"Monday, august 2, 1907." "It's six o'clock in the morning." "Today, my youngest son is going to leave our home." "3 years of military Academy, and he enters His Majesty'a Army." "I hoped his first assignment would have been in town  or in a near village." "Instead, he leaves for a lonely fort  on the most distant border of the empire..." "Come on, wake up... it's six." "I'd like to be as happy as you  it's not your fault." "But I don't want to leave with this memory of you." "I know what it all means to you." "It's sad forthose who are left behind." "Go now!" "You're lucky..." "You'll be hearing the famous trumpets of Fort Bastiano every day!" "I don't even know what the fort looks like, but it's very distant." "You'll be the one who is going to live the most exciting adventure." "Do you see that grove there?" "... when I'm gone beyond them, you won't see me anymore." "Hey there..." "Hey!" "Sir!" "What is it?" "Nothing, Sir... nothing..." "I just wanted to salute you, that's all." "Who are you?" "Lieutenant Drogo, Sir." "Go on!" "Go on..." "Our paths will meet farther down." " Captain Hortiz." " Lieutenant Drogo." "I suppose on the way to Bastiano?" "I'd given up hope of ever finding the fort." "Why?" "I must have taken the wrong way, Sir, and..." "If you're coming from that direction, you certainly did." "Those mountains are the border with the North Kingdom." "No Army could cross them from either side." "There's never been a fort of any kind around here." "No need for it." "Bastiano is farther on..." "to the north." "A messenger?" "And you don't know the roads?" "Amazing!" "I'm not, Sir." "I'm reporting there for duty." "My first assignment." "Congratulations, Lieutenant." "You couldn't have made a better choice." " Two years, I suppose." " Sir?" "That's the rule." "Two years on the border count double for seniority." "I didn't know that, Sir." "But I didn't choose Bastiano." " No?" " I was ordered there." "Odd!" "Usually..." " Give me a drink, Strauss." " Sir..." "What's odd, Captain?" "There aren't many volunteers for Bastiano these days..." "That must explain your orders." " would you like a drink?" " Yes, please." " Strauss!" " Thank you, Captain." "Bastiano is a dead border station..." " ... as you will see." " Thanks..." "Only a pebble, Sir." "A splinter in the hoof." "What did the Captain mean by a "dead border station"?" "A border with nothing on the other side of it." "absolutely nothing." "Beyond the fort there is a desert, Lieutenant Drogo..." "And then... nothing." " The Desert of the Tartars." " The Tartars?" "They may even have crossed the desert once, a long time ago." "But they vanished, after destroying the ancient city." "The desert has kept their name." "The older a nation's history is, the more legends spring up." "In the end, we don't know what's true and what isn't." "I've been at Bastiano for eighteen years." "I admit the place looks much more beautiful inside than from out there." "I see you are in a hurry to report." "Ride ahead." "Go... go ahead, Lieutenant." "Halt!" "Advance and be recognized!" "Lieutenant Drogo." "Assigned to Fort Bastiano." "I've come to take up my post." "Simeon." "Drogo, Sir." "Welcome to Bastiano." "Thank you." "Lazare!" "First Sergent Tronk." "Take the Lieutenant's horse." "Come, I'll take you to meet Major Matti." " Take over, Tronk." " But, that was a general alarm!" "What of it?" "In case of alarm, the commissioned officer on duty takes command." "That's regulation, Sir." "Paragraph 3 of the regulations, Tronk." "But paragraph 12 says:" ""Guard posts not immediately exposed to attack, which is this case... may be placed underthe command of a high-ranking non-commissioned officer"." "Any objections?" "None, Sir." "Fine." "Come with me, Lieutenant Drogo." "It's not your fault, but you've arrived at the worst possible moment." "I'm sorry, Sir." "Colonel, this is Lieutenant Drogo." "I'm delighted to welcome you to Bastiano." "The King himself has called us "the noblest guardian of His Crown"." "Our garrison is an enviable assignment for an ambitious young officer." "You'll soon see for yourself." "I'm listening, Lieutenant..." "All positions ready to open fire on the enemy 6 minutes after the alarm." "Six minutes, you say?" "Five minutes and 42 seconds." "A pity you're leaving us, Lieutenant..." "As a soldier..." "I'll miss you." "If I may say so..." "I'll miss you too, Sir... as a soldier." "You may go, Lieutenant." "Good riddance!" "A fine efficer, but..." "all the same, good riddance!" "would you Iike to be introduced to His excellency right now, or at mess?" "This evening at mess, Sir." "It will be an honor." