Considering the next day’s rain and the need to stay hidden from the dangers of highway patrols, it was a wonder that the forlorn pilgrims arrived at Olten as quickly as they did. But it was that evening just outside the gates that Alwin bade the brave pilgrims farewell.
“No, Father Pieter. I am a danger to you all. You have saved me and I am fast healed. The Templars will never stop hunting me, and as long as I am with you, you will be hunted as well.”
Heinrich stepped forward. “You must not travel alone. You’ll have no hope at all. And you’re not yet well. I’ve seen your steps fail a few times.”
Alwin set his jaw firmly. “I’ll not have your deaths on my conscience.”
Pieter spat. “So, monk, ‘tis all for you, then.”
The knight looked surprised.
“Aye, you heard me. You’d deny us the defense of your sword and the skill of your eye so that your conscience might not be pricked! Go then! The self-serving have no place with us.”
Astonished, Alwin gaped at the old man and then at the pilgrims gathered about. “I… I…”
“We hoped you’d protect us, Herr Alwin,” said Maria gently.
“But… but, my dear sister, I bring you danger, and—”
“You bring us no more danger than what we’ve been hardened to,” barked Pieter. “Look at these faces. They have been guided through hardships that would make your own heart tremble. Then God sends them a seasoned knight who now wants to run off to protect his own conscience. I, sir knight, am fairly disappointed.”
Alwin looked at Heinrich. The baker nodded. “We need you, friend.” He walked to Paulus and retrieved the Templar sword he had taken. He handed it to Alwin. “We need your honor.”
The knight took the sword and cast his eyes about the circle of faces imploring him to stay. He took a deep breath. “Well, for now, then.”
The pilgrims cheered, and Pieter winked at the smiling Maria. Their knight would stay!
The group made its way through the darkness to the gates of Olten, where Wil hesitated. He cocked his head toward Pieter and shrugged. “What do you think?” The young man was nervous about the reception they might receive at the hand of Lord Bernard. After all, Pieter’s earlier efforts at dentistry may or may not have provided the promised cure!
Pieter climbed down from his seat with determination. “Methinks we’ve a duty to Friederich and Jon. We left them behind in hopes of seeing them again. Knock and let us take what’s coming.”
Wil rapped loudly on the gate.
“Tis past curfew. Begone!” grumbled a guard through the oak.
“Open the cursed door, y’fool!” answered Pieter.
The door flew open, and a long-nosed soldier stormed toward the company with his lance leveled and his torch raised. “Who dares call me fool’?”
Pieter ground his staff into the ground. “I do.”
The soldier wheeled about. “You!” He tilted his smoky torch close to Pieter’s face. “You, the old priest from the north! Ha! I remember you.” He cast an eye at Heinrich, then stepped closer, raising his lance. “And I’ve seen you here before as well.”
“Ja. Some months past. I was looking for the child crusaders.”
“Seems y’ve enough light to know us by. Now let us in,” growled Pieter. “We’ve business with Lord Bernard.”
Wil shifted uneasily. He leaned toward Frieda. “Pray the lord’s tooth is fixed.”
“What business ‘ave you?” quizzed the soldier. “Lord Bernard is in Bern.”
Wil released his breath, relieved. “And how’s his tooth?”
“The old man here took the pain away. ‘Tis how I know his face. Our priest thinks it was witchcraft.”
Pieter was in no mood for this. “Witchcraft! By the saints, I ought—”
“And what of the two we left here? They belong with us,” interrupted Wil.
“The little crusaders? They came back hurt after you left. We helped them.”
“Aye!” answered Wil impatiently. “And?”
The man’s face hardened. “We had plague in October past. I lost m’wife and my two kinder. Most say you crusaders brought it. One of yer boys perished in it. The other is doing penance.”
“Which?” Wil blurted.
“Which what?”
“Which of them died!”
“The older one. He had a broken leg.”
“Jon!” groaned Frieda.
Heinrich was bristling. “And what of the lad doing penance?”
“What of him?”
“Why the penance?”
“The priest says the waifs to purge the sins of you all. Lord Bernard and his daughter objected, but they dared not oppose the Holy Church in this.” The soldier shifted on his feet uncomfortably. “Some say you disgraced good Christians, what with yer losing faith and thieving. Some say y’cast spells and ate infants. You went to crusade in Christ’s name but defiled our Lord and the Holy Virgin Mother with yer weak ways. Now we all suffer for it.”