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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mark Chance" data-source="post: 4799131" data-attributes="member: 2795">Deeper into the woods the group moves. Most of the soldiers remain silent. They are obviously unnerved by the party, but Joseph also insists on noise discipline while on the march. Nevertheless, some talking is inevitable.The party gets a picture of this strange world. The land they're in is called Poland. About two years ago, they were invaded by Germany, a nation to the west ruled by people called Nazis. Joseph and his partisan band are Jews, many of them escaped from ghettos, a sort of prison-neighborhood in a city. The Nazis have targeted Joseph's people for extermination, likening them to disease-carrying rats."When we get to camp, I must take you to Rav Tevye. He's our spiritual leader and a prophet of the Lord. He's...expecting you. At least, it must have been you he dreamed of."The forest is cold and dark, comprised of old, towering pines. There's little undergrowth. Pine needles cover the frozen ground, and the party grow increasingly uncomfortable. Teeth chatter. Fingers grow numb."We'll get you some warmer clothes in camp," one of the partisans offers.An hour or so passes. The land has become rockier and steeper. The hills are cut through with steep draws. The group moves down one such draw and around a bend. There ahead is the camp.Small cooking fires crackle in the mouths of several caves. Guards come out of hiding, warmly welcoming the partisans back to camp. Blessings are exchanged, as well as hugs and kisses. As if on cue, the women and children emerge from hiding. All but the youngest children are armed with at least one of the strange hand crossbows.The party cannot help but notice the alarm and wonder in nearly everyone's eyes."Anya," Joseph says happily, embracing a heavy-set woman. "Friends, this is my wife, Anya. Anya, take them into the caves. Find them warmer clothes and some stew. I must go see Rav Tevye."Anya looks doubtfully at the party, her round face expressionless. But then, a smile spreads widely, and she nods."Come, come," she says, waving her hands. "Inside before you catch your death of cold."</blockquote>

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