “Are you suffering?” Haupmann doesn’t know what to say, “Who are you? Are you one of these maniacs?” The normal man studies Haupmann for a moment, “You are one to talk of this. You wear the uniform of the death squad with the skull on the collar. You come into my town and drag us from our beds. You do this because we are Jews, because we are able to think and use our brains for something other than killing people.”

“I am a soldier.” “And I am a Jew. Look who is on the ground and who is standing.” “You make fun. Yes, I suppose you are right at the moment. Why are you with these giants?” “I am to ask the questions. I am the translator.” The red haired giant bellows something to the smiling giant and points to Haupmann. The smiling giant says to Jacob Rodenhaus, “Tell him he has a choice to make.” Haupmann understands this man. He is speaking German. “What choice do I make?” The giants talk for a moment. Then the smiling giant says, “My chief, Jorg, says that your chief has abandoned you. He has left you to die here. He did not take the offering.” “I wish to die,” Haupmann says. “Wait, Ignatius. Before you speak to Jorg,” Jacob turns to Haupmann, “This is not something you want to die for? This? Your men come here to take prisoners. To take giants back to the great Fuhrer! Is this worth dying for? This is not a war. This is a farce Sargent! You are killing your own people. You are killing Germans who want to be left alone, to live here in their peace. They have no need to conquer you and your beloved fuhrer. You want to die for this?” “You want me to make a choice? Now?” Haupmann attempts to push himself from the ground but the pain is too much. The arrow, still in his chest from the battle, turns a bit. Pain shoots through his body. He lets out a soft groan, as he sinks back to the ground . “You have a short time to think. I believe Jorg there wants you dead more than alive.” Haupmann nods. Things are too complicated. He was sent here on a mission to bring back giants. Why wouldn’t they come? Now he is back here in their

village. Two times they have proved to be better fighters than he. The first time he was lucky he escaped. This time he will die. He is a soldier. He has been in battles. In the trenches when he was much younger, he knew death. He has been a soldier for most of his life. He has kept himself alive because he’s been well trained, and he has been watchful for death. He hasn’t made the stupid mistakes that others make. As he goes through his thoughts, he gazes up to view his captors. They are all warriors, with the scars of past battles marked on their faces. Their weapons are resting on their shoulders. The same weapons that brought Haupman and his men to defeat on this day. This is the great army of Hitler, the SS, and they were brought down by these medieval men. Haupmann, even in his pain has to smile at this fact. “Have you made your decision, Sargent?” Jacob asks crouching down closer to hear better. “Yes…. I will live.” “I think that is a good decision.” Jacob stands to motion for Haupmann to get on his feet. Haupmann tries to stand again, but cannot. Jacob reaches down to help him, being very careful of the protruding arrow. When he is on his feet Haupmann turns to Jacob, “Why are you here, sir?” “I am a Jew, Sargent Haupmann, trying to stay alive. Quite a lovely, ironic, farce we are in wouldn’t you say, Sargent?” Haupmann looks puzzled for a moment. He thinks he knows what the Jew means, but in his pain and fatigue he is not quite sure. He is alive for now.

53

RADER’S NEW PLANS

Major Rader walks slowly through the center of Ignob village, ing a small church. Rader stops to read the small plaque that is set in stone in the front yard of the church. The plaque says St. Jude’s Church, built in 1744. The church sits in the back center of the square, looking over the village as if God himself has a say in the ways of the village. The square and the village were built around this church more than a 200 years before, in the times of the plague that decimated Europe. As the morning sun comes up, Rader stands before this church that has withstood so much. He is thinking to himself that it would be a shame to take down this village and this church. As he walks on, the people of the village by him, trying to avoid eye .He feels their fear and he enjoys it. They know why he is here. They have heard the planes. They have heard the battle up on the mountain. Rader smiles at them, acting as if nothing has happened. After all, they are Germans just like him. They live in a small church centered village just as he once did. His father was a teacher who taught German History and Math in the small school. The students of the village knew him as the teacher who stood in front of the class every morning staring at his students, with bloodshot eyes caused by the drink he had the night before. Rader heard their whispers as he ate his mid day meal. He heard their laughter and the names they called his father. In the evening, as he ate the evening meal with his mother. His father never ed in the meal. She always made a plate for the father, placing it in the oven to warm it. It would sit there for hours waiting for him to come down from his room. But his mother knew the man was in his room, sucking on his bottle of schnapps and bottles of beer. One night he came down after the family had gone to bed. He found his plate in the oven, but the food was burned beyond taste. He went into a rage and stumbled up the stairs to wake the mother. Rader heard the noise and went to the mother’s room. She was on the floor, with her hands over her head warding off the blows from his father. Rader, then a boy in the last years of his school and strong enough to do so, grabbed the father by his neck. He pulled the

man off of his mother. The sight of this man throwing all of his hate and unhappiness on his mother was too much for Rader. He struck his father with his fist. The father, limp from his drunkenness, fell hard to the floor. Two times, he attempted to get to his feet, but each time Rader hit him. From that moment on Rader was pushed through his life by the hatred of his father. He vowed to himself that he would be the total opposite of the man. He would be strong, respected, even feared by the men he was around. When the Nazi party came to power, Rader ed the Hitler Youth. He saw his chance to rise as high as he could go. From Hitler Youth he went to the Army and signed up for the elite force. He was strong, fearless, and totally consumed by the words of his fuhrer and the hatred of anything weak. This hatred spurred him on to train hard, to forsake pain, and to bury any feelings of tenderness,which he considered weakness. Weakness, and the hatred for his father, were mixed with the words of Hitler to make the man who stands in the village square of Reinhaus. He is thinking of the battle; or, more precisely, the end of the battle as it now stands. He has underestimated these giants. They, too, have proven to be hard fighters, ruthless men, unafraid of battle and very intelligent in their defenses. Rader turns from the church to his aide, who walks a respectful distance behind him, “Send me a plane. I need a plane.” Having decided his next move, Rader continues his walk. He smiles at every person who es him.

54

BEN AND SOPHIE

Ben and Sophie walk together on the path that circles the giants’ village. The scent of burning wood hangs in the air, mixed with wisps of smoke. As they walk the path, the heavy steps of the giants are all around them, as if they are watching the children. “Are you afraid, Ben?” Sophie asks. “Yes. I am scared of everything. The giants, the son of the giants, the dogs, and then we have the German soldiers, who are probably down there planning to kill us all.” “Is Bot with you now?” “I haven’t seen him lately, Sophie. I think he stayed in the cabin back there.” Ben smiles to her. “I wish I had a friend like that. For me it has been the violin. Always practicing and taking care of my father. I was too busy to have a friend like Bot.” “I never told anyone about him. I guess when my mother had to set a place at the table for him, she realized that he was around.” “She really did that?” “Oh yes. I wouldn’t eat unless Bot was at the table.” Sophie laughs at this, “What does he look like?” “I have never really thought about that. I suppose he is about my size and he is bald.”

“Bald! Why is he bald?” “Ben laughs, “I don’t know. He has a kind face. He talks very softly to me. He never gets excited. He seems to always have a blank expression on his face, like he is taking everything in.” “When did you first see him?” Sophie pulls the sweater around her, as a cold breeze comes across the mountain. “I don’t know. He was just always there. Do you think I am strange for having him as a friend?” “No Ben,” she takes his hand. “It is good to have a friend.” She turns to Ben and smiles. They walk once around the path, then come back to their starting spot. “Do you think we will ever see again?” “This is , Sophie.” “It doesn’t feel like . Everything is strange.” “Do you want to walk around again?” Ben asks. He is hoping she says yes. She does. As they walk, they can’t help but look down the mountain. Their future is there, and it hangs by the hands of a few men.

55

RADER UP IN THE AIR

In a small scout plane, newly arrived an hour before, Rader looks over the woods where the giants live, or are said to live. His mission, which seems to be failing, has been partly caused by these woods. He sees thick, old, trees everywhere. They cover the ground, making it difficult for Rader to see where the valleys and hills are located. He knows the only way to advance on this land is by foot. It is not a good place for armor. It will take many men to penetrate this land, but penetration will be made. He is from the country that has conquered most of Europe, and he is sure that he will help conquer more countries. The war will improve for and Rader will be at the vanguard; but first he must prove that he can accomplish this mission. He only needs a hole in these woods. These are not woods; these are forests that appear as if God had set out to make a masterpiece, a fortress made of nature. As he glides over the trees it seems everything is so calm down below, He sees no giants, no movement of anything on the ground at least; when he can see the ground. That is his problem. Rader knows he must remove the trees to get to the giants. He knows he must not penetrate the trees. He must obliterate them. “Take me back. Now!” he says to the pilot. The scout plane banks heavily and heads for the small field that lies beside the village of Reinhaus. When he returns to his headquarters he calls to his aide, “Bring me the daughter.” “The daughter, Reichsfuhrer? Which one?” “The mayor’s daughter. The one that I will hang next.”

56

URSULA

“You look tired, Mama,” Anna says. “I am fine daughter. I have much to do.” “You are worried about Grandpa, aren’t you?” “Of course I am, but he will be fine. He is with the giants and they will protect him. Now we must work. We have the midday meal to prepare. It is Wednesday and we make sauerbraten today. Did you marinate the beef last evening?” The daughter hesitates. “I’m sorry Mama. Too much happening. I was not thinking about the reality, Mama. I am sorry.” Ursula comes to her daughter, “Let them eat the meat as it is. We spoiled them. So, it does not have marinade. So what!” she laughs and gives her daughter a kiss on the cheek. “Now prepare the slaw. You can do that, huh?” “Yes, Mama,” Anna wipes away a small tear from her eye. “I will make the horseradish strong today. That will make them forget about the marinade,” Ursula gives her daughter one more smile and turns to her duties at the counter, Anna smiles to herself as she walks to the front of the gasthaus. She reaches for a salt shaker to fill, when she sees a patrol coming toward the restaurant. “Mama. The soldiers are coming! Mama, quick!” Ursula goes the window, “Go to the kitchen, Anna.” “I will stay Mama.”

