As Eva and Maria reached the edge of the vineyard a small man burst out of the stand of trees sheltering the vines from the eastern winds.
“Run, run. They are going to kidnap you! I’ll save . . .” he shouted before slipping on the loose gravel, and tumbling into the posts supporting the vines.
Eva quickly grabbed the screaming Maria’s arm and tried to pull her along, but their shoes were not made for running, and before they reached the wagon track dividing the vineyard a group of men in rough leathers had reached and grabbed them.
“Quickly. Get them to the horses.”
“And the twerp?”
“Leave him. They are stirring at the farm. This hellcat has the lungs of a fish-peddler:”
* * *
“There’s something wrong.” Wolf stopped in the middle of the story he was telling, and touched his spurs to his horse. “Hold on tight.”
With the horses suddenly running at full speed Terrie had no opportunity to look around for whatever had alarmed the soldier, but once they had reached the farm, Wolf and Franz both slowed down to pass an expensive carriage standing on three wheels.
“Who were the riders above the vineyard?” Wolf shouted the question at an old woman staring up the hill to where a group of people had gathered around something on the ground.
“We don’t know, but they took the two noble women from the carriage.”
“Terrie, off!” Wolf turned around to lift Terrie down.
“No I’m coming along. My gun is more accurate than anything you could have.”
“No time to argue.” Franz had already started up the hill. “I think I see somebody I recognize.”
In the center of a group of people dressed for farm work mixed with what must have been the driver and the guard from the carriage stood a shaking Otto Tweimal.
“I thought you’d be hiding under a rock somewhere.” Franz frowned at his former secretary. “And I’ll have my seal back, Herr Tweimal, plus a full account of everything you have been using it for.”
“No time for that now.” Wolf had now arrived. “Who were those men, and where were they taking the girls?”
“They are hired by Councilor Bitterfeld—or perhaps—Father Arnoldi.” Otto tried for a somewhat shaky servile smile. “I tried to save them. The girls I mean. A-and there’s a collier’s site, where . . .”
“You’ll guide us. Franz, leave the hamper, and take Tweimal up behind you.”
The hills between Bamberg and Würzburg
“Who are these girls, and where’s Tweimal?” The big, beefy man in velvet standing beside a lean priest in a black cassock outside the derelict wooden cabin scowled at Eva and Maria.
“They’re the ones you told us to pick up at the Dreimark vineyard: a pretty one in blue and a pockmarked in a brown habit. And that little turncoat, you saddled us with, did his best to warn the girls. I hope he broke his neck when he fell.” The leader of the ruffians growled.
“No, they are not. You idiots kidnapped the wrong girls. And now they’ve seen us. Cut their throats and go get the right ones or you’ll not get paid.” The man in velvet was interrupted by the priest grabbing his arm.
“Wait. Young girls. No chaperone I presume. One already scarred by God’s scourge. One obviously given to Vanity. Perhaps they might be candidates for purification even if they are not those who offended you, Councilor.”
Witchhunter! Eva had been relieved at the priest’s interruption until she realized what he was saying. She cast a quick glance around the clearing where the burnt out remains of several large fires suddenly looked much more ominous. If I am to get us out of this, I’ve better come up with the biggest lie ever, she thought. A glance at Maria, who looked close to fainting, but still obviously wellborn and delicate, gave her an idea.
“I am Princess Eva Katharina von Anhalt-Dessau, and my scars are considered a sign that I should devote my life to a higher purpose,” Eva said.”As a part of this I am escorting this young girl to Rothenburg to meet her intended. According to the American books this is a union from which the pope shall come, who will save the Christian world from a Muslim invasion.”
“I didn’t know that.” Maria now looked totally confused, and swayed a little. “I thought mama was sending me away because she was angry with me.”
“It wouldn’t be seemly to let you know.” Eva cut off Maria before she could mention any details about just why her mother would be angry with her.
“Both the House of Anhalt and the Americans are heretics, and destined for the eternal fires. The Americans, their arrival, and all that they bring are the work of the Devil.” The priest sounded quite uncompromising, but Eva thought he did hesitate a little.
