Escape from the Past (27 page)

I was simply living life in the Middle Ages, not fitting anywhere. Lame Hans had been right. I was neither a peasant, nor a squire and I most certainly wasn’t a knight. I didn’t matter, operating in a vacuum without purpose. And it was becoming increasingly harder to pull myself out of the darkness of my mood.

I picked up on the tenseness within the castle after meeting Catherine, Werner’s wife. She’d nodded and otherwise ignored me, but she looked drawn and sickly. I wondered how the women tolerated living together, especially Werner’s wife who had to know perfectly well that Lady Clara was Werner’s lover.

I remembered reading how women in medieval times had no rights and their husbands had affairs left and right. Much had changed since then, but my mother still suffered, even if she’d divorced my father. My father. Until now I’d only seen him as a villain. First he dragged us to Germany so I’d lose all my friends and the life I knew in the States. Then he left citing irreparable
differences. I’d felt that I didn’t matter, that nothing I said or did made one lick of difference. Now I wasn’t so sure anymore. Compared to the coldness with which families lived in the Middle Ages, even my dad looked like a loving father. But then it was easy to look that way when you weren’t around much.

I was also bored. At first, I hadn’t thought it possible, but I had no tasks except to keep clean and find suitable things to eat.

To do something I started taking walks along the inner walls of the castle. Despite the increasing sharpness, the clean air felt refreshing after the horse smells in the barn and the many foul odors inside the castle.

Originally, I’d wanted to ask Lord Werner to do me a favor and hurt Ott in some way. After all it was impossible for me or Bero to visit Miranda’s manor without falling prey to Ott where he was strongest.

But by Saturday morning, I still hadn’t spoken to Werner, afraid the knight would ask me again about my life before Hanstein. Nor did I have any other ideas. I couldn’t fight Ott and playing a dumb prank like placing a pile of poop on the doorstep didn’t have near the impact in the Middle Ages, when human waste and reeking bodies were part of everyday living. Besides, it was way too good for Ott. I wanted him to suffer, not die—I reserved that hatred for the beadle.

Werner and his knights had assembled midmorning and ridden out, each of them dressed in formal Surcots topped with armor and helmets. A knight was a knight, I had learned and none went far without a sword and at least chainmail or leather. With Werner gone, Castle Hanstein had turned even more quiet: maids, servants and squires took a break while Lady Clara read and Catherine taught her children to read. And because the weather was damp, they stayed in their chambers.

I had also seen another woman who I knew to be Hans’s wife. But I never talked to her and didn’t care to. Nor had I tried to meet all the kids that ran around the castle who gave me a wide
berth. They all seemed busy anyway.

Maybe now Juliana would have more time. I thought about her a lot these last few days, stopping in the hallway a few times, catching kisses and hugging her close. But I was unsure how to proceed. Chances were good she’d raise the interest of a knight and follow him to his bed one of these days. I had no delusions that sooner or later Juliana would be snatched up. She was far too pretty. Several of Werner’s men were young and seemed unattached. Already, I’d noticed several of them follow her with their eyes. Luckily, Juliana was out of the limelight and in the women’s chambers a lot. Then there were the cooks and servants, the other squires, each of them a potential rival.

I knew people married early, often as children. What if she asked me or expected me to ask her? I couldn’t possibly marry. I was in 11th grade barely thinking about college.

Hah, what if I’d never go back to my former life. What if living in medieval Germany was going to be my life? I had no skills, just what I’d picked up in school and from my parents, most of it useless around here.

I didn’t know a trade either. Eventually, Werner would kick me out or ask me to work. I saw myself, gray stringy hair, carrying chamber pots for the Lords. Great future.

I had to get home. But if I left I’d never see Juliana again. My heart beat faster, thinking about her hair and eyes, her breasts pushing against me in the gloominess of the hall.

I was screwed either way.

“Max?” Juliana came running from the courtyard. She’d braided her hair into a series of plaits and wound them around her head just like Lady Clara.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Your hair looks nice.”

She returned my smile and took my hand. “I’ll be free tonight. Lady Clara has given me the evening to do as I please. Will you meet with me?”

In search for my voice, I nodded. Here was my chance to have
her to myself, learn more about what she wanted. “Great. What are we going to do?”

