The superior officer of the Regenian Police was a Major named Robert Bartel who was also a Viscount in the north. As he surveyed the mayor of Belnon’s former office, he sniffed with nostrils flared. He removed a black leather glove and ran his forefinger over a shelf in a bookcase.
"Disgusting part of our nation. I apologize on behalf of my countrymen for these quaint surroundings,”
“No need, Major,” Gruber replied with a patient smile, “We understand your difficulties with this region.”
“I fear they have always been a brutish breed here in the south.”
“Brutish is certainly one word for it.” Gruber joined him by the window, the both of them glaring with disdain into the village square.
Viktor wasn’t surprised that the two men understood each other. They were cut from the same cloth. Both were handsome and born wealthy with noble names to back them up. Bartel glanced over at Viktor, his muddied hazel gaze trailing over him with disinterest. He sniffed again, his mustache wiggling. Viktor’s dry gaze dropped to the scuffed floor.
“Captain Mercer will be leaving with a convoy of your men for the border. I trust all the arrangements are in order?” Gruber asked after sipping his coffee.
Even though Bartel superseded Gruber in rank among the Police, the Berchten troops were still the occupiers. Now as the highest ranked officer in Belnon, Gruber held the ultimate authority. Bartel would have to do as he was told.
“Yes, he leaves in the morning, Captain,” Bartel's eyes drifted to Viktor, “I’m told congratulations are in order for you with your recent promotion, Lieutenant? I hear you’re something of a war hero.”
“Something like that," Viktor clipped back.
Gruber arched an eyebrow at his most trusted soldier. Since the evening they had spent at the Black Gytrash, Gruber had been cool towards Viktor. He assumed it had something to do with his interactions with Georgiana. Not that Gruber had anything to be jealous of concerning Viktor and the Regenian girl.
No matter what fleeting emotions she sparked in him, Viktor had convinced himself that anything between them would be impossible. For all he knew, she was manipulating him to gain ground for the Resistance. He had avoided her both physically and mentally since that night.
“Major, if there is anything you or your men need and I am not available, you can speak with Lieutenant Domnin. He’s the kind of man you can trust to get the job done. Whatever it may be.” Gruber looked over at Viktor with a thinly veiled snarl.
“Very well. I suppose we should go and watch the arrival of my men, Captain?” Bartel marched over to the door, Gruber close behind.
Gruber’s thick shoulder purposefully bumped Viktor’s as he passed. Viktor shook his head, balling his fists as he followed them out of the office. They trotted down the stairs into the main hall buzzing with orderlies and lower ranking officers.
Gruber halted and peered into the back of the building. A pair of Corporals were dragging a man in pajamas from one room to another. The man’s bloodied face was ground into a fleshy mess but Viktor knew it was the Grocer he had arrested.
“One of the men who confessed to partisan activity from a couple nights ago,” Gruber gestured towards them as they disappeared into another room, “They will all be shot at dawn.”
“Very good.” Bartel replied coldly.
Viktor shut out the memory of the man’s family as they had stared after him in helpless horror. Instead, he focused on his rage surrounding Maier’s death. Peter Maier had been a family man as well. Someone had to pay. Lifting his chin, he followed the other two officers out the door.
Another of the prisoners was being released at the bottom of the front steps. The man had been acquitted, but he had not been spared a sound beating. He limped away, his nose bent to the side and dressed in blood stained shirt.
A crowd of villagers gathered with the pounding of boots echoing up the road into Belnon. They stared in horror at the man, anger towards their invaders simmering beneath their burning faces. Yet they were reluctant to reach out to him. There was always the chance they could be labeled partisans as well and end up in his condition.
Clouds hazed over the sun and spit chilled shreds of rain. The bayonets on the guns of the Regenian police lost their gleam, their jet helmets becoming matte with shadow. They marched into the square.
Viktor happened to spot her in the crowd. He cringed as his pulse spiked. He tore his eyes away as Georgiana reached out for the injured man, the basket at the crook of her arm swaying with the weight of her groceries.
He scolded himself that she wasn’t his concern. If she wanted to put herself in the way of Gruber’s suspicion, that was her choice. She was just another faceless Regenian, more than willing to see him and all his men dead.
The columns of Police marched in unison, their steps thundering in the square. Georgiana handed the former suspect one of her food parcels and gripped his shoulder. The man spoke to her, no doubt telling her what happened. He hobbled away. Her eyes widened and face paled as she turned her attention on the town hall. She caught his eye and Viktor couldn’t deny her.
“Splendid display, Major. Don’t you think so, Domnin?” Gruber spouted over his shoulder.
His lips parted to reply when there was a cry in the crowd. The men glanced over to see the grocer’s wife flailing against a couple villagers trying to hold her back. She screamed like a madwoman, her blonde hair flying loose around her slim shoulders and fists swinging at the Regenian Police. One of the Police broke rank with the butt of his rifle raised at her in warning.
“Good god, what on earth-“ Bartel stuttered.
Domnin dropped down a step, his jaw going slack as Georgiana put herself between the advancing soldier and the Grocer’s wife.
“Traitors! Traitors and murderers!" Georgiana screamed at the Regenian Police, the basket falling from her arm. Canned goods rolled away and a bag of flour exploded on the damp cobblestones.
Gruber scoffed in shock, “I’ll see to this-“822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPfkyeB1hr
Viktor tore down the steps and into the crowd. He shoved his way to the other side of the troops. The Regenian Policeman had enough of her insults and lifted his rifle to strike when Viktor cut between them. He extended a hand to shield Georgiana and thrust her back.
“Stand down, soldier! Get back in the formation!" He bellowed.
The man licked his thin lips, his cheeks pink with anger. He made another move forward. Viktor ripped the rifle from his hands.
“Do as I say, Regenian. That's an order." Viktor growled low. The man’s eyes flickered across Viktor’s face but he retreated a step. The rifle clattered to the ground.
Viktor snatched Georgiana's arm and dragged her from the square. Heart pounding, he led her down an alley far from the action. The rhythmic thud of the boots resumed.
“What the hell was that?!” Viktor demanded, roughly letting go of her, “Do you want to get yourself killed?”
Georgiana’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her stormy eyes flashing as she let out a coarse laugh, “Better than living in this nightmare-“
“And leave Edgar behind?”
Georgiana rushed forward into his face, “You disgust me. You and your whole breed of thugs. Tearing us apart like a damn pack of wolves.”
Viktor grabbed her by her arms and shook her firmly, “Don’t you know I could report you for saying that?”
“Then why don’t you, Viktor?” She crowed shrilly, “I know you don’t believe I was hunting truffles that night. Why wasn’t I arrested and beaten to a pulp? Do it! Tell Gruber and his monkeys what you think I am-“
Clasping a hand over her mouth, Viktor exhaled hotly through his nose, “Don’t say things like that. Don’t. Please, Georgiana.”
She stilled beneath his touch. Viktor let his hand drift down from her face, his fingers brushing over her lips. Both stood silent and staring, the mist thickening and temperature dropping around them. The only sound was the distant pound of the Police march.
Impulsively, Viktor dropped his head to her level and grasped the back of her neck. He firmly pressed their mouths together. Briefly, she caved into the moment. Then with a gasp, she tore away and slapped him hard.
“I told- I told you not to touch me again," she stuttered, her eyes glowing with unshed tears.
His cheek burned where she had struck him. Viktor stared numbly after her as Georgiana raced away towards the red trimmed door of the Black Gytrash and disappeared inside.
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