19

The table was set and the roasts were being kept warm until everyone arrived. It was a cool evening so Alena had the table moved closer to the fire to keep their feet warm. Alena sent Plamen to Ulrike to help her bring Helmut. The three of them were the first to arrive even though Helmut moved slowly leaning heavily on his cane. Alena had Ulrike and Helmut sit on the fire side so they could get the most of the heat.

Balder the Druid was next to arrive. He looked so much better after his rest today and his mood was much better. He was back to being his optimistic self with a dose of realism thrown in. Plamen was bouncing up and down next to Balder. At first Balder put it off to the boy’s usual energetic self but soon he realized it was more than that.

“What is it boy?”

“Sir, I was wondering if I might talk to you later about my future and my past.”

“You were never much interested in either before. What has brought this on?”

“I would like to speak with you in private if I may.”

“I see.” Balder regarded Plamen with new eyes. “Will tomorrow at the noon meal suit you?”

“Yes, thank you, Sir.” Plamen was satisfied that he was on his way to bigger and better things.

Ebba came in following Plamen’s conversation with Balder. She had her three year old with her and she had brought Lili to watch the child for her. Alena sent Lili and Plamen off to a corner with the baby to keep them all occupied and out of the way of the adults’ meeting.

The council, minus Detlef, was now all arranged around the hall’s table. As usual, Balder the Druid sat at the head of the meeting in Alena’s normal spot at the table. Alena sat at his right, Ebba next to Alena and Detlef, Ebba’s twin brother, was to be the last on that side of the table when he arrived. On Balder’s left sat the town’s oldest people, Helmut and his long time wife, Ulrike. Marta and Leni served everyone cups of wine and left the jugs on the table so they could help themselves when they wanted and did not need to be interrupted or overheard by any help.

They decided to eat now and Detlef could have something later when he arrived. The rest of the household sat at the other end of the table. Dinner was two hours later than usual so everyone was quite hungry. They had roast pork with turnips, chestnuts, eggs, fried fish, cheese, bread, onions and dandelion greens. They were almost done eating and quite full when the hall door was flung open by Mortimer, the groom whose father was a fisherman. He ran up to Balder the Druid and Alena, bouncing on his feet in his excitement.

The buzz in the room increased as they waited to hear what the excitement was about. He stuttered over his words and pointed at the door while he tried to make sense. He said something about his father, Konwey, Detlef and Tomas the Magistrate. They could not get much out of him that made sense and he was distracted by the food. In the end they understood that Tomas, Detlef and Konwey were on their way to Alena’s hall and they were bringing some important news. They sent Mortimer to a seat down the table and a plate full of food.

It was not long before they were interrupted again. This time by Mortimer’s father, Konwey the fisherman, who came into the hall in a much calmer state to say that Detlef and Tomas were coming and bringing a guest of sorts. Konwey had rowed Tomas the Magistrate across the lake from Zell. Tomas was coming over to tell everyone some interesting information he had discovered while looking into the murders of Elsin, Makt and Vix. Upon docking at Deepshade, they had found someone sitting by the lake waiting for a boat to take him back to Zell that had a lot to do with the situation at hand.

Tomas and Konwey were in the process of capturing this man when Detlef came down from his house along the lakeside path. He joined Konwey and Tomas in securing their prisoner as their captive was not keen on be caught. They had to knock him on the head to stun him at one point so they could tie him up. Detlef and Tomas being larger than Konwey held their prisoner between them, supporting the stunned man between them and they sent Konwey up to the hall to prepare the way. They wanted a chair and rope ready so they could tie their captive up when they arrived. It would take them a few minutes to arrive because the man was struggling so much.

Men got up from the table to get the requested supplies and set the chair in an open space where it would not be near anyone or anything. They had plenty of rope ready for when Detlef and Tomas arrived. The table had been cleared of all but the wine cups and jugs which were refilled and topped off. Marta made up a couple of plates for Tomas and Detlef and had everything else put away. Everyone was anxious with excitement waiting to see what would happen next.

They did not have long to wait. There was a kick at the door. Two men went to open it and stood back waiting to see if their help was needed. Detlef and Tomas came in with Klaus, his hands tied behind his back, between them. All three men had bloody noses and scratches on their faces. Tomas looked around the room. One of the men showed him the chair for which he was looking. Tomas and Detlef struggled with Klaus, shoving him over to the chair and forcing him to sit. They tied his arms behind the chair back. They tied his chest to the seat back and his waist to the chair seat. Then they tied each one of his legs to a separate leg of the chair. They stood up when they were done and breathed deeply. It was obvious Klaus had not been easy for them to capture. He looked around the room, his eyes finally resting on Alena and he smiled at her but there was no joy in that smile only a malice that shocked her because it was so completely different from his appearance earlier that day.

