The Shera Rom studied him, “Go on.”
“I have chosen to allow my sister to marry Christian…a gage.”
The Shera Rom nodded his head. Then he took a swig from the bottle. For a long moment the two men sat together in silence. Then the Shera Rom cleared his throat and said, “He is like one of us. Things have changed, Ion. It is not as it once was. I like Christian the gago man. He is a strong and good man. And I do believe that he has the heart of a gypsy. Besides that, they love each other. Even I, an old man, half blind, can see that.” The Shera Rom laughed at his own humor.
“I never thought you noticed,” Ion said.
“I am the Shera Rom… I notice everything. As will you once you are Shera Rom.” He smiled at Ion. “If you accept…then you are my chosen one.”
“I accept your offer, and I am honored.”
Ion gathered the group in front of the Shera Rom’s tent.
Once the entire band of men was present, and many of the women stood on the outskirts of the circle waiting and listening, Ion told the Shera Rom that the assembly was complete.
The Shera Rom walked out and greeted his people. Then he opened the meeting for discussion, allowing the men to speak their concerns about the attack that had just taken place.
“We cannot risk lighting big fires anymore. If we do, they will know our exact location. When these Nazis we’ve killed don’t return, they will begin looking for us,” one of the men said.
Another spoke up, “Some got away. I don’t think we killed all of them.”
“Even if this is just a renegade group, it is only a matter of time and, they will come again,” Shmul said.
“We must go deeper into the forest and continually move. No longer can we set up a camp, we must try to keep going and change our location daily.” It was Tobar who spoke.
“This will be challenging for those who go out on missions, but it must be done. It is our only way of insuring the safety of everyone,” Shmul said.
“At some point we must set up camp…even if it is just for the night. I feel that it would be wise to use small fires to cook, and keep them far from where we camp, in case the Germans see the smoke,” Tomas added.
“I have also taken into consideration that winter is coming, and I feel that it is necessary that we build some kind of shelter,” another of the men offered.
Ion answered, “Fortunately for us, we have plenty of clothes from the dead Germans. This will help when the cold sets in…but we will need shelter. When our original kumpania was arrested, they left all of their wagons behind at the site where they were taken. The Germans burned most of them…but some of the small ones are still sitting out in the open field where they were abandoned.
“Perhaps we should take the wagons into the forest and hide them well. We can dig out space within the trees. Not a clearing like we have now, but separate spaces that are well hidden by the woods. Then at night when we cook, we can walk several miles from our living site to build our fires. And if we must build a fire at the campsite, then it must be kept very small so that the smoke cannot be seen. These small wagons that we collect will serve as shelter once the frigid air arrives,” Shmul suggested.
“Until now, out of respect, we have not taken anything from the wagons because they belonged to those we loved, but I am sure there are blankets and supplies that we could use inside, and our fellow Rom would want us to have them. If for some reason the gypsies would have left their wagons behind willingly, they would have burned them. That’s our tradition, you know, but since they were arrested, whatever the SS didn’t destroy should still be intact,” Ion answered.
“Good, then it’s settled. Tonight the two of you, Ion and Christian, will go to our old abandoned campsite and bring back what you can. Then we will travel far from this location, and when we find a place that I feel is safe enough we will cut down enough trees and branches to hide our wagons. After that, we will cover all of the vurduns with branches and leaves, disguising their location from any outsiders who may wander by. Anyone wishing to join Ion and Christian is welcome,” the Shera Rom said. “Once we have settled, three men will return to this camp on horseback. You will take two horses. One of the men will drive the truck to our new campsite while the others return the way that they came. While the men are out bringing the vehicle back, the rest of you will build a new hiding place for the truck at our new campsite. Then we shall all keep a watch for abandoned wagons. We will need them in the future.”
The men all cheered, and several offered their assistance.
Ion lifted the bottle to his lips, “Then we shall share the drink, and let us all partake, my friends…and may we all live to see the Nazis defeated.”
“Here… Here…” the group chanted, and the bottle was passed around.
There was sadness from the loss of life among the partisans. But they had come to expect the tragedies that befell them, and so even with heavy hearts, they drank and were merry, knowing that their fight against the enemy would go on. The festivities were over quickly because Ion and Christian had to make their pilgrimage to the old camp to retrieve what they could while the rest of the group packed their necessities for the move. It was essential the camp be cleared before daybreak. Ion readied the horses while Christian took a moment to speak with Nadya.
“How are you?” he asked her.
“I’m fine…still a little shaken I guess,” she smiled at him. Then he tenderly touched her hair.
“Nadya… I know this is probably the wrong time to tell you, but Ion has given his consent. We may be married.”
Even though their lives seemed to be coming apart, Nadya felt a bolt of joy shoot through her entire body. “Christian!” She put her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I am so happy I think I could burst.”
Tobar stood by the stream, watching. He was disgusted by the open display of affection. Where had Nadya learned such poor manners? And moreover, why was Ion permitting this behavior? Once they were settled, Tobar decided, if Ion were not capable of handling the audacity of this gage, he would take care of Christian himself.
