The sun was nearing its highest point of the day as the group drove back to the regiment's camp, beating down on the men and slowly turning the floor of the car into a puddle of sweat. The feeling of sweat under his bandage made Moffitt uncomfortable, and after shifting a few times, he heard Kaulbach say, "I will change your bandage when we get back. Just sit tight."
Moffitt didn't respond, his mind still focused on the temple ruins several kilometers behind them. He looked at the back of Kautner's head ahead of him. "If your camp is so close to the ruins, why are we the only ones who can see the cobras?"
"I wish I knew," Kautner said. "To me, it does not make sense, I have studied things like this—as a hobby. I am not interested in making a career out of this."
"Why not? You will need something to do when the war is over, and you certainly have the passion for it."
Kautner was quiet for a moment, and Moffitt heard Weidrich say, "He is right, you know. Out of everyone in camp, you do care quite a bit about magic and magical history."
Kautner nodded, but didn't continue the conversation. He looked around, then said, "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Weidrich asked.
"I think… engines? On our left."
A sharp pain burst in Moffitt's side as he quickly turned to his left, looking past the German corporal next to him to see two jeeps coming up the dunes and racing down towards them. "Stop the car!" he shouted.
Weidrich glanced at Kautner, who said, "Do as he says. We do not want bloodshed."
Nodding, Weidrich stopped the car.
Without hesitating, despite the pain that suddenly began raging up and down his left side, Moffitt got out of the car, breaking into a limping jog in the direction of the jeeps.
Kaulbach stood up, shouting, "You are going to rip your sutures, damn it!"
Ignoring him, Moffitt stopped jogging and raised his arms, waving them while calling, "Troy! Troy, don't shoot!" He looked over his shoulder at the Germans, all of whom were standing with their guns down.
The jeeps came to a halt just meters ahead of him, throwing huge amounts of sand everywhere. Relief washed over Moffitt in a cool, refreshing wave, though in the back of his mind, he knew this wasn't over. He limped over to where Troy was getting off the back of his jeep.
"You alright, Moffitt?" Troy asked.
"Mostly. We can't leave just yet. We have to go back to the German camp. There's—"
"Wait a minute, slow down. Did you just say, 'We have to go back to the German camp?'"
"Yes. I'll explain on the way." Moffitt looked back over the Germans, seeing Dietrich and Kautner approaching them.
Upon seeing Dietrich, Troy's expression hardened. "I should've known you would be here, Captain."
"I was in the area. Field-Marshal Rommel thought I would like to see you all finally captured, but plans have changed," Dietrich replied. "We are asking for a truce."
"What for?"
"Actually, Sergeant, I will provide you with two options; you can agree to the truce and listen to what we have to say, or you can watch the SS get their hands on an artifact no man should ever possess."
Troy kept his eyes on Dietrich as he said, "Moffitt, what's he talking about?"
"Do you remember the night before I was captured, when I said I was dreaming of black cobras?" Moffitt asked.
"Not really. Wasn't something important to worry about."
"Well, I didn't think they meant anything, either. But it turns out there is an ancient Egyptian temple housing a crystal ball, and it is guarded by these cobras. Lieutenant Kautner and I have both been seeing these snakes in dreams and waking visions."
"Be serious with me, Moffitt—"
"I am being serious."
"They're dreams and hallucinations from being out in the sun."
"Then why is Kautner seeing them, too?"
Kautner shrank back, looking like he didn't want to be dragged into this argument.
"Because you both have been out in the sun too long," Troy continued. He looked over at the Germans gathered nearby. "Are they all seeing snakes?"
Hands on his hips, Dietrich walked over, sighing. "No, but have you not felt something strange about this place, Sergeant?"
"This is war, Dietrich. You can't afford to let 'feelings' run things, especially not when there's nothing logical behind it."
Dietrich smirked a little. "Relying on logic alone can be equally foolish at times." His smirk quickly faded. "We certainly are not imagining a group of SS officers investigating an Egyptian temple, and there are far too many for you to take on alone."
"This isn't the Waffen-SS," Moffitt added. "This is the Zauberei-Abteilung. The Sorcery Division. Their sole purpose is to study, harness, and use magic for use in warfare. If they get their hands on that crystal ball, the Allies are finished."
Troy still had a disbelieving look on his face. He looked over at Hitch and Tully. "Do you believe this?"
