The Captive Maiden (31 page)

“If he’d cared about her happiness, she wouldn’t have been my mother.”

In spite of her efforts to stay calm, Gisela huffed. “Don’t you have any fear of God?”

“Why should I fear someone I’ve never seen?”

“Just because your father didn’t respect God doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. If you want to escape damnation and unhappiness in this life, you’d better start to care.”

Was she talking to Ruexner? Or to herself? If she wanted to escape unhappiness, she’d better start to care. That seemed to be the lesson God wanted to teach
her.

Ruexner was staring hard at her as he seemed to be trying to decide what to say. “Your features are so much like my mother’s.” He shook his head. “She didn’t have your spirit, but she had the same look about her. It is too bad you are in love with Valten, because my greatest desire is to make him suffer. My father used to say, ‘In this life, a man must take what he wants. He’s a fool if he doesn’t.’ “

“You don’t have to live your father’s life. You can be your own person. Did your mother ever pray for you?” She asked that last question on a whim. Perhaps if she could remind him of his mother praying for him, he might feel some remorse for trying to force her to become his wife.

He spat on the ground near her foot. “You waste your time.” Turning away from her, he told his men, “Get ready. We’re leaving.”

Chapter
26

As Gisela was hauled into the saddle in front
of Ruexner, she told herself she shouldn’t wonder if Valten was following them. She should assume he was not, that she wouldn’t see him until he showed up at Ruexner’s castle in two more days.

Her mind was constantly working to think of a way to escape from Ruexner. After an hour of riding, they drew near a town. Surrounded by his men, Ruexner boldly rode right through the middle of it.

There must be something she could do to escape. But if she jumped down off the horse, Ruexner would only drag her back. If she screamed and begged the townspeople, who were milling about, to save her from this man who had taken her against her will, would they help her? After all, what could they do against Ruexner and his armed men?

She looked around at the faces of the people. None of them made eye contact with her. A few looked curiously at them, but then looked away, and she guessed that Ruexner had glared at them and intimidated them into losing their curiosity. They soon reached a gray stone church on the edge of town, and at the front stood a large, square tower watching over the church and the town like a sentinel. Ruexner rode straight up to the high, circular steps that led up to massive wooden doors, and he dismounted.

“Why are we stopping here?” Gisela demanded.

Without even looking at her, he reached up and grabbed her around the waist and pulled her off the horse. He practically dragged her up the steps of the stone cathedral.

“What are you doing?” Her voice sounded a bit hysterical. “Where are you taking me?” She purposely made her voice loud so anyone nearby could hear her. “I won’t marry you!”

“Quiet,” Ruexner growled, as he opened the door with one hand and dragged her inside.

Valten followed Ruexner and his men as they entered a town. Why would Ruexner be so bold? He was up to something, so Valten closed in, not worrying about being seen, as he could get lost in the milling townspeople on the street.

Valten got closer until he was only a hundred feet behind Ruexner and his men. Gisela looked pale and frightened as Ruexner rode straight up to the town’s cathedral. Valten’s heart contracted in his chest.

Ruexner pulled Gisela off the horse, and by the time he was pulling her up the steps and inside the church, Valten had closed half the distance between them.

If Friar Daniel had to go all the way to Hagenheim to get help, then the soonest he could expect his father’s knights was tomorrow or the next day. But he couldn’t wait for them. He had to do something now.

Gisela blinked, trying to focus her eyes in the dim light. Torches flickered along the two walls that led back to an altar and baptismal font. Candles lit up the altar, but she didn’t see anyone.

“Where is the priest?” Ruexner shouted, sending an echo through the high-ceilinged nave. “Anyone here?”

They listened, but heard nothing.

“No one is here,” Gisela said, hoping he would leave, afraid she knew too well why he was looking for a priest.

“We shall wait.”

Gisela racked her brain for a way of escape. But Ruexner’s fingers were like iron bands around her arm, and she had no weapon, nothing within reach.

Finally, a dark figure appeared, emerging from the confessional along one wall.

“You there,” Ruexner called. “I require to speak with Bishop Fulco.”

The figure moved slowly, as if unmoved by Ruexner’s urgent shout. He wore a long dark robe with a hood covering his head and shading his entire face. When he reached them, he quietly asked, “May I help you?”

“Where is Bishop Fulco?” Ruexner demanded gruffly. He held Gisela so tight to his side that she could feel his hip bone painfully kneading her side.

“Bishop Fulco is not here,” the unperturbed voice answered. “May I assist you in some way?”

