The Ash of Winter's Work

CHAPTER 1

February 2, 1940

Far East Karelia

The train lurched and Magnus’ head knocked against the window, startling him awake. He gulped and clutched at his chest, feeling the packet still there in hard-edged relief. He breathed deeply and looked out at the darkness. There was no way of telling where they were, but the absence of lights told him they hadn’t hit the city perimeter yet. A sharp knock at the door made him jump a second time as a tall soldier with a rifle over his shoulder slid the door open.

Papers, comrade.

Magnus unbuttoned his coat and retrieved the neatly-folded packet he had been given by the general, handing it over with reluctance. The soldier looked over the papers, up at Magnus’ face, and nodded. He stepped back and pulled the rifle from his shoulder to brace it at waist level, aimed it at Magnus and called out to the corridor, He is in here! Careful now!

Magnus slowly raised his hands and dropped his head. No. I’m not going to be shot in my seat like a stooge. With a burst he struck out with his foot and kicked up the rifle barrel which roared in the tiny compartment and shattered the window with a rush of cold air. Magnus jumped up but the soldier brought his rifle down hard over Magnus’ head with a crack, which sent him reeling backward.

With a yell Magnus grabbed the window frame and kicked up both feet, knocking the rifle loose and sending the soldier staggering backward. Green coats and guns crowded the aisle outside the compartment as soldiers swarmed to the melee. A shot banged out and Magnus felt a tug in his leg. The soldier was fumbling for the rifle and brought it to his waist, his fingers searching for the trigger.

Magnus closed his eyes, braced his legs on the arms of the seat, and thrust himself backward out the window, his body silently soaring through the darkness as the screeching brakes of the train sprayed fans of sparks in the night. His stomach lifted as he tumbled backward in the air, and he saw the faces of mother and Eero, but most of all Hannu, gaunt and cold back at the motti. He would be leaving them, one more boy not coming home. I haven’t been able to do what I wanted with my life, he thought. I’m not going to be able to help you Hannu, I’m so sorry.

Then he crashed through the branches of a pine tree and remembered nothing more.

CHAPTER 2

Sixteen months earlier

Near Harlu, Ladoga Karelia, Finland

With a snap of his pole, Magnus knocked a pillow of snow off a branch. Hitting the ground with a whump it revealed the river ahead, a line of India ink snaking through the whitening landscape. Once winter grew strong the river would be frozen enough to support him and other practicing skiers. For now it would run as it always had during the summers, free and untouched.

Magnus pushed forward on his skis and felt wet snow patter on his uncovered blonde hair. Snow hissed through the pine needles as background to the rhythmic shush-shush of his skis. The first snow of the season was a time to try out newly waxed skis and get away from house chores for a while.

Hold there, you brute, I’ve got something to tell you!

Magnus turned back to see Hannu crashing through the brush, his ski tips riding up and over new saplings. His rifle bounced on his back on a hand-knotted leather strap, the barrel catching branches as he burst forward.

"Jumalauta, brother, have some respect! Magnus admonished. Give the trees a chance to get above a meter before you flatten them."

Hannu slid past with a triumphant thrust of his poles and smiled back at his brother. What a saint you are. You’ll do well raising children and tending to your knitting. Leave the skiing to us men.

Lifting one ski over a rock and pinwheeling his arms, Hannu barreled down a slope and step-turned onto a narrow road beside the river. The snow was so fresh that his edges cut muddy scars in the roadbank. Magnus shook his head and tightened the shoulder straps of his canvas pack. At this pace, he thought, Hannu will make another half hour before calling for lunch.

At the thought of lunch, Magnus ran through the items in his pack again: one half loaf of ruispala brown bread, three apples, one small bottle of brandy (cheap brandy, Hannu’s contribution), a ten-inch knife, two boxes of shells, ten meters of thin rope, two metal rings, and a small oiled leather case holding father’s German field glasses (taken without permission). A good stock for a day’s expedition, he thought. Nothing like being prepared. And what has Hannu brought? Nothing.

He pushed off with his right foot and slid through fresh wet snow, hearing the grunts and whoops of his brother disappearing around the bend of the river.

