Episode Thirty-One: The Great Escape

**Warning!! Contains graphic and disturbing content. Violence, human atrocity, and horrors of war.**

They land in the mud. Wood fences and buildings surround them. The atmosphere is dark and drizzling. But in the sky they see the caelium tinged dark reddish in the night. A few other brick buildings can be seen through wooden slats of the fence but they are sparse. The group finds themselves in a hilly area, where they are seems to be the only structured area around. Forest flourishes to the West. Marshland lays South. On a hill Eastward sits a large mansion. Finally many wooden towers stand at regular intervals and corners. Men stand atop them shining extremely bright lights downward. They move them about as well as if looking for something.

The man who spoke to them looks odd, quite old, dressed in rags and bent over a garbage receptacle. Perplexed he asks again, “Who the fuck are you? I haven’t seen you around here before.” Old man waddles toward them, eyeing their odd appearances. They get up and brush as much mud off themselves as possible. He circles them almost muttering to himself he says, “Haven’t seen you round the camps before... Better not be one of those krout soldiers…” He straightens, whispering louder and directed at them, “Here’s a test: who's our rabbi? Let me see your tattoo.”

Tobias recovers from the abrupt arrival first, “You seem to have mistaken me. I am a Catholic. We are travelers.”

“Tattoo?” Ivetta asks. Benny pulls up his sleeve revealing a string of numbers inked into his skin.

Still suspicious, he says, “Not a single new person has entered the camp in a great while. We have a tight knit community here. Can you explain how you got here?”

Tobias turns to Castor, “Castor why are we here?” He finds her pale and shaking, her eyes squeezed shut but still managing to prop up the still unconscious Ms. Barber. A hand flies to her mouth but too late, her latest lunch mixing with the muck. Ivetta rushes to her side, rubbing soothing circles on her arm. When she finishes retching she swipes her hand past her mouth and leans heavily on the wall. “I– I don’t…”

The man interrupts her, his voice softer, “You must be like the others, they haven't fed us in days.” From his pockets he pulls a hunk of moldy, raggedy bread as well as a dead rat and offers it to her. She politely declines, bile tickling the back of her throat again.

“Can…can you take us somewhere to help our friend?”

“We have no doctor but I will bring you to the rabbi. These are troubled times.” He notices Tobias’ sword, “Where did you get that? You better hide that real good, they’ll lynch you if they find that.” Tobias opens his overcoat. The display of arms leaves the man staring. “Arms dealer, eh? No idea how you got in here. Follow me. By the way, I’m Benjamin. Everybody calls me Benny. Didn’t get your names.” Castor introduces everyone as they move through the narrow alley. Benny stops suddenly and moves a crate to the side revealing a hole in the side of the wooden building. He ducks down and goes into it. The four of them look at eachother puzzled. He comes back out when he notices they haven’t followed, “Really not from around here are you? Get in.” he gets out and gestures at the hole. “Quick!”

From afar they see the beam of light from a tower move toward them. They rush. Ivetta going in first, Castor handing Ms. Barber to her then getting in herself, followed by Tobias. Benny rests the crate in front of the hole. They move forward in darkness until they arrive inside a barracks. Many of the beds are empty but those that hold people…they are barely more than whisps: sickly, skin and bones. The darkness cloaks much of their gaunt features but their hearts ache to see these people.

Castor sets Ms. Barber down gently on one of the empty bunks. Benny moves away from them, finding a specific bed and shaking the man there awake. He says something in a language they cannot understand before saying, “Rabbi Jaken.” The Rabbi groans awake.

“What do you need Benny?”

“I was on my food raid–”

More awake now the rabbi insists, “I told you not to do that anymore. If they catch you they will kill us! We know the messiah is coming. We must wait and pray.”

“I am sorry rabbi but– well, I found some people outside.”

“You need to sleep, Benny.”

“They have weapons.”

“No, no! Benny!”

“Just say ‘hi’ to them. I've never seen them before.”

The rabbi grumbles, sitting up. And looks to the three mud covered misfits standing in wait.

“Who are you? How did you get here?”

“That is kind of a long story.” Tobias says.

“We’re also not entirely sure where here is.” Castor says.

“They said they are travelers rabbi–”

“Let them speak!” He cuts Benny off. Trying to be gracious he backtracks slightly, thank you Benny but you risk too much. Now please rest, I will speak with our visitors.” Benny nods, moving not far to a bed and dismantling rats, setting out strips to dry.

Tobias speaks as Benny moves off, “I am Father Tobias. My companions and I have found ourselves here quite recently. Benny’s help was appreciated.”

“Father? What are you doing here?”

“We came to find something.”

“If you have come to find something of value, I’m afraid we have nothing but the clothes on our backs. We have nothing since the war.”

Castor asks, “War?”

