Chapter 9

There was a forest beside the village. It was endless, wet, and young, and the canopy was claimed by poplar, alder, and yew, and abundant dancing lights bounced through their crowns for all sorts of bushes to claim the fertile soils below.

Of course, I didn't know this off the top of my head. Herr Gedney had told me, having seen me gazing dreamily out towards the horizon above the green roof. Being hunters, the villagers had to learn what trees were what, and if they were safe. And, of course, what inhabited them.

I hadn't really noticed, but as we were much further down the mountain now, there were more, appropriate places for wild life to survive and grow. Which also meant there was a lot more danger. Herr Gedney had told me that last year, a young boy hunting with his father was nearly bitten by a snake deep in the woods. What's worse is that the snake was poisonous…

The thought itself made me shudder, and I turned away from the lush, green growth. There was one advantage of being lower in the mountain though, it was warmer down here.

Artur and Josef were nearby, watching their flock of sheep, every now and again looking over at me. I know they were still so suspicious, I mean I would be. A family of nine suddenly turns up at your step, dirty and such, and asks for a place to stay. It sounds reasonable to the others, but I guess that the two boys have never really meant anyone from the outside world, so…

Josef had whispered something to Artur, turning his back to me. Artur's eyes darted down to me, then back up to his brother. I squinted a little, the sun's rays blinding my vision, but realised Artur was walking over.

He was wearing different clothes from the night before, but I have to say that they didn't really do much. What was once a shirt was now a torn, dirt stained shadow of its former self, only barely able to hang from his shoulders like a tattered old towel. There's a huge tear on the left side, which leaves much of him exposed. His trousers aren't looking great either. There're holes across the sides, but at least he has shoes to protect his feet. Although they're old, a size too big and there are holes in the right side of the right shoe.

"Hi," he greeted me quietly.

"Hey," I didn't bother standing up. Instead he, hesitantly, sat down beside me.

"My brother and I were just wondering how long your family will be staying," he mumbled, not looking at me.

"Not for long. We have to get to Switzerland before- "he glanced at me and I looked down, "Never mind…"

"Oh,"

Well, this was awkward. Neither of us really knew what to say. He was nervous, and I had to be secretive for our safety as well as theirs. Josef had gone off somewhere, leaving Artur to tend to the sheep. With nothing else to do, having finished Bambi already, I offered to help.

"I have a question. I mean, you don't have to answer it but… I just really want to know," I spoke confidently, although I didn't feel it.

Artur was leant against a tall stick, watching the sheep, but nodded to me to go on.

"Why are you and your brother so reluctant about us?" I asked slowly. Artur sighed.

"Honestly, we weren't always like this. I'm a little more open than Josef since this happened when I was very young but… Basically, we had a sister. She was only a year older than Josef but was one of the most gullible people we've ever known. Her name was Ruth, and she was a lot like well… you. She read a lot, was very curious," he smiled to himself, his eyes beginning to go glassy.

"But… four years ago there was a horrible storm, which flooded the lake near here," his lips began to tremble, "Josef and Ruth were coming home from a hunt at the time, and they began to hear a rumbling coming from nearby. Ruth, understanding immediately, pushed Josef out of the way just before… before…" he rubbed his red eyes, a deep, shuddering sigh heaving from the depths of his chest.

I nodded in understanding, feeling suddenly very guilty. Artur wiped a tear from his cheek, silently crying as I thought of what to say. I've barely known him, and he chose to tell me. I mean, yes, I did ask, but he didn't have to answer. These two brothers had been scarred emotionally by this, and were probably upset about seeing us, a happy family, waltzing on into their life. An idea came to mind…

"When I was six years old, our real mother died. Father was heavily distraught by this and started becoming colder and colder. He used whistles to summon us and the servants, made us act like sailors as if we were on his own ship and forbid singing in any shape or form. Then Maria, our new mother, came and we were told she was to be our new governess. Before she came, we had about twelve different governesses, which we had all frightened off with silly tricks and such. But Maria changed us, taught us how to sing, loved us as if we were her very own. She and father fell in love, and for the first time in four years we were finally happy…" I sighed, twiddling my thumbs.

"Why did you leave? If it was so nice?" he asked.

"Some, um… some not very nice men wanted us gone so we agreed to leave," I replied simply, remembering not to mention we were running from the Nazis.

"You know what, I don't care what Josef thinks of you and your family. I like you, we've both been through the same pain of losing a loved one, and here you are, cheerful as ever. Maybe you could get your mother to sing to Josef and me, I would love that. I would love that very much," for the first time, I saw him smile.

It was a big smile, not a smirk, just an actual, happy smile. His face was light and his cheeks rosy with joy. I couldn't help but begin to laugh, which grew contagious on us both, because after a few seconds I heard him giggle. A very nice giggle, if I don't say so myself…