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "My name's Rovine." "I'm the doctor here." "Your medical file arrived here before you did." "welcome to Bastiano." "Thanks, Sir." "Excuse me, colonel." "This is Lieutenant Drogo." " Sir..." " No, thank you." "Don't insist, I told you." "Make up your mind." "I can easily wait anotherthree days." "I'm stealing him from you." "Come, Drogo." "What's wrong with the Lieutenant colonel?" "A glorious battle wound... when there were still wars..." "Broken back..." "steel corset..." "He's the only one who's actually been under fire." "I only suggested you'd be better off stationed in town." "You've just come from the city  help me convince him!" " Keep out of this, Lieutenant." " Be careful, please." "Getting involved in Rathenau's and AmerIing's bickering can be dangerous!" "Sirs!" "His excellency!" "welcome back, Hortiz." "I hope the travel was fine." "Thanks, Sir." "Dear Nathanson, general Conrad greets you." "He would Iike to have you for the Army manoeuvres in the south." "would you... please..." "Go on..." "please, Sirs..." "Lieutenant Drogo, Sir." "He has arrived this morning." "The Adjudant has my papers." "I request the honor of introducing myself to you." "Jean Baptiste Drogo," "Infantry Lieutenant, at your orders." "Good evening, your excellency." "Good evening, gentlemen." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "His ExceIency, colonel, Count of FiIimore  commander in chief of the garrison, invites you to join us." "colonel Nathanson." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "I am in command of your company." "Captain Hortiz." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "I am in command of the garrison cannon." "Captain Von Sern." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "I am the garrison physician." "Major doctor Rovine." "I am Simeon, senior subordinate officer of the garrison." "Lieutenant Simeon." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "I'm AmerIing." "Lieutenant Von AmerIing..." " Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." " Lieutenant Von Rathenau." "I'm Maude." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "Lieutenant Maude..." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "My name's Von Arnim." "Lieutenant Von Arnim." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "I'm Sarteris." "Lieutenant Sarteris." " Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." " Lieutenant Gothard..." "Second Lieutenant morel." " Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "Second Lieutenant morel." "Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo." "will you dine with us?" "Thank you, excellency." "Thanks, Sirs." "I am honored." "You can't really see the desert until you're at the advance post overthere." "What can you see from there?" "Stones... sand... dust..." "And almost always, mist." "But further, to the north..." "You must be able to see something?" "Nothing but mist, winter and summer." "still... there are some who insist  that they've seen riders on white horses." "patrols from the North Kingdom?" "Not necessarily." "Where else would they come from?" "From the desert." "If it were true, the general Staff would know abouti it... people would know." "There are things they prefer not to talk about, officially." "colonel FiIimore never mentions them." " As for Hortiz..." " Captain Hortiz?" "It was shortly after he got to Bastiano." "He was in charge of the outpost." "He saw them  just at the edge of the mist..." "Hortiz saw the riders?" "He even gave the alarm..." "He had a cannon shot fired." "A serious decision." "An officer like Hortiz would never have done it." "... without being sure." "When dawn came, the riders had disappeared." "So he was the only one who saw them." "This morning he told me Bastiano was a dead border station  overlooking nothing." "He spoke of legends..." "But all the same he's stayed on here, waiting..." "Waiting for what?" "The enemy." "From the North Kingdom or from the desert..." "Hortiz may not believe so strongly, now  but he's waiting, Iike the others..." "calm down, colonel... try to stay calm for a moment..." "I'II help you, don't worry!" "How can I make you an injection?" "calm!" "Give me a hand!" "hold him!" "Hurry!" "Keep him still!" "What is he saying?" "He wants you to put your hand ovre his mouth." "Keep him still!" "You can let him go, Lieutenant." "The drug acts almost immediately." " Ijust can't believe it, you know..." " What?" "That I'II be back in town..." "in two days  and I won't see this fort anymore... but you..." "You'II be seeing my family?" "There's still time." "I'II wait for you..." "Why don't you?" "No..." "I told you, I Iike Bastiano, and I feel fine." "Anyway, that's what you're to tell my mother." "Promise me." "What else can I tell her, the truth?" "That everyday, you are closest to the suicide, here at Bastiano?" "You mustn't be late." " Goodbye." " Bye." "Very well!" "You've been frank with me, and I'II be frank with you." "Twice a year, we all have a medical examination." "Me..." "Lieutenant colonel Nathanson..." "the colonel himself." "Everybody." "It's regulation." "When yourturn comes, I promise to get you a negative report." "You can count on me." "Is that clear, Lieutenant?" "Yes, Sir." "I don't know how to thank you." "The next examination will be in four months' time." "Four months?" "That's the best I can do, Lieutenant." "What if I would send in an application?" "There's your careerto think of." "applying for a transfer at your first assignment could harm you." "According to my suggestion, you'II have time to show what you can do." "Four months... that's not so bad!" "I believe you're right, Sir..." "I'm going to take your advice." "Good!" "Keep it a secret!" "Just between you and me." "Good morning, Sir." "Lieutenant Drogo..." "Your platoon moved in ahead of Lieutenant Sartoris' at roll call." "He's your