Post by Qualerei on Nov 26, 2006 15:48:01 GMT -5
At last finished (and not a minute too early), here's the story I've been working on these past two weeks... Fiuuuh... Now, maybe I can start drawing Mount Mataiur...
Edit : censorship seems to do quite a few funny things. To avoid that, I've broken the incriminated words in two (eg : hel_lo, and such). Otherwise, some of these words were completely incoherent.
Germany - Pottsdam Kriegschule - September 1935
The car came to a stop, in front of a big, obviously ancient building. Hans Gehrken, the feldwebel, who had been driving, pulled the handbrake and quickly got out of the car so as to open the door to his passenger, but the short, stocky blond man was already out as well. At this point, the young feldwebel hesitated ; he had been assigned to this officer very recently - just after his appointment to the Pottsdam kriegsschule had been made official - and he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do now. Should he go and park the car, or was he supposed to await his officer's orders ? Confused, he glanced at the other man with the hope he would help solve this dilemma.
Erwin Rommel, freshly appointed instructor and newly promoted lieutenant-colonel, took a slow breath in as he studied the building, unaware of the stammering and pathetic glance of his batman. He felt his heart hammer in his chest for a second. There he was, at last, and he had the occasion to give his knowledge and experience to young and promising military men, who'd be the future fighting force of the Reich. He would make soldiers of them, even if he had to hammer the rules of strategy into their heads until they begged for mercy. Yet, he knew no military man was a real soldier until he had been to battle, until he had seen death surrounding him. Until his hands were bloodied. He had learnt this lesson long ago, when he was barely a grown man. He had never forgotten that.
He eventually bestowed a glance to his batman, and gave him a slight nod.
"Park the car somewhere. I'm going inside."
The young man clicked his heels and saluted sharply before complying, at the same time pondering whether he should point out to the lieutenant-colonel that it was 11 p.m. and nobody was likely to be up to greet him. But then, he remembered what his comrades had told him before he left to his new duties. Never speak when not asked to, and you'll live to see another day...
Rommel wasn't quite paying attention to his batman. He hadn't had time yet to really speak to the man and get better acquainted, and right now was not the time - not to mention he had other things on his mind. He, his wife Lucie and his seven years old son Manfred, had just moved in earlier that day, but in spite of Lucie's protests and the late hour, he hadn't been able to resist seeing the place where he would work. He couldn't have waited, as he was pretty enthusiastic about his new job. He liked to teach, even though he sometimes ran short of patience with the stubborness and stupidity his students occasionally displayed.
This would not be his first experience as a teacher ; he had already been a military instructor in Dresden, up until two years ago, and that experience had given him the motivation to write his book about infantry. He looked forward to having another go at it.
He climbed up the stairs that led to the main hall of the building. It was closed, of course, but he had had the presence of mind to ask for the key, and he unlocked the door, as he felt a pleasing although childish excitement send a tremor up his spine.
The sound of his heavy boots on the wooden floor echoed in the empty hall when he finally entered. The room was plunged in darkness, and he reached gropingly for the light switch. The hall filled with light, to Rommel's delight. It was clean, stark yet comfortable, just like it should be. He headed forward to another room, and then he found what he was looking for ; his office. The name of his predecessor was still written on the glass : "Colonel Werner Debauer". He would have to have it removed, but the place already felt homelike.
He opened the door. The place felt kind of empty and grim, since all traces of its previous occupant had been carefully eradicated, but he would bring it to life once he got installed in there. He hesitated for a second ; it was late, and he should be going back to Lucie. But what harm could do one more minute ? Besides, the empty chair was just too much of a temptation. He slid his light frame in the seat, and allowed himself a pleased smile. He would like it here.
"What the h*** are you doing here ?"
Surprised by the harsh voice, Rommel raised his glance, and met the dark eyes of a man glaring at him. He wore a uniform with a major's insignias, and in spite of the late hour, he was perfectly dressed, up to the peaked cap on his dark hair. He seemed to be in his thirties. When Erwin rose, he noticed the man was as short as he was, maybe even a bit more.
"Lieutenant-colonel Erwin Rommel. I am a newly appointed instructor in this school", he introduced himself.
The dark haired major didn't relent that easily.
"You didn't answer my question", he said, but in a slightly more amenable tone.
