Chapter Two

With the sand storm raging outside the tents, Ardeth and Father Shandor sat down to talk.

"About two months ago, we were in Poland and got ambushed by some Germans while we were helping some locals out. I lost five of my brother monks including John, who you met. Peter and myself got away with a handful of locals. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have come to ask your help"

"I am sorry to hear about your people but that doesn't tell me why you want me to go back"

"When a lot of the villages were raided, some of the local people that weren't Jewish took in some of the children, to safe them from going to the camps. But now it is becoming dangerous for them to carry on looking after them. They need to be got out and taken somewhere safe. Our monastery in Romania"

Ardeth listened and guessed this was why he had asked for his help. He poured them some more coffee and wondered when the storm would ease up, although they were quite safe where they were.

"Where are these children?" he asked.

"Mainly in Austria. The only fairly safe way in now, is across the Med and up the Adriatic Sea to Yugoslavia, up through Austria and then across to Romania. We pick up the children on route. If you agree to help, that will make five of us. Samuel and Rudi will meet us in Austria, with the first lot of children."

"How many will there be altogether?"

"About twenty I think. Once they are at the monastery there is nothing that the Germans can do. We are more or less out of bounds to them."

While they had been talking, the storm had stopped almost as suddenly as it had started. Ardeth told the Father to get himself something to eat and rest, he wanted to talk to Alex. Then he would think about what had been asked of him.
He found Alex rounding up a few of the horses that had got away. When he had finished he came over to his friend and he could see he was worried.

"I need to talk to you Alex" he said "it's about Father Shandor?"

Ardeth nodded and started to walk to the camp fire that one of the men had got going again and sat down. Alex sat beside him and waited for him to speak. He told him what the Father had wanted and Alex got up and walked up and down while having a go at his friend.

"Ardeth, you are mad, you can't even consider going back there after what happened. He has no right to even ask you. For Gods sake he was the one who found you and brought you home" he said loudly.

"I know, I know, but he needs me, he has lost a few of his monks or he wouldn't be asking me at all"

"Well there must be other people he could ask. You have to say no Ardeth. It has only been six months since you got back and you are still having those dreams"

Ardeth got up and stopped Alex from pacing up and down before he wore a hole in the sand. He pushed him down onto one of the small stools and stood in front of him.

"Look I know you are worried, so am I but there are children involved in this and I can't stand by on this one. But I want you to come with me"

Alex looked at him and saw by his face and in his eyes that he was serious and wouldn't be dissuaded from this.

"Well I am not telling mum and dad, they'll kill me and you. Won't you say no Ardeth please"

"I can't, you know I won't refuse when it involves children. I am sorry Alex but I have to go. I will be alright, I can't not do anything because of what happened in Germany. I am a commander not a coward"

"Oh Ardeth, I never said you were a coward, but you don't have to put yourself in danger to prove a point"

Ardeth walked back to the tents and Alex followed him in to where Father Shandor was resting. He got up when the two men came in.

"When do we leave Father?"

"The ship leaves in three days. Are you sure about this. It won't be easy but if necessary I will find someone else" said the man.

"I am sure. My oath as a Med-jai insists that I help where I can, despite the danger. Alex is coming with us"

Father Shandor shook his hand and they sat and worked out when they were going to leave and the route that they were going to take.
What they didn't know was that Masala had heard them talking, he was there to see Ardeth on routine matters and he was shocked that Ardeth was even considering going there again and even more so about Alex, his parents wouldn't be very happy even though he had chosen to become a Med-jai.
The more he thought about it, the more he decided he had to try and stop him from going. The only way was to go and see Evy and see if they could stop them. They might listen to them. Without even seeing Ardeth, he got back on his horse and rode off.

"So that is the route we will take?" asked Alex.

"Yes, we will go through the Med and up the Adriatic, past the little islands and land at Rabac. I have made reservations on the cargo ship 'Cuban' It is taking supplies to some of the islands. Should take us about ten days to get there"

"You were that sure that I would go" said Ardeth.

"No, about 80% sure and we can soon get you a place on board Alex"

"Well you know I am not happy about this after what happened last time, that is why i am going to" he said.

"Look I know what Ardeth went through and he can say no"

It would take them a day to get the stuff ready and make their way to the port to board the ship. Neither were looking forward to going but some things were important and Ardeth couldn't turn his back when it came to children. After what he had seen and gone through, which wasn't that bad compered to some, he had to help Father Shandor. If they could save just a few, it would all be worth while.
Masala arrived at the O'Connells the next day and knocked on the door of their house. Evy answered it and was surprised and pleased to see the man standing there.

"Masala, how lovely to see you, come in. Rick isn't here at the moment, has been held up on the dig he went to. Should be back in a few days, you will wait for him"

"Hello Evy, thank you but I can't stay that long. Did you know that Father Shandor is here in Egypt?"

She took him into the study and offered him a drink, which he accepted and then he sat down.

"No, I didn't know he was here, maybe I will see him before he leaves. Where is he at the moment?"

