by J W Murison
‘As you can see Sir, I made a full recovery. Didn’t the Doctor tell you on the phone?’
‘No he didn’t. I’ll take him to task for that.’
Just then the subject of our conversation turned up. ‘Grafton, how are you?’
The General’s face split into a wide smile. ‘Arnie, great to see you again,’ they shook hands warmly and then he turned to Robyn who stood by her father’s side.
‘You have certainly blossomed young lady. Do you have a man in your life yet?’
Her eyes flickered towards me and he took in the situation at a glance. ‘Ah I see. I’ll bet this is as important to you as it is to these people?’
‘It is Sir,’ she flushed.
He turned to me. ‘How would you like to go about this Major?’
‘You have had a long journey Sir, and this matter concerns more than myself. With your kind permission I’d like to invite the families involved to dinner tonight.’
‘I see.’ He rocked back on his heels thoughtfully. ‘You do realise the material I’ve brought with me is classified; Top-Secret. If news got out it could embarrass my government and would certainly cost me my career.’
‘You are in the Highlands of Scotland now Sir. Our word is our bond. I give you my word on behalf of the whole Glen, no matter what is revealed to us, nothing will ever be discussed outside its boundaries.’
‘Arnie has told me I can trust you, and to be frank I believe him.’
‘In that case Sir, why don’t you go and get freshened up? Dinner will be in an hour.’
John showed him to his room. The rest of my guests arrived. The Doctor stayed with the General and brought him down to dinner. Even out of uniform he was still an imposing man. There was more than one widow present who cast an interested eye.
I caught the Doctor’s eye and he nodded with a smile. The same smile was cast at Robyn and brought a little relief from the tension that gripped us both. Her hand found mine under the table and squeezed hard. I saw fear and hope both instilled in those beautiful brown eyes.
I stood and introduce the General to the people of the Glen, then went round the table introducing them to him. He shifted uncomfortably, but what man wouldn’t under these circumstances?
Finally he stood and addressed the Glen, ‘Ladies and gentlemen. I find myself in a rather strange predicament this evening, one I have never been in before and one I never wish to be in again. I also find myself in the same situation as some of you.
I lost a son in Guadalcanal and had one saved by our friend the Doctor here in Germany near the end of the war, so all of you have my deepest sympathy for your personal losses.’
He produced a briefcase and took out a folder. It had a picture of the American Eagle on it and I could make out the word ‘Secret’ stamped across its front. He produced photos and documents.
‘Sergeant Major Buchan, can you confirm this is the aircraft you shot down?’ He slid over the photos and waited until John had a good look at them.
‘Yes Sir, that’s it, I’ll never forget that registration number.’
He slid them back and the General passed them round. I felt a chill thrill through my soul as I looked at them and quickly passed them on. Robyn squeezed my leg but I could only smile weakly.
The photos were duly returned to the General whereupon he placed them straight back into his briefcase. Picking up a sheaf of papers he continued.
‘The aircraft belonged to Captain John Lyons of the United States Army Air Corps.’ He had to pause as a gasp of surprise swept round the table. He waited for silence again before going on.
‘However, Colonel Lyons was shot down by flack and seriously wounded three weeks previously. He managed, however, to land the plane almost intact and in enemy-held territory.
The normal procedure under these circumstances would be for the pilot to set fire to the aircraft immediately. Unfortunately the colonel was too badly wounded and slipped into unconsciousness before he could even exit the plane. I sincerely hope you will not hold Colonel Lyons responsible for what happened next.’
He turned a page. ‘From there the aircraft was retrieved by a specialist German unit which specialised in repairing allied aircraft.’
Another gasp ran round the table and I felt my spirits begin to soar as I hung on his every word. ‘The unit was run by a rather vicious Nazi by the name of Ernest Wilhelm Graft and he took personal charge of the aircraft. Changing its identity to a false one he took it up and proceeded to shoot down unsuspecting stragglers of the daylight bombing raids. After each mission he would changed the aircraft’s identity.
He was a particularly brutal man wanted by the war tribunal for atrocities against innocent civilians in Poland, France and Russia. He was also suspected of murdering a number of men dangling helplessly from their parachutes.
With the war almost lost, the German forces in disarray, he decided to make a run for it changing the aircraft’s identity numbers back to their original. We presume in the hope that, if he was challenged, the numbers would prove genuine. He proceeded to try and make his escape to Switzerland where we know there was an underground railway for fleeing Nazis.
That was until he came upon a column of unsuspecting troops who, as witnesses, reported actually waved to him and received a waggle of wings in recognition back. We don’t know for sure why he attacked the column because he was dead by the time anyone got near him. All we can do is speculate. I for one believe he was just a common murderer who couldn’t resist his last chance to kill unsuspecting men.’
He turned to John. ‘If it wasn’t for Sergeant Major Buchan here, he might have got clean away. As it was he paid the final price for his deceit and cruelty. You should have received a medal for what you did Sergeant Major, it was a remarkable piece of shooting.’
John just shrugged. ‘It wasn’t the first aircraft I’d shot down Sir, and I've already got plenty medals.’
