Were the better warriors in possession of nicer armour or weapons?
"You mind?"
Lo chuckles awkwardly at the show of affection, and shakes his head.
“Not at all. Perhaps you can keep her safer than her father could.”And perhaps if I was as bold in battle as Gunthar, they’d be someone clinging to me now. Hmmm, brave or reckless. Does anyone else differentiate those qualities?
There’s nothing at the camp worth salvaging, and Lo watches dispassionately as the men start to fire the tents.
“What’s to be done with the pagan dead? he asks Reolus, unsure as to whether Brechthalt or the chaplain should preside over such matters.
"Food for the crows far as I'm concerned," Brechthalt says.
Gunthar organizes the carts to carry the women and all useful material. When ready, he nods to Brechthalt, "Let's stop by their hof on the way to Minden."
He wonders if they can get the body of the dead woman without going too much out of their way.
Gunthar would suggest returning the women home is the first priority. They need to win the hearts and minds of the locals if they are to win the war. Brechthalt can take the troops to Minden if he can't wait.
Reolus would suggest Minden, only because they will have better medical supplies to tend to the women, and they can visit the chapel and speak with Father August, before returning home.
He is in favour of retrieving the body of the woman, however.
I also suggest Minden, but only so Gunthar has more time to consummate things with his new girlfriend.
The women are offered a place in one of the ox carts, then the soldiers and knights move out, returning to Minden. It takes most of the day, and everyone is exhausted and frozen when they arrive home in that evening. Brechthalt leaves the women in the care of the knights, while he goes to report their success to the Graf. Wiebke begs Gunthar not to take her back to her father's hof. "Father and the other men weren't strong enough to protect us. We might just be taken again!" Her mother doesn't voice her agreement, but her silence is agreement enough.
Leeta approaches Reolus. "Father, perhaps you could convince the priest here in Minden to take us in for the time being? We can work, of course. I won't feel safe going home until Widukind is dead and this rebellion put down for good."
"Wiebke, you belong with your family. I won't be in Minden often. Please stay with your mother while I go take care of some things." Gunthar leads his and Reolus's horse away toward their tent letting Reolus handle the women. Gunthar unloads the horses and brushes them while they feed.
The girl looks crestfallen, but she does as Gunthar says.
On returning to Minden, Lo's first priority is to give his armour, weapons and gear a thorough clean. He also tends to Balder and Fitzroy.
Reolus takes the women to see Father August. Once he's seen to their injuries, he gently questions the women to see if they overheard any of the Saxons' plans or any other actionable intelligence.
Father August is happy to help with the women. He assures Reolus that he will find them positions within the army to help support the troops over the winter. The women haven't heard anything actionable from the Sachsens. The same as the Carolingians, there's not much fighting to be done in winter. It's too cold and the terrain is too harsh to conduct any organized campaigns. It seems Widukind put out a call for all those still loyal to the Old Religion to take up arms and hide themselves for the winter. In the spring they plan to begin fighting in earnest.
Later that evening Brechthalt seeks out the Knights in their tent. "Good evening, brothers. Graf Theodoric was much pleased with my report. He has invited us to dinner this evening."
"Well it's a good thing I've just finished scrubbing the dirt of the road off my clothes," says Lo to Brechthalt. "Lead on."
Gunthar too had focused on his horses and gear. After his maintenance routine was finished, he cleans himself as much as possible and follows Lo.
Hearing of dinner with the Graf, Reolus arrives at the church in a panic, asking Father August if he has a spare cassock Reolus could borrow for the evening.
The father does happen to have an extra set of clothing that he allows Reolus to borrow. The fit isn't perfect, but it's clean and of acceptable quality. Once the three knights are ready, they follow Brechthalt to a cottage on the edge of town. There are two guards posted outside, who nod to Brechthalt and the knights and stand aside. Inside the small wooden house is a single room. There is a sleeping area walled off on one side with some wicker screens. At the back of the room is a simple stone hearth, and in the center a wooden table set with a simple fare of bread, cheese and salted pork with a tankard of wine. Graf Theodric sits at the head of the table which is set with four other chairs. He smiles as the knights enter, and gestures for them to sit. "Wilkommen," he says. "I am much pleased with Brechthalt's report. He tells me you were clever, resourceful and that you fought like demons. Is it correct that you eliminated the Sachsen camp without taking a single casualty?"
Brachthalt looks to the knights, smiling, allowing them to answer for themselves.
Reolus bows to the Graf.