The rabbi turns to Benny asking, “did your friends get hit on the head or something?” He faces them once more, “How did you get here?”

“I don’t think you’d believe us.”

“I believe many things.”

Castor gives him a look that he returns. “Alright then, we got here with magic.”

Benny laughs coming closer once more, but the rabbi stays stoick. “Crazy things have been happening. The sky is falling, the end times are approaching. And here you are appearing out of nowhere.” he turns to Tobias, “the end is nearing. You are a holy man, you must see.”

“The islands?” He nods.

Castor says, “we have seen this before and it didn't mean the end times. There is nothing to fear from them. Please, we know nothing about this place. Why are you and these people here?”

“That is a long, difficult story.”

“We need information.” Tobias says.

The rabbi shakes his head, “it is not good to ask these questions.”

“Any small piece of information.” Ivetta asks.

“Please.” Castor begs.

The rabbi sighs. “This place is a camp. A new kind of camp, just for the Jewish people. The Germans made up. A prisoner of war camp. They rounded many many of us up and brought us to them. Here many of my people have been killed or waste away. But you– you do not look Jewish.”

Castor clutches her cross both in proof and comfort, “No, we are not. We-We're from Italy.”

Benny recoils, “Facist pig!”

Tobias interjects, “I am from Austria.”

Benny cries, “A krout! A spy! Murderer!” but just as quickly, remembering the vast array of weapons he holds, genuflects and apologizes, “I’m sorry! Please do not kill me!”

The rabbi moves in front of him protectively, “Benny didn't mean it! He will not steal from the stores, no!” He holds up his hands pleading for peace.

Tobias stands resolute, “You have nothing to fear from me. Listen rabbi, the last time I was in Austria the Catholics were fighting the Protestants.”

“That was hundreds of years ago!”

“Like we said before, magic. We just ended up here.”

Ivetta says, “and we’ll leave as soon as we can.”

Castor adds, “he won’t hurt any of you!”

The rabbi says, “I trust you ladies but I don't trust this Austrian priest.”

“He’s protected us all this while, he will do the same for you.” Ivetta retorts.

Benny and the rabbi speak privately in the strange language from before.

Tobias says something in German to himself.

The rabbi realizes himself and says, “perhaps we keep speaking Polish. Benny, no more Hebrew.”

Castor asks, “why are your people in these camps?” Taking a leaf from Ivetta’s book she adds, “explain as if we were from a different world. As if to a child.”

The rabbi gives her his billionth odd look before he says, “Since the war started, the Germans have not liked us Jews. We are their targets of ire. And now, since the islands appeared in the sky, they fear us. They stopped feeding us. It is the end times, punishment will come to them. And our retributions scare them. We have been left to rot while we await the messiah.”

Tobias says, That is why this place reminds me of the Siberian camps.”

The rabbi brightens slightly, “You’ve been in these places before?”

“One such a place. A visit.”

“Visit? You are journalists?”

“You could hardly say that. The Russian camp was just another place we appeared.”

Benny leaps on his words, “The Russians? Do you know if they are coming?”

“I can’t say but we were in the camp and broke out of it. Perhaps we might do the same here.”

Castor looks worried, last time they did that they had a few tries. This time they might only get one shot. “How many of your people are here?”

“3000 and fewer everyday. But I refuse to fight.”

Tobias says, “I've stood in your shoes but it seems we have chosen different paths.”

“You claim to be men of God, but we will not sully ourselves with these weapons. The messiah will come.”

Ivetta nudges Castor, “maybe they can tell us about the necklace. Castor pulls it from her wrist and holds out the necklace. “A friend of ours gave us this. Can you tell us about it?”

The rabi chuckles. “It is the star of David. What do you mean?” He takes it in his hand. His face turns astonished, “This is gold! How do you still have this?”

Benny mutters under his breath, “Maybe they are from a different world. Perhaps from the islands…” The rabbi shakes his head.

“Please, make yourselves at home, there are open bunks that are yours. We must rest. We can talk more in the morning.” He motions to Benny who follows him, leaving the three to disperse.

The rabbi speaks in hushed tones to Benny, “These strangers, we must stay out of their way.”

“They might be in league with the messiah.”

“We would know…”

“I think it's almost time. Think about what they are doing to our people.”

They find three other open bunks near Ms Barber. Ivetta attempts to help. Her breathing is light phlegm in her lungs. Examining her head, Ivetta says it seems like she was hit but there is no bruise. She does what she can, stabilizing her but she does not wake.

Castor sags in relief but sits up immediately looking about frantically trying to spot a familiar figure anywhere nearby. When she doesn’t spot him, tears prick her eyes, her muddied face screws up in anger. "Damn! It should have worked! He should be here!" Ivetta finally realizes who she’s talking about and she closes her eyes. “Hollinzoller–he should be here! He’s alive, I know he is! He has to be! Ivetta, he’s alive. I have to believe that. He has to be, you’re still here.”