"Well, I just arrived, and I wanted to have a look at the place", Rommel retorted, starting to feel a bit irritated.
He outranked the major, and technically shouldn't have had to explain himself. But there was something he liked in the thoroughness the man showed in the application of his duty.
"I see", the other officer muttered. "A perfectionnist." A sudden grin made his features brighten. "I like that. I am Aldrich Kaltenhorst, teacher in strategy and military history."
He offered his hand, and for a second Rommel was tempted to refuse it, in retaliation for this unwarm, not to say frosty reception. But it would have been petty and mean, and after all Kaltenhorst's reaction was understandable, so he shook hands with him.
"I teach infantry tactics", he replied.
"I know, we were notified of your arrival. But I certainly didn't expect to see you already - we were told you'd need a few days to move in."
"As I said, I just arrived, but I just had to come and see the place", Rommel replied with a foxy grin of his own. "Although I didn't expect to see anyone up that late."
"I often stay here late", Kaltenhorst shrugged. "I like to work when there's no one around to bother me. But since you are here - and I was nearly finished anyway - would you like to take a closer look ?"
"I'd love to", Erwin replied sincerelly.
****
Lucie rolled on the bed, and couldn't refrain a weary sigh. She was so accustomed to Erwin's presence nearby that she found she had trouble sleeping without him. She liked to feel his warmth against her skin, and to have his hand on her waist ; that made her feel safe, loved and protected. But ever since last october, he had been burying himself in work, coming back home later and later. The first time he had come back well after dinner, she had been worried he hadn't eaten anything. But as it happened again and again, she started to feel angry, feeling driven away. She knew how important it was to him, and how devoted he was to his work, and she had tried to be tolerant. But she didn't want him to forget his family. She had told her husband he should play more with Manfred, like he used to, and he had merely replied that he would try, but that it might be a few weeks before he was accustomed to his new duties. That sounded too much like a way out for her liking.
She checked her watch, and realized it was half past midnight. She heaved an angry growl, and rolled once more to find a more comfortable position. She'd be tired, the following day, but she'd have to be up when the remover would arrive. They didn't have too many things, but the furnitures were heavy and cumbersome, so they had deemed better to ask a professional to do it. Well, Erwin would be even more tired, but she wouldn't let him oversleep. If she had to bear the exhaustion, the fuss and everything, there was no reason he shouldn't as well.
Suddenly, she heard a faint noise near the door, then a slight creak as someone entered the bedroom. At last, here he was, but Lucie felt in a sulky mood, and she pretended she was asleep. She certainly managed to fool him, as he tried to make as little noise as possible. He slid in the bed near her, and she couldn't help but feel better when he lay his hand on her waist, as he always did.
Tomorrow would be another day.
Three weeks later - Pottsdam Kriegsschule
"... And when in this situation, don't forget to always surround the ennemy whenever possible, while keeping a cover. Here, let me sketch an illustration -"
By now more or less used to his habit to sketch countless drawings to illustrate his course, the cadets waited patiently for Rommel to quickly schematize the situation he had been lecturing them on. When he was done, he switched the projector on, so as to display it for all his students to see. Most of them started to recopy it on their notebooks.
"Remember than, whenever confronting an ennemy force, the victor is most of the time he who starts firing first. It might cost more ammunitions, but they are easier to replace than soldiers. Firing at the ennemy first always has a psychological impact."
He checked his watch and realized it was time for the end of the course.
"Well, seems like we are a bit short on time... I want you to write down what you would do if you were the ennemy, in that same situation, and I expect you to hand these back next time. The class is dismissed."
The students gradually left the room, chatting with each other enthusiastically, but one or two stayed behind to ask Rommel about a few details. Some had intelligent questions, some others had misunderstood something. He never let them away before he was certain they had understood completely, and at the same time took mental notes to add to their file. For instance, there was this Helmuth Freyer, who was pretty clever, but that wasn't necessarily an advantage, because he never had had to work much to get good marks, and was a bit of a lazy cadet. His worst subject was undoubtedly physical training. But he would probably make a good officer at any rate. However, a good officer also had to earn the respect of his men, and that came through hard working and physical fitness too. Freyer would understand that in time.
