Dragon Bride

Chapter 24 Trial by Ordeal

In the chaos that engulfed the mead hall Unni had been able to escape. She raced home to raise the alarm and Gretchen joined her as they raced to gather Geert the blind reciter of the law and Fr. Peter. Brenda also joined them as they stormed the mead hall. Once Fr. Peter entered the hall silence fell. Even at his advanced age and frail appearance Fr. Peter commanded respect and authority. He walked calmly to face Gorm.

"Release her," he said softly. Those holding Karliene let her go and she quickly covered herself and raced into the arms of her family. "You have no authority to lay a hand on her."

"She is a witch," Gorm said with a sneer, "I simply demand justice."

"Under the law witchcraft is not a crime," Geert said loudly, "otherwise over half the women in the world would be in trouble."

"She is under divine law for turning the wolves against the village and indeed under my authority," Gorm continued to speak, "She is to be the Dragon Bride or we are all doomed."

"She will not!" Fr. Peter said. Then with a quick nod from Gorm several men attacked Fr. Peter with war hammers. Karliene shrieked and threw herself on top of the old priest in an attempt to shield Fr. Peter's broken body from the blows of the war hammers but he was already dead. Unni knelt next to her sister as both of them sobbed.

"You can not kill the girl without a trial," Geert said, "she is freeborn and has rights."

"A trial?" Gorm repeated as he turned to face Karliene with his lips curled in a cruel smile and his eyes black as a starless night, "a trial by ordeal then. We can begin in the morning. Take her to the keep!"

The next morning the entire village had gathered in the village green to watch the trial. There was a lot of talk regarding the method of the ordeal. Some speculated that perhaps she would be required to retrieve a coin from boiling oil unscathed or walk barefoot across burning coals. But these were dismissed as to easy for a witch. Some suggested the dunking stool or any number methods of inflicting pain like burning or the breaking wheel. The village green appeared to be a carnival mood with people jostling to view the roped off area and vender's hawking sweet cakes and baked goods. Children raced around and street musicians played instruments or juggled batons or knives. Several men carried out the massive foot stocks and a heavy wood stool and these were centered in the roped off area. Then Karliene was marched out between four armed men. She appeared so tiny and vulnerable as she marched out. They had removed most of her clothing and she was dressed only in her knee length shift. She had braided her hair in two tight braids. She was still unbroken and held her head high. The slight trembling of her hands the only cue to her utter terror.

Karliene watched the faces of those present. She gathered courage at the sight of her aunt and sister and others from Fr. Peter's congregation. She was relieved to see that Oonagh and the children were not present. Gretchen was holding Unni who was sobbing in her arms. Vada walked to the center of the roped area. Then held up his hands to demand silence. "This woman stands accused of sedition. It is alleged that she using spells and enchantment compelled the wolves to attack our village. It is further charged that she intended to murder children to obtain their fat for a flying spell and that she is responsible for the death of other children formerly thought to have drowned. How do you plead witch?"

"I have done nothing," Karliene said, "I stand innocent before you of all charges. No amount of pain or duress will force me to lie. I know that I am to die and I hope my death will be enough that you will leave my family in peace."

Karliene was led to the wooded stool and as she sat her feet were brought up and locked tightly in the stocks. A brazer of hot coals was brought out and a bundle of long brass needles were placed on the coals. Gorm then addressed the crowd. "All of this can be avoided. I do not seek your death Karliene Jamesdottor but your salvation and ours. As a priest of the ancient order I am at loath to see you suffer. Admit to the charges and agree to be the dragon bride."