The Sword Brothers (97 page)

He had other things on
his mind as the garrison settled back into is daily routine of
patrols and training, the brother knights and sergeants also
attending the prayer sessions that divided their day. Johann was
excused duties until his ankle healed, Ilona treating his injury
with her herbal concoctions that seemed to aid his recovery to a
remarkable extent. It had been the same with Abbot Hylas whose back
had healed and who now had taken to sitting in the chapel most days
mumbling to himself. He wore a fresh white habit but refused to
take off the crucifixes that Lembit had placed around his neck
after the execution of his monks. He thus wore four around his
neck, which jangled whenever he walked anywhere. He was very fond
of Ilona who had tended his wounds but rarely spoke to anyone
else.

‘His mind has gone,’
she said as she left the dormitory after dressing Johann’s
ankle.

Conrad had offered to
carry her box of potions as she made her way back to her hut below
the castle.

‘I can heal his wounds
but not his mind. The ordeal that he was subjected to has destroyed
his faculties. Poor man.’

They made their way
across the courtyard to the large gatehouse that was now growing up
from its foundations.

‘He will never
recover?’ asked Conrad.

‘It is in God’s hands
now.’

She sensed that Conrad
was in a pensive mood by the way his mind seemed to be elsewhere,
that and his eagerness to carry her medicines. She noticed that he
kept glancing at her and then at the ground as though he was trying
to summon up the courage to ask her something. After a few minutes
she could bear it no more.

‘What is on your mind,
Conrad?’

He shook his head.
‘Nothing.’

‘Are you sure? There
is nothing you want to ask me?’

He shook his head more
vigorously. ‘No. Well, yes, but…’

She stopped and faced
him. ‘Then ask me and put us both out of our misery.’

He stared at the
ground to avoid her eyes. ‘I was wondering if, well, if you would
ask someone something.’

‘Someone?’

He smiled furtively.
‘Yes.’

‘And does this someone
have a name?’

‘Brother Rudolf,’ he
whispered.

‘Who?’

‘Brother Rudolf,’ he
said more loudly.

‘Rudolf.’

He nodded.

‘This is like pulling
teeth,’ she sighed. ‘I have things to do.’

With that she strode
away, Conrad walking briskly after her.

‘Ilona, wait.’

‘What do you want me
to ask Rudolf?’

‘I wish to marry
Daina.’

She stopped and turned
to face him, a knowing expression on her face. ‘So, we finally come
to it. You are to be made a brother knight soon, along with Anton,
Hans and Johann?’

He nodded.

‘And if you take your
vows you can never marry,’ she continued. ‘But you feel torn
between your love for Daina and your desire not to let Rudolf and
the order down.’

He said nothing but
the anguish in his eyes told her that it was so.

‘And you think that
Rudolf’s affection for me will soothe his anger if I tell him that
you wish to marry the daughter of Thalibald.’

He nodded
enthusiastically.

‘I will not do
it.’

His jaw dropped.
‘But…’

‘But, but, but? But
what? What would Rudolf think of you if he learned that you had
asked a woman to do your work for you, or the other brother knights
for that matter?’

‘I just thought it
might be easier coming from you,’ he muttered.

‘This is no easy
matter, Conrad. What you desire is a great thing. Daina is the
daughter of a chief and you are but a novice.’

His heart sank at her
words. He knew she spoke the truth but he could not give up on his
dream.

‘I will not give her
up,’ he said defiantly.

‘That’s more like it,’
she said. ‘We must strike while the iron is hot. Go to my hut and
wait for me there.’

She turned and walked
back towards the castle.

‘Where are you
going?’

‘Just wait at my hut,’
she instructed him.

Twenty minutes later
he was pacing up and down in front of Ilona’s small wooden
dwelling, the children of the civilian workers running in a pack
between the huts of their parents, when she and Rudolf
appeared.

‘Conrad has something
to ask you, don’t you Conrad?’ she said, opening the door to her
hut and beckoning them both inside.

The hut was a simple
square abode with a bed against one wall, a table and two chairs
against another and shelves fixed to another wall. There was no
window. A candle stood in a metal dish on the table and baskets
full of herbs rested on the floor. Ilona sat in one of the chairs
and offered the other to Rudolf, leaving Conrad standing.

