Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music

by Darlene Foster

  “I am sorry to have frightened you,” said the monk in a low, creepy voice. “You need to know you are involved in something very dangerous. I believe you have a valuable item in your possession. You must not give it to the wrong person. A young boy’s life depends on it. Tomorrow, bring it to Vienna and give it only to me. I will be in the Burggarten by the statue of Mozart. Do not tell anyone of this meeting.”

  The monk reached his hand towards the girls. Amanda and Leah lifted their arms to cover their faces, scared of what he might do to them. Reaching behind them, he unlocked the door and blew out his candle, falling back into the darkness. They clamoured out of the room and crashed into the courtyard, landing at Christian’s feet.

  “What were you doing in the root cellar?” he exclaimed.

  “The…the root cellar?” Amanda rubbed her eyes.

  “Yes, the root cellar. This is where the monks store the root vegetables they grow for the winter.”

  “We—we went in by mistake,” Amanda stammered.

  “That door should be locked.” Christian frowned. “The gift shop is over there.” He pointed the way. “You can buy a nice bookmark to remember your visit.” He smiled at Amanda. “I can tell you are a lover of books.”

  “Thanks. We’ll do that.” Amanda smoothed her clothes with shaky hands.

  Leah couldn’t stop trembling. Amanda took her by the hand and led her to the gift shop. There she bought some postcards and a bookmark for herself and one for her great-aunt Mary in Calgary. They boarded the bus at the same time as their parents.

  Once settled on the bus, Leah said, “That was rather unpleasant, Amanda. Now, what are we going to do?”

  “I’ll think of something,” replied Amanda. She gave her friend’s arm a reassuring squeeze.

  After lunch, The Sound of Music wound its way through the beautiful Wachau Valley. The Anderson and Ross families took in the spectacular view on the top deck, as Michael shared stories with the passengers about the many castles and villages they passed. Amanda imagined herself living in one of the castles.

  Michael pointed out a castle ruin tucked on the side of a forested hill. He relayed the story of how Duke Leopold held King Richard I of England in the dungeon for fourteen months.

  Leah commented to Amanda, “I know how that feels like.”

  “It wasn’t that bad,” replied Amanda.

  “Yes, it was. It was dreadful. I couldn’t even text for help, it was so dark in there.”

  “Look at that one!” Amanda sprang up from her seat as a huge castle appeared around a corner. It had many towers and a green dome on top that looked like an onion. She ran to the side of the boat and started snapping pictures.

  “Wouldn’t it be fun to live in that castle!”

  “I rather think it would be cold and draughty, and most probably smelly.” Leah wrinkled her nose. “There wouldn’t be a mobile phone signal either.”

  “Like that would be important.” Amanda snorted.

  “Like it would be important if you were in danger or locked in a dungeon like that Richard bloke.” Leah looked at Amanda and laughed. “Or with you!”

  Amanda laughed too. Then her smile faded. “Seriously, where do you think David is?”

  Leah shrugged. “I don’t have a clue. But you know who we haven’t seen lately?” She looked around. “Klaus and his wife. They are usually here, taking in the scenery and history.”

  “You’re right. We haven’t seen them all day. Not even at the Abbey!”

  “Yummy, this apple strudel is delicious.” Amanda took another bite of the flaky crust stuffed with apples and cinnamon. “A great way to end that fabulous meal. I don’t remember ever eating so well.”

  “I’m sorry, honey, but I work long hours and don’t have time to make all these fancy dishes.” Amanda’s mom looked hurt.

  “Of course, Mom. I didn’t mean your meals were bad. This is just like eating at a fancy restaurant every night, that’s all.”

  “I must say, it is nice to not have to cook, and to be waited on hand and foot,” replied Mrs. Ross.

  “We certainly don’t eat like this at our house either.” Mrs. Anderson wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I agree with Amanda, that was an excellent apple strudel.” She looked out the window in front of them. “Oh look, it appears we have arrived at Vienna.”

  The twinkling lights of the city pirouetted in front of the boat, as if guiding them to the port.

