“Can we trust him?” asked Charlaine.
“It appears we have little choice,” he replied, watching the forester’s progress. The old man finally disappeared round a corner and he shifted his gaze to her. He caught her staring into his eyes.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“No,” she said, “everything is fine. If this is to be the last time we see each other, then let’s make the most of it.” She held out her hand.
He took it, unsure of her meaning. In answer, she began heading up the street, pulling him along.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“To an inn,” she said, “It’s high time we took the next step.”
He stopped short, causing her to turn to face him.
“No,” he said, pulling her in another direction, “this way. If we’re to spend the night at an inn, let’s make it the Willow.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, “that’s expensive.”
“I insist,” he said, “I want nothing but the best for you… for us.”
She smiled. “Lead on then, and let’s be quick, before someone else spots us.”
It didn’t take long to find the place. The Willow was a favourite of the merchant class and the place was packed with visiting traders. The innkeeper was eager to take Ludwig’s coins and a hefty bonus ensured the mans discretion.
Charlaine led Ludwig up the stairs, pausing at the top to look at her key.
“Last door, on the left,” said Ludwig. They made their way to the door and she fumbled with the key. Moments later, the door was open and they stepped into the room.
Ludwig turned to close the door and throw the latch. Just as he turned to face her, she was pressed up against him, tearing at his clothes. He returned her affections with a fierce passion as they struggled to reach the bed.
* * *
Ludwig lay on the bed, the blankets discarded, the sweat still clinging to his chest. Charlaine’s arm was resting atop him as she lay on her side, snuggled into his neck, her hair splayed over him.
He twisted his head to look at her in all her glory, a smile creeping across his face.
“I shall love you forever,” he said.
In answer, he heard nothing but the gentle sound of her breathing. Looking around the room, he tried to ascertain the time. With the shutters closed, he could see little, but the morning would come soon enough, and with it he must make a decision.
He looked again at Charlaine and she stirred, opening an eye to look up at him with a smile. She said nothing, but moved slightly, kissing him tenderly, lingering on his lips. He responded in kind.
“I’d be happy to stay here forever,” she said.
“As would I,” he said, “but—”
The rush of feet drew their attention, interrupting his words. Moments later, the door crashed open, revealing Kasper Piltz and a group of the baron’s men.
Ludwig tried to stand, but two men seized him, pinning his arms to the bed. Someone grabbed Charlaine’s arm as she struggled to fight back. A swift slap to her face stunned her and then she was hauled from the bed, revealing her nakedness.
Kasper Piltz picked up her dress from where it lay and tossed it to her.
“Put that on,” he ordered.
The soldiers released their grip and watched her as she covered herself, pulling the dress on over her head. Through it all she faced them with defiance.
“You can’t do this,” said Ludwig, “you have no right!”
“I can,” said Kasper, “and I have, on the express orders of the baron. He turned on Charlaine, “You’d best be gone from here,” he warned, “and make no mistake, there will be consequences.”
“You don’t scare me,” she said.
Kasper leaned in close, until his face was a mere finger's breadth away from hers. “You’re defiant, that’s to be expected, but I doubt your passion will prevent your family from suffering.”
“My family?” she said. “Leave them out of this, they’ve nothing to do with us.”
“Oh,” said Kasper, “that’s where you’re completly wrong. You see, you two can’t be trusted to keep your hands off each other, that means the only way to settle this is to send you and your family away.”
“You can’t do that!” shouted Charlaine. “The baron doesn’t rule here.”
“True, he doesn’t, but he’s still a man with a lot of influence. We’ll sort this out later in the morning. In the meantime, I suggest you run home and start packing. Oh, and you might want to tell your parents they’re no longer welcome in Malburg.”
“Ludwig,” she called out, but the soldiers took her by the arms, showing her to the door and pushing her out into the hallway.
“Now, as for you,” said Kasper, “it’s time you returned to the keep, I’ve a feeling it’ll be some time before you’re back here in the town again.”
“You’ll never get away with this.”
“You don’t seem to understand,” said Piltz, “I already have.”
* * *
Charlaine made her way home. She was barefoot, her hair a mess, but she walked with pride. People might call her names, might intimate that she’d done something vulgar or that she had given away something precious, but she knew, in her heart, that she had done the right thing and that, if given a chance, she would do it again. She loved Ludwig and would forever hold the memory of him in her heart.
She rounded the corner and halted, staring at the smithy in the distance. Would the baron carry through on his threat? It seemed unlikely, and yet Kasper Piltz had been adamant that such a punishment was coming. How would she break this news to her parents? She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, trying to stem the rising panic. Never, in her wildest dreams had she thought the baron so petty as to punish her parents. Resuming her walk, she tried to decide on how best to tell her parents, then, quite unexpectedly, she saw the door open. Her mother was there, looking up and down the street, desperately seeking her daughter.
