"Sergei and Hans" Chapter 3 Part 6

The fire grew. The cabin was warm. Hans took off his coat. Sergei kept his on.

On the side table near Sergei, there were miniature tin soldiers and cannons placed on a map. There were two armies, one painted red and the other painted blue. Sergei brushed off the dust and cobwebs and studied the two opposing armies, and out of boredom, he lined them up in formation. Upright and uniform. Courageous and Brave. These pointless, tiny soldiers. They seemed so timeless. 

"How is it you speak Russian?" asked Sergei.

"My grandmother."

"Your grandmother?"

"Yes. She taught me" said Hans.

"She taught you well then."

Sergei thought for a moment. A question came to him and when he thought of it again, it still seemed right to ask. He let go of the tin soldiers and studied Hans' face.

"So if you were in Tannenberg, how did you reach the mountains?" 

Hans paused. He lifted up his glass, took a sip, sighed then retorted. 

"My division was transferred a few weeks later by request. The Austrians needed help to control the mountain passes. So they sent for us."

There was another pause. Sergei did not reply. Hans placed his glass back down on the table.

Read the full version on Amazon Kindle or Paperback. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012BB0VWW

Or visit my website: dennissantaniello.com