Chapter 19 - New Beginnings

There was a parade.  To celebrate a new suspension bridge built across the long river joining our city with another across the bay.  It was a joyous occasion when two cities are prepared to merge into one.  The respective Politiburo's threw huge galas and celebrations and twice the normal number of Commissars were in attendance as they began making plans for the union of two regimes.

I was tending and pruning a tree near the Montresor when Sigmund approached me and asked me about her sister.  Sophie was in a shop looking for some marjoram and herbs.  He obliged and entered the shop to speak with her.  They were seen in the window talking calmly then her arms were raised unfailingly and I knew something had upset her.  I assumed the worst and I rushed inside to hear what it was.

Wolf had been on the Island all along.

Sophie somehow knew and felt that was true even though they never showed it on any reel.  She just knew they would not go so lightly on a Commissar like Wolf betray the Commissariat and the Capital.

She then had to ask how Sigmund knew of this and it was Oliver who sent word through Ingrid and Martha.

There was nothing much anyone could do and neither Oliver nor Wolf would ever leave the Island.  We all have long came to dread that word, that place.  The Island.  The Island.

The festivities were about to commence and Sigmund had to part to return to the gala.  He invited us, but knew Sophie would not attend.  She always had a reliable excuse and would repeat it once more when the other Commissars asked of Wolf's daughter.  Poor Stephan weighs heavily on her heart.

I asked in jest of my brother if that bullet was still available.  He found it not very funny and bade me to lay low as there was news of possible war.  A big one.  He would soon be called to the front and he was concerned that with Generals like Wolf Gustafson being mistreated, there was dissension in the ranks and even talk of open mutiny on his own ship.  He was quite troubled by this.

The Commissariats naturally pay them no mind and reassign anyone who presses them any further.  And the Island is bursting at the seams from what my brother could gather from his sources.  The overseers are actually running out of creative ways to punish that many prisoners.

I resumed pruning the trees in front of the Montresor and Sophie found her marjoram and we went home.  We ate our meal in silence as we heard the chanting and the party songs as everyone celebrated the great union of a new, greater city.  A speech was made by Sigmund to the cheers of all in attendance.