The General smiled. ‘I know, I read your dossier too.’ He turned back to the rest of us. ‘May I remind you that this information is still classified Top Secret. I shouldn’t even be telling you, but I am doing so at the direct request of Dr. Colwin here. I also happen to believe you had the right to know how your loved ones really died.
I apologise for the American government keeping this from you, however we were at war, and this and other incidents like it have all been classified Top Secret by people with a lot more authority than I have.’
He sat down and there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief. I didn’t know how anyone else was feeling but I was reeling from the shock of the revelation. I should have known better. I’d heard of those special units, but my mind had been so full of hate I couldn’t see straight.
I looked up to find everyone’s eyes on me. I stood and fumbled for words. ‘General… … I just want to thank you for your time and for sharing this with us. I only hope now that the people of the Glen can come out from under the cloud of grief that has shrouded us for these past five years and move once more back into the light. Thank you again.’
‘It was an honour Major.’
Fiona burst in to tears and with a fumbled apology, ran from the room. The dinner went ahead but it was a sombre affair.
At the end of the evening everyone thanked the General personally, then each of them thanked the Doctor and Robyn. It was a deliberate sign of acceptance for the two. My spirits soared.
Chapter 41
The General visited Fiona and Graham. It was obvious he was an old hand at this sort of thing. Then he settled down with the men in the drawing room, Connie and Robyn had taken themselves away somewhere.
For a start we were all pretty uncomfortable but as the whisky began to flow the atmosphere soon warmed up. If there’s one thing all old soldiers can do, its talk. Eventually he asked me a strange question.
‘Were you ever involved in a friendly fire incident Major?’
One sprang immediately to mind. ‘Sort of Sir, but not with our own troops or the Ame
ricans. It was a rather strange incident. A couple of days before we were moved out, a rather strange group of German soldiers gave themselves up to us. As it turned out they were actually men from a penal battalion who had fought on almost every front.’
‘How do you mean strange?’
‘Their attire, I suppose, and they were from a tank regiment to-boot, even though they were encumbered with all the trappings of infantrymen. One in particular was very distinctive; he wore a yellow topper on his head and was shadowed by a giant who didn’t seem to have much between the ears.
However, as soon as they had gave themselves up they started dancing round and round, tossed their weapons into a pile then promptly produced bottles of drink, sat down and started playing cards, but before they even had a chance to get drunk we were challenged by a group of Russians in hot pursuit.
I met their commanding officer in no-man’s-land. It seemed these same men had blown through their positions a few days before costing him a lot of casualties. They had been in pursuit since but had been-out witted at every turn by these veterans.
I of course refused to hand them over. As far as I was concerned they had committed no particular crime, and to my mind, had shown nothing but courage throughout the pursuit. Indeed, they had out-fought a far superior force. Neither did I blame them for wanting to hand themselves in to us.
The upshot of it all was the Russians threatened to attack us if we didn’t hand them over. I held my ground and attack they did. I don’t know when but somewhere during the fight I found the Germans had re-armed themselves and were fighting alongside us.
It came down to a hand-to-hand fight in the end. The Germans fought like tigers and every one of them survived. We lost a few men but the Russians came off by far the worst. They lost most of a battalion I think. The problem was solved in part by our High Commands and the swift removal of our so-called prisoners, although I admit I let them keep their weapons until they reached safety. That was our friendly fire incident.’
The General barked a laugh. ‘I was only about five miles away at the time on the edge of our sectors. I heard about the incident and the officer’s name but your people and the Russians clamped down on it. Top Secret.’ He laughed, ‘I always wondered what had actually happened. Did you ever check up on the prisoners?’
‘I did actually. They were exactly who they said they were and none, it seemed, were wanted for any war crimes. I don’t know any more than that. I was hit shortly after that and demobbed as soon as I left hospital.’
‘A remarkable story.’
The ladies returning precluded any further discussion of the nastiness of war. As the night wore on the feeling of euphoria grew. I knew now Robyn would marry me and the whole Glen would support that union. The General and the Doctor took themselves away and Robyn and I hastily filled in our friends on our plans. They were as excited as we were.
It happened as we were cleaning up. I was checking the windows were closed when a colossal blow hurled me to the floor. I was left struggling for breath. When my eyes focused I found the three of them hovering over me with worried looks on their faces.
‘What’s wrong?’ Robyn asked with panic in her voice, but I could hardly hear her. All that I could hear was the voice in my head.
John helped me up. ‘What is it?’ Although I could see by the look in his eyes he had an-inkling.
‘I’m being summoned.’
‘Oh God no, why now?’
‘I don’t know John.’
‘What’s going on?’ Robyn almost squealed.
The voice in my head had calmed a little. ‘If we’re going to be married then you had better know this now. I think Connie already knows.’
John merely nodded to confirm my suspicions. I turned and addressed Robyn directly; ‘every firstborn son inherits what you may call a rare gift. It often takes different forms. My gift, however, I believed was lost to me. It disappeared sometime during the war …’ I was stuck for words then. How did I explain this to an outsider?
‘What is it?’ Robyn prompted.
