I never ran faster. As before the hut stood quietly.
“Juliana?” we both yelled, but there was no answer.
“What if she’s already with Lady Clara?” Bero suggested.
“Possible. I’ll go and check. You talk to the neighbors. Ask if anyone saw her or any visitors.” Without comment, Bero took off.
Hurrying down the path I noticed that many shacks, their doors and crooked fences, were decorated with fall leaves, grasses and dried flowers. The fall festival had started.
In front of the Klausenhof, I slowed. I hated the innkeeper, but I had to talk to him. Despite the cool weather, tables and chairs were scattered across the courtyard—now occupied by a dozen well-dressed men in long red and green robes and matching tights. The aroma of roasted meat hovered in the air. I ignored it and stepped into the tavern.
The barkeep was filling mugs with a golden-brown liquid. The heavy smell of alcohol lingered mixed with something fruity. That had to be mead.
I shouted, keeping a few feet of distance to the counter. “Did you send for Juliana?”
The fat man briefly stopped before resuming his task. “What business is it of yours?”
“Is she here?” I wasn’t going anywhere. They’d have to arrest me first.
Instead of answering, the man rounded the counter and began serving a group of merchants near the window. They’d been talking quietly and I thought I heard taxman and ruthless.
“It’s really important,” I said. “Please tell me.”
The guests stared back and forth between the server and me.
“Why don’t you tell the lad, Meister Sewolt?” One of them said.
“She wasn’t home,” the barkeep grumbled while returning to his corner to fill more mugs.
“When did you go?”
“My skivvy went late morn.”
“Who went?”
“I’ve said enough. The Duke will be back soon and I’ll have to tell him.” He looked worried, having failed his job of producing the girl. Undoubtedly, he was afraid of disappointing the beadle.
I ran outside, my insides churning with worry. There was only one explanation. Miranda and Ott had returned early to claim her, expecting that Juliana would be alone without protection. While I, Max, had been running around, finding Lady Clara, I’d enabled the rat to steal the girl.
Down the street Bero raced toward me. “Ott came and got her,” he yelled. “The neighbor saw it. She’s gone.” His voice sounded thin as if he were ready to cry.
I only nodded, having nothing left to say. I sank to the ground underneath the old oak tree that overshadowed the Klausenhof courtyard. Everything had seemed perfect this morning and everything had turned into a disaster. I’d failed miserably. Bero slumped next to me, catching his breath. For the longest time neither of us spoke.
“Should we go to Miranda and ask her?” I finally said.
Bero shook his head. I noticed wet spots on his cheeks. What a lousy life poor Bero had. I thought of Juliana. It was unbearable and I leaped to my feet. I knew only one man who could save her now.
“I’ve got to go,” I said.
“Where?” Bero’s voice sounded like that of a child.
“Hanstein. I’m going to see Lord Werner.”
Bero jumped up in lightning speed. “You can’t do that.”
“Why the heck not? I was there earlier, except he’s gone hunting.”
“What do you want to see him for?”
I put an arm on Bero and led him away from the courtyard where more and more people were arriving. They chattered ever louder with the arrival of more alcohol. “He’s going to free Lady Clara,” I whispered. “And if he can do that, he can save Juliana. He has to.”
“She’s just a maid. The Lords don’t care. He’ll never see you.”
“Sure he will,” I said. Yeah, I’m Max Nerds, the ruler’s son of a distant land. Despite myself, I grinned.
“How can you be amused when Juliana is lost?”
I sighed. “Go with me. She’s your sister. You can help make a case…plead for her.”
“Why would he see you? Or me. His guards will drive us away, maybe arrest us.” Bero wasn’t ready to let it go.
“No, they won’t. I’ve already met Lord Werner.”
“How did you do that?” Bero looked just like Juliana when I’d told her. “Nobody does that.”
“I don’t have time right now.” I turned to leave while Bero remained rooted to the cobblestone. “Fine, I’ll go by myself,” I shouted and broke into a run.