Ivetta holds her hands in her own, “Castor it's not your fault. I know you tried. It’s okay.”

“But–but I– I failed again.”

“No. If he didn’t come with then he wasn’t there. You tried.” Tears flow down both their cheeks for several minutes they sit in silence, tension slowly draining from her body. Through a sniff Castor asks, "Is everyone…alright? Physically."

Tobias simply nods, Ivetta does the same. “I…I know why we’re here. I had a vision. I– It made me sick. There were huge steel horses that came here to the encampment. Men with guns open the metal boxes. They– they contained people. Thousands of men, women, and children. I was…I was one of the men with guns. I pushed some of them into another room. I was holding a metal can and after a few moments I pulled a pin and dropped it into the crowd of women. I–they–I killed them all in the most horrible—” She puts her hand to her mouth again, fresh tears washing down her face.

Ivetta hugs her tightly. “That’s awful. I’m sorry you saw that. You know it wasn’t really you. We can help the people that are still here.”

Castor nods into her shoulder. She holds the embrace a bit longer before pulling back , “It shifted after that. A manor on a hill. A man standing on a balcony. He had a gun and fired at the camp. But on his wrist was a watch. That’s what we need.”

“Then that is what we will get.” Tobias says.

She hesitates, finding the courage, “W-what do you remember from our last…escapade?”

“The witch’s lair.”

“Anything before that? In the tree?”

“You propelled us into the pit. I remember that.” Ivetta says.

Castor looks sheepish, “I know you'll think me crazy but— even I'm not entirely sure I saw what I did but…I saw a sign. In the pit, just before we were swallowed, I saw a glowing white cross. I saw that and felt it was safe. I think it was a test of faith…a test of faith for the chance of a choice." She hesitates looking at them. "When I pushed us forward you two blacked out but I saw the explosion, frozen in time, felt the fire burning. I touched a tendril and the tree turned to ash. I heard screaming then a word resounded in my mind: Bay’hanahk. I'm not sure what it means. But then two doors appeared. One would have brought us here immediately. The other held…something sinister but also something to gain. I took the risk, I thought maybe…we could have saved–” She closes her eyes and clenches her jaw. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, "There was evil, pain, and failure but I don't think it was a wasted journey." She pulls out the book on revenants and hands it to Tobias.

Tobias takes it. He looks to the book and then Castor then back to the book. A small smile graces his face, “I hope we can get his book out of this realm so I can read it.”

She nods continuing, “I got all our waypoints back as well but…there were only two more. I’m not sure what that means…if we stop, if we succeed, or…something worse. But there's only two left.”

“It could be she only had two.”

Ivetta says, “And we know where one is.”

“But how do we get out of here? How do we help someone who doesn't want to be helped or to those waiting for someone else? Besides which, we only have one chance this time.” She twists the star of David for good measure and finds things unchanged.

“We can speak to them again but I am unsure of the situation. But I see it's not very good.”

“At least there's no snow this time.”

“I’d take snow and a willing populace over a summer's day and unwilling people.”

If there's anyone who can convince them they can help themselves, it's you Father.”

“I can certainly try.”

Ivetta adds, “Maybe we can show them what they can do.”

“Even if they wanted to fight they're in no condition to.”

Castor diserns realm to find more information on what they’ve fallen into. She finds the year to be 1843. The realm is surrounded by chaos and war but it seems this realm is free of it. An intense hatred and pain is hyper focused on this area. She senses how incredibly small this realm is. Only the camp, the mansion, and a few miles of open land until reaching an abandoned town. Only three distinct cultures are here: Jewish, Polish, and German. Here there is no shadow world, the edge is the edge. Only the history of the little town and this camp exist. This one just ends.

They plan using Castor’s birds eye view magical map. Tobias plans an assault if not full on escape to take a corner tower. Eventually though, Castor starts drifting off. Their seemingly endless days in the lifeboat coming back to haunt. While their beds aren't exactly the best, they’re better than cramped dingy. They turn in for the night, planning to speak more in the morning.

After what feels like five minutes they’re woken with a start by pounding on the door. They hear shouting, “Alle Frauen jetzt draußen! Schnell! Schnell!”

“What? What's wrong, what are they saying?” Castor asks Tobias.

“He's asking the women to come outside.”  Sure enough, the women in the barracks are getting up. Several don’t move at all, having died in the night. Castor and Ivetta get up. In the ruckus, Ms. Barber awakens “Tobias? Where am I? What's happening? What is that smell?” She seems very groggy and out of it.

They call again, “Schnell! Schnell!”

“Should we go?” Ivetta asks.

Castor worries, “But we don't have that tattoo!”