John sighed, ‘he can see ghosts.’
‘No I can’t,’ I protested, ‘I can only see those of my direct ancestors, and only even then within the Circle of Power.’
‘You’ve seen others,’ he insisted.
‘Aye well maybe, but only near other places of power.’
‘Wait, hold on,’ Robyn stopped us; ‘you two aren’t kidding are you?’
I flushed. ‘No we’re not, and one of my talents is I can hear them when they call. Well, I hear my father.’
‘Are you trying to tell me your father is calling you from beyond the grave?’ She half laughed, ‘and that any child I might have will be able to as well?’
‘It’s possible,’ I shrugged, ‘but who knows for sure, we will just have to wait and see. Right now I’ve got to go. He’s getting impatient.’
I left them there and hurried to the circle of stones. I felt my blood chill at the sight of the mist that spilled onto the heather. I hesitated for only a second for the voice was strong here.
It enclosed me like a shroud. The temperature dropped dramatically and I felt myself shiver. I had always felt my gift was more of a curse. Why now after so many years?
‘Because your heart was closed to us, my son.’
I jumped with fright and whirled to find nothing, but slowly the mist began to take form. Many shapes appeared. Some of them blurred others were as clear as day, my father stood forward, clearest of all.
‘How are you father?’ I spluttered.
His loud laugh bellowed in my head. ‘I’m dead son, how are you?’
I found the tension ease a little. ‘I’m fine father.’
‘Your mother sends her regards and her blessing.’
I felt a lump rise in my throat. ‘What about you father, do I have your blessing?’
‘Without question and not only mine, all of us approve of your choice of wife.’
‘Thank you. It’s nice to know, but I still don’t understand why I have been unable to talk to you these past five years.’
‘Do you remember the first time I took you to this place to talk to my father?’
‘I could never forget.’
‘Do you remember these words I said? Your heart must be pure and free from vice to be able to reach the spirits of the stones.’
‘Yes I remember.’
‘You searched for us with your mind, but not your heart and soul. Your mind has been filled with bitterness and hatred. Now the bitterness and hatred are gone, love and light fill your soul and all of us here rejoice.’
‘Father … …’ I hesitated, ‘often … in battle I was sure I could feel your presence beside me.’
He nodded in an eerie fashion. ‘I was there; we were there to guide those souls lost to you back to the place of their birth.’
I felt a chill run through me as more figures began to appear. They were all there. Every man we lost during the war. I felt an up welling of indescribable emotion and was sure tears sprang to my eyes. ‘Thank you for that father,’ I managed.
He smiled and walked to the edge of the stones and I knew it was time to leave. ‘Go and enjoy your life and your love my son. Oh, and one more thing, do not be disappointed with the child. Things are as they should be.’
I left then. Why did he always throw these things at me? I suppose it was all game to them, for I remember his father throwing him the same puzzles.
Chapter 42
The following year passed quickly. Robyn didn’t want to wait long to get married and maybe it was just as well. We weren’t quite sure if our firstborn was conceived in wedlock or not. She was still very sceptical about my gifts, but I found them growing stronger and stronger.
We got married on the morning the first snows covered CarnMo’r. It was a grand affair. The whole Glen was there in full Highland dress. The men stood outside the small chapel making an arch with drawn claymores. The dancing went on for three days I’m told
.
Robyn and I went on a short honeymoon when I showed her the rest of Scotland in all its wild majesty, and although she found it all very beautiful and exciting, she found nothing to compare with her new home.
Now I found myself pacing the father’s room in the Maryhill maternity ward in Elgin. John and the Doctor kept me company and I’m not sure which one of us was the more nervous.
John fiddled with the cigars he had bought especially for the occasion.
‘I don’t understand why they can’t let me in,’ the Doctor grumbled for the hundredth time. ‘I’m an eminent surgeon and her father. It isn’t like I haven’t seen childbirth before. As a matter of fact I’ve seen things that would make the Doctors here run screaming in terror.’
I couldn’t help but smile. He also had his upcoming marriage to Mary to worry about. It was set for a week’s time in the castle chapel, the same place Robyn and I had been married.
He had returned to America only long enough to settle his affairs there. On his return he had proposed to Mary and she had accepted, however she had insisted on a longer engagement than we’d had. Her son Gavin had returned to the Glen and taken over the croft. Mary was due to move into the house with us after their honeymoon.
The General had returned many times and was now one of our favourite visitors. On his last visit he had discussed renting a croft on his retirement. Being a widower himself I was sure he had cast an eye at some of the widows in the Glen and I knew for sure some of them had cast an eye at him.
Robyn had come in at her time of detention and I had stayed in a hotel nearby. She had gone into labour early this morning and I had rushed here only to find myself waiting. I had phoned the castle at dinnertime and John and the Doctor had rushed over.
Now it was past suppertime and we were still waiting. I never realised it was such a long process. I hounded every nurse and Doctor I saw to no avail. All they would do was smile wearily and tell me that all I could do was wait.
The last person I had expected to see come through the door was a uniformed surgeon. The midwife stood at his shoulder. I felt my mouth dry up in fear.