CHAPTER 3

The boys sat on a fallen birch tree, its white flaky trunk bowing under their weight. Hannu had eaten half of the bread already and was tearing bits from the middle of the loaf and rolling them into balls.

Who do you think is going to win the Jussi Jumpi race this year, Magnus?

Not you, if you keep skiing like that. You’re totally out of control and wasting all your energy flailing and jumping around.

Hannu popped a dough ball into his mouth and laughed. "Typical. Like you’re going to win. ‘Bear trained to ski comes in ten hours after the race concludes’ the headlines will read."

Magnus snatched the loaf away with a yank. Well, bear is hungry and wants some bread.

Hannu reached into the backpack, his brown hair hanging into his eyes. That’s okay, I’m going to wash it down with this anyway. He pulled out the amber bottle of brandy with a flourish and double-raise of his eyebrows.

Let me guess, Lasse sold that to you? Magnus said. Ah…who knows, maybe your technique will improve after that. Though it’s hard to get a good rhythm when you’re puking every few minutes.

Hannu took a long swig, then coughed into his arm as his face turned scarlet. Good…stuff…

Magnus grabbed at the bottle but Hannu pulled it back and Magnus tumbled forward into the fresh snow. He sat up and pulled out the bread beneath his leg, now compressed into a wedge and coated with leaves and dirt.

"Kusipää! He threw the bread at his brother and laughed. You’ve had enough, Hannu!"

Hannu roared with laughter as Magnus struggled to sit up and brush off his jacket. He took another swig and screwed the cap tightly before tucking it in his pocket.

So I’m the drunk one? Better get your balance before the race, slow bear.

He stood up and reached for his skis just as Magnus rolled over and swung his arm into the backs of Hannu’s knees, sending him toppling forward into the snow. There was a muffled ‘oof’ as Hannu landed face-first into a pile of brush and snow.

Magnus stood up, shook wet snow from his arms, and shoved his boot into Hannu’s rear, pushing him further in the brush. That should teach him.

Careful brother, keep your footing around here.

Magnus grabbed his skis and ran through the snow as Hannu struggled to his feet and laughed. Now the race is on, Magnus!

CHAPTER 4

November, 1938

Häkkinen Farm, Läskelä, Finland

Why, Magnus? Why would we need another load of wood? Hannu gestured to the towering stack of split logs under the barn eaves.

Magnus lifted a log over his shoulder, carried it to the chopping circle, and dropped it in the snow with a thud.

You know mother, always wanting us to ‘release energy’. Just chop.

Hannu pulled back the axe almost to his heels and took an energetic swing that buried the entire axe head in the ground, well away from the log.

"I saw that. You’re going to dull the head, you vittumainen idiot."

Sure. One stroke in the snow and the edge is done. Listen, why don’t we go to Helsinki, just the two of us?

What for? Magnus yanked the axe from the ground and took aim at the log. Thunk!

We’re not little boys, replied Hannu. We can check out the city, see what’s to see. I may want to move there…

What?! You wouldn’t be able to hold a job long enough to get money for food. Remember when Uncle hired you for---

---and I would have finished the job, but then Anna-Liisa came to visit. Remember her? Oh heavens, those braids. And what a chest!

Magnus picked up a fragrant wedge of pine, propped it against another, then took aim with the axe.

But she moved to Helsinki, Hannu added.

So that’s why you want to go?

Hannu threw his hands up into the winter air with a grin. "Jumalauta, it’s not just her! There are probably thousands like her in the city. Why wait here in the country like a toad in the mud?"

Magnus looked at his brother. Always huge drama, always life or death. Then he remembered Anna-Liisa. She did have a big chest.

Just for a few days, you think?

Hah! I knew you’d be up for it. Hannu pointed triumphantly.

I’m not saying that. I have to be responsible. Without me, you wouldn’t last an hour.

I know, Hannu said, that’s why we make such a good team. I’ll pick up women and you can watch the clock and buy train tickets and boring details like that.

Magnus handed back the axe and pointed at the last wedge of wood standing in the snow.

Split that clean with your eyes closed and I’ll consider it.

"Easy as kusi. Want to tie a scarf around my eyes, make it interesting?"

You got it, ace, said Magnus with a laugh. As he pulled off his scarf, mother’s face appeared in the kitchen window.

