Hearts of Stone

by Scarrow, Simon

  Eleni returned at the end of the week to make her report. During her absence she had returned to Lefkada for two days and as far as she could tell the enemy were not expecting any activity by the resistance on any significant scale. In Nidhri itself, the Italians were continuing to mount the same patrols and post the same sentries that they had done for the previous months. The island’s inhabitants, natives and occupiers, had settled into an uneasy daily routine, she concluded.

  ‘That routine is about to be broken.’ Michaelis grinned, as they sat outside the cave in the twilight. ‘Soon, everyone will learn that the war has finally come to Lefkas. We will show those fascist dogs that we Greeks still have plenty of fight in us.’

  The men of his band, some twenty in all now that he had called them in to prepare for the attack, raised their fists and cheered their kapetan. He had already issued their new weapons, a mixture of Marlin sub-machine guns and Stens, with a handful of Enfield rifles to supplement the more dated weapons of the andartes. His men brandished them with pride and defiance. Andreas looked on, but was not caught up in the mood. The war had already come to the island, as far as he was concerned. He recalled all too vividly the loss of his shipmates who had died as they bought time for the Papanikolis to make ready to leave Sivota. It would be an easy thing to ask his host where he had been on that day. Easy, but foolish.

  ‘After we have struck and destroyed their anti-aircraft cannon then no Italian on the island will feel safe any longer. They will jump at every shadow, every sound, while we take our time and surprise them again and again. We will destroy them a man at a time until we have driven them from our shores, however long that may take. May Holy God and the Virgin Mary be with us!’

  He crossed himself and the others followed suit. Then Michaelis ordered one of his men to fetch some raki from the cave and pass it around the band. As they sat drinking, Andreas approached Michaelis and addressed him in a low voice.

  ‘So when are you intending to attack the Italians?’

  ‘Tomorrow. At dawn. I will take all the men, including you. Eleni will stay here.’

  ‘Tomorrow?’ Andreas could not conceal his surprise. ‘So soon?’

  ‘We have the guns we need now. You can handle the explosives. There’s no need to delay any longer.’

  ‘But I know nothing of your plan.’

  Michaelis tapped his head and smiled. ‘It’s all up there. I know how many men we’ll be going up against, how they’re armed, where they sleep. It’s all taken care of. As you’ll see for yourself. So drink!’ Michaelis thrust a bottle at him and Andreas took a swig.

  ‘Why not wait until after the meeting with the other kapetans? If you strike now you will have the Italians swarming all over the island looking for the perpetrators.’

  Michaelis waved a hand dismissively. ‘They’re cowards. If they dare poke their noses up into the hills we’ll fire a few shots and send them running.’

  ‘They seemed bold enough the other day.’

  ‘I let them go by. If I’d been at full strength I’d have laid an ambush and cut them to pieces,’ Michaelis boasted. ‘They don’t scare me. Nor any of my men. Nor any Greek who has the balls to stand and fight for his homeland. Do you have the balls, Mahos?’

  Andreas drew a calming breath. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good! Then you will play your part and this time tomorrow you will be counted as one of the band and can celebrate properly with the rest of us. Eh?’

  Andreas nodded and took the bottle of raki with him and went to sit with Eleni. She noticed his serious expression at once.

  ‘What’s the matter? Don’t you approve of his plan?’

  ‘What plan? I fear that he just intends to charge in without any consideration of what might go wrong.’

  ‘Don’t be too hard on him, Andreas.’ She paused to glance round. ‘Mahos, I mean . . . Michaelis is a brave man. He loves his country and hates the enemy and the men respect him.’

  ‘I don’t doubt that he is brave. But bravery is not enough. Besides, I don’t think the timing of this attack has much to do with bravery.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Two days before the meeting of the resistance leaders? He knows it will stir up the Italians and make trouble. His will be the name on everyone’s lips and he will reap the reward and use that to justify his claim to be the first amongst the kapetans. That’s what he’s really after, if I am any judge of the situation.’

  Eleni shook her head. ‘You misunderstand him. Michaelis is no schemer.’

  ‘You respect him?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘I see. And there’s more than respect for him in your heart, I think.’

  Eleni frowned at him. ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘I can see it in your face. And why not? You have been working with him since the occupation began. You have come to trust one another. I suppose it’s inevitable that a deeper bond might form between you. It’s clear that he regards you as more than just a member of his band.’

  Eleni stared back. ‘He’s been hiding in caves in the mountain all through the winter, and fighting the enemy while you were safely in Egypt.’

  ‘I am here to fight as well, Eleni,’ Andreas responded quietly.

  ‘Are you jealous of him?’

  ‘No! No, of course not.’ Andreas burned with embarrassment. ‘Whatever is between you and him is your own matter. I don’t care about it.’

  ‘Really?’ she teased, poking him in the chest. ‘Why, I believe you really are jealous.’

  He was about to protest again when she put her hand round his neck and drew his head closer to hers and kissed him. He lips lingered a moment and she drew back with a smile as she whispered, ‘Andreas, you fool. Do you really think there is any other man in this world I would love rather than you? I have prayed for you to come back to me since the moment you left . . .’ She kissed him again, longer this time, and Andreas felt a lightness sweep through his body. He made to embrace her and Eleni pulled back.

