At Witches' End

by Annette Oppenlander

  “You!”

  Before I could make a move, several of the soldiers crowded closer. Somebody swiped away my hood and there I stood among Schwarzburg thugs ready for slaughter.

  I’d succeeded getting Luanda home, but it was too late for me. Without a word I lowered my head, half-expecting to hear a sword slice the air to find my neck.

  Instead Wolf’s frosty voice pierced my ears. “We meet again. This time you will not make a fool of me.” With that he smacked me across the face, his gauntlet gouging my right eyeball. Pain seared through my head in hammering waves.

  As if that wasn’t enough, he clamped down on my forearm so hard that tears sprung to my eyes. Well, the one eye that still worked, while the other felt as if somebody had stabbed a knife into my brain.

  “Bind him in the wagon. We leave now.”

  Half-dragging, half-stumbling I was led to the cart where a half-hour ago Luanda had disappeared.

  “What if she will make him disappear?” one of the soldiers whispered. “Her wizardry is powerful.”

  I rolled my one good eye. For once I wished it were true. Now all I hoped for was Bero getting help somehow. Because if we made it back to Schwarzburg, I was as good as dead. Two soldiers slumped into the wagon, pointing their swords at my throat. By the way they squinted they hadn’t forgotten what had happened to their friend after losing Luanda.

  Four more men mounted horses and lined up behind us, their eyes angry slits. The alcohol had made them even meaner. Wolf disappeared from sight, but I knew he was up front just waiting for me to trip up.

  There was no way to escape. My hands were bound to the wagon so tight, my fingers were numb already. The men around me reeked of sweat and stale beer, their swords shimmering with lethal certainty.

  The wagon wobbled down the furrowed trail, past Bero’s old hut, the pigpen overgrown with weeds, the barn caved in. I tried catching a glimpse of Bero and thought I saw him near the big oak. But my right eye was pretty much swollen shut and my vision blurry, so I couldn’t be sure.

  Why hadn’t I listened to Bero? Or at the very least waited until Schwarzburg’s men had left? Instead I’d trampled right into the hornet’s nest, getting myself beaten and arrested. It was clear I hadn’t learned a thing. Always stubborn, always knowing better.

  Well, now I’d done it. I was going to die.

  Chapter 28

  As the cart jostled along, visions of torture instruments kept appearing in my head. My hands were asleep, but the fear of the unknown, especially when added to my memories of Schwarzburg’s dungeon, was driving me out of my mind. Cold and hot waves blasted through me as if I’d stepped into a fridge and then into the desert.

  The men inside the wagon didn’t talk, though every time I moved my foot or tried to get my back from cramping in the wooden box, their swords swooped up toward my chest. I had no doubt they had strict orders to kill me if I tried anything.

  Except there was nothing to try. The ropes were solid and I had no weapons, only the herbs from Luanda which didn’t do me any good. Even if I’d had something better than a pocketknife, I was no match for the sword fighting skills these men had. I wouldn’t even win against one, not to mention several.

  What I really needed was Wolf’s…my cape. Chances were good I’d travel home. Hadn’t I done plenty of missions already? Saved Lady Clara, Karl and Luanda, saved the castle from being burned down, worked with Lord Werner and Bero. Had gotten laid…wait, was that a mission?

  Had that really been just weeks ago? It seemed much longer, no really more like a dream. Maybe it hadn’t really happened. My brain was beginning to trick me, reality and wishful thinking blending into madness.

  The cart stopped abruptly. The soldiers scrambled out while two others untied my arms. I half-fell from the wagon, being held upright by two of my cart buddies. Ahead was some kind of creek filled with water, the guy steering the wagon, leading the horse into it. I was pushed forward and then lifted on a horse to sit behind one of the men.

  So close I wanted to puke. The man stank like he’d rolled around beneath an outhouse. I turned my head sideways to catch a whiff of fresh air.

  Something moved nearby.

  Rather him.

  Bero was hiding behind a clump of bush roses that grew six feet tall along the water.

  My mind whirled. The fact he was here meant he hadn’t gotten help. The guy was completely nuts. Fresh anger replaced the momentary relief I’d felt seeing him.