Erwin finished answering the cadets's questions, then headed for the instructor's private salon. That was the best place in the school for whomever wanted to work, or talk quietly with a fellow instructor, or just sit down and listen. The room was almost empty but for another instructor, Kurt Hesse, who taught history of Prussia. Erwin had quickly befriended him, and they had got close. They also spent a lot of time with Aldrich ; Rommel liked his dry wit and ruthless irony as much as Kurt's erudition and slyness.
"Here, have a drink", Kurt said, hardly raising his head as Erwin entered, and he gestured towards the bottle of schnaps that stood on the table nearby.
"We're not allowed to drink while on duty", Rommel replied mechanically.
"Yeah, but it's friday evening, six o'clock, so technically, we're no longer on duty", Kurt retorted with a sly grin, and his fellow instructor couldn't help but smile back.
"Well, I could use a drink", Erwin admitted as he grabbed the bottle. "This week's been hectic."
"Yeh work too much", Kurt responded absent-mindedly as he turned a page of his book. "I've never seen anyone spend so much time preparing their courses."
"I have to make it interesting for the students", Rommel defended himself. "As long as I'm an instructor here, I won't have cadets falling asleep on me, and if that goes through well prepared courses..."
"Whoa ! Quiet, my friend", Kurt said, raising his hand. "I didn't mean anything by that. And your students certainly do seem to enjoy their time with you - I think I could get jealous."
"Hmm, anyway, thanks for the drink, but I've got to go back home now", Erwin replied as he gave Kurt his bottle back.
"What's the hurry ?"
Erwin had a grimace.
"Lucie was a bit angry this week, because I stayed up a bit late working. I'd better be home before seven if I want to spend a peaceful week-end. Not to mention I promised to spend some time with Manfred."
"Really", Kurt muttered. "One would think that a man who can face hundreds of cadets each week wouldn't be so thoroughly cowed by his own wife..."
"Maybe, but she's prettier than our boys", Rommel replied, amused.
"I won't argue that !" Kurt exclaimed with a laugh.
Erwin gathered the papers he might need for the week-end and after saying goodbye to is friend, he headed to his car. As he walked out of the building, he shuddered slightly ; the weather wasn't improving, and he couldn't wait to be back home. Or, even better, in a warm bed with his wife curled up by his side.
His home was about forty-five minutes away by car, which left him plenty of time to be back in time. Or at least, that was what Rommel thought, until he noticed a road sign that by no means should have been there.
When the h*** did I take the direction of Spitzburg ? With all these clouds and the night falling earlier, I probably took a wrong turn... Where am I ?
He eventually concluded that the only choice he had was to continue until he reached Spitzburg, and there ask for directions, unless he saw another road sign before - which was, unfortunately, quite unlikely.
It took him about thirty minutes to read Spitzburg, which happened to be a small village of barely a few hundreds inhabitants. Including the sheep. There weren't many people in the street, and most of them seemed busy, going about their business. Dispirited, he tried to find someone willing to give him directions, and eventually settled for an old woman walking slowly, a bread tucked under her arm. Old people were the most likely to know the place.
"Excuse me", he said politely. "I was wondering if you could give me directions to Pottsdam ?"
The old woman raised her head and met his eyes. Her face was distorted by a strange, wistful smile as she looked hard at him.
"You remind me of my son", she said casually.
"Oh... uh... really ?" Erwin said uncomfortably, starting to think he should have adressed someone else. Anyone else.
"He was a military too, you know. Killed during the great war. The war to end all wars, they say !" she laughed. It was an unpleasant, hollow sound. "There will always be wars. As long as there is people like you to fight them."
Rommel stared at her. He was starting to feel a bit exasperated. Respecting the elders was all good and nice, but that was no reason to listen to a woman who obviously wasn't in her right mind. On the other hand, leaving now felt a bit like fleeing, and he didn't like that either.
"You know, I just wanted directions to Pottsdam", he said irritatedly.
"Of course, of course", she muttered, almost to herself. "Go back this way, then take the third intersection on your right. Follow the road, it will turn a lot. Then, you'll arrive on another road, and you'll take left. You'll arrive to Pottsdam. You can't make a mistake."
***
Three hours later, as he parked the car in front of his house, Rommel was still wondering if the old woman had misled him on purpose, or if he had taken a wrong turn somewhere. But the indications she had given him sure as h*** hadn't taken him back to Pottsdam. Unless Pottsdam was also the name of this stupid forest where he'd got even more lost.