Chapter 22
It was at least ten miles to the old campsite where Ion and Nadya’s parents had been taken by the Nazis. Ion and Christian, accompanied by five others, all on horseback, finally arrived at the abandoned Romany camp.
As they looked around, they found the camp in a shambles, but several small vurduns still remained usable. The larger ones had been ransacked to the point of destruction. They cleaned and fixed as much as was possible on the premises in order to prepare the small wagons for the journey. Then the men scanned the camp for any dry foodstuffs that could be of use. Once they’d taken everything of value, they hitched the gypsy wagons to the horses and made their way back to the rest of their group.
As soon as they arrived back at camp, they were immediately greeted by the others who were prepared to leave as soon as possible. Within half an hour the wagons were loaded and the group began to move out. The gypsies knew the way. For years the kumpanias had used pathways that they carved through the forest for their own travel. Each leader was aware of the dirt roads and how to navigate them.
Ion planned to ride at the front with the Shera Rom. He asked Christian to take care of Nadya. Christian agreed, then he went back and hitched Ion’s vurdun to his horse and told Nadya and Hanzi to take the puppy and stay inside. The Shera Rom looked behind him to see that everyone was ready to travel. When he saw that his people were all in line awaiting his command, the Shera Rom raised his horse whip and called out, just loud enough for his band of travelers to hear him, “Good Road.” That is the signal among the Rom that tells the kumpania the time has come to move on.
With a quick crack of his whip the Shera Rom started the wagon train.
Although Christian had never driven a horse and cart, he knew that regardless of the rough terrain, he must be careful not to tip the wagon as they went deeper into the forest. The pathways were not always clear, and the drivin
g was treacherous. Christian felt the sweat bead on his neck as they traveled farther into the unknown.
When daybreak came, the Shera Rom found a hiding place. He sent Ion to speak to each person individually because he dared not call out.
“We will make camp here until nightfall,” Ion told Christian and Nadya, as he told each member of the kumpania. “The Shera Rom feels the risk of traveling by day is too great.”
Christian nodded.
“We will eat only raw food. We will not make a fire today.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Christian agreed.
Chapter 23
The men were instructed to sleep during the day, so they would be ready to travel through the night. Christian lay on the cot inside the wagon and tried to rest. The night’s work had exhausted him. It had been a perilous journey through the often small and unsafe passages in the forest. He closed his eyes and gave thanks to God for the privilege that had been granted him. Ion had given his consent to Christian’s marriage to Nadya. And even more of a blessing, she loved him. She wanted to be his wife. When she told him her feelings for him, it was like every dream he’d ever had came true right at that moment. But the deception he held deep within his heart paralyzed him with dread, putting a terrible damper on his joy. He loved these people; how could he lie to them? Yet how could he ever tell them the truth? As far as he’d traveled in an effort to escape it, his horrible secret chipped away at his very core, tearing him apart. The injustice he did Nadya and Ion by hiding the truth sickened him with guilt and shame. It was only fair to tell her before she became his wife, and give her the option of backing out of their marriage. But he could not. The truth was, as noble as it was to be honest, he didn’t want to let her go. Christian couldn’t bear to think of the look on her face once she knew the truth. If she turned away from him, he knew she would be gone forever. And he loved her… How he loved her. And Ion; what of Ion? Ion was his friend, his brother, a man who had won and deserved his respect. What distance would he have to run to escape his past? How could he prove that he was not the man they would claim him to be? He knew it was wrong, but he could not tell them his secret. Not now, not ever.
Chapter 24
A friendship had developed between Nadya and the young Jewish girls who had joined the Resistance. For many months they had gone together to the river to do their wash. As the afternoon set in, one of Nadya’s friends came over and asked her if she needed to go to the river to get water or to wash some of their clothing. Christian offered to go. He was not pleased at the idea of Nadya going off by herself. But since the group of girls never strayed far from the water’s edge, he finally conceded.
As Nadya sat by the side of the river with two of her young friends and several of the older gypsy women, scrubbing their clothing clean, she heard a soft rustle in the bushes. Turning quickly, she saw a German soldier carrying a gun. Screaming, the women began to leave their laundry and run back to camp. Shots rang out and two of the older women fell. Nadya was glued to the ground; she could not move, so stricken was she by fear that she was unable to get away. She felt her body tremble as the soldier came toward her, the taste of fear bitter in her mouth. But when she attempted to scream, all that came out of her mouth was a soft croak, “No, please.”
Filled with lust, the man licked his lips as he looked at Nadya with desire. Finally she found her inner strength and stood up. She tried to run away, but she was no match for the soldier, who was young and strong. He grabbed for her hair and she fell to the ground. Ripping her blouse, he gripped her breast in his hand. A piercing scream of panic escaped her lips as she bit his shoulder. Nadya threw her body about in a wild kicking and punching frenzy. The soldier grabbed her shoulder and held fast. With his other hand he drew back and slapped her face hard to insure that she would think twice before biting him again. Blood spilled from her lip and she cried out.