  After dinner, many of the passengers met in the lounge to listen to Michael do a presentation on the Hapsburgs, the Austrian royal family. Jozsef, the musician they had met at the start of the cruise, ended the evening by entertaining them with his violin.

  Amanda couldn’t wait to explore Vienna the next day. She just had to figure out how to get the violin off the boat and delivered safely. David’s life depended on her.

  13

  I can’t believe I’m going to spend the day in Vienna!” Amanda’s mom’s eyes danced with excitement. “This is a dream come true. Ever since I took the History of Classical Music course in university, I have longed to see the Vienna Opera House where Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss performed.”

  “I didn’t know you took a course in music. I thought you studied accounting in university,” said Amanda.

  “Accounting was my major, but I wanted to study other things as well so it wouldn’t be so boring,” replied Mrs. Ross.

  Amanda spotted Jozsef walking through the dining room with a violin case under his arm. She jumped up from the table and ran after him. “Jozsef.” When he didn’t hear her, she called again, “Jozsef! I want to tell you something.”

  The musician turned around. “Ja, fräulein. Was ist? I mean, what is it?”

  Amanda caught her breath. “I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your music last night.”

  “Danke schön, thank you. I am pleased you took pleasure in listening to me play my violin.”

  “Are you coming with us on the bus tour of Vienna?”

  “No, I have lived in Vienna a few years ago and know every part of it well. I will spend the day with my daughter who is studying here.”

  “Are you taking your violin?”

  “No, I am just about to put it in the boat’s vault.”

  “Is it valuable?”

  “Not as valuable as some, but I would be unhappy if it was lost or stolen.” He patted the violin case. “Enjoy your visit to the city of music.”

  Amanda grinned. “Enjoy your visit with your daughter.”

  She returned to the breakfast table, just as everyone was getting ready to leave for the early morning tour.

  “I’ll meet you at the bus. There’s something I need to get.” Amanda darted out the door and down the hallway to her room.

  A few minutes later, Amanda boarded the bus with everyone.

  “What have you got there, sweetie?” asked her mom.

  “It’s a violin that Jozsef asked me to take to the Opera House for him.”

  “Really!” Leah’s eyes almost popped out of her head. “He is trusting you with his violin?”

  “Oh, it’s not his good, valuable one. This is just a practice violin.”

  Shocked, Leah stared at her friend. “What do you think you are doing?” she mouthed.

  Amanda shrugged. “I know it looks bad, but it’s not as bad as you think.” She carefully placed the violin under the seat and settled back to view the sights.

  “Now I am convinced you are barking mad!” Leah leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.

  The bus took them around the beautiful city of Vienna. The tour guide pointed out the home Beethoven lived in, the ornate Parliament buildings and the grand Opera House.

  The attractive guide explained, “In Vienna, there is music everywhere. It is best known as the land of the waltz. We have our very own ‘Waltz Kings’, father and son both named Johann Strauss. Johann Strauss II, you may know as the composer of the famous Blue Danube. Music is regarded not only as entertainment, but as an
important part of everyday life here in Vienna.”

  Amanda, pleased to see the calm smile on her mom’s face, noticed her parents holding hands as they sat on the bus gazing at all the old buildings.

  She turned to Leah. “Thank you so much for inviting us on this trip. My parents so needed a break from work. Look how happy they are. I haven’t seen them this relaxed in a long time.”

  Leah glanced at Amanda’s parents. “Your mum and dad are brilliant. You are so lucky.”

  “Your parents are pretty cool as well.”

  “Right. Except for my dad always making a big deal of me texting my mates.” Leah scowled.

  Amanda glanced out the window as the bus passed a gorgeous garden. “Look! Look! There is the statue of Mozart!”

  “So, what is the big deal about that?” asked Leah.

  Amanda leaned over and whispered, “That is where we are supposed to give the violin to the monk.”

  “How do you know we can trust him?”

  “Well, he is a monk. Don’t they take a vow to be honest?”

  “Maybe he is just pretending to be a monk. You can be so naive sometimes, Amanda.”