“Go, please. I will speak to these men,” she places her hand gently on her daughter’s shoulder, “It will be fine.” Anna studies her mother’s face, then quickly glances out the window. The soldiers are coming up the small steps from the front patio. One of them turns the knob of the front door, but her Mamma has locked it. The soldier hammers on the door with his fist. “Go, please. Go to Grandpa.” Ursula waits for her daughter to leave the room. As the daughter walks very slowly from the room, Ursula goes to the door.“Yes, what it is it?” She tries to stay calm, but she feels her body trembling. She puts her shaking hands in her apron pockets as she opens the door a bit more. “You must come with us. You are the Mayor’s daughter yes?” “You know I am. You have eaten here many times.” “Then you must come. Now!” The soldier grabs her by the arm and gives her a firm pull. “Let me take my apron off, please. I have mid day meal to prepare. Will I be long?” The soldier releases his grip to wait impatiently for her to place the apron on one of the tables. She gives a quick look toward the back room, where she sees Anna standing by the door. The people of the village turn to see the small parade coming to the center of the village, where the scaffolding still remains from the previous attempted hanging. A new rope has been tossed over the top of it, which Ursula sees at once. Her legs suddenly lose their strength. She falls, but the soldiers drag her up, then push her toward Major Rader. He stands at the base of the scaffold. “I am sorry, Frau. I am very sorry for this. You have served many wonderful meals to me and my men since we have been here. But now war has intervened.” Rader walks around her, as if he is in a play and on stage. Ursula raises her eyes to study this man. His face, his smirk, even his irritating cockiness gives her strength to face him. “What have I done to you, sir? What have I done to receive this embarrassment

in front of my village?” “You have the misfortune of being the Mayor’s daughter. You have been cursed I suppose,” Rader continues to circle her. He glances to the townspeople as he paces very slowly around the woman. He wants to see their fear, their respect for power, his power. “What shall we do with her?” he asks the crowd. The small group of older women, shopping at the market and the older men who are sipping on their coffees at the small cafe, stare at him as if they can’t their lines in this strange play. “I am now at my wit’s end, my fellow Germans. I have been sent here to talk to these giants who live up there.” He raises his arm to point up the mountain. “I have come in peace, but I have been met with violence and with bloodshed. The blood is on their hands, not mine. They have killed some of my soldiers. Now I must do what I abhor. I must take the lives of innocent people because of the giants. They are to be blamed. Put the noose around her head, Sargent.” “The Sargent pulls Ursula toward the noose. She is too short to reach the noose, so the Sargent waves for an old man to bring him one of the chairs, from outside of the cafe. The old man does as he is told. With surprising politeness and patience the Sargent takes Ursula by her hand to assist her as she stands on the chair. “The noose, Sargent,” Rader says. The noose is thick and heavy, causing the Sargent to struggle with it as he has to widen the noose to slip around Ursula’s head. After a few minutes he succeeds, then steps back from her. “Tighten it,” Rader says. The Sargent reaches up to tighten the rope. Ursula lifts her chin, her face defiant, ready for what is to come. The rope lifts her from the chair. She is only a tip toe away from being hanged. “Now, here is where we are. As you can see, you are all powerless. I am here. The giants are up there. The Mayor is up there. He has left you. His daughter is only a command away from me, from dying on this lovely morning. What are

you to do?” The people of the town do not move. They look to the ground for answers. Some of them want to walk away, but they seem afraid to move. They realize they will be next. “I will tell you. I will hang her, and then I will burn this village down before this day is over. Bring me the Mayor, let him hang instead. Or, better yet, bring me a giant. That is all I want. The German people want a Giant of Ignob, who have proven to be good fighters. Our fuhrer wants these warriors to fight for . That is all I want.” Rader turns to strut away with all of the grace and military bearing he can muster, leaving Ursula to totter on the chair. As she stands on her tip toes, her calf muscles stretching beyond all endurance, Ursula gazes out to the crowd, searching for some forgiving face. In the rear of the square she sees her daughter Anna, standing on the edge of the crowd. When Anna sees her mother on the chair, she has to cover her mouth to keep from screaming out. She knows what she must do, and she must do it quickly.

57

MALZEIT

Life in the high village has been busy. Ignatius has been the leader. He has been the man who has given them spirit and hope. With his sense of humor, and smiles and easy manner, he kept them busy and together. There is wood to be chopped for the winter. There are deer to be hunted, and grapes to be picked for the wine. The houses have needed repair Ignatius has not minded this duty. It is good to be up in the mountains, high above the turmoil down below. But he knows that the turmoil, the troubles, as the giants call it, have found them and they will not go away until the final battle. For now, the first large battle has been won. The machines that fly did not harm them much. Yes, there were fires, and some buildings were damaged, but they are still high up and safe. Most of all, he has enjoyed this period because he can spend time with his friend Rudy. It is around the midday, when he is hungry, that he searches for him. “Rosa, I am in the house,” he calls out when he enters. “Yes, you fool, do you think I don’t hear your big feet!” she says walking toward him, carrying the large plate of meat and bread for him to eat at the midday meal. “So where is Rudy? I have much to tell him as we eat midday.” “I don’t know, Ignat. I thought he was out in the woods with you. I have not seen him since the morning meal. I have been too busy to look for an old man.” “You shouldn’t say that, Rosa. He is a wise man. He knows about the world down there, and he brings us the money and the violins to fix.” “Yes, yes, I know. I was just being light for a change. We need to be light for a

change!” “Yes.” Ignat sits in his chair, which stands five feet from the floor. It is a sturdy chair that gives him great pride each time he sits in it. But he is concerned because his friend does not know the High Village terrain as he does. He eats very quickly. He puts a piece of meat between two slices of Rosa’s homemade bread, then heads for the front door. He knocks the chair over as he stumbles to the door. “Ignat, what are you doing? Eat your meal,” Rosa says as she comes in from her small kitchen. The cabins in the High Village are mainly two room buildings. A large room for eating and sleeping. Two very wide and substantial beds are in the corner of the room. And the second room is the kitchen, where the meat is stored, and where the iron oven is located. “I must find him. I am afraid. I have a feeling. He was very concerned about his village so I think I know where he is.” Ignatius grabs a large, leather, knapsack, puts the sandwich in the knapsack, and grabs a water pouch. As he places the strap of the water pouch on his shoulder he says, “I will be back soon, Rosa. It will be later, much after dark. If he is where I think, I will have a long walk.” Before Rosa can answer him or give him a kiss he is out the door. Ignatius uses the quick trail, which is one that has been used for many years to get to the lower village. His hike is a very short one, because a giant’s stride is three times that of a normal man. He byes the lower village taking a quick look at the charred trees. The smell of burnt wood and the lingering gray smoke burns his nose as he es.

58

RUDY BY THE STONE

Rudy waits by the stone where he and his friend Ignatius have talked and laughed for years. He has taken a chance by being here. With all the troubles, he knows that Garrick and his dogs have been at peak vigil so he has worn the clothes that Ignatius gave him years before. The dogs patrol the woods depending on scent more than sight. The woods cover a large area. Rudy has learned that if he wears clothes made by the giants, the scent may not be as strong. He was right. The dogs didn’t detect him and he has made the journey to the stone with no problem. Rudy is lonely for his town and for his daughter and granddaughter. He has come to the stone to be closer to them. He knows if he goes back at this time he will be hanged or shot. The SS man, Rader, will have run out of patience, so he sits on the big stone on the spot where he feels safe. It is peaceful here. It is not home but this peaceful place is very close to his home. The town from here is only a short distance away, a half of kilometer but he can see the village from here. He sees the soldiers, what is left of them, walking around in small patrols, saluting their officers, stepping around the people of the village with an air of self-importance. To Rudy they are like tiny puppets, jerking here and there and being pulled by the puppet masters of Hitler. They are nervous and afraid, as they should be. As Rudy looks toward the town, he sees someone running across the field between himself and the town. As the person runs closer to him, Rudy can see that the runner is a young girl. He puts his hands over his eyes to see better through the bright sun. She runs closer, ”Oh God. Anna!” “Grandpa, yes, yes. I was going to find the giants!”

“What is it, Anna? Oh, it is good to see you! But you were foolish for doing this. You would have been killed up there!” He opens his arms and hugs her. “You are crying. What is it?” “It’s Mamma. They are going to hang her! She is on the rope now!” “No! No! This must not be!” Rudy turns to the town as if willing the events to stop. “We must go now. Come, Anna!” Rudy doesn’t wait for her. He runs as best he can and he falls immediately. He is not as good on his feet as he used to be when younger. Anna catches up with him to lift him to his feet. Together they run and stumble toward the town.

59

ROPE DANCE

If not for a brave woman in the town, Ursula would be dead now. After ten minutes on the rope her legs were gone, but she held out. Fifteen more minutes she held, dancing, teetering on the end of the rope. Then her legs cramped and the pain was so much that she lost with the small stool . It was then that the woman came from the crowd with the higher stool which she slipped under Ursula’s feet. The soldiers standing by Ursula had lost interest and were looking toward the crowd when the woman slipped the new stool under her feet. The stool saved her life, but the woman was pushed down and kicked by one of the soldiers. After they dragged the woman away, they didn’t notice or didn’t seem to care that there is a new stool under Ursula. The rope is still tight around her neck, but she can breath now. She was thinking of the Bible and of when Christ was put on the cross. He said, “Why have you forsaken me?” In what she thought was her last thoughts, she felt the same of her town friends. But they didn’t forsake her. Now as the sun beats down on her shoulders and face, she feels like laughing. She has been given more minutes to live. Ursula looks out across the small crowd of villagers to see where the soldiers have taken the poor woman who gave her the new stool. Something is happening, causing the crowd to move apart to make way for somebody, or something. “Oh God, please no. Take me!” Ursula says when she sees her father running toward her. She attempts to kick the chair away. Rader, suddenly appears by her side grabbing at her legs to prevent further movement. “Take her down!” he commands to his men.