‘Spit it out, then,’
said Rudolf.

Conrad stood erect and
swallowed. ‘Forgive me, Brother Rudolf, but I wish to marry
Daina.’

Rudolf said nothing as
he looked at Ilona whose eyes flitted between him and Conrad. The
brother knight then looked at the novice.

‘I see.’

‘The thing is,
brother,’ stuttered Conrad, ‘I love her and…’

Rudolf lifted his hand
to still him.

‘If you are
considering marriage I would hope that you do love your intended
bride. What do you want of me?’

Conrad made to speak
but discovered he had nothing to say. He had believed that if he
broached the subject with Rudolf then…. Then what? Ilona rolled her
eyes.

‘Conrad saved my life
a short while ago.’

‘And mine on the ship
that first brought him to Livonia,’ added Rudolf.

‘And since that time
he has wounded Lembit and saved the life of the Bishop of Riga,’
she continued. ‘And yet now he dithers and acts like an
imbecile.’

Rudolf laughed. ‘He is
very quick in battle. Perhaps you could administer one of your
herbal cures.’

‘There is no cure for
what he has caught, I fear.’

Rudolf stood. ‘This is
what I am going to do, Conrad. I shall write to Thalibald
requesting his presence at Wenden tomorrow, informing him of the
reason why his attendance is vital, after which I shall inform
Master Berthold that you wish to marry the chief’s daughter. If
Thalibald does not cut off your head then we shall see if the
master will release you from your obligations.’

A tide of relief swept
through Conrad. ‘You are most kind, Brother Rudolf.’

Rudolf jabbed a finger
in his chest. ‘I am merely setting events in motion. I have no idea
how they will turn out. Do not thank me yet.’

That evening Conrad
went about his tasks with gusto, offering to clean the swords of
his three companions after he had helped to muck out the stables.
At vespers he prayed for his family, his friends, the order and
also asked God to look favourably upon his desire for Daina’s
hand.

The next day Thalibald
arrived, accompanied by his son and a dozen warriors armed with
spears and swords and wearing helmets and mail armour. The chief
himself was resplendent in steel lamellar armour, helmet, aventail,
green tunic and rich leather boots. As Caupo’s deputy he was
expected to dress like a great warlord. Rameke had also come with
his father to Wenden, no doubt having been told of Conrad’s
intentions. He had known for a while, of course, and Conrad prayed
that he had not revealed so to his father. He also hoped that Daina
had not been promised to another, for Thalibald was held in high
esteem throughout Livonia and many a Liv chief would welcome an
alliance between his family and that of Caupo’s right-hand man
through a marriage between Daina and one of his sons.

After their morning
training session, during which Conrad and the other two novices had
taken part in riding manoeuvres with the other brother knights, he
told Anton and Hans of his intentions.

‘Are you allowed to
leave the order?’ enquired Hans.

‘I do not know,’ said
Conrad.

‘If you are allowed to
do so, where will you live?’ asked Anton.

‘In Thalibald’s
village, I assume,’ replied Conrad, not knowing if he would even be
made welcome there.

After he had taken his
horse back to the stables, unsaddled it and brushed it down, a
sergeant arrived with orders that he was to go the master’s hall
immediately, announcing that he had been ordered to escort him
there.

Hans offered his hand.
‘Good luck, my friend.’

Anton also proffered
his support.

‘The master is
waiting,’ snapped the sergeant.

Conrad, his face pale
and his mouth dry, left the stables with his stony faced escort
beside him. They walked across the cobbled courtyard, Conrad’s mind
racing with thoughts of what kind of reception was awaiting him. By
the time the sergeant opened one of the thick oak doors that led to
the interior of the master’s hall he was sweating with
apprehension.

The sergeant left him
after he had been shown into the main chamber of the master’s hall.
The door was closed behind him and he looked nervously at those
seated at the long oak table in front of him. In the centre was
Master Berthold, flanked by Rudolf on his left and Thalibald on his
right. Lukas was seated to the left of Rudolf and Rameke sat next
to his father. The silence was oppressive as the master looked up
at Conrad.

