Lighting torches as they marched along the river bank to the monastery, mad Leopold the Drunkard in the lead, they pushed the heavy door aside and, from the middle of the flagstoned courtyard, called up to the priest.
'Johannes! Your presence is needed. Father! Brother Johannes, we need a man of God. Julian, the Devil's spawn of Birgitta and Holger, needs the ministry of the Lord!'
'Or else Satan!' cried another.
'Come, my friends. It is late,' muttered Johannes, rubbing sleep from his eyes. 'Let the clear light of morning and the clear minds of day decide our actions.' But they would have none of it. They would deal with the young man with or without him. Each man, he thought, might listen to reason - well, apart from Leopold, reason not being one of his strengths - but not now that they were ensnared by the wild-eyed ravings of a drunken mob.
Julian saw everything from his perch up on the Catle wall. There was no risk of falling. For the past few years, his fingernails had grown claw-like and lodged perfectly securely into the crannies and crevices between the stonework. He watched, with an idle curiosity, as the mob marched up between the rows of vines, torches held high, Fra Johannes at the centre. He'd helped them all in his time, always willing to lend a hand with fetching and carrying at harvest time. What was there to fear? Especially with Fra Johannes there, still in his white nightgown, his cross hanging on his chest, his white beard and long hair unconstrained by his priest's cap. He could also see, at some distance, his parents, roused by the noise, running from their home trying to make sense of the sounds of anger, so out of keeping with life in Durnstein.
At the foot of the Castle wall, Fra Johannes turned to the crowd and, staring directly into the mad eyes of Leopold, suggested that they all return to their homes, he understood the situation, and he would deal with it. Leopold grunted his disagreement and pushed the priest aside.
'Get down here, Lizard Boy!' he snarled. 'Get your skinny backside down here!'
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