Men burst through the doors. They simply look evil. Red armbands, black uniforms, skulls emblazoned on their chests. They trudge through the barracks dragging those who don't comply from their beds. Castor finds that to be all the motivation she needs and helps Ms. Barber up. Benny offers to hide their weapons, shifting a basket to reveal a space.

Ivetta, Castor, and Ms. Barber move to the door trying to avoid the men. Castor’s supporting Ms. Barber catches their notice and one stops them speaking in German.

“What—I-I don't understand!” He rolls his eyes and speaks to her loud and slowly, as if she were stupid. “What the fuck is wrong with her?”

“She–she’s just tired!”

“Looks sick. I’ll put her out of her misery.” He pulls his gun. Thinking fast, Castor whispers in Italian, “sleep.” He kerthunks to the ground and they keep walking past. His fellow guard is quite confused and tries to get him back up. Not long after all the women enter the courtyard the men are lined up as well.

They form large squares of people separated by gender. The three young women stand among them. Tobias among the men.

A shiny black wheel box pulls up a familiar blonde haired, blue eyed man gets out  Familiar at least to Castor, her eyes dart to his wrist trying to spot the watch. She doesn’t see it however. The uniformed man exits the box sniffling, handkerchief in hand. He addresses the group of women, “good morning ladies. How are you all today?” As he speaks he walks down the line looking the women up and down. “I am looking…” he drifts off as he spots Ms. Barber listing on Castor’s shoulder. “What the hell is wrong with her? She can stand up can’t she?”

“Ah–she’s just tired, sir.” Castor lies. She jostles Ms. Barber slightly trying to rouse her into standing. Her eyes are open but the lids droop and she doesn’t seem aware.

“Don’t you know who I am?” Ms. Barber remains silent. He pulls back the hammer on his pistol drawing it half way out of its holster.

Terrified Castor interjects, “Of-of course! She’s fine, look!” Ms. Barber stands on her own.

The man looks her up and down again and thrusts the gun back home. “No, it is too early.” he raises his voice again, “I am looking for a house maid. If you have experience, step forward.” Castor does so followed by Ivetta and Ms. Barber. Ivetta’s beauty catches his attention. “You. How many years have you worked?”

“Since I was a girl.”

He nods and gestures to Castor. “You know each other?” Ivetta simply gives a curt nod. He moves uncomfortably closer, “I have not seen you in the camp, I’d remember a pretty face like yours.” Ivetta remains stoic.

He backs away suddenly sneezing into his kerchief. “These three will do. Clean them up and send them to me.” He returns to the box, nose dripping.

Another guard approaches them as the other women are dismissed. The men are led another direction, Tobias along with them. “Come with me,” the guard orders. The acquiesce, following him across the camp and toward the very same building Castor saw in her vision. The place she killed those people. She can barely walk forward, fear keeping her muscles stiff. She schools herself and manages to go inside. The three are told to disrobe and wait. They do so, shaking in both fear and chill. To their utter relief cold water pours out the faucets.

Castor asks Ms. Barber, “How are you feeling?”

“I feel…off. What is this place? Why are we here? These men are German. I remember that. What happened to the Titanic?”

Deciding to pair down the details, Castor summarizes, “We went into the cloud and destroyed the evil there, you helped. But we had to leave. Now we’re here until we find another waypoint.”

“I'm stuck?”

“I’m working on the spell. But ah–”

Ms. Barber holds her head in her hands, pain on her face, “I can't do this right now. I need to sit down.” They finish the shower and redress. The guard then tells them to head to the mansion. They walk through camp and then past guards, past the guard barracks and up the hill.

Two more guards stand at the front door of the mansion. They simply walk past, no one stopping them.

The three go into the house, stumbling into a small foyer where they wait. Eventually a woman comes up to them in a rather plain dress. She addresses them in German. When they don’t respond she swears to herself, “None of you can speak German?”

“No, ma’am.”

“You are the new house maids, Mr. Niche selected you?” They nod. “Be sure to only address him as sir.” They hear footsteps down the hall and swears again, “Shit. Line up, quick.”

He comes into view, “Ms. Cherete?” He spots the others. “Oh good, you have arrived. How are you?”

“V-very well, sir.” Castor speaks for the group.

“Come now, I want you all to smile! We need some sunny dispositions here.” Castor manages a crooked one. Ivetta masters her lips over her grit teeth to turn upward. “Eh- we’ll work on it. Now where were you educated?” He directs the question to Castor.

“Educated sir?”

“Learned in the home then? Excellent. Don’t have to unlearn any of that Jewish nonsense. Where are you from?”

“Italy, sir.”

“Both of us, sir.” Ivetta adds.

“A rare thing.” He directs his attention to Ms. Barber who has remained silent. “And you?” She says nothing.

Castor speaks up before anything happens, “Sir. She’s not well.”

“Not well? Then she is of no use.” He gestures calmly to Ms. Cherete, “dispose of her.”

