The Captive Maiden

God wants us all to strive to grow more like Jesus, to become holy as he is holy, but God has a specific purpose for each person. How could it not be so? Everyone in a village cannot be a baker, because who would then make the candles or shoe the horses or grow the food? God says we are like a body. . . . Just as the villagers are part of a village and have different tasks, we all have tasks to do for the Lord God.

You tried to kill me with your dagger,” Valten said calmly. “I can get you disqualified from this tournament.” “Are you threatening me?” “Yes.

Some children at one of his tournaments in Burgundy had taken to calling him "Goliath". Not the most endearing biblical character.

Promise me that if you get a chance to escape without me, you will do it. He won't kill me. Go find your men and come back for me." His eyelids and brows lowered. " You don't know me very well or you wouldn't say such a thing. I won't leave you.

You are brave and strong and good, noble and kind. I love you and I think you're...

For a man of action and few words, the ones he did say were quite lovely.

He bent lower to whisper in her ear," I love you, queen of beauty and love.

She whispered, "Even with a broken hand, you are the knight I'd most want and trust to rescue me-and I know you can do it. You are the boldest, bravest, most noble knight in the Holy Empire.

What had his life meant? All his success, all the tournaments he'd won...they were like dust and ashes. Meaningless. Without Gisela, his life was meaningless.

But I do care. The truth is, I love you.

The fierce look on his face softened to the look he wore for no one but her.

You like horses?” “More than people sometimes.” She sensed, by the way he was looking at her, that he felt the same way.

Ruexner will pay dearly for this," Valten promised, speaking to no one in particular, but imagining he had the fiend's neck between his hands. If he dared hurt Gisela...

Valten turned and stomped back to the Great Hall. He just might put his unbroken hand through someone’s face, if given the slightest bit of provocation.

At the same time, the thought of Gisela suffering at Ruexner's hands sent ice water through his veins, along with a stab of guilt. If Gisela should suffer pain or distress at Ruexner's hands, it would be his fault. Ruexner had only taken her because of his hatred for Valten. " God, I must save her. I must not fail.

Even a dozen soldiers couldn't make her feel as safe as Valten could.

I see there’s more cooking out here than the pheasant.” Valten leaned over to turn the roasting birds on the spit and mumbled, “Not anymore.

Don’t think I couldn’t see the love in his eyes when he looked at you. He would have fought to the death for you, that handsome Valten Gerstenberg.

He gave her a questioning lift of his eyebrows and held out his right arm. “May I? Wear your colors?

But I must say that I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at you tonight.

She danced as if nothing had ever made her so happy. She smiled as if it was only for him. He hoped those smiles meant she liked him, because he hoped to dance only with her at the ball tomorrow night.

Ruexner chuckled and put away his knife. Gisela kept her eyes on Valten. Even though her bottom lip trembled, she still looked like the bravest woman he had ever seen.

His hands wrapped around her upper arms, holding her gently. "You are even more beautiful when you dance.

Valten's blood boiled at the thought of Ruexner holding Gisela, of him taking her by force, dragging her away from underneath Valten's nose, from his own home.

Valten paced the floor of the library, imagining the violence he would wreak on the person responsible for hurting Gisela.

When he reached her, he put his hand on her shoulder and searched her face in the dim light. “Valten.” She said his name on a happy sigh as she looked into his eyes. He put his arms around her, pulling her against his chest.

Valten’s hand tightened around Gisela arm, and he grunted in frustration. He brushed his finger over her cheek and whispered, “We will continue this conversation later.” “Yes, my lord.” The mischievous twinkle in her eye almost made him kiss her anyway, even though Rainhilda was staring at them from the Great Hall door.

Valten turned and grasped Gisela around the waist to help her down. She placed her hands on his shoulders and he set her on her feet, but slowly. After all, when one has a pleasant task to do, there’s no reason to rush it.

Well, he would share her, but only for a little while. When the ball was over, he would make sure she slept inside the castle tonight, with his sister Margaretha. In fact, he might just make sure she never left the castle. He didn’t intend for her to ever be without protection again.

Gisela. She was beautiful and easy to talk to. And unlike Rainhilda, she didn't prattle on and on about things Valten didn't care or know anything about. She talked about horses-a subject he was quite comfortable with. And he always thought a love of horses was sign of gentleness and good character.