ALTDORF (The Forest Knights: Book 1) (22 page)

By the time he made it through the door, one soldier was on the ground unmoving and Pirmin was exchanging sword blows with two others. Across the room was a flurry of movement as two more soldiers were struggling with Sutter, one of the men had his breeches down around his ankles, and Vreni, Sutter’s wife, lay behind them curled up on top of a table, her dress torn and tattered. Sutter had his hands around the breech-less man’s throat, while the other one had a handful of Sutter’s hair and was punching him in the back of the head. Then he stepped back and drew his sword.

Noll jumped over a chair and knocked the man’s blade aside before he could skewer Sutter. He slashed at the soldier’s side but his armor protected him. In his peripheral vision Noll caught movement and risked a glance to his left. To his surprise, he saw Berenger Von Landenberg himself holding Mera from behind, and at that moment, the Duke’s Vogt also saw Noll. His eyes went wide.

Landenberg’s face reddened and twisted. He looked like he was going to charge Noll, but he saw Pirmin swatting his men aside like gnats and he hesitated.

Noll yelled out Landenberg’s name in rage, but was forced to parry an attack and he lost track of the Vogt. All he could think of was how he had to get to Mera. Fury lent Noll strength and he sent a flurry of blows against his opponent. The soldier’s face blurred and was replaced with that of Landenberg. He heard the Vogt’s voice saying the same thing over and over.

His boy broke your fingers, so have your justice. Take the old man’s eyes.
He heard his father scream and men’s laughter.

His father’s cry turned into a wet gurgle and Noll realized his sword was stuck in the throat of the soldier he was fighting. He pulled it free and scanned the room for Landenberg. He was nowhere to be seen, but Noll offered up a silent prayer when he saw Mera embracing with her parents. A dead soldier, his face blue, lay crumpled at Sutter’s feet as the innkeeper held his sobbing daughter and wife.

Another man was dead on the floor near Pirmin, and the last soldier was on his knees begging for his life. Noll dashed through the kitchen to the back door. The stable gate was open and several horses were moving about some distance away in the woods. Landenberg had scattered them before taking flight himself. Far away up the road Noll saw a lone horseman receding into the distance. He kicked an empty milk can next to the door, grimacing as he felt the hard metal against his toes.

God had granted him a rare opportunity for justice today, but Noll had missed his chance. He had failed his father three years ago on the family farm, and he had let him down yet again here today.

Take the old man’s eyes.

Noll kicked the can once more and screamed.

Chapter 21

S
ERAINA EASED the door to Vreni’s room closed and made her way softly down the stairs to the inn’s common room. Sutter, Mera, Pirmin and Noll sat around a table. They all looked up with pained, expectant faces and awaited her news.

“She will be fine. In time,” she said.

The relief on everyone’s face told Seraina she had chosen her words well. Vreni was a strong woman, but Seraina doubted she would ever be truly fine. Seraina had seen too many scars left on women by men to ignore the truth. The physical healed quickly, but those of the spirit ran deep, and in most cases, could only be concealed. Wounds of the spirit may scab over, but they never fully heal.

When Seraina had arrived at the inn, she had found Vreni on her knees praying to her god, thanking him over and over again for sparing her daughter the rape she had suffered. The sight had infuriated Seraina, but she allowed the woman her prayers, while inside she seethed at the uselessness of worshipping a god who would subject his faithful subjects to such torture.

Sutter stared at her, his eyes dull and the sockets around them black with exhaustion. The usually taciturn man could not conceal his gratitude.

“Thank you Seraina. I know your presence means a lot to Vreni. And to me. You have always been a friend to this family.”

Seraina’s vision clouded briefly with the beginnings of tears, but she blinked them back. She would be strong for them. She had suffered nothing, after all, and had no right to subject them to her own childish tears. She forced her lips into what she hoped was a smile, and stalled until her emotions were under control, and she was sure her voice would not quaver when she spoke. She handed Sutter a vial.

“Give her five drops in tea every night. It will help with the dreams.” She wanted to say ‘nightmares’. “Mera, your mother will need more help with her work than usual for the next few days.”

“Of course.” The young girl’s eyes were still glossy with her own tears. “She spoke against the Vogt on my behalf. Perhaps if I had agreed to what he wanted none of this would have happened.”

Noll stood up from the table, banging it with his hand. “Mera! Do not even think on that.”

Mera flinched and Pirmin shot Noll an angry glare. He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. “What Noll means to say is this is not your fault. Nothing you could have done would have changed this.”

Chastened, Noll eased himself back onto the bench.

“Yes, forgive my abruptness, Mera,” Noll said. He flashed her a weak smile.

“Please, Noll. Do not apologize. If you and Pirmin had not risked your lives to help us…” Mera could not bring herself to finish the thought.

“My daughter is right. I owe you more than I can ever pay, but I swear to damn well try my best,” Sutter said.

Mera placed her hand over her father’s for a moment and then stood slowly from the table. “I had best put something on the stove for our customers tonight. People need to eat,” she said. The men watched in awe as she left them.

“Brave girl, that one,” Pirmin said.

Seraina took Mera’s seat at the table. She sensed anger rolling off the men in waves. Pirmin and Sutter both looked at Noll, their faces grim.

Noll said, “We live in Landenberg’s shadow, cowering behind his back where his arms cannot reach. Where we pray he will not find us.”

Noll stood from the table and drew out his bone-handled hunting knife.

“I, for one, am ready to once again feel the sun on my face.” He drove his knife into the center of the table. It continued to quiver after he removed his hand.

“And I can see by your eyes, that your thoughts echo mine.”

Seraina’s breast swelled with both fear and hope for what Noll had in mind.

Chapter 22

G
ISSLER STOOD in the antechamber to the main hall in Altdorf.

A runner had come for him in Habsburg yesterday morning. Leopold requested his appearance in Altdorf immediately. He had made the trip with all due haste, not only because he sensed he was on the verge of a breakthrough with the Duke, but also because he was bored. He had never been one to sit around idle.

He stepped closer to the door and listened to the Duke and Landenberg arguing in raised voices. Or rather, listened to Leopold reprimanding Landenberg for botching a simple task.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Landenberg blustered out. He cast a contemptuous look in Gissler’s direction.

“So, you are here. Leopold said to send you in, but I warn you. His mood is fouler than usual. Hold your tongue if you know what is good for you.”

Gissler fought the urge to unleash his tongue on the Vogt at this very moment, and managed restraint. He appeased himself by imagining how he would talk to the fat man if he were knighted, and settled for locking eyes with Landenberg as he pushed past the man into the hall.

Landenberg held his gaze, but stepped aside without a word.

Chapter 23

T
HE STARTLING BLUE eyes of Abbot Ludovicus went wide when Thomas took the quill from his hand, and instead of scratching an
‘X’
, began writing his full name on the bill of sale.

Thomas took his time and formed the letters carefully. It had been some time since he had set ink to parchment, and if truth be told, had never achieved a high skill level in it. Reading and writing were as different as walking and riding to him. But the mere act of writing his own name was something even most bluebloods were incapable of performing.

Thomas set the quill down. Pleased with himself, he stepped back to appraise his work. He turned, and when he saw Anid, his good mood fled. He stepped in and let the horse nuzzle the left side of his neck; for some reason he always favored the side of Thomas’s scar.