This is the concluding story in the America series (which as it turns out had only passing amounts of story about America). I easily had enough material to do at least 2 more segments, but thought it should end while I could still keep track of everything. As always, constructive criticism is welcome. You can find the others here on this forum entitled:
1.
America: In Peril
2.
America: Balance of Power
3.
America: One Fateful Day
4.
America: Defiance
The story so far: Anna Mölders, the daughter of the American President survives a kidnapping attempt, but is believed dead by the world at large owing to German propaganda aimed at enticing America into war. Meanwhile, she and her Iroquois rescuer turned lover, Deganawida, have taken shelter in Iroquois occupied Miami to piece together the mystery. Nearby, Anna's husband and commander of the German 2nd Army, Frederick Mölders approaches Miami in an effort to take the city back from the Iroquois - only not for Deutschland as planned.
America: Revelations
The Outskirts of Miami, Iroquois Confederacy of Six Nations (formerly America)
As she crept warily into the cool shade of the barn it startled Ambassador Heinrich von Klein to see how much Anna had changed in the few months since he had last seen her. Her hair was dyed black now, combed rather straight, and braided into a medium length pony tail. The prim and proper German society wife he knew now looked more a girl dressed as she was in a simply cut maternity dress and jacket with recognizably Iroquois stitching and trim. Anna peered right then left looking for him in the shadows. She called his name. “Ambassador von Klein?” Anna's moccasin clad feet carried her quietly across the barn floor as she hesitantly continued her search. Her walk had also taken on the more deliberate step of an expectant mother over the past months. She looked back towards the doorway and the country side beyond and then back. “Heinrich?”
She had come alone. Von Klein stepped out from the shadowed hay bales and answered, “I am here Anna. It is good to see you.” Startled, Anna let out a little yelp, but then quickly regained composure.
Anna addressed von Klein coolly, “Why are we skulking around here Heinrich? I would have thought this setting beneath a man of your station.”
The Ambassador smiled and moved in on Anna. “Normally, you would be quite right, but there's a war and a German – even one with diplomatic immunity – can't be too careful.” Even dressed as a wretched Iroquois woman, Anna was as beautiful to him as ever. Von Klein made no effort to conceal his glances and then commented, “It looks like you've done well to fit into the new order in Miami. I never would have figured you to be a traitor to Deutschland and America, Anna.”
Anna looked a bit indignant at the accusation, but then countered with, “I could hardly be a traitor. After all, I'm dead so technically that makes me a martyr. Isn't that what the Chancellery wanted all along?” Anna flinched, but did not break away as von Klein took her hands in his. Anna had come to realize that her attempted kidnapping weeks before was most likely the plot of this man and perhaps even Bismarck's. However, until this moment she had not understood why she had not been outright assassinated; surely the much cleaner way of luring America to war through the heart of her father. The look in his eyes answered much and filled her with dread.
“Anna, please believe me when I tell you that I was an unwilling participant in this horrible plan,” began von Klein. “Once I found out that you were in danger I hired my own men to spare your life and faking your death. Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out as planned. I was very relieved when my men informed me that you had sent a telegram from Miami to Berlin. As luck would have it I was in negotiations with the Iroquois commander here when the word came.” Von Klein paused to gauge the effect of his words. As expected, Anna did not know quite what to believe, but he forged on with the sincerity of Deutschland's finest diplomat. “I had my men send a reply requesting that you meet me here so I could apologize and tell you that you must come with me now.”
“I will do no such thing.” Anna replied. She pulled her hands from his grasp. Anna had come to ensure that her suspicions were true and now that they were confirmed she had no intention of having anything more to do with von Klein.
Mildy irate at the snubbing of his advances, von Klein pointed out the reality of her situation, “Anna, surely you don't think that you can just return home and live your life as if none of this had transpired. If it were to become known to the Americans that an attempt was made to purposely draw them into war by faking an assassination of the President's daughter there would be a scandal of untold proportions. You know how resentful your father already is of America being a satelite state to Deutschland.” Partially for effect and partially the truth, von Klein threw in, “It could even mean war between Deutschland and America. Schellinger has even assigned the secret police to eliminate you on sight given the delicate nature of this matter. You are in grave peril.”
