“If I ask them, I think they’ll come,” she said. “I seem to have developed a bond with them. I’m not exactly sure why. But as I said before, I think it’s because we have something in common. We’re all refugees.”
“Perhaps it’s that, yes.” Max nodded. “But I think they sense something unique in you, Kalinka. And so do I. It’s a very wise head you have on very young shoulders.”
“You’re wiser.”
“It might seem that way, Kalinka, but no, I’m not. Wisdom is found inside the head, not in the silver beard.” Max turned away. “Now, I’d better go and get some things for your journey. You stay here and see if you can work your magic with those horses and persuade them that they have to leave with you. All right?”
“All right.”
As soon as Max was gone, Kalinka fetched a candle and went next door to speak to Temüjin and Börte.
The two horses had sensed something was wrong and seemed almost prepared for what she now told them.
“I need your help,” she said. “It’s really not safe for me in this place anymore. Most likely, the SS are coming here tomorrow and will probably kill me. Or send me to another place where someone else will kill me. But I’ve got a much better chance of escape if you come with me. If you want to stay here, I will understand. Askaniya-Nova is your home. It’s different for me. My home is gone. Effectively, the SS destroyed that when they killed all of the Jews in Dnepropetrovsk. On the other hand, maybe you feel the same about this place. It’s up to you. You decide.”
Max was gone for about half an hour. When he returned, Kalinka was waiting for him with the two horses.
“What’s this?” He let out a laugh. “You look like a deputation. Like you’ve got something to tell me.”
“They’re coming with me,” said Kalinka.
“How do you know?” Max asked her as he put some things in the pockets of her coat and helped her put it on.
“I know.”
“So what did you tell them?”
“They’re coming because I told them I needed their help,” she said. “That I don’t stand much of a chance without them.”
“Ah,” said Max. “Makes sense, I suppose.” He grinned. “Horse sense.”
“I don’t want to leave you, Max.”
“I know. But you have to, child. Neither of us has any choice in this matter. Look here, I’ve given you some money—all I have. It’s in the pocket of your Astrakhan coat. You’ll also find a box of matches to make a fire with, a compass to help you find your way to the Red Army, and some bread and cheese. Not to mention a little something to remember me by.”
“Why not come with us, Max?” She shrugged. “With all the horses gone, there’s no reason for you to stay here at Askaniya-Nova.”
Max shook his head. “I’m old, and I’m feeling rather tired,” he said. “So I’ll only slow you down. Besides, someone has to stay here and cover your tracks, so to speak.” He nodded at the walls of the cave. “If Captain Grenzmann finds this lot, he’ll know something is up, for sure.”
“Oh,” said Kalinka, looking around at her paintings sadly. “Yes, I suppose he will.”
“In which case, he would certainly pursue you all. Because he’s a fanatic and that’s what fanatics do.”
“I’ve given you a real problem in here, haven’t I?”
“Don’t you worry, Kalinka. There’s nothing on these walls I can’t shift with some soap and water and a stiff brush. Be a shame to clean ’em off, but that can’t be helped now. One day, perhaps you’ll come back here and paint them again. That’s all there is to it.”
“I’d like that.”
“Yes, you can return with the horses. Or their descendants. After all, you’re taking away a prime breeding pair.” Max shook his head. “And now you really had better get going.”
Kalinka pushed her hands into the pockets of the black Astrakhan coat, where they encountered the compass, the money, the bread and the cheese that he had thoughtfully placed there. The old man’s kindness brought a lump to her throat. She wanted to cry but knew she couldn’t. There simply wasn’t any time for that sort of thing.
“It’s not snowing,” observed Kalinka.
Max shrugged. “What of it?”
“Captain Grenzmann will see our tracks leading away from here. And then what will happen?”
“You let me worry about that, child.”
“But he might shoot you, too, Max. Have you thought of that? I couldn’t bear the thought of this happening to you.”