“I am here Rader. Take me! Take me now!” Rudy struggles for breath and his face has turned bright red from his struggle across the field. “Give him water! Do something, you cowards!” Anna, the daughter, shouts to the village. After a moment, a short, heavyset, woman brings out a jar of water and hands it to Rudy. She doesn’t look at him. Her shame is very evident, as she blends back into the crowd. Rudy lifts the jar to drink. The water comes out very fast and he chokes on it. He takes a breath, then tilts the jar again. “So, Rudy, the hero. The man who escapes the hangman. Now, we have two to hang. Two in one morning. This will bring the giants, I am sure!” Rader says, as he walks around the scaffolding. He stumbles over Ursula, on her knees. She is shaking from the shock of being near death. “Look what you have caused, Herr Rudy. Your poor daughter has made a fool of herself, and for what? For those giants up there? The giants who protect you from harm. Where are they now?” “You know where they are. They are up there tripping over the bodies of your brave men. The men they have killed, as they will when you attack them again!” Rudy wipes the drops of water from his mouth as he walks toward the SS man. “This time I will fight them on my ground. Not up there in the trees where they have the advantage,” Rader says, as he stands facing the old man, daring him to resist. Rudy does not answer. He steps around Rader to help his daughter to her feet. He wraps his arms around her, as Ursula places her face into his shoulder. Rudy smiles, because this is the same embrace they shared when she was a small child, when she needed some comfort. They sway together as if they were dancing. Rader studies them for a moment, “Now you will die together. I will keep hanging until we see giants. They will come. I know it.”

60

IGNATIUS

The soldiers once again place the noose around Ursula’s neck. This time she can’t stand and they have to hold her up on the stool. She doesn’t fight them. She keeps her eyes on her daughter, who is being held back by two soldiers. Rader steps forward, “Him first.” Ursula watches in silence as the noose is placed around her father’s neck. Rudy says to her, “Ich liebe dich.” “Yes, father, always,” she answers. Rader waits for the noose to be adjusted. The same stool that held Ursula from the ground is placed under his feet. Rudy does not fight this. He is resigned to his death. Rader lifts his head, inspecting the procedure, making sure there will be no mistakes. He nods his head and one of the soldiers kicks the stool from under Rudy. As he swings on the rope, Rudy’s feet kick from reflex and desperation. Cruelly, the soldiers have not tied his hands, so he is able to get his fingers between the rope and his neck to fight off the tension. He is failing. In the crowd, people are falling and pushed down by a new force. The force is Ignatius Ignob. Ignatius, with is eyes focused on Rudy at the end of the rope, doesn’t care who he has pushed or thrown aside as he fights to get to his friend. In two long strides he is at the scaffolding, and under Rudy saving him from hanging. “My friend. My friend. What are you doing?” Ignatius says as he lifts the noose from Rudy’s neck and lays him gently on the ground. Rudy looks like a doll next

to Ignatius. Rudy coughs blood, but he is breathing. Ignatius looks out to the crowd. His eyes burn into each of one of them. “WATER!” he shouts to them. Most of them have never seen a giant. As they look upon this one their fears seem to be justified. Ursula kneels beside her father, “Father, please can you speak?” A sound, like rocks being rattled in a bag come from Rudy’s throat, “Yes, I am alive. I am alive.” He smiles up to his friend Ignatius. Rader views the events with envy, even though it is difficult for him to do so. What soldiers these giants will make! He has never seen a human this large who can move so quickly. It is no wonder that Himmler wanted these giants. “So, we have our giant. I’m so elated that there will be no more killing today,” he says, turning to the crowd. He is enjoying this moment, but he keeps his eye on Ignatius. He seems harmless to Rader, even though he has a very large ax tucked into his belt. “He needs a bed. I take him to a bed now!” Ignatius says as he lifts Rudy from the ground and cradles him like a small child. The soldiers look to Rader for instructions. Even though they have weapons, they seem frozen by the proximity of Ignatius. “Take him to the gasthaus. I am sure his daughter will care for him. Is this correct, Frau?” Ursula nods her head. The events of the morning have taken her voice. Without regard for Rader, Ignatius walks from the hanging site with Rudy in his arms to follow Ursula to the gasthaus. Rader motions for the soldiers to follow him. He pulls one aside, “Be ready. He may turn on us at any minute. I want this one alive.”

61

ABBA

Darkness has fallen once again on the mountain of the giants. Rosa sits in her kitchen staring at the chair where her husband sits every night to eat his meal. His plate is clean, unused. He is past his time to be home. She gets up from her chair to go to the window to look outside. Maybe Ignatius is playing a trick on her, as he often does. She hears a faint knock, so faint she thinks it may be the wind rattling the door. Another knock, this time there is no doubt. When she opens the door she sees Jacob, the tiny violin maker. He stands at her door with his hat in his hand and a worried expression on his face. “May I come in, Rosa?” “Of course, Herr Abba,” she says, using the name she has heard the children call him, “you have come at a terrible time, I’m afraid.” She backs away from the door, being careful where she steps. It is difficult having a Tiny in the house. She is not yet used to them being around, so she steps gingerly. She likes Abba, who has been a good friend to her husband. She waves for him to find a small chair to sit on. Ignatius made three chairs just for his friends to sit on, and Abba takes one of them. “These are good chairs, Rosa. They show the same love and craft that he puts in his violins.” “Yes, that is my husband!” she says. Tears come to her eyes. “I have heard that he is gone. I came to help you.” “What can you do, Abba?” “I will wait with you. Do you have some of that Ignob coffee that you make so well?” He smiles up at her.

“Of course. Of course,” Rosa says with a smile. Maybe the day will get better soon. And hour es. The front door does not open, and the coffee is gone from the pot. Abba has run out of good things to say. He rises from his small chair and places his mug on the floor, since he cannot reach the table top. “What do we do, Rosa?” “We must tell Jorg in the lower village. I fear bad things have happened. He went to search for his friend, Rudy, but where is Rudy?” She gets up from her chair to walk gingerly around Abba. “We will send Bastion, Jorg’s son, to see his father. He will deliver the message of Ignat’s disappearance. He is with Sophie and Ben. They are in my cabin warming by the fire, playing card games.” “Then I must go to him and take him to his father. Jorg must know of this thing.”

62

IN REINHAUS VILLAGE

Ignatius lays Rudy down in his soft feather blanket, on his own bed, inside his house. The comfort of the soft feathers puts a smile on his face. “So, Ignatius you came for me. You are a fool, and a friend!” he says. The words are barely heard because of the damage to his vocal cords. He tries to swallow but this is an effort. “You will break down my floor, you big oaf.” Ignatius has to stoop, so his head doesn’t scrape the ceiling of the bedroom. He doesn’t mind, though. He is with his friend. “You have a nice house, Rudy. You have never invited me to your house before. It is made very well. Good wood is in it.” “From your woods. I hope you don’t mind,” Rudy says. “Now, Ignat, what will you do? You can’t stay here, you know. They will take you.” “Please, Rudy, don’t speak. You must rest. Things will be good. I am a giant!” Ignatius smiles down on his friend. “Now you must rest. I will be back soon.” Ignatius follows Ursula from the bedroom. The floor moans under the strain of his weight. Ignatius stoops even further to see out the window from the front parlor room. He sees the soldiers waiting outside. They have the house surrounded in case Ignatius has ideas of running. “We must get word to the giants up there.” Ignatius nods in the direction of the mountain. “You must make the smoke. You know what to do don’t you Ursula?” “Yes. I have watched my father do it. It used to fascinate me that he was talking to you giants up there, even though I was afraid and excited all at the same time. One time I even saw you and my father talking by the stone. When I saw you and father laughing, I was no longer afraid.”

Rudy stoops again to peer from the window. He sees Rader walking toward the front door. “I must go now, Ursula.” The sound of someone, or something falling to the floor, comes from the bedroom. Ursula runs to the room, to see Rudy lying on the floor, his hands pressed against his chest. His face is a pale gray as he reaches out for his daughter. A smile slowly crosses his face. Ursula kneels to him. “Father!” Ignatius does not go to the room. He hears the crying of the daughter, and he knows that his friend has died. He sits on the floor of the parlor, moving the chairs and table out of the way, to make room to sit down. He can see Rader at the door staring into the house. A strange feeling comes over Ignatius. He doesn’t recognize it at first. His huge heart is beating under his chest. His breathing sounds like huge billows blowing a hot fire in the blacksmith’s house. Again, he stares out at Rader and it is then that Ignatius knows what is in his chest. It is hate. It is anger. He has to leave this house. He needs to stand tall and straight, but Rader is opening the door. His patience is gone. He wants his prize. “Now, my giant, you must come with me. You have saved your friend. We will…….,” Rader doesn’t finish the sentence, because a huge hand swats him across his mouth, breaking his jaw, and making his nose go in a different direction. The huge hand wraps its fingers around his head and pulls him through the door like a hand puppet. Ignatius throws Rader against the wall of the house, causing pictures to fall from the wall. He picks him up and throws him again, this time against the brick fireplace. Rader doesn’t make a sound. “Ignatius! Please! NO!” Ursula comes from the bedroom, “This is not good. NO!” she bravely stands between the raging giant and the limp body of Rader. Ignatius is breathing hard and the sound coming from deep in his chest makes Ursula take a step backward. She has never heard such a sound as an angry giant.

“You must go back to the mountain. Go now. Schnell!” “If I leave, they will kill you Ursula. I have done a bad thing.” Ignatius looks at the limp body of Rader. Major Rader moves his hand slightly, moans again and attempts to stand. From outside the soldiers shout as they form around the house. It is early evening but turning darker. The soldiers wave their torches and flashlights giving and taking directions Something has gone wrong inside the house. It is confusion, but the soldiers expect orders very soon. “You must go, Ignatius,” Ursula says very calmly. “He would want you to go.” She wipes tears from her cheeks. “He is still alive. It’s his heart, but he is strong. He is alive.” “He would want me to keep his daughter alive, too,” Ignatius moves to pick Ursula up and take her from the house. “No. Please. I have to stay with my father.” “Yes, you are correct. I will leave, cause a mess, a little battle. It is me they want.” Stooping low, to clear the ceiling light, Ignatius moves quickly to the back of the house. Ignatius looks around the room. Next to the pot belly stove he sees the iron poker that is used to stoke the fire. Perfect for him. He can do much harm with this weapon. He almost rips the handle from the back door as he flings it open. Without no hesitation, like a like a giant, iron machine, he bears down on the three soldiers who have the bad luck of standing in his way. They all die in an instant as Ignatius swings the poker. It took only one swipe to take them down. He waves the poker in the air, waiting for more soldiers to come forward. He runs for the clearing, that runs between the town and the base of the mountains. In the darkness, the soldiers are confused, because all they see is a huge shadow running to the edge of the woods. A soldier takes aim at Ignatius and fires two quick shots. The first bullet hits Ignatius in his upper left leg. The second one hits him in the side of his left knee. He stumbles from the impact, and then falls.