“There are many people, who agree with you, Father.” Eva bowed her head to the priest. “Maria’s intended is, however, a devote Catholic, and a powerful general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire. And it was a Cardinal who personally brought the information to Maria’s parents. I did not speak to him, but was told, that the most holy and learned scholars of the Vatican had been convinced that the threat to all of Christianity was real, and that the salvation would come from the son of this young Maria.” The priest still didn’t look convinced, so she tried a little flattery. “I am a firm believer in the guiding hand of God, and feel certain that there must have been a purpose to our carriage breaking a wheel, just where it did. Might it perhaps be that we were to meet with you? Could it be that you are to come with us?” The priest frowned, so Eva hurried to continue. “Or perhaps give us instruction? As you noticed, young Maria is a bit inclined towards worldly finery—though that is mostly at her family’s insistence. Her parents are good people, but unfortunately mainly concerned with worldly matters and ambitions.”
Her ruse worked. Eva pulled Maria down beside her on a sooty log, and with their hands firmly gripping sat meekly listening to the wilder and wilder ravings of the priest.
Chapter 46
The hills between Bamberg and Würzburg
April 5, 1635
“It’s beyond the next hill.” At Otto Tweimal’s words Franz gave a whistle to stop Wolf, and the pulled the horses to the road-side and dismounted.
“What’s the lay-out?” It was the first time in all their lives that Franz had seen Wolf when he was fully focused and alert before heading into battle, and he suddenly understood why Melchior accepted all the problems Wolf’s taste for trouble and adventures caused.
“I, I . . .” Under Wolf’s intense frown Otto slipped into stammering confusion.
“Concentrate, Tweimal. Or I’ll wring your scrawny neck.” Wolf grabbed Otto by the collar and gave him a shake.
“It’s a small cabin. A collier’s hut. One room. In a clearing. It’s used for making charcoal. And bur-burning witches. F-Father Arnoldi. They said. . .” Otto stopped and swallowed.
“Never mind that now.” Wolf gave another shake. “Do they post guards and where?”
“I don’t know. There’re hills all around.”
“There were four riders at the vineyard. Are there more?”
“No. I don’t know. Perhaps Father Arnoldi. And the Councilor sometimes bring along a servant. Or send one as a messenger. He was there when we left. He brought them all guns and horses, but not so many bullets. They complained. There’s a keg of powder in the hut.”
“For charcoal they would need tracks—if not roads—to bring the logs to the clearing.” Franz looked at the beautiful bright green surrounding forest. He had to win back his kingdom. Not so much from the new administration—despite their differences they really had many of the same goals—but those powerful men ignoring the law and grabbing what they want simply because they wanted it, that had to be stopped. And witch-burning and terrorizing people were just totally unacceptable.
“So, do we sneak or ride in shooting?” Terrie was checking her gun, while walking around working the kinks out of her back.
“Is that one of the new guns?” Wolf asked.
“N
o, it’s old.” Terrie looked at Wolf with suspicion, and didn’t put it back in its holster. “And you may not borrow it. And I definitely know how to use it.”
“I think,” the devilish sparkle was suddenly back in Wolf’s eyes, “that we should use subterfuge.”
“Oh no. What are you up to now?” Franz looked to where Wolf was taking a piece of rope from his saddle.
“Don’t worry, my priestly little cousin. Remember my crazy schemes usually work.” Wolf started tying Otto Tweimal’s hands in front of him with one end of the rope despite the smaller man’s protests.
“Not always. That trick you pulled with Frau Mittlefeld’s goats brought me the worst beating in my entire childhood,” Franz said with bitterness, “and I wasn’t even involved.”
“Ah, but that was your own fault. If you had been involved, you would have had an alibi too.” Wolf was obviously in a fine mood. “In an unknown situation one needs information. We could gather that by sneaking closer, and then withdraw and plan an attack.”
“Or send for reinforcement. That would be remarkably sensible, so I presume that is not what you intend to do.” Franz looked sourly at his grinning cousin.
“And leave two lovely young ladies in the hands of villainous villains, while we dither around? Of course not.” Wolf started tying the other end of the rope to Franz’s saddle.