senior, here." "Lieutenant Sarteris' platoon was late, Sir..." "Stay in your place!" "Your men are well disciplined, Lieutenant, congratulations." "So I'm all the more sorry you made the decision to leave us." "Don't be surprised..." "Everybody knows about your agreement with Major Matti." "You know, many young officers have come to Bastiano just like you." "And those who have chosen to stay, don't feel inferior." "I neverthought anything like that, Sir." "I wanted a different assignment." "It was mere chance that I was sent here." "And if the chance wants you to stay?" "Maybe that's what happened to me." "It's more probable that chance had nothing to do with any of it." "close ranks, Lazare!" "Get a move on!" " Come on, you stupid mule!" " Lazare!" "Move on!" " March!" " Come on, move!" "Coming off Guard..." "Be careful!" "Present arms!" "platoon, halt!" "Ground arms!" "Coming off guard, ground arms!" "Stand at ease!" " Is this your first duty out here?" " Yes." "Rather boring, but you get used to it." "You'II see." "Night falls early, this time of year..." "Sooner or later, in this darkness, something's going to happen." "The colonel should be warned of the danger." "What danger?" "You see Lieutenant AmerIing's unit?" "It'II be dark when they get back to the fort." "Lieutenant AmerIing, Iike you, Sir, has three different passwords." "The one who was valid when he left, the one he used here  and the one he will need to reenterthe fort." "Because, meanwhile, the guards would have come off duty." " What of it?" " well..." "Suppose that the only officer who knows the password fails sick..." "In that case, the guard coming off duty wouldn't be let into the fort." "Beacuse only that officer must give the password." " The sentries would recognize them." " In the dark?" "And what if the returning guard was attacked by surprise  and wiped out by an enemy patrol between here and the fort?" "The enemy soldiers could put on our uniforms." "True." "Without the password, Sir, nobody coming from the North valley, ... and I mean nobody, can enterthe front." "Tronk!" " Tronk!" " At your orders, Sir." "Tronk..." "I may be mistaken..." "But it seems to me... out there..." " Look!" "Look!" " What is it?" "Something out there, straight!" "Everybody back to your posts!" "clam down the horses!" "It's coming this way!" "No, it's moving, not toward us." "Back to your posts, not a sound!" " double the guard, corporal." " Yes, Sir." " You!" "Up to the platform!" " Yes, Sir!" " Ready at the cannons!" " Yes, Sir." " Everybody on position!" " It vanished, now." " I can't see nothing, now." " Machinegun ready to fire!" "They can tell..." "What do you mean?" "The horses, they can feel them coming." "Them who?" "Shut up!" "From where?" "And who..." "There's only desert..." "miles of desert..." "Tronk..." "would you give the alarm?" "Fire the cannon is an heavy decision." "In a couple of minutes, the fort will be on war." "I'd wait till dawn, Sir." "What do you think of that, Tronk?" "Nothing yet, Sir." "Ask the corporal to come here." "Then get back to your cannon." "Yes, Sir." "AII right." "Now tell me what you think." "That horse isn't from Bastiano, Sir." "Maybe you haven't noticed." "At Bastiano all the horses are black or bay." "Where would it come from?" "relieve the night guard, corporal." "Put three gunners at the cannon, ready to fire." "Tronk..." "would you advise me to give the alarm, now?" "No Sir, not yet..." "But we should be prepared to, any moment." "That horse." "What is the danger of a Ione horse?" "Might mean danger is on the way." "From the North Kingdom?" "Their horsemen have never ventured into the desert..." "At least, not until now..." "Then speak out, Tronk!" "I want to hear you say the word!" "Tartars, Sir..." "It's a Tartar horse." "Nothing's going to happen." "No one's coming." "We spent our whole day staring at that horse." "Lazare, on your post!" "I know how you feel, Sir..." "But the border is just below us..." " regulations are regulations." " What of it?" "Bet that horse out there never heard of your regulations!" "AII right, Tronk..." "I won't send anyone to bring the horse in  since it's against regulations." "Our relief will be here in an hour." "And it will soon be dark..." " Who goes there?" " Guard returning from the out post." " Give the password!" " Sword and banner." "Open the door!" "Guards, halt!" "Stay at ease." " call the roll Tronk, and dismiss." " Yes, Sir." " corporal, call the roll." " Yes, Sir." " Merru..." " Present." " Sveta..." " Present." " Vinovich..." " Present." " FiIey..." " Present." " Fritz..." " Present." " Haus..." " Present." "Lazare..." " Lazare!" " Present." "That horse should have been captured." "But, regulations, Sir?" "An officer must take responsibility, sometimes." "You may go now, Major." "Stay, Lieutenant." "You behaved wisely, Lieutenant." "First, not by alerting the fort." "Am I right, excellency?" "It was just a horse without an horseman." "secondly, you followed regulations to the letter." "I congratulate you, Lieutenant." "A border is a border..." "only His excellency could have taken the initiative to capture the horse." "Do you think that horse belonged to a military unit?" " Answer me, Captain." " No, I don't think so." "still, you admit the incident is