Within seconds Bero appeared by my side. “I’ve never been inside the castle,” he panted, sounding anxious. “What am I going to say?”
“Tell it how it is. That she’s an innocent girl in danger, that Ott will take her virtue. That you know, Lord Werner is just and helps those who cannot help themselves.” We were rounding the path toward Rimbach and I slowed to a walk.
Bero stared at me. “Nay, I can’t say that.”
“Why not?”
“It won’t come out. I get nervous and…” Bero stopped in his tracks. “Besides, they all take servant girls when they want them.”
I felt a wave of anger turning my insides hot. “Now you listen to me.” Bero flinched as I grabbed his shoulders. “You’re brave, much braver than anyone I know. You shouldn’t be afraid of Werner. He’s a guy like us—except for the power. I think he wants to do good deeds. Isn’t that what knights do.”
Bero halfheartedly nodded. “I’ll try.”
“That’s better. Now, let’s catch him before it’s too late.”
Chapter 12
When the guard stepped into our way, Bero began to tremble and looked like he was ready to scram.
“We’ll wait for the Lord,” I said. “Bero here is the tanner’s son. He has an urgent grievance to present.” Bero nodded enthusiastically.
“No need, Max Nerds, you may enter. The Lord has returned with good fortune.” The guard stepped aside and whistled to his colleague who’d remained in the wall’s stone niche. “Go with them. Ask one of the squires to find the Lord.”
Bero’s eyes seemed to double in size by the time we walked toward the portcullis shielding the inner courtyard. Enders, the big grumpy squire, had been sent to alert Knight Werner of our arrival. He’d given no sign that he knew me and ignored Bero in obvious superiority.
“He used to be my neighbor,” Bero whispered. “We played together when I was little.”
I nodded. It was strange how people changed when they pulled off the least bit of power.
“I’ll take you now,” Enders said. He led the way past the gate into the inner sanctum of Castle Hanstein. I tried to concentrate on my upcoming task of convincing Werner, but my eyes were drawn toward the immense structures—the two towers, several stories high, the humongous keep and adjacent buildings. Despite the fact that the ruins I knew from modern times were impressive, the intact castle was nothing less than breathtaking.
I wished I could roam around and explore, hike the second tower—almost non-existent in the twenty-first century—go into the cellars or visit the kitchen and the women’s quarters. I thought of Werner’s wife. I hadn’t seen any sign of her, but that didn’t mean anything. I knew from history studies that women ran the household, but led separate social lives and only appeared for special occasions.
“Max Nerds, come hither.” The Lord von Hanstein’s familiar voice sounded relaxed and friendly. As before, he sat in the ornately carved chair at the head of the table, an assortment of knights alongside. Maids and servants ran back and forth, serving an unending string of dishes.
“Thank you for seeing me,” I said and bowed. I was tempted to do a curtsy but didn’t want to make a fool of myself. Better stay on my feet and look strong. “I present you my friend, Bero, the tanner’s son.”
“Step closer, Max Nerds.” Werner had bitten into a chunk of meat, carelessly wiping his chin with his sleeve. He nodded to the maid to refill his cup. “The Lord h
as had mercy and blessed us with much game.” He crossed himself and slapped the knight next to him on the back. “Konrad shot a stag, a twelve-pointer. It will look magnificent on our walls.” Werner chuckled and Konrad, his mouth filled to capacity, nodded.
I let out a loud breath. Patience wasn’t exactly my strong suit. “I congratulate you on a fine hunt.”
“Will you partake in our refreshments?” Werner waved at the table. “Let’s make room for Max and his companion, what say you.”
I shook my head. My stomach growled, especially now that the smells of roasted meats had intensified into a thick mist. “I thank you, My Lord. May I tell my story before we eat?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Bero staring at the table. He gulped and fidgeted at the same time. Covertly, I patted Bero’s arm.
“Of course, state your business.” Werner leaned back with a belch.
“It is a rather private matter,” I said. I was pushing my luck, probably appearing totally rude for trying to yank Werner away from his meal.
