Isolde stood, knelt and sat upon command as the good Father instructed. She intoned and responded with the congregation. From outward appearances she was an obedient member of the flock. Isolde smiled inwardly. She was no sheep.<br/><br/>With her red head bent, listening to the Christmas story once again, Isolde knew she was Wiccan. She had been born a witch for generations and had learned the hard way that one simply did not mind one’s own business in small towns. She had been burned at the stake in one life by the likes of the very men who presided over the people today. No, one did not defy the Church.<br/><br/>Isolde and Darcy had a common ancestress who had taught them how to use their powers. She taught them to never use their gifts for selfish pursuit and to protect the innocent. Isolde believed there was only good and evil in the world, no matter what name was applied to it. She believed in the power of goodness and strength while somewhere along the line, Darcy became mired in evil and might. Isolde’s core beliefs lined up with the message of performing acts of charity to the people which Father Fischer was aptly preaching today. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire, the good Father was saying, made Isolde nod her head for that was only another name for the inborn power that she tapped into.<br/><br/>Good and evil. The names changed but the balanced forces remained the same. The sanctuary was filled with shuffling and murmuring but an aura of sweetness pervaded the chapel. Positive energy was flowing and Isolde could see benevolence flowing like fairie dust in the air, landing on the shoulders of the weary. She enjoyed being here, in the presence of Father Fischer. There was something truly good about him and the visiting priests with him today. There had been lives past when the clergy were not men of goodness but were as evil and twisted as Darcy. Munich was blessed with a good shepherd for their flock for the good Father brought peace, comfort and strength in this insanity called life in Germany.<br/><br/>As soon as the service was concluded, Isolde cut across the crowd and exited a side door, not stopping to shake hands or chat with any of the people. She had to clear up the issues of using the clinic as a clandestine gathering spot. The foot traffic was light in the street as most of the people had not exited the warm church. Isolde crunched over the fallen snow, only slipping once in her haste.<br/><br/>As the clinic she stopped to collect a clean apron and check her inbox for instructions from the overnight nurse. She stopped short when she saw an odd envelope. Isolde pursed her lips and examined it. Turning it over, she tore the end off and a Reichinspekteur badge fell into her hand. With shaking fingers she pulled out a plain piece of paper.<br/>"Frau Devereaux,<br/><br/>I would request a brief meeting, if it is convenient for you, to discuss a mutual sharing of knowledge. I promise I have no ill will for you in mind, and feel we may have a common issue to be resolved.<br/><br/>I will not force you to do anything against your will. If you choose to meet with me simply come to the address listed and show the contents of the envelope to the doorman. If you choose not to take the chance, I understand completely. Please return the contents to the concierge at the Munich Hotel.<br/><br/>Sincerely,<br/>An ally<br/><br/>She stared at the address. That would be in the upper class area of town, she thought.<br/><br/>“Isolde,” a woman’s voice called. Isolde slid the badge and letter into her pocket. Turning around she said, “Hello, Adina. It is good to see you today.”<br/><br/>“Someone brought a great supply of groceries yesterday. Did you fall into an inheritance?” the young seamstress inquired gently.<br/><br/>Isolde shook her head, the red curls bouncing a little as if trembling.<br/>“I keep hearing about these food supplies and other things,” the nurse replied with a thoughtfuly lifting of her eyes. “Please excuse me. I must attend a staff meeting.”<br/><br/>“I just wondered if you were wanting a new dress for the holidays?” Adina asked, softly. “ I could use the income.”<br/><br/>Isolde stopped and looked thoughtful before nodding her head. She had only officially spoken to the young woman in a recent visit to the clinic but knew her by reputation as the finest seamstress in town.<br/><br/>“Yes, I could use woolen skirt and a jacket to match if you have the time. Not a lot of fabric, but tailored to fit. No fancy frills but just make covered buttons of the same fabric. I must keep the cost down because I’m not made of money but what I have I will share with you. Do you have anything already made that you could adjust for me? I have a meeting coming up very very soon and would like to be dressed appropriately. I’m afraid I lost my only good suit recently to an accident.” Isolde grimaced thinking of her lovely outfit she had worn on the way to the conference with Erlind. Was that only last month? She thought. So much had happened since.<br/><br/>Adina nodded and answered her gently,<br/><br/>“I have such a suit, although in an odd color. The woman who had ordered it was some bigger than you but much the same size. She is one who has disappeared. “Adina looked down and took a deep breath. “ I can have it ready for you by in the morning.”<br/><br/>Isolde nodded and the young woman named a ridiculously low price for her services.<br/><br/>“I will have your money tomorrow. Thank you, Adina, for being able to make this on such short notice.”<br/><br/>An orderly came to speak quietly in Isolde’s ear and she nodded,<br/><br/>“Excuse me, Adina, I must attend this staff meeting.”<br/><br/>Isolde looked around at the dwindling number of faces in the staff meeting. Somehow in this fiasco, she was now the senior staff member with only the drunk doctor as her superior. She looked long and hard at the faces looking back at her with anticipation. Tears filled her eyes and she threw up her hands,<br/><br/>“I don’t know what to say to you. The Nazis are looking hard at our small clinic, first, because so many of you wear the yellow star and now because rumors of irregular purchases are being sent to the clinic. Further rumors suggest that some of you are receiving illegal money. I know there is a resistance happening. That is inevitable and I am not condemning that but I am demanding that the clinic be free from espionage! I have mothers and babies coming here for treatment. I have old people to treat for heart disease and rheumatism. Where are they to go if the Nazis force us to shut our doors? Where are they to turn if you and I are carried off in chains to stand before a firing squad?<br/><br/>Many of you are illegal by right of birth and left standing only by the grace of God (or the Goddess, she thought, suddenly rebellious in heart). Do what you must but keep your activities in the shadows and corners AWAY from the clinic. Do I make myself clear?” Her voice was stern but a tear rolled down her pink cheek.