  My friend had come to rescue me. Very funny. He’d be mowed down in seconds. And once we were in Schwarzburg’s place there’d be no way for Bero to follow. He was just being stubborn…and stupid.

  Just like you, my mind mocked. You two are more alike than you think.

  I turned my head the other way, afraid one of the thugs would follow my line of vision. But after a few seconds I couldn’t help myself and scanned the roses again. Nothing, just rosehips gently swaying in the breeze. I kept checking every minute or two as we rode across the water and they retied me in the cart. Still nothing.

  With equal swiftness my anger was replaced with despair.

  I’d imagined Bero’s face.

  After all, hadn’t I almost gone crazy the first time I’d been in Schwarzburg’s dungeon? Chances were my brain was ready to do the same. It was much easier to go insane than to face what was coming. My head drooped as the last energy drained away.

  I must’ve dozed off when I heard voices. Even before I opened my eyes I knew where I was…and where I was going.

  My arms were dead wood and my head pounded from Wolf’s vicious blow. My right eye didn’t want to open one bit, in fact it felt as if somebody had laid a pounding, boiling egg in the hollow of my eye socket.

  I forced open my left eye, but couldn’t tell what the commotion was all about. Only that the thugs in my wagon abruptly jumped out and walked toward the front of the caravan.

  I tried catching a glimpse, which was hard because of the way I was tied up and having only one functioning eye. Fields surrounded us left and right, cows grazed, their gentle faces staring uncomprehendingly at my misery.

  Shouts rang out behind me, followed by the sharp sound of swords sliding from scabbards.

  “Declare your intentions.” Wolf’s voice was hard as ice.

  “I believe you harbor something of mine,” a voice said. Was that Konrad? I couldn’t be sure because the blood pounded in my ears. “A certain squire.”

  Yep, definitely Konrad. I grinned. Suddenly life was back in my hands or was I still dreaming?

  “Who conjured with Luanda, the witch, and made her disappear,” Wolf said.

  “I am surprised you would make yourself the laughing stock of Bornhagen and Duke Schwarzburg. This squire is rather simple and no conjurer.”

  “He was in the company of your other squire.”

  “That is not possible.” Konrad chuckled. “All my squires were with me at Hanstein.”

  “Then how do you know about me taking Max Nerds?”

  How strange to hear my game name mentioned by Wolf.

  Konrad laughed again. “Easy. The innkeeper’s stall boy came to alert me. I suggest you untie my squire before things shall we say…get out of hand.”

  Amazing how Konrad lied so convincingly. Hadn’t I been with Bero and helped Luanda escape, I would’ve believed him.

  The next second, my arms were untied and I scrambled off the cart.

  Bero rushed over and grabbed my arm. Not a moment too soon or I would’ve fallen. Avoiding my eyes, he yanked me toward one of the horses. Konrad and a dozen of his men crowded around Wolf and his eight helpers.

  Wolf spit and grumbled something I couldn’t understand. For the first time ever, he seemed worried, his shoulders strained, his eyes unsure as he rubbed his beard over and over. Good. If I’d learned one thing it was that Schwarzburg was good at punishing those who failed him. Finally, Wolf would suffer, and hopefully lose his head.

  “My Lord, if I may have a word?” I sai
d through the metallic rattle of swords being put away.

  Konrad shot me a look and it was none too friendly. I cringed. I’d be paying for my foolishness.

  “What is it now, Max Nerds?”

  “Wolf has my cape. I’d like it back.”

  Chapter 29

  All the way to Hanstein I shivered. Bero rode in front and I held on to him because otherwise I would’ve fallen off. Konrad hadn’t said a word to me.

  “What did you tell them?” I asked Bero as we approached Hanstein’s gate.

  “That you were going to die unless Lord Hans helped,” Bero whispered. And more spiteful, “I didn’t tell him you caused it yourself or what happened to Luanda.”

  “Very gracious of you,” I shot back. “What was I supposed to do? I’d expected Wolf and his brutes to leave, not to return to the inn.”

  “You could have predicted it. You almost got me killed, too.”

