The Amber Room by
H D Evans
Published by Pipeline
Š Hugh Evans 01 November 2011 & 20 August 2012
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Chapter 10 The Siege of Leningrad . . . later in the chapter . . Ame drove into the gravel courtyard in front of the Catherine Palace and slewed to a dusty halt. She got out and ran up the steps to the palace. She pulled her talisman from her pocket and looked at the amber. Dr Alexi Gorodov was waiting for her in the great marble hall at the bottom of the sweeping staircase. Wh…, wh…, where have you been, you're late? Wha…, what was all that noise?” he stuttered Dr Gorodov was a nervous, wobbly man in a cream, three piece suit, who orchestrated his personality with with much hand waving. “What do you mean I'm late, if I was any more late I wouldn't be here at all!” Ame's black trousers and red-brown military battledress top over her blouse, were covered in brown dust and mud, her red hair was wrapped around her and stuck to her dusty face and she was flushed in the cheeks. In comparison, Dr Gorodov was pale and clammy and bald. His small round spectacles and small bow tie made his large round face and larger round body look even larger and rounder. “Oh my poor dear, come, come and sit down, have some water.” “Vodka...Give me vodka.” They walked further into the palace talking about the war. Ame’s heart was still thumping wildly and her body shook with the flooding stress hormones. Colonel von Jungingen had just stepped out of his office to get a breath of fresh air when he looked up to see four Messerschmitts flying low over their Headquarters to land at their airfield at the other side of Lake Peipus, the last of the fighters had a green heart painted on the side. Markus waved and the aircraft dipped its wings in reply. “Impressive machine,” Captain Roegel stated as he waved. “Yes Peter, looking after our boys,” Markus replied. The aircraft landed at the airfield and taxied over to the waiting armoury and fuel vehicles. Major Hannes Trautloft stepped out of his canopy, left his flying hat in the cockpit, put on his officer’s cap, jumped down to the grass and straightened his black, leather flight jacket. His new Knight's Cross hung at his neck. He walked over to the Kübelwagen where the other pilots were waiting
4 for him. As he walked he shook his right arm and wrung his leather-gloved right hand; his right hand and thumb hurt and his right arm felt tingly. “Kannonen arm Herr Major?” “Ja, Kannonen arm, Josef. Congratulations on your Knights Cross last week.” “Thank you Herr Major.” “Don't worry you will all have the opportunity to get one soon... and kannonen arm.” They laughed and drove off for briefings as their planes were rearmed and fuelled. Since 22nd June and the start of Barbarossa, the fighter aircraft of Jagdgeschwader 54 had claimed 500 air combat kills in four weeks, and 1,000 air combat kills twelve days later by 1 st August, for the combat loss of eight. Ame gulped down her water, and then had a small glass of Vodka. She was still flushed and shaking, but starting to calm. They walked down the woodpanelled corridor of the palace and entered through double doors into the Amber Room. “Alexi, what is being done to save all the valuables?” “Wh…, why, save them from what, the Germans are retreating.” “Alexi!!! I have just been shot at many times by the Germans. Can you hear the guns?” Ame was shouting and starting to get agitated again. “Bu…, but the Commissar told me that the Germans were retreating,” he said waving his hands about. “Do you mean Commissar Gureyavich who fell out of my jeep after having been shot in the head?” “Sho…, shot in the..., oh, …, ah,” Alexi's hanky was waving about as he mopped his brow. “How are we going to get out of here?” “The same way I was shot at on the way I got here!” Ame screeched back. “Wha.., wha…, th.., they wouldn't leave us here,” he panted. Ame just looked at him, “They would.” “We…we should call the Commissar in Leningrad for help,” Alexi hurried away. Ame looked around. She could never stop gazing in awe at the beauty of the Amber Room. It seemed to glow brightly even with all the gloom about. It was remarkably quiet, at all other times it would be in use or on show for some reason. The war had changed all that, they had to find a way to move it, to keep it safe from the invaders. Alexi staggered back into the room, “They, they can't get the Commissar on the phone,” he looked very pale. “Well call the museum in Leningrad or the Commissariat in Moscow.” “They, they can't call anyone, the phones aren't working.” Ame knew it wasn't worth asking if there was a radio operator, this was beyond the backward platoon incapable of doing anything.
