The battle raged on for some time. Decidedly, it was the Hussite army that gained ground. And then, without warning or cause, there was a massive shift in that same direction. As if the Royalist army had given way.
Radek glanced at Zdenek. His friend’s face read the confusion he felt. What had happened?
But they continued to move with the Hussites. Before long, it became apparent the army was no longer fighting, but rather pursuing the retreating Royalists.
Zdenek pressed through the men to move further up the ranks.
Radek called out to him, but it was no use.
Zdenek soon disappeared in the shuffle of bodies and horses. Should he follow his friend? Dodging infantrymen and other horses proved a difficult task.
When at long last he found Zdenek once again, he was riding alongside one of the captains, caught in conversation.
Just then, Commander Zizka called a halt to their movement. And collectively, the Hussites slowed to a stop. Only then was Radek able to pull his steed alongside Zdenek’s.
“What happened?” Radek whispered.
Zdenek kept his eyes focused on Zizka, but leaned toward Radek. “No one seems to know. One minute the Royalists were fighting, the next they are retreating. It makes no sense.”
“And we are no longer pursuing them?” Radek wasn’t complaining. It was just that he was surprised Zizka would not continue to track them down.
“I suppose it’s that we will not catch them, and in the meantime, we leave Prague vulnerable.”
Radek nodded. Now he did care about Prague. No matter what was going on between the factions in his country, he did not want to see the city decimated. And he was certain that was exactly what would happen should Sigismund’s mercenaries get their hands on it. Not the Czechs in his army but the foreigners. They cared little about the Czech’s Golden Prague.
Commander Zizka must have ordered the Taborites to begin movement back to the city. The men around him shuffled and turned back in the direction they had come.
Radek, too, shifted his horse.
The road back to Prague seemed to stretch out longer than the journey to the battlefront. Perhaps it was the confusion at their apparent lack of victory that lengthened their trip. They would not be returning the victors they had intended.
Nearly halfway along their route, a messenger came to meet them and spoke in hushed tones to Zizka.
At that point, Radek was close enough to the commander to see his reaction.
Zizka’s body tightened and his face became a mask.
But Radek had seen enough of the man to know that this did not mean good things.
The message had been overheard and was being whispered throughout the group. It reached Zdenek first. And Radek watched his reaction as well. His mouth became a thin line and his eyes darkened.
“What is it?” Radek was intent on an answer.
“The whole thing seems to have been a trick. Sigismund used the battle as a ploy to sneak in a supply convoy to the Hradcany while we were distracted.”
It sunk into Radek’s brain. He couldn’t help but think it was rather clever. But then he realized what it meant for the Hussites. They would not be able to starve out the Hradcany before the main crusading Royalist army was sure to arrive. And they needed that stronghold, that castle to be sure to hold the city. What would Zizka do now?
Twelve
Danger
Pavel awoke with a start, covered in sweat. Why? Why did he have to leave? How could he have not seen it?
Sitting up, he glanced at his friends nearby, resting peacefully. He drew his knees to his chest. Oh, God, why?
Just after his arrival in Prague, Zizka told him that he received reports of Ulrich of Rozmberk. The man had begun causing trouble in Tabor. Zizka had, just that morning, sent a group of men back to Tabor. This, he assured Pavel, would bring an end to Rozmberk’s challenge.
Pavel was not so certain. What would become of his parents? Of Karin? Should he have spun his horse on its heels and returned?
His head dropped into his hands, thoughts so clouded he could not pray. But prayer is what he sought. For that was where he found strength.
Not tonight.
“Is something amiss?”
Pavel turned toward the soft voice to his left.
Zdenek stared up at him from his bed mat.
“I did not mean to disturb you,” Pavel whispered. “Please go back to sleep, friend.”
Zdenek shifted to prop his head up. “It is not you. I find it difficult to sleep, as hot as it has been.”
Pavel nodded. “Radek does not seem to have the same problem.”
Zdenek peered at the man lying to his other side. “Him? He could sleep in a thorn bush.”
Pavel chuckled.
Silence fell between them.
Zdenek opened his mouth, but closed it.
What did he want to say? Why would he not just say it? Pavel stretched his legs.
Then Zdenek found his voice. “Have you always been a Hussite?”
What a question. Pavel’s eyes met Zdenek’s. He chose his words carefully. “In my heart, yes. I have always questioned some things in the church.”
“Why?”
Zdenek was rather curious for the late hour, Pavel mused. But he wasn’t bothered by it. Pavel took a deep breath and let it out. “I suppose because I knew God. And I knew His truth didn’t line up with what I heard.”
Zdenek looked to the ground for a moment. “That is a rather curious thing.”
“What is?”
“What you said—that you ‘knew God’. How does one ‘know God’?”
What do I say? How do I explain something like this? “The same way you know anyone else. Through time, conversation, study.”
“Conversation?”
“That’s what prayer is.” Pavel leveled his eyes on Zdenek’s. “A conversation with God.”
“You mean to say that God talks back to you?” Zdenek’s face was a mixture of confusion, skepticism, and fear.
“Sometimes.” Pavel shrugged. “But not the way you think.”
