The Lady of Lake Como by Terrance Williamson

Author:Terrance Williamson [Williamson, Terrance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen:

The Stained Rose

“If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking.”

General George Patton

“What the hell are you doing?!” Ezio berated Armando, more from shock than actual anger as he abandoned the cover of the vehicle.

“Saving your life.” Armando moved closer to the surrendered guard as he gestured for him to turn around.

Yet Ezio noticed that the guard still clung to his rifle, staring back at Armando with such a look as if to indicate he meant to die in battle.

“Don’t make me kill you!” Armando aimed at the guard’s head.

“You’re going to have to kill me no matter what.” The guard glanced between Ezio, Armando, Mario, and the other tied-up border guard.

“He’s right,” Mario interjected. “Shoot him now. It’ll be quicker for everyone.”

“I’m not going to shoot him!” Armando griped before asking the guard, “What’s your name?”

“Matteo,” the guard replied quickly.

“How do you feel about the Fascists, Matteo?” Armando asked, and Ezio offered him a surprised glance.

“Are you a revolutionary?” Matteo smirked in mockery. “A partisan?”

“We’re part of a resistance movement.” Armando lowered his weapon slightly but remained at the ready.

“We?” Matteo scanned the surrounding hills, checking for others.

“I’m alone.” Armando also glanced at the surrounding hills, and Ezio wondered if he was double-checking. “I didn’t have time to gather anyone. I needed to act swiftly. But we are many. More are rallying to our cause every day. We’re tired of the yoke of oppression set upon our shoulders by Mussolini and his thugs. We’re tired of being Hitler’s puppets.”

“Italy has never been stronger.” Matteo shook his head in disagreement. “We’re on the path to rebuilding—”

“The Roman Empire?” Armando mocked. “We can’t even feed our own people. When was the last time you had a decent meal? When was the last time you saw more than one vehicle on the road? For goodness’ sake, our American relatives are sending postcards to us made out of copper because of the sanctions. We’re losing our footing in Africa, Greece, and everywhere else that we’ve sent our men to die.”

Ezio studied Armando in slight awe of his passion. He would’ve never guessed as to the second lieutenant’s loyalties, and the disparities Armando was alluding to had, for the most part, become the new normal for Ezio.

“These are temporary setbacks.” Matteo persisted in his delusion. “We all need to make sacrifices.”

“You’ve been lied to.” Armando looked at Matteo with a measure of sympathy. “Hitler is using Italy as a buffer to keep the south of Germany safe. As soon as we’re not a benefit to him, we’ll be overrun. The Americans are already bombing us in the south. Soon we’ll be defending Italy on two fronts, most of our soldiers still in Africa or Greece. We need to put an end to this.”

“You can’t let him join.” Mario shook his head.

“You’re part of this resistance too?” Ezio frowned at Mario.

“If you’ll have me?” Mario looked over at Armando.

“One recruit at a time.” Armando grew flustered.

“Why can’t we let him join?” Ezio asked Mario.

“You’re joining?” Armando asked Ezio with hope in his voice.

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