Escape from the Past (11 page)

I shook my head. “Thank you. I’ll return this afternoon. Will you give the Lord a message that I stopped by and must speak to him at once?”

The sentry nodded. “I will, Max Nerds.”

I headed downhill. I had to smile when I thought of the guard addressing me as a guest. I sure had climbed up in the world since my arrival. But that could be deceptive. They didn’t have drawn-out courts and comfortable jails. It was the dungeon or off
with your head.

This time, I went straight to Bero’s hut. Nobody was home. That wasn’t surprising. I rummaged through the shelf that held the meager food rations and tore off a piece of bread. I could really use a good meal. Longingly I thought of the fried potatoes and eggs my mother had fixed the last night I’d been home. I swallowed, the sudden longing for home and my mother hitting me like a fist.

“Concentrate,” I said aloud, my voice sounding lonely and miserable.

I grabbed some of the cold tea I’d saved and washed down the dry bread. What a terrible diet these people had. No wonder they got sick and died young. My stomach at a calmer level, I stepped outside. It was eerily quiet with the pigs gone. I wondered what time it was and if the fat barkeep had sent for Juliana. Maybe she’d already gone to Lady Clara. But what if she was with Bero or her mother? I tried to remember what they’d talked about at breakfast, but I’d been preoccupied to find a solution and hadn’t listened.

Now I stood here like an idiot. I couldn’t write a note. Even if I’d had paper and pen they were illiterate. They had no phones or computers. What a stupid era, the game had thrown me into. I yanked the door closed and headed toward the meadows in search of Bero. Worried about the time, I broke into a run. Not having a watch seriously sucked.

Sure enough Bero sat with his back to a tree, a blade of grass between his teeth, his pigs contentedly rummaging about. I scanned the trees for Juliana who liked to collect beechnuts and acorns to make flour.

“Where’s Juliana?” I asked, catching my breath. “I’ve got great news.”

“She’s not with me,” Bero said, jumping up from his post. “What happened?”

“I got her a spot with Lady Clara,” I said. I couldn’t quite
suppress the pride I felt in having found a solution.

“How’d you do
that
?” Bero was at his suspicious best.

“Lady Clara is in town, though she’s a prisoner of the beadle. I snuck in and talked to her.” I left out the other part of my promise.

“And she just agreed?”

“Not exactly.” I couldn’t explain it but I felt uneasy. “I’ll tell you later. It’s getting late. Where is she?”

“I left her home.”

“Did she go to the fields with your mother and Adela?”

Bero shook his head. “Nay, she wanted to get ready for this afternoon when we take her back. Her leg still bothered her a bit so she was going to work around the house.”

“She wasn’t home.” A terrible foreboding began to grow in me. “She may have gone to the Klausenhof.”

Our eyes met.

“Or something’s happened,” Bero said. He whistled. Immediately his pigs squeaked in response. “Let’s go. We have to find her.”

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.”

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 has 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.