“Nothing you say could not be shared with my faithful knights.”
“Hear, hear,” some of them yelled in confirmation. They all turned to gawk at us, straining to catch every word.
I stared at my feet, my graying Nikes. Why was I always so stupid? Had I just talked normally few people would’ve paid attention. Now the whole place was eavesdropping.
“My Lord, this morning I saw Lady Clara.”
Immediately, the Lord von Hanstein leaned forward. A couple of knights were laughing about something and Werner raised an arm. The hall turned silent. The servants stopped running and joined the ogling.
Werner cleared his throat. “Where did you see her?”
“In town. She’s in the company of Duke von Schwarzburg, the bishop’s taxman.”
“And she spoke with you?” Werner sounded surprised.
“I snuck in and hid under the table when the beadle went to the outhouse. She’s very afraid of him. Anyway, I told her you may be able to help. After last weekend, when you tried to… I thought…” I ran out of steam. Werner hadn’t said a word.
“Go on.”
I took a deep breath. It was time to come clean. “Okay, I went to see Lady Clara because of Bero’s sister. She, her name is Juliana, served at Lady Miranda’s house and her son, Ott, attacked and tried to rape her. When she fought back, he went after her with a pitchfork.”
In the background, one of the maids gasped.
“She ran away badly injured, not expecting help from Lady Miranda. I took care of her leg.”
“You’re a ruler’s son and a healer?” Werner said.
“Not really. I just know a few things.”
The knight nodded, his blue eyes glued to my face. “Go on.”
“Lady Miranda returned a few days ago when Juliana was very sick. Ott came with her and they tried to take her back. Miranda said, Juliana received clothes and food and her mother got paid. That Juliana was stealing from her.”
From the corner of my eye I saw the same maid whose stomach looked bloated in pregnancy sink onto a chair and hide her face behind her hands. I went on.
“We told her that Juliana wouldn’t be able to work until her leg healed, so Miranda ordered her back before the festival began. Today.”
“What does all that have to do with Lady Clara?” Werner took a sip from his mug.
“Juliana is deathly afraid of Ott who is after her like a dog in heat. She wants to work for Lady Clara instead. She’d served the Lady in the past, before her husband lost his eyesight. That’s why I went to ask Lady Clara for help.”
“And what did the Lady say?”
“She was going to send for Juliana this afternoon. She told the Duke, she needed help with dressing and her hair so she could look her best for him. The old goat went for it.”
Laughter and shouts exploded around the table.
I grinned, but continued. “I promised Lady Clara I’d get you to free her in return for helping Juliana.”
“You are devoted to the girl.” Werner’s blue eyes flashed.
I lowered my head. Then I nodded.
“So you promised something you had no control over just to save a lass?”
I nodded again. The hall was deathly quiet. What if I’d misjudged the knight and he was not as upright as he’d been made out to be? I’d brought Bero who cowered next to me. We might be in grave danger.
Suddenly, the knight smashed down his cup. “Max Nerds, you have a noble heart. Bring Max and his companion a drink. Let us toast to the men who endure love’s pain.”
Cheers erupted around them as the knights lifted their beakers for another welcome reason to drink. “To Max and his noble heart,” they shouted.
One of the maids handed us pewter mugs and I took a sip. The wine was sour but refreshing and I drank again. Bero did the same. His eyes were shining.
“I have more,” I said. Werner raised his arm once again and the knights quieted. “While I was away this morning, Juliana was taken by Ott. She was gone before Lady Clara could send for her.” At last the energy that had pushed me onward evaporated. I felt utterly worn out and ready to throw myself into the straw at Werner’s feet.
“Has Lady Clara left?”
“No, My Lord, she and the beadle are staying at the Klausenhof to celebrate the harvest festival. But the old fart has a bunch of guards and she’s always in his company.”
