The Secret Healer(17)

Madlen’s thoughts churned. She decided to use the money she’d received from Adelhaid to hire a lawyer, but Andreas von Balge wasn’t even a real attorney, not yet anyway. Though he studied law at Heidelberg University, founded just last year, he was far from done. But Madlen couldn’t afford anybody else, and even if she could, it was doubtful that an experienced attorney would accept the case. Andreas von Balge, who’d moved from Bremen to Heidelberg to study with the famous Marsilius of Inghen, a professor at Heidelberg University known for his brilliance, seemed quite happy to help a young woman in whose innocence he firmly believed. At least that’s what he told Madlen. He was Kilian’s friend. Madlen didn’t yet know whether the young legal advocate could actually help her, but he was her only hope. Upon his appointment, he immediately explained that the ongoing war between the Swabian League and the Bavarian dukes was to her advantage because her case could only go before the sheriff and six appointed members of the council. Andreas had already spoken with the sheriff, who told him that if it were up to him, the case would never go to trial. The sheriff had believed Madlen. Now the only thing left was to convince the council members that she didn’t have anything to do with the child’s death. The proceedings would start in two days. In exactly three days, Heinfried, her future husband, would arrive in Heidelberg. Jerg was exceedingly uneasy. He warned Madlen that her advocate better not draw out the trial longer than necessary. If Heinfried heard about the accusation, he would withdraw his offer to marry her. Jerg had already mentally allotted the money Heinfried would pay him for Madlen’s hand in marriage. For Jerg, it meant security for many months.

“I’m not terribly worried about Matthias Trauenstein’s lies,” Andreas von Balge explained, as he took a sip of the beer that Madlen had placed on the table in front of him. Jerg went to the workshop during their conversations, but Kilian remained.

“But he’s not the only one accusing Madlen,” Kilian said.

“Exactly. Matthias wants to make Madlen look guilty.”

A cold chill went up Madlen’s spine.

“I’m more concerned,” he continued, “about this maid, Barbara. It will be difficult to get her to admit that she lied because she’s frightened. She has much at stake.”

“But isn’t that obvious to the sheriff?” Madlen asked.

Andreas shook his head. “That’s hard to say. Even though the sheriff may see through the lies, there are still six other men that must be convinced, too.”

“Do you already know who these six men are?” Kilian asked, taking a sip from his own beer mug.

“Unfortunately not. We’ll only know who they are when the trial starts. The names are kept secret so neither side can have undue influence.”

“I seriously doubt that Matthias won’t find a way to learn their names. He has many powerful friends.”

Andreas nodded at Kilian. “I agree with you on that, but that doesn’t mean he’ll succeed in convincing them of Madlen’s guilt before the trial.” He thought about it for a second. “You know many young men in the city, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. Why?”

“Go to the tavern this evening,” Andreas suggested. “Listen carefully. The trial has attracted much attention. Everyone will be talking.”

“And everybody knows that Madlen’s my sister.”

“Exactly. Talk to the young men, the boys, the guards, or groomsmen that serve the noblemen. Believe me. This will be talked about in the council members’ households. And then you spread rumors.”

“What kind of rumors?” Madlen tilted her head.

“Kilian can simply throw a name around and claim that he heard that he’s one of the six chosen to sit at the trial. This will loosen the tongues of those who have actually heard a thing or two in their masters’ houses.”

“We definitely won’t be able to ascertain all six of them, though,” Kilian insisted.

“We don’t have to. We only need two.”

“What are you planning?” Madlen rubbed the goose bumps on her arms.

“We need to learn as much as possible about them. For example, maybe one of the members has a daughter the same age as Madlen. I’ll comment on Madlen’s character and attempt to highlight similarities between her and the young women they know and love. They will realize that the speech could be about their own daughters and be more sympathetic toward Madlen. Do you understand?”

Kilian nodded slowly. “And you believe this would influence their decision?”