As he lay trying to sleep Christian heard the scream and recognized it as Nadya’s voice. At lightning speed, he jumped from the bed. Then he grabbed a gun from the pile and ran to the edge of the river where he knew the women had gone. When he came upon the dead women and the soldier on top of Nadya, he was enraged. Although Christian could have shot the man, he walked over and pulled him off Nadya. Then he held the gun in the soldier’s face.
“You’ve made a mistake touching this woman, you Nazi bastard.” Christian pulled the trigger. Half of the man’s face blew away in a cloud of skin, brain matter and blood. Nadya screamed both in terror and relief. Immediately Christian went to her. He took her in his arms and held her tenderly, rocking her like a baby while her tiny body trembled.
“Sweetheart… Did he hurt you?” Christian asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?” He held her face up to his so he could look into her eyes.
“No. I mean not really. He just scared me. I’m fine Christian. I’m just so glad to see you.”
“You have to stay close to me, Nadya. It’s too dangerous right now for you to be off on your own.”
She was too shaken to argue.
Ion arrived just then.
“What happened?”
“A German soldier, from the army, attacked the women.”
“My God… Nadya, are you all right?”
“Yes, thanks to Christian.”
Later that night the group was having their evening meal as Nadya walked up to Christian.
“Thank you for today, and for the other day. It seems like saving me has become your regular job,” she laughed.
“Nadya… I love you. I would do this for a stranger… But for you…for you I would risk my life.”
“I am so proud to be your betrothed.”
“Nadya, oh Nadya, you mean so much to me. But I hope that your feelings for me are not because you think I rescued you. You don’t owe me anything. I want you to want me because you love me, not because you think that you have to give me your heart,” Christian said, so choked by the power of his emotions that his voice came as barely a whisper.
“Christian, I do. I love you… I always have. I just didn’t want to admit it, even to myself. I was afraid we couldn’t be together. I was afraid Ion wouldn’t approve.”
“I know. I was too, but I couldn’t give up. I will never give up on you, Nadya. No matter what happens, I will be here…to save you, to help you, to love you.”
Chapter 25
That night when the darkness blanketed them with safety, the Shera Rom called out, “Good Road!” and the group began to move deeper into the forest. It was too dark to see the signs that the Romany leave carved into the trees for each other called patrin. As kumpanias travel through an area, it has always been customary to leave signs for groups which might follow. These patrin often tell of friendly places where the gypsies might find food, or dangerous areas to be avoided. The Shera Rom wished he could read their messages, but they were hidden by the darkness, and to travel during the day was suicide. Their only option was to make their way at night and travel as far from their old camp as possible.
As the wagon train rambled along through the ancient, narrow paths of the gypsy kumpanias before them, Ion rode up on horseback to ride beside Christian.
“I heard all about this afternoon.”
“Yes, Nadya gave me quite a scare,” Christian said.
“Since it was only one soldier, by himself, it was probably a deserter.”
“I think so too.”
“How is she?”
“Holding up all right, I suppose, but she was quite shaken and rightfully so. I just thank God I was awake and that I heard her.”
“Yes…a little from us, but a lot from God. That is how we survive.” Ion said.
“The Rom have a special way of looking at things,” Christian said as he smiled at Ion.
“That we do, my brother.” The night was quiet save for the soft clopping of the horses hooves on the dirt path. “I have another group of refugees that needs your help. Shmul is drawing up papers for
them. It may take a few weeks until we can iron out all the details. Because of this mission there has been a change of plans. The attack on our camp left us with little ammunition, and so when this job came up, we decided it was a good idea to do it in order to earn the money to buy more. We were going to wait and send three men for the truck, but it looks as if we might need it sooner than we expected. Shmul and Samuel went ahead of us and moved the truck a few miles from where we intend to make our temporary camp. I was talking to the Shera Rom, and although at first we thought we might make a permanent camp through the winter, the Shera Rom has changed his mind. We may just have to continue traveling, even when the weather gets bad. I don’t know if it will be possible, but we must try. The ice makes travel very difficult, but it seems that it is just too dangerous to stay in one place. If the others do not agree, then they can stay. I will follow the Shera Rom, snd I hope you will as well.”
“I think that is wise. I will follow the Shera Rom, and I think the others will agree. Now, tell me more about the mission,” Christian said.
“Well, as I said they took the truck. Shmul and Samuel are smart; they will hide it well, so that the Nazis will never find it should they come upon our hiding place.” He hesitated for a few moments. “Christian, I am afraid that this mission might be more challenging than the first, and therefore I intend to go with you. That is, if you decide to go, of course. And remember, no one will force you. I would understand if you refused,” Ion said.
Christian looked back into the wagon to see if Nadya had fallen asleep, but the moonlight did not shine far enough inside the wagon, so the inner core of the vurdun was completely dark. It had been over an hour since he’d heard Hanzi’s voice, so he knew the child slept. But he wondered if Nadya still lay awake. He hoped she did not hear this conversation. After what she had gone through that afternoon, the last thing she needed was to know that Christian would be accepting another dangerous job. It would be far better to tell her himself when the time was right. But he knew he must do this. It was his destiny; it was the price he must pay for being born an Aryan.