Page 76 of Veil of Winter

My dear Father Johannes,

As a spiritual father to me, I pray you to help me rally our people, the people of Montciel, to demand that King Leandre insist that King Claude not enslave our men to work in his mines. Jacob can help to get the word out. I am not sure who else I can trust.

She did not sign it, although it would have been obvious to her enemies that she had written it.

Jacob and Father Johannes were the only two people she knew she could depend on. Ysa was no longer on her side. Elyce could not blame her. If she had brothers who loved her, she’d probably protect them any way she could, but Ysa’s brothers would be sent to the mines if Elyce’s plan was not successful. Always cowering before King Claude was no kind of life, for her or her people.

Did Father Johannes hide the note in time? Would the guards grab her from behind and drag her back to her room? She remained on her knees, half praying, half listening as the guards and Father Johannes continued their discussion behind her. Gradually the sound of their voices tapered off.

She was able to focus her mind on Jesus as she raised her eyes and gazed at the crucifix hanging in front of her. She prayed forwhat seemed a long time before her curiosity got the better of her and she glanced over her shoulder.

Four guards stood at the doorway of the chapel, with another at the base of the narrow staircase that led to an upper floor of the castle. Father Johannes was nowhere in sight.

He would not betray her, would he? But if the guards had caught him with her missive, they might have taken him to King Claude.

She began to pray harder than ever. A few minutes later, she saw movement from the corner of her eye. It was Jacob coming into the chapel, then he genuflected before the crucifix.

Father Johannes appeared from behind the chancel and went to Jacob, and the two of them walked together out of the chapel.

Her heart soared. Her plan was working. But would the men stand up to her father and to King Claude? Would they succeed? Or would she cause the deaths of many, starting with Ysa’s beloved brothers?

“God, I believe,” she whispered, clasping her hands and squeezing her eyes closed. “I believe You will work all things for the good of those who love You. I believe. Help my unbelief.”

***

Gerard, Sir Oswalt, and Bertold found King Wenceslaus’s soldiers in the marketplace buying supplies and asked them if they would complete the mission their king had sent them on. It didn’t take much convincing, as they were mostly young men and were eager to see action.

Soon they were all on their way to Montciel. When they arrived, they asked around and discovered that King Claude and Princess Elyce had just returned.

Astrid had traveled with them, and she accompanied them as they went about the village of Montciel, at the base of the castle mount. They began spreading the word among the people of King Claude’s nefarious plan to enslave the men of Montciel in his mines and asking them to help in an outright revolt against him.

They told everyone they could find that there was to be a town meeting in theMarktplatzat noon and for the people to gather, but to make sure King Claude’s guards, who were milling about the streets, did not hear of it.

As the sun was almost overhead, shining languidly through a winter haze, a crowd was gathering around the large fountain in theMarktplatz.

“Sir Gerard.”

Gerard turned to see who had said his name. He searched the faces until he saw a familiar one. It was Jacob, the servant who had helped them leave the castle after Princess Elyce awoke from her sleeping potion.

“You are Sir Gerard,” Jacob said. He looked surprised and relieved to see him.

“Yes. Do you have news?”

The man leaned in close. “The princess sent me to find men who will fight against the tyranny of King Claude.”

“Have you found any?”

“Yes. Many.”

“Have them join us in the marketplace.”

As the sun was now overhead, and as they had seen only about four or five Valkenfeld guards, Bertold suddenly jumped up on the half wall of the fountain and shouted, “Guards of Valkenfeld! Listen to me! How many of you remember your young prince, Bertold?”

The guards wearing the Valkenfeld colors took a few cautious steps toward Bertold. Then Gerard spotted others coming from the side streets.

“I am your king’s younger brother, Bertold. He wanted you to believe that I was dead. He has not been just or honest.”

“Hey! Get down from there!” one of the Valkenfeld guards called out.