5 “Wha…, what are we going to do?” “What we came here to do,” she replied calmly. “We can't dismantle the Amber Room now.” “Why not?” “What are we going to do with it?” “Well if the Germans are coming from that way, we will be going that way with it,” Ame pointed west then east. “It will take weeks to dismantle the pieces.” “We have six days maximum.” “We, we have six days, we will never do it!” “We won't with you standing around, now get those soldiers packing crates!” . . . . . to the end of the chapter
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Chapter 11
Pushkin, Catherine Palace
. . . . later in the chapter . . . The German vehicles came to a halt and a cloud of dust drifted over the Russian soldiers. When they could see clearly again, a dozen German soldiers were standing in front of them with their weapons raised, and more were coming out of the vehicles that had stopped behind them. The Russians raised their hands slowly, a sergeant on the steps ran into the building. The Germans ran up the steps and when they reached the top, the Russian sergeant returned with an officer, both with their weapons raised. They were gunned down. Markus winced as chunks were blown out of the architecture. It seemed that they had accounted for most of the platoon their intelligence had indicated was garrisoned at the Palace. It was now likely to be quite safe to enter the building. Markus entered with the other officers, his pistol raised. He pointed left and up the stairs, the men split up in detachments and went about their previously agreed orders. Markus had never been there before, but had memorised a plan of the building. He turned left at the main hall and sweeping staircase, striding impatiently along a wood panelled corridor, with pictures of stuffy Romanovs on the walls, towards the Amber Room. All the staff in the building were arrested and locked into one of the cellars with the surviving disarmed soldiers: there was no more shooting. The Germans would hand over their care to other units that would be arriving soon to take over security in the area. Ame and Alexi were having breakfast near the kitchens when German soldiers interrupted their meal. They were asked politely to come with them and were ushered over to meet Markus. Markus slowed his pace down the corridor as he reached the doors. He paused reverently, drew breath, and took hold of both handles. His heart pounding after a lifetime of waiting, he pushed open the doors and entered the room. He walked in and stopped short. It was utterly breathtaking. The light, the colours, the brilliance, infinite interest and reflections. He spun around slowly trying to take it all in, not knowing where to start and where to stop. It was as if it had its own energy, some Baroque power generator, an ancient
7 energy source. It radiated and illuminated and shone into his soul. He felt the forest, the sun, the spirits, his ancestors, beaming at him. “Is it what you expected?” Ame demanded tersely, standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “No,” Markus turned around slowly and replied cautiously. He was in control here. A corporal passed hers and Alexi's papers to Markus, but he didn't need to look at them, he knew the red-head in front of him. . . . . .later in the chapter . . . “Wh.., wh.., why noon tomorrow?” Ame spluttered, her tears drying quickly. “Because that is when the Russians will realise that they can't stop us taking the Room and they will start to bomb us.” Now it was Alexi's turn to start sobbing, he had been doing a very bad effort of holding himself together up to now. “Wh…., bomb us, I can't, I can't help you here, I must go back to my family,” he flapped. “Dr Gorodov, we are wasting time. You can help us or join the others in the cellar.” . . . . .later in the chapter . . Ame and Alexi were getting tired, but Markus and his team had trained hard for this and waited long. They carried on working through the night. By midnight they had stencilled crate number 15 of 27. Civilian ladies were bringing coffee in to keep them going. By sunrise 06:00 the next morning they had crated 24 of 27. The radio operator had kept radio silence but was monitoring the airwaves. Periodically he brought updates into the officers for them to review. Markus and his executive officers were keeping on top of enemy movements and their own front lines and Luftwaffe activities. They wanted to make sure their exclusion zone was intact and that any enemy attacks would be repelled. Hourly, they gave a burst coded situation update to 18 th Army headquarters on
8 prearranged frequencies. By late morning of the 25 th August, the last piece of the Amber Room was laid into its crate and was covered over with straw. A sheet of contents was added, the top was lifted over and nailed down. Crate 27 of 27 was numbered and marked “Reichsleiter Property: Glass, Handle with Care”. Through the night the trucks had been loaded and reparked in the courtyard garage. The last crates were loaded onto the third truck just after midday. The soldiers had their last food and drink because they were about to leave on long journeys. The officers checked and double checked their documents and arrangements. Markus had the prime document copy in his satchel and a copy went with Captain Peter Roegel who was going to travel with the trucks. They looked around them and all that was left was a bare, wood-faced room, with ceiling and floor as original. “We've done it,” Markus said to Peter, his arm around his shoulder, “would you believe it, we've done it.” They chatted quietly. “Yes I know, it is a miracle, you should be proud Markus.” “We can be proud, but there is still much to do,” now it was time to leave. Markus spoke to Ame, “You can come with us or you can stay” “Let's go,” she needed no further encouragement, smiling at him. He smiled back in relief. They left the Room, and walked to the main hall. People were coming and going and making final arrangements. Markus spoke to all the officers making more checks. His brother Konrad ran up the outside steps and out of the hot sun. “So Markus, are you ready? There are radio reports of Russian aircraft coming this way, we have fighters intercepting, but we should go now?” “Yes, we are ready, can you take us back to Pushkin Aerodrome?” “Of course, come, let us go quickly.”
