A group of French captains were whispering among those recently arrived from Pomerania. Believing justice had not been served, these knights were convinced of their right to exact a higher price than what the archbishop had required. Since Hartwig and his soldiers had departed for Bremen with Lord Egbert two days before, none could deny them the opportunity. Furthermore, it was rumored that the count was enraged that the Templar had taken away the entire debt, leaving him with scarcely enough to meet his other obligations—including paying the army. They plotted a raid.
Heinrich listened carefully before hurrying to his wagon where he swallowed a long draught of cider. What am I to do? The man’s mind whirled and he wanted to vomit. With Richard dead, Blasius far away, and every other soul from his homeland gone, he felt so very alone. It was then he also realized that he had no way home! I’ll be attached to a strange lord… I’ll be stolen away, never to see m’lads again. Panic gripped him and his mouth dried. He plunged his hand into his satchel to find his Laubusbach stone. Ah, Emma… if only you could guide me. And Brother Lukas …if I could but hear one word of counsel from you now.
He closed his eyes as words from his past came to him. Emma said thatsunshine is hope and moonlight is mercy. But I cannot lift my head to either. I am supposed to live m’life “by the law of love.” She told m, “’tis higher than that of any man.” He took a deep breath and another draught of cider. He loaded his strong arms with large baskets of bread and returned to the knights’tables where he cocked his ears.
Some Normans had joined with the Frenchmen, and a footman had overheard them talking about a wealthy village within reach. “They wants to loot a rich town along the Weser called Berne,” the man whispered to Heinrich. “It’s north, just below the Hunte and they say there’s less a militia there. But the booty ought be plenty since it trades heavy from the seaport. Then, they says, they’ll come back to the castle, collect their wagons, and go home.”
“Are you footmen going?” Heinrich feigned disinterest.
“Aye. They’ll be makin’ us quick-step the whole way!”
Heinrich nodded. A hard tap on the shoulder sent a chill through the baker. He turned slowly, expecting the worst. He was staring at Falko. “You! Baker.”
Heinrich paled.
Falko narrowed his eyes and leaned close. “’Ave y’seen yer lord?”
“Lord Niklas? Nay, sir master, not for days. Methinks he must be with the ladies, else drunk in the halls.”
Falko said nothing but kept a cold gaze on the baker. Heinrich felt perspiration beading above his upper lip but he did not move or look away. Falko nodded. “Aye. You needs shave that stubble and shorn that mop! No beards, no long hair on servants.” He pulled Heinrich by the sleeve and whispered, “And one more thing. You and the others need bake early. Some soldiers’ll be leavin’’fore dawn.”
Now Heinrich knew it was certain. He also knew Falko to be dimwitted and loose-tongued. “Aye, sire. And … for how many ought I bake?”
Falko leaned closer. “’Bout a hundred, methinks … two score mounted men and some footmen. Say no word of it to others. If asked, say you’ve been told some companies be leavin’ for home in early morn.” The fool winked.
“Aye.” Heinrich’s heart raced and his mind spun as he hurried toward his wagon. He muttered to his helpers, “I’d be suffering colic, methinks.” He held his belly. “I’d needs an hour in m’bed.” Once out of sight he leaned against the cold stone of the castle wall and closed his eyes. I’ll not raise m’hand against them nor help those who do. God forgive me, but m’lords are wrong.
Heinrich scanned the castle grounds for a safe way out. He quickly climbed the steps leading to the battlements where he fixed his eyes on the green fields beyond the drawbridge. “Wildflowers!”
The man raced down the steps, through the courtyard, and into his bakery where he grabbed a basket. He hurried to the gatekeeper and spoke boldly. “I’m the baker … been ordered to gather flowers to flavor m’lord’s sweetbread and tasties.”
The guard grumbled a word or two, then waved him through the portal. Relieved, but trembling, Heinrich crossed the drawbridge spanning the curve in the Hunte and slowly headed toward the open fields. Soon he was bending to pull spring blooms from the sod. The soldiers on the wall gave him little heed and by vespers he had managed to wander far enough to find cover midst a clump of willows by the riverbank where he hid until twilight.