Ten

That night, David goes to bed early.

He’s been drinking Rebecka’s tea like water, and it really appears to be working miracles on his ankle, as well as making him very sleepy.

He is getting ready for bed, when there is a knock at the door.

“Yes?” he calls.

Rebecka comes in, and behind her, Benjamin.

They both look solemn.

As David climbs into bed, they each stand at one corner of its foot. Rebecka twists her hands nervously.

“Benjamin,” she says. “Tell David what you heard.”

Benjamin nods.

“I was in the village today, at the inn, and there I spoke to a fisherman called Stefan. Stefan was in Skarpness yesterday and he heard talk in the harbor there.”

He pauses.

“Go on, Benjamin,” says Rebecka, but Benjamin seems scared, as if what he has to say is risky. And maybe it is.

Rebecka helps him out.

“We may not be fighting in this war, David, but some of our people don’t like having foreign soldiers telling us what to do. There is a resistance movement, and they have made contact with your people. It seems they know you are here somewhere. They have come for you, and have put word around that if you are able to travel, you should present yourself at the tavern in Skarpness, on the docks.”

David is speechless.

Petter made it home.

Somehow, this single, wonderful piece of news is enough to make him dissolve in tears. He buries his face in his hands, and Rebecka nods at Benjamin to leave. When David raises his head again, they are alone.

“But, what can I do? How can I get there?”

“You will take our rowing boat. Tomorrow night. It will be too dangerous by day, but the moon is full tomorrow, the grain moon. It will be bright, and you will see the lights of Skarpness to guide your way.

“Go to the tavern in the docks. Ask for a man called Lindberg. He works there. I know him. But I didn’t know he works for the resistance.”

“But your boat…? Erik?”

“Erik has said you are to take the boat.”