"Believe?" Tully snorted. "Sarge, I got told not to leave the house after sundown because we had witches in the woods. They're real, and they're all kinds of dangerous. People would turn up in ditches with pieces missing because they were, ah, harvested for potions. Actually, when Moffitt mentioned a crystal ball, that reminded me of this case where the local police got a tip about a witch just a few miles from where I lived. The witch was gone when they got to her house, but they found all sorts of crazy stuff inside, including a crystal ball… and the body of the man used to make it. Nobody, and I mean nobody left home or work at night alone or unarmed, and it was worse around Halloween. Much, much worse. So, no, I don't have to 'believe' what Moffitt's saying is true. I know it is." He held up his hands, showing the two rings on his pinky fingers. "What do you think these are for? They're protection against magic."
"Honestly, I thought those were promise rings," Hitch said.
"I don't know anyone who wears a promise ring on their pinkies, and who wears two promise rings?"
"Someone with two women?"
Tully sighed and shook his head.
Hitch shrugged, looking unsure as to whether or not he should continue that conversation. "I heard stories from some of the other guys in college, but I've never met a witch or… what're those elemental people called? They control ice, fire, lightning—"
"Conjurus," Kautner said.
"Conjurus. Yeah, I remember people talking about them. Vampires, werewolves, psychics. All heard of them. Never met one."
Troy was quiet for a moment, outnumbered in his perception on magic. He switched his gaze between his men and the Germans, then settled on Moffitt, standing firmly in the middle between the two groups. "This isn't a legend they're chasing? There's actually a crystal ball in that temple?"
"I'm not familiar with the story," Moffitt said. "Dietrich heard it from a—"
"You got this information from Dietrich, and you believe him?"
"Well, there is a temple a few kilometers south of here, and there were SS officers coming out of it. As I was saying, Dietrich heard this story from a Sturmbannführer Augenstein. The crystal ball was made by a witch during the Ptolemaic period of Egypt, and this temple was constructed to protect the crystal ball. It is guarded by the witch's familiar, an Egyptian cobra, along with hundreds of other cobras."
"So, the SS is trying to get into a temple that's guarded by hundreds of venomous snakes?"
"Yes. We watched two of their officers drag a third out of the temple. I think it's safe to assume he was bitten."
"We can't afford to be dealing with snakebites."
"I'm not convinced that we are dealing with ordinary snakes, Troy," Moffitt said.
Troy fell silent again, giving Dietrich a chance to talk. "None of us want the SS getting the crystal ball. That is a power that no one should have."
"I want to know this isn't a means of letting you have it instead of the SS," Troy said.
"Regardless of what I say, you will assume I want that crystal ball, so I will not waste my breath."
"I don't think the cobras will let anyone have it," Moffitt replied.
"Then why did they start appearing to you?" Troy asked.
"I wish I knew. They don't talk."
"It could be their way of saying that we are allowed in the temple," Kautner spoke up.
"But, why you and Moffitt, of all people?" Troy still looked incredulous.
"I doubt we will know until we visit the temple," Dietrich said. "At the very least, Troy, hear us out. Kautner's commanding officer may even be willing to assist."
Kautner bit his lip. "Hopefully."
"Why would we need your help?" Troy asked.
"I already told you, there are more SS officers and soldiers than your team is capable of fighting on their own," Dietrich replied.
"We've taken out entire convoys of soldiers. You of all people would know that."
"Have you taken out entire convoys where there it is possible that some of the soldiers in it are familiar with magic, and can perhaps even use it? That is what the Sorcery Division is. You have not dealt with magic before, Troy. It would be immensely foolish and dangerous for you to take these soldiers on."
"And you have?"
"That is a story for another time. Right now, you should talk to someone who has dealt with magic, and the Sorcery Division specifically."
"Why are you so eager for our help anyway?"
"How do you think we will be handled if word got out that we attacked our own countrymen?"
"I'm surprised you're even considering it."
"Like I said, no one should have access to that crystal ball."
"Why not sneak in when the SS aren't there and take it?"
"The snakes are not going to allow it."
"Send Moffitt and the lieutenant."
"There's still a lot we don't know about this, Troy," Moffitt said. "The cobras may trust us, but I don't know if they trust us enough to leave with the crystal ball."
"Colonel Lehning has experience with magic and the Sorcery Division. I strongly recommend speaking to him," Dietrich added.
"How can we be sure this isn't an elaborate trap?" Troy asked.
The expression on Dietrich's face suggested to Moffitt that the captain was giving up on verbally sparring with Troy. It wasn't the first time Moffitt had seen it, and it probably wasn't going to be the last. There was a part of him that sympathized, as getting through to Troy when his mind was made up was about as difficult as herding cats sometimes.
