Oscar Larkin

The boy is paid well for his services. He leads me for three hours, meandering cautiously through gnarled woodland, stalks of bracken catching and scratching at our clothes as we swat them away irritably. It is too early in the year for snow, but frost slicks the thick roots that coil like tendrils through the earth and several times one of us slips, the other nearly collapsing too as they reach out instinctively. We journey far from his village, though at this time the lights would be extinguished regardless. Instead, a translucent glow, emanating from somewhere within the forest lights our path, shuttered abrasively by the blackened trees.

( All men have secrets and here is mine. )

Translator's Note: The following is text from a letter addressed to the author of this journal. Dated 11th December, it has been placed within the continuity of the Larkin's own writings.

Oscar,

We are glad to hear of your safe arrival in Paris. We heard so sparingly from you whilst in Germany. Mother would ask of you so often, "Where is the Gadze? Where is the Gadze?" she would say. Honestly my friend, I have had little peace since we parted, even though it has been some years now! She worries after you, and insisted I enclosed the money that came with this letter. Hopefully this doesn't offend you, and may be put to good use.

Sasha asks after you too. Perhaps he more so than mother. He has grown so much since last you saw him. He has little interest in smithery, unlike his father and brother. We can't help but laugh, when he grows up he is to be an Englishman!

As to your question regarding brethren in France, I am of little use. We rarely have contact with other families, especially those who travel Romanes. I have attempted to correspond with Stefan Voicu. He is a politician here and has a great knowledge of other communities. I have yet to hear from him, and will send word once I do so.

I have much work to do, and so for now I must leave it at that. Do not hesitate to mail me if there is anything else you need. Most of all, stay safe.

Yours,
Pan Caldararu.

The sun rises, I must be brief.

Today I arrived in Paris. The journey took great strain upon me, though I am relieved to be out of Germany. It seems the war has beaten me here, but at least it will be easier to operate somewhere other than the heart of the Nazi war machine.

I have not had time to investigate the geography of the local area, given the flagging of the moon. Thankfully enough time was left to me to find somewhere to camp for the daylight hours, though skulking in the disused attic of an already occupied household is not ideal. Tomorrow I hope to find somewhere more central and secure to take up residence.