The Assassins by Alan Bardos (best novels in english txt) 📗

the letter. Word had come back that Ilic was recruiting a second cell; all they needed were the weapons, but Gavrilo still had no news from Ciganovic.

He listened to the melancholy tune of a guslar folk singer drifting across the square, retelling the tale of Milos Obilic, who'd faced the Turkish Sultan on Blackbird's Field. It reminded Gavrilo of his childhood and the smell of a wood fire as his family gathered to hear the mystical tales of their ancient heroes. He longed to continue his mystic journey and face his Sultan.

Gavrilo rubbed an old wound he'd taken at the start of that journey two years previously, when rioting broke out across Austria's Balkan provinces, in response to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy’s oppressive policies in Croatia. The most violent riots were in Sarajevo, where he'd marched at the head of the schoolboy protests and was sabred by the police for his dissent.

The demonstrations had brought Serbs, Croats and Muslims together. Despite all of the in-fighting, they had been one. Gavrilo knew then that a full scale revolution could have an even bigger effect, uniting the South Slav people and obliterating their Habsburg rulers.

He hoped that such an uprising could be achieved through individual acts of vengeance against the tyrants, destroying the most harmful people in the government and undermining its status, whilst instigating a rebellious heart in his people with the smell of blood

'Gavrilo - the day has dawned.' Milan Ciganovic slapped him on the shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts.

'You have news, Cigo?' Nedjo asked as Ciganovic took charge of the group.

Ciganovic grinned affably. 'Your waiting is over. Old Josef has fully recovered.'

'Thanks be!' Nedjo shouted, drawing unwanted glances from the people around them.

'There hasn't been an official confirmation, but I'm sure you can expect to greet the Heir in June and make your mark alongside your Balkan brothers who’ve taken up arms against the Austrians,' Ciganovic said.

Gavrilo forgot the irritation of the past few weeks and sat up. They’d been inspired by a number of plots across the Balkans to assassinate leading members of the Austro-Hungarian establishment. Now he would be able to emulate them and with the death of Franz Ferdinand, ignite a revolution. 'It's been decided?'

'The gentleman I've been discussing your request with wants to meet one of you for himself.'

'Who is this gentleman?' Gavrilo asked.

'My old commander, Major Tankosic,' Ciganovic replied.

Gavrilo went silent, anger burning in his heart. Enduring poor health, Gavrilo had been determined to pursue his revolutionary dreams. He'd even been part of a group, with Ilic, who'd planned to assassinate the Emperor. His studies had eventually suffered and Gavrilo had been expelled from school. He’d gone to Belgrade and tried unsuccessfully to pass his exams there. A year later the second Balkan War had started, giving him a perfect opportunity to fight for the freedom of his people. Gavrilo cringed to suppress the bitter sting of that memory. He’d volunteered to serve in the Partisans and had become acquainted with Major Tankosic.

'Nedjo, you should go,' Trifko suggested.

Nedjo laughed, 'It would be an honour to show the Major what a true Serb hero looks like… but I laugh at everything. Gavrilo, you should go. You're always so sombre and grave.'

Gavrilo couldn't suppress his anger any longer. 'I will not see Tankosic. He's a naive man! Trifko will go.''

'What's this?' Ciganovic asked, taken aback by the snub.

'Major Tankosic threw him out of the Partisans,' Trifko explained hurriedly, before Ciganovic could react to Gavrilo's insult.

'Because he's so small and sickly,' Nedjo added, making Ciganovic laugh.

Gavrilo bristled, reliving the humiliation. Tankosic had taken one look at him and dismissed him out of hand, but for Gavrilo, the worst part had come when he left. The other recruits had watched as he was led to the gate and a rival of his had shouted. 'So they've thrown out the bad stuff!'

He went back to his studies after leaving the training camp, drifting between Bosnia and Belgrade, devastated, but he'd resolved to prove himself one day and continued to plan attempts against a Habsburg dignitary - plans that were frustrated and never realised.

Ciganovic looked at Gavrilo, clearly deciding whether or not he still wished to vouch for him. Gavrilo met the former Partisan's gaze, his eyes blazing - nothing would stand in his way this time. Ciganovic nodded and turned to Trifko. 'Very well, Trifko, you must be the one. Do not be taken in by the Major's mild manner; he is a key figure in both the army and the underground movement. Ask any of the veterans here - the Major was a ferocious warrior during the war.'

'Is it true that his men obeyed his orders to the point of jumping in rivers, if Tankosic so willed it?' Nedjo asked chuckling.

'Yes,’ Ciganovic replied coldly.

Chapter 5

Major Tankosic waited as Ciganovic led a tall youth into his rooms, saluted and introduced the visitor he’d brought with him. ‘Major, this is Trifko Grabez.'

The youth shot Tankosic a defiant look. He and his friends had been pestering Ciganovic for weeks; now it was time to see if there was any iron to their zeal.

'So you are one of the snotty brats who have been making a nuisance of themselves.' the Major declared. ‘You think yourself capable of taking action?’

The youth did not flinch. ‘My friends and I wish to serve our people.’

'And you are resolved to do so, even if it means sacrificing your life?'

‘Yes,’ Grabez replied plainly.

Tankosic glanced at Ciganovic - he was satisfied. The Major had supplied weapons for similar operations before but nothing had ever been done with them and he doubted that they'd even been fired, however, the young dissident struck him as capable of doing what was needed.

'Can you shoot a pistol?'

'No, Major.'

Tankosic took a pistol from his desk