He checked his watch, and winced. It was almost ten, and Lucie wasn't going to be pleased with him. That was even an euphemism. For once it wasn't even his fault... but he somehow doubted she would be very sensible to that argument. Well, no sense in delaying the upcoming and unavoidable quarrel, so he should as well go inside and let that be over with. He got out of the car and went to the door, but he didn't have the time to draw his key as the door flung open, and a very angry-looking Lucie stared at him from the doorstep.
"Hem -- hel_lo", he said, squirming uneasily under her scathing glance. When she spoke, in a dangerously low voice, her tone could have made he_ll freeze over.
"You promised you'd be home by seven. You promised !"
"Well, I -"
"But I should have known that would be the same thing tonight ! What will it be, this time ? You were working ? A cadet asked you a question ? You had a drink with your colleagues ? That's one time too many, Erwin !"
"But I -"
"What am I supposed to tell Manfred when he asks why his father isn't here to have dinner with his family ? Or when he wants to show you something, only you're never here, or busy with something ?!"
"To tell the truth - "
"Oh, yes, that would be good for a change ! I won't bear that much longer, Erwin !"
This time, he felt hurt, and irritated too. He may have his shortcomings, but never, ever, had he lied to Lucie. He knew anger made her say things she did not really think, but that hurt nonetheless, and all the more as he felt that was uncalled for. When he was guilty, he would gladly let her scold him, but she could at least hear what he had to say. Or was it his fault for coming home late too many times ? He suddenly felt very tired. He'd had a long day, then driven for almost four hours, and know he had to bear that... And eventually, he had no patience left.
"Well, I'm sorry if you're not happy with me, and I certainly wish it were otherwise, but right now I'm tired, so I'm going to bed. Good night !"
He strode past her, taking a furious pleasure in her bewildered expression - he seldom rebelled like that - and climbed the stairs to their bedroom. He was quite hungry, but couldn't stand the idea of going back down there and enduring Lucie's glares, so he gave up and merely drank some water before putting on his night garments. He fell asleep hardly five minute laters.
This night, Lucie did not join him in bed. But he didn't notice.
Edit : censorship seems to do quite a few funny things. To avoid that, I've broken the incriminated words in two (eg : hel_lo, and such). Otherwise, some of these words were completely incoherent.
Germany - Pottsdam Kriegschule - September 1935
The car came to a stop, in front of a big, obviously ancient building. Hans Gehrken, the feldwebel, who had been driving, pulled the handbrake and quickly got out of the car so as to open the door to his passenger, but the short, stocky blond man was already out as well. At this point, the young feldwebel hesitated ; he had been assigned to this officer very recently - just after his appointment to the Pottsdam kriegsschule had been made official - and he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do now. Should he go and park the car, or was he supposed to await his officer's orders ? Confused, he glanced at the other man with the hope he would help solve this dilemma.
Erwin Rommel, freshly appointed instructor and newly promoted lieutenant-colonel, took a slow breath in as he studied the building, unaware of the stammering and pathetic glance of his batman. He felt his heart hammer in his chest for a second. There he was, at last, and he had the occasion to give his knowledge and experience to young and promising military men, who'd be the future fighting force of the Reich. He would make soldiers of them, even if he had to hammer the rules of strategy into their heads until they begged for mercy. Yet, he knew no military man was a real soldier until he had been to battle, until he had seen death surrounding him. Until his hands were bloodied. He had learnt this lesson long ago, when he was barely a grown man. He had never forgotten that.
He eventually bestowed a glance to his batman, and gave him a slight nod.
"Park the car somewhere. I'm going inside."
The young man clicked his heels and saluted sharply before complying, at the same time pondering whether he should point out to the lieutenant-colonel that it was 11 p.m. and nobody was likely to be up to greet him. But then, he remembered what his comrades had told him before he left to his new duties. Never speak when not asked to, and you'll live to see another day...
