grabbing food. Em did not hesitate. He had not had fresh bread in over two months.
The rear door opened, and a man walked in. Colonel Roth stood up and wiped his mouth with his right hand while his left held on to the turkey leg. He looked around at the rest of them and indicated that they should rise. Sergeant Cannon and Jeff were the first to arise, followed by Em and Jack. Sergeant Barnes and Captain Murphy were slow to get up.
The colonel wiped his hands and cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, King Leopold the Third.” The colonel looked uncomfortable. He did not hold his hand out to be shaken. He held it in an awkward position.
The king approached the colonel and held out his right hand. “Nice to meet you, Colonel Roth.”
Em swallowed the hunk of bread in his mouth and put down the fork he held in his hand. He looked around the room at the faces of his friends and realized that the team he was on was a good one. The other Americans all were standing politely as each of them waited to be introduced. Em looked at the king, and he saw the haggard look on his face. The war had certainly taken its toll on the young king, but Em could still feel a royal presence. The king looked tired, as if he had been on the go for an eternity. The king labored through the introductions and then immediately turned toward the door he had entered through. He quietly asked the colonel to join him. Colonel Roth walked through the door behind the king. No one else followed.
Sergeant Barnes sat back down and grabbed an entire turkey breast. “A king. He don’t look like no king.” The sergeant needed to wipe his face.
“Shut up, Barnes,” Captain Murphy said as he sat back down and resumed eating.
“I’m just saying, he sure as hell don’t look like no king. What the hell is a king for anyway?” Sergeant Barnes was still stuffing food into his mouth. Em thought that as long as there was food on the table, Sergeant Barnes would probably not get up again, king or no king.
The six of them ate until they were full and still. Colonel Roth had not come back through the door.
Sergeant Cannon stood up from the table and began to pace. “I got a bad feeling about this place.” He looked at Jeff, and the two of them exchanged a look.
“Everybody, up! Get your gear and get ready. It’s too quiet around here. Monastery or not, I don’t like it.”
Sergeant Cannon walked toward the rear door, and Jeff said, “Wait a minute. I hear someone coming.”
Em did not hear a thing. He looked around the room and saw that they were alone. None of the monks was still in the room. Sergeant Cannon tried the door. It was locked. He banged on it four or five times and did not hear anything on the other side. Jeff sprinted to the other door and opened it. The six of them assumed their usual positions and exited the room. The only possible way to go was the same way they had entered. The long tunnel-like hallway definitely was ascending. Em felt his muscles in his legs tighten. Jeff was leading the way. He did not even have his weapon out. He searched the long corridor for any other possible way to exit but never slowed down at all. Captain Murphy was practically walking backward as he watched over his shoulder for anyone following.
When they reached the rear door of the cathedral, Jeff put his ear next to the door. He once again held his finger up to his lips. Sergeant Cannon made his way around Sergeant Barnes, and Jack and squatted next to Jeff. “I think we ought to go back. We don’t know what’s on the other side, but we know which way the colonel went. I really don’t think the king is up to anything, but these monks, well, I don’t know. I know how to get through that door.”
Sergeant Cannon looked at Jeff and the rest and said, “I think he’s right. Philip won’t let them take him too far. Murph, let’s go.”
Before Em had turned completely around, Jeff passed him and was in front of Captain Murphy at once. He said, “Let me go in first, sir.” Captain Murphy stepped aside without making a sound. Jeff took off down the tunnel.
Em passed the captain, and so did Jack and Sergeant Barnes.
When Sergeant Cannon caught up to the captain, he said, “I got this, Murph. Why don’t you stay up front with Em and Jack? Somebody needs to keep an eye on Jack. That boy is capable of anything.”
Captain Murphy said, “No problem. I just wanted to tell you that the colonel don’t have his gun. He gave it to me when the king asked him to follow him.” The captain turned and went back to the front of the line.
Jeff was already at the door to the small dining room. When he entered, three monks were clearing the food from the table. They did not act startled. The other five followed Jeff into the room. All of them had a gun in their hand except for Jeff. The monks did not react to the guns either.
“Where did he take him?” Sergeant Cannon was speaking. All three monks stopped clearing the table and stood still.
“We are sorry,” the monk in the middle spoke slowly with a heavy accent. “The king must remain here. We have to keep him inside. We have no choice.”
“If he’s not going with us, then what the hell are we doing here?” Sergeant Cannon’s neck was beginning to show signs of bulging. “I don’t like being led around. Take me to him now. I don’t give a damn whether he goes with us or not. You tell me where the colonel is right now, or one of you is going to get hurt.”
The monks exchanged looks, and the one in the middle drew a key from his robe and went to the back door. He inserted the key and opened the door. He held the door open. Jeff went through.
The monk looked at Sergeant Cannon and told him, “The king has something very important to tell your colonel. He will only be a short time longer. Follow the corridor to the right. It will lead you to a stairway. Your colonel will be at the bottom. I promise you. He is in no danger. Our visitors will remain in the forest tonight. They have not paid us a visit for three days now.”
“What?” Sergeant Cannon looked at Murph and told him to get Jeff. “What the hell are you talking about now?” Sergeant Cannon wanted to grab the monk by the collar, but his robe never had one.
The monk still spoke slowly, “I thought you knew. The Germans brought the king here. They have his family. He really must do what they say. But do not worry. We trust the king. The colonel is in no danger.”
“Do they know we are here?” Sergeant Cannon needed answers now.
“I do not think so. They have been building their army for days now. The forest is crowded with them. They have left us alone. The men left the king with us a week ago and told us they would not destroy our home if we would cooperate. They know the king will meet his cabinet here in one more day. We have informed them of the danger, but the king assures us of their safety. His only request was to meet with your colonel. Has your colonel not informed you of this meeting?” The monk knew he was not going to get an answer. He seemed content with that.
Sergeant Cannon leaned into the doorway and looked down the corridor. He ducked back into the room when he saw a shadow coming their way. Then he heard Philip’s voice and saw Jeff leading the colonel back toward them. They were not wasting time.
Philip entered the room and closed the door behind him. “I’m sorry, men. The king swore me to secrecy. I owe his father.” When Em saw the look on the colonel’s face, he knew he would not need another explanation. “But right now, we need to get on our way. The king told me something that he suspects is happening as we speak. That son-of-a-bitch Hitler is at it again. When will
