During his ride Konrad wondered how he could confront Gwynna without her running away immediately. She had to trust him so much that she drank the wine he had brought with him and Kurgan's men would have an easy time. She probably already knew that he had tried to lure her into a trap. That wouldn't make it any easier for him. He also had to fear that Brother Erland might have doubts about his sudden care for Gwynna and was already on his way to warn her. Therefore he gave the horse the whip and drove it into a fast gallop. The mountains were a good hour and a half away from the village, but Konrad made it in an hour. He got off his horse and unbuckled the strap holding the basket as well. He knew this area very well, so it was easy for him to find the cave.
As he approached, he saw a fire burning at the entrance to the cave. A small pot simmered over the fireplace. There was no one to see. Konrad approached. "Gwendolyn?!" he shouted loudly and waited at a distance from the entrance for someone to answer.
Gwynna had heard a voice outside. That wasn't Brother Erland, was it? But who else but him and Absildis knew where she was? She took a small knife as a precaution and walked slowly to the exit.
In fact, there stood the person whom she never expected and whose sight was absolutely unwelcome to her: Konrad.
She looked at him surprised and reserved: "What do YOU want here? How do you know I'm here?" Her hand clasped the knife tighter. This man couldn't be trusted.
Konrad tried to get a friendly smile. He moved one step towards Gwynna, which she answered backwards with one step. "So," he thought to himself, "so the little bitch knew. He assumed that a forward flight was the best solution. He put the basket on the floor and raised his hand soothingly: "You don't have to be afraid of me, Gwendolyn. I bring greetings from Brother Erland, because he has told me where I can find you. I also wanted to apologize and bring food for you to prove my goodwill." He pointed to the basket.
Gwynna didn't move a millimeter. "Apologize for what?" she asked suspiciously.
"I suppose your escape has to do with the fact that the count has chosen you for his bed and his vassal should pick you up from me?" Konrad replied and looked at her openly. He risked everything with it if she didn't know the truth.
"You were going to say that you were going to lure me into a trap so that the Count's men would have an easy time?"
Konrad flinched. These words could only be from his wife. He'd let her pay for it the next chance he gets.
"Well, I, uh, I wouldn't call it a trap..."
"But?"
"We've been threatened, Gwendolyn. The count's men have kidnapped my stepdaughter so I can play. It was not my wish, but I cannot allow anything to be done to my Jakomina". Konrad gave his voice a whiny sound. He tried to appeal to her compassion.
"Jakomina was kidnapped ? How terrible!" Gwynna shook her head in horror. Maybe she shouldn't have run away after all? She did not want to be the reason that another girl in the castle experienced who knows what.
"I suppose you want to tell me to come back and take Jakominas place?"
Konrad looked at her surprised. That went better than he thought. "I can't ask that of you. But that's not why I came. I wanted to make you a suggestion, but first, take the basket and see what I have brought you all the fine things." He took up the basket with it and held it out to the hesitant woman.
Finally Gwynna stepped forward one step, the knife always in her hand, and grabbed the basket. After she had taken it, Konrad turned away and sat down on one of the large stones that lay in front of the cave.
Gwynna pulled the cloth from the basket. Next to a bottle of wine there was a whole loaf of bread, a hard cheese and a smoked sausage, as well as five apples in it. "I thank you for the food, Konrad," Gwynna said politely. "But why did Brother Erland not come, but sent you?"
"He had to hear confessions. Besides, my horse is a lot faster than his lame donkey. And, like I said, I wanted to talk to you about something." Gwynna went back to the cave and put the basket on the floor. Then she went back to Konrad and stopped in front of him. "And that would be?"
Konrad pointed with a gesture to one of the stones. "Why don't you sit down?" At first the young woman hesitated, but then she looked for a stone that was a little away from Konrad's seat.
Konrad seemed to think about how to put it. "Hmmmm..." "So?"
"I know that my son is in love with you and would like to marry you." He waited for Gwynna's reaction.
"And you also know that I'm not interested. He's way too young for me. Besides, I don't love him."