Zdenek’s brow furrowed.
“It’s difficult to explain.”
“If one cannot explain it, how does one convert anyone?”
That was a good question. So Pavel attempted to answer this unexplainable thing. “There are many things about God that have to be taken by faith.”
Zdenek became quiet.
Were these questions the product of his time with the Hussites? Was this a sign Zdenek might be ready to take a step of faith? Pavel opened his mouth to speak further but was cut off by Zdenek.
“My father spoke often of faith.” Zdenek’s gaze was focused on the ground, almost as if he peered through the grass to something beyond.
Even if Pavel had something to say, he sensed it was time to listen.
“But he had little to show for it.” Zdenek sat up then, crossing his legs in front of himself and looking off into the distance.
Pavel was tempted to peek at what he seemed so drawn to but kept his eyes on his friend.
“He was a hard man. Never satisfied with anything I ever did. I wasn’t good enough. Not for his God.”
What damage had this man done?
“So I decided I wanted nothing to do with this man’s God.” Zdenek met Pavel’s eyes then.
How should Pavel respond? He should, shouldn’t he?
Zdenek stood. “I’ll be back.”
Pavel watched as Zdenek walked off in search of privacy. Did he seek to relieve himself? Or just to have some quiet moments? Would Zdenek ever be able to accept the idea of a loving, gracious God?
* * *
Eva sat on her mattress, legs curled underneath her. Glancing across the space between her bed and the one next to it at her roommate, Apolena, she couldn’t help but smile. The girl had become a dear friend. She had helped Eva during this transition, being away from Father and Patricie, and had assisted Eva in her efforts to remain hidden from Zd
enek.
Eva hadn’t wanted to lie, but he would have been displeased if he had known she came with the Taborite soldiers to Prague despite his insistence she remain in Tabor. But she had to be near him and wanted to participate in this cause.
The Hussite movement had become important to her. As much as she had loathed her father’s decision to pack up everything and follow Commander Zizka, she had begun to understand. The commander was wise, and brave, and cared deeply about Bohemia and its people. And the Taborite women had only deepened her resolve.
“What are you thinking?” Apolena gave her a sly smile. “Your Zdenek?”
Eva plunged her face into her shoulder. “He’s not truly my Zdenek.” Her face warmed and she plucked at the fabric of her nightdress.
“But you care for him. And he cares for you, no?” Apolena ducked her head, catching Eva’s eyes.
If possible, Eva’s face heated even more. “Yes.”
“That’s what I thought.” Apolena laughed.
Eva raised her head, letting a laugh escape. “It’s time for us to get some sleep. I’m certain tomorrow will be another long day of work on the moat.”
“Sleep?” Apolena stood and began dressing. “We have a long night ahead of us!”
“What are you doing?” Eva watched her movements. Had Apolena gone mad? The hour had grown late and the entire monastery slumbered. Did she intend to sneak out?
“Our plans. Tonight is the night, remember?” Apolena paused. Her eyes on Eva were expectant.
“Wait . . . what?” Eva slid off the side of the small bed. “I don’t understand. What plans?”
“Stop playing at some sort of farce.” Apolena waved her hand and continued to pull on her chemise.
Eva’s brows furrowed. “I tell you, Apolena, I do not know what you are talking about.”
Apolena put her hands on her hips and met Eva’s eyes.
They squared off for a moment. Eva began to wonder if Apolena would ever tell her.
“You truly do not know?”
Eva shook her head, a sense of dread falling over her.
“I do not understand how no one has told you.” Apolena crossed her arms, a brow quirked. Did she still not believe Eva?
“Perhaps you should tell me.” Eva wanted to step toward her friend, but the sense of foreboding that filled her also paralyzed her.
Apolena continued to stare hard at Eva but, at length, let her arms fall to her side. “Tonight is the night we will expel the nuns from this monastery and burn it to the ground.”
Eva was struck. Apolena could not be serious. She searched Apolena’s eyes for any sign that she had spoken in jest. Perhaps she intended to punish Eva for forgetting whatever their planned ruse was. But Apolena’s features betrayed nothing of the sort. Her hazel eyes remained set on Eva with such intensity that Eva did not question her veracity.
“W-Why?” Eva found her tongue with some difficulty.
“How can you ask that?” Apolena’s forehead creased. “These women are not serious about their stand for Christ. They lack the zealousness He requires. It is as if they are playacting. And we will not tolerate such a farce.”
Eva felt as if she had been hit between her shoulders by a boulder. But she tried to disguise it.
Apolena came around her bed and stood next to Eva, laying a hand on her shoulder. “Can’t you see, Eva? We have to do this.” Her new friend seemed so sincere in her plea. She truly believed in what she was doing. Who was Eva to tell her she was wrong? But it still felt wrong.
All Eva could do was nod. What could she do to stop this plan? Could she warn the nuns? It wasn’t as if they planned to burn the monastery down with the nuns inside. They intended to turn them out first. Should she stop them from burning the structure to the ground? How was she to do this?
Zdenek.
She had to find Zdenek.
Without anything further, Eva moved to where her dress and chemise lay and started the process of readying herself.