Von Klein could see that Anna had not considered this possibility and saw his opening, “Come with me. We will sail to Persia where we can wait out the war at my estate. When this conflict is over and the time is right we will return to Deutschland and explain the situation to everyone. I assure you that it will be infinitely more enjoyable than running around with these savage natives as you have been doing. Persia has the some of the world's most beautiful jewelry and the finest silk dresses you...”
Anna slapped the Ambassador hard enough for her fingers to leave pink streaks on his face, “How dare you! I have no intention of becoming one of your...your...harem girls.”
“That's not what I meant...” said von Klein trying to recover all the while thinking that she was beautiful even when angry. What a prize she will make.
“I know exactly what you meant. I've heard all the stories about you and your international conquests,” admonished Anna. “I'm a married woman and in any case would rather risk war between all countries than be one of your play things!” With that she turned her back to him and began walking away.
A grand prize indeed thought von Klein as he drew a revolver from his pocket. He cocked the hammer back resulting in an audible click as a round chambered. He fired into the air causing Anna to jump in fright. She looked back to see the gun now leveled at her. Von Klein closed in and jerked her head back with her pony tail, “I don't remember actually giving you a choice Anna.” The point of the revolver prodded her in the chest to underscore the point. “Now, you can follow willingly or I can make you follow. And rest assured I will enjoy making you follow.” Anna nodded submissively and led the way with von Klein a step behind.
Von Klein's black mare was waiting patiently outside and ready to be an accomplice in the abduction. If it could have cried out, the horse would have warned its master of the Iroquois warrior silently waiting for von Klein to pass the threshold of the barn entrance. As it was, the animal only fidgeted uncharacteristically as Anna threw herself to the ground once outside. In the second that von Klein had to ponder what manner of hysterics had befallen his captive, Deganawida blindsided the German and quickly obtained a wrist lock on the hand that held the gun. Von Klein fired a shot harmlessly into the air as the men momentarily fought for control of the revolver. Deganawida then twisted the elder man's wrist and arm back and up while simultaneous bearing down on him with his body. Von Klein's grip loosened fast and the weapon was removed from his grasp.
The entire struggle was over by the time Anna managed to get back onto her feet and take control of the gun. She was astounded by the Iroquois soldier's combat skill. “That was amazing! See? I knew you could handle this.”
Deganawida ignored the praise for the moment while he made sure that the defeated Ambassador did not have any other weapons. Deganawida then released von Klein from under his pin with a push. Keeping an intense watch on the would-be abductor as he brushed the dirt from his clothes, Deganawida asked Anna, “Are you all right?”
She slid beside him and wrapped her arms around his waist in response. She took a moment to relish finally having von Klein at heel. Anna had to admire the man for his coolness. Even with this sudden turnabout the Ambassador did not seemed rattled. With Deganawida as her enforcer, Anna now asked the questions, “Now, I believe you were saying I was in grave peril. Let's discuss that shall we?”
Anna's Cottage in Occupied Miami; several days later.
Miami residents usually woke to the sound of American guns battering the city's garrison outposts. Today, however, the cannon fire had been replaced by the song of birds and a wind against the shuttered windows. Slits of sunlight fought its way into the little one room cottage that had been Anna and Deganawida's impromptu home for the last few weeks. It had been abandoned by its original occupants when the Iroquois first came, and Anna had decided that it was a good a place as any for a woman hiding out from the world. It was also near enough to the Iroquois garrison that Deganawida could sneak out to be with her and make sure she could get food and other necessities. Only he and a few of his colleagues knew her story. Mostly she tried to go about her business as one of any number of American women who either could not leave or would not leave when the occupation of Miami began.
Anna, half conscious, yawned and hugged her Iroquois lover under the covers. She found Deganawida already awake yet lying quietly looking towards the ceiling. Anna tugged at his ear and teased, “You're not still thinking about how good it was last night?”
