The Secret Healer (29 page)

“And me?” Johannes asked.

“I don’t think it matters if one more or less comes now. Come with me. We’ll resume the trial early tomorrow morning. All can go for today.” He turned his head quickly. “Except for you,” he added as he looked at Madlen.

Matthias’s eyes widened. “Why is my front door wide open?” He stepped quickly up the steps to his house.

The sheriff, Andreas, and Johannes followed him along with eight guards.

“What happened?” Matthias shouted as he stormed inside the house and confronted a throng of mostly unfamiliar faces.

“That’s what I would like to know, too.” The sheriff looked to a constable.

“These women here”—the constable pointed at Agathe and Reni—“contacted us because they claim to have heard a woman screaming.”

Andreas and Johannes looked at each other, puzzled.

“And those two there”—the constable pointed at Elsbeth and Otilia—“were waiting in front of the house when we arrived.”

“There was no woman screaming here because, except for the cook, there are no women living in this house,” Matthias snapped. “Your people entered without my consent and without grounds.”

“Not without grounds,” the constable asserted and pointed at Kilian, who the sheriff, Johannes, and Andreas hadn’t yet noticed because he stood behind one of the other officers.

“What happened to him?” Andreas went over to Kilian; his face was red, bloody, and swollen. His left eye was so bruised and puffy that he couldn’t see through it.

“I had every right to do it,” Matthias’s guard, Ditz, declared. “He snuck into the house.”

“And that’s why you beat him half to death?” Andreas snapped. “As I live and breathe, you will pay for this.”

“No, he won’t,” Matthias asserted. “Mangy low-life thieves deserve to be beaten. The best thing would be for him to hang right along with his sister, so we can be rid of this sort once and for all.”

“Curb your tongue, sir,” the sheriff shot back.

“And you?” He looked at the women. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

“They helped him get into the house,” the guard said.

“Is that true?”

Andreas stepped up. “You ladies don’t have to answer any more questions.” He looked at Kilian. “And you, either.”

“For the life of me, I can’t fathom what’s happened here,” the sheriff said. “But you’ve all heard the lawyer. There’s nothing to do but sort out the whole thing in court.”

“So that’s it? This gang breaks into my house and you don’t have anything to say except that we’ll have to figure it out?”

“You heard von Balge. The way I see it, he is the defense attorney for”—the sheriff swept his arm out—“well, all of them. It’s their right to be questioned in court.”

“Heidelberg has degenerated into a city of rogues and do-nothing public officials. And you, Sheriff, will be one of the first who will soon not have a say here.” Matthias approached him threateningly.

The sheriff was just about to snap back when his gaze fell past Matthias onto a young woman who was shaking and pale as she entered the rear part of the house. Her eyes were glassy, and it looked as though she might collapse at any moment.

“What is this?” The sheriff hurried over to her as she dropped like a stone.

“Where did you come from?” Matthias snapped.

“I found her,” Irma whispered, her teeth chattering.

“What? What did you say? Who did you find?” Andreas asked.

“Barbara,” Irma continued. “The barrels in the basement . . . her hair and dress. She’s there.” Then she fainted.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The seat at the prosecutor’s table where Matthias Trauenstein had been sitting yesterday was empty. The sheriff, the members of the jury, Andreas, and Johannes all agreed that every moment the defendant was incarcerated was simply an additional undeserved punishment. They even included the archbishop in their deliberations to dismiss the charges of healing in the name of the devil. But Andreas insisted on getting an acquittal from the court on this matter. He didn’t want the faintest shadow of a doubt to loom over Madlen ever again.

In the matter of the murder of Adelhaid Trauenstein, all were now convinced that Madlen had consistently told the truth, and it had been brought to trial only because Matthias was guilty of committing multiple murders. He was a vile and devious criminal, devoid of remorse or concern for anybody else’s skin but his own.

So the spectators witnessed the sheriff as he reported the capture of Matthias Trauenstein, who would be tried for the murder of Adelhaid Trauenstein, a crime evidently solely committed by her husband and no one else. Everyone was convinced that Madlen was only a scapegoat to cover up Matthias’s crime. As to the murder of the maid, Barbara—or what was left of her—was discovered in a barrel filled with liquid in the cellar of the Trauensteins’ house. Her remains would be buried the next day. Matthias would also face charges for Barbara’s gruesome death.

With that, Johannes Goldman took the floor; he asked forgiveness from the defendant, and went so far as to thank her for her devotion. A glimpse of the archbishop revealed to Johannes that he welcomed the conciliatory gesture, especially since Johannes stressed that he was not acting completely on his own accord, but was greatly influenced by the wishes and encouragement of the archbishop to make a public apology.