Ursula is watching this from the back window of her house. She has left her father for a moment to make sure Ignatius escapes. She runs back to her father, who is sitting up in his bed. “You must go Ursula. You must go to the giants. They must come now. They will kill him, they will kill Ignat! “You must come too Father!” “You know I can’t. Please go now! I will hide somewhere.” She takes both of his hands in hers and holds them for a moment. She fears this may the last she sees of him. “Go now!” he gently shoves her away, toward the back door of the house. She runs from the house, holding back her tears. As she runs for the base of the mountain, waiting for the sound of the guns of the soldiers she sees Ignatius on the ground, He is kicking and clawing at the dirt to raise himself. He is failing. When Ignatius sees Ursula running by him he shouts to her, “Up, up!” She wants to argue, to stay and protect him. She knows she will die, so she runs. Ignatius has to be saved. Her father has to be saved, if he lives through the next hours or minutes. These thoughts make her run faster.

63

UP AND UP

In the darkness, Ursula struggles to follow the trail. Her legs are tired and she is perspiring so much that her dress is stained and wet. But, she has to continue up the trail in order to save the village. She does it for her daughter and her father, who would do this very thing if he had to. The giants must come down to fight the Nazi soldiers. Thinking of the battle makes her even sadder. As she stumbles up the trail, she thinks of what has happened and what will happen. She never thought war would come to her village. They were safe. The fuhrer said they would be safe, and life would be better. But they were not safe and now their lives are threatened by the very army that was to protect them. So Ursula struggles up the trail to find the giants. After an hour, or maybe longer, she has no way of knowing, she reaches the clearing. Once across the clearing she will have to climb again to the next level. She hopes that this next level will reveal the village of The Ignob Giants. The clearing is covered with flowers, and the full moon shines down on them, enhancing their beauty. The moon light makes the flowers appear as a single color, but Ursula sees them in full color. In her mind she can see the yellow of the Rapps, the reds of the Begonias, and she can smell them. The scent of the flowers soothes her, and this feeling gives her the will to go on. But as she walks among the flowers, they seem to reach out to her. They invite her to lie among them. “Please sleep, child,” they say. A voice inside her says the same. “Sleep. Lie down, Ursula. Tomorrow will be another day for you. Rest child.” A weak, unconvincing voice inside her says, “No. Don’t weaken.” But she lowers herself into the soft bed of flowers anyway. She settles herself very slowly, as if she were lowering her body into a tub of perfumed, scented, hot water. She is asleep within minutes, as she lays there staring at the stars.

64

RESCUE

“Ben we shouldn’t be here! I am afraid! If Jorg sees us he will feed us to the dogs!” Sophie says. She is walking closely behind Ben, who walks twenty paces back from his father. It was Abba who went to Jorg, to tell him of how Ignat was missing. He told Jorg that Ignatius went off searching for his friend Rudy. He never returned home and now Rosa is very worried. Rosa sent him and Jorg’s son, Bastion, to tell Jorg. Jorg, being the wise one, knows where Ignatius is going. He is going to the village to save his friend, the old man Rudy. They run down the mountain using the light of the moon and their torches. It is slow going for them but they know the trail well. In the distance they hear the sound of Garrick’s dogs running for them, but Jorg knows the dogs will never attack him.

• • •

It is the sound of the dogs that awakens Ursula. The sound freezes here where she lies. She knows she will soon die. She forgot about the dogs. How could she have been so careless? She has known of the dogs since she was a child. They killed a man from the village many years before, when he got lost in the mountain woods. Jorg sees Garrick coming through the woods. In seconds, the first pack of growling mongrels faces him. They recognize him, but still the closeness of men, and the primal urge to tear them to pieces makes them surge and feint at the search party. “Back my lovelies!” Garrick shouts from behind.

“Garrick. Have you seen Ignatius? Has he been through here?” “I think he was through here yesterday. My dogs howled, but they sensed it was a giant so they settled. It could have been Ignatius.” Jorg gazes up to the sky getting his thoughts organized. The growling of the dogs distracts him. “What is wrong with your lovelies, Garrick?” “Something is down there in the flowers.” Garrick steps in front of his dogs. Today he brings a small pack of five dogs; the remaining dogs are in different parts of the woods patrolling and hunting. “Hold them off. I will go to the flowers to see what is there. It could be the man Rudy, or maybe Ignat, which I doubt.” Jorg motions for two of his giants to follow him. The two Warrior Giants follow as ordered. They hear her whimpering before they see Ursula hiding in the flowers. She appears as a doll, curled up, her hands over her face waiting for her death. “Rise!” Jorg shouts down from the hill. Ursula gets to her feet very slowly, uncertain if this will be the last thing she will do in her life. “You are from the village. Who are you?” “It’s Ursula, the Mayor’s daughter from the village,” says Jacob. Ursula smooths her dress with her hands, as if trying to bring a sense of normalcy in this moment, “Please don’t hurt me. I have come for help!” Jorg motions for Abba to come down from the hill. Jacob steps quickly down to the flowers. “Talk to her. I do not understand her words,” Jorg says to Jacob. “Where is your father? Did Ignatius find him?” Jacob asks. “Yes,” she pauses,” but they hung him.” “Who was hanged?” Abba says softly. He places his hand on her shoulder.

“My father, but the giant saved him from the scaffold. I’m afraid he had a heart attack from the trouble. I must get back to him.” “Where is the giant?” Jorg asks. He has understood enough of her words. “He was shot. Trying to save me. He is now in the village. You must save him, too. He saved my life,” Ursula cries softly and Jacob goes to her and puts his arm around her. Jacob looks up to Jorg, to see if he has understood the events. When Jacob sees the giant chief’s eyes, he knows Jorg understands perfectly. War will come soon and the battle will be in the village. When Jacob is asked later what happened in that moment, he will swear to all who listened that he saw the fires of hell in the giant’s eyes.

65

REINHAUS VILLAGE

SS Haupturmfuhrer, Ulrich Rader lies on the bed that once belonged to Rudy. The SS man has a broken nose, a dislocated shoulder, two torn muscles in his neck and a probable broken hand. The young medical officer, just out of school, has done his best for Rader. Rader peers out from the bandages that cross his face and cover his nose. He has a headache that is driving him mad. He can’t hear from his left ear from where the giant slapped him with what seemed like a slab of stone. Rader, a man who took beatings as a young man has never had a beating like this one. But he knows he must not show pain or weakness. This mission leaves no time for pain or weakness. Lieutenant Imhoff, a replacement for Brainert, is now second in command. He has been beside Rader’s bed for the last two hours. When Rader stirs, Imhoff says, “The men await your orders, Sir.” Rader turns his head very slowly to focus on his Lieutenant. Rader glares at the man through bloodshot eyes, as if he has never seen the man before. The Lieutenant shuffles his feet, looks away for a moment, then comes to attention and waits for his orders. He will wait until he is dismissed like a good soldier. Finally Rader says, “Yes, where is the giant?” His words are slow, softly spoken, as if the effort causes him pain. “He is on the floor of a barn. We have him chained to the barn.” “Chained to the barn?” “Yes, Major Rader. What I mean to say is that he is chained to a very large stanchion that holds the barn up. We think he will be secure there.”

“Good. Very well. Now,” Rader pushes up from the bed groaning from the pain, “what has happened to my hand Lieutenant?” “The giant sir. When he threw you. You have some injuries.” “I see. And my face. All from him?” “Yes, Major.” “I see. Now bring me my tunic. Do I have my boots on?” “I can get them for you, Major.” “Yes, please do that,” Rader sits on the side of the bed. Slowly, he brings his good hand to his face. Gently he touches his chin, his cheeks, and his nose. Another flash of pain shoots through his forehead. He winces, but he makes sure the lieutenant does not see his grimace. The middle of his face has no feeling, even though the top of his head seems to have taken on a life of its own. Rader has always been quite adept at ignoring pain. His father gave him pain. The bullet he took in the first week of the war gave him some pain. But the pain he feels now is different. This is pride breaking pain from a freak of nature. “Like a doll, Lieutenant,” Rader mumbles. “What did you say Major?” the lieutenant asks. He motions for a Private to put the boots on his Major. “He threw me across the room. Like a doll. I have never been so degraded.” “Yes, Major.” He motions for the Private to hurry with the boots. The Private does his job quickly, then stands at attention waiting for further orders. Rader waves him away. “My cap. Bring me my cap, Lieutenant.” Imhoff, has to look around the room for the Major’s headgear. He motions for the Private to look for it, “I am afraid we cannot find it. Please wait a moment, Major.”

Rader remains calm, which is a surprise to the other men in the room. There is usually some type of outburst from the Major. Rader leans back on the bed, using his elbows for . “I need a pill Lieutenant,” he says, taking a deep breath, I need something for this headache. I am having trouble seeing at the moment.” “Yes, Major.” The young medical officer opens his pack of medicine and within a few seconds he has produced two large pills, and a glass of water for Rader. “This should dull it for you, Major.” Rader holds out his hand, and then, without looking at the pills, he tosses them in his mouth and downs them with the glass of water. He then sits quietly waiting for his headgear. Minutes later, the Private comes in with the cap. Rader carefully places it on his head, and rises from the bed. With all of the military elan he can muster, he walks into the street of Reinhaus. “Where is the giant? Where is the barn?” “This way, Major.” Lieutenant Imhoff motions to the left. He waits for Rader to , then walks two steps behind.