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Chapter 13 Königsberg August was hot and a salty breeze drifted off the Baltic: a taste of home and a welcome tonic for the weary travellers as they arrived at Königsberg hauptbahnhof. There was no-one to greet them as they got down onto the platform and walked to the ticket barrier, just a squad of military policemen. Ame was still considered Russian at this time. They took a short journey to Königsberg Castle and made their way through the main gate and into the medieval courtyard. It was a beautiful building with a noble history, they walked into the hall and were signed into the secure barracks. They were escorted to a comfortable room and some refreshments were provided. Markus offered Ame a drink and they sat down side by side, he shut the door so the guard was not looking in on them. “When can I see my family?” she asked eagerly. “Soon, but we need to get you some papers, you can't walk around without them.” “Yes of course.” Hopefully the process would be easier than her Russian experiences. “For a time you will have to be under surveillance,” Markus cautioned. “I'm not going to do anything.” “I know, but it is for your safety. We have spare rooms at my family home, I will take you there.” Ame relished his air of authority in this potentially dangerous situation. “Thank you.” Ame glanced shyly at Marcus. In spite of her recent brush with death and the drama of the escape, she felt herself relaxing in his company and her fears melted away. He had made her laugh during the train journey and had even managed to acquire a few toiletries and other comforts for her. Yes, he was a perfect gentleman she thought, and actually rather handsome. Although she was really his prisoner, Marcus had carefully relaxed her on their long journey, they had spoken of themselves, their families and homes and found that they had a lot in common. Markus too, felt very protective towards this attractive red-headed woman beside him and if he was honest with himself he was quickly becoming captivated by her. She had an unusual and intriguing intensity about her and Markus felt a growing urge to hold her close. “Please excuse me, I need to arrange for your papers to be drawn up.” Reluctantly he left her to carry out his duties; he sent some encrypted messages, arranged Ame's papers, and established her residency. Actually, he ordered a number of people to do this for him, using his written authority from Goebbels. He thought his affiliation with the Nazis had to be useful for something. He made sure the whereabouts of the trucks carrying the Amber
10 Room was reported to him twice daily and he passed on the information to Berlin. When he got back to the room, Ame was standing at the open window gazing out over the Cathedral and waterways. The sun was beaming through the coloured glass; it seemed to Markus that she was surrounded in glowing light. He had never seen an aura around anyone before and he felt his skin tingle in arcane recognition of her spiritual being. The sounds outside were of people going about their business, she could hear children laughing and playing in the street, a far cry from the fear and explosions of the frontline. Markus walked up behind her to see the scene over her shoulder and put his arm around her, leaning on the window lintel. She turned and looked at him, his face, his mouth. He watched her, she lifted her gaze until they were looking into each other's eyes. Suddenly, he had a sense of a deeper, déjà vu connection with her. Their gaze locked, she was no longer afraid, but sure, and he, trembling slightly. He dropped his eyes to her lips, full, red and slightly parted. She stood very still, her head tilted to the side as trestles of her glorious red hair escaped from their tied restraints and blew in the gentle breeze from the open window. Again he raised his eyes to meet her intense blue gaze and they moved closer. There was a knock at the door and he took a step back. “Yes, and as you can see the canal goes right around the cathedral...” he winked, she smiled and touched his hand out of view. “Herr Colonel, I have the papers you requested.” “Thank you Hauptmann Schneider, you are a gentleman,” Markus beamed as he collected them. “Jawohl,” click, saluted and left. “Fraulein Bernstein, welcome to Königsberg, East Prussia and the Third Reich.” . . . . to the end of the chapter . . .