Boys? You’re up to something?

CHAPTER 5

May, 1939

Häkkinen Farm

Hannu tucked into his whitefish, a slab of bread thick with butter gripped in his other hand. All was silence and consumption until Eero took a long swig of milk from his blue enameled mug and leaned back in his chair with a sigh. Everyone looked up, knowing this was the preamble to a statement. Hannu took another generous bite of bread, butter shining on his upper lip.

This spring is going to be a little different from usual. Eero’s voice was slow and even.

Mother brushed at invisible flecks on her arms.

I know you boys usually go hunting and playing up north with your cousins. But this year you’ll need to do some work.

Hannu gulped, rolled his eyes, and exhaled dramatically. Oh God, he thought, another lecture.

Eero glanced at him and raised his palm.

"You think you’ve heard this before, but it’s not housework. The barn can wait another year. This time it’s your country."

Hannu looked over and saw Magnus nodding. He tried to catch his attention with a face, but his older brother was locked on their father.

The Civic Guard needs some help, and I’ve been asked to assist in reinforcement building in Summa.

He stopped, leaned forward, and scanned the eyes of his sons. Hannu waited for the inevitable punchline.

This is going to be a difficult year. Finland is being pinched between the crab’s claws. He raised his hand and brought his fingers together as he spoke.

Look, the Third Reich is terrorizing Europe, and Leningrad sits almost on our border. His voice was rising and Hannu felt the air in the room sticky and still.

The Russians want breathing room. Karelia is the bridge between these two monsters, and Ladoga Karelia is the back door to Finland. He sighed. It will be a bloody place if it comes to war.

I can go with you to Summa, Magnus said.

Perfect, thought Hannu, he’ll do the work on this one.

Good, Eero said nodding, I hear it’s going to be hard work. He turned to Hannu, eyebrows raised.

What? I’m supposed to become a soldier because war is coming? I want to go to school!

Hannu, Mother began, but Eero raised his hand and nodded to her.

Your mother and I both think you need to work this summer. School and books aren’t free. The Civic Guard would be good…

"…but I’m not interested in the Civic Guard or what they do. Can’t I serve in another way?"

In what way? Eero’s voice rose to a sudden crescendo, filling the small wood room. Time hovered on his final word.

War is coming and I don’t think anyone will be here to help us. Hannu, he continued more softly, you are needed whether you like it or not. Everyone is making sacrifices.

Hannu looked around at his family and pushed back from the table. What, I’m on the wrong side now?

So that’s it, then. Civic Guard. And if they want me for five years? Ten? Is it decided for me?

Come with us to Summa, Magnus said.

Listen to your brother. Some hard work now could really save us when war comes.

If it comes. Hannu rose and walked to the steep stair that led to the boys’ room.

Let me know when I’m going to be drafted. I’ll be in my room until then.

He slumped back on his bed and looked at the wood rafters. That was just like Magnus, to play the good son to make him look bad. Well, he should have a say in it, and wasn’t going off to the Civic Guard because Magnus was doing it. He didn’t like war, soldiers, the stupid posturing and strutting. Eero didn’t really understand him, fine. But how could Magnus turn on him?

Magnus clomped up the stairs and sat down on the end of the bed.

Hannu, I don’t know why you have to make such a big fight out of this. Just come dig ditches for a week or so.

You don’t know that’s what it is. What if someone sticks a rifle in your hands? Jams a helmet on you and pushes you in a trench?

Then I’ll do what I’m told until I can come home.

"Jumalauta, what a good son you are!"

Magnus looked at him and shook his head. It’s not like we can decide everything for ourselves. Plus, war won’t come up here.

Yeah, sure. Hannu ran his hands through his hair and exhaled, looking at the rough planking over his head.

I’ll think about it. But don’t tell father you’ve conscripted me or I’ll tie your legs together during the night and light your sheets on fire.

Magnus huffed. Like I would fall for that again.

CHAPTER 6

Magnus, your father said he needs you in the barn.

Mother was kneading bread, her knuckles and fingertips rosy from the work, her blond hair in an orderly braid over her shoulder. Magnus watched as she lifted the bread in a pale cream billow and then slapped it down again, fingers tracing lines in the flour-covered woodblock.

