Hello everyone! another Historical Fiction, but a little twist to it *Cough* Romance *Cough* Yes yes yes, I know, it's really awkward to see that a guy like me likes Romance, but ever since I fell for this girl, I've loved it because I can imagine me kissing her! but enough with that, have a good read!
Yours truly
-Redcoats
Chapter One: Frederick Arburg in Holland
It was a cloudy spring day in German occupied Holland 1941 A man named Colonel Frederick Arburg walked through the streets of Rotterdam, the second biggest city in the Netherlands.
He was walking back to his Garrison headquarters after an unwelcome walk with people staring and pointing at him, they whispered into each other's ears and would run off.
Praytell, the citizens of Holland disliked Arburg, well they disliked really any German that is, because of the cruel invasion that was launched on their country by order of Adolf Hitler.
Arburg was given command of the Garrison two days ago, so the people didn't know what he would be like, all they guessed was that he would be as cruel as the other Garrison officer before him. However, they were wrong. The new Colonel intended to Keep strict rules set on the Garrison, however, he did not accept Abuse of command and abuse of humankind. He was only 34 but already had white hair on his sideburns and lowercut, otherwise, the rest was black, however, he had stormy grey eyes that could pierce someone, those eyes represented the power of authority.
Despite his age, the somewhat young Colonel looked in his mid-forties. Why he looked ten years older was a very big mystery, but there was a clue: A broken Heart. Frederick Arburg had once been one of the happiest men in Germany, at age 25 he married a half-English-half-German woman named Alexandria, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, and very loving, neither could never of found a better lover than the other.
However, Frederick never had Children, for they were only married for two years when his beloved Alexandria passed away. her last words she told him rang in his head for years: "Frederick..." she had said. "Don't stop loving, care for everyone, if you meet a woman that you might love, don't hesitate, I will still love you as you love me." at that, she died and never spoke again.
Frederick wasn't very bright anymore, he smiled sometimes, he was caring, strict and fair to people, he never gave up. But something was missing in his life, he didn't know what, but in 1936 when he heard Hitler's Remilitarization act, he decided to join the Army, to find what he wondered what was missing.
Frederick served as a Sergeant for a year before given the rank of Lieutenant up to 1939 where he received the Night's Cross (Iron Cross) and was promoted to Major, until he became Colonel of the South Holland Garrison.
He was in terms, a good and respectable man who treated his men and the people with respect. Frederick was also loyal to Nazi Germany, however, he didn't fully agree with Nazisim and he had a nack of uncomfort at the mention of Adolf Hitler, however he was loyal to the Dictator no matter if he liked him or not, Germany was his home, and he would do anything to keep Germany's honor alive.
He walked through the quiet streets, he noticed Dutch Citicens whispering as he passed and pointed fingers at him, he nodded at them as if he expected it, which, he did. he heard of the abuse of Jews from the previous Garrison commander, he disliked the Aryan law, and it was the worst thing that he disliked about Hitler, was his abuse to Jews. A friend of his years back, was a Jew, he hadn't heard from him in years but he knew that Jews were good people, but, he had to remain loyal to the Nazi regime, and crack down on them. Frederick pitied the Jews, and he pitied the Dutch people who scorned him. But there was one person he didn't pity, and that was himself, he couldn't look weak, maybe that's why he was mean and strict in many ways.
But whatever the case, the Newly-Promoted Colonel walked to his headquarters for the next day of business.
As he walked, he passed a Café that was filled with German Soldiers, ad he walked by he heard a familiar voice. "Frederick!" he turned to see his friends: Horatio and Peter, they were old childhood friends from the beginning of his sixth year at school, all the way to his current Military career. Frederick smiled and nodded as they walked over.
"Fred." Peter said. "Why don't you have a beer with us today, to Celebrate your Promotion?" Frederick (Like most Germans.) loved Beer, he loved the taste of it mixed with the taste of the wooden mug, but in the last year, the weight of losing his wife now mixed with the Horrors and death of not just soldiers, but Murdering innocent Jews was now harder to bear. so instead of drinking more and becoming a lunatic, he decided to stop altogether.
The newly promoted Colonel shook his head. "No, maybe another day." 'Maybe another five years.' he thought. Peter rolled his eyes while Horatio spoke up. "Aw, come on Frederick. You haven't touched the mug in over a year!"
"We know you're depressed about your wife still, and all the killing, that's why we urge you to have a drink! Forget all of it for tonight, besides - these Dutchfolk know how to make good beer!" Horatio added while smirking. "I don't like us occupying Holland, but, you know what? I don't mind as long as they have this beer."
The three laughed. Frederick stopped laughing first. "Well, I better get going. I have a duty you know."
They waved goodbye. After he was out of earshot, his friends turned to each other, both were smirking sadly. "He looks so old for someone so young." Peter said glumly, Horatio nodded. "it's been years, and he still mourns Alexandria. What he needs is a woman to cheer him up."
"Aye." Peter said. "I fear he'll shrivel up and die from his depression." Horatio chuckled slightly. "He is still very handsome for his looks, I mean, you still look deathly ugly compared to him." Peter looked offended. "How dare you! and besides, if he's more handsome than me, then you would probably look like an ogre." they both started laughing.
Soon the two walked back to the Café for more beer.
Frederick found himself that night at the dinner table with his staff, there was some light talking, Since he was the Garrison commander, Frederick sat at the end of the Table and on the fanciest chair, but he didn't care. the Chair, the rank, it was all the symbolism of a burden.
As the not-so-young-looking Colonel ate his food, Capitan Königsmar gave his report of the day to him. "Colonel sir. Are you ready for my report?" Frederick nodded, he wiped his lips with a napkin and then nodded. "Go on Capitan." he said.
"You have an appointment to execute some Jewish Prisoners today, actually, after lunch by the looks of it." Königsmar said a little suprised to see this come so quickly.
Frederick looked down at his food as he heard this, he suddenly wasn't very hungry. He nodded sadly. "Alright. How many?"
The Capitan scanned through the paper until he slammed it down on the table with disgust. "31 is the cout sir." Königsmar seemed in outrage at the amount of prisoners to be executed in one day.
Frederick suddenly blurted out. "What!? 31? what the heck is wrong with this army?" "Oh please, those Jews get what they deserve, I like to see a rotten snag die today."
Both Frederick and Königsmar turned their heads to the sound of the voice. It was Lieutenant Halfred, he was a young man who just finished training at the Hitler youth not one year before.
Frederick glared at the young Lieutenant. "I think, you should keep quiet Mr. Halfred." Halfred smiled evilly and gave a mock salute. "Whatever you say, Colonel."
'That young man doesn't know what he's talking about!' Frederick thought. 'These are innocent people being put to death!'
After a few minutes, the Clock hit twelve-thirty. "Sir." Captain Königsmar said gravely. "It's time to do the job." Frederick nodded, and reluctantly got up.
So, what do you think? I know, I know. Very sad. Keep reading, it's a good story. I hope you like it all of you! Thanks for your support everyone. now keep reading!
Yours truly
-Redcoats