What was it he’d once said to his brother Gabe? I’ll just have to rescue my own damsel in distress. His words seemed prophetic now. At least, if he didn’t get killed. He’d spent the last two years dwelling on the fact that his betrothed had chosen his little brother over him. He’d always thought that, because he was the oldest, he had to be stronger, more responsible, win tournaments, and be the best at everything. He had to do more. How would it look if he failed now?
But even worse than his petty fear of humiliation, if he couldn’t save her, Gisela would be at Ruexner’s mercy. She’d have to marry the man. After all she’d suffered at the hands of her cruel stepmother …
Something from the Bible popped into his mind. “In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus had said that. “But take heart. I have overcome the world.” He certainly needed Jesus now, to overcome this trouble.
They had been riding all night, and weariness was evident in the men’s postures, as their shoulders rounded forward and their eyelids hung heavy. They hadn’t eaten either. Gisela must be the most weary and hungry of all, after being trapped in her chamber all the day before. When was the last time she had food? The thought of her discomfort made him all the angrier and more determined to make Ruexner sorry he had been born.
Another verse came to mind. “ ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
His parents would be surprised he’d learned so much from them.
The thought almost made him smile.
Ruexner had dropped back and was looking at Valten. “What makes you so happy? I shall kill you, and then I shall marry this fair young maiden, the one you named the Queen of Beauty and Love. What do you think of that?”
Valten tried to look nonchalant. “You can do nothing unless God allows it. And God will not allow it.”
Rage descended over Ruexner’s face. “You think God will stop me? I paid for her. Her stepmother has agreed that we should marry. I will have our marriage blessed in a church, and neither you nor God will stop me. Even in God’s eyes she will belong to me, and there will be naught you can do about it.”
Gisela’s eyes were the only thing that betrayed her fear as she leaned forward, her hands on the pommel of the saddle in an attempt to get as far away from Ruexner as she could. But Ruexner tightened his hold around her and jerked her back.
“With your words,” Valten said slowly, “you tempt God, Ruexner. A dangerous thing to do.”
Ruexner’s face turned redder. “I do not fear God, and I do not fear you.” Ruexner’s features twisted into a sneer as he glared at Valten with bloodshot eyes. The man needed sleep. They all did.
Valten let the silence lengthen before saying, “That is not wise.”
Ruexner snorted, then forced his horse to bolt forward, causing his men to spur their horses forward too and pull Sieger along.
As they neared the end of the meadow, a well-worn path led through the forest on one side, probably leading to the house whose owner tended the sheep they had passed. Ruexner steered his horse to the other side and entered the stand of trees. Valten and the rest of the men followed. Ruexner had dismounted and was helping Gisela off the horse. Valten grit his teeth at the way Ruexner was holding her around the waist. He hated this feeling, of his hands tied, literally and every other way.
Ruexner instructed his men to bring Valten to the small, empty space in the center of the trees where there was enough room for all of them to stand in a circle. Ruexner stepped up to Valten, while Valten pretended complacency. His hands were tied in front of him, so he possibly could defeat one of them. But even if his hands were free, he realized he could not defeat all three of the heavily armed men.
Gisela stood to the side where Ruexner had placed her, looking on with anxious eyes.
Ruexner stood so close they were nose to nose — except that Ruexner was two or three inches shorter.
“Don’t hurt him.” Gisela stood with her shoulders squared, her head tilted defiantly, but her voice quivered.
Ruexner glanced back at Gisela, then met Valten’s eye. “Your presence here is upsetting my betrothed. We’ll take a walk.”
Now Valten would find out if he was to be killed, or only beaten and tortured.
Ruexner motioned at the larger man, the one with a long scar across his chin. “Malbert, you come with me and our illustrious guest, Lord Hamlin.” He turned to the smaller of his men. “Lew, you stay here with her.”
He poked Valten in the back with something sharp. “Move.” They started walking deeper into the woods.
The trees were relatively thin here, so even though they walked thirty feet or more, he could still see Gisela and the other man. Ruexner stopped him and came around to stand in front. Malbert came to stand just to the side, looking on, his hand on his sword hilt.
“What do you want with me, Ruexner?”
His smile was sinister. “Do you remember the tournament in Saillenay, how you made me look foolish? You knew I wanted to marry Count d’Arcy’s daughter, Carmelita, and yet you humiliated me in front of her.”
Valten searched his memory for the incident he was talking about.