The silence was broken by Kaulbach saying, "I do not want Moffitt standing around in the sun for much longer. We are going back to camp, right now."
Despite having been there for several minutes, Troy was only just now noticing the lump of bandages under Moffitt's shirt. "How badly were you hurt?" he asked.
"Bad enough to where they had to remove my spleen. I'm not supposed to be up and walking around anyway, but they insisted I come along in case you arrived. The Germans didn't want you shooting up their camp, not while they're still treating wounded from a few days ago."
"We can treat you at one of our own hospitals. The Germans can go ahead and fight each other. It'll make things easier for us anyway."
"And how far away is your hospital, Sergeant?" Dietrich asked.
"Why do you want to know?"
His mind returning to his wound, Moffitt became aware of a wet sensation that felt distinctly thicker than sweat around the bandages. He looked down to see that a patch of blood had appeared in his shirt.
"Unless you want all of his stitches coming out, you are not leaving with him, Sergeant," Kaulbach said.
Troy sighed, and said reluctantly, "We'll follow you in the jeeps."
"No." Dietrich shook his head. "You will come with us in the car. We can retrieve the jeeps later."
"Fine."
When the group returned to base, Kautner immediately headed for Colonel Lehning's tent. The older officer was at his desk with a cigarette in his mouth, looking over several file folders spread out in front of him. Nervously, Kautner said, "Sir, we found the source of the visions."
"And?" Lehning grumbled.
"There is an Egyptian temple a few kilometers south. It is guarded by cobras, sir." Kautner swallowed hard, unsure of how to bring up the rest of the story.
"Is that it?"
Kautner sighed. "No, sir. There is… a crystal ball in the temple, and… the Sorcery Division is after it."
Lehning became quiet. Kautner stayed as still as possible, worried Lehning was going to lash out. After a few long, tense minutes went by, Lehning crushed his cigarette in an ashtray nearby, and glared up at Kautner. "Did you go in the temple?"
"N-No, sir. We spotted the SS through binoculars. Apparently, the man in charge of the operation had spoken to Captain Dietrich a few days ago, and gave him the entire story."
"So, you mean to tell me that Dietrich knew this all along, while Rommel was here, and said absolutely nothing?" Lehning stood, raising his voice.
Kautner tried not to flinch. "He did not want to say anything in front of Rommel because he knew Rommel would not take action against the SS."
"And why, pray tell, did he not say anything to me after Rommel had left?!" Lehning's face reddened.
"Because of your history with magic, sir. He did not want to upset you."
"Well, I am even more upset that he kept his mouth shut! Go get him. Now."
"Yes, sir." Kautner saluted before leaving the tent. He found Dietrich sitting outside the hospital tent with the rest of the Rat Patrol. "Captain, Colonel Lehning would like to speak to you."
"I take it he is not happy with me?" Dietrich asked.
"He is furious, so I must ask, would you like an open or closed-casket funeral?"
Dietrich didn't respond to that as he stood and headed in the direction of Lehning's tent. Kautner trailed close behind, not wanting to be caught in the hurricane that would be Lehning's wrath when Dietrich entered the tent. Looking down at the sand, Kautner began praying that Lehning wouldn't be too harsh on Dietrich, but almost as soon as the tent flap closed behind Dietrich, a string of cursing began from Lehning. Kautner stayed where he was, wincing at Lehning's choice of words and tone. At one point, Kautner even heard Lehning push his chair over into the sand.
Kautner stepped out of the way when the tent flap opened, staying out of Lehning's sight as Dietrich left the tent. The captain went by the Rat Patrol, and disappeared into a tent a few meters past the hospital tent. Unsure of what to do next, Kautner walked over to where the three other members of the Rat Patrol were seated.
"What the hell was that about?" the man he learned was Private Pettigrew asked.
"Colonel Lehning is not happy about Dietrich withholding information from him," Kautner replied. "He had learned about the SS's presence here several days ago, and did not tell Rommel or Lehning when he came here."
"Honestly, I would be pretty mad, too," Troy said.
"I doubt you would be as mad as Lehning is, Sergeant. Right now, no one is to disturb him. Frankly, I am worried he might give himself a heart attack if anyone bothers him. Or worse, he will beat them. I promised Rommel we would not call him, but… if Lehning does not calm down, I may have to go over his head. Rommel is the only person whom Lehning will listen to in a situation like this."