  The bus stopped at Hofburg Palace, the immaculate, wedding cake-like winter home of the Hapsburgs. Amanda picked up the violin and followed everyone off the bus to look around the lavish setting.

  She noticed a sign over a doorway:

  Home of the Spanish Riding School

  “May I go and look in there?”

  “Yes, you can,” said the tour guide. “You might be able to see the Lipizzan horses. They will have just completed their practice for today.”

  “I love horses and I once went to a performance of Lipizzan stallions in Calgary with my great-aunt. They were totally awesome!” She motioned to Leah. “Let’s have a look.”

  Horses and riders entered the stables just as the girls arrived. The riders wore the traditional uniform of brown tailcoats, black two-cornered hats, white buckskin breeches, white suede gloves, and black riding boots with swan neck spurs.

  Leah’s face lit up. “They sure look dishy in those uniforms.”

  As the riders took the horses to their individual stalls, one young rider noticed the girls, took off his two-cornered hat, held it to his chest and nodded his head. “Would you like a closer look?”

  “Would we?” Amanda didn’t need to be asked twice. “I love how they are pure white, like fresh fallen snow. You must have to work hard to keep them so clean.”

  The young rider grinned. “They are not always white like snow, as you say.” He pointed to some dark grey and black horses being fed in a corner. “Lipizzaners are born black and get lighter as they grow older. It takes a long time to train a horse, so by the time they are ready to perform, they are completely white. Those over there are young horses being trained.”

  “How long does it take to train one of these horses?” asked Amanda.

  “A long time—over six years. Only a few can master the complex jumps and moves that make up the classical dressage. It has to look effortless, like a ballet with the horses dancing to the music. But that is nothing, compared to how long it takes us, the riders, to be trained.”

  “Are there any girl riders?” asked Leah.

  “Yes, there are some in training now. Up until recently, only men were allowed to become riders at this school. But, that has changed.”

  “How long have you been training?” Amanda had so many questions.

  “I started as an apprentice at age fifteen. After four years I became an Assistant Rider and was put in charge of training this beauty here.” He rubbed the horse’s nose. “Next year, after ten years of training, I will officially become a rider. It is tough training here at the school, but I am determined to make it. Eighty percent of trainees drop out within the first few years. Once I am a rider, I will travel the world and do performances with my horse.” He grinned proudly.

  “But what is this you are carrying?” He looked at the violin case Amanda clutched. “Are you perhaps a musician? Will you be playing at the Opera House?”

  Amanda blushed. “Oh, no. I am looking after it for a friend.”

  More people entered the stables. Leah stiffened. “I think I just saw Klaus Schmidt with a curly-haired boy.”

  14

  Are you sure?” Amanda scanned the group of onlookers. “I can’t see him.” She clasped the violin tighter to her chest.

  The girls thanked the young rider and pushed their way through the swelling crowd to join their parents. Amanda felt a tug at her elbow. She looked around, but saw nothing.

  “We need to get to the Mozart statue soon and hand over this violin.” Amanda’s voice wobbled. “I’m nervous carrying it around.”

  Leah’s eyes darted around the crowd. “The sooner we get rid of that thing, the happier I’ll be.”

  “What have we here?” Klaus Schmidt blocked the way. “The clever girls from the boat.” His jolly laugh didn’t match his eyes. “Did you enjoy seeing the Lipizzaners? They are quite spectacular when they are performing. Did you know that—”

  Amanda cut him off. “Yes, a rider told us all about them.” She looked at her watch as she held onto the violin case with a firm grip. “I’m sorry, Mr. Schmidt, but we have to meet our parents, and we’re late.”

  The girls hustled out of the stables into the courtyard where their parents waited by a huge fountain.

  Amanda’s mom waved. “Oh, there you are. Michael said we are now free to wander around Vienna on our own if we want. We thought we would take the train back to the boat later. I really want to go to the Burggarten, the imperial garden between the palace and the Opera House. There is a statue of Mozart I want to take pictures of.”

