Each group—comprised of a trainer, veteran, and shepherd—spread out through town. Some traveled to parks or gardens near Oldenburg Palace, while others made their way to the train station or the marketplace. But when Anna had asked him where he wanted to go first, he surprised her by saying, “Home.”
Due to the dwindling supply of rations, Norbie had spent much of his time trying to barter his timepieces for food. He’d had little success for the past two days, save a bronze pocket watch that he’d traded for a half-loaf of molded bread. With little to eat, Max had dug up more winter leeks from the garden for soup. He hated that he was eating what little food they had and, even more, that he had no means to contribute, other than his military-issued lunches, toward their nourishment. So, when Fleck gave them the afternoon to work independently, he’d convinced Anna that they should offer to help Norbie with bartering his timepieces. While Norbie took a break from the bitter cold to tinker in his workshop, Max, Anna, and Nia canvassed the more affluent streets of Oldenburg. They’d knocked on dozens of doors. Most of their solicitation ended in failure, but they’d managed to sell a woman’s silver watch in exchange for a few beets and turnips.
“Maybe we should go to the train station,” Anna said. “I haven’t seen any of the other trainers, and I’m worried we might get in trouble.”
“We won’t get in trouble,” Max said. “We’re training—we just happen to be carrying a few of Norbie’s timepieces to trade for food while we practice our drills.”
“Norbie appreciates your help, as do I,” Anna said. “But what if Fleck catches us? He’ll think we’ve abandoned our work.”
“It won’t be a problem,” he said. “Think of how pleased Norbie will be when we come home with food.”
“You’re right,” she said. “But we’ve already collected more than Norbie did in two days.”
“It’s my salesmanship,” Max said, nudging her coat.
Anna chuckled. “Are you sure about that?”
It’s good to hear you laugh.“Perhaps Nia is the better peddler. Without her, I doubt people would warm up to the idea of parting with their food, even if we were offering gold bullion.”
“She’s irresistible,” Anna said, rubbing the dog’s head.
Nia swished her tail.
“Let’s keep going,” he said.
“All right,” she said. “But not much longer. The sun is setting and it’ll be dark soon.”
They knocked on the doors of several more homes, all with no success. Either the residents hadn’t yet returned home from work, or they refused to answer the door. Climbing the steps to a large row house, Anna rang a mechanical bell. As footsteps grew from inside the house, Max and Nia nudged their way forward. The door cracked open.
“May I help you?” an elderly woman’s voice asked.
Max removed his cap. “Hallo, I’m Max, and this is Anna. I realize that rations are scarce, but we wanted to inquire if you might be willing to trade a bit of food in exchange for a clock or watch.”
“Nein,” the woman said.
“They’re quite exquisite,” Anna said. “They’ve been refurbished by myvater, Norbie Zeller.”
“He’s the finest clockmaker in Deutschland,” Max added, recalling stories of Norbie’s accomplishments. “He’s worked on the town’s most prized timepieces, including the clock towers in Oldenburg Palace and St. Lambert’s Church.”
The woman paused, her eyes peeking around the door. “Are you with that dog school?”
“Ja,” Anna said. “Max is a veteran in training, and Nia is a guide dog.”
The woman opened the door and tightened a black wool shawl around her shoulders. “She’s a beautiful shepherd. Would it be okay for me to pet her?”
“Of course,” Max said, despite that they were not supposed to allow people to pet shepherds while they were working.
The woman, her veined hand quivering, stroked Nia’s fur. “Such a gorgeous dog. I had one like her when I was a child. Her name was Herta. She’d walked with me to school every morning.”
Nia peered up at the woman.
“Herta sounds lovely,” Anna said.
“I’m sorry,” the woman said, rubbing Nia’s back. “What are you selling again?”
“Timepieces,” Anna said. She removed a small mantel clock from her bag.
Max plucked a pocket watch from his coat and extended his hand.