"Personally, I don't like waiting around."
"I understand, Sergeant, but I would like to avoid pestering Rommel."
"Busy man," Private Hitchcock said. "Someone's gotta lose the war."
Kautner didn't respond, and kept his attention on Troy. "At least give Lehning until Moffitt is out of surgery."
"Fine," Troy replied. "If he's not willing to talk then, we're taking Moffitt and leaving. We'll deal with the SS on our own."
Moffitt stared up at the slanted top of the tent, trying to avoid looking at Kaulbach as the German doctor worked to re-stitch his incision. His left side was numbed, but there was an uncomfortable surrealness to the fact that he was wide-awake while someone was poking around inside him. Then again, it wasn't too dissimilar to when he was "awake" during his first surgery there.
"I told you not to push yourself," Kaulbach muttered.
"If I had not done anything, Troy likely would have shot you," Moffitt replied.
"Right." Kaulbach's tone was a little sarcastic. "See, that is another reason I do not want you leaving for some time. Your sergeant seems too eager to send you back out to fight, and I saw how your two friends drive. Your stitches would rip wide open. Then what? I do not see them being very eager to deal with your insides spilling out in a jeep."
"I do not wish to be rude, Oberstabsarzt, but I think you underestimate how much Troy cares for us. He just… has his own way of showing it."
Kaulbach fell quiet, eyes narrowing as he focused on his work. Eventually, he said, "I noticed you all seem to have a complicated history with Captain Dietrich."
"You could say that. Our unit has only been together a couple of months and we have fought his troops more times than we can count."
"So, you probably know him better than I do. I have only worked with him once or twice, usually after you tear through and his medics become overwhelmed or they need some equipment. It does not take much to see that he really does not like you. But—" Kaulbach carefully cut the last stitch as close to the edge of Moffitt's incision as possible, freeing his spool of catgut, "he does respect you."
"I have wondered that a few times. It is likely why he has resorted to deception in order to try and capture us. That is, after all, why Troy is not keen to trust him here."
Kaulbach placed another bandage over the incision. "You can see the snakes, though. Does that make you more inclined to work with Dietrich?"
"I feel like there is more we need to learn about that temple before I can say 'yes' or 'no.'"
Kaulbach began putting his supplies away. "I doubt you can learn more from here. The next step is actually getting inside it. For the record, you are not going anywhere, son, as I am not made of stitches."
"Unless you can find someone else who has been having the cobra visions, I am afraid I will have to go if it comes to it."
A defeated look crashed over Kaulbach. "Fine, but be more careful out there than you were earlier today." He pulled off his scrubs. "I will take you out to the recovery ward in a minute. Your friends can visit you if Lehning is not tearing them apart right now. The anesthetic should wear off in a couple of hours."
"Thank you, Oberstabsarzt."
Kaulbach and a younger medic worked together to carry Moffitt out to the same bed he had been in that morning. It was hard to shift and get comfortable when part of his body was still numb. Moffitt was still trying to find the best position to lay in when Kaulbach went outside to let Troy and the others know that he could have visitors.
"How are you, Moffitt?" Troy asked.
"I will probably feel better once the anesthetic wears off," Moffitt replied. "Have you had a chance to talk to Colonel Lehning?"
"No, not yet. He chewed out Dietrich for not telling him about the SS and the temple. Kautner says he's pretty mad. I told him that Lehning has until you were out of surgery to calm down, otherwise we're taking you home."
"Troy, I really don't want to be a pain in the neck, but I think we should stay."
Troy gave him a look. "Is that the anesthetic talking?"
"No. I don't think the cobras appeared to me for no reason, and I don't think we will accomplish anything by leaving and trying to do this on our own. Dietrich is right; we have no experience dealing with magic and the supernatural. Let's say we do leave and let the Germans fight each other—what will happen when we come up against something supernatural and we're alone? You can't just slug it out against magic. That rarely works."
"I hate to say it, Sarge, but he's right," Tully said. "Magic isn't something you want to mess with if you don't know what you're up against."
"I take it you think we should stay as well?" Troy asked.
"Yes, Sarge."
Only one member hadn't given his opinion yet. Troy turned to Hitch. "What do you think?"
"I think Tully's right. I didn't grow up around this stuff, so I know nothing about it. I don't want us to get caught napping by some witch or werewolf or what-have-you," Hitch replied.
Troy gave a heavy sigh. "Alright. We'll stay. Pray we don't regret this."