Terrified Castor raises her voice, “Just tired! She’s fine. Honestly. And she can’t—can’t speak Polish sir!”

“Goddamnit, alright. Then take her out back and teach her a lesson.”

“No-no we can teach her! Please, sir!” He nods to Ms. Cherete who takes Ms. Barber by the arm. “We’ll take her back to the camp.”

“She will be escorted back. After.” They watch their friend lead away, fear gripping their hearts.

“You will make lamb tonight for me and the officers.”

“Yes sir.” He leaves them alone and heads up the grand staircase finally vanishing from sight.

They go to find Ms. Cherete again and hopefully Ms. Barber. Unfortunately they find neither. Castor detects magic in the house and finds several small magical items in the house. Fifteen items glow in four of the upstairs rooms. They start the cooking while they wait, finding the kitchen in their search for the others.

Ms. Cherete stumbles in holding her head. She seems dazed, “Who are you? Oh the new help, yes.” She moves to a small closet. She pulls out two uniforms. Put these on. Hurry. Change back when you go back to the camp in the night. And return in the morning to wash them. Alright, you found the kitchen, you will cook.” She points to Castor. “You will do the wash.” She points at Ivetta. “No one is allowed upstairs except myself and the officers. I will get the laundry from up there and bring it down for you.”

They nod as they’re given their tasks. And go to them as she leaves. Castor and Ivetta do their work while plotting their time-keeper heist. They don’t get a chance to look all day and eventually officers arrive to take dinner. They sit at the table Castor set and talk, laughing jovially awaiting their commander and food. Castor is sure to have Ivetta taste test what she makes as she cannot herself. He comes down and joins them, ringing the small bell that summons the cook. Castor serves the men their food, full of nervous energy but luckily she spills nothing on any of them.

She finishes serving and stands at the door watching them through a crack. Hoping Ivetta takes the opportunity to sneak upstairs. He must have seen her as beckons her inside as he calls in German something that sounds like ‘cook.’ Shyly she re-enters the room.

“You. Cook. What is this?” He gestures to his plate.

Confused Castor says, “lamb, sir?”

“Is it? Then why does it taste unfit even for a dog?”

“S-sir?”

“You told me you could cook and you feed me this tripe? I think your services are no longer required. Take her. Get her out of here.” A smiling man stands from the table and grabs her by the upper arm.

“Ah–please! I’m– I’m sorry! Next time—” she struggles as he drags her toward the door.

“Nein, ein moment.” His blue eyes pierce her own terrified milk chocolate. His lips quirk up, “I am feeling like Jesus tonight. I pardon you.” He waves his hand, wristwatch glinting in the light and the man releases her.

She rubs her bruising arm, not meeting his eye, “th-thank you…sir.” She rushes from the room as fast as she dares. The door swings closed behind her and she hears more laughter. Her face burns hot in embarrassment, fear, and anger. How dare he compare himself to Him.

Ivetta waits in the kitchen and sees her return shaking. “Castor, are you alright?”

“Fine. but these men…this place. It's disgusting.” Her anger ebbs away. “Did you make it upstairs?”

“I didn’t get the chance.”

“Just as well, he’s wearing it.” They spend the rest of the dinner keeping away from the men as much as possible, cleaning up after they leave. Ms. Cherete directs them to line up in the hall for dismissal around midnight. Mr. Niche staggers in, clearly drunk, “You three. You did well today. I pardon you for tonight. Go–go home, the two of you. Come back in the morning.”

They nod and turn to leave. Castor brushes his arm and he slumps to the ground, asleep. Ms. Cherete gasps and hauls him up. “You two help me. There’ll be hell to pay tomorrow.”

“But he’s drunk, he just fell asleep.”

“He’ll blame us anyway. Let’s get him upstairs.” The three of them drag him up and get him onto his bed. Ms. Cherete goes into the bathroom and runs the water for a cold compress. Ivetta searches the room and finds a ruby pendant that magically restores health. For the last few moments Ms. Cherete is busy, they debate about simply taking the watch off him. They weigh the consequences. If they’re caught… but then again Castor can use aschar here. But they might need more time. They could easily poison him tomorrow. They can come and go as they please…almost. Castor decides to play it safe and leave the watch for now. They are dismissed and they head back to the camp.

On their way back in the dark they notice a guard following them. They try to walk faster. The guard clears their throat. They stop and turn around. The guard is a woman in an SS uniform. Black skirt and jacket but they recognise her face. “Ms. Barber! You’re alright! What happened to you?”

“They took me out back. I wasn’t really in my right mind but on the ground… This magical artifact was lying there. It restored my health.”

“I’m so glad you’re safe! Please stay that way.”

“I’ll do my best. I'll stay in this uniform I think. I don’t have a number. If they don’t call you they won’t notice me. I think I’ll stay in the house.”

“There are many magical artifacts in there if you can search at all.”