  ‘No. Not here. Not in front of the others. Come.’

  She took his hand and led him away from the mouth of the cave a short distance along the slope until they were hidden from view by the shrubs and stunted trees. Then they angled down, passing through a clump of pines, their heady scent filling the air. At length Andreas realised where they were heading and smiled as they emerged by the entrance to the gorge where the largest of the pools gleamed dully in the gloom. Around them the cicadas shrilled, their raucous sound rising and falling without any discernible rhythm.

  ‘We can talk freely here,’ said Eleni, sitting on a flat slab of rock. ‘Come.’

  Andreas did as she bid and eased himself down at her side. He hesitated before he asked the only question that was on his mind. ‘Did you mean it?’

  ‘Mean what?’

  ‘What you said back at the cave. That you loved me.’

  ‘Of course.’ She took his hand and eased her fingers through his. ‘Did you not guess? Not in all the years that I have known you? Well?’

  ‘I–I had hoped.’

  ‘And I had almost given up hope that you would realise it. Until I saw your expression the other night, and then I knew.’

  Andreas put an arm round her to draw her closer and they kissed again. For much longer this time. At length they parted and smiled helplessly at each other. Then her pleasure faded from her face.

  ‘There’s something I must tell you, Andreas.’

  He felt a sudden stab of doubt. ‘What?’

  ‘It’s your father. I saw him two days ago. When I went to see him, he was in bed. He looked very thin and weak. Dr Meskouris called in before I left. He fears the worst.’

  ‘What is wrong with my father?’

  Eleni shrugged. ‘The doctor could not say. He thinks your father seems to have lost the will to live. He does not eat, drinks little and has barely enough energy to stir from his bed. But he did ask me about you before I left. He asked if I thought you were st
ill alive.’

  For an instant Andreas was torn between anxiety for his father and the need to keep his presence on the island a secret. ‘What did you say to him?’

  ‘I wanted to tell him you were alive, to give him some hope. But I knew I could not. That is your decision.’ She took his hand. ‘What will you do?’

  Andreas thought for a moment, filled with guilt and a longing to be with his father before it was too late. ‘I will see him. As soon as I can. I owe him that at least. Can you get me in without the Italians in the house knowing?’

  ‘Yes, I think so.’

  ‘Then I’ll do it, once the consequences of tomorrow have died down.’

  She kissed him. ‘I hoped you’d say that.’

  Then she placed her arms round his shoulders and drew him back on to the rock beside her and Andreas kissed her and began to undo the buttons of her blouse. She held his hand.

  ‘Andreas, we must be careful. I cannot afford to be with child. Not while we fight the enemy. You understand?’

  He nodded. ‘I know. I will not let that happen.’

  Then he leaned forward and kissed her neck and she let out a soft sigh of delight as she closed her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The last of Michaelis’s men crawled into position before first light. They had left the cave shortly after midnight and picked their way down the valley to approach the small plain surrounding Nidhri. The Italian artillery battery was on the crest of a small hill a kilometre from the town. One by one, Michaelis assigned his men to their places at the base of the hill. When he had outlined his plan to Andreas just before setting off he had intended to surround the hill to ensure that no Italians escaped, and then attack. Andreas had pointed out that this might well lead to the andartes accidentally shooting at their own men when they reached the crest of the hill. Accordingly, he persuaded the kapetan to change his plan so that only a loose screen surrounded the hillock while the rest of the men attacked from a single direction.

  It was an hour before sunrise before the men were finally in place and Michaelis whispered the order for the assault to begin. The two silenced Stens were in the hands of the kapetan and Andreas, who led the way up through the scrub and stunted oaks, treading warily in order not to alert the sentries guarding the anti-aircraft battery above. Aside from the calls of a few night birds hunting their prey there was quiet and Andreas’s senses strained to detect any sign of life ahead of him as he climbed the hill. The sound of his own breathing, his footfall and the subdued panting of the men behind him seemed alarmingly loud and he feared that the enemy would detect them and open fire at any moment.

  ‘Psst . . .’

  Andreas paused and glanced towards Michaelis. The kapetan had lowered himself into a crouch and pointed up the slope. Ahead the last of the trees gave out on to open ground and there at the crest of the slope he could just make out the outline of a sentry. A moment later there was a tiny flare of red as the man drew on a cigarette and then the tip faded to a faint glow. Michaelis turned to signal his men to halt and then crept closer to Andreas.

  ‘We’ll get closer and then I’ll shoot him,’ he whispered.

  ‘No. I have a better way.’ Andreas carefully slung his Sten and drew his knife and held the blade up for the kapetan to see. ‘I’ll use this.’

  Michaelis was still a moment before he nodded. ‘All right.’