66

IGNAT

Ignatius Ignob wants to sleep. He has a bullet in his leg, which has caused him some pain but this he can stand. He is so tired. Just to relax for a moment will be so nice. He sees Rosa’s face above him, and she is giving him one of her disapproving looks as she always does when he is late, or has done something stupid. She doesn’t say a word, but then slowly, starting as a mere stitch, her smile spreads across her face. She says, “I was so worried. Now you must eat and tell me of your day.” Ignatius, in his short sleep, lets a smile cross his face. He will think of something to tell Rosa because he always does, and she will smile or maybe laugh with him as they hug one another. “Wake up, giant! You must be awake for me to kill you!” A voice from a distant corner of the room is talking to him. This is not Rosa! Ignatius opens his eyes to see the beaten and bandaged face of the German soldier. This is the man Ignatius threw from the house. “I am still alive, giant. I have survived your attack. You see I am still alive and bad for you, giant, I must say. So, we meet again.” Rader walks around Ignatius, who is chained to the barn poles that reach the ceiling. His legs are also chained to the barn. Rader steps close to Ignatius’s left hand, chained flat to the floor. Rader sees blood on the wrist, where Ignatius has tried to twist free from the chains. Rader stomps on the hand with all of the force he can muster. Then, he stands on the hand for a long while, as if pressing the pain into it. Ignatius stares up at Rader. He shows no pain, as he locks his eyes onto Rader’s

eyes. Then he smiles at the SS Major. “I am here, now, SS man. I am here. Do with me what you want,” Ignatius says very slowly. His large, deep, voice vibrates through the barn like distant thunder on a silent night. “I am going to kill you,” Rader says very slowly. “Why, because I threw you like a doll in front of your men? Is that it? You are embarrassed?” Rader does not expect this audacity, this disrespect. He intends to show this man what the power of can do. Better yet, what the power of Rader can do. He studies the giant. He runs his eyes from the large head to the powerful body that is covered with a burlap like material, that looks primitive. How could these giants have survived this long? Why haven’t they been wiped out by now? He kicks the wound in Ignatius’ leg. Ignatius moans softly, as if getting up from a long nap. Rader has to sit for a moment. His head is throbbing again, and his neck feels as if it is made of rocks that are all grinding together. He can barely move his head from side to side. Faintness and nausea are taking him down, but he can’t go down in front of his men, and most of all, not this giant. As he lowers himself onto a stool that the lieutenant has thoughtfully moved underneath him, a large bird lands on one of the barn rafters above him. Rader looks up to see that the bird is some sort of a hawk, maybe used for hunting. The hawk returns his stare, looking directly into his eyes, as if it is having a silent conversation with Rader. Ignatius sees the hawk, too, and the sight of it makes him smile. He knows that this hawk’s arrival is a sign. This hawk has been sent by Jorg, to tell the village and the Major that the prey has been found. War is coming to the village. Hell is coming to the village. The smile vanishes from his face, tears form in it’s place, when Ignatius realizes that many will die. He may die, too.

67

WARRIORS

Jacob holds Ben and Sophie close to his body, protecting them from the huge bodies that jumble around them. Jorg is preparing the Warrior Giants for battle. Jacob and the kids are only spectators. There is nothing they can do to stop the coming conflict. The world is at war, and now that war has come to the Ignob Giants. Ursula, still weak from her ordeal in the village, stands beside Jacob, “I have to go, Jacob. I have to warn the village. They will all be killed by these giants. My daughter? What of my daughter?” Jacob pulls Ursula out of the way as a Warrior Giant lumbers by them. They stand off to the side of the square, so they won’t be trampled. Jacob wants to help her, but he has reached this point where nothing he can do will make any difference. He wants to make her feel better, but her words are true. If the village does not have warning, they are sure to be killed. No one can survive the army he is seeing before him. Since Jorg blew the War Horn earlier that day, all of the Warrior Giants have come down to the village from out of the woods. Their numbers are astounding to Jacob. He thought he had seen all of them in the lower village lumbering around, standing guard in the village, waiting on the soldiers to come. Now he is seeing 50 or more come to the square. They are terrifying to see. All are taller than Jorg, standing at least 12 to 15 feet high. Their muscled bodies, barely covered by the skins and thick leather they wear, ripple and coarse as they move preparing for the battle. All of the Warrior Giants carry swords worn on their backs in leather sheaves or on their waist. As they a thick tree in the middle of the village, each Warrior takes a swing at it, knocking out huge chunks of wood, as if they are testing their blades. Their blades are very deadly if the condition of the tree trunk tells a tale. All of the Warriors have huge manes of hair running down their backs, and all have thick beards of great length, that

reach down to their knee caps. Their speech consists of grunts, yelps, and curdling screams, laced with a language that Jacob can’t understand. The speech is ancient, reeking of caves and tribal customs. The giants remind Jacob of the Vikings, that he read about as a youth. Those men were also giants, but not as large as these men. Those Vikings were quick to kill and very good at killing as these giants are sure to be. “Ursula, you have to stay with us. Perhaps we can talk to Jorg and reason with him,” Jacob says, but he does not believe his words. The Warrior Chief lumbers by them, his face a bright red. The veins in his arms look like small roads running up and down. He is waving a broad sword that looks to be six feet long above his head. He shouts to his men getting them in order for the battle. As he shouts, his mouth seems to be foaming, as if he has been taken over by a demon. “I don’t think Jorg will be talking to us, Abba,” Ben says as he cowers behind his father. Jacob takes a deep breath. It is time for a decision, “Children, you must stay with me. Ursula, you must find Rosa. She is the only one who can get us through the woods, beyond the dogs, If she is with us, maybe they will not attack. “Are we going to the village, Jacob?” Ursula asks. Her face has brightened a little, with this small word of hope. “We go to Rosa’s house.” Jacob shoves them along, taking the alleys and side streets, away from the Warrior formations. “It’s too far. They will be attacking by the time we reach the high village.” “Abba, Rosa is here. I saw here not long ago. She is in Jorg’s house.” Within ten minutes they reach Jorg’s house, after dodging many running giants. They climb the stone steps up to the thick,oak, door. No one seems to notice them as they wait on the doorstep. Jacob knocks on the door. Standing next to the house he feels so small and helpless; a fitting feeling for the day. “I saw you coming. Please!” Rosa opens the door and waves her hand for them to enter the house. “These are sad times I’m afraid,” her German is very good but lilted, with the

accent of the giants ancient language. Ben and Sophie wander inside Jorg’s living room. It is bare, with a table in the middle. There is a large fireplace in the corner, with a cooking rod. A empty pot hangs from the rod. “He is not much of a housekeeper is he?” Ben asks, as he has to walk around a pair of shoes and a pile of leather aprons and wool socks. “No time for that now, Ben.” Jacob turns to look up to Rosa. He can see that Rosa has been crying. Her large brown eyes do not hide tears well. “Rosa, I am sorry. We desperately need your help. You must take us down to the village. We must warn the village before Jorg attacks.” Rosa brings her hands to her face, lightly touching her cheeks as if comforting herself, “I don’t know. What if Ignatius comes back?” Jacob looks away from her trying to find the words. “He won’t be coming back if we don’t go the village,” Ursula answers. “You don’t know what has happened to him?” Jacob asks. “They only said that he never returned, which I knew. They are going to look for him,” Rosa says, as she stands by Jorg’s large front window, gazing out to the square, “but this doesn’t look like a search party. I heard the War Horn. I see the Warrior Giants coming in from the woods. I know these signs. I have seen it once before. Something bad has happened?” she gazes down at Jacob. Jacob attempts to find the right words for Rosa, as he stares up at her pretty face. He steps back a bit so that he doesn’t have to strain his neck to speak to her, “He was wounded and now the soldiers have him. The Warriors are going after him, and to do battle with the soldiers. You know what will happen?” “Yes, the village will be destroyed. The Warrior Giants do not fight half way.” “Yes. Then we must go to warn them. My daughter is there Rosa,” Ursula says, “and my father.”

“And you are Rudy’s daughter. I would know you. Ignat has told me good things about you. He likes your goulash soup!” “Yes. Yes. Please, Rosa, we must go. Please!”

68

IGNAT

Ignatius has been carried to the middle of the village. He is chained to the scaffolding where Rudy and Ursula were to be hanged. Major Rader has ordered all of the citizens out to the square to view Ignatius. He is chained down, like a monster on display. He is guarded on all sides by ten or more soldiers, who seem wary and a little fearful of this giant they have captured. Ignatius’ leg has swollen from the bullet wound. The bullet is still inside his leg, turning the skin gray. Ignatius has willed himself to show no weakness or pain to the soldiers, but the constant waves of pain that through his body are bringing him to his limit. When Rader is satisfied that all of the citizens of Reinhaus are present, he walks slowly to the center of the village. Lieutenant Imhoff and two other soldiers are by his side, should he stumble. His body too is wracked with hurt and injury. His vision has cleared somewhat, but he is very careful with his steps. He can’t and won’t fall in front of the villagers With two soldiers at each side, he climbs the steps of the scaffolding. Leaning on the rail he gazes over the small crowd. At this moment he feels like his fuhrer. The crowd is much smaller of course, but the power is there. He can do whatever he chooses with these people. He is now God. “Do you see him? Do you see it!” he says to the crowd. “Do you see that this giant, this thing you are all afraid of is only a huge, overgrown, freak of nature. He feels pain. Just like you. A giant who can be shot, who can be controlled by the might of the Fatherland!” His voice is strong, and he is gaining strength from his position.

“We can use these Giants. We can train them to be good soldiers of the Fatherland, who will crush our enemies and show the world that our fuhrer is the one true savior of the world!” “We came in peace. Just to talk. To take one or two back to Berlin, to show the fuhrer and Reich Minister Himmler what these giants can do. But the giants were not open to us. They are enemies of the Fatherland. They want war!” Rader motions for Lieutenant Imhoff to stand beside him, as he steps down from the scaffolding. Rader stares down at Ignatius, smiling at the giant, victorious. Ignatius answers with a blank stare of his own; but a slow smile crosses face. “Your face is not too good, Major. You should take a rest,” Ignatius says the words calmly, but a giant’s voice is a strong one. Someone in the rear of the crowd lets out a small chuckle. Rader’s head jerks up, as if a string had pulled it, “Who was that? Lieutenant find that person.” There is a murmur in the crowd, as heads turn left and right, feet shuffle. The lieutenant steps around the crowd. “Who was it. Point him out!” the officer says. No one answers. Rader watches the proceedings with his hands behind his back, as if waiting patiently for a train or taxi, “Very well.” He steps closer to Ignatius and kicks him hard against the wound. The giant lets out a low moan that sounds like a sustained chord of a chant. “You see. It feels pain. I will hurt him again. Who wants to hurt him with me? Come forward.” A small boy steps out from the crowd, “Don’t hurt the giant. I am the person who laughed,” the boy steps around the crowd. A woman, likely his mother, walks slowly, reluctantly, behind him. “Come here, child,” Rader says, motioning with his hand, “Come.” Rader puts his hand on the boy’s shoulder when he comes to his side, “Now do you think I am funny?”

