Author's Note: The song Lili Marleen was written by Hans Leip in 1915, and music as composed by Norbert Schulze in 1938. The song was made famous by Lale Andersen. If you want to hear the song, it's available on Youtube. The translation is available on ingeb dot org/garb/lmarleen dot html

I don't know what Godric's last name was, so I name him "Dane". Simply because Allan Hyde is a Dane.

Chapter Five

A Night Out

Meet me at the river banks of the Viking, and wear the red scarf so I can see you. It's a pressing matter. You have to come.

The rendezvous instructions were a loud echo in Sookie's head as they entered the White Lupus cafe. Someone had a nice way of making an appointment! She scanned the faces around her to see if she could recognize who was responsible or who they were talking to, but it was imposible to pick anyone out. The cafe was full of people; some in uniform, and some in their best suits. They were chatting, smiling and laughing, but their eyes were weary, and the thoughts she caught were restless. They were afraid the war would continue to drag on. Afraid the allies would defeat them and march in and destroy everything they loved. The city, their lives, their future.

Sookie sighed. They should have thought about that sooner. They should have stood to Der Führer and fought, instead of following him blithely into war.

Soon enough, their arrival attracted attention. Especially Debbie, who was wearing black slacks, an ivory silk blouse and a soft brown fur. Her hair was curled, and she wore a fedora as a final touch. Her bright red lipstick was a real eye-catcher, and it was working the way it was supposed to. The girl sure knew how to make an impression.

Attracting attention was exactly what Sookie didn't want, but she needed help or she'd neither contact Alcide nor made it to Peacock Island. Sam had changed his mind at the last minute and decided to come along, but he didn't look very enthusiastic about being there. For once however, he kept his complaints to himself. It seemed he didn't want to ruin the girls evening out with his usual caution and criticism.

After ordering some drinks, Edvard excused himself to leave. He wanted to see somebody, he said. It wouldn't be long.

A man came up to their table, introduced himself as Reichard zu Hoehenberg and asked Debbie to dance. She smiled at him in her bright flirtatious manner, and allowed him to lead her to the middle of the room where they joined other couples enjoying the music. The small music band was playing a song called "Lili Marleen".

Aus dem stillen Raume,
Aus der Erde Grund
Hebt mich wie im Traume
Dein verliebter Mund
Wenn sich die späten Nebel drehn
Werd' ich bei der Laterne steh'n
|: Wie einst Lili Marleen. :|

Sitting there with Sam, watching Debbie dancing, laughing and enjoying herself lifted Sookie's spirits. Debbie made everything look so easy; she took the music, added a little wine and conversation and voila, the place seemed bearable. The officers, whether they were in gray or in black, looked more like men and less like monsters.

Sam touched her hand. Not too obvious, please. Turn right, and see the man sitting at the corner.

Sookie casually let her gaze drift over to the side of the room. Sitting at the corner table was a man in black uniform. His eyes looking straight at her without blinking. He seemed young, maybe in his late teens – early twenties, and he was very pale. When their eyes met. Sookie needed only that second to know he was a vampire.

What's a vampire doing in a place like this, she wondered.

He scares me, said Sam in his head again. He seems so focused.

"On what?"

On you.

Sookie looked at him. "What are you talking about?" she whispered.

I saw him looking at you since we entered the cafe. Sookie wanted to look at him again, when Sam said, don't turn around. Pretend we weren't having a conversation. Don't give him any sign you can hear me.

He's been watching you since we entered the cafe. Sookie wanted to look over again, but Sam sent, no, don't turn around. Don't let on we're having a conversation. Don't give any sign you can hear me.

The band suddenly stopped playing, leaving one forlorn brass note to trail off into the silence. The couples on the dance floor started to protest and many having conversations broke off to utter their dissatisfaction as well. But the patrons sounds of disapproval faded like that last note. The room fell silent.

God, I have to get out of here. Sookie again caught the voice of the person she thought of as 'red scarf'. What is he doing here? What does he want?

Tempted by her own curiosity, Sookie looked towards the door. She had to know who or what had entered the cafe. They must possess some special aura of menace, to kill every bit of merriment that fast.

What she saw at the door made her blood run cold and she immediately knew why the cafe had gone still. He was tall, and blond, with striking blue eyes and he wore a black uniform, complete with black cap. Centered above the cap's visor was a skull and a pair of wings. With his imposing frame and patrician bone structure, he was altogether the perfect Aryan ideal. A recruitment poster come to life. He scanned the tables for a moment, and when he saw the man in the corner, he crossed the room to join him. When he sat, the cafe seemed to collectively breathe out and the mood began to lighten, but the tall man didn't condescend to notice any of it. His sole focus was the young officer at the corner table and what he was saying.

