At five in the morning, Father Gregorios personally woke Nikolas up.
"It is time, Officer Nikolas. You must leave in half an hour at the latest. Your companion and the horses will be waiting for you at the spring."
"Okay Father, I will be ready."
Nikolas hurriedly dressed and went straight to the women's sleeping quarters. Seeing him, Anna rushed toward him with open arms.
"Niko, my love," she whispered.
"My Anna, my Agape!" He placed his arms around her and held her in a protective way. "I don't feel right leaving you here." Nikolas brought her close to him.
"I'll be all right, love. Somehow, I feel safe at this place. I have a lot of faith in God and above all, in you."
"I'll never forget your words," said Nikolas touching her cheek and stroking her hair. "I will come back to you, Anna. This is my promise."
"I'll wait for you, Niko. I will always love you. I will be with you forever, my love."
The two lovers embraced silently as they felt each other's heart beat and synchronized breathing.
A few minutes later, Nikolas and Anna kissed passionately and parted, their fingertips the last to touch. Tightly holding the Byzantine cross hanging around her neck, Anna whispered, "God be with you," and entered the quarters, leaving the door open. Traditionally it meant "The door to my heart will always remain open for your return." She then wiped her tears and went to the window to take another look at Nikolas waving a white handkerchief.
***
Nikolas started walking toward the spring, his head burdened with a thousand thoughts: the imminent invasion by the Germans, his AWOL status with the Navy, and above all, his worry about whether he would ever see Anna again. He turned around to steal a last glimpse of her, but there was only the open door. Nikolas looked again and saw her at the window. Then he raised his right arm in a farewell greeting.
He had not walked more than a few steps when he felt the presence of someone walking beside him.
"Here you are, Officer Nikolas. I'll walk with you." It was the voice of Father Gregorios.
Nikolas did not turn to look at him.
"By the time you reach Heraklion, the Germans will probably have landed. That makes your mission even more dangerous. If you are captured, you must not say who you are, only that you are a peasant from the village of Vianos. At the spring I have papers and old Cretan peasant clothing for you." Looking directly at Nikolas, he advised, "Do not shave. Are we clear so far?"