"But Gwendolyn, you can't stay in this cave forever. Sooner or later you must return to the village and I can assure you that the count's anger at you will be immense. He will not rest until you lie before him in the dust."
Gwynna closed her eyes. "What good will a marriage with your son do me if the Count wants revenge on me anyway?"
"Well, the count may be a despot, but there are rules for him too. He's never made a mistake about a married woman before." "That would be your only protection: a marriage."
Konrad leaned back contentedly and embraced a knee with his hands. "Of course, you can marry the toothless blacksmith. He'd be interested, too. But you don't have more choice. So think it over."
Gwynna had to swallow hard. Konrad's remarks were understandable. She wasn't a man like Uncle Cedric. She probably couldn't live permanently as a woman alone. They were misogynistic times. Women were either whores or saints. There was nothing in between. When she thought of the blacksmith and his covetous looks, her disgust came up. That man was supposed to touch her? Never! Her counterpart looked at the emotions on Gwynna's face. "Have you made up your mind?"
"Why do you suddenly accept that Gebhard wants to marry me? I don't have a dowry, you know that!"
"There are other things than money, my child," Konrad replied patronizingly. "You have knowledge and can help me build up my medicinal plant business."
Gwynna sighed. "I can't make up my mind so quickly. I need to rethink this and talk to Brother Erland."
"He's of the same opinion." "I don't think so. He never mentioned anything like that."
Konrad stretched his upper body and said: "Well, then talk to him. I'll ride right back and tell him you're expecting him. Maybe tomorrow?" Gwynna nodded.
Suddenly Konrad began to cough. "My throat is so dry. I would like to have a glass of wine with you and perhaps toast my future daughter-in-law."
Gwynna got up. "I've got some water, too." "Wine is more appropriate, don't you think?"
"Here you go." She got up and went into the cave and came back a short time later with the bottle and two cups. She gave the bottle to Konrad, who opened it with a jerk and a devious smile on his lips. Then he poured wine into both cups and handed it back to Gwynna. "Here, drink with me! To our alliance - perhaps," he added.
He lifted the cup to his lips and pretended to take a gulp.
Gwynna watched him and finally did it after him. The wine tasted stern, different than she was used to it.
"What kind of wine is this?"
Konrad looked at her and said, "Oh, he's from one of my trips to Tyrol."
Gwynna took another little sip. She didn't like the wine, but she didn't want to be rude. She saw Konrad staring at her. "What is it? Why are you staring?" "Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about how much Gebhard would be happy to get such an appetizing wife. A stroke of luck for him!" He licked his tongue over his lips as he looked at her. Gwynna was not wearing a cape and her curves were clearly visible under the dress.
"I think it's better if you ride back now," Gwynna said for sure and turned away. Konrad's eyes burned holes in her back. Not for long... The powder worked fast and even faster in combination with alcohol. The Italians were excellent poisoners and he had built up a considerable supply of powders.
Finally he got up and said goodbye. He went a few yards away and waited.
Gwynna saw him leave, but suddenly she began to waver. Everything revolved around her. Her vision blurred and she got nauseous. She looked at Konrad. "Wh-what did you do?" Then she turned black before her eyes. But before she fell to the ground, she saw a huge shadow over her. Einar caught her. Her last thought was: 'Konrad betrayed me again', before she was overwhelmed by the fainting.
Einar picked up the unconscious woman and threw her over his shoulder.
"Good work, Konrad. You're a good man, aren't you?"
Konrad smiled viciously. "A sleeping potion. You shouldn't have any trouble getting her to the castle. So when do I get Jakomina back?"
"If it suits the count, Konrad. Don't be so impatient." Einar laughed and marched down the narrow path with his light prey, without even paying tribute to Konrad.
'What a weakling', Einar thought, 'must stun a woman to make her submissive.'
Konrad was anything but enthusiastic when he heard Einar's words. But he didn't dare to provoke the Viking. So he waited a while until Einar had ridden away and then swung himself onto his horse as well. At least he got rid of that whore. Gebhard wouldn't want her once the Count had used her. He imagined Kurgan climbing the girl and getting an erection. If she survived and came back, he'd fuck her, too. He grinned diabolically.