Then Andreas was given the floor. He cautioned both the court and the spectators that this trial should be a warning to all who too easily believed in the guilt of innocent parties based on unsubstantiated claims.

“Do you have anything you care to say, defendant? You have the right to a final word.”

Madlen arose slowly, shaking at the knees. She cleared her throat, unsure that her voice would be heard. She was still soaking in all the events of the past few days. Her gaze fell upon Kilian, who smiled despite the injuries on his bruised and battered face.

“There isn’t much more to say,” Madlen began. “But I would like to speak nevertheless since there are so many citizens, both from a high social standing as well as the simple folk who have gathered here today, and I very much appreciate the presence of the archbishop.” She took a deep breath. “It’s true that I suffered much injustice. But I think of Adelhaid and Barbara, who lost their lives simply because that’s what this repulsive man so desired. I wish I could have done more for them. As I stand in front of you in this church today, I promise I will no longer stand by passively when I encounter a woman beaten and abused by her husband; I will do everything in my power to help her. I bid you, Sheriff, to pledge your help as well when encountering such situations in the future.” She lifted her head.

“You have my word, Madlen, and that of all my officers.”

“You have our word, too,” someone shouted from the spectator stands, and others murmured their assent.

“We citizens of Heidelberg, Worms, as well as Trier”—she nodded at the archbishop—“will no longer tolerate such brutes in our midst. We women bear your children. Honor us for that, as we honor you.” She looked at the spectators, who hung on to her every word. This was something Madlen would have never dared to believe until now. “I’m a woman, and yet I wish nothing more than to heal, like a doctor. I want to learn, I want to do everything. Let me heal, and I swear by the Lord God Almighty, who’s always been by my side, that I will only do good things for the people as long as I shall live.” She bowed her head.

A single pair of hands clapped, and Madlen lifted her head. She looked the archbishop straight in the eye as he applauded. Next, the sheriff joined, then the members of the jury, and finally the spectators, who rose from their seats.

Tears of joy fell from Madlen’s eyes. At that moment, she felt her child kick for the first time. She laughed and cried, unable to suppress her feelings any longer. Andreas briefly put his arm around her shoulders.

“Esteemed colleague,” he called loudly over to Johannes, “it is your privilege to embrace your wife.”

Johannes’s chair fell over when he stood. He walked over, tenderly pulled Madlen close to him, and kissed her as if they were alone, not surrounded by hundreds of people. They held each other as if they never wanted to let each other go. Finally, they broke away when the sheriff cleared his throat loudly.

“We still must announce the verdict,” he said apologetically as Johannes went back and took his place. Gradually, the spectators sat down again.

“A very lively trial, wasn’t it?” the sheriff noted with a twinkle in his eye. He cleared his throat again. “The High Court of Heidelberg acquits the defendant of all charges. In light of her proven innocence, she shall be set free immediately. In addition, the court notes how proud we Heidelbergers are to have you in our midst.” He raised his arms. “There will be few here who will quickly despair due to ill health,” he joked, and the crowd laughed. “Defendant,” he said seriously, “I cannot make amends for the injustice that has been perpetrated upon you. You have my commitment, of course, and you should never be afraid to come to me, when you believe that a woman has been abused. We will no longer tolerate such atrocities here in our midst. I pray that the Lord continues to stand faithfully by your side, and I hope that what has been said here also reaches the king’s ears. The archbishop has already heard you. One day, perhaps women like you will be able to attend our wonderful university. Go now with your husband, have a healthy baby, and live a full life. I will pray for you.” He choked up, but continued. “The court has spoken.”

The holy archbishop himself said good-bye to Madlen and Johannes. When he got on his horse, he waved to Johannes to come closer. “I didn’t believe your little charade for one moment.”

Johannes looked up in shock, but the archbishop grinned broadly. Once again, he signaled for Johannes to lean in. “Take a little time with your wife to recover from all this. Have your child and enjoy being together. And then come to Trier with your family. A lawyer like you is exactly what I want by my side.”

“Thank you.” Johannes bowed. “We shall come, Your Grace.”

“Yes, I’ll be expecting you.”

Johannes took a step back as the archbishop mounted his horse. “Take care of yourselves. I’ll see you in Trier.” Then he rode along with his entourage.

“In Trier?” Madlen asked.

“Yes, he would like me to remain in his service as a lawyer.”

“Although, you did lose the trial,” she noted.

“You are quite impudent, wife.” Johannes pulled her close and kissed her tenderly.

“This is unbearable.” Kilian rolled his eyes.