‘Step closer,’ he
ordered.

Conrad took two paces
forward and then stopped, hands by his side and his back as
straight as a spear. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest.
Berthold’s brown eyes regarded him coldly.

‘Brother Rudolf has
informed me that you no longer wish to become a brother knight of
our order, even though you would ordinarily have been a sergeant
were it not for the beneficence of the Bishop of Riga.

‘Furthermore, Brother
Rudolf has also informed me that in your impertinence you desire
nothing less than the hand of the daughter of Chief Thalibald in
marriage.

‘Is all that I have
stated correct?’

Conrad was aware of a
scribe seated at a desk to one side who was noting the exact words
of Master Berthold.

‘That is correct,
master.’

Berthold stroked his
beard. ‘I should have you flogged for your brazenness. However,
your great valour in battle merits your case being considered as
opposed to being treated with contempt. I am aware that during your
time at Wenden you have saved the life of the bishop himself.’

‘And mine, master,’
interrupted Rudolf.

‘As well as the life
of Daina herself,’ added Rameke, which earned him a glare of rebuke
from his father.

‘Indeed,’ said
Berthold. ‘Well, it would appear that you are quite the hero,
Master Conrad. Brother Lukas, as the one who has been responsible
for his training, what is your opinion of this novice?’

‘Conrad would have
made a fine brother knight, master. He is brave, intelligent and
has a desire to learn.’

Berthold tapped his
forefingers on the table. ‘I would be remiss to lose such a
soldier, would I not? Chief Thalibald, I would hear your words on
the matter as it is your daughter that this young man is fixed
upon.’

‘My daughter needs a
husband,’ said Thalibald bluntly. ‘I have seen this young man
numerous times in my village assisting with the harvest and Rameke
has informed me of my daughter’s affection for him, though that is
irrelevant. I know that he and others,’ he nodded at Lukas, ‘saved
my womenfolk from Estonian raiders and I also know that there are
several Liv chiefs who wish to see their sons married to my
daughter.’

Conrad’s heart sank
and he knew his love was lost.

‘Still,’ Thalibald
sniffed, ‘if I deny them and give her to this young man I can save
myself a hefty dowry. I assume the order will not require me to pay
a dowry, Master Berthold?’

‘Indeed not,’ said
Berthold.

Thalibald rubbed his
nose. ‘Then I leave the matter to you, Master Berthold.’

‘Might I say
something, master?’ said Rudolf.

‘By all means, Brother
Rudolf,’ replied Berthold.

‘I would like to look
beyond the immediate matter at hand to address the future of
Livonia.’

Berthold’s brow
furrowed and Lukas looked surprised at his comrade but Rudolf
continued.

‘I believe I am
correct in saying that at present there are no marriages between
Livs and Germans in Livonia, or this region of it at least. Chief
Thalibald, are any or your peoples’ women married to Germans?’

Thalibald racked his
brains for all of half a minute. ‘Not to my knowledge.’

Rudolf smiled at him.
‘Exactly. Would it not be therefore prudent to encourage marriages
between native and settler to strengthen the bonds between the two
and thus safeguard the future of Livonia? After all, that is what
our order exists for.’

Thalibald looked
confused and Lukas bemused and in truth it was a weak argument.
However, Berthold was clearly bored by the whole matter and
considered the aspirations of a novice hardly worth considering.
But he did value the opinion of his deputy and for some reason
Rudolf seemed to be championing this young man and so he gave way,
or at least did away with his responsibilities.

‘In this matter,’ he
announced, ‘I fear I must play the part of Pontius Pilate and wash
my hands of the matter. I hand over judgement to Chief Thalibald
whose opinion I value above all others.’

‘I think Conrad would
make an excellent addition to your household, father,’ said Rameke
hurriedly.

‘Well, I know he is
good with a sword and I suppose I am in his debt,’ said Thalibald.
He pointed at Conrad. ‘If I give you my daughter do you swear not
to demand pigs, cows, ponies or land from me or my two sons?’

Conrad was beside
himself with joy. ‘I swear, lord. Of course, I swear never to make
any demands on you or your household. I swear that I will be a
faithful servant, I swear…’