Werner jumped to his feet. “We’ll see about that.” He leaned forward and smashed his fist on the table again. “Sinister Schwarzburg is mine. Ever since he’s taken over Rusteberg, he’s been scheming. He makes his own rules, the way he pleases. Now he’s stolen an innocent woman away from her husband who’s been my faithful vassal. And he’s supposed to be clergy.” Werner spat in the straw. “If he weren’t the minion of the archbishop, I would’ve finished him off long ago. Let’s plan.”
I stepped back in surprise. Werner sounded dangerous and livid.
“Sorry, sir, what’s Rusteberg? Lady Clara mentioned it, but I…”
“Rusteberg is a castle near one of our busiest military routes,” Konrad offered. “It also happens to be an important trading road and Schwarzburg is keeping his greedy eyes on that.”
I vaguely remembered seeing a tourist sign about some kind of ruins during a road trip. “What about Juliana?” I said, searching for strength. “If Ott gets his way, she’ll be ruined.”
In the background, the pregnant serving girl stood up and whispered to her friend. Then she raised a feeble hand. “My Lord, may I speak?”
Werner looked up from the round of men and his eyes, which had turned steel-blue with intensity, softened. “Speak your peace, but do it swiftly. We must work on a plan.”
“My Lord,” the pregnant maid said, and curtsied, “I served with Juliana at Lady Miranda’s house. Ott, he…” her voice faltered. But then her chin lifted with anger. “He violated me. I’m carrying his bastard. Then they kicked me out, saying they couldn’t feed another mouth. That I was no longer fit to work. Your Lordship…your wife was kind enough to engage me here.” She lowered her head and curtsied again.
I stared at the young girl, the same age as Juliana. I imagined Ott dragging Juliana into the hay and forcing himself on her. I heard her skirts tear as she screamed.
“Please, My Lord. For the sake of my sister’s honor…will you help her?” Bero’s voice filtered into my fogged brain. He had stepped forward and looked pale but determined. “I bid you to come to her rescue,” Bero whispered. I realized he had to be scared to death.
Werner sat back down. He said something to the two men on his left and they moved closer together.
“Join me at the table, lads. Let us devise a plan how we can free two fine women from the clutches of tyrants.” Knight Werner’s energy was commanding and close up he looked as if he could reduce us to dust with his fist. “Bring fresh food. They must have strength.”
I reluctantly took my seat, not wanting to waste time
eating, even if my stomach rumbled. Bero had no such concern. He licked his lips as he scanned the smorgasbord weighing down the table, dishes he’d probably never seen or tasted before.
While we ate roast and bread, followed by apples and pears, the men around us talked. I watched in awe as Bero annihilated several huge chunks of venison, boiled eggs and bread while his cheeks burned red with the unaccustomed wine.
Knight Werner listened and nodded as his men commented and threw out suggestions. He asked questions and probed like an investigator, his eyes blazing in attention.
“Let’s challenge Schwarzburg. We’ll take care of his guards,” Konrad said.
“Hear, hear,” several of the knights shouted. “Let’s take the bastard down.”
“We don’t know where he is,” the burly guy with the silver cross said. “Unless we confront him at the Klausenhof tonight.”
“He can’t be far,” someone else said. “Let’s send out runners.”
They argued back and forth, their voices echoing off the stone walls, beakers and fists smashing down for emphasis.
“Has everyone said their piece?” Werner said. His men nodded. “What about you, Max? What are you proposing?”
I shrugged. My brain had gone into sleep mode.
Werner leaned back. “Then let me tell you what I think.” He looked around the room, making eye contact with each man. “I do not want to get mixed up in his tax business. That will bring nothing but the wrath of the bishop. We cannot attack him on the road.”
“Then let’s get him at the Klausenhof,” someone said. Mumbles erupted around the table.
Werner shook his head. “Patience. There will be no open attack. Our villagers are partaking in the harvest festivities. I don’t want innocent bloodshed. This has to stay between us. We must be stealthy.”
“But we want his scrawny neck,” Konrad said.
“And we will get it.” Werner’s voice had turned into a razor blade. “Now let us pray.”
For the first time I wanted to become a knight and follow Werner von Hanstein.
Chapter 13
Escape from the Past Page 9
