Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund Read Free Book Online

a great threat to the devil’s work, Doctor Luther,” Wolfgang said. “And the greater the threat, the greater his attack.”
    Brother Gabriel cupped his hands around Luther’s, raised the mug again, and supported it as he put it to Luther’s lips. “Another sip.” His voice never rose above a whisper.
    Luther obeyed. Brother Gabriel had distilled the
Obstwasser
in the monastery’s brewery. He’d brought the secret recipe with him when he’d arrived at the Black Cloister. Luther didn’t know what the drink contained other than apples and pears. He didn’t care as long as the old brother kept making it. The drink seared his throat and chest and chased the lingering demons from his mind. How long had he fought the devil this time? A glance at the small, high window told him darkness had settled.
    Wolfgang rose. “So what would you like me to tell Koppe of Torgau?”
    “Merchant Koppe is here?”
    The servant nodded, his thick black hair poking up in disarray.
    “Well, why didn’t you say so, Wolfgang?” Luther stood and groaned at the stiffness of his limbs. Brother Gabriel took an arm and stabilized him. In the narrow cell Luther had converted into his study, there was hardly room to maneuver, especially with his stacks of papers everywhere.
    “How long has Koppe been waiting?”
    Wolfgang brushed rapidly at the dust that covered Luther’s habit. “They arrived at the ringing of Vespers.”
    “They?”
    “Koppe and his nephew.” Wolfgang straightened the hood of Luther’s cowl. “I told them to go away.”
    Luther batted at Wolfgang’s hand. “Let me go make my apologies, and let’s all pray he’ll still be kind enough to leave us the usual supplies.”
    His back ached. His legs moved too slowly. At forty he was an old man.
    Wolfgang picked up a thick candle that dripped tallow on the floor and then started into the hallway. “Merchant Koppe has more than supplies this time.”
    “We’ll gratefully take whatever he has,” Luther replied.
    The servant shook his head firmly. “We shouldn’t take his delivery. Not this time. Merchant Koppe has brought a wagonload of illegal cargo.”
    Illegal cargo?
The stiffness evaporated from Luther’s limbs, replaced by excitement. After his plea for help, had Koppe finally turned himself into a criminal? With the beginning of a grin, Luther passed by his servant and started toward the winding steps of the tower.
    “I don’t think they should stay,” Wolfgang called.
    Luther’s footsteps echoed off the high ceiling and stone walls as he descended the stairs two at a time.
    “Any one of them could pose a threat to your safety.”
    “Come now, Wolfgang,” Luther called over his shoulder. “I thought I was the only one with a wild imagination.”
    Wolfgang chased after him citing a dozen other reasons why he should send the merchant on his way. But when Luther reached the bottom of the three flights of stairs, he pushed aside the voice of reason warning him, calling him to sanity. He strode down the hallway toward the front entry of the monastery, passing the infirmary and the refectory. Both were in disarray because they were seldom used anymore, much like the rest of the building.
    He stepped into the square parlor with a ready smile. “Merchant Koppe, my partner in crime—” He halted so abruptly that Wolfgang bumped into him from behind.
    The plain, sparsely furnished room was crowded with nuns. Some sat on the stone floor, some rested on benches, and others stood.
    “Our Lord have mercy.” Luther gaped at the pale faces that greeted him. “How many are there?”
    “Doctor Luther, it’s about time.” Koppe hefted his bulky frame off one of the wall benches, removing his beret.
    The women rose to their feet too, quickly tucking their hands out of sight and diverting their eyes to the floor. Black veils still covered their tight wimples and starkly outlined faces coated with the grime of travel. Their once-white habits were now disheveled and