Debbie returned to the table with her dance partner. She looked disappointed. "Who's that man?" she asked Reichard. "He's a party killer!"

"Ah, you noticed him, too," Reichard pulled the chair and offered it to Debbie. "He's Oberstlieutenant Eric Northman."

"Whom is he talking to?"

"His commanding officer, Herr Oberst Godric Dane."

"Oberst?" asked Debbie. "What is an oberst?"

"That would be...," Reichard gave a thought, "Colonel."

"He looks too young to be a colonel," said Sam.

"You are not the first to think so," Reichard lifted his hand to signal a waiter to come. "But those who've seen him fight in the battle say he's earned the rank. They say he can kill ten men in one go with nothing but his bare hands."

And fangs, Sookie continued in her mind.

"Reichard, we have to go!" somewhere from the crowd a man called out his name.

"I am coming!" Reichard looked at the three of them. "Would you excuse me for a moment?" Then, he left.

"Where is Edvard?" Sam craned his neck. "The cafe is getting too crowded; I don't like it."

Debbie took out her cigarettes. "Lighten up, Sam. If you continue like this, you're going to get us all killed." She lit her cigarette. "Act like a tourist, be curious, pretend you're stupid!"

Sam snarled.

"I said pretend to be stupid Sam. Not be stupid," Debbie smirked.

Debbie was right. Sookie touched Sam's hand. "As long as we stick together, it'll be all right, Sam.

Sam's face was getting nearer. "There are vampires in this room..."

"And werewolves," Debbie continued, without taking her smirk off her face. "They won't do anything stupid. Mark my word."

Werewolves...this was her chance. Sookie touched her hair and held her hand so the wolf ring caught the light. She hoped it was clear enough to be seen and that the vampires were too absorbed with each other to be suspicious. In fact, she hoped nobody paid her any mind at all, except for one person. The one person who could lead her to Jackson Herveaux's son.

Reichard returned with a man, also in uniform. He introduced him as Karl. Karl was an average looking guy, but he did have lovely long eyelashes. As he sat and smiled, Sookie couldn't help but notice a red scarf peeping from under the collar of his gray jacket. So it was his thoughts she'd heard when they came in and now she was hearing more … a girl named Ute and how to send a message to the director.

A sudden burst of laughter from another side of room, made Sookie turn to the source of the noise. Five or six men stood round a table, talking loudly. At the tables center, sat an impressive collection of empty beer bottles. They'd obviously been drinking for some time.

"Drunken artists," Karl hissed. "I hate drunken artists. They bring nothing but shame to fatherland."

Well, what do you know? came Sam's mental sneer. A Nazi through and through.

"Pardon me, meine Damen und Herrn," Karl got up, "but Reichard and I really have to go."

"Karl, mein Lieber," Reichard looked back at him with sparkling eyes. "Don't you want to enjoy the night? Tomorrow will find us both soon enough. You'll be in Poland, and I...who knows where I'll be..., "

"I think you've drunk enough, Reichard."

"No, Karl. I haven't even started," he got up. "Come, Debbie. Have another dance with me?"

"I'd love to," Debbie got up and took Reichard's hand.

Soon, they were in the middle of other couples, and Sookie lost sight of them in the crowd.

"It's an interesting ring you have there, Sookie," said Karl. "What is it? Is it a wolf?"

Sookie looked at him. Was he the man? Was he the one who was supposed to contact her?

It seemed Sam thought so too. "Yes, it's a wolf," he said, answering for her as he put out his cigarette.

"I would never think you the type to wear such a flashy ring," Karl said. "You seem more reserved."

Wow. That was straight to the point. Was it his thing, or was it a 'German thing', to be so tactless?

"Oh, pardon," he seemed to realize he said something inappropriate. "I have a big mouth, don't I?" He looked at the ring again. I've seen that ring before... but where...? He turned to the crowd on the dance floor...No...He abruptly stood. No... "Sorry Sookie, Sam... I have...," his words fell off when he saw Reichard walking quickly back to them, ignoring Debbie who struggled to match his pace.

"We have to go, Karl," said Reichard.

"I was about to say the same thing."

Both of them looked at the trio, nodded and without a word left them.

"What was all that about?" Debbie caught her breath. "Not only was Reichard blathering about Karl this, Karl that the whole time, now they leave, just like that?"