“You are not going to pull me after the horse!” Otto Tweimal started tearing at the rope in panic. “Bishop Franz, help me! It was only my fear of Felix Gruyard, that made me desert you, and of Father Arnoldi here. They are the same. And at school. . .”
“Shut up!” Wolf reached out to slap the back of Otto Tweimal’s head. “And stop pulling the rope. It’s tied so you can free yourself, and we’ll walk the horses.” He looked at Franz and Terrie. “The main problem is to keep the kidnappers from barricading themselves in the cabin with the two ladies as hostages. The main resources we have are three guns with enough bullets to kill all the kidnappers, plus that everybody at the cabin would know Tweimal by sight, and no one would know me. Father Arnoldi and Councilor Bitterfeld would know the two of you, but are unlikely to think either of you dangerous enough to consider your presence an attack. Sweet Terrie, can you shoot to kill? And smile until you do so?”
“Yes.” Terrie hesitated and took a deep breath. “I might ordinarily have problems shooting first, or killing in cold blood, but Father Arnoldi is the priest who tried to burn Sister, and Bitterfeld threatened her as well. I promise, I’ll make an exception.”
“Good girl. I’m quite opposed to people wanting to burn women myself.” Wolf smiled with approval. “Franz has always been completely useless, when it comes to fighting, so I’ll leave it to him to get the two hostages out of the way. This is how we’ll do it . . .”
* * *
“Horses coming!” The shout interrupted the priest in a way the councilor’s attempt to question Eva had not been able to do. The councilor grabbed Eva and Maria and started pulling them towards the hut, while the priest went to stand holding his cross in the middle of the clearing facing the wagon-track leading downhill, and the ruffians spread themselves on either side of him with various weapons ready to fire.
Into the clearing came two horses walking quite slowly: the first with a rider dressed in a black suit, and leading a walking man tied to the saddle with a long rope, the second with a big soldier in the saddle and a smiling young girl in blue sitting behind him.
“That’s Bishop Franz and Otto Tweimal. And that American bitch!” The councilor let go of Eva and Maria and pulled a gun from his belt, when the girl on the horse grinned and waved at him.
“I think this belong to you now, Councilor Bitterfeld.” The man in the black suit got off his horse, untied the rope, and started walking towards the councilor dragging the bound man after him. Behind him the soldier and the still smiling girl had also dismounted, and ignoring the priest demanding an explanation, had started walking towards the armed ruffians on either side of him.
“Are you the general of the Holy Roman Empire?” Pulling Maria with her towards the soldier Eva got both of them out of reach of all their kidnappers.
“No, my lady, that’s my brother.” The soldier gave Eva a smile while continuing to walk towards the ruffians, who slowly lowered their guns, waiting to find out what was happening.
* * *
Franz had reached the councilor, whose gun was still pointed towards the center of the clearing, so he dropped the rope, grabbed the gun stuck to his belt and pointed it toward the councilor’s stomach. “Don’t move, Bitterfeld. I’m not a very good shot, but I really cannot miss at this distance. And I have quite a few questions I want to ask you.” He twisted a little so he could keep an eye on the two kidnapped ladies without looking away from the councilor. “Tweimal, come take the gun from the councilor. And while, as I’m sure you realize, Bitterfeld, that I’m not very fond of my former secretary, I will kill you if you try to grab or shoot him.”
As a series of shots sounded behind Franz startling him, Councilor Bitterfeld knocked aside the gun pointed at his stomach, and swung his own gun around as a club to knock Franz down. Before Franz could recover, there was a quick movement to the side, and then the heavy councilor landed on top of him, knocking the breath from his lungs.
As Franz tried to push himself free, somebody dropped a fairly large branch beside them and wrested the councilor’s gun from his hand, and when Franz finally managed to get away from the groaning councilor, the young lady in brown stood holding the gun as if she knew how to use it.
“Thank you, my lady.” Franz remembered the gun in his own hand and pointed it towards the councilor as well, while looking around. In the center of the clearing Wolf and Terrie obviously had everything under control with Father Arnoldi and all the four ruffians lying unmoving on the ground, but Otto Tweimal was nowhere to be seen.