“We can’t leave,” she hurried. “It’d please me to see
Mutter
though.”

“Ott is busy with his birthday celebration. Tonight would be a perfect opportunity,” I said. “I’ll go with you—for protection—and afterwards we’ll have dinner at the Klausenhof.”

And after that we’ll find a dark spot in the barn.

“I’ve never been to the Klausenhof,” Juliana cried. “I couldn’t possibly go inside.”

“Why not? As long as we pay for our meal.”

“But I have no coin,” she cried.

“I’ve got some,” I said. “Lord Werner gave me a few after he heard that I lost it all to Schwarzburg.”

“Then it’s an agreement,” she said, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll go back now. See you at dusk at the barn,” she yelled over her shoulder. “I’m so excited.”

With the prospect of spending Saturday night with Juliana, I found new energy. Maybe I’d find a solution after I spoke with her. For now I’d get cleaned up. I’d taken a few birdbaths, but a good swim was the only real solution.

I took a whiff. The wind had died down up here, which would mean even less of a breeze near the river. Few clouds dotted the sky. Weather forecasts were unknown but the air was reasonably warm despite the fall-colored trees.

Throwing a last glance toward the barn, I took off downhill, through the main gate and past the guards in the outer wall. I whistled, skipping across roots and piled-up leaves. Maybe I’d visit Luanda. She’d been good to me and… I stopped, smacking a hand against my forehead. I was such an idiot. Why hadn’t I thought of it before?

The old witch would know what to do about Ott. I thought of the earthen pots, her knowledge of herbs and plants. Maybe she could mix something to make Ott miserable. I thought of
digitalis used for heart medicine. Surely the old woman had something on her shelves, I could give to Ott. That left the not so small problem of getting it to him and making sure he ate or drank it. I shook my head. First things first.

At the river I quickly undressed. The reeds had turned yellow, the cattails fluffy and brown. I quickly stepped through the muck into deeper water and swam against the current. The river was higher than I remembered and I had to work harder to make progress. It felt good to be strong again.

The memory of Juliana returned full-strength. I felt the urge to sing along with the familiar stirring under water. Maybe it was best to relieve the pressure
before
we met so I could concentrate on other things. The river’s banks were hidden in reeds and brush—private enough. I moved closer to the edge for better footing and went to work.

Significantly more relaxed I swam downstream, taking a last dunk under water to scrub my hair. Resurfacing I nearly went under again. Two voices spoke beyond the reeds.

“Who’d leave their robes lying ’round like this?”

“Someone swimming?” the second voice said.

“By the devil’s pointed tail, it’s October. What fool would bathe unless he wanted to drown himself,” the first voice barked.

“That must be it. I gather we shall have to report it. The Duke will want to know any suspicious activity.”

Steps moved toward the water’s edge and I pressed myself deeper into the grasses.

“Nothing here,” the second voice said. “The fool drowned.”

“Then let us make haste and see Schwarzburg right away.”

Shaking with cold, I shoved my knuckles into my mouth. What did these men have to do with the beadle?

“What’s the haste? We won’t attack Hanstein till midnight. Lord Werner won’t be back till the morrow, especially after Miranda gives them the potion. They’ll sleep like newborns.” The voice cracked into chuckles. “Imagine what he’ll find when he
returns.”

The other voice sounded even grumpier. “We must report the robes to the Duke. Now! He said to inform him at once.”

“Let us find him then,” the first voice hissed noticeably irritated.

Heavy feet moved away from the water and I tried to listen where they headed. But either the river murmured too loudly or my ears were filled with water, I couldn’t hear anything else. After a few more minutes I climbed out of the water. I was shaking now, my skin covered in goose bumps. Afraid of alerting Schwarzburg’s men, I suppressed a curse. My clothes were gone.

For a moment I stood, unable to move despite the cold. I was naked and the beadle’s men were nearby.

Worse, evil Schwarzburg was planning to attack Hanstein tonight. Werner had underestimated the Duke who wanted his prize back, no matter what. While the Lord was visiting Miranda, the beadle was going to take over or destroy Werner’s castle. It couldn’t happen. It must not happen. I crouched, wiping down my skin. I had to get help. Now.