“There's a lot of empty rooms up there but I’ll keep my head down now.” She pulls out an obsidian shard and shows them. “This rock cleared a lot up. But I think it was a one time deal.”

“I’m glad it worked. We have to get back but please, stay safe.” She inclines her head.

They return to the barracks without further issue. They find a huddle of men holding weapons, surrounding Tobias.

“Good evening Father.” Castor says.

“Oh shit!” one cries as others scramble to cover things.

“It's alright, they are allies.” He addresses them, “I hope you didn't expend yourselves too much today.”

“Bushes with death as usual. Why are these men here?”

Benny jumps in, fire blazing in his eyes, “We’re gonna kill some goddamn nazis!”

Castor and Ivetta ask to talk with Tobias privately. “Tonight? But I thought– shouldn’t we plan further?”

“We were planning to poison the officer in charge.” Ivetta adds. “We thought we’d be here a few days. We need that waypoint. We had a chance to get it but stayed our hand fearing the consequences.”

Tobias sighs, “It would be better to act tonight. These men are prepared.”

“I suppose if we take the camp we can just waltz up there and take it from him.” Castor acquiesces. They rejoin the group at large.

Benny asks, “We get weaker everyday. How many Jews will have to die until we regain our freedom?”

Castor sees Tobias’ influence clear on the faces of the men gathered and sighs, “What’s the plan?” About an hour of planning  later they rally and ready themselves for the long night ahead.

Benny shouts as loud as he can, “My fellow brothers tonight will be our freedom from our nazi opressors!” They cheer. “Yes brothers, we fight together! The messiah, the islands, they are up there a few months. God is waiting for us to prove ourselves. Tonight is the night brothers. Outsiders are you with us?” Ivetta hefts her spear in her grip. Castor hefts and sets her hammer on her left shoulder. Tobias cocks his dual wielded guns.

Castor and Ivetta move out of the hole through which they first went in. Both head toward the corner tower, sneaking in the darkness to make it to a narrow alley between another barracks. Castor slips in the mud slightly but they make it. From there Ivetta tries to lure one of the three guards from the top to the ground.

Ivetta uses her magic to shake the ladder. One gives it a glance but sees nothing and continues his watch. She shakes it again, more forcefully. This time they call out in German. Likely something along the lines of ‘who’s there?’ When no one replies, two come down the ladder to investigate. Not part of the plan.

Half panicking, Castor pulls the last guy off the tower. He lands with a sickening crunch. The two others run to his aid. One tries to help, the other one runs to get a medic. Luckily he runs the way they came and Tobias and Benny grab his ankles as he hurries past. He falls into the mud dropping his gun. It goes off. Tobias slices his throat with his sword as the alarm starts blaring.

Tobias steps out of the alley and kills two guards at the top of the other nearest tower.

Benny relays to the men waiting for the doors to open, “Oi! We got a krout!”  He aims at the last guard on the tower and takes him down. Tobias uses his welding gun to burn a hole in the wall of the pantry. He uses the front windows to create a shooting gallery into the courtyard where he can shoot incoming reinforcements.

Ivetta tries to fire at the guard approaching the shots but misses with the 100+ year old flint lock. Instead she shoves him into the wall with magic, knocking him senseless then she mercifully slits the throat of him and the other guard nursing his compound fractures.

Trusting her friend to take care of the guards, Castor runs along in between the barracks toward the door. She tries to poke her head out to see the guards in the tower but they see her and shoot. They miss as she ducks back in the alley. Praying briefly, she blindly reaches out her hand and tries to slice the tower’s legs with her light beam.

She hears a crack and screams. The tower comes down, killing all three guards. Breathing a sigh of relief, she heads to the door and breaks the chain with her hammer.

The armed men flood out of the barrack but Castor tries holding them back, “No, wait! Let me take out that tower–!” They pay her no mind and rush past, taking the tower out themselves. Only one man going down in the process.

Another tower fires from across the camp and takes out three more allies.

Tobias moves to get a better angle. Benny joins him inside and then beside him, but not before a dazzling chocolate bar finds its way into his drooling mouth. “I’ll fire when you do.” Tobias gives a nod as a couple units make their way into view. Tobias mows down eight of them and a dog. Benny gets two and one he shoots pulls the trigger and kills the other two, clearing the courtyard.

Castor runs between more barracks and takes down another two towers in the same fashion. One slamming into the corner wall and crushing it. Once, she believes for a brief moment, she gets shot in the head but she shakes off the feeling. Ivetta leads the liberated Jews toward the hole the tower created in the wall and takes out another guard in the tower. Tobias shoots two more tower guards. Castor takes out two more towers in one light blast as they are perfectly aligned. At this point any guards left in the last two towers flee. Benny leaves the pantry and begins opening barrack doors telling his people they are free. They pass out food and try to aid them as well as possible, Ivetta instructing them not to eat the food too quickly.” They have a bit of time to do this and then join Tobias in the pantry.