  Andreas edged forward in a crouch, climbing the slope as stealthily as possible, testing every foot he planted to avoid snapping any fallen branches or stumbling on a loose rock. All the while he kept his gaze fixed on the sentry as blood pounded in his ears like a muffled drum. Every so often the man would inhale and the glow from the tip of his cigarette would light his face and the front of his cap in a lurid red. He looked young, with thin features. Barely older than Andreas. And yet he was the enemy. Pushing aside such considerations, Andreas concentrated on his training and steadily worked his way round so that he could approach from behind. As he reached the crest of the hill he could make out the long, dark barrels of the anti-aircraft guns pointing up into the sky, and the rings of sandbags that surrounded them. A short distance beyond lay two neat lines of tents and he could hear the sound of snoring. He made out two more sentries on the far side of the battery.

  When he was no more than five paces away he paused and raised his knife. There was a terrible stillness that seemed to stretch on and on before the man drew on his cigarette one last time and exhaled, letting his hand drop to his side. Before Andreas could choose his moment there was a cough from below on the slope. Andreas rushed forward. At the last moment the sentry began to turn, but it was too late to save him. Andreas’s left hand snapped over his mouth and yanked his head back while the commando knife sliced open the sentry’s throat and Andreas felt a warm spray on his fingers. The man struggled desperately in his grasp, and kicked out the heel of his boot, catching his assailant on the shin. The sentry released his rifle and it fell against his body before slipping to the ground with a soft thud. His strength failed quickly as he bled out and when he was no more than twitching feebly Andreas gently lowered him to the ground and eased his hand away from the man’s mouth. There was a gentle rasp of air from his lips and then he lay still and silent.

  Andreas knelt down beside the body and used the Italian’s uniform to wipe the blood from his knife and hands. None of the enemy had noticed the disturbance and the battery slumbered on beneath the stars, quite oblivious to its imminent peril. Satisfied that they were safe to continue the attack. Andreas turned to the slope and beckoned to his comrades waiting in the shadows. There was a soft padding of footsteps and then the dark figures of the andartes swarmed forward and fanned out on either side of Andreas before kneeling down to wait for orders. Michaelis glanced at the body and cleared his throat as he patted him on the back. ‘Good work . . .’

  The kapetan reached into his sidebag and took out a grenade and held it up for his men to see. Those who had been entrusted with grenades took them out and when all were ready Michaelis gave the signal to advance. Crouching low, the line of andartes began to cross the crest of the hill towards the guns and the tents. As they reached the sandbags of the first emplacement Michaelis signalled his men to halt and leaned his weapon against the hessian sacks. He drew the grenade pin, keeping his hand close over the lever, and rose to his feet. The other men armed with grenades followed suit and Michaelis took a deep breath and shouted.

  ‘Now!’

  There were grunts as the others hurled their grenades towards the tents and before the Italians could react there was a series of blinding yellow flashes amongst their tents. The blast shredded the canvas and blew the material out as if caught in a sudden storm. The sound of the detonations was momentarily deafening and as the andartes rose up and surged forward, Andreas’s ears were still ringing. A savage cry ripped from their lips as they charged. Figures stumbled out from between the tents, too shocked to react to the danger, and there was a panicked cry of alarm, too late to do any good. Shots cracked out on either side of Andreas and he raised his weapon and flicked off the safety catch as he reached the second gun position, no more than ten paces from the tents. He saw a man with a rifle start to raise his weapon before there was a flash from one side and the Italian toppled back. More of the enemy were cut down by the andartes’ fire as they charged into the tent lines and continued shooting as they shouted their war cries.

  Andreas stopped by the second emplacement and vaulted inside before hurrying to the anti-aircraft gun. He slipped the Sten over his shoulder again and reached into his sidebag for the first RDX charge. He moulded the charge round the breach mechanism and set a pencil detonator deep into the pliable mass, pinching it to break the acid vial inside. In twenty minutes it would eat through the wire that released the trigger and set off the charge. He quickly set another charge beneath the ammunition cases stacked to the side of the emplacement and then hurried over to the other two guns to complete his work.

 
By the time he had finished, the shooting had stopped and the andartes were picking over the bodies and tents, looking for weapons to salvage and any loot. He found Michaelis standing in the middle of the camp, the stock of his weapon resting on his hip as he surveyed his triumphant followers.

  ‘The charges are set, we have to go soon.’

  ‘We didn’t lose a single man.’ Michaelis laughed. ‘Just two wounded. Yannis, shot in the arm, and Niklos, shot himself in the foot.’

  ‘Very good. Now let’s get back to the cave.’

  ‘We leave when I say,’ Michaelis responded flatly. ‘I am in command. Not you.’

  ‘I know. But the charges—’

  ‘There’s plenty of time. As I said, two wounded. In exchange we’ve killed or wounded at least ten of them. The rest bolted in the direction of Nidhri.’

  ‘They’ll be back. With reinforcements. Listen!’

  They both heard the wail of a siren from the direction of the town and saw lights flickering on.

  ‘We’ll have disappeared back into the hills long before those dogs arrive.’ Michaelis cleared his throat and spat before he called out. ‘Andartes! On me!’

  His men came hurrying from across the crest of the hill. Some were talking excitedly and laughing at their exploits. As the last of them arrived, Andreas saw that he had three Italian prisoners with him, hands on heads as they were jostled towards the waiting resistance fighters.

  ‘What’s this?’ Michaelis demanded. ‘Holy God! What is that stench? They smell worse than we do!’