Tomas and Detlef came over to the table and sat down, exhausted. Marta brought over a bucket with warm water and cloths. Ebba cleaned up her brother, Detlef’s, face while Marta helped Tomas clean up his own face. Leni brought them each a big mug of ale which both men downed in one gulp. Alena brought them their dinner plates so they could begin eating. While everyone was very curious about what was going on they waited for the men to calm down and relax.

Tomas and Detlef ate quickly. They knew everyone was waiting for information. They finished eating and let Leni and Marta clear away their plates and refill their beer mugs. Then they sat back and looked around the table and the room. Tomas glanced at Klaus who sat tied to the chair glaring at everyone. Tomas looked at Detlef who nodded to him to tell everyone their story.

“I have discovered much over the last few days as I worked to discover who had killed Vix, Elsin and Makt.” Tomas took a sip of beer and cleared his throat. He was not used to speaking in front of so many people. He looked at Alena who nodded to him and she smiled, encouraging him to continue.

“I met Mortimer today in Zell when you sent him on his errand. His job was also one of mine so I conscripted him to my services. We went about our business and discovered what we both set out to do. This evening we were on our way to Deepshade, coming across the lake in Mortimer’s father’s boat. Konwey road us over here and all seemed uneventful and normal until we reached the docks on this side of the lake. When the boat pulled in, I saw Klaus sitting there. He was waiting for a boat to take him back to Zell so he could make his escape.

“I got out of the boat as nonchalantly as I could but I think Klaus was suspicious. He tried to stay out of my reach as I spoke to him of the weather, but in the end I had to jump him because I could not let him get away. He is so much taller than I am and despite his leanness he is quite strong. Konwey tried to help but the two of us were no match for Klaus on our own. Luckily, Detlef arrived before Klaus could escape and he helped me and Konwey subdue Klaus and get his hands tied behind his back. We sent Mortimer to you to let you know we were coming.

“Getting Klaus up the street was not easy. He struggled with us the entire way. At one point, he almost escaped. We tackled him and fought with him on the ground. He kicked me in the face and butted Detlef in the nose with his skull. That’s when Detlef punched him and I knocked him over the head. We were all bloody and bruised now but Klaus was stunned. We hauled him to his feet and had to half drag him the rest of the way here. As you saw even then Klaus continued to try to get away but he has a powerful reason for not wanting to be caught.” Tomas paused for breath. The room full of people turned as one and looked at Klaus. He stuck his tongue out at them. A few people gasped at his audacity.

“Is he the murderer?” Plamen blushed as everyone turned now in his direction. He lowered his eyes, thinking Tomas would not answer him.

“No,” said Tomas. The people’s attention moved back to him. “But he is not who he said he is.

“I sent my people out to check on all of the men who had come here to vie for Alena’s hand in marriage. It seems there is a Klaus but he is a much younger boy known to this man here.” Tomas pointed at the person they knew as Klaus. “This man’s real name is Rufus and he was in the employ of Klaus’ father and he was engaged in teaching Klaus close range fighting. It turns out that Klaus did not want to learn to fight or to participate in your husband search as his father wished so Klaus had Rufus stand in for him. This suited Rufus well. It turns out that Rufus here is part of a thieving band of men looking for ways to improve their stations in life.

“With Klaus’ blessing Rufus took Klaus’ place here to check out the possibilities for his band to steal some things of value. He even toyed with the idea of actually marrying Alena. He was not going to get far though. It seems that Klaus, when tested by his father in his fighting skills and found to be wanting, told his father about Rufus. Upon further investigation Klaus’ father discovered Rufus’ gang and an explanation for some attacks and robberies that happened near his holdings.

“I am sure most of you have already suspected that he and his gang were responsible for the attack on your woodsman, Karl, when he was on his way back from giving out his messages. Karl had delivered a message for Klaus and that is where Rufus saw him. Rufus was sure Karl had many valuables with him so that is why he was attacked. Rufus’ appearance is so unique that he would never have gotten far without being captured. His gang is already in custody in Klaus’ father’s dungeons. Rufus will be joining them soon.