"I have to talk to Karl," Sookie got up. "He's the one,"

"What? You too?" Debbie sat down. "I can't hear that name anymore. Sam, can you follow her...?"

Without waiting for Sam, Sookie dashed outside. She had to catch them. Karl was the messenger, she was sure of it, But even if he wasn't, perhaps he could tell her where he had seen a wolf ring before.

Outside, passing cars hissed on the wet paving and though there were still a few people on the street, Karl and Reichard were nowhere to be seen. Sookie searched every direction for a glimpse of their gray uniforms. Where had they gone? What were they running from?

Please, Reichard. Don't make everything more difficult than it already is.

Sookie heard Karl's mind. Faint, but clear. They were still here somewhere.

"Do you see them?" Sam ran out from the cafe, still struggling into his jacket.

"No, but I can hear Karl. They're still here."

"Wait," he said, sniffing the air. "Follow me," he walked away from Sookie. "There they are!" he pointed to the right of the cafe.

Sookie followed where Sam was heading. After passing by a closed book store, an office and a travel agency, Sookie found Sam making himself flat on the wall. He gave her a sign to come to him. "They were in the alley," he pointed at a small gap between the travel agency building and another building. "Fighting."

Sookie pressed herself against the wall and listened. Reichard's voice was loud and clearly he was drunk. Almost at every second word he yelled. Karl sounded pressed.

"Reichard...you can't go home like this. Your father will...,"

"I don't care what my father says or does! I haven't for a long time, I don't care about anything anymore...,"

"Reichard...,"

"Don't go to Poland, Karl...stay here, and we'll find a way out...,"

"I can't. I have a duty to fulfill, and so do you. Reichard, I need you to be strong and sober. I want you to take care of my sister while I am away... and make an honest woman out of her."

"Oh, I'll take care of your sister, don't worry about it, mein Lieber. But I won't marry her, if that's what you are asking."

"She won't survive by herself."

"I'll support her life, Karl. I'll give her enough money every month, but I won't marry her. I don't want her. I want...you."

Quiet.

Sookie and Sam looked at each other. Reichard was homosexual...but why had he danced with Debbie the whole evening?

"I love you, Karl." Suddenly, Reichard laughed. His laughter sounded shrill and bitter. "Now, I ruin everything."

Still quiet.

"Obviously, my father doesn't have to worry now. He can stop sending his men after us," said Reichard. "Because from your reaction, it's clear what will happen. You will go to Poland and forget about me or our friendship." He laughed again. "You know what, I'll go back to the cafe and you can return to your barrack. Don't worry, Karl. I'll keep my promise. I'll support your sis...,"

Suddenly Reichard stopped speaking. The seconds passed, they heard nothing from the alley.

"What happened?" asked Sam.

Sookie shook her head. "I don't know." Then, she decided to peep. She had to see what those men were doing. Carefully she leaned out from where she lurked behind the wall.

For a moment, she thought she saw them hitting each other, Karl was pressing Reichard against the wall. One hand on his neck and the other hand was somewhere down below. Reichard's hand was on Karl's shoulder and the other one was on the wall. Then, Sookie realized what was happening. They were kissing and touching each other.

Suddenly, Karl let Reichard go. Sookie pulled herself back to the previous position and prayed Karl hadn't seen her.

"I know you love me Reichard. You told me months ago."

"What? When?" Reichard sounded out of breath.

"When we were at your family house at the Tegel lake. You were drunk, worse than now. You told me you love me."

"And you kept quiet the whole time?"

"You come from a good house, Reichard, and I am poor. If anyone finds out we're not just friends, you know what will happen. I will disappear, sent to a concentration camp before you know it like what happens to many homosexual men. And you … god knows what your father will do to you."

"But you should've told me! Three months, Karl! You've known how I feel for three months and you didn't say a word? You wasted time, time we could have been..."

"I didn't want to burden you, Reichard. If I die in Poland, I wanted you to remember me as a friend, not as a lover. It'd be easier that way."

Quiet again.

"What did I do... I mean... what did you do when I told you I love you?"

"Put you to bed,"

"Did I kiss you...did you kiss me?"

"Yes, we kissed."

"Karl... my stupid Karl...,"

"You are a disgrace to this nation!" Suddenly out of nowhere, a third voice rang out. And then, "No, Father! No! Karl! What have you done, Father? No!"

Then more voices – three or four more men, speaking at the same time, the sound of something metal being hit, and again, people yelling at each other.

