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"This is work, not fun," Chris says, releasing Volker.
"I will not kill you. I want to believe you. But if you are lying, no prayers before your hanging. Understand?

(Ellie is busy tidying, while I am with my parents)

Volker casts Christopher a dark look, but says nothing at first. Instead he straightens his shirt. "Would you kindly pass me my crutches?" he asks then.

Dale moves to join the group, and he passes the crutches to the injured man if he is close enough.

Staying out of the men's conversation for the most part, Dale suggests to the group. "After the service, we might make plans, perhaps. I am Dale, villager turned bandit hunter."

Saul assists the priest to the church, his mind occupied with his own brooding thoughts. Finally he speaks softly to the old man. "I trust you will not be offended if I say my prayers in silence tonight. Thoughts of violence have roused unwanted memories of a past life." He pauses thoughtfully for a moment, "I am able to share much with Christopher, having shared similar experiences, though those who have not ventured to the Holy Land....I would prefer they not think less of me were the truth of our kinsman's circumstances be known. " He felt his words were not adequate to express the turmoil within his own soul, but hopefully the old man would understand.

(Still cleaning....)

(waiting for Tram to post)

Matthias halts by the scene Christopher is causing as he assaults Volker, biting his tongue though his scowl is graven with disapproval. As the situation resolves itself he addresses both parties choosing his words with care and keeping his tone as even as possible. "I had wondered the same myself, Volker. By rights any man would be left for the crows, not walking about spreading the story."

He scowls again, addressing Christopher directly. "That was brutish, sir. And cruel. I sense you are a man more set to breaking than to mending. Sometimes, rarely, those of your mien choose justice and honor, are you such a man? If so you will owe young Volker an apology should his words be truth... and a noose if they are not." His eyes flick to Volker with the last sentence, empathetic, questioning.

In the church
The church is not big, smaller than the inn in fact, but made entirely of stone, even the roof is covered with flat stones. The walls are thick, with pilasters (half-colums) supporting the main roof beams and small windows high in the walls between them. Below the windows are wooden benches. It has only one apsis with a simple stone altar. Above it. a cross hangs from the ceiling. It is made of wood. with a body of Christ painted and gilded on it. Right now, only the eternal flame is burning beside it in a lantern of red glass, while the sunset light still comes in through the window.
Otto had sat down on one of the benches lining the walls while Saul was talking. He looks up smpathetically. "My brother, this is not the first time I speak to someone coming back from the Holy Land with a soul in turmoil instead of in peace. Alas, I cannot give you absolution if you don't tell me more. Perhaps there is some action or inaction in these past days caused by your turmoil that is troubling you and you can tell me, to give you a little more peace of mind?


In the village aquare
"Perhaps they thought I would be punished worse by letting me live without my beloved, and without the possibility of earning my living as I wanted to" Volker answers, half-bitter, half-defiant. "Perhaps they were sure to get away with kidnapping the inkeeper's stepdaughter whom no one really likes, but not with killing the stud manager's son. And they were not wrong, apparently. No one bothered to look for Erika. And manslaughter is punished more severely than kidnapping - or maiming.

Can we go on to complet now?" he asks, pointing to the church.

In the inn
Eloise helps with the cleaning, apparently to Yolanda's satisfaction. Before they're completely done, all other guests have left. She then shows the two young women a small room across the courtyard over the stables with a large bed that has a straw matress and blankets. "Sheets are in the chest over there" she tells them. "The overnight guests were thoughtless, running away without taking their rooms. Now I have to stay up until after complet" she complains. "Well, let's clean the guest foom and kitchen, perhaps I won't have to stay up that long after."

"We could wait up for them." Eloise says with a friendly smile, her hand on the womans shoulder, "They spoke of a missing girl, I think they plan to help her." She adds, checking out the room.

"Thank you for this, a bed will be nice for a change." Turning she faces the woman again. "Sorry for upsetting you."

Yolanda evades Eloise and says briskly: "Let's get back to work" and turns around.

"Yes lets." She responds and gives Thelma a wink. "You could join them, I'll be fine."

Dale moves with Volker and the group. "Perhaps, it is simply a case of cruelty. Men are prone to such things." He says with empathy towards the man.

Saul takes a seat beside the old priest and stares vacantly up at the image of Christ. Minutes pass in silence before he can elaborate at all. "I have my own cross to bear for my involvement, a cross I willingly accept for my actions were done with my own consent and knowledge, but the true shame I feel comes from inaction. From not stopping others from committing atrocities in the name of the Lord. I am filled with sadness, shame, and in turn an overwhelming sense of wrath, yet wrath focused upon myself." His gaze drops to the floor before continuing. "Wrath which can often spill over and affect others..."

Back at the Tavern/Inn

Thelma helps with the cleaning and asks Yolanda, "Who claims lordship over the area if I may ask?"