"My Lord, I would hate to think that any of us acted in a demonic manner; rather, that we fought as King David and other heroes of the Faith. The Sachsens, on the other hand, did fight as demons; selfishly and undisciplined. We destroyed their camp without losing a single man, as you say, due in no small part to Sir Brechthralt's prowess and horsemanship, and the superb training of Your Lordship's infantry, a true credit to their liege."
"You flatter me too much, Sir. I did nought but rest in Minden while you did the Lord's work. But such is the fate of a general at most times." The Graf fills his goblet with wine, motioning for the others to do the same if they haven't already. Once they have, he raises his cup saying, "A toast! To Christ and his holy warriors. Prost!"
Reolus joins in the toast, enjoying the slightly better vintage of wine allowed to the Graf over their usual vinegar.
"My Lord, we have learned of some of the Sachsen plans, to bring their forces close to us under cover of winter and hide themselves nearby, ready to pounce on us from all sides with the spring thaw. I hope that our actions have not altered or accelerated their plans. We left no survivors to tell tales, but that doesn't mean the Sachsens won't have riders to learn the news."
"I suspected as much. Their "forces" as it were are already close to us. They are us. This is not a foreign army we're dealing with, it's an insurrection. They might organize into some kind of army in the Spring, but for now, they could be anyone or anywhere. We face a hydra with an unknown amount of heads, some of which could even be hidden here in Minden."
Gunthar watches the politics between Reolus and the graf. "My lord, if they are here, we should let everyone know the rebels are capable of abducting and killing their mothers and sisters. And what happens to the rebels if we can find them."
"Who are you referring to when you say everyone?" the Graf asks Gunthar.
"The people of Minden to start with. They all have mothers and sisters."
"I'm listening, what exactly do you propose? The people of Minden are well aware of the danger their pagan relatives pose. There has been war here for years. But, perhaps some kind of minor..triumph...for lack of a better word wouldn't be amiss. Did you not capture four of their number? We could burn them at the stake? Hang them?"
Lo winces a little at the Graf's bloodthirsty proposal, but it doesn't stop him enjoying the food, simple though it is. He listens with interest to hear how Gunthar will answer.
"Winning their souls for Christ would be an even more remarkable display, though not as flashy as a public burning."
"Do you think yourself equal to such a task, father?" the Graf asks. "That would indeed be a magnificent feat. If they should publicly decry their gods and swear themselves to Christ, we might give them the honorable death of beheading. For the King and therefore, God, have decreed that worshiping the old gods must be punished by death."
"I am not equal to such a task, but the Holy Spirit is more than equal to lead Widukind himself to take his first communion. Perhaps if we wish these men to acknowledge and follow Christ, we should start acting like we follow Him ourselves. 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.' What crime have these four men committed, save to be uneducated and schooled in the doctrine of demons? Burnings, hangings, beheadings, show me in Scripture where Jesus or any of the saints would use any of those methods against their pagan or Jewish foes. 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they...for THEY shall be called the Children of God!' If we claim to serve God, what gives Him more glory...piles of pagan corpses, or a nation of new brothers in Christ?"
"Amen father!" joins Lo.
"'I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me', was our Lord's first commandment. In Deuteronomy, Moses is quite clear, 'Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel.' Then again, 'Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt.' A third time the Lord commands us through his prophet, 'If your own full brother, or your son or daughter, or your beloved wife, or you intimate friend, entices you secretly to serve other gods, whom you and your fathers have not known, gods of any other nations, near at hand or far away, from one end of the earth to the other: do not yield to him or listen to him, nor look with pity upon him, to spare or shield him, but kill him. Your hand shall be the first raised to slay him; the rest of the people shall join in with you. You shall stone him to death, because he sought to lead you astray from the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. And all Israel, hearing of this, shall fear and never do such evil as this in your midst," the Graf replies. He pauses for a moment before continuing, "Theology aside, the King has decreed in his Capitulatio de partibus Saxoniae this year that 'If any one shall have formed a conspiracy with the pagans against the Christians, or shall have wished to join with them in opposition to the Christians, let him be punished by death; and whosoever shall have consented to this same fraudulently against the king and the Christian people, let him be punished by death.' It is not my place to interpret the laws, but to enforce them and pacify this region of the kingdom. The can be no question of their execution, only of its manner. If they repent in their final hour not only will they be given mercy after death, but the mercy of a quick death."
Foolish though it may be, a touch of anger colours both Reolus' words and voice. "All you have quoted, my Lord, pertains to an early time when the Israelites had no choice but use such extreme means to purge their nation of evil, as Christ had not come to bring them into a personal relationship with Himself through the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit!! This is no longer the case! However, as you seem Hell-bent on their physical destruction, I implore of you to grant me a season of days to try, futile as it may be, to break through their pagan teachings, and at least save their souls!"