Rommel wasn't quite paying attention to his batman. He hadn't had time yet to really speak to the man and get better acquainted, and right now was not the time - not to mention he had other things on his mind. He, his wife Lucie and his seven years old son Manfred, had just moved in earlier that day, but in spite of Lucie's protests and the late hour, he hadn't been able to resist seeing the place where he would work. He couldn't have waited, as he was pretty enthusiastic about his new job. He liked to teach, even though he sometimes ran short of patience with the stubborness and stupidity his students occasionally displayed.
This would not be his first experience as a teacher ; he had already been a military instructor in Dresden, up until two years ago, and that experience had given him the motivation to write his book about infantry. He looked forward to having another go at it.
He climbed up the stairs that led to the main hall of the building. It was closed, of course, but he had had the presence of mind to ask for the key, and he unlocked the door, as he felt a pleasing although childish excitement send a tremor up his spine.
The sound of his heavy boots on the wooden floor echoed in the empty hall when he finally entered. The room was plunged in darkness, and he reached gropingly for the light switch. The hall filled with light, to Rommel's delight. It was clean, stark yet comfortable, just like it should be. He headed forward to another room, and then he found what he was looking for ; his office. The name of his predecessor was still written on the glass : "Colonel Werner Debauer". He would have to have it removed, but the place already felt homelike.
He opened the door. The place felt kind of empty and grim, since all traces of its previous occupant had been carefully eradicated, but he would bring it to life once he got installed in there. He hesitated for a second ; it was late, and he should be going back to Lucie. But what harm could do one more minute ? Besides, the empty chair was just too much of a temptation. He slid his light frame in the seat, and allowed himself a pleased smile. He would like it here.
"What the h*** are you doing here ?"
Surprised by the harsh voice, Rommel raised his glance, and met the dark eyes of a man glaring at him. He wore a uniform with a major's insignias, and in spite of the late hour, he was perfectly dressed, up to the peaked cap on his dark hair. He seemed to be in his thirties. When Erwin rose, he noticed the man was as short as he was, maybe even a bit more.
"Lieutenant-colonel Erwin Rommel. I am a newly appointed instructor in this school", he introduced himself.
The dark haired major didn't relent that easily.
"You didn't answer my question", he said, but in a slightly more amenable tone.
"Well, I just arrived, and I wanted to have a look at the place", Rommel retorted, starting to feel a bit irritated.
He outranked the major, and technically shouldn't have had to explain himself. But there was something he liked in the thoroughness the man showed in the application of his duty.
"I see", the other officer muttered. "A perfectionnist." A sudden grin made his features brighten. "I like that. I am Aldrich Kaltenhorst, teacher in strategy and military history."
He offered his hand, and for a second Rommel was tempted to refuse it, in retaliation for this unwarm, not to say frosty reception. But it would have been petty and mean, and after all Kaltenhorst's reaction was understandable, so he shook hands with him.
"I teach infantry tactics", he replied.
"I know, we were notified of your arrival. But I certainly didn't expect to see you already - we were told you'd need a few days to move in."
"As I said, I just arrived, but I just had to come and see the place", Rommel replied with a foxy grin of his own. "Although I didn't expect to see anyone up that late."
"I often stay here late", Kaltenhorst shrugged. "I like to work when there's no one around to bother me. But since you are here - and I was nearly finished anyway - would you like to take a closer look ?"
"I'd love to", Erwin replied sincerelly.
****
Lucie rolled on the bed, and couldn't refrain a weary sigh. She was so accustomed to Erwin's presence nearby that she found she had trouble sleeping without him. She liked to feel his warmth against her skin, and to have his hand on her waist ; that made her feel safe, loved and protected. But ever since last october, he had been burying himself in work, coming back home later and later. The first time he had come back well after dinner, she had been worried he hadn't eaten anything. But as it happened again and again, she started to feel angry, feeling driven away. She knew how important it was to him, and how devoted he was to his work, and she had tried to be tolerant. But she didn't want him to forget his family. She had told her husband he should play more with Manfred, like he used to, and he had merely replied that he would try, but that it might be a few weeks before he was accustomed to his new duties. That sounded too much like a way out for her liking.
She checked her watch, and realized it was half past midnight. She heaved an angry growl, and rolled once more to find a more comfortable position. She'd be tired, the following day, but she'd have to be up when the remover would arrive. They didn't have too many things, but the furnitures were heavy and cumbersome, so they had deemed better to ask a professional to do it. Well, Erwin would be even more tired, but she wouldn't let him oversleep. If she had to bear the exhaustion, the fuss and everything, there was no reason he shouldn't as well.
