“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