And I had no idea how.

Hugging the overgrown thickets and grasses along the river, I scampered down the path. I was painfully aware of being exposed. Not that I’d ever been particularly modest, but traipsing around completely naked was impossible. The familiar—now harvested—hazelnut bushes came into view. I ducked lower, snatching a few leaves to cover my crotch. It was comical, I smirked, I looked like Adam in the Bible.

Luanda’s gardens had been raked, the beds covered with leaves and prepared for winter. I snuck past and slinked to the door, which opened after the first knock.

“Max,” the old woman said, taking in the sights.

I bent over, covering my groin with leaves and hands. “I need clothes.”

“That is obvious,” Luanda said, letting out a cackle. “Your visits, however rare, always bring the unexpected.”

I rushed past her to the bed to grab a blanket and stopped at the fireplace. “I’m freezing.”

“It is late in the season but I see that your yearning to swim has lingered. What happened to your robes? Surely, you didn’t walk from Hanstein without a speck of cloth?”

“They were stolen. Just now. When I was in the water,” I stammered. The cold was making my feet and legs ache.

“Strange folks roam the land. They carry evil purpose and bring destruction.”

“No kidding. They’re Schwarzburg’s men.”

Luanda nodded grimly. “I feared as much.”

“They’re going to attack Hanstein tonight while Werner, I mean the Lord, is at Miranda’s. The castle is without proper defense and the nasty beadle is going to get Lady Clara back.

“I hear you made the acquaintance of the Duke.”

I nodded as the darkness of my memory returned. Fury,
helplessness and a terrible worry for Hanstein began to take hold. If they destroyed the castle, Lady Clara and Juliana would be fair game for Schwarzburg. Werner would lose his home. I’d lose my place to stay. I had no idea how they could, but the history books mentioned that the Swedes tore down hundreds of castles.

“Max?”

“What?” I resurfaced from the blackness finding myself face-to-face with Luanda.

She gripped my shoulders, her eyes wintry clouds between the folds of her lids. “You must warn the Lord. Tell him what is about to happen. He must return early.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. Ott not only knows me, he wants my hide. After all, I took Juliana away. Besides, Miranda and Ott are involved. They’re going to put something in Werner’s drink so that he’ll sleep through the night.”

As the magnitude of the pending attack sank in, I got more and more angry. I was stuck in Luanda’s cabin without clothes. At a minimum I had to go and warn Bero, Juliana and Lady Clara. The Duke was liable to kill them all along with Werner’s boys. Maybe give Juliana to Ott in exchange.

But where could they go? Bornhagen wasn’t safe. I didn’t know any other place. And Hanstein was probably under surveillance. If we all left, the castle would be even easier to invade. Schwarzburg could walk right in and make himself at home, the filthy bastard.

Luanda held out a mug. “The tea will comfort you. I’ll look for something to wear. Whatever you do, you can’t go anywhere without robes.”

I sipped the brew, which smelled of licorice and sage. Soon feeling warmer I bound the blanket around my shoulder like a toga. Luanda returned with a bundle of fabric.

“I don’t have boots or pants, but it will cover the important parts,” she said, holding up a pale-white linen shirt. It looked
like a nightgown for girls, but I was beyond caring. I pulled it over my head, following up with a dark brown Surcot, that covered me to the calves. I felt naked and exposed underneath, but there was nothing I could do.

I remembered my earlier idea. Not that I’d have a chance to do something about it. “I’m wondering if you have something to give Ott.”

Luanda’s hands stopped moving. She’d been cutting bread and smearing it with some kind of spread. “Give Ott?”

“Could you brew something that would make him miserable for a while?”

“You’re vengeful, after all,” Luanda said.

“He deserves it. I don’t want to kill him. Just make him suffer a while.” I thought of the Duke. I wanted to kill him all right.

Luanda refilled my cup and waved me to the table. “Eat. I must think.”

Sniffing the bread, I suddenly felt ravenous. The spread was made from nuts and honey and tasted amazing. Why couldn’t the cooks at Hanstein do stuff like that? I watched Luanda pace in front of the fire pit. Once in a while she stopped and murmured, tapping her forefinger on her lips. Then she resumed her pacing.