“Where did Tweimal go?” Franz asked. “I really have a score to set with that little rat.”
“I think he went scuttling into the bushes.” Wolf and Terrie had reloaded their guns and picked up the weapons from the fallen before making their way to where Franz and the two ladies were standing over the councilor. “That was some very nice shooting, Sweet Terror.” Wolf smiled at Terrie with obvious approval. “No messy, screaming wounded left to clean up.”
“Yes,” Terrie looked away. “Father Arnoldi definitely deserved to die for what he tried to do to Sister and the other nuns, but . . .”
“They were going to burn the women they planned to kidnap, and would have killed Maria and me, when their henchmen caught us instead. I am Eva and this is my friend Maria.” Eva held out her hand and smiled at Terrie. “Thanks for saving us.”
“Is he handsome?” Maria smiled at Wolf. “Your brother, the general I am to marry. Is he handsome? It was so clever of him to send you to save us.”
“Melchior is already married.” For once Wolf looked confused, when a pretty girl smiled at him.
Eva groaned. “That was a lie I told to stop them from killing us, Maria. I knew the people at the farm or our servants would have sent for help, and I had to keep us alive until they could find us.”
“Then what about the prophecy?”
“There is no prophecy and there is no general.”
“Well, actually there is a general, but as I said, he’s married now.” Wolf was now looking intrigued and obviously amused.
“Married to whom?”
“The widow of Jülich-Berg.” Wolf started tying up Councilor Bitterfeld, who was slowly coming to live.
“I suppose I cannot compete with that.” Maria looked pensive and a little sad.
“Ah! But it is the grandest story. They married to save Bonn from an attack and she fought by his side on the walls. Why don’t all you lovely young ladies go sit down while my priestly cousin finds the horses, and I’ll tell you the story of The Romance of Charlotte and Melchior?”
Chapter 47
Bamberg
; April 25, 1635
“I really cannot express the depth of my gratitude for your warning against the American wine pests, Lady Eva.” Franz and Eva stopped for a moment at the top of the Cathedral stairs and looked out across the town to the lush green vineyards along the river valley. “The drawback of having an area especially suited to a single produce is that the entire economy comes to depend on it, and most years wine is one of the major exports from this entire area. Our cash crop as the Americans has it. If we are to rebuild, and make the most of stability and inventions the Americans have brought, we’ll need the wine for trading.” He smiled at her and offered his arm, as they descended the stairs walking slowly in the bright spring morning.
“I’m glad I could offer you something in return for coming to our rescue.” Eva replied. “My family will naturally send gifts for you and your cousin, and probably to Terrie’s family as well.” Eva laughed a little. “My brother will find it quite odd to gift a woman—and a fairly wellborn woman too—for shooting bandits, but after all Terrie is an American Amazon, so he’ll probably do it.” She sighed. “But the information about the spreading pests was what I personally had to give to you, Bishop Franz.”
“And to the entire area, Lady Eva. I have no intention of keeping the problem and its cure to myself.”
“Your kingdom.” Eva smiled. “I heard your cousin tease you.”
“Yes, my kingdom. And with Father Arnoldi dead, I can clean up Würzburg’s administration. They are even offering me Bamberg as well, both the clerics and the city councils. At least those not involved with Father Arnoldi. Councilor Bitterfeld is singing like a canary.”
“Congratulation. And have you ever heard a canary?” Eva enquired with a smile.
“No, but I find it such a delightful expression.”
In the center of the Cathedral Square Wolf was looking over the horses with the driver and the guard, while Terrie and Sister Tabitha was helping Maria settle in the repaired carriage. Despite their very different temperaments the three girls had formed a firm friendship, and Terrie had even had her parents write to Maria’s parents, and persuade them to let Maria return to the safety of her family in Magdeburg after the terrible kidnapping. That Maria seemingly had shrugged off the experience, and was mainly concerned with ferreting out if Eva had really, really, really made up all of the story about the prophecy and the general, had not been passed on to Maria’s parents.
1635- the Wars for the Rhine (ARC) Page 30