Mr. Niche’s voice echoes on the megaphone, “We have the camp surrounded! Send someone to negotiate. You have nowhere to go.”

Castor keeps her voice low so only they can hear, “that’s not possible. No one is coming.”

“How do you know that?” Benny asks.

“This realm is too small. Ah– magic. I know that it's impossible for more of them to come here.” Benny nods thankfully accepting the explanation.

Without consulting, Benny shoots back at Mr. Niche, “You and what army?”

“We’ll have reinforcements within the hour.” The camp director reassures.

“Let’s go see what he wants.” Castor moves toward the door.

Ivetta grabs her arm, “Wait, we need to be careful. If they plan on double crossing us, now is the time they’d open fire.”

Benny and Father Tobias also move to leave. Tobias saying, “Castor, perhaps it would be safer that you stay here.”

“What? No way. If they do start shooting I can stop it.”

“It’s too risky. The two of us should suffice. The less of us the better.”

Anger laces her tone, “You can’t go without any protection at all!”

Benny steps in, raising his gun, “On your mark father.”

Tobias gives him a nod, turning to Castor and resting a hand on her shoulder. “If it does go bad then it's better you are in here. Safe. Able to fulfill your quest.”

Rage boils in Castor, her stubborn nature getting the better of her, “whether you like it or not, I’m going!” Her eyes flicker with orange light.

The few men gathered begin murmuring amongst themselves. Benny whispers to himself, “the messiah…”

Tobias presses, “Castor, we've already defeated the majority of them. We don't need to waste your aschar here.”

“This is important. You are important. I’m not going to let you walk out there and sacrifice yourself when I can stop it.”

Tobias’ gaze softens slightly, “I’m one man Castor, you and your quest matters more. You should save your abilities for when they are necessary. Last time they were used a greater evil walked through the door moments later.”

“I won’t use them unless it's completely necessary. Don’t you trust me by now?”

“Of course I do. But this isn’t the time for taking such a risk.”

“All the more reason I should go.”

“If they turn they'll only take out me and Benny. There are plenty of others to take our places.”

“Not to me. Do you really think they want to negotiate?”

“If we get in a good position we can turn on them later. This is what I do.” He turns uncharacteristically pleading, “Castor, we’re almost there. Stay here to lead them just in case. I believe you can do it so please, please stay here. We don't have a waypoint to just jump out of the world when things turn bad.”

Castor’s face hardens, her mouth a thin line. “I'll stay out of sight. But I’m going out there.” Tobias concedes, nodding his head.

“I’m not letting you go without me,” Ivetta insists. Tobias and Benny march out in sight of the guards outside the gate. Ivetta and Castor hide beneath the watchtower that flanks the opening.

Mr. Niche tosses his head and nonchalantly walks forward. He stops short and beckons them, “come. Come here.” he contemplates the pair a moment, his eyes landing on Benny. “Hmm, I don’t know what I expected. Maybe a more washed Jew, but this is who you are.”

Benny says, “I may be filthy at the moment, but I could never be as filthy as your soul.”

Niche doesn’t even engage as he turns to Tobias, “This one is less dirty, who is this?”

“A humble man of God.”

His face turns surprised, “The rabbi?”

“Afraid not, I’m Catholic.”

“Ah, you must be the one who brought the munitions into the camp, no?” He doesn’t wait for a response, “One way or another you know what we do with spies. It would benefit you to surrender.”

Benny counters, “I hear the Soviet lines are pushing. I'm sure the Soviet gulag is far less cushy than your current station.” Tobias can see something is unnerving Niche.

“How were you able to…? Oh you Jews, I don’t know how you got word of that but it will be over soon.”

Benny says, “Yes, the islands approach.”

“A sure sign of our victory, Arian supremacy.”

Tobias says, I've seen it before you know. I can tell you what happens as it progresses.”

“He is right, we have seen.” Benny adds.

“Quiet! Filthy Jew. But this one, as a fellow man of God, I will allow him to speak.”

Tobias does speak, “A fellow man of God and a man from a better Austria than you come from.”

Niche corrects him, “Germany my friend, there is no Austria.”

“The longer those islands come, the less time we have. Eventually they will crash. When those islands come down, you'll need a man of God.”

Someone shouts in German behind Niche but he puts hand up and says “nien.” He returns his attention to Tobias, “No amount of faith will save you from the fact that—”

Behind him the arms depot explodes.

He’s thrown forward mid sentence into Tobias who pulls his gun in a fluid motion and presses it into his stomach.

“Rest in hell fire.” He pulls the trigger shooting him in the gut. Niche slumps, dead. Tobias drops him like a dirty rag and steps over the body aiming his gun at the rest of the guards.