Suddenly, she heard a faint noise near the door, then a slight creak as someone entered the bedroom. At last, here he was, but Lucie felt in a sulky mood, and she pretended she was asleep. She certainly managed to fool him, as he tried to make as little noise as possible. He slid in the bed near her, and she couldn't help but feel better when he lay his hand on her waist, as he always did.
Tomorrow would be another day.
Three weeks later - Pottsdam Kriegsschule
"... And when in this situation, don't forget to always surround the ennemy whenever possible, while keeping a cover. Here, let me sketch an illustration -"
By now more or less used to his habit to sketch countless drawings to illustrate his course, the cadets waited patiently for Rommel to quickly schematize the situation he had been lecturing them on. When he was done, he switched the projector on, so as to display it for all his students to see. Most of them started to recopy it on their notebooks.
"Remember than, whenever confronting an ennemy force, the victor is most of the time he who starts firing first. It might cost more ammunitions, but they are easier to replace than soldiers. Firing at the ennemy first always has a psychological impact."
He checked his watch and realized it was time for the end of the course.
"Well, seems like we are a bit short on time... I want you to write down what you would do if you were the ennemy, in that same situation, and I expect you to hand these back next time. The class is dismissed."
The students gradually left the room, chatting with each other enthusiastically, but one or two stayed behind to ask Rommel about a few details. Some had intelligent questions, some others had misunderstood something. He never let them away before he was certain they had understood completely, and at the same time took mental notes to add to their file. For instance, there was this Helmuth Freyer, who was pretty clever, but that wasn't necessarily an advantage, because he never had had to work much to get good marks, and was a bit of a lazy cadet. His worst subject was undoubtedly physical training. But he would probably make a good officer at any rate. However, a good officer also had to earn the respect of his men, and that came through hard working and physical fitness too. Freyer would understand that in time.
Erwin finished answering the cadets's questions, then headed for the instructor's private salon. That was the best place in the school for whomever wanted to work, or talk quietly with a fellow instructor, or just sit down and listen. The room was almost empty but for another instructor, Kurt Hesse, who taught history of Prussia. Erwin had quickly befriended him, and they had got close. They also spent a lot of time with Aldrich ; Rommel liked his dry wit and ruthless irony as much as Kurt's erudition and slyness.
"Here, have a drink", Kurt said, hardly raising his head as Erwin entered, and he gestured towards the bottle of schnaps that stood on the table nearby.
"We're not allowed to drink while on duty", Rommel replied mechanically.
"Yeah, but it's friday evening, six o'clock, so technically, we're no longer on duty", Kurt retorted with a sly grin, and his fellow instructor couldn't help but smile back.
"Well, I could use a drink", Erwin admitted as he grabbed the bottle. "This week's been hectic."
"Yeh work too much", Kurt responded absent-mindedly as he turned a page of his book. "I've never seen anyone spend so much time preparing their courses."
"I have to make it interesting for the students", Rommel defended himself. "As long as I'm an instructor here, I won't have cadets falling asleep on me, and if that goes through well prepared courses..."
"Whoa ! Quiet, my friend", Kurt said, raising his hand. "I didn't mean anything by that. And your students certainly do seem to enjoy their time with you - I think I could get jealous."
"Hmm, anyway, thanks for the drink, but I've got to go back home now", Erwin replied as he gave Kurt his bottle back.
"What's the hurry ?"
Erwin had a grimace.
"Lucie was a bit angry this week, because I stayed up a bit late working. I'd better be home before seven if I want to spend a peaceful week-end. Not to mention I promised to spend some time with Manfred."
"Really", Kurt muttered. "One would think that a man who can face hundreds of cadets each week wouldn't be so thoroughly cowed by his own wife..."
"Maybe, but she's prettier than our boys", Rommel replied, amused.
"I won't argue that !" Kurt exclaimed with a laugh.
Erwin gathered the papers he might need for the week-end and after saying goodbye to is friend, he headed to his car. As he walked out of the building, he shuddered slightly ; the weather wasn't improving, and he couldn't wait to be back home. Or, even better, in a warm bed with his wife curled up by his side.