The Graf frowns. "Watch your tongue father, for it wanders the borderlands of treason. I will give you a month's time to convert the men, but it is neither of our places to question the law."
Flushed, Reolus replies, "Please, forgive me, My Lord. Were my tongue still numb from the cold and journey, perhaps it would not betray me so easily. I claim only passion for the souls of the lost as my pitiful excuse for this conduct. A month is most generous, indeed!"
Lo smiles encouragement to Reolus.
"I'll help you if I can," he says.
Gunthar wonders how his suggestion got so far off course. He does not know anything about conversion, as barely a Christian himself. After clearing his throat, "I was just suggesting that we could make it known to the people of Minden in a public way what the rebels are capable of and that we saved them. Without our soldiers here, innocent women would have died. Provide them a evidence that we are their protection and salvation. I don't know what's the best way. Maybe town criers?"
Then, looking at Reolus, "And after a month, either the prisoners retell the people themselves as converted Christians or become spectacles with their punishment."
"Excellent idea, Gunthar. You're in charge of setting it up. Brechthalt will make sure you have whatever resources you need," the graf replies. He sweeps the room with a motion of his hands, "In the meantime, I've cleared this house for you three to use. You've proven yourselves resourceful, and tough. You are the kind of men we'll need in this war. I want you in top form, and sleeping in a drafty tent won't help that." The graf wipes his mouth and beard with his napkin and stands from the table, adjusting his swordbelt as he does so. "Aside from converting our prisoners and reassuring the citizenry, I have another job for you. You are to ride to all the known settlements and hofs within three days of Minden and assess their status. Reassure the loyal Christians that we are here if they need us, make sure those on the fence know what will happen to them should they sacrifice to the old Gods or fight for Widukind, and mark the names of those households which are abandoned. We must know who has gone to the enemy. Father Augustus will be assisting you as necessary. As a local he has a much better idea of who these people actually are, and approximately how many of them should be where. I thank you again, in the name of the King, and look forward to your reports." Nodding to each of the knights and Brechthalt in turn, the graf makes his way out of the house, "Goodbye and God's speed!" he says with a smile before closing the door.
Gunthar stands and nods to the graf when he departs, "Thank you, sir. We won't let you down." He then goes to assess the leftovers of the meal.
"We have some leftovers. Does anyone have any complaints if I invite Father Augustus to join us? We need him for all of this." He pauses for a few seconds, "Would anyone mind if I brought the women, too. They might have another good perspective for our tasks, too." He doesn't necessarily want the daughter, but they live around here and could help.
"By all means Gunthar. We've got a roof over our heads and the ear of the Graf. Definitely worthy of a celebration - especially as it looks like we'll be bound for the wilderness again all too soon."
Reolus sighs at the thought of returning to the cold and damp, after they have just seem to struck it rich with this new abode. Gunthar's suggestion brings him right back to earth and the lesser fortunes of others, like the women, and he flushes beet red. "By all means," he barely chokes out, then retreats to a corner to say his Ave Marias.
Gunthar goes to invite Father Augustus and the women to their house for the meal and discuss their tasks. He does know what to do with the daughter. His parents warned him of playing the protector and attracting girls. He must focusing on being a good knight not rutting. His thoughts swirls in his mind as he heads toward the church.
Augustus and the women gladly join the knights. The women are used to only speaking when addressed, and maintain a silence at the table. Augustus on the other hand says, "Thank you for inviting me this evening, brothers. How might I be of assistance to you?"
Gunthar tries to pay some but not too much attention to the daughter, "We wanted to know what you think the best way for the people of Minden to learn about the savagery of the rebels and how we protected you. How can we convince them to support us more than the rebels? What do you think?"
"I believe most of the people living in Minden itself are already on the side of the King and Christ. Though it could never hurt to boost their morale with word of your victory. I'm sure the best way to do it would be to mention the situation during Mass on Sunday. Perhaps one of you could offer some words of encouragement to the people after the service?"
Gunthar nods, smiles and looks at Reolus.
Reolus nods. Certainly, Father."
Noticing Gunthar's smirks, he adds, "It seems that Gunthar is eager for the challenge, or perhaps I misunderstand?"
On another topic, he says to Augustus, "The Graf has given me leave to try to save the souls of our prisoners before their executions. I have yet to devote any real prayer to the matter, but my own thoughts were to focus my efforts on the youngest, as the doctrine of demons will be less firm in his head and heart. We also aren't going to be able convince him with words I fear, as he has no doubt been filled with so much fear and is likely not educated enough to appreciate an honest debate. I believe we shall have to kill him with kindness before the Graf's men do so with fire or noose."