“No, Sir,” the boy says very softly. “Good. Do you think this giant is your friend?” “I don’t know Sir.” “Are you afraid of him?” “Yes. A little.” “Why?” “He is so big.” “Kick him.” The boy looks up at Rader. He is unsure of what he has just heard. “Go ahead. Kick him as hard as you can.” The boy looks to his mother, who gives him a quick nod. The boy steps back, as he would on the soccer field, and kicks Ignatius with all the force he can muster. “Hah. That was fun huh? Let’s both kick him!” Rader begins to kick Ignatius with first his left foot, then the right. Left, right. The boy s in, and soon they are like dancers kicking Ignatius. The boy smiles, but he only smiles for Rader. He wants to please him. He wants to stay alive. A strange chant coming from the woods, the mountains, puts a stop to the tormenting of Ignatius. Rader places his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “What is that sound?” He turns to the mountain. A sound of wolves perhaps, something wild, of that he is sure. Rader looks to his soldiers for an answer, but they seem confused, even fearful. This sound is not of machines or weapons. This is something strange and from another world. “The dogs!” someone in the crowd says, loud enough for all to hear. Others in the crowd speak softly to one another, and they begin to leave the square.

The giants on the mountain begin to chant in a rhythm, and a language that sounds medieval and strange as their voices roll down the mountain. As the chanting continues, the soldiers stay in their ranks, but there is movement. A quick glance here, a slight movement of the feet. Rader sees this movement and he knows this is fear. “Hold men! They are only men. We are better than them!” The chanting continues as the sun sets. The chanting becomes louder, more intense. Rader wants to attack, but he knows the giants have the advantage. He has the weapons, but he doesn’t know what the giants have, or where they are hiding. Will they attack in the night? Will they wait for the dawn? For the rare moment, Rader is unsure of what to do. The sun is leaving this day, leaving in a hurry, like it is afraid. Just before it goes down, someone points to the sky. When Rader looks up, he sees a large bird soaring over the village. “The hawk,” Rader whispers. He watches the hawk as it swoops down and up, as if teasing him. Rader grabs his Luger from his holster, and with his feet spaced correctly, the way he was trained, he takes careful aim and pulls the trigger. The hawk flies up, away, but doesn’t stop circling. The bird appears to have no fear of Rader. Twice more, Rader fires but the hawk still soars. He is so focused on the bird, he does not notice that the entire village has departed. When he realizes what has occurred, he goes into a rage. “Bring these people back! They will remain here all night as I demand. Bring them back!” He gestures to the left and right, giving orders, spitting out his words, as if he has lost his senses. In answer, the howling begins again from the mountains. As Rader jumps around, seemingly taken over by a fit of rage, the hawk swoops down coming within inches of Rader’s head. The hawk comes so close, that Rader feels the tips of the talons searching for his scalp, but the hawk doesn’t make its kill. It flies up and away back to the mountain. “They come for you, Tiny Soldier. Jorg is searching for you and he has sent his hawk. You will die soon, my Tiny Soldier,” Ignatius says his words, very slowly,

and with a smile on his face. Rader stoops down to pick his head gear from the ground. His head is roaring from the embarrassment of this moment. He has to do something to show these people he is the king; but the only action he takes is to stomp down again on Ignatius’s hand. The giant moans softly and smiles up at Rader. The sun is gone as the chanting comes down from the mountain.

69

TO BATTLE GROUND

The Warrior Giants are gathered on the last level of the mountain. It is only a short distance before they will be on the field that separates the mountain range from the village of Reinhaus. The battle, the attack, will begin in the field. The ground vibrates from the weight of the warriors as they move around, preparing their heavy broad swords, the razor sharp axes, and the slings filled with hard granite rocks. On the edge of the last level of the mountain the archers prepare their bows. For the first attack, that will come at dawn, Jorg will sound the battle horn, and the bows will be pulled back by the strong and skilled hands of the Archer Giants. There are twenty of them, but they have trained over the ages to be able to shoot fast, and accurately, making their enemies believe that hundreds of arrows are raining down on them. The Archer Giants made the bows themselves, and each bow is custom made for the archer who made it. If the archer dies in battle, his bow is ed down to a warrior that fits the weapon. Among the Giants are the Tinies, Abba and Ursula. They are attempting to stay out of the way, and yet follow Rosa down to the village. The Tinies, Abba and Ursula are not noticed by the giants as they prepare to attack. That is good, because if Jorg sees them, he will stop them. If they are found in the village they are likely to be killed. He knows how fierce his Warriors are, and there will be no one spared. “We must go Rosa. I must get to my daughter. Is there a shortcut we can take?”Ursula pulls on Rosa’s dress, but Rosa is focused on something else. In a grove of trees fenced in with large wooden rails, comes a new sound. “Garrick’s dogs,” Rosa whispers to Ursula. “They will be sent to the village first. Whoever is left will be killed by the Warriors. If we don’t make it down there, and get off the mountain side, we will be eaten too.”

“She will die. I must go now!” Ursula tries to step away but Rosa puts a gentle hand on her shoulders. “No, my friend. I will get you down. We go now. I will take the path of Ignat. He takes it when he visits your father. Stay behind me and do not speak. Any sound will give us away to all who want to kill us.”

70

THE BATTLE BEGINS

The night was the longest of Major Rader’s life, even though in real time it was very short. The dark of the night was thick, like mud that can’t be penetrated, and it held that thickness until the sun beat it off at dawn. Rader attempted sleep, but the sounds around him and his pain wracked body kept him awake. He felt better when he was up and walking around, so he walked the perimeter of the village, talking to the men to keep them alert. As he walked, he paused every few moments to look up into mountains. Where are the giants? The SS officer knew they were there, just out of sight, watching him and his men. In the soft breeze of the evening he swore that he could hear them breathing. And he heard the dogs. He could hear their soft yelps, and low growling as they huddled up there on the mountain. He leans on the cane that the young doctor gave to him for . At first he rejected it, but when alone, he found the cane helped him to walk without the pain. He sees Lieutenant Imhoff approach, so he tucks the cane under his arm. “Good evening Major,” Imhoff says softly, coming to attention when he sees his leader. “They know the ground, Imhoff. They have been here for ages,” Rader mumbles, not looking at the young soldier walks by him, “They know the ground.” “Yes, Major but we will win this battle,” Imhoff offers. Rader doesn’t hear him. Rader returned to his bed just before the dawn, where he now lies to stare at the ceiling. The dawn’s light is seeping into the room. It is the light of a new day, maybe his last. He knows for certain some of his men will die. He could turn back of course. He knows that. He could tell Himmler the giants are gone, that they were never found. But of course, he would not do that. He lives by the oath

he took. He told Himmler that he would die for his nation and for the fuhrer. He rises from his bed, taking a moment to wash with cold water. He shaves and puts on a new uniform. He needs the routine to calm himself. His aide brings a cup of coffee, with hot bread, and marmalade that is has been spread thick across one side as he likes it. He takes a moment to eat the food, and to sip his coffee. He needs to be outside with is men, but this moment has to be taken. He sips the last of the coffee, which tastes especially good this morning. He reminds himself to compliment the Mess Sargent. Placing his head gear in the proper position, he walks from the house and into the village square. His men are ready, and at their battle stations. Rader checks the rooftops of some of the houses, where his men have mounted machine guns. He checks the ditches that he has prepared, where two Ma type machine guns have been mounted on each side of the square. This will give effective crossfire across the square. Rader walks among the men, nodding his approval and giving the soft words of encouragement. He makes corny jokes that the men seem to enjoy. They look relaxed, but ready, as brave soldiers of the Third Reich should appear. A slight whistle makes Rader stop to listen and watch. Birds? Bees? Some men make jokes and there is nervous laughter. Rader looks up to the mountain to see what appears to be large insects heading for his men. The insects are coming fast, and flying very straight. Soldiers to his left and right fall to the ground, clutching at their faces. “Arrows, they are fighting with arrows!” he calls out, as hundreds of arrows come raining down on his soldiers. He is at first intrigued by them. He feels as if history has come alive, and he is viewing a medieval battle from the past. The hissing of the arrows freezes him for a moment. He watches in fascination as a young Private runs by him, clutching at his face, tugging and pulling at an arrow that has entered his left eye. In his panic and blindness, he runs into the side of a house and is knocked out on the ground. Rader wants to help this man, but more soldiers are running around in panic and without purpose. As if a switch has been thrown, Rader snaps out of his stupor and grabs the first soldier nearest to him. He puts his pistol to the man’s head, “If you run, I will shoot you here and now. Now be a soldier. You are SS. You are better than this!” Rader pushes the man in front of him, then waves the pistol at other soldiers, “Fight! Be the men you were trained to be!”

The soldiers stop running and find their positions. Ignoring the arrows the best way they can, they take their stations and wait. Rader places his pistol back in the holster, takes two steps toward the nearest ditch for cover, when an arrow flies into his left thigh. He stares down at the arrow, as if it has made some mistake and should not be there. The pain doesn’t come for a minute, making the scene all the more dreamlike, but when it does come, it is a steady dull pain that digs deep into his leg and down into his bones. Spots appear in his eyes and he knows he is ing out. He is in no shape to be wounded again, so soon after the beating from Ignatius the giant. He fights the blackness that comes over him, but he loses the fight. When he comes awake, a medic is treating his leg. The arrow has been removed and a first aid pack of some type has been wrapped around his leg. “Good. Lift me up,” Rader orders the two medics who hover over him. He tries to be nonchalant as he looks around as if nothing has happened. “Did you give me morphine?” He attempts to stand. He does finally, but he wobbles. “I don’t want morphine. I must be pure, and alert!” “No, Major. We know your orders,” a medic calmly says. “We have cleaned the wound. You are under no danger.” After the arrows, the chanting begins again. This time the voices are closer, from all around the village. “They have us surrounded,” Rader says very softly to himself. He looks out to the square where the giant is still tied to the stakes. “These giants are good,” it is Imhoff, standing next to Rader. “Yes, but they will come for him. Then we will have the advantage.” The chanting continues for ten minutes more. Like a concert piece, the chant has low and high intensities of volume. When in the low tones, the sound vibrates the ground, as if hundreds of cellos are playing. “Hold, men!” Rader shouts out to the ranks.

