CHAPTER 51

“CESELI, CAN YOU HEAR me?” Standish asked, kneeling next to the inert form on the goatskin rugs. “Ceseli?”

The form moved and the burnoose lowered. She nodded her head. “Standish?” She took his hand and smiled. “How did you find me?”

“Yifru called to say you and Yohannes were going to Dessie and that I should come up and then bring you back to Addis. Daniele and I drove up and then we looked for Habtu. Can we leave tomorrow? Warren is anxious that we get back. The Italians are here now, but they won’t hurt us. The emperor is no longer coming.”

“You heard about Marco?”

“Let’s talk about that when you feel better. Try to rest now.”

As he left the cave, Standish thought about the emperor who was now in danger of losing his life, as well as his empire. As important as it was for Badoglio to destroy the Ethiopian army, he now faced another equally important task: the capture of Haile Sellassie. If he failed, and the emperor could succeed in his flight south to Addis Ababa, he could escape the Italians and reach the safety of some hospitable country where he could tell his side of the story. He might be an embarrassment and a nuisance to Italy for many years to come.

Yohannes was waiting for him just outside the cave. The two shook hands.

“Will you come with us to Addis, Yohannes? The car has diplomatic immunity.”

“If it won’t be a problem.”

“I assure you it won’t,” Standish said. “And thank you for all you’ve done.”

“Then I gladly accept,” Yohannes said, shaking his hand.

They noticed the young boy standing behind Yohannes. “It’s Habtu,” Standish said. “Do you want to talk with Ceseli?” he asked, in his faltering Amharic.

The boy nodded and Yohannes took his hand. “Come then.”

Yohannes and Habtu walked to Ceseli. “I’ve a very good friend who wants to say goodbye.”

Ceseli straightened up. “Of course. Habtu, you must thank your mother for her kindness. And I need to thank you for all your help,” she said, reaching into her satchel. “I’d like you to have this,” she said as she fished out her compact. “Now you can see yourself as you grow, and remember me.” The young boy’s eyes gleamed with appreciation. “And the next time we see each other, you’ll be a young man like Yohannes.”

That’s going to take a very long time, Yohannes thought.