“You’re mistaken,” he said.
He waited here to spurn us from getting in his wagon.Max clenched his jaws. He shuffled forward, gliding his gloved hand over the side of the wagon, and peered in the direction of Waldemar’s voice. “I realize that you might not want to provide someone like me a lift in your wagon. But give Anna a ride to town; it’s freezing. I’ll meet her there. Nia and I know the way.”
“Nein,” Waldemar said. “The walk will give both of you extra practice, which you sorely need.”
“May I have a word with you, alone?” Max asked.
“It’s okay,” Anna said, stepping to Max. “Let’s go.”
Waldemar tugged on the reins. The horse snorted and propelled the wagon forward. “Get moving, or you’ll be late.”
“Where are we meeting?” Anna called.
“St. Lambert’s!” Waldemar shouted. The wagon traveled down the road and disappeared into the dark, predawn snowfall.
“Bastard,” Max breathed.
Nia, as if she could sense Max’s vexation, leaned against his leg.
“Thanks for trying to help,” Anna said.
“I don’t like the way he treats you.”
“And I hate his bias toward you,” she said. “But there’s nothing we can do about it for now.” She tightened her scarf and nudged Max. “Let’s go.”
Max gripped Nia’s harness. “Forward.”
Nia padded ahead, guiding him through the snow.
Wind bit at Max’s face. “Maybe we’ll catch a wagon ride with another trainer.”
“This is the only road leading to the school,” she said. “Waldemar arrived early, like Fleck. He timed it perfectly for when the trainers and veterans would be en route. He’ll tell each of them to turn around and head back to town before they reach us.”
Damn him.Max lowered his head and shuffled forward.
On a normal day, the one-way walk from school to town was thirty-five minutes. But given the wind and snow, blasting the front of their bodies, it took them nearly fifty minutes to trudge their way to the center of town.
“Waldemar is standing outside of the cathedral,” Anna said, her teeth chattering. “It’ll be warm inside. It’s a magnificent church, and you’ll enjoy climbing the stairs to the balconies.”
“Sounds good,” Max said. He continued forward until Nia guided him to a stop.
“You’re late,” Waldemar said.
“Are the others inside?” Anna asked, ignoring his comment.
“Ja,” Waldemar said. “But you’ll be working at the train station.”
“Why?” Max asked.
“I didn’t think it would be appropriate for a Jew to train in a Lutheran place of worship, so I’ve made alternate arrangements for you.”
Ire surged through Max’s veins. “You could have told us your plans before we left the school grounds.” He stepped toward Waldemar and felt Anna clasp his arm.
“What time shall we finish at the train station,” Anna said.
“Sundown,” Waldemar said. “In the interim, I’ll be checking in on you.”
“Come on, Max,” Anna said. “The way is straight ahead.”