From the corner of his eye, Rader senses something coming at him. He moves to his right, just as the wings of a large bird scrape against his face. He falls to the ground, but is quickly helped up by Lieutenant Imhoff. “What was it?” he asks, but he knows it was the hawk. “It was…a very large eagle or hunting bird,” Imhoff answers. From the square Ignatius Ignob raises his head and smiles. He knows what this bird is. It is Jorg’s Hawk again, and he has found the scent of his prey. The battle is coming.

71

FINAL RUN

Rosa leads Ursula and Abba, with Ben and Sophie close behind. “Must we take them with us?” Ursula says, panting for breath as she follows Rosa down the path. The Tinies cannot match the speed of a giant when they decide to move quickly. “Please hurry, the dogs will come soon,” Rosa answers as she sniffs the air. “I can smell them. Stay close to me and when we get to the village stay close to me and Ignatius. The dogs will not hurt us if we are close to Ignatius He has the strong scent of a giant. I hope I have it too!” “Will they kill everything?” Ursula can barely get her words out. “Yes, they know the scent of the soldiers. They will kill everything that smells of German uniform.” “Stop!’ Rosa crouches, but her head is still above the small trees. Five Warrior Giants run by them, making the ground shake as they race to battle. One of them looks at Rosa. He makes a growl that comes from deep down in his chest, but he doesn’t stop. “Should we stop?” Abba asks from behind Rosa. “No, he doesn’t agree with me being here. He is just expressing his disapproval,” Rosa increases her speed until they are at the trees where the woods stop. There is a clearing up ahead, and the rock where Ignatius and Rudy had their meetings. Beyond it is the village.

72

THE DOGS

They come in packs of two and three and they come fast. At first they bark, yelp, and growl, but then as they hit their stride the dogs turn silent. Behind them runs a Giant Warrior, shouting his orders. The Giant Warrior is Garrick. His voice is so strong. All the dogs attacking the village hear him. Then Garrick blows his horn, which is the signal for the dogs to attack. The first wave hits the trenches outside the village, and they tear into the men there as if they were paper dolls with toy guns. The men cannot get their weapons up fast enough to cover all sides. Some dogs are shot, but many tear into the men. “We go now!” Rosa shouts to the Tinies. Before they can respond, she is running toward the town center and her husband. They can hear more dogs around them, but they can’t see them yet. Garrick hasn’t released the second wave. “Run, run!” Rosa is moving so fast now that the ground around her seems to rumble under her feet. Soldiers raise their weapons, looking for targets, as their comrades die all around them, being torn apart by the dogs. Jorg, the chief Warrior Giant, blows his battle horn and out of the woods the giants rise. Twenty, thirty, Warrior Giants, all over 12 feet high, run toward the village, waving their battle axes and swords. Their battle cry is primitive, coming from ages long past. This battle cry causes Rader to stand frozen for a moment. Then Garrick releases the second wave of his dogs. Rosa runs toward her husband, as the first bullets ram into her legs. She feels the pain but she goes on. She can still move, and as long as she can move, she is alive and she will see her Ignatius. “Ignat. Ignat. I am coming!” her high pitched, but mighty voice, cuts the air.

Ignatius sees his wife running toward him, and he sees the blood running down her legs. Seeing his Rosa bloody, and hurt, sends a rage over him that he has never felt before. He hears the dogs behind her and the screams of the dying soldiers. He has to move. He lunges at the ropes,using all of his strength. The ropes begin to loosen. He brings his arms in together, pulling on the ropes that bind him from both sides of the stakes. The muscles of his chest tear inside him, but still he lunges. “Ignat!” she shouts and stumbles, as another bullet hits her. He pulls again. He screams and the sound is like a wild animal on the kill. The ropes unravel and tear apart and Ignatius is on his feet. He grabs the first soldier nearest him, and breaks the soldier’s neck with one twist of his head. Another soldier turns to shoot Ignat, but the giant is too fast. He kills the man with one swipe of his hand. He runs to his wife to protect her with his body. The dogs are in the village and killing. All around the battle, the dogs are being killed, but they are killing soldiers, too. They hit at Ignatius, but they don’t bite him. They know his scent. He is one of them. The Giants come. They move in from all sides, moving so fast that the soldiers can’t find a target. The Giant Warriors hit the two machine gun nests, attacking quickly The Ma crews lose their heads and arms in the orgy of rage from the Warrior Giants. The arrows come again from the mountains. The archers pick their targets one by one and in rapid kill rate. The German soldiers try to kill what is before them, but what is before them is not there for long. The dogs come from all sides. The giants come from all sides. The soldiers attempt to run but that is their final mistake. The dogs hit anything that is moving, and smells like a German soldier. The villagers die, too. Many find shelter behind their doors and locks. But the slower ones, the older ones, are killed by the dogs. Ironically, it is the doors made from the woods of the giants that save many in the village. Even the soldiers on the roof tops are dying, because they are in plain sight of

the Giants as they rampage through the village. The soldiers are easy targets for the giants as they swing their axes and swords. Many giants are shot, and some fall, but many get up again urged on by rage. For every Warrior Giant that dies, two take up the charge with more rage and deadly intent. Rader is now beside the barn where Ignatius was kept. He fires his pistol while shouting orders to his men; but his men do not hear the orders. Death is coming too swiftly and with more rage and violence than these men have ever seen. Rader has lost his men, and he is losing the battle. Lieutenant Imhoff grabs for Rader to pull him back out of danger. “We must leave here, Major. We must get out now! We can come back with more men, more weapons, planes. We can’t stay here. A dog lunges at him. The lieutenant shoots the dog before it can reach him. Rader looks on as the dog tumbles to the ground. He hears his Lieutenant speaking but the words mean nothing to him. He is dying now. He knows it. This is Hell and he is still alive, but he will die soon. So he must kill the giant, the one in the square. That will be his final triumph. At least he will kill the giant so that the nation will know that he did something gallant in this battle. He turns to the square, firing his weapon as he runs. He sees Lieutenant Imhoff beside him, fighting to stay alive and protecting his Major. He gives Imhoff an order, but his words are lost in the din of the battle. A dark shadow envelopes him. Rader reaches out for his lieutenant but there is nothing there. The man’s head is gone, and his lifeless body falls to the ground. Blood splatters on Rader’s uniform, and he looks down in shock at the resulting smear. How will he ever explain this to Himmler back in Berlin? He begins to laugh as he rubs at the stain. He laughs and rubs, laughs and rubs, as the battle rages on around him. The shadow folds around him. Rader feels his head being ripped open. Claws? Maybe a rake of some kind? How could this be? Warm blood runs down into his eyes. Rader, wiping the blood from his eyes, struggles to see what is killing him. He sees the black eyes of Jorg’s Hawk, as the bird dances on his head, killing him.

73

LAST DAY WALK UP

Before the noon sun settles in the sky, the battle is over. The streets of Reinhaus are covered with dead villagers, German SS men, and dead dogs. There are parts of soldiers strewn around the streets, where the dogs had their feast. For many, the thick doors and walls of their houses kept them alive. Among the bodies of the villagers that didn’t find shelter, are the dead Warrior Giants. They appear twice as large as the bodies of the Tinies. Inside one of the well built houses, Jacob Rodenhaus stands at the front door, his hand on the door knob. He listens to make sure the battle is over. When he is certain, he opens the door and walks out to the village square. The house he leaves saved him, Ben, Sophie and Ursula. It is Ursula’s house and she led them to it, coming through the back garden gate. They couldn’t keep up with Rosa as they ran into the village, so Ursula led them to her house. It was in this house that they found the daughter, and Rudy, very weak, but alive, cowering in the little room under the stairs, where the Christmas presents were hidden for holidays. The daughter was in tears and hungry. It took them hours to calm her down. Abba walks very slowly out into the square, trying to stay out of the way of the Warrior Giants as they tend to their comrades. The large carts have been brought down from the mountain to gather up the fallen and wounded. He sees Ignatius Ignob, walking beside one of these carts. In the cart is a giant. As he gets nearer the cart, Abba sees Rosa laying on her back. She appears to be barely alive, but she is holding Ignatius’ hand. Ignatius is crying. “My friend. What can I do?” Abba says. Ignatius looks at him. At first he doesn’t seem to recognize Abba, but then he smiles, even through the tears he smiles. They are of course big tears and a big smile.

“She must survive Jacob. She must survive.” “She will. We all will.”

EPILOGUE

The village of Reinhaus did survive. The dead were buried, all of them, by the surviving villagers. There was never a word spoken again in public of the battle. Many years afterward, in private conversations, usually late in the evening, the Battle of the Giants would be mentioned. But, these conversations didn’t occur often. It was as if the people who survived did not want the rest of the world to know of the giants, and the mountain on which they lived. Maybe it was because of the evil that had nearly destroyed their village. They did not want that evil to ever return. There were no survivors of the SS unit that was sent there to bring back the Ignob Giants except one. Soon after the battle in Reinhaus, the war began to turn for the Third Reich. The Hitler empire was crumbling. Herr Goebbels took his own life, along with his family. Heinrich Himmler, the man who sent Rader on his quest, also took his own life while in custody of the British Army. With him died the knowledge of the mission to capture the Ignob Giants. Jacob Rodenhaus, known as Abba, to his son Ben, and later Ben’s young wife Sophie, survived the war and stayed with the giants, who built them a small house that was known as the Tiny House. Jacob and Ignatius made excellent violins together, and were known among the concert halls of the world as master craftsmen of the instrument. Everyday they toiled in Ignat’s shop, while singing songs and telling jokes. Every afternoon they would Rudy, in his wheel chair, and have a beer with him. All the while being served the best goulash soup in the world by Rosa; whom even with a leg and a half still managed to keep Ignatius in line. Sargent Haupmann, the lone survivor of the battle, survived his wounds. He lived among the giants of Ignob until he was an old man. He became friends with Jacob Rodenhaus, and they spent many hours talking about life and the struggles they had been through. The people of Ignob knew Haupmann as a man who never smiled, and they never heard him laugh. One day Haupmann walked out of the village, and was never seen again. Some in the village of Ignob said they heard the dogs barking, but for only a moment.