suspect from an army standpoint." "Yes, Sir." "Then why haven't you doubled the guard?" "Those are the times when the regulations should be applied strictly." "Come, Lieutenant." " A white horse, you say?" " Yes, excellency." "colonel, please." "I'm honored, colonel." " No special marks?" " No, Sir." "Nothing." "No saddle." " It must have gone away by now." " No doubt, your excellency." "Do you think I should have trespass the borderto catch it?" "regulation is regulation, Lieutenant." "It's certainly His excellency's opinion." "You may go now, Major!" "You must not blame yourself Lieutenant." "The Major is unfortunately right." "We can do nothing about it." " Who goes there?" " Private Lazare, mule driver." "Listen, friend." "I've broken regulations, try to keep it quiet." "I've got a horse, here." "Advance and give the password!" "The password?" "How should I know it?" "Didn't you hear about the horse?" "Look, I'm bringing it in." "Are you going to open up or not?" " The password!" " I told you..." "I don't know it!" "My name's Lazare." "You must recognize me." "I can't make out your face." "What are you doing?" "You're not going to shoot!" "No!" "Don't shoot!" "No!" " alert!" " alert!" " alert!" " Everybody on his posts!" " Open the door." " You can't get out, Sir." "Get off!" "Lazare!" "Right in the middle of the forehead." "Who fired?" "Private Kupka, Sir." "First rate shot." "I trained him myself." " And what's this one's name?" " Private Lazare, Sir." "A diserter..." "As weekly duty officer, it's my job to find out how the tragedy occurred." "Tragedy?" "Stop being dramatic, Captain!" "Lazare tried to bring the horse back to the fort." "The sentry can testify." "He'II testify!" "He'II prove this soldier was a traitor!" "You also have a few things to explain, Lieutenant." "This soldier was one of your guard, wasn't he?" "Yes, Sir." "His disobedience could be the cause of a serious incident." "The North Kingdom might protest for border violation!" "You can't be serious." "deal with this, Tronk." "Have him buried..." "Without honors!" "Yes, Sir." "Sir!" " Order... arms." " Yes, Sir." "Order... arms!" "Order... arms!" "Order... arms!" "Order... arms!" "Order... arms!" "What's going on?" "Tronk, what's going on!" "The third platoon refuses to obey orders, Sir..." "It's private Lazare's section." "Refused to present arms before the flag." "Refusing to obey..." "These men belong to your company, Captain..." "And to your section, Lieutenant!" "I demand a report, immediately!" "Order... arms!" "You bastards..." "Let them stand there." "Without food and water  As long as they refuse to obey!" "At ease!" "My report, your excellency." "What do you want from them, Major?" "First, their submission." "Then, I want them severely punished." "The dead soldier was one of them, wasn't he?" "That's no excuse, excellency." "Those men refused to present arms before their officers and the flag!" "And they didn't obey, insulting me." "Order... arms!" "Present'arm!" "Excort these men to their cells, Sergeant." "Four days of bread and water." "You have heart condition, this altitude is bad for your system." "will that do?" "Perfect." "Thank you." "Bastiano is probably bad for everyone." "I'm not sure God himself could survive here." "You're thinking of AmerIing's illness?" "Yes... he's not the only one." "Some nasty germs have been trapped in these walls for centuries..." "There's no cure." "And it's impossible to diagnose." "Even the specialists in the capital are at a loss." " You're wise to leave." " That's not the reason..." "I was sent here by mistake." "Here, elsewhere... we're all somewhere by mistake." "You're wise." "If I couId, I myself..." "CouIdn't you ask for a transfer?" "I couId, of course... but I'd feel like a deserter..." "With that certificate, you can leave whenever you Iike." "AII you need is the general's signature..." "You're lucky, he'II be here in two weeks." "Quickerthan sending it to town and waiting for an answer." "Thank you." " Goodbye, Lieutenant." " Goodbye." "Touched!" "You're first rate, AmerIing, but I'm not as young as you are." "You're not even out of breathe." "You think I can't last to the end?" "I really would Iike to stop, but if you want to continue..." "Thank you, Sir." "Thank you." "Garrison!" "On your knees!" "Lord, I'm afraid, and I place my trust in Thee, Father..." "O Lord, grant us peace!" "Turn not Thy face away." "bless my soul and wash away my sins." "Jesus, have mercy upon us." "Saturday night, as the first day of the week was dawning..." "Mary MagdaIene and the other Maria, after bought some essences  came to see Jesus' sepuIchre to embalm him." "And then an angel came, it descended from up above..." "It knocked overthe stone, and sat on it." "It seemed like a thunder, and with a dress so shining..." "The guards, frightened, fallen on the ground as they were dead." "The angel smiled to the women and said:" ""Don't be afraid, the man you are looking for, isn't here."" "He rose again from the death, on the third day, as he had foretold  and has gone to GaIiIea." "Go, and meet him there." "They have swords, and shields." "Who, Sir?" "The horsemen in the desert." "The men I saw once, a Iong time ago." "They ride white horses." "They don't want anyone to see their swords