“In a sense,” came Deganawida's reply. He rolled on his side to face her. The blue in Anna's eyes sparkled with life and radiated happiness. Her body soft and warm against his. He wondered how many Annas the Iroquois nation trampled over fighting this foolish pre-emptive war against Deutschland? And yet, ironically, they would have never otherwise met. Deganawida, heir to the council leadership of his tribe, just a few months ago could have never imagined spending his life with an American and especially not a German. Yet, this was getting ahead of the more pressing problem – the woman who shared his bed already belonged to another. Another man who was no less than the great General Frederick Mölders, perhaps now the deadliest enemy of the Iroquois Confederacy now that he had learned of his wife's supposed death at 'Iroquois' hands. Even if Ambassador von Klein were to keep his word and help dispel the lies surrounding Anna's death it would not change the fact that he was committing adultery. Frederick Mölders was his enemy in so many ways, but he was respected by even his enemies and universally acknowledged as just, and honourable. It disturbed Deganawida that despite all claims of love, in the final analysis his actions towards Anna had been anything but honourable. He had to discuss the matter. “When are you returning to Deutschland?”
Sensing some conflict in his voice, Anna responded gently, “Whenever I want. Which is not any time soon.” She moved to kiss, but Deganawida did not reciprocate. She tried to reassure again, “Now that the Chancellery knows that I'm aware of their plans and that I have Iroquois allies here that can also inform America I'm in no danger.” Anna walked her fingers across Deganawida's chest playfully, “Besides, I would still need an escort.”
Deganawida pressed his hands on hers to stop her and said, “Anna. You said it yourself the other day with von Klein. You are a married woman. I love you very much Anna, but this is wrong.” Anna's cheer began to melt and they both fell into a guilty silence when they both felt the baby within her belly kick. A distant rumbling could be heard from outside.
Anna spoke first, “I don't know that I love Frederick any more. It's been so long since we've been together. He's always away and I get so lonely.”
“But you might still?” whispered Deganawida. The sound outside was familiar.
“I don't know,” admitted Anna. “I do know that you are good person whose been incredibly kind to me and has looked after me in a way Frederick never has. I love you. I want to stay. Be with you. Isn't that enough?”
Part of Deganawida longed to run away with her and yet he knew that he had to speak, “I wish it were that simple. You have a husband who has vowed to avenge your death and is realizing it on the battlefield. You have children who need a mother Anna. I have responsibilities to one day lead my tribe. How can I lead my life knowing that the woman I love might also love another?” The rumbling outside grew louder. Horses? It would have to be a lot of horses.
Anna could present no argument. Deganawida was right. She wiped tears away hastily and turned away ashamed at her behaviour and yet crying selfishly for herself. Until she had met Deganawida she had not realized just how lonely her life was. She could not bear to return to that place.
Deganawida started to comfort her when they both heard the shouting in Iroquois accompanied now by what were definitely horses and gunshots. A group of Iroquois ran and rode past their cottage shouting, “Americans! The Americans are attacking! The Americans are attacking!”
Following a few seconds of disbelief, Deganawida leaped out of bed and simultaneously dressed and looked out the window. A wave of cavalry flying the American battle flag was steadily fighting its way towards them. The Iroquois units of riflemen were slowly but surely being outflanked and over run. Anna gasped when she saw the commotion. The battle was swiftly closing in on them. One division of calvary broke free of the line and was now less than 1000 meters away as they moved to cut off reinforcing Iroquois troops.
“Put something on! We have to get out of here!” cried Deganawida. He grabbed his rifle and a pistol and threw a pouch full of rounds across his shoulder.
Anna obeyed out of fear, but just the same said, “Why? Let's just surrender.”
Deganawida disagreed, “Maybe if those were German troops. I don't trust the American army. The Americans are mostly conscript regiments. Those aren't even the proper American uniforms. Probably farmers and machinists drafted to fight. Angry and undisciplined. Exactly the type to go on pillaging sprees. I don't want to be here to find out.” He took her hand and they moved out onto the road.
[Continued in reply]
Ah a gripping tale of war politics and romance this has been, all the things that combine to make a truly inspiring story.