Apolena moved back to her own dress. “You will see. What we are doing is necessary. It is right.”
Eva nodded but bit her lip. She twisted toward the wall so Apolena could not see the errant tear that escaped.
They finished dressing in silence. Then Apolena indicated they should make their way out of the room.
Eva’s insides turned. She had to find a way to get free of Apolena, to sneak out and get to Zdenek.
Apolena led the way out the door and down the hall. They were met by some of the other Taborite women in the hallway near the stairs. A simple nod was the only greeting.
The women pointed at themselves and in different directions, perhaps indicating who should go where. Thankfully, Eva was to go down the staircase.
Apolena whispered that she would meet up with another group of Taborite women there.
Eva parted company with the party, praying she could make it down the stairs before any others intercepted her.
Down one level, she spotted no one. She continued to descend the last set of stairs until she was at the door to the exterior.
Taking one last look behind her, she let out a soundless breath. No one followed her. She lifted the latch with care and opened the door just enough for her slender form to slip through.
Once in the open air, she ran for the northern end of the city. The men were camped on an island in that vicinity. It took several minutes to reach them, and her breathing was ragged, coming in gasps when she neared.
But her way was barred by centuries guarding the path. And they appeared none too happy for the disturbance.
“What can we do for you?” One of the men rose, his frame silhouetted in the moonlight. He was massive.
“Dobry vecer,” she greeted them, trying to control her breathing. “I must speak with my husband. It’s urgent.”
The guard glanced at the other, still seated, examining his sword. He shrugged, seeming bored as he spun his weapon, allowing the metal to catch the moonlight. “As long as you don’t disturb any of the other sleeping soldiers.”
“Of course.” She had no intention of upsetting anyone.
“You may pass.” The glowering guard grumbled. He moved out of the way so she could walk between them.
As much as she wanted to run, she thought better of it and took quick, lengthened steps onto the small island. Once in the camp, she realized how difficult her task would be. Some of the men had erected makeshift tents, some were sleeping in the open air. Would Zdenek be in a tent? Would she have to look inside each one? Examine every occupant? There were over 9,000 men camped here!
But Zdenek had a horse. Not every man did. That would narrow her search . . . some. She closed her eyes and tried to picture his horse. Eva had always been good with horses. A dark brown mare with a black mane and tail. Yes! That was it.
Picking her way through camp, she gazed at the horses, looking to find the ones matching that description. It proved to be more work than she anticipated, but it did help keep her from having to check every single man.
Several dark brown horses into her exploration, she spotted a familiar figure lying nearby on the ground. The dark hair and beard reminded her of Zdenek’s friend Radek. Was Zdenek near? As she drew closer to where the man rested, she found an empty bed mat. Had Zdenek been here?
Should she wake the man she assumed was Radek? It had always seemed he didn’t care for her. But the situation had become rather urgent. Much time had already passed. Too much time. She needed to find Zdenek now.
Pushing her trepidations to the side, she leaned over the figure and placed a hand on his shoulder.
He jerked to the ready, pushing her back, hand on the hilt of his sword.
Eva stumbled away, hands rising to defend herself.
The man’s eyes were on her. “What are you doing here?” His voice was harsh, accusation thinly veiled.
“Please. Are you Radek? I’m looking for Zdenek. It’s urgent.”
The bearded man looked at the empty bed mat. “
I don’t know where he is,” he grumbled. “And you shouldn’t be here.”
Eva swallowed past a lump forming in her throat. “I need help.”
Another figure, a blond man, moved toward them. “Radek? What is the matter?”
Radek’s eyes met hers, glaring. Then he looked at the other man. He opened his mouth to speak, and Eva prepared herself for another harsh rebuke.
“Eva?” Another voice, this one from behind her.
She spun toward the sound and came face-to-face with Zdenek.
“Zdenek!”
“What are you doing here?” His soft eyes were confused. But there was something underneath that. Anger?
Eva stepped toward him. “I . . . we can talk later, but right now I need your help.” Would he help her? She had nothing left but to trust him.
His eyes darkened for a moment and then softened as she reached for his hand, their fingers grazing. “Tell me.”
She let out a breath. “The Taborite women are preparing to burn down the monastery. We have to stop them.”
Zdenek’s eyes widened and he glanced at the blond man. “Why would they do this?”
Eva’s eyes filled with moisture. “They think the nuns aren’t truly committed to Christ. That they aren’t zealous enough.” She took his hand. “Come, we must go!”
The blond man stepped closer. “We will follow.”
Zdenek exchanged another look with the man and nodded toward Eva. He did not release her hand as she led him from the camp, his blond friend trailing behind.
Once they were on the streets of Prague, she beaconed them to hurry. The smell of burning ash and smoldering wood filled Eva’s nostrils long before they arrived. And the tendrils of black smoke were visible from a distance. Still she trudged on.
“Eva!” Zdenek shouted and tugged at her.
But she continued to pull him onward. There had to be something they could do. It couldn’t be too late. Not after everything she had done.
They rounded the last corner and the structure came into full view, alight with flame and ember.
Zdenek halted and pulled her back into his arms.
The Lady And The Hussites (The Lady Bornekova Book 2) Page 18
