Duke Wilhelm spoke of what would happen with Ruexner and his men now. It seemed Valten’s father would be taking Ruexner and his two knights, Malbert and Lew, to face King Sigismund and to answer for their crimes against Gisela and Valten. His other men, little more than farmers who had been pressed into service, would be allowed to go home to their families.
Gisela was glad when the men got up to leave, but Valten stayed behind, all his attention on her as the others left.
He moved his chair close to her. “I need to get you to a healer,” he said.
“You need a healer worse than I do. Your hand is badly swollen. How far are we from Hagenheim?”
“Almost three days. But we are only a half day’s ride from the Cottage of the Seven, where we can rest. There is also a healer there who will look at your ankle.”
“Cottage of the Seven?”
“There isn’t a good healer in town, from what I hear, and the town barber has more than he can do to take care of the men who were injured in the fight. My brother, Gabe, is well acquainted with the men at the Cottage of the Seven and their healer, Bartel. He helped Gabe when he was shot with an arrow two years ago.”
Valten held her hand. “We can be there in a few hours if we leave now.”
It was a great relief to think that someone knowledgeable in the healing arts would tend Valten’s hand. And perhaps she could even take a bath.
She could hardly wait.
Once outside, Gisela saw Friar Daniel coming toward them. He immediately told her the story of how he had come upon Duke Wilhelm and a contingent of his knights and soldiers on their way to Ruexner’s castle in Bruchen. They had easily been able to find Ruexner and his men’s careless trail.
As they walked, they passed Ruexner and his men, who were tied up and sitting on the ground. “Brother Daniel,” Valten said, his arm around Gisela’s waist, “I do believe there are some men here who are in great need of your good message.”
“Indeed.” Friar Daniel smiled as though the prospect was a happy one. “I have already arranged it with Duke Wilhelm. He is taking me with him when he travels to King Sigismund’s court with these nefarious men. I have been given his full blessing to speak to them on the trip and to tell them of God’s goodness and how they might repent.”
“I am happy to hear it.” Though Gisela still was reeling over the fact that Ruexner was her cousin, her own mother’s nephew, she knew she would have to forgive him. She might never want to see him again, but she could pray for Friar Daniel’s success in turning him from his evil ways. “I hope you don’t mind the difficult task before you, of attempting to reform such depraved men.”
“My dear, I could not have asked for anything better. I am pleased to tell the good news to men such as these. After all, who needs the gospel message more?”
“Amen to that.” Valten looked rather grim as they walked slowly back to the church, but when Gisela caught his eye, he winked. “Brother Daniel, if anyone can reach these men with truth and goodness, it would be you. I have a great respect for your sincerity.”
Gisela’s heart filled with gratitude at how Valten’s attitude toward Friar Daniel seemed to have changed. Could it be that she and Valten had learned some important lessons since beginning this ordeal?
Valten clasped hands with Friar Daniel.
“It is the Lord’s truth that shall win their hearts and minds.” Friar Daniel looked adamant. “And while I am fulfilling my mission, I will pray blessings on your marriage, and that you will be a joy to each other and to your people in Hagenheim.”
Someone brought Sieger to Valten, and a mount was quickly rounded up for Gisela. The captain of the guard supplied two men to escort Valten and Gisela, and half of the rest were to travel with Duke Wilhelm to escort Ruexner to the king, and the other half would return to Hagenheim. They set out.
As their horses settled into a comfortable trot, Gisela asked, “Why do they call it the Cottage of the Seven?”
Valten raised his eyebrows, remembering. “It is a cottage where live seven … rather unusual men.”
“Unusual?”
“They are good men, but society’s misfits, living away from people and their superstitions and fears. The important thing for us is that there is a healer who lives there who will take care of your foot.”
“And your hand?”
“And my hand.”
“Good, because I think my ankle will be well in a few days, but looking at your hand makes me want to cry.”
He hoped she wouldn’t cry. He didn’t like seeing her cry.
As they rode in silence, his mind went back to the image of Friar Daniel getting on his donkey, preparing to go with Ruexner and his men. Friar Daniel might not carry a sword, but the man was brave nevertheless. And though he didn’t own a sword of steel, the sword he did carry was more powerful in the spirit realm.
It was time. Valten knew it. Time to exchange his sword for a new life. He no longer had a taste for his old one. And just as Friar Daniel lived his life for more than tangible, earthly rewards, Valten wanted his life to be about more than winning tournaments and gaining prizes. He had fed his pride long enough, and now it was time to feed his spirit and live life at a deeper level.
Chapter
30