11 The Amber Room Synopsis 30 chapters in five periods. 1 Present day, 2-6 Roman, 7 Europe 1750, 8-14 WW2, 15-30 Present Day. Roman: [SPRING] Roman officer, ordered by Nero, goes in search of Amber, meets mysterious forest woman. Modern Roman civilisation and the barbarian German tribes, their different beliefs, their mutual conflicts and the ancient routes of the amber trade. Feasting, fighting, fornicating, murder, mystery, mayhem, ends with a major battle whilst crossing the Rhine. Europe 1750: [WINTER] The inception and construction of The Amber Room set against the rise of the Prussian Empire and the battles in Europe over the Holy Roman Empire. WW2: [SUMMER] German Wehrmacht intelligence officer, ordered by Goebbels, goes off to Operation Barbarossa. Female Russian Museum Curator visits the Amber Room, Leningrad, surviving an air attack. The Officer captures the Amber Room and the Curator, and they return to Konigsberg, where they make a family. The tide of war turns, Lancasters bomb Konigsberg, the Russians advance, the family is scattered tragically, the Amber Room is lost. Present Day: [AUTUMN] US researcher meets female publisher in New York with new evidence about the location of the Amber Room. Under threat, they travel to Berlin and visit the old Nazi buildings to find the Amber Room. Now monitored by British Intelligence, they go to east finding a trail of clues left for them. They are split by a battle involving the German Police, British Agents and mysterious dark forces who abduct the female publisher and the Amber Room clues. The US researcher goes in search of the her, another battle occurs in Dresden with US special forces support and the lead characters are reunited but on the run from various groups and chasing the Amber Room in Germany. They visit locations, castles and the chase intensifies at each stage. They are attacked, survive, develop their relationship and find the location of The Amber Room. They go to the location which is the centre of a global meeting where powerful people are deciding the fate of the modern world. The Amber Room is being demonstrated as the main feature of the meeting but a small group try to use it to control the world and all the sovereign debts of nation states. It does not go to plan and the Amber Room opens the way for the evil ethereal forces to once again overtake the forces of good. The heroes are able to stop this happening and the world is saved. Prehistory (Epilogue): The eternal battle between good and evil, order and chaos, light and dark, procreation and destruction.
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12 Reviews
""The Amber Room" is an extraordinary achievement for a first-time author. From its primordial, primeval beginning, the novel races through time and space to a dramatic and almost apocalyptic conclusion. Heroes Mark and Ema battle against giant forces of Man and of Nature herself to reveal the truth about The Amber Room and its properties. But do they? May this reviewer beg the reader not to skip pages, but to wait for the last line which "explains" it all. An exciting, difficult and dangerous book that will keep you turning the pages."
Hugh Evans, the author of this well-researched story, takes us through a fascinating kaleidoscope of historical events surrounding the construction and subsequent disappearance of the Amber Room, cleverly intermingling fact and fiction from the beginnings of time to the present day. The pace of his tale is fast moving and it is with some regret that one has to leave the atmospheric intrigues of the various time periods and move on to the next. However the thread of the powerful connections with the main male and female characters echoing through the ages, compels and intrigues and pulls the reader along urgently, eager to see where this epic tale leads. Evans picks up the fictional trail of the Amber Room mystery in the present time, crafting tension and intrigue with surprising twists and turns in his story, culminating in an explosive clash of good versus evil, driven by the mysterious and powerful energy of the Amber Room. How it ‘ends’ is up to the reader to decide, but this is an allegorical tale containing all the elements of a ‘good read’ that will appeal to both men and women. A superb debut novel designed to entertain but also to challenge emotional and intellectual inertia - if you let it. Patricia Abercromby PGCE Freelance journalist and Co-Author of: Seated Acupressure Therapy