Magnus. Her voice was soft and lyrical, a cuckoo calling lazily in the forest.

Yes, I’m going.

He stepped outside into the humid morning air. The sun had been up for a while and the late spring smell of sweet shoots and rich earth swirled in the air like milk in coffee. He thought as he crossed the dirt yard to the barn that its faded red paint would need repainting this summer. Maybe he could convince Hannu to help him, though he usually managed to disappear when these chores came up.

Magnus.

His father’s voice echoed indistinctly from the darkness of the barn. Magnus stepped through the narrow side door and was greeted by the smells of dry grass, sun-baked wood, and the gamey reminder of livestock from long ago.

Eero bent over the workbench, wiping something with a rag. Sunlight cut through the sideboards of the barn in yellow stripes, draping across Eero’s back and the dusty floor.

As Magnus approached Eero raised and turned. He held out a large leather scabbard with a horn handle curving out the top.

This puukko was my father’s. I think it’s time for you to have it.

Magnus reached forward and grasped the carved handle.

Thank you, father. I’ll take good care of it.

Eero smiled and exhaled deeply. Well, it’s a good knife. It can keep an edge for a long time without honing, and the carvings make it easy to hold with mittens. Here, let me show you one thing about the scabbard.

Eero took the knife back and pulled it from the sheath, dark oiled leather revealing the pale gray blade. Light refracted off the ground edge showing tracery of scratches from years of hard use.

See, this little pocket here holds a sharpening stone so you can keep it sharp when you’re out.

"Maybe I can drill a hole in it and make a small lanyard so I don’t lose it?

Eero looked up and smiled then handed the knife back, handle first.

Good. Make it your own.

Magnus turned it over in his hands and stroked the edge of the blade with the flat of his thumb.

Thank you father.

He slid the blade in the scabbard and tucked the knife under his arm. What a gift, he’d have to show he deserved it. Hannu would be jealous. He stepped forward and wrapped one arm around his father’s shoulders, who did the same while patting Magnus’ stomach.

That knife should take care of you if war comes. I hope you don’t have to use it.

I think it will go quick, Magnus replied. If they come here in winter they won’t have the stomach for it. I think those Muscovites will be like Italians in the snow, slipping and cursing. We’re better than them, Father.

Eero dropped his arm and ran his hand through his thinning hair. There are a few good Russians. But man to man, we could beat them, I think you’re right about that.

He paused and took a deep breath of the musty barn air.

Don’t be too quick to judge anyone, Magnus.

He turned and looked at his son and Magnus felt love and scrutiny coming through his father’s pale blue eyes.

Now let’s go have some breakfast. That bread will be ready soon.

CHAPTER 7

Boys, it’s ready.

Mother stepped from the sauna and pulled a wet strand of hair behind her ear. The sauna, a white pine box inside a thick squat wood shed, sat in the shadow of the barn. Hannu walked barefoot ahead of Magnus, feeling the moss between the stones brush against the still-soft soles of his feet. By late summer, he thought, they would be thick and strong again from barefoot days in the forest. He pulled off his shirt as he walked, then pulled off his pants and shorts, hopping on one leg, and threw them in a heap in the alcove next to two stacked linen towels. As he opened the small door, the humidity and heat wrapped around his body and pulled him in.

He sat on the worn pine bench and let the steamy air sink into his skin. Magnus stepped over the threshold and shut the door behind him with a click.

Move over. I’ll water the stones.

Hannu acquiesced. It was too hot to argue, and this was a place of peace. Hannu slid down the bench and savored the feel of grainy wood sliding against his legs. The boys sat in silence for a while, inhaling deep and feeling their skin breathe in the fragrant heat.

Magnus.

Hmm?

Do you really want to join the Army?

Magnus lifted one lid and looked across at him.

I think so.

Hmph. Is that enough? What else would you do, I mean?

Well. Magnus sighed and rubbed his hands through his wet hair. I want to go to back to Helsinki. Maybe work for the government. His pale blue eyes closed again.

You never said that before.

I never did. It’s not that important.

But it is! Hannu slapped his hand on the damp wall of the sauna. Remember how much fun we had on our trip there in January?

Magnus waved his hand