“But he is not our killer. Again, his looks make him stand out and there are witnesses that put him in other places when we believe our victims were killed. Also, you will recall we are looking for a man with long black hair.”

Alena felt a shiver down her back. She did not want to think about black haired men. She became excited and scared at the same time. She pushed thoughts of crystal blue eyes from her mind.

There was a lull in Tomas’s tale as people looked at Rufus, unable to understand his actions. They had such like crime in their town that Deepshade’s citizens were stunned by the amount they found in their midst.

Alena wondered how a man, who seemed as charming as Rufus, as they now knew him, could do such dastardly things and it did not show in his every day manner. She looked at him and their eyes met. He smiled at her again. She shook her head, truly puzzled.

“I think that perhaps I will have to forfeit my place in the running for your heart,” Rufus said. “Although I think you do not have any more suitors left, so maybe I still have a chance.” Rufus laughed out loud at his own joke and the shocked looks on all of their faces.

Marta walked up to him and slapped his face.

“You do not speak to my mistress ever again.” Marta and Rufus scowled at each other but Rufus never said another word.

“This has been an ill fated project from the beginning,” said Detlef. “We need to find another solution to our problem.”

“Wait,” said Alena. “What of Dierk? He is still a good choice.” She looked at the group hopefully. “Mortimer, come here.”

The boy ran to her side and stood waiting for her to ask him questions. He was eager to be helpful.

“I sent you to Zell to find Dierk.”

“Yes.”

“Did you find him?”

“Yes.” Mortimer smiled at Alena. Alena waited patiently for him to continue. He said nothing but kept smiling at her.

“And…?” Alena was becoming very frustrated with Mortimer. His smile faded a bit.

“And … he …left…?”

“Ugh.” Alena grunted and dropped her forehead to the table covering her head with her arms.

“Perhaps I can help,” said Tomas the Magistrate. “It is true that Mortimer found Dierk and it is true that Dierk has left for home.” Tomas ruffled Mortimer’s hair and then sent him off to be with the other children.

“Mortimer did not pay attention to most of what happened in between. I had come looking for Dierk because I had heard he was loading up his horse for his return trip home. I wanted to speak to him before he had a chance to leave. I also thought I would try to talk him into staying as he seemed a very nice man and I thought he would suit your purposes very well.

“I asked him to join me in the inn for a pint of beer. As he had already made up his mind and felt he could not be dissuaded, he went with me easily enough.

“We talked about his home of Iron Pine Hill. I knew Dierk was the genuine article from my investigations. He did not have much to hide as he was truthful in most things. He said this trip was a very trying and costly one for him. He had just received news this morning that his older brother had died two days ago in a hunting accident and his father was calling Dierk back to take his brother’s place in the line of succession. Dierk liked his brother a great deal and did not wish to receive an inheritance at this price. But he knew his duty to his father and his family.

“He said he liked us all well enough. Alena he liked you too much to marry you.” Tomas smiled at the look on Alena’s face.

“What is that supposed to mean? I do not understand.” She was truly puzzled.

“Well, you will remember that we thought that Elsin and Vix were lovers since we found them dead in the same room and they were both naked. Apparently, we were misled by the scene and it is possible that the killer misunderstood Elsin and Vix’s relationship. According to Dierk, Elsin and Vix were childhood friends that grew up together. The lands belonging to their families are adjacent to one another. As a matter of fact, Alena, their lands are not far from Crab Apple Farm.”

“I remember that,” said Balder, “it was one of the reasons we thought either one would be good prospects.”

“Yes, and that is why the both agreed to come, even though Wolfram, whose holdings are near theirs, tried to talk both Elsin and Vix out of coming.”

“How do you know that?” asked Alena. “Have you found Wolfram?”

“No, Wolfram, sadly, is still on the loose. Dierk told me of the conversations both Vix and Elsin had with Wolfram. Dierk said they were more than mere conversations. As a matter of fact, Wolfram threatened both Vix and Elsin with bodily harm, if they did not stay away from here. Dierk had to pull Wolfram off of Vix when they came to blows. Dierk actually had to beat Wolfram up before he would go away and leave them alone. Dierk thought for sure that he had broken Wolfram’s jaw he had to hit him so hard.”

“And why was Dierk with Vix and Elsin?” asked Ebba. She was scowling with suspicion. Too many people knew each other in this mess that they had created.