The Secret Healer by Ellin Carsta Page A

doubt that Matthias won’t find a way to learn their names. He has many powerful friends.”
    Andreas nodded at Kilian. “I agree with you on that, but that doesn’t mean he’ll succeed in convincing them of Madlen’s guilt before the trial.” He thought about it for a second. “You know many young men in the city, don’t you?”
    “Yes, of course. Why?”
    “Go to the tavern this evening,” Andreas suggested. “Listen carefully. The trial has attracted much attention. Everyone will be talking.”
    “And everybody knows that Madlen’s my sister.”
    “Exactly. Talk to the young men, the boys, the guards, or groomsmen that serve the noblemen. Believe me. This will be talked about in the council members’ households. And then you spread rumors.”
    “What kind of rumors?” Madlen tilted her head.
    “Kilian can simply throw a name around and claim that he heard that he’s one of the six chosen to sit at the trial. This will loosen the tongues of those who have actually heard a thing or two in their masters’ houses.”
    “We definitely won’t be able to ascertain all six of them, though,” Kilian insisted.
    “We don’t have to. We only need two.”
    “What are you planning?” Madlen rubbed the goose bumps on her arms.
    “We need to learn as much as possible about them. For example, maybe one of the members has a daughter the same age as Madlen. I’ll comment on Madlen’s character and attempt to highlight similarities between her and the young women they know and love. They will realize that the speech could be about their own daughters and be more sympathetic toward Madlen. Do you understand?”
    Kilian nodded slowly. “And you believe this would influence their decision?”
    “Yes.” The advocate seemed quite confident. “Madlen is innocent. We just have to convince them that this Matthias Trauenstein has no scruples so we can defeat him without a long, drawn-out fight.” He emptied his mug, satisfied. Madlen fervently hoped that he was right as he said his good-byes.
     
    A few hours later, Kilian pocketed a few coins and made his way into the city, determined to find out as much as possible to help his sister. The advocate’s plan of action seemed quite clever, but Kilian doubted it would be so easy to win the case. Matthias Trauenstein was known throughout the city for his angry outbursts and brutality. It was common knowledge that he punished his servants with a whip. Why would he spare his own wife the same fate? But would his battered servant testify about his treatment, or would the noblewoman, his own wife, who was beaten so badly that she lost his child? If not, Heidelberg citizens would be more likely to believe Matthias Trauenstein’s allegations. After all, it was widely believed that Matthias wanted a legitimate heir even more than Adelhaid. These thoughts plagued Kilian the entire way to the Red Oxen tavern, where carpenters, plumbers, and other craftsmen as well as merchants met to drink their troubles away.
    Kilian felt the looks when he walked into the tavern, and all conversation ceased. He was relieved when he saw Berthold, an apprentice plumber, who immediately raised his arm. “Kilian! Come sit with us over here.”
    The other guests apparently took this as a sign to continue their conversations. Kilian walked over and sat down at the only open spot on the bench. “Greetings, everyone.” Some looked skeptical but eventually loosened up and included him in their conversations. Soon the forthcoming trial came up. “Don’t get me started,” Kilian complained. “Whatever anybody claims, my Madlen wouldn’t hurt a fly, and certainly not a baby. But let’s not talk about it.”
    “I hear she has a lawyer?” Berthold remarked.
    “Yes, and we hope this will all be over soon. From what I know, all the members of the council have to agree. I heard that Remigius from Hollen is one of them, so I’m not worried. Madlen helped his wife with the birth of his baby daughter