Sookie was about to sneak another look when Sam pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Whatever you are about to do, Sookie, don't," he whispered. "Now, hold me tight and don't say a word!"

Sookie grabbed Sam's jacket collar to stop herself from shaking. Reichard's voice sounded out in despair. Jesus, what had they done to Karl? Who were these people? The sounds of marching feet suddenly filled the alley and came in their direction. Sookie grabbed at Sam harder. "Ssssh, easy now, Sookie," Sam's hissed in her ear. "Everything will be just fine..." He pressed her to his chest.

Quiet. Sookie didn't hear anything except the sound of Sam's heart, beating fast.

The sound of the marching feet passed them by. I am sorry, Karl. I am really sorry... She heard Reichard wailing in his mind. I am sorry, my love...I am sorry...

Sookie turned in Sam's arms to see Reichard and five men pass by them. She couldn't see Reichard's face, but the way he held his head – straight and with his chin raised – was the opposite what she'd expected to see. His inner voice said something so very different. Karl...she heard Reichard sobbing. Karl...

Sam released his hug. He looked around, and when he saw nobody was there, he said to Sookie. "You wait here. And for heaven's sake, Sookie, listen to me this time."

"What are you going to do?"

"I will go and check on Karl."

"Sam, he has a red scarf and a letter. They're important for some reason. We must have them.

Sam nodded, then puff! He changed into a dog and ran down the alley.

Sookie was kneeling to pick up Sam's empty clothing, when she heard a voice, "That man...he just...he turned..." She looked up. There was a small shivering man standing near by, his eyes as big as saucers. "He...,"

"Look at me," a soft deep voice behind the bewildered passerby made both of them turn. The man whose entrance to the White Wolf cafe had stopping the music stood just a few steps away. "You will forget what you saw," he said. His icy blue blazed coldly. "You will walk away, go home and remember nothing. This evening was the same as any other in your miserable little life. Do you understand me?"

"Ja wohl," that man said absent mindlessly. Then, he walked away.

Sookie got up. "Thank you," she said.

The vampire considered her, his head tilted forward on his long graceful neck. "You will forget everything too, young lady." His voice was as deep and soft as before. However, his eyes were no longer cold. "And it's a pity, because, you won't remember me."

Sookie looked into those blue eyes, and cursed whoever drew up the rules to her strange gift. What was going on in that mind? Because the way he was looking at her right now – his lips curled in a smile, and his eyes crinkled teasingly – made her heart suddenly beat out of rhythm.

"Eric!"

That man turned to the source of the voice. The man who had sat in the corner. "We have to go,"

The man who was called Eric turned back to Sookie and took her hand. "Until next time, my future lover," he was about to kiss it, when Sookie pulled away. She raised her chin. Future lover? For a second, those blue eyes held surprise and perhaps it was just wishful thinking on her part, but also, interest? But no, when she looked again, they were as cold as before.

"You...," he moved away. "Interesting," he smirked, and then turned around and walked away, following his superior officer like a puppy followed his master.

Sookie watched them enter a black car and drive away. That was stupid. She should've pretended to feel his influence. Even though no vampire could glamour her, not a single one of them. Talbot had tried, and so had Russell. It didn't work. Maybe, it had something to do with her inability to hear their thoughts. Somehow, it was like a shield working both ways. She couldn't hear them and they couldn't glamour her. She sighed. She may have overreacted to that 'future lover' comment. Maybe it was just his way of coming on to women. It was a damn brazen line, vampire or not! They were unlikely to ever meet again, so why was she still so affected by it?

The touch of a cold nose on her leg made her jump. Sam, still in his dog form, had the red scarf in his mouth. Sookie set his clothes back on the ground and took the scarf from him.

No letter?" she asked.

Sam shook his head and gave a slight whine.

Sookie patted his head. "That's ok Sam, you change and I'll and fetch Debbie. I think we'd better leave."

xxxxx

They rode back home in silence. Edvard had rejoined them just as they were leaving but chose to sat in the front with the driver. He hadn't said two words since he returned from his meeting. Inside his mind, he was babbling, talking fast in his native Norwegian. The only word Sookie could catch was "Arne". The rest sounded like meaningless rambling. But from the expression on his face, Sookie knew, it wasn't. Something had really bothered him.

Debbie looked annoyed, mostly about herself. She should've followed them, she said. Now, she had missed the fun. Sam was sitting there, saying nothing. Only his eyes moved rapidly. He was thinking. In his head, he was talking in his Cajun twang, which sounded almost like gibberish to Sookie.