gleaming in the sun." "They let them tarnish." "An old warriors' trick." "Is that what you wanted to know?" "Why I stayed here?" "To wait forthem." " Captain Hortiz." " Good evening, Captain." "Your excellency..." "Our dear Nathanson..." " I'm happy to see you, how is it?" " Good, excellency, better." " Lieutenants Von AmerIing..." " Sir." " ..." "Von Arnim..." " ExceIIency..." " ..." "Maude." " Sir." "Lieutenant Gothard," " Honored." "glad to see you, excellency." " Lieutenant Sarteris." " Your excellency." "Your mother is my wife' s friend." "They meet often." "She always asks me about you, I'II tell herthat we have met." "Thank you very much, Sir." " Lieutenant morel." " Good evening." "Good evening, Lieutenant." " Major Mattis." " Nice to see you." "Honored." " Captain Von Sern..." " Captain..." " Lieutenant Simeon." " Ah, Simeon..." "I know your father, we were together in the academy." "ExceIIency, I know..." " This is Lieutenant Drogo." " Lieutenant  you're new at Bastiano, aren't you..." "I've been here four months, Sir." "Lieutenant Drogo is one of the garrison's best officer." "I'm not surprised, Bastiano attracts all of our best young men." " I'm happy to see you here." " Dinner is served." "This way, excellency." "Let's have dinner!" "The ceremony has given me appetite." "I envy you: the finest parades, the finest officers  the finest cook." "What's Bastiano's weak spot?" " Is something going wrong?" " No doctor, nothing." "shall I have the general sign your certificate for you?" "No, Sir." "Thank you." "well, then come and sit." "Don't just stand there." "There he is!" "In there!" " Missed him that time." " You missed it, not me." "Don't provoke me with this kind of games." "Neither with others." "You would lose in any case." "Yes, until it's a game." "Look!" "Overthere..." " How many did you say?" " One company, I should say." "That soldier... who brought the horse back to Bastiano  you remember, Drogo?" "Yes Sir, I remember." "It's too bad we never found where that horse was from..." "Come in, please." "Your excellency..." "The enemy will be in sight of Bastiano in a few minutes." " Did you say "the enemy", Major?" " Yes, your excellency." "They are advancing armed, according to the rules of war." "They hope to take us by surprise, after skirting the desert..." "Thank you, Major." "Your excellency, aren't you going to order a general alarm?" "As always, I appreciate your sense of duty, Major." "Inform the officers to report to me here, as usual, in 10 minutes." " But, Your excellency..." " You may go now, Major." "Stay Lieutenant, please..." "Stay, please." "What's the meaning of all this confusion?" "Go back to your places!" "You've no business here!" "CIearthe parapet!" "Move!" "colonel, here are the officials." "Sit down, please, colonel Nathanson." "Sit down, gentlemen." "Did you want to say something, Major?" "There are more on the way, Your excellency, more all the time." "They're spreading out along the border." "You can see them from the window." "I don't think so." "Stay where you are, Major." "I'II ask you to look out, if I feel it necessary." "I'm sorry to have to say this:" "I have noticed more than once  that, during the changing of the guard, some units arrive  without their commanding officers..." "Your excellency, we're wasting valuable time!" "Lieutenant MaIevic, excellency." "I bring a message from the Chief of the general Staff." "Excuse me, gentlemen." "Thank you, Lieutenant." "You must be exhausted." "Lieutenant Von Arnim will look after you." "gentlemen..." "This morning, our soldiers and you too  were troubled  by the presence of foreign troops in the North valley." "The troops are from the North Kingdom, sent here simply to survey the border line, as we did ourselves a few years ago." "Good..." "The units in question will not come to Bastiano." "They won't." "They'II break up in small groups, to carry on the mission in the mountains." "That is the message sent from the Chief of the general Staff." "He also asks me to organize an expedition without delay  to establish the border line on our side in one mountain area  where it hasn't yet been surveyed." "I need hardly add that it wouId be best we reached first... to take possession without incident." "ExceIIency, I'm the only Engineer co-officer, here." "will you authorize me to command the expedition?" "Yes, of course." "Pick the men you need and leave at dawn." "Have them take warm clothing." "You can leave." "You're going to have a hard time walking in those things." "I don't want any delays." "And they're going to hurt." " Sergeant!" " Yes, Sir." " We'II camp here." " platoon, halt!" "Have the first unit set up theirtents here?" "The men who will go on top can rest." "Yes, Sir." "Sergeant, set up the tents, and discharge the mules..." "Hey, you  light the fire, and distribute the meals." "I see you're in excellent form." "Thank you, Sir." "A pity we don't come up here more often." "Magnificent view!" "In that case, you can come with me on the climb." "That's what you want, isn't it?" "I wasn't expecting such an honor." "Don't ever loose the contact with the person that's towards you." "If you get lost, fire 3 shots." "We'II stop and fire." "So you can reach us." "Don't put off your gloves!" "You, cover up