title: The Far Euphrates
author:  Aryeh Lev Stollman 
description: Aryeh Lev Stollman's first novel, set in early 1960s Windsor, Canada, is a deep tale of isolation, secrecy, and eventual self-acceptance. Alexander's high-strung mother worries that he spends too much time on his own, a fear that seems almost ironic in view of the family's closed circle. Her best friend, Berenice, and her husband have no children--and Alexander eventually teases out the reason: the Cantor and his twin, Hannalore, were tortured in Auschwitz by Dr. Mengele. Hannalore works across the river in Grosse Pointe, as chief housekeeper for Henry Ford II, and now keeps her religion to herself--to the point of wearing a gold cross. "She once explained to my mother and Berenice, 'When I walk down a street it is only me, old Mademoiselle Hannalore, <i>comprends</i>? and I am practically, deliciously invisible. A happy and contented ghost.'" In fact, none of Alexander's role models are happy, and all are burdened by the Holocaust.
zlib_text: [Back](0671578723__34.htm) | [Next](0671578723__36.htm)  
  [Contents](0671578723_toc.htm)
  
  # Chapter 35
  
  ### THE EUPHRATES
  
  _Autumn, 531 A.D._  
  
  "So where's your flank attack?" demanded Maurice. "You rememberthe one you
  predicted was going to happen that very night. About a week ago."
  
  Belisarius shrugged. Reclining comfortably against the crude rock wall of one
  of the artillery towers on the dam, he returned Maurice's glower with a look
  of complacence.
  
  "I forgot about the negotiations," he explained.
  
  "What negotiations?"
  
  Belisarius stuck his thumb over his shoulder, pointing southwest.
  
  "The ones that Ormazd has been having with the Malwa, these past few days." He
  reached down and brought a goblet to his lips, sipping from its contents.
  
  Maurice eyed the goblet with disfavor.
  
  "How can you drink that stuff? You're starting to go native on me, I can tell.
  A Romansure as hell a Thracianshould be drinking wine, not thatthatthat
  Persian"
  
  Belisarius smiled crookedly. "I find fres