  We ducked as we squeezed through the opening of the outer wall. I didn’t answer. Bero was right. I’d been reckless and stupid. And only thanks to him was I still alive.

  Ignoring me, Bero led the horse toward the barn. He took two more from the knights, rubbing them down and shouting commands to the stall boys. I just stood there not sure what to say. Konrad and his men marched toward the great hall without a word.

  Despite my rescue I felt lousy.

  Hans, Konrad and Werner hated me and Bero was mad, too. I wanted to ask about Adela, but didn’t dare.

  When Bero reappeared from the barn, I stepped into his path.

  “Look, I’m sorry. I messed up. I shouldn’t have gone back in so quickly, but—”

  “You wanted to save my sister.”

  “Yeah, I did. She’s… I should’ve…”

  “You felt guilty about her. Lackwit. And now you are embarrassed for almost getting me slain and making Konrad go out and worsen the feud with Schwarzburg.”

  I hung my head. How had I ever considered Bero less smart than me? He knew and understood a lot more than I did.

  By the time I raised my head, I stood alone in the courtyard. The sky above me was gray with the setting dusk. Torches burned along the walls, yet they offered no warmth, the air as chilled as my insides.

  Though I didn’t want to, I headed toward the great hall. Konrad had my cape and Lame Hans was surely going to punish me for screwing up.

  “Max Nerds,” Hans said as soon as I showed my face, “join us at the main table so you can tell us your tale.”

  I nodded, avoiding eye contact with the knights and squires. Despite my embarrassment and anger at myself, my stomach roared with hunger.

  That is until I sat down and everyone began to stare at me. I nibbled on a piece of bread and nodded when a young maid filled my beaker with wine. I took a huge swig and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. To heck with table manners.

  “My Lord, I’m sorry. I intended to help Adela, Squire Bero’s sister and that’s when—”

  “Was that before or after you conjured away Luanda?” Hans’s voice was stern. I threw a glimpse at the Lord of Hanstein who’d already found out way more than Bero had told him.

  “No, My Lord, I just helped…”

  Hans’s fist smacked on the table so hard that my plate jumped in the air, his eyes black coals ready to ignite.

  “Max Nerds, I believe I have been patient. Very patient, indeed. You arrived two years ago without preamble. Then you disappeared…without a trace. Only to resurface again two months ago. Are those not the moves of a conjurer, a merlin? Now you brought the wrath of Schwarzburg to Hanstein once more.”

  “I…am sorry. I’d like my cape,” I said into the silence. My face burned.

  Hans nodded and absentmindedly waved at a servant to retrieve it from a hook near the fire. I didn’t care it was caked with mud and sopping wet. Konrad had picked it up with the tip of his sword after Wolf yanked it off and hurled it to the ground.

  At that moment I realized I had to go away. For good and quickly.

  Throwing a last glance at Bero who sat at the next table, his brown eyes on mine, I put the herbs I’d gotten from Luanda back on the bench. I took off the medieval tunic I’d worn over my T-shirt, doing mental inventory. I wore all my original clothes and carried the knife and lighter.

  I knew Bero believed me. And that I’d lose the best friend I’d ever made.

  When the servant handed me the cloth, I braced myself for the crushing heaviness that went along with time travel.

  Nothing happened.

  I massaged the dirt-caked fabric, throwing a questioning glance at Bero as if he had the answer.

  “You were saying…?” Hans’s voice was cool.

  “I…am planning to go home,” I managed, but my voice wasn’t cooperating. In my mind I went over the outfit I’d worn coming into the game, the lighter in my pocket, the knife, shirt, boots and wool pants.

  Now that I held the cape, what was missing?

  I had only one explanation.

  I wasn’t done with my missions. I still had to do something to fulfill the third master level of the game.

  Then it came to me. Adela. I’d planned to get her rescued from Ott, but had been sidetracked by Schwarzburg’s men. If I wanted to go home, I was convinced, I had to get her out of Ott’s ratty hands.

  “I’ll leave, My Lord,” I whispered. “I promise I won’t bother you again.”