your head!" "platoon!" "Twenty soldiers, two non commissioned officer." " well, Lieutenant." " Goodbye, Captain." "Goodbye, Drogo." "Goodbye." " With God's help..." "let's go." " platoon, ready!" "Go, ahead!" "I wish I couId go with you, Drogo." "To AmerIing's family, tell his mother..." "You'II know what to say, I'm sure." "will you be coming back, Drogo?" "I don't know, Sir." "I'II go see the general." "See you..." "You're asking me to leave Bastiano?" "This is impossible!" "I'm not asking you, Major." "I have made my decision." "It's not regulation... only the general..." "The general promised me that he'd give you a splendid assignment, ... where your remarkable ability to command, will be appreciated." "Your sudden interest in me is surprising, Your excellency." "No surprise!" "I've always appreciated your devotion to duty..." "But I don't belong to your world!" "That's the problem, isn't it?" "You've never considered me the equal of officers of your class." "You put up with me..." "Let me handle the jobs you didn't want to touch yourself." "But you never had anything but contempt for me!" "Now, because of AmerIing, you insist on my leaving." "You hold me responsible for his death!" "You're the one who feels like that, and you're almost pleased." "You're quite mistaken!" "You had nothing to do with the death of AmerIing." "absolutely nothing!" "It's something you can't understand." "Beyond anything you are  or ever can be!" "Here is your promotion to the rank of Lieutenant-CoIoneI." "My congratulations." "Lieutenant, the general's right arm?" "Lieutenant, the general." "... Bastiano!" "Yes..." "please, come in." "Ah..." "You at Bastiano gave us plenty of troubles  overthe border matter." "His Highness accept no compromise where a piece of empire is envolved." "A mountain peak is a mountain peak." "What's his name?" "Von AmerIing, Sir." "Count Peter Von AmerIing." "Hard headed devil!" "His stubborness lost us a mountain peak." "Sir, AmerIing is the one who died." "Ah, is that so?" "please, stay down." "In any case, the whole business made a bad impression." "Enough of that!" "You want a new assignment, do you?" "Bring me the file of..." "What's your name?" " Drogo." " Drogo!" "And preferably in town, I suppose." " Yes, Sir, if it can be arranged." " well!" "Let's see..." "Do you know Bastiano's weak point, Lieutenant?" "No, Sir, I've no idea." "There are too many men." "That's the weak point." "Yes!" "It's a overstaffed." "That's why it was decided to reduce its strenght." " Reduce the strenght?" " You didn't know?" "No, Sir." "I can't seem to find your transfer application..." "I didn't make an official request." "But I think this paper will do..." "It's a medical certificate, Sir." "medical certificate..." "I see, I see..." "And I also see it was made out a Iong time ago!" "Not that I doubt its validity, but it's not recent enough." "And anotherthing..." "If your health was so poor  at the time the certificate  was signed, then why didn't you leave the fort?" "But, I was assured that..." "The best would be you return to Bastiano, Lieutenant  to settle this problem." "That is, if you are still in poor health." "WouIdn't be easier for me to make a normal application fortransfer?" "No, Lieutenant." "That was possible before, but not now." "We're reducing staff at Bastiano, ... we give preference to officers who have made regular applications." "But when, Sir?" "I never heard it mentioned." "How should I know?" "You wouldn't be asking me to show favoritism?" "No, Sir, certainly not." "Goodbye." "Keep me informed." "I may seem severe, but I Iike receiving young officers like you." "At your age, an occasional talking to doesn't do any harm..." "Goodbye, Lieutenant." " hello, Lieutenant." " Are you leaving, Tronk?" "No, Sir." "I'm staying." "Sir..." "Drogo!" "You came back?" "My private little museum..." "As time goes by, we accumulate things without realizing, until the day..." "Come..." "The general told me they were reducing the strenght of Bastiano." "I didn't realize to what extent..." "orthat you'd be leaving too, Sir." "Neither did I." "It took everyone by surprise..." "usually things proceed  more slowly." "Do you know why the general Staff has called you back, Sir?" "No, they probably think I've been here long enough  that I'm too old." "It's up to you to take my place, my young friend!" "will you do me the honor of having a last drink together?" "Of course, Sir." "delighted." "I was afraid I wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing you again, Drogo." " Here it is." " Thank you." "But you wanted to go too, didn't you?" "There's been a mix up with my file." " Is my command responsible?" " I'm the only one to blame." "would you Iike me to put in a word, to speed things up for you?" "Thank you, Sir, but I don't mind staying a while longer at Bastiano." " Hortiz will be happy to have you." " Captain Hortiz is staying?" "Major Hortiz." "He's replacing me as commander at Bastiano." "It was my wish." "If you'II excuse me, I still have a great deal to do..." "I won't be coming to mess again." "Take care of yourself." " Sir..." " Goodbye." "Have you come back?" "What is it?" " You don't seem pleased to see me." " Ijust thought you'd never come back." " Any news?" " Nothing, as