Free Twelfth Krampus Night by Matt Manochio Page B

forest.
    â€œYour castle will fall!” she shrieked. And was gone.
    The archers looked at where their arrows had accidentally finished off Fritz and couldn’t comprehend how quickly the old woman had moved.
    â€œRaise the drawbridge!” Franco ordered.
    Every guard, regardless of their stations along the wall walks or in the castle proper, turned toward the commotion.
    The monster had counted on that. He hid in a grove near the castle’s side, where the darkest shadow had been cast, and ran the moment the guards glanced toward the sounds of a screaming woman bent on destroying Vettelberg.

Chapter Twelve
    â€œTry not to touch me.”
    â€œTrust me, my lord, I’m trying not to.” Beate used an ell rod to approximate the lengths required to size Lord Wilhelm’s outfit for his brother’s wedding.
    â€œYour friend already measured my breeches and surcoat, so I imagine the tunic will not be much different.”
    â€œIt should not, my lord.” Beate recorded the measurements on parchment, trying not to feel Wilhelm staring at her the entire time they were in his bedchamber. His personal servants had layered his bed with an array of lace, silks, velvets and furs.
    â€œCan you stitch the baron’s coat of arms onto the surcoat? In gold lace?”
    â€œI’ve done similar work with less expensive material.” As much as Beate abhorred being so close to Wilhelm, she appreciated the warmth of his chambers, alight with candles on tabletops and hanging lanterns. The castle’s hallways provided no sanctuary from the cold, and she imagined Lord Karl’s chambers offered similar comfort.
    She wrote down a few more measurements and said, relieved, “I have everything I need, my lord.”
    â€œYou have my mother’s preferences regarding materials, some of which you see in this room. Do not get ideas about swiping any of it, as we have accounted for everything and will compare it with the amount of material you use and the remaining scraps. Your friend did such a splendid job with the baron’s wardrobe that he gave her a fox-fur coat. So generous, the baron.”
    That explains that, Beate thought. “If it is all right with you, my lord, may I begin the actual sewing tomorrow after fitting your brother?”
    â€œThat’s fine. You may take up in the deceased seamstress’s shack. We’ve cleared out everything. You might be able to sleep in an actual bed this evening and for the foreseeable future. Gisela was destined for that until her mishap.”
    Beate stood, her contempt unveiled. “She was murdered, my lord—births of certain people are mishaps.”
    Wilhelm backhanded her, and before she could recover, he pushed her against the stone wall and moved his ungloved hand up her dress, caressing her bare thigh. He whispered into Beate’s ear, “It’s my understanding Gisela didn’t object to this treatment. Now leave.”
    He backed away and pointed to the door. Flushed, she hastily packed her sewing kit, grabbed the ell rod, and unlatched and pulled open the heavy wooden door. Karl stood in his chamber’s open doorway and took notice of a distraught Beate stumbling out.
    â€œPlease, come in.”
    She rushed past him, tucked her sewing kit and ell rod under her arm, and covered her face with her hands to cry. He shut the door.
    â€œI think I know what happened.” Karl stood on his bare feet, his chain mail removed, wearing a sleeveless gray linen tunic.
    â€œYour brother.”
    â€œYes, it’s been known to happen. And I wish it hadn’t.” He stood behind her and gently laid his hand on her bouncing shoulder.
    â€œMy lord, I’ll lose memory of it if I work—at least I’ll try. May we please?” She faced him, her red cheeks slicked with tears.
    Karl placed his other hand on her, as if holding her steady. “No.”
    â€œI’m sorry?”
    He squeezed her