  “You will return to your time?” Hans asked, his voice full of mocking. Raucous laughter erupted around me. “Can we watch?”

  “I…no.” I glanced around to catch Bero’s attention, but he was flirting with the little maid again. Something was going on between them. “Please, My Lord, if you let me stay one more night, I promise I’ll leave tomorrow.”

  Hans slowly nodded. “You always speak like a wanderer, not from these parts. So, you do plan to return to wherever you’re going?”

  I smiled. “I plan to go home.”

  More mumbles surrounded me, but Hans waved at them to be quiet. “So it shall be, Max Nerds. Tomorrow we must find a new squire.” He smirked. “One we can trust and who will serve us faithfully.”

  I bowed in response. What could I say? He was one hundred percent right. Grabbing a piece of bread and an apple, I hurried from the table and squeezed next to Bero.

  “Listen, there’s one more thing I’ve got to do.”

  Chapter 30

  “Did you crack open your skull?” Bero said. We were sitting in the barn, Bero chewing a piece of straw while I sucked down some ale from a skin. “Was today not warning enough?”

  I shook my head impatiently. “Remember what I said about me needing all my stuff to travel back?”

  Bero nodded reluctantly. “I don’t understand it, but—”

  “Well, I don’t understand this damn game either, but I do have all my things and I didn’t go back which can only mean one thing.”

  “You are staying here?” I detected a note of hope in Bero’s voice which made my heart simultaneously soar and sag.

  “No, I can’t stay. You heard Hans. He doesn’t want me around. Besides I’ll never make a decent squire because that’s just not me.” Bero’s face fell and for a moment he reminded me of the boy I’d met in the woods more than two years, but really more like a hundred years ago.

  “Did I ever tell you that you are the only reason I am a squire. I never thanked you for that.” Bero’s voice was thick with emotion. “You just showed up and made it look so easy. You were so strong, speaking up to the Lord as if he…were a normal man. I’d still be herding pigs or worse, be dead, if it hadn’t been for you.”

  “Nonsense, you’re much stronger than you think. And really smart.” I smiled. I meant it. Bero may not have had any schooling but in street smarts he had a Ph.D.

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  “So what do you need to do to go home?”

  Home sounded so strange coming from Bero’s mouth. I thought of my mother whose memory I�
�d pushed away for ages. How I missed her. And Jimmy.

  The coldness returned to my insides like a bad vibe. Even if I made it, I’d have to stop Dr. Stuler, Jimmy’s father.

  Not now. I had to get through this game in one piece.

  “I must rescue Adela.”

  Bero flew off his straw bale. “What? You worm-spotted toad. She is with Ott.”

  “Yeah, but she’s probably still at the inn. You told me they got a room. People typically get a room if they stay the night.”

  Bero shook his head again, this time a bit less fervently.

  “I can’t go unless I do this,” I said quietly. “And I’d love for my best friend to help.”

  “Best friend?”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  Bero hesitated, then spit out the straw and turned toward me. “When?”

  “Asap.”

  “What?”

  “The sooner the better.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Ott won’t expect anything. For all he knows I’ve been taken to the dungeon. Perfect opportunity.”

  “How will we do it?”

  I shrugged, trying to sound relaxed. Never mind I didn’t have a clue how to proceed.

  “We’ll work out a plan,” I whispered though my head was empty with exhaustion. The beer didn’t exactly help.

  All I knew was that if I wanted to see my mom again, I had to get to the inn and make sure Adela made it to Hanstein.

  “Meet me at the gate in…” I looked around for a way to tell time. “Never mind, just be at the gate in a while. I’m going to visit Werner.”

  “Wait. Nobody is seeing the Lord.”

  I didn’t answer and headed out of the barn. I knew I’d always regret it if I didn’t try.

  I’d never been in Werner’s chamber on the second floor of the main building and quickly found myself lost. The narrow stone corridor stretched endlessly and there were at least six doors. Until I noticed the guard squeezed against an alcove.

  I sucked in air and marched forward. Before I made it to the door, the guard stepped into my way and held out a blade.

  “I want to visit Lord Werner,” I said, hoping my voice was forceful.