His home was about forty-five minutes away by car, which left him plenty of time to be back in time. Or at least, that was what Rommel thought, until he noticed a road sign that by no means should have been there.
When the h*** did I take the direction of Spitzburg ? With all these clouds and the night falling earlier, I probably took a wrong turn... Where am I ?
He eventually concluded that the only choice he had was to continue until he reached Spitzburg, and there ask for directions, unless he saw another road sign before - which was, unfortunately, quite unlikely.
It took him about thirty minutes to read Spitzburg, which happened to be a small village of barely a few hundreds inhabitants. Including the sheep. There weren't many people in the street, and most of them seemed busy, going about their business. Dispirited, he tried to find someone willing to give him directions, and eventually settled for an old woman walking slowly, a bread tucked under her arm. Old people were the most likely to know the place.
"Excuse me", he said politely. "I was wondering if you could give me directions to Pottsdam ?"
The old woman raised her head and met his eyes. Her face was distorted by a strange, wistful smile as she looked hard at him.
"You remind me of my son", she said casually.
"Oh... uh... really ?" Erwin said uncomfortably, starting to think he should have adressed someone else. Anyone else.
"He was a military too, you know. Killed during the great war. The war to end all wars, they say !" she laughed. It was an unpleasant, hollow sound. "There will always be wars. As long as there is people like you to fight them."
Rommel stared at her. He was starting to feel a bit exasperated. Respecting the elders was all good and nice, but that was no reason to listen to a woman who obviously wasn't in her right mind. On the other hand, leaving now felt a bit like fleeing, and he didn't like that either.
"You know, I just wanted directions to Pottsdam", he said irritatedly.
"Of course, of course", she muttered, almost to herself. "Go back this way, then take the third intersection on your right. Follow the road, it will turn a lot. Then, you'll arrive on another road, and you'll take left. You'll arrive to Pottsdam. You can't make a mistake."
***
Three hours later, as he parked the car in front of his house, Rommel was still wondering if the old woman had misled him on purpose, or if he had taken a wrong turn somewhere. But the indications she had given him sure as h*** hadn't taken him back to Pottsdam. Unless Pottsdam was also the name of this stupid forest where he'd got even more lost.
He checked his watch, and winced. It was almost ten, and Lucie wasn't going to be pleased with him. That was even an euphemism. For once it wasn't even his fault... but he somehow doubted she would be very sensible to that argument. Well, no sense in delaying the upcoming and unavoidable quarrel, so he should as well go inside and let that be over with. He got out of the car and went to the door, but he didn't have the time to draw his key as the door flung open, and a very angry-looking Lucie stared at him from the doorstep.
"Hem -- hel_lo", he said, squirming uneasily under her scathing glance. When she spoke, in a dangerously low voice, her tone could have made he_ll freeze over.
"You promised you'd be home by seven. You promised !"
"Well, I -"
"But I should have known that would be the same thing tonight ! What will it be, this time ? You were working ? A cadet asked you a question ? You had a drink with your colleagues ? That's one time too many, Erwin !"
"But I -"
"What am I supposed to tell Manfred when he asks why his father isn't here to have dinner with his family ? Or when he wants to show you something, only you're never here, or busy with something ?!"
"To tell the truth - "
"Oh, yes, that would be good for a change ! I won't bear that much longer, Erwin !"
This time, he felt hurt, and irritated too. He may have his shortcomings, but never, ever, had he lied to Lucie. He knew anger made her say things she did not really think, but that hurt nonetheless, and all the more as he felt that was uncalled for. When he was guilty, he would gladly let her scold him, but she could at least hear what he had to say. Or was it his fault for coming home late too many times ? He suddenly felt very tired. He'd had a long day, then driven for almost four hours, and know he had to bear that... And eventually, he had no patience left.
"Well, I'm sorry if you're not happy with me, and I certainly wish it were otherwise, but right now I'm tired, so I'm going to bed. Good night !"
He strode past her, taking a furious pleasure in her bewildered expression - he seldom rebelled like that - and climbed the stairs to their bedroom. He was quite hungry, but couldn't stand the idea of going back down there and enduring Lucie's glares, so he gave up and merely drank some water before putting on his night garments. He fell asleep hardly five minute laters.
This night, Lucie did not join him in bed. But he didn't notice.