AUTHOR NOTES

I wish to thank the people who helped me write this book. Tom Little, who volunteered to edit my book, for no payment, other than friendship, and maybe a nice bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. My true, and trusted editor, Barb Sears, who has been with me in all of my books, telling me what is good, kind of good, and maybe not such a good idea. Debi Warford, who has done four of my six covers, and who always amazes me with her visual “chops”.

Max Sedam, may he rest in peace, who inspired me to pursue this adventure called writing.

And my family, who over the years, have let me come down here in my basement office and create these little worlds that I live in.

EXCERPT OF THE NEW BOOK BY BARRY MILLER: COMING IN THE FALL 2021

NEWT

The sharp dressed, lean black man, steps up to the mic on the stage of JK’s Club. He taps on the mic, to get the attention of the crowd. The lean black man is JK, who owns the t. He is wearing a tailor made, silk suit, like the Vietnamese tailors made for the GI’s over in Nam. Those suits looked good on a man, especially the lean and mean boys who fought in that war. JK is lean and mean too. He keeps in shape by boxing with the crew at the Jefferson Center. The young boys respect him there, after they have met his right hook. It’s open mic night at JK’s. The players have come in tonight to jam with other musicians, the crowd is pretty good. If you are a player in Lexington, you have to make an appearance at JK’s. That’s where reputations are made. It’s getting on in the evening, around 10:30 or 11 and the jam hasn’t started yet. There is a need for a bass player. JK, doesn’t stand for any amateurs on his stage. If you can’t play, you get ed over the next time. If a musician learns their craft, and the word is good from the street, JK will give a player a a chance on his stage. JK knows his craft. He takes no prisoners with his blues shuffle, and the fat notes he pulls out of his guitar. People who have seen him play know they are in good hands just by the way he slings his guitar. Way down low, like the old gunfighters wore their gun belts. He and his guitar, an old Fender, supposedly given to him by Buddy Guy one night in Chicago, are like lovers on stage. JK can make that axe scream if he wants to, or he can make it cool down by treating it gently. JK is the real thing. That is the reason the players come to his t on Saturday night. JK drapes his hand over the mic and looks out over the crowd. He takes the cigarette from the large, brown thick glass ash tray that he has by his side

whenever he plays. Its his club, he can smoke if he wants to. He takes a big drag from the fag, a Kool, mentholated, and hard to get, but he gets them. “We got any bass players in the crowd? This boy up here needs a bass player, says he can play some blues.” JK turns to the young boy, with a new guitar slung around his neck. JK gives the new axe the once over. The frets aren’t dirty yet, the varnish isn’t faded yet. It looks like it just came out of the case. No matter, JK will let him play. Everybody gets a chance at JK’s. Maybe the white boy will surprise him. The crowd is good tonight, lots of college kids, with fake ID’s, some horn players, good ones mostly, a drummer, Cecil Phillips, one of the older cats in town. Known in Lexington and Louisville. A steady, non flashy type of drummer. Some call him the Human Metronome. He is like a click track who never gets rushed and keeps a band steady and glued together. “C’mon, I know we got a bass player somewhere,” JK says, taking a another drag on his Kool. Through the smoke he looks out to see a body stand up in the back. “That you Newt?” “Yeah. It’s me.” a tall, lean, older man, wearing a Dale Earnhardt black hat, a white t shirt and faded jeans, walks from the back wall, like a gunfighter taking his bow. “You bring your bass?” “Was Ali black?” Newt has his bass in his hand, like he was planning on playing it tonight. The young boy with the new guitar, locks a stare on Newt as he walks up to the stage. Newt daps fists with a guy, just as he steps on to the stage. They know Newt. They know Newt for his playing, his guitar playing, his bass playing, his horn playing, and even his drum playing. He has mastered them all. And some know Newt because he is an old warrior who has been places that men have nightmares about. Newt gives the young player a nod, walks to the well used, Fender, tweed

covered, bass amp to the right of the young player. Newt pushes his power cord into the big jack on the front of the amp. He checks the knobs on the amp, turns a couple, turns some other knobs on his bass, then tunes quickly, knowing in his head what the notes should sound like. His bass is never far out of tune. He keeps it ready. He has never let the strings get too old, or too new either. He wants the strings to have a little soul in them as he puts it. Newt checks the volume of the bass, then nods to the kid that he is ready. “How bout Born in Chicago, in C. A shuffle.” the kid says to Newt. Newt nods to the kid, then gives a wink to the drummer. The drummer counts it off, giving a little lead in, on the and of the three count, and then goes into a steady shuffle beat. He gives Newt a good bottom to work from, which Newt builds on with skill and a smile to the drummer. The young guitar player starts out fine. His first little lick is pure imitation of every blues guitar player in South Chicago, but he pulls it off. He goes into the first verse, and things are pretty smooth. The crowd gives a little encouragement. A young girl, dressed in tight, shortshorts, stands up by her table and shouts out, “Play it baby. Oh my God. Ain’t he good!” she takes a long pull of her beer and shakes her butt. Then the young boy begins to unravel. Newt looks at he drummer, then to the kid, who can’t decide if he wants to imitate Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn, or Chuck Berry. He gets louder, and his notes come out in a blast of unorganized notes and thoughts. And he is losing tempo. Newt steps close to the kid, “Slow down man. You’re rushing.” The kid is sweating now, the drops falling from his face onto his new guitar. He looks up from his guitar, “What? Man don’t talk to me!” His words come over the mic and over his rock school solo, which has now turned into garage band chaos. Newt stomps his right foot, “One!” The kid gets worse. The tempo is all but gone now. The kid has no idea what is going on. He knows he has lost the song, If the song was a five mile road, he would be at the five mile mark, and the band is at the

two mile mark. Only this song isn’t a five mile road, it is a blues classic that should be played with honor and finesse; which the kid has none of. Newt stands in front of the kid, his back to the crowd, “You’re rushing kid. You just fucked this song. Stop.” The kid stares at Newt, his eyes are glassed over, his face is red, and his sweat is dripping on his Sun Records T shirt. This isn’t the way it was supposed to be. All of his friends told him he was good. “Go to JK’s man. Show them how good you are man.” He gets out of the solo the best way he can. The song ends, the drummer helping it with a clean little four bar lick, then closes it with a tight roll on the snare drum. The crowd, except for the beer drinking girl friend, gives polite applause. “You’ll be OK kid. Just got a little excited,” Newt says. The kid stares back at Newt, his eyes hating Newt and everybody else in the place. “You didn’t have to do that old man.” “Didn’t have to do what?” Newt says. His eyes are locked into the kid’s hard stare. “I had the song man. I was just messin around.” “You was rushing kid. You got some shit, you just have to shine it up a little. Stay cool.” And Newt leaves the stage, leaving the bass plugged into the amp. He plans on playing with some other guys, as soon as this kid can drag himself off of it. JK is on the stage again. He looks out over the crowd, hoping to find a familiar face, a good guitar player maybe, something to build on. The kid brushes by him, as he leaves the stage with his new guitar hidden in his new, black, guitar case. “You put a little age on that son. You come back someday. Ya hear?” JK says as the kid brushes by him. The kid starts to say something, but then walks off the stage. His girlfriend tugs on his arm and says something to him, but he walks past her heading for the door.

Newt is outside now, standing by his prized 56 Ford pick up truck, talking to his dog Shep. He could bring Shep into the t, but the dog doesn’t like the loud guitars. Besides he makes a good guard dog. Anyone touching the candle apple red truck gets one warning. “You good Shep? We’ll go home pretty soon boy. Ain’t much happening here tonight.” The kid is behind him, his guitar is on the ground. He is backed up by two of his friends. “You think you are pretty hot shit don’t you old man?” Newt is leaning on his truck, petting his dog. He has lit a cigarette. He takes a drag, then turns to the kid. “Son, there ain’t no need for this. You just got too excited in there, and lost the song, that is it. Now come on man, let’s all go home and watch some porn, or whatever you do in your daddy’s basement.” Newt didn’t mean to get smart ass, but he is getting tired of this young son, who has never felt pain, never had to run from the VC, never seen buddies running around without their faces blown off because a sapper just threw a frag into the patrol line. Newt takes a quick perusal of the two boys with the kid. Both are large, well fed, and maybe are looking for a fight. Or maybe they are just there to make sure Kid Junior here doesn’t hurt himself. “You old fucker. I am gonna kick yer ass,” the kid says. “Stay Shep.” Newt says the words very softly, very clearly to the dog, just before he reaches out and grabs the kid by his throat and pulls him off his feet. With the kid off balance Newt jerks him completely around, and before the kid’s brain can explain, Newt has one arm around his neck and has pulled his right arm so far up his back that he has brought tears to the boy’s eyes. “We good boys.You want your buddy’s arm broken? He won’t be playing much guitar after tonight. You want that?” “No sir. C’mon Randy. You just got yer ass kicked,” one of the boys says. Newt pushes Randy’s arm a little further up his back, just to make sure Randy

gives the correct answer. He does. “OK. I’m good.” Newt waits a second more, just to make sure the little skirmish is over. “You sure?” Randy nods his head. Newt releases the boy, but keeps his stance and waits to see of Randy has his mind right. “You are a dumb ass Randy. Wait till yer old man finds out you got yer ass kicked by an old redneck with an ugly dog,” one of the boy’s says. The boys walk away, letting Randy carry his guitar with his good left arm. “You hear that Shep? That boy says you are ugly. He has no taste whatsoever.”

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