“You’re just envious,” Johannes joked.

Kilian shook his head. “Nope. Not envious,” he asserted. “I have my Irma. Eventually, she will recover from the shock of that cellar and laugh again.”

“Does that mean you want to marry her?” Madlen inquired. “What about distant lands and beautiful women?”

“So much has become clearer to me now.”

“And that would be?”

“In distant lands, I am, after all, a lonely stranger. And Irma is beautiful. Maybe not like the women there, but she’s the one I love, and she loves me. I see the same thing in both of you. This is what’s truly important.”

“How wonderful.” Madlen kissed her brother on the cheek.

“What’s next now for you two?”

Madlen looked questioningly at Johannes. “I don’t know. First, we’ll return to Worms. Elsbeth and Agathe are already fighting over who will be allowed to spoil our child the most. And someday, we’ll move to Trier, so that Johannes can take up his work there.”

“We don’t necessarily have to live in Trier to work for the archbishop.”

“No?”

“No. And Worms is not far. The citizens championed for your freedom so valiantly there. I think it only right to raise our daughter in their midst.”

“Or our son,” Madlen added.

“First a daughter, then a son?” Johannes suggested.

“Why not? If it’s the Lord’s will.”

“Good. And then again, another daughter . . . or no, rather just two. Then again, another son . . .”

Madlen kissed his lips tenderly. “Yes, that would be fine with me,” she whispered.

“I must go,” Kilian said. “Father has work for me, of course.”

Madlen touched his arm. “Have you thought about coming to Worms? Of course, you’d be able to find a place there for you and Irma.”

“No, why should I?”

“He is our father, yes, but believe me, he doesn’t do either of us any good. Just promise me you’ll think about it.”

“I promise.” He tenderly stroked his sister’s cheek and went on his way.

Hours later, it was time for the citizens of Worms to gather at the church and make their way back together. Many Heidelbergers came to say good-bye to their out-of-town guests. The trial seemed to unite the two cities in a unique way.

“Greetings to the people on the Rhine, and come back to visit us any time,” a Heidelberger called out, as the group of Wormsers approached the bridge over the Neckar River. Madlen enjoyed every moment. Johannes led his horse next to her as she walked because she refused to ride. She had ridden here, and it had caused her to bleed. In the meantime, everything seemed to have calmed down again, and the only thing she felt was the kick of a small foot, which didn’t hurt at all; instead, it triggered a feeling of happiness that flowed from the top of her head to the tip of her toes.

“Did you say good-bye to your father?” asked Agathe, walking next to Elsbeth.

“Yes, but only briefly. He seemed indifferent.”

“That sounds like your father,” Agathe stated. “Don’t let it bother you.”

“I won’t,” Madlen affirmed. “The last weeks and months have changed me.”

“How?”

“I’ve resolved to deal only with people who look out for my best interests.”

“A wise decision,” Agathe said.

“Then I should hope that you take up your reading and writing lessons again.”

“Brother Simon?” Madlen looked at him questioningly. “I didn’t know you were here at all. Why didn’t you inform me?”

“It proved next to impossible to get anywhere near you. So I ministered to some of the other prisoners instead.”

“It’s nice to see you again.”

“So nice that you’ll want to resume your lessons again?”

“It would be my pleasure. I must improve my reading and writing if I ever want to study at the university.”

“What? I didn’t think you still wanted to do that,” Johannes said.

“Does it bother you?” Madlen said hesitantly.

“On the contrary. I’ve even thought about what we could do together so as not to rely solely on the goodwill of the archbishop or the king.”

“And? Have you come up with an idea yet?”

“Not yet. But I’m a lawyer. Just because I haven’t come up with something yet doesn’t mean that I’ll quit before I find one.”

“You really think that one day it could be possible?” Madlen’s eyes lit up.

“Yes,” replied Johannes, after thinking about it for a moment. “I’ll be your lawyer. Even the archbishop praised me for my exceptional talent.” He grinned. “But first”—he touched Madlen’s stomach—“we’ll have our child, for the sake of those two.” He nodded to Elsbeth and Agathe. “And then I’ll study the Scriptures to search for where it’s written that a woman cannot attend university.”

“Even if it’s not written, it doesn’t mean that it won’t take a long time to—”

“Please, let that be my concern. I don’t tell you what herbs to use on your sick, so don’t you get yourself mixed up with my interpretation of the law.”

“You’re right.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he put his arm around her. “All that will come in good time. First, I just want to get back to Worms.”

“And then?”

“Then I want to be happy.” She gazed at him. “I want to live happily with all my friends and family but most especially, with you.”