“Where is Bishop Fulco?” Ruexner held tight to her arm while he drew his sword. He held the sword’s point a mere inch from the priest’s face, who kept his head bowed and obscured. “I won’t ask you again, and I am not squeamish of killing priests.”

The priest did not in any way indicate fear. He didn’t move. “As I said before, Bishop Fulco is not here.”

As soon as he spoke the last word, the priest jumped behind Ruexner and threw a rope over his head and jerked it tight around his neck, choking him.

Ruexner let go of Gisela’s arm, but was still holding his sword in his other hand. Ruexner clawed at the rope around his neck, his eyes bulging and desperate. Gisela clasped her hands together and brought them down as hard as she could on Ruexner’s wrist,
causing him to drop the sword. She picked it up and held it pointed at Ruexner’s chest.

The priest’s hooded cowl had slipped back, revealing Valten’s face.

Gisela’s heart jumped for a moment at seeing him, but then pounded in fear for Valten, her mind on Ruexner’s men just outside the church door.

Valten started dragging Ruexner backward, no doubt to find a place to hide him. Suddenly, the front door of the church burst open and Ruexner’s men began yelling and running toward them.

“Stop, or we’ll kill him!” Gisela screamed, holding the point of Ruexner’s sword against his chest.

Ruexner’s men stopped. Then their expressions changed as they stared at Valten, Ruexner, and Gisela — no, they were staring at someone, or something, behind them.

“Drop that sword, or I will kill the Earl of Hamlin.”

Gisela turned to see one of Ruexner’s men holding a knife to Valten’s throat.

She threw down the sword.

“Now stop choking him,” Ruexner’s man ordered. He stuck the point of the dagger under Valten’s chin.

Valten loosened the rope around Ruexner’s neck, and Ruexner immediately broke free, lifting the rope off his head. He spun around to face Valten, gasping and coughing, as the rest of his men closed in on them, surrounding them.

“Pardon me, but may I be of service?”

A young man dressed in a priestly robe stood near the altar behind them.

Ruexner picked up his sword and grabbed Gisela’s arm, squeezing it painfully. But Gisela’s eyes were trained on Valten and the dagger that was so close to slitting his throat.

No one paid the priest any attention as Ruexner shoved
Gisela into one of his men. “Hold on to her.” He took the rope from Valten and started tying his hands behind his back.

“I do not know what you men are doing,” the priest said, walking slowly toward them, “but I will remind you that this is a house of God and sanctuary for the oppressed. You may not do harm or violence here.”

“Where is Bishop Fulco?” Ruexner’s animallike voice reverberated against the ceiling.

“Bishop Fulco will be back tomorrow. He went to visit his mother in Bolbentberg.”

Ruexner let out a strange growl. “Then you will perform the rites and speak the vows for our marriage, while Valten watches.” He jerked the rope taut on Valten’s hands.

“No,” Gisela said stoutly. “I will not marry this man. I am not willing and I refuse to accept his troth.”

Ruexner left Valten and grabbed Gisela’s arm again.

Quietly, the priest asked, “You are Baron Ruexner, are you not?”

“I am.”

“My lord baron,” the priest said, “have you had the banns cried or posted?”

“No, nor will they be.” Ruexner spoke through clenched teeth.

“Will you force this lady to wed you?”

“I will, and you will perform the rites. Otherwise I shall strike you dead where you stand.” Ruexner shoved the sword point at the priest’s chest.

“Very well. If you will follow me.” The priest turned just as calmly and walked toward the front doors of the church.

“No!” Gisela struggled against Ruexner’s hold, but it was no use. He only held her tighter. She let him pull her along, but stayed on her feet to prevent being dragged across the floor. “You cannot force me to speak the vows!”

Ruexner wore his usual sneer. “And why wouldn’t a girl like you want to be a baroness? You are being foolish.”

Ruexner’s men pulled Valten along behind.

The young priest opened the heavy wooden door, letting in the light from outside, bright in spite of the cloudy sky.

“Where are you going?” Ruexner barked.

The priest said patiently, “If you wish to have the blessing of the church on your marriage, you must say your vows in front of the church doors.”

Ruexner grunted, then pulled on Gisela’s arm. “Come.” Gisela stumbled after him until they stood on the top step, which was quite expansive enough to accommodate the priest, with his back to the door, and Ruexner and Gisela facing him.

Would the priest help them escape from Ruexner? He didn’t seem inclined to. Besides, Ruexner would kill him if he tried.

Chapter
27