  Amanda’s eyes lit up. “I saw it from the bus. I want to go there too.”

  “Sorry, folks, but I feel the need for a coffee and a slice of that famous double chocolate Sachertorte everyone is raving about,” said Don Ross.

  “I could go for that too,” said Leah’s dad. “The Hotel Sacher is just down the street.”

  “I would like a refreshment as well,” replied Mrs. Anderson.

  “I’ve been eating far too much on this trip, I’d rather go for a walk,” said Mrs. Ross.

  “We can walk over to the statue, Mom, take some pictures and meet the rest of you guys at the Opera House later.” Amanda glanced at Leah. “Are you coming?”

  “I guess so,” replied Leah. Under her breath she mumbled, “Like I have a choice.”

  Mrs. Ross stopped to take pictures as they walked through the immaculately landscaped gardens. Amanda, eager to get to the statue, fidgeted and kept looking around.

  “Amanda, could you please stand still. We have lots of time. Now go stand with Leah by those rose bushes so I can take your picture.”

  As Amanda smiled her best smile for her mom, she noticed a dark figure duck behind a large willow tree. Amanda’s heart quickened. ‘That must be the monk.’

  “Can we go to the Mozart statue now, Mom?”

  “It should be just over there.” Her mom pointed past the willow tree and started to walk in that direction. Leah followed her. Amanda stopped to readjust the violin case under her arm.

  “I’ll take that off your hands,” said a man behind her.

  She didn’t have to turn around to know it was Klaus Schmidt. “It’s OK. I can manage.” Amanda walked away at a quick pace.

  “I insist.” The older man huffed as he tried to keep up with Amanda. “It would be better with me.”

  Amanda didn’t want her mom to see Klaus, so she veered off the path by a large pond. She sprinted around the pond toward a steel and glass building, resembling a massive two-tiered cake. A sign outside the glass front door read:

  Palmenhaus

  Amanda pushed open the door. It smelled warm, moist and earthy inside. People sat sipping coffee and eating cakes at small round tables under tall palm trees reaching high into the domed glass ceiling. She looked behind her, saw no one had followe
d her in, and slipped behind a fat tree trunk with draping palm branches. Convinced no one would be able to spot her there, she let out a deep breath.

  From her vantage point, she had a clear view of the gardens. Just as Amanda tried to think about what she should do next, she noticed Klaus approaching the Palm House. His hair and whiskers askew, he struggled for breath. The scowl on his face indicated he was not happy.

  Klaus stared at the front door, shrugged his shoulders, took a breath and pushed it open.

  ‘Oh no. I was hoping he wouldn’t come in here.’ Amanda pulled in her arms, trying to make herself as small as possible. Her heart hammered so loud she was sure everyone could hear it.

  Klaus surveyed the crowd while he walked around. He came dangerously close to the palm she hid behind. He turned to walk in the opposite direction. A breeze caused a palm frond to flap in Amanda’s face, tickling her nose. Before she could stop it, a huge sneeze escaped. Klaus stopped, turned around and headed toward the palm.

  Amanda ran out from her hiding place and raced toward a marble archway leading to a door. She joined a large group of students going into another section of the building called The Schmetterlighaus.

  Stepping into a warm, humid, tropical rainforest; a velvety, chocolate-brown butterfly landed on her arm. Butterflies of all colours and sizes flitted about, alighting on exotic vegetation and vibrant flowers. A waterfall trickled into a pond resting in the centre. Several small bridges allowed spectators to cross to the other side. A black butterfly with red dots feasted on a plate of sliced oranges while a delicate green and black one perched on a bright yellow flower. Amanda was mesmerized.

  “Isn’t the Schmetterlighaus, I mean Butterfly House amazing?” said a man behind her.

  Jolted back to reality, Amanda jumped and almost dropped the violin. She spun around and saw a smiling Michael. “Oh, it’s—it’s you.”

  “Who did you think it was? You look like you just saw a ghost, Amanda.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I just saw your mother and Leah. They are looking for you. You must not get separated. Vienna is a big city and you are unfamiliar with it.”