Free Iny Lorentz - The Marie Series 02 by The Lady of the Castle Page A

a symbol for Jan Hus, since the Czech word for goose was husa . Then it was all over. The Bohemians slipped away like shadows in the lingering morning fog that covered the long valley like a shroud, leaving behind only their cold and stiff dead scattered around the wagon fort.
    Michel lowered his sword, which felt like lead in his cramped hand, and looked around in astonishment. Like many others, he couldn’t believe the conflict was over, and he thought their enemy’s retreat was a feint. But time passed without another Hussite attack. The burgrave of Nuremberg had a group of spirited lads follow the enemy’s very obvious tracks, and they returned with the news that the Bohemians had broken up their wagon fort and were heading east. One of the knights suggested following the enemies and attacking them on the march, but the men were simply glad to have survived this battle. None of them had the strength or the courage to pursue the retreating enemies and get within reach of their cannons.
    About to take stock of his men and care for the wounded, Michel was called to the kaiser. Sigismund didn’t say a word but just flung his arms around Michel’s neck, hugging him like a brother. For a moment it even looked as if the kaiser might start crying. Catching himself, he lightly pushed Michel away and put his hand on his shoulder.
    “You saved my life and my army today. Without you, the Bohemian heretics would have celebrated the murder of their own king, and they would have slaughtered my brave knights and faithful foot soldiers like cattle. Kneel, Michel Adler.”
    Michel obeyed with confusion and saw the kaiser lifting his bloodstained sword and placing it on Michel’s shoulders and head.
    “Rise, Knight of the Reich Michel Adler. Later, when the enemy is beaten, I will give you a fiefdom and a proper name.”
    Michel stared at the kaiser, unable to grasp what had just happened.
    Seething with rage, Falko von Hettenheim had watched the whole scene. Now this innkeeper’s brat was no longer a simple castellan, whose feudal lord might have one day knighted him out of gratitude for his long years of service, hardly elevating him in rank. Instead, Michel was now an appointed knight of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, with a seat and a vote in the Imperial Diet in Regensburg. That placed this nobody above Falko—the descendant of eight noble lords, whose family tree wasn’t marred by any untitled names.
    Not until late at night, when they were absolutely certain the Hussites wouldn’t attack again, did Michel allow himself to process the kaiser’s words. He was now no longer a liege man of the count palatine, but as high in rank as Heribald von Seibelstorff. From this day on, Michel Adler, son of an innkeeper, was also worthy of commanding the kaiser’s foot soldiers. Despite his exhaustion, Michel was unable to sleep, thinking of Marie and wondering what she would say to this turn of events. Fate had already raised them far above their inherited social status, blessing them with wealth and good fortune, and now they were being bestowed with honors raising them above most people of noble descent.
    Suddenly, he sighed, tasting the bitterness in this cup of good fortune. He had long ago given up hope of having children, but without a son, he couldn’t hand down his knighthood. Unlike his material property, he couldn’t leave his newly gained title to an adopted farmer’s son as he had once contemplated.
    Briefly, he considered Marie’s offer to find a willing maid who could make him a proud father. But even the thought of having to remind his wife of her proposal filled him with disgust. He knew that she would stand by her words, but she might also be so deeply hurt that their bond would never be the same again. There had only ever been one woman for him, and that was Marie. If he wanted to maintain their happiness, he could never let her know about his innermost desire, because she’d move heaven and earth