Charlaine ran to her. Her mother saw her, opened her arms to her and embraced her tightly while she wept.
“It’s all right, mother,” she said, “I’m fine.”
Estelle deShandria held her at arm's length, looking her daughter over with a critical eye.
“You’ve been with him, haven’t you.”
Charlaine cast her eyes downward, afraid to speak.
“Never mind,” her mother soothed, “I understand. Come in the house, your father’s been worried sick over you.”
“Father?”
“Yes, when you didn’t come home last night, we feared the worst.”
“I was with Ludwig,” she said.
“We thought you were dead,” her mother blurted out, the tears on the verge of flowing once more.
“Why would you think that?”
“When you didn’t come home we thought the baron had punished you. We half expected someone to tell us they found your body lying in the street.” She looked her daughter over carefully. “Where are your shoes?”
“Lost,” said Charlaine, “likely still in The Willow, we spent the night there.”
“Ludwig did this to you?”
“No,” she replied, “Ludwig loves me, and I him. It was the baron’s men, they found us early this morning.”
“What happened?”
“They forced me from the room, told me to go home. I’m so sorry, mama, they’re going to punish you for my indiscretion.”
“Now, now,” her mother soothed, “the important thing is that you’re all right.”
“But the baron,” said Charlaine, “he’ll drive you away from your home.”
“He’ll do no such thing. We are well respected members of this community, he wouldn’t dare.”
“I think you underestimate his power,” she sobbed. “I’ve made a mess of it, and now you’re going to pay the price.”
“Enough of this self pity,” Her mother chided. “Now, look me in the eye and tell me it wasn’t worth it.”
>
“I can’t,” she replied, “I still love him.”
“And now you understand,” she said. “He is a part of you now, and always will be, even if it’s forbidden.”
“No, you don’t understand.”
“Don’t I? The same thing happened to me.”
“No, mother, it didn’t. I wasn’t spurned by Ludwig, he loves me. It’s his father that’s the problem.”
“It’s the same thing,” her mother warned, “and the end result in the same. You two can never be together again, you must come to terms with it.”
“I will not allow you and father to leave Malburg in shame,” she said. “I will fix this.”
“You cannot. You must learn to accept what you cannot change, Charlaine. If we are force out, then so be it. Your father is a master smith, he can make a living elsewhere. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to start over again.”
16
The Ultimatum
Autumn 1094 SR
* * *
The forge was cold as Charlaine made her way through the room. She had intended to start work on a new commission, but now, with the threat of Baron Verfeld looming over her, she wondered if she should even start.
A knock on the door startled her and her heart started beating rapidly. Was this the baron’s men? She strode to the door, determined to face the threat and get it over with. Instead, she opened the door to see the face of the forester, Mayfield.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice more bitter than she had intended.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I know you blame me for your situation, but I’ve come with a letter from Ludwig.”
Her heart soared at the mention of his name. She felt her pulse quicken as the old man passed it over. Charlaine tore it open, impatient to see its contents.
* * *
Charlaine,
I can no longer bear the thought of being separated from you. I shall give up my claim to the barony and seek employment in a distant land if it means you will consent to marry me. Let us run away and spend the rest of our lives together. I understand that this seems sudden and impulsive, and I will understand if you think it undesirable. Let the bearer of this message know your answer. If you agree, we shall leave this very evening. I will meet you in the Saint's Plaza where we first kissed.
Love,
Ludwig.
* * *
Tears came to her eyes as she read the note, dripping down to smear the ink.
“I’m to wait for an answer,” said Mayfield.
She looked at the old man, her voice trembling. “Tell him yes, I shall meet him if I can.”
“Very well,” the old forester replied, “and good luck to you both.”
He turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Charlaine’s mind was in a whirl and she paced the workshop, trying to reason out a plan of action. Finally making a decision, she made her way to the house, intent on gathering her belongings.
* * *
Ludwig stuffed more clothes into the sack then moved to retrieve his sword.
“Where do you think you’re going?” came the voice of Berthold.
“I’m leaving,” said Ludwig, “not that that’s any of your concern.”
“On the contrary,” replied his stepbrother, “it’s of great concern to me.”
Ludwig paused, turning to look at the man. He was leaning against the door frame, a smug look on his face.
“What do you want?” asked Ludwig.
“I’ve come to see you suffer, brother.”
“Then you’re wasting your time.”
“Tell me, Ludwig, did you honestly think you could rat me out to the baron without repercussions?”
“You broke the law, Berthold, you deserve to pay the price.”
“As do you. I’m afraid I can’t let you leave.”
Ludwig felt his temper rising. “You’re welcome to try and stop me.”
“I have no such intention,” his stepbrother replied, “but these men, on the other hand, might have other ideas.” He indicated the door with a sweep of his hand, but no one appeared. “Pardon me,” he added, “but my timing seems to be off today.”
