Pilgrims of Promise(150)
News of the day’s astonishing events had traveled quickly along the highways and footpaths of the “Golden Ground.” After the trial Wilda had returned to Münster, where her priest had informed her of what he had learned. She hurried back to camp to share the news.
“Arnold escaped the village soon after the trial. Actually, he was in hiding during it! He said he had a sense of trouble. Anyway, he came to Münster with news, and I was there to hear him with m’own ears. He has a grave warning for us, but first, Heinrich, you needs know something.”
She turned to the baker solemnly. “The poor of Weyer gathered on the village common the morning of the trial. They had not forgotten the kindnesses you showed them so many years before. They armed themselves with hoes and forks and swore to attack the abbey if you were not released. The reeve quickly summoned the garrison, and it seems that a small battle occurred on the Villmar road. Arnold says that four cotters were killed and one soldier.”
“That’s why the reeve was not at court!” exclaimed Alwin.
The pilgrims shook their heads in disbelief, but Heinrich sat stone faced and overwhelmed. He had, indeed, done his best to help the poor of Weyer, but he didn’t think any ever noticed. Katharina laid a tender hand on his.
“But now, all, listen carefully. Arnold says that the prior and the steward are enraged. They’ve ordered a search of every village, every field, and every forest of the manor. They are desperate to capture us all.”
The group murmured worriedly.
Wilda continued. “Heinrich and Wil, you are officially under warrant as fugitives of the manor. Arnold says the steward intends to have you hanged as runaways. Warrants are also issued for Maria, Katharina, Otto, and Tomas. And he says I shall be sent to Mainz for trial as a witch. I fear for us all, even the minstrel and Helmut… and Pieter.”
The group fell quiet. None spoke for a long time until Tomas stood and looked at his fellows from Weyer. “Wil, Heinrich, Otto, Maria … Katharina … we can never return,” he declared flatly. “Weyer is no longer our home.”
Katharina held Heinrich’s hand as the man now wrestled inwardly with both rage and sorrow. For two days the two of them had spent the hours gazing into one another’s eyes and discussing everything from the days in Emma’s gardens to the trial. Heinrich had begged her forgiveness for killing her husband, and he had confessed his shame in his past affections. They had wept and laughed, and they had groaned over shared memories and beamed with new hopes. It had been a time of healing. But with this news from Wilda, the baker could only shake his head. He had supposed it all along, but now it was certain: Weyer was no longer his home; he was no longer Heinrich of Weyer. The thought of it left him dismayed. At last he spoke. “Wilda, is it safe for you to seek out your priest again?”
“I believe so. Arnold has spies who say the abbot has not yet gotten permission to send riders into Lord Rolfhard’s land.”
“Then, could I ask you to do something? Could you ask your priest to tell Arnold that I’ve no words to say how thankful I am to him and to those blessed cotters? Tell him I wish I knew a way to show my heart to him and to them.”
Friederich had kept a secret for these two days. Now, he thought, now is the right time! “Pardon, all. I’ve other news as well.”
The circle turned toward the cheerful imp. “I’ve this!” In his hand he held a piece of folded parchment. “I snatched it from the secretary in the castle. ‘Tis the letter of debt!” he cried.
The group was astonished, and after a moment of utter silence, they roared.
“Well done, lad!” cried Pieter. “I think.”
“Tis no wonder the prior is wild!” cried Tomas. “He lost Heinrich and the money!”
Echoing one another’s comments, the group laughed and chattered loudly. At last Heinrich stood humbly. “I’ve no right to speak on this. It was you who risked all to save Wil and me. And I am confounded as to how to thank you. But… but would it not be good if Wilda could give this letter to Arnold as our thanks. He could use it to save himself and even wrest a profit from it. It would be our wish that he would then share any gain with the poor in Weyer, especially any widows from the battle.”
The idea was met with unanimous approval. Wilda smiled. “If it is agreed, I shall take it at once!”
But the woman would not need to deliver it, for her priest suddenly burst into the camp. “Wilda, I’ve been trying to catch you!” he cried. “No sooner had you left then I learned that Steward Hagan has sent a delegate to Lord Rolfhard with a bag of gold to ask permission for entry on his lands. This means he’ll be coming here with soldiers and soon! You must leave before the dawn!” He whirled about and fixed his eyes on Alwin. “Do not tell me, sir, but a rumor is about that you are a deserting Templar. They’ve wind of it and have issued a warrant for you as well.”