Sookie forced herself to focus on the scarf. She had to find a way to contact Reichard. He must have known a lot about Karl, and maybe he could explain to her what this scarf meant because there was nothing special about it, at least nothing she could see. The fabric was cotton and plain red, no pattern or symbol.

Karl had seen a wolf ring before. Maybe he had met Alcide and seen his. Reichard might know some of Karl's friends, or who knew, he might even know Alcide himself.

Jesus! Sookie sighed. Karl might be dead, and all she could think was how to get information from his lover.

"Nothing we could do, Sook," suddenly Sam opened his mouth. "It happened."

"I know."

"They should've known better," said Edvard, who'd also listened when they'd told Debbie about it. "Homosexuality is a crime, but if they are willing to take a social conformation...,"

"A social what?" asked Sam.

"Social conformation. If they are Aryan, they will be given a chance by changing their sexual behavior. Getting married, or stop having same sex relationship. If they can't, then they will be sent to jail or to concentration camps. In jail, they will be castrated – you know, to prevent them doing it or spreading their sickness...,"

"It is not a sickness!" said Debbie. "Jesus, Edvard! Now you are sounding like a Nazi!"

"I am telling you what is happening here, Miss Debbie. Nothing more and nothing less."

"Sounds to me like you think it's a good idea!"

Edvard touched his hat. "I am just an observer, Miss Debbie. Back to the subject, those men are Wehrmacht soldiers; they know!" he snorted. "They might have been the soldiers who send homosexual people to concentration camps!"

"Oh, shut up!" Debbie kicked the back of Edvard's seat.

"What will happen to Reichard, if he's sent to the concentration camp?" asked Sookie.

"I don't know, Miss Sookie. Nobody talks about it. I heard rumors, those, who enter those camps, will never return."

Sookie tightened her coat. Suddenly, the car seemed to be colder than before and had less air. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

"Mr. Kragh will arrive any time now," said Edvard. "I believe he knows more than I do, Miss Sookie. But I must warn you; you won't like the answers to your questions. I can only advise you to find a lighter topic of conversation. It won't help anybody if you get involved in our problems here."

Edvard was right. However, she couldn't pretend she hadn't heard Reichard's lament. She also couldn't pretend she had never met the tall blond vampire Eric. She was holding Karl's scarf in her lap. So she simply couldn't pretend nothing had happened or Karl hadn't been murdered. She took a deep breath. Please Lord, help me!

xxxxxx

"Mr. Kragh has arrived," Edvard muttered as they got out of the car.

Sookie looked up and saw the lamp in one of the rooms was on.

Edvard opened the door. "Ladies," he held the door for Sookie and Debbie. "I beg you not to tell what happened at the Cafe to Mr. Kragh, at least, not tonight. Mr. Kragh is rarely in a good mood after a long journey."

Like being commanded, Debbie and Sam entered the building first. Sookie walked closely beside Sam.

They entered the building. Sookie walked close beside Sam. His nearness was a comfort she dearly needed.

The hall way was dark. The light from the lamp that hung from the ceiling in front of the entrance was not strong enough to brighten the stairs that led up to the first floor. Arne used his house for dual purposes. The first floor was only for business, and the rest was his home. To reach the second floor, they used a staircase, and to be able to enter the living quarters they also needed keys. Edvard said, there were only three people who had the keys: he, Arne and Octavia.

"Blood," said Debbie as Edvard opened the door. She spread her fingers, and slowly long black nails came out from the tips of her well taken care finger nails.

"Take it easy, Miss," said Edvard. "Mr. Kragh is enjoying his dinner."

Something in his voice made Sookie feel uncomfortable. He sounded...gleeful. As if he would get something afterward...would he?

Sam sniffed and then nodded.

Debbie retracted her nails. "Sorry, Edvard. After what happened, we couldn't be careless."

"I understand, Miss."

They took off their coats and let Edvard take care of them. The man himself took off neither his jacket nor his gloves. Sookie realized, Edvard wore gloves all the time. The ring he wore – twin to the one she herself had on, sat atop his glove covered finger. She wondered, was there something wrong with his hands?

Suddenly somebody giggled.

"Ah," said Edvard. "He's finished. I think we can go in now." He opened the double door that led to the dining room. "Good evening, Mr. Kr...," but before he could finish his sentence, a sudden strong wind pushed him to the side. Sookie, who had just set foot in the dining room was thrown violently to the floor. Crash! From somewhere - the sound of glass breaking.

"Arne!"

xxxxx