Heinrich stared openmouthed and confused. He knew little of the birthright but it hardly mattered now. Baldric stormed to the common room hearth and held the parchment to its flames. He smiled coldly in the failing light as the dry parchment smoked and flickered, then floated into nothingness out the smoke hole above. He dropped the final ashes to the straw-strewn floor and ground them with his heel. “It is done. Now things are set to right.”
Chapter 7
A SECRET REVEALED
It snowed lightly on the first Sunday after Advent in the Year of Grace 1182. Richard walked with Heinrich and pointed to the sky. “Look at the clouds. Methinks a storm is coming.”
Heinrich shook his head. “I cannot look up.”
Richard shrugged. “Ach, Heinrich. No one is here to tell.”
Heinrich was sorely tempted, but refused. And when he refused he felt suddenly good and clean, as if his shame were redeemed, if only for a moment. His eye suddenly caught a glimpse of a satchel lying half-buried in the snow by the side of the road. “Look, Richard. I’ve found something!” Indeed, the lad had found a set of quills, some sharp knives, and ampoules. “We needs take this to Father Johannes,” said Heinrich.
“Johannes? Nay, Heinrich, are y’dim? We should give them to Frau Emma. I’ve seen inks in her hut.”
“But she’ll want to find the rightful owner.”
Richard paused. “Hmm. Then we tell her … we tell her a peddler lost them to us in a wager!”
“A wager! She’ll scold us for wagering, and besides, what would we have wagered?”
“You think too much. She’ll never ask such a thing.”
“And if she does?”
“Then I’ll have an answer.”
Heinrich wasn’t so sure. “Richard, methinks we’re about to lie again … more sin.”
Richard thought for a moment. “Then let me talk.”
Heinrich shrugged, and the two turned and ran toward the smoking thatched roof of the Butterfly Frau. They arrived to a warm welcome. “Ah, my boys!” exclaimed Emma. She smiled and held each one under her thick arms. “You’ve been growing again!”
“Frau Emma,” blurted Richard, “I… we’ve something for you.”
The woman sat down and wiped a wisp of long hair from her forehead. Taking the satchel from Richard’s outstretched hands she opened it carefully and her eyes widened. “Boys, where on this earth did you find these? They are marvelous! Look, here, goose quills, the very best! And they come from the right wing… most unusual. Hmm, and they are well dried and sharpened. Here, a burnishing knife, a leaf-knife, and … and gold powder! And here, too, good gall ink! Boys, you’ve quite a find. Someone’s suffered a loss, indeed.”
Richard cleared his throat. “Nay, Frau Emma. Heinrich and I won this for you in a wager.”
“A wager!” Emma’s face darkened. “You boys ought not be wagering, and what on earth could you offer in exchange?”
Heinrich knew she’d ask that! The worst always happened. Richard set a steady gaze at the woman, his eyes betraying an active imagination. “Now, Frau Emma. Do not be angry. The man was a thief by his own word, and not a thief like Heinrich. I mean a real thief.”
“Enough, boy. ‘Tis quite enough. I cannot accept this … this gift from you. What do you think, Heinrich?”
Heinrich was speechless. He stared at Richard and stammered, “I … I … methinks you ought keep it, Frau. We’ve no idea where …”
“And are Richard’s words true?”
Heinrich turned white. “I must not lie again! But if I say that it is not so, then I betray my kin as a liar… another sin, methinks.” He turned to Emma and answered, “I did not hear Richard talk with … the thief, sol … I cannot say in truth.”
Emma paused. She looked at smiling Ingelbert and tapped her finger on her chin. “And what use have I of these things?”
Richard shrugged. “Methinks Ingly has said something about you writing.”
Emma took a deep breath. “I see. Well, I shall keep this for a season and I shall listen for any talk of it. If it is not claimed after a reasonable time, I suppose it might be God’s will for me to keep.” She winked.
Richard cheered loudly and joyful voices filled the room as all began talking at once—all, that is, except solemn Heinrich.
“Heinrich,” Emma said. “You seem a little sad.”
The boy nodded.
“Is it shame you feel?”
He nodded again.
“I hope you know how proud I am that you loosed that poor beast!”