Moments later, the sound of footfalls echoed in the room as the guards finally made their appearance.
“By order of the baron,” said Berthold, “you are hereby sentenced to house arrest.” He turned to exit the room, leaving the guards to watch over Ludwig, but something made him pause. He turned back to his stepbrother one last time. “Oh, don’t worry brother dear, I’ll give your regards to the woman you’ve been rutting when we drive her family from the realm.”
He left the room, the sound of his laughter echoing down the hall.
* * *
Charlaine looked around her room one final time. She hefted the small bag that contained her scant belongings then turned, leaving her room one final time. Descending the stairs, she thought of how she could leave her parents, but there was little choice now, she had made her decision.
Her parents were in the kitchen, their voices low. She turned into the room to say goodbye, but as she saw them, her heart sank.
Baron Verfeld stood to their front, his aide, Kasper Piltz, by his side. Four footmen stood nearby, their armour out of place in her home.
“And there she is,” said the baron, “the very object of our discussion. Come in, Charlaine, you’re more than welcome to listen to what I have to say. You are, after all, the one responsible for it.”
She stepped forward, feeling an impending sense of doom.
“Now,” the baron continued, “where was I? Oh, yes, now I remember. You,” he pointed at Tomas deShandria, “are a commoner. A tradesman, to be sure, but certainly not someone that would dare to socialize with a noble. It’s a pity your daughter did not think to emulate that behaviour.”
“What do you want?” asked Tomas.
“Your daughter has disgraced my family name,” the baron continued, “and I’m afraid the only way to rectify the situation is to remove her, and her family, from Malburg.”
“You can’t,” argued the smith, “you have no jurisdiction here.”
Lord Frederick smiled, producing a folded letter and holding it before him. “I have here a note from your precious town council,” he said, “giving me the authority to evict you from the premises, effective immediately.”
“Very well,” said Tomas, “let us gather our things and—”
“There will be no gathering,” roared the baron. “You are lucky to have your lives! Do you really think I’m simply going to let you walk out of here with all of this?” he swept the room with his arm.
“No!” yelled Charlaine. “It’s my fault, punish me, not them, they had nothing to do with it.”
“I AM punishing you,” Lord Frederick continued, “by hitting you where it hurts the most. I’ve seen your type before, willing to suffer a martyr’s death for your cause, but you’ll feel the punishment all the more if your family is forced to endure the disgrace alongside you.”
“There must be another way,” said Tomas. “Surely we can come to an agreement?”
“It’s too late for that,” the baron replied. “I want justice done.”
“Justice?” said Charlaine. “Is that what you call this? Depriving my parents of their livelihood?”
“You should have thought of that before you seduced my son!” screamed the baron. “If it were within my power, I’d have you executed, but my influence can only go so far.”
“Executed!” said Tomas, paling at the thought. “Surely not!”
“I believe there is another way, my lord,” offered Kasper Piltz.
Lord Frederick stared at Charlaine for the briefest moment, then looked to his aide. “What are you suggesting?”
“You want her away from here, perhaps we could send her somewhere? Somewhere where her influence over your son would be negated.”
“What if I took Holy Vows?” suggested Charlaine.
&n
bsp; The baron swivelled his gaze. “You would be willing to do that?”
“I would if it would save my parents,” she said, “I swear it.”
“An excellent idea, Lord,” said Piltz. “And her vows would prevent any reunion with your son.”
“Very well,” said the baron, “under the condition that you never again set foot in Hadenfeld.”
“I promise,” she said. “I shall join the Sisters of Saint Agnes this very day.”
“And you,” said the baron, burning on Tomas and Estelle, “shall never speak of this affair again!”
Tomas tried to speak, but tears flooded his eyes and his throat choked up at the thought of his daughter. Never again would she grace the doorstep of their home. He nodded, his heart heavy.
“That goes for you too,” said the baron, staring at Estelle deShandria.
Estelle nodded, her eyes moist.
“Can I say goodbye?” asked Charlaine.
“No,” said the baron, “let the memory of this day serve as a warning to you the rest of your life. You are nothing but a commoner, Charlaine deShandria, never forget that.”
“You’ve made that quite clear, my lord,” she replied.
“Take her away to the temple, Kasper, and make no stops along the way.”
Piltz stepped up to Charlaine, pulling the small bag from her hands. “You won’t be needing this,” he said, “the Church will provide everything you need.”
The soldiers took up positions to either side, escorting her from the room.
* * *
Ludwig sat on his bed, watching the guards intently. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
“The baron says we do, Lord,” one of the guards replied.
“And if I choose to fight you?”
“We were ordered to prevent you from leaving, using whatever means necessary. Don’t make us test those means, Lord.”
Ludwig looked away, pondering his situation. He was worried for Charlaine and would gladly take punishment to free her from whatever fate his father had in mind for her.
Tempered Steel Page 14