The Silver Seer

Chapter 7: Keep a Secret

I sit on the ground near the helicopter, my head in my hands, silently cursing myself. When Sigfried and I returned to the helicopter, the pilot was dead- I assume they were murdered by the Russians so I couldn't escape or go anywhere other than Forchheim.

From where we are now, Berlin is a little under five hours away if we drive, and I don't even want to consider walking. I need those pills. Today. The sooner, the better.

Sigfried sits beside me, completely silent. Finally, he speaks. "Is there a base in Forchheim? Maybe we can ask to borrow one of their vehicles." The man proposes, and I take a breath before lowering my hands from my face.

I pull out my phone from my cloak pocket that lays beside me- thankfully the Russians didn't steal the cloth itself or anything from within- and scroll through my contacts, seeing if any name rings a bell.

Eventually, a certain one does. I put the phone to my ear as the call is sent through. Please pick up. Please, please, please.

"Little Adel, is it really you on the other side of the phone?" A woman's voice answers me, and I cannot help but smile as all the memories we made while in Germany come back to me.

"Yes, Lieutenant Johanna, it's me. Would you mind if I stopped by with one of my officers?" I spare a glance at Sigfried, who is looking at something ahead of him.

"Of course, you can! You're welcome at my base and my office anytime, you know. Maybe, when you arrive, some cookies will be waiting for you." Lieutenant Johanna laughs on the other end, and all I do is smile; I don't have the energy to laugh.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. We'll be there shortly." I hang up, and push myself to my feet, seeing Sigfried do the same out of the corner of my left eye.

As we begin walking in the direction of Forchheim's base, Sigfried starts a conversation, and I'm thankful to him for making our trip less awkward.

Not that traveling with my officers or the silence is awkward- I would just prefer to be talking with someone rather than being left alone with my thoughts, especially now.

"Lieutenant Johanna sounds friendly. You two must know each other well." Sigfried comments, and I nod.

"We served together when I was in Germany. She was always seen as a mother figure to a lot of the soldiers, and I think she took a liking to me since I was younger than most of the others. She would always snatch a few cookies from the dining hall on nights when I was feeling under the weather and bring them to my dorm.

"Before I left for Switzerland, she gave me a cookbook filled with all sorts of recipes. I tried a few of them out, and they taste pretty good. I think the book is on a shelf in my office, at least I hope so." I recall some of my fondest memories with the Lieutenant, but also choose to be careful with my words.

I didn't travel to Switzerland on my own accord. I was kidnapped by the Russians, they made a quick stop in Switzerland, and I managed to escape, running into General Agatha Petra. She killed my abductors and allowed me to join Switzerland's military. I am forever grateful for the kindness both women have shown me, and I hope I can convey that same kindness to my officers, in one way or another.

"Would you consider cooking a hobby of yours?" Sigfried jogs my earlier recall of what my hobbies were, and I shrug.

"It's not the first thing that comes to mind, but I suppose so. Though I'm nowhere as good as Terenizo, that's for certain." I see the first buildings of the base come into view, and put on my cloak, pulling the hood up over my hair.

"You don't want to be noticed?" Sigfried lowers his voice to a whisper, and I think for a moment before giving him a hesitant nod.

The citizens of Forchheim (well, at least two of them) claimed they love me. But if I recall correctly, the protests outside of both General Petra's and General Heilewis' offices on the day of my promotion to Army General were mostly composed of soldiers from Switzerland and Germany, respectively. None of those officers from Switzerland serve under me, and I doubt they ever will consider returning. But those in Germany, since I was already gone... I don't want to take any risks.