From the smoke Ms. Barber emerges a few guards who remained unharmed from the blast rush for her but she grabs them up with ease, dangling them by their throats with magic. Castor and Ivetta rush forward as well ready to fight but the few guards scattered about all surrender immediately. Ivetta makes sure Castor grabs the watch from Niche.

The guards are all subdued and are lined up against a wall. At first Ivetta is livid with these men but her rage diminishes as she looks at them. Many are young men, her age and some younger.

The rabbi debates what to do with them. “It might be good to have prisoners in case there are reinforcements. What do you think? You've helped us. What shall we do with them?”

Tobias and Castor start speaking at the same time. “The Lord would show them mercy–” “d-don’t kill them, they’ll face judgeme—” But their message is understood.

The rabbi smiles, “they will be spared.” Tobias suggests holding them in the mines and it is done.

“We have won a great victory tonight.” The rabbi congratulates. The people cheer. They move out of the camp checking the buildings and becoming reacquainted with freedom. Two men come up to the rabbi after a time and say they’ve found something weird near the house, horses. Castor perks up, “Those are ours!”

The rabbi gives them an odd look and insists, “Take them, we don’t want them.

They check out the radio room where the late Mr. Niche had supposedly called for reinforcements. They turn it on and hear only static. Castor is confused by this odd box and asks, “is it supposed to do that?”

“No,” Benny says, “usually there are people communicating.”

“This is magic too?”

“Ah, no. Their voices travel over waves in the air.”

“Sounds like magic.” Castor mumbles.

“But there is no one out there.”

“This place is too small. There’s no one else out there. No one to hurt your people. There’s a town close by, perhaps you could live there. Make a good life for yourselves.”

Benny says, “As far as we are from home I don’t think we can get back. If it is our destiny… we will build a new Jerusalem.”

The rabbi nods at his words, “Yes, but now we must rest Benny.” Benny smiles at him then turns to Castor. “You—you are the messiah you helped us. Thank you.”

“I’m– I’m not— I’m not the messiah. I just wanted to help.” Castor had been careful after her lapse not to overtly do her magic in front of them but she supposed the beams and bursts of lights weren’t so subtle.

Benny smiles and shakes his head, “I hear these strange sounds… You are here to save us along with your messiah friends. I am grateful.” He takes a metal star of David with a blue ribbon from his pocket. He offers it to her. Castor looks into his eyes questioning. “Please, take it.”

“That’s– I–you–” she stutters. “Thank you. But please,” she reaches up to her own neck and unfastens the leather cord. She thumbs the familiar, smooth cross once more and hands it to him. “Take this in return.” He meets her eyes and nods.

“One last thank you messiah, I bid you safe travels.” He turns and moves to the burning inferno of the arms depot. From his dingy coat he pulls a rat carcass. “One last meal.” He stabs it on a spit and begins roasting it.

They rest, raid the armory, pat the horses and move into the estate for the night. They stay a few days recovering their mana and finding all the magical items within. They only find three that have any real use. One is a mana stone, a beautiful opalescent blue stone that once per 7 days gives them 100 mana. Another is a small, difficult to use beetle that can be used to spy. It crawls, flies, and one can see through it. The last is the ruby pendant Ivetta found earlier which, once per day restores health.

Ms. Barber addresses the group once they’re all settled, “I realize I'm not where I'm supposed to be but can I go home?”

Castor looks sideways, “Yes…theoretically yes. I’m working on learning this spell…”

Ivetta points out, “You actually might have the best chance out of the three of us to accomplish it.”

“I can try teaching you the theory, you are a quick learner.”

“There's nothing you can do right now anyway. But I don't want to stay here. This place is depressing…Is this the future, is this what will happen when we get back?”

“No. This is a different realm. We don’t know if this will happen in your realm.”

She nods. “Then I’ll be traveling with you for a bit longer then.”

Ready to leave, outside at sunrise, Castor clutching the waypoint, she activates it. The familiar purple bubble surrounds them. And then they drop their feet hitting hard stone. Ambient voices surround them, loud hums, and strange noises. In a very odd place. Surrounding them everywhere are people, buildings, and bustling noise.

Much to the dismay of Ivetta there are immensely tall towers each way they face. There are wheel boxes everywhere. People on the street dressed strangely. Look different but similar. Women wear pants! In the street stands a group of men dressed in a black and yellow material. Their coats look quite broad. On their hats are symbols of a shield and a red box. Below all the scary towers many doors open to shops. Two in particular pique their interest. To the left a store with several brightly colored signs that say: “Guns! No background check needed!” Through the window much of the merchandise is displayed, each look more deadly than the last. And to the right another store simply labeled ‘Pharmacy.’

Most shockingly, behind the crowd of oddly clad men, in the distance is not one but two incomprehensibly tall white towers.

TBC

Episode Thirty-Two: Burning Questions