Lucilla--NaNoWriMo2014

Chpter Twenty-Two

Mark and Lucilla emerged from the ruins with their bicycles. They turned toward Salerno. It would take them a couple of days to reach there. On their way they passed more and more German vehicles, and fewer military vehicles belonging to the Italian Army.

"Lucy, I think that Germany is getting ready to take over Italy. Our invasion of Sicily is meeting with a success. Hitler must think that Italy will surrender soon. So he must plan to get as many of his soldiers south of Rome. That is going to make it harder to take Rome. You may not see your precious Capri for a long time yet."

"I have faith that we will get there."

Along the way the hills turned into mountains, making their progress on their bicycles slower. About mid day of the first day, there was a long German column of vehicles and troop carriers. Mark and Lucilla stepped to the roadside, waiting for them to pass. Mark and Lucilla smiled as they counted the types of vehicles and soldiers.

Without warning, the head of the column raised his hand, and the vehicles ground to a halt. Out stepped a middle aged German officer. Smiling, he walked with confidence up to Mark and Lucilla.

Neither Mark nor Lucilla showed signs of fear as the officer came ever closer to them. When he reached them, he saluted. Then he began to speak.

"Gutten Tag, I am Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring, commander of the German Forces in Southern Italy. I cannot help but notice that you are having a hard time making your way up this mountain. Would it please you to ride with me? That is, if you do not mind conversation with a German General?"

"Herr General, please meet my wife, Helena or Sejnora Carabeta, and I am Sejnore Carabets, her hard-working husband. Yes, General, we are a bit tired at this time of day. We will be pleased to ride with you. We almose never have such an honor."

As they rode, General Kesselring began the conversation. "I love your country. It has given so much to the world, and even we Germans owe you."

"I did not expect such a gracious remark, Herr General. I suppose someone has to grow up in another country in order to appreciate ours."

"What do you find beautiful about Italy?"

"I love Italian Art, ornate churches, Michelangelo's sculptures and his paintings. Perhaps I could have pressured Pope Pius XII to allow me to visit the Sisten Chapel and the Vatican Museum, and he may have given me permission."

"What did you do instead, Her General?"

"I sent the Pope a letter in which I said that Germans have not always agreeable. But even a potential enemy like myself has a love of art, history, architecture, and learning. He read that letter and sent word to my staff, inviting me for a visit."

"How was it, Herr General?"

"I have been in many museums, even the Louvre, but being in the Vatican has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life."

"What about you, Sejnore?"

"I love old churches and the countryside. That is why Sejnora and I have been traveling. I was wounded during our action against Greece. So I am taking this time since my temporary discharge to recouperate from my severe head wound. That is where I met my wife."

"Oh, congratulations, Sejnore, I hope you and she are quite happy together." The general looked at his watch and back to Mark. "Please join me for the noon meal. I have hunger. What about you?"

The column halted in a hill town. The general instruced the mess sergeants to prepare hot field rations for his soldiers. There was not enough food to be had nor enough seating in local restaurants. So the soldiers took a rest beside the road while waiting for the mess sergeants to prepard the food.

General Kesselring invited his two guests to a hotel restaurant and bid them be seated next to him. His subordinates took the talble next to the general. The waiter showed up with the menu for the three of them. The general said that he was paying for food at their table.

The general managed to pick something similar to schweineschnitzel in Germany. He selected a wine from Bordeaux and invited Mark and Lucilla to a toast. Instead of toasting Hitler or the success of the German Army, his was a surprise.

"To Italy, may she prosper and her treasures remain for the world to see."

Mark smiled and looked at Lucilla. She returned his smile and said, "Thank you, Sejnore Generali." Mark changed his demeanor. "May I ask you something important but perhaps, Herr Generali?"

"All of my life I have listened to uncomfortable questions." The general smiled. "Please do."

"Will Italy surrender to the Allies?"

"My friend, I don't know."

"If Germany must fight alone, can you protect my fellow countrymen from the Americans?"

"Yes, but how will be my business."

"Herr General, then will you take measures to protect historical buildings, art works, sculptures, and things of historic interest?"

"Sejnore, I have already ordered my own soldiers shot for looting. Need I say more?" The general without warning so topped some speaking and sat staring at Lucilla. "Where have I Seen you before, Sejnora?" His stare made Lucilla uncomfortable.

"Oh, Sejnore Generali, it seems like centuries since I have been in Rome."

"Weren't you in the Vatican Museum not long ago. I swear that I remember you there."

"I don't think there was a Vatican Museum when I was last in Rome, Sejnore Generali."

"Now, I know where I have seen you."  General Kesselring's eyes got bigger. "Forgive me, Sejnora, but you bear such a remarble resemblence to Lucilla, sister of Roman Emperor Commodus."

At this Lucilla let out a nervous laugh.  "I do, Herr General?  Well, I must look good for being over one thousand seven hundred years old."  She laughed along with the General.

"Herr General, I am also concerned about what may happen to Jews here in Italy.  There are stories of Jews being sent into exiles and never being heard of again.  Down here in Italy we hear of smoke billowing night and day from Dauchau and Buchenwald.  They say you gas innocent people to death and take gold from their teeth."

"Signore, as long as I am in charge of Germany's Armed Forces here in Southern Italy, there will be no Jews exiled into certain death."  The general reached into his inner pocket and handed Mark his business card.  "Here, Signore.  Here is my card.  You are welcome to my office if you have any evidence of my German soldiers under my command mistreating civilians, especially Jews.  War is brutal enough, and my soldiers will rain death on untold numbers of Americans.  But there is a time when the killing will cease."

"What after that?"  Mark said.

"Our guns go silent, and we carry on with our lives.  But until then, I will be a just general, but my first duty is to win the war."

After a while, General Kesselring asked if they would like a ride further.  Soldiers in his trucks would make room for their bicycles.  Before long they came to a German Army assembly area.  Mark and Lucilla made mental notes on how many vehicles, quantity and types of weapons, artillery pieces, and tanks, which Germans called PanzerKampfwagonen.

After bidding General Kesselring farewell, they set out on their way, stopping at a small village and a bed and breakfast.

"That is the problem with war," Mark said to Lucilla as they turned down their bedsheets and blankets for the night.  "There are generals like Kesselring, who are noble men and could be great freinds in normal life.  Then there are the Waffen SS and the more radical SS, who are brutal killers.  On the battlefield.  It is often necessary to kill good men, who happen to fight on the wrong side."

"Let me help you to forget the war tonight,"  Lucilla said with a lustful tone in her voice.