usual." " May I have it back?" "I must go." "Just one moment." " What are you looking at?" " Nothing particularly." " They're waiting for me.." "Simeon!" " There's a light, down there!" "What are you talking about?" "Have you gone crazy?" "There isn't just one light, there are four or five!" "That's absurd!" "Look!" "I tell you!" "A bit more to the right!" "Can you see it now?" "Don't tell me you don't see anything!" "I wouldn't believe you!" "I discovered them 3 weeks ago..." "I didn't wanted to tell you, yet!" "Why not?" "You might have laughed at the idea." "That's why nobody must be told!" "The lights are there, everybody can see them." "No, not without a special fieIdgIass like this." "AII the more reason to tell Hortiz, at Ieast!" "No..." "They would cancel the departures." "Some of them would take advantage of the opportunity." "What opportunity?" "If something finally does happen, the fewer of us, the better!" "What do you mean?" "It's probably a nomads' camp." "No..." "They would move." "In three weeks' time they would have vanished." "It's a construction site..." "Thery're building a road." "A road?" "In the desert?" "What would be the use of it?" "To reach Bastiano faster." "To bring up heavy weapons..." "Cannons across the desert?" "Simeon..." " Do you really believe that?" " Think what you Iike!" "... But don't tell a soul!" "Understand?" "I believe it's best not to." "Leave me yourteIescope, will you?" "Sir..." "Do us the honor of presiding at ourtabIe." "This way, gentlemen." "Thank you." "I beg you pardon for being late." "What are you looking at, Lieutenant?" "And what are you and Simeon plotting together all the time?" "A secret  that has became too heavy for us." "We were planning to tell you, of course," "... but we wanted to be certain." "Certain of what?" "Look for yourself, Sir." "That way..." "There, straight that way..." "What was I supposed to see, Lieutenant?" "Sir, those little lights..." "Way out there in the desert..." "I don't know what you're talking about." "I didn't see a thing." "I assure you... not a thing." "absolutely." "Listen..." "I don't want that a voice, based on an optical illusion  could take place." "In the past, irresponsibility like that, had damaged the fort." "But Sir..." "This time..." "Is that clear, Lieutenant?" "Yes, Sir." "I have just received your promotion to Captain." "congratulations, Drogo." " Anything else, Sir?" " No, you may go." "They're advancing, but are they still invisible to the naked eyes?" "I can't understand it." "Maybe they've run into troubles." "No, they don't want to alarm us by coming too fast." "They're pretending the road is of no great importance." "Of course!" "That must be it!" "They hope we'II get used to it, and in time, the road will seem normal." "The proof:" "Hortiz's attitude." "He never mentions it." " Who's on guard at the outpost?" " Sarteris, but he can't see anything." "I don't trust Sarteris, I don't trust anybody." " They're coming straight toward?" " absolutely." "I've got two landmarks to guide me." "I can't be wrong." "Stay down." "Come on, stay down..." "Ok?" "I'II go..." "But it could take years..." "Years?" "Yes..." "Haven't you noticed how Hortiz has aged?" "colonel Hortiz, commanding officer of the fort, request that  all officers and soldiers  ignore the said threatened invasion  of our borders." "Therefore, any man on duty  at the outpost, must use  only regulation optical fieIdgIasses." "Go on, Captain." "... Anyone possessing optical instruments which  do not conform, must surrender such instruments  immediately." "Then, an official will keep them in a safe place." "Missed!" "I can't understand why Hortiz gave that order." "What does it matter, now?" "Nobody really believes in the road's existence..." "Even I..." "What did you mean, "even I"?" "Strike!" "You didn't turn in yourteIescope?" "What else was I supposed to do?" "It was an order!" "Without that, we won't see anymore!" "You just won't see as far." "Come in." " Have you sent for me, Sir?" " Yes." "would you have tea with me?" "Of course, Sir... with pleasure." "I have made the decision to abandon the outpost." "May I ask why, Sir?" "I haven't enough men to keep a guard out there all the time." "But, it's the only place from which we can have advance warning..." "That will do, Drogo." "I've had enough." "Nothing you can say will make any difference." "I have already signed the order." "Excuse me, Sir." "Things have been happening..." "things I can't understand." "You can't have transmitted an order like this..." "An inspection guard will be sent there every ten days." "I place you in command of it." "Company!" "Present'arm!" "For colonel Hortiz..." " Hip, hip, hip..." " Hurrah!" "Do I have your permission to enterthe mess hall?" "please, Sir..." "would you Iike anything?" "May I serve you?" "Just a coffee." "Where have you been assigned, Sir?" "I'm going nowhere, Drogo." "Things will be different here now." "Perhaps I'd be wise to leave." "Why?" "You're second in command now, in some years, you'II take Simeon's place." "And still nothing will happen!" " Do you really have to leave?" " I received orders, Drogo." "And obeying is the one thing I've always known how to do well." "I hope you'II command Bastiano, the day the enemy attacks, and he