"Evy, he is at our camp, he has persauded Ardeth to go back to Germany with him again"

Evy stopped dead in her tracks and turned to Masala, her face quite pale.

"He's done what, is he mad, what the bloody hell is he thinking of?" she yelled "He was the one who found Ardeth and knows what he went through out there. It took months for him to get over that. Well I am going to give him a piece of my mind"

She went to get here coat, she was all ready to go with Masala back to the camp to have a go at Father Shandor. How could he even think of asking their friend to go back.

"It wouldn't be any good, by the time we got to the camp, they would be on the ship. They were getting ready to leave when I came here. They have no idea that I know, let alone that I have come to tell you"

He had a funny look on his face and Evy knew he wasn't telling her everything. She asked him what he was keeping from her.

"Masala, what is it, what are you not telling me?"

"I'm sorry Evy, but Alex has agreed to go as well"

"No…no way…no way on earth is my son going out there, I don't care what Father Shandor says. It is bad enough worrying about Ardeth, I am not going to go through worrying about my son too. I am going to kill that man, I swear Masala. When does the ship leave?"

"Day after tomorrow I think. What are you going to do?"

"Come on, we are going to go to the ship and wait for them and then I am going to give Shandor a piece of my mind and then I'm bringing Alex and Ardeth back here. God help anyone who tries to stop me"

All Masala could do was follow her as she stormed out and got in the car and drove off towards the port where the ship would be moored. Masala got on his horse and galloped after her, only catching her as she screeched to a halt at the ship. It had to be the one, it was the only one there. It was going to be a long wait.
As the small group of men reached the end of the wharf leading up to the ship, Alex called out to the others to stop.

"Alex what is it?" asked Ardeth.

"My mother, Evy is sitting in the car waiting for us and Masala is with her. Shit that is all I need"

"He must have heard us talking, Mohamid told me he had been at the camp" replied Ardeth.

They rode up to the car and Evy stood there, her arms folded and tapping her foot. As soon as they got off their horses, she flew at all of them. It took them a while to try and calm her down, Alex taking her by the arm to the back of the car.

"Mum I have to go. Someone has to keep an eye on Ardeth, I don't want him to go any more than you do but he won't say no"

"I'm not going to sit here wondering if you two are dead or not, Father Shandor can do what he wants but he is not taking you with him"

Ardeth came over and took Evy aside, Alex stood with Father Shandor who kept saying he shouldn't have come and that he would go alone. They could see Ardeth and Evy having a real argument and then he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Alex had never seen him do that before and he wondered if they are sorted it out.
They walked over to where the other three men were standing and Evy was wiping her face, she had been crying but she had her arms wrapped around Ardeth.

"Okay, Ardeth has explained why he is going and although I am still mad at you Father Shandor, I understand, a bit. But I warn you, if anything happens to him or my son, I will hunt you down and I will personally kill you. You will wish the Germans had arrested you by the time I have finished with you, do you understand"

"Yes Mrs O'Connell. I am sorry that I had to ask but there was no-one else. These children will die if something is not done"

They all said goodbye and Evy hugged Alex really hard, saying all the things a mother says to her son where they are going away.

"I'll be fine mum, we all will, I love you" he said.

She let him go and had tears running down her cheek, she knew he wasn't a child any more, he was a grown man and he had been through more than most people had at his age. Then she went to Ardeth and hugged him, telling him to be careful and to take care of Alex.

"We will be fine and will be back in no time, I promise" he said.

Then just as he was going to walk up the ramp, he went back and took her in his arms and kissed her, not on the cheek but full on the lips. Alex looked on and smiled at his guts, he would never have done that is his dad was there.

"Sorry, I just had to do that, have wanted to for a long time, please forgive me" he said

"Nothing to forgive Ardeth…you come back to us in one piece okay" she replied.

He nodded and walked up the ramp, it was taken away and the ships horn sounded as it pulled away from the dock slowly. The men stood on the deck and waved to her and Masala standing there watching.

"Why did he kiss me like that Masala?" she asked tears running down her face.

"Because he loves you, he has for a long time" he replied.

She looked at him, shocked and then smiling, touching her lips, she waved at the men on the ship, hoping that she would see them in one piece again. Now she had to tell Rick when he got back, that wasn't going to be easy.
As the ship got under way, they went to their cabins in the crews quarters. It was quite a large ship for the time and the crew were at half strength, so they had a cabin of sorts, each.
Ardeth went back on deck as soon as he had unpacked his things. He had an apology to make to Alex, for kissing his mother in front of everyone. He didn't know why he had done it, nor where the courage had come from either. He had loved her ever since he had first met her but she was always interested in Rick and then they married and it put her off limits.

"Alex…I am sorry…I shouldn't have…"

"Ardeth, don't say anything, I know you love my mum, I have known for a long time. I'm glad…really"

Ardeth was going to ask what he meant but he decided to leave it for the time being but he would find out why he had said that. He walked to the bow of the ship and stood watching the sea spread out in front of them and wondered what the next few weeks would bring. He also wondered if he would be able to cope with being back there, he was getting nervous already but he would keep his feelings to himself. At least for now.