will, ... even if I was ordered to ignore it." "What absurdity, and what despise..." "I might have been useful in wartimes..." "So many years... such a Iong wait  without knowing why..." "I'm glad you kept me company this far." "Now you must go back." "Have we ever shaken hands?" "Never, Sir." "Go away!" "Go!" "Drink this, Sir." "It's cold up on this platform, at night." "Come on, take it." "I'II have your horse saddled, Sir... we're going back." " Are you certain?" " absolutely, Sir." "Sergeant Tronk saw them too." "The cannon..." "My God, the cannon..." "This time... here we are..." "what do I have to do?" "I can't..." "He had a cannon shot fired..." "Tronk ordered them to fire the cannon..." "The Tartars!" "They're coming!" "Did you hearthat, Sir?" "The enemy's marching on Bastiano." " He's improved since tonight." " Oh, yes..." " I feel able to get up." " I wouldn't advise that." "You heard, the enemy is advancing..." "Yes, battalions and battalions!" "And you want to keep me in bed?" "It's not a decision by myself." "What?" "would you try to fight?" "You ought to rest a day or two longer." "Major Simeon wants you to stay in your room." "Simeon?" "He came to see you last night, he didn't think you looked well." "Let him mind his business!" "Have they sent a messengerto town?" "Sergeant Lobis left afterthe first cannon shot, Sir." "By now, the general Staff has been informed." "Damn it!" "will you let me know what's happening?" "I'm second in command at Bastiano!" " calm down..." " Sir..." "Stay calm, come on!" "Don' t be agitated, come on..." "relax..." "Go to hell, Rovine..." "Leave me, leave me..." "Sir, the cannons are in sight." "Rovine!" "I'm sorry." "It's not your fault if I fell ill at this moment." "It probably is, Drogo." "Without any doubts." "You'II make it, I know..." " call here Kreysky." " He's on guard duty, Sir." "Everyone's been mobilized." " Except me!" "They think I'm too old..." "You help me then!" "..." "I Iooked all over for you, Drogo." "I didn't know what to do." "Decisions have to be made, and..." "Of course, I intended to tell you." "How are you now?" "I'm fit for duty." "glad to hear it." "I asked to send two regiments, immediately." "What if the enemy attacks before they arrive?" "I've concentrated artillery here, to hit them from the side." "You didn't take too many off the fort, I hope?" "only ten cannons." "I trust you agree." "We'II open fire only if they really attack, not before." "Why not?" "They may simply be..." "provoking us." "Are you joking?" "No one sends out a whole army for provocation..." "Is it really an arm?" "Yes..." "Look for yourself." "Take this..." "Are they easy to see?" "Yes..." "The head of the troops is in full sight." "Sir?" "..." "Drogo, what's wrong?" "Don't worry, Simeon." "I won't cause you any more troubles." "I'II be able to help you tomorrow." "Where are they now?" "They haven't moved." "They must be waiting for reinforcements." "The best strategy  would be to keep them away from establishing a firm position." "Of course." "... Open fire immediately." "Don't you agree?" "Maybe..." "But I can't act all by myself..." "If there's anything I can do, just tell me." "I'm better already." "I can' t stand this hole of a room any longer." "Don't think I've forgotten you." "I even have some good news, for you." "Today, a very comfortable carriage will be there." "What for?" "War or not war, friends come first." "I won't leave you here in this room, when you'II get better care in town." "You might have asked me." "You were sleeping." " Rovine told you to do it?" " No, it was my own idea..." "The enemy is at the gates of Bastiano and goes right on scIaping of walls." "But, he does think you need a change of air..." "He told me so." "That's all." "I have no intentions of leaving, Simeon..." "I thought I was doing the best for you." "It's been so many years  I've waited so many years forthis day..." "I sacrificed everything on it." "Everything." "And now..." "Now that the enemy  now that war..." "Do you want me to leave?" "You can't ask that of me..." " It's impossible!" "Not you!" " Stop it, Drogo!" "Yes, you're right." "It's beside tho point." "Anyway  I'm not able to make such a trip." "You were talking about getting up, making yourself useful..." "It's not the same thing..." "Do you really want to be useful?" "When the reinforcements come, I coiuld billet 3 officers in this room..." "Two beds along this wall, and the third, in that corner." "I'm sorry to say so  But that's how you can be useful to Bastiano." "This will be your way to help in war." "By leaving my post?" "What else can you do in your condition?" "I understand  but don't insist." "I won't leave." "AII right  if you're going to take it that way!" "I spoke to you as a friend..." "Now your commanding officer is speaking." "I know your sense of discipline  and I know you will obey." "You won't be travelling under difficult conditions, you know..." "A Iot of us would Iike to be in your place." "Don't worry  I'II say in my report that you held out to the end of your strenght  and that your courage  was an example to us all." "Life  everybody has got to accept  the role which was destined to him." "Goodbye." "When you want, Captain, I'm ready." "Just one more minute, soldier." "Drogo!"