Now the three made their quiet way ever northwards until France was left behind and the cold mountains of Bavaria welcomed them back. Theobald arrived at his ancestral home and was greeted with great rejoicing. However, there were some who looked askance at the woman. Although struck by her beauty, there were those who cared not to be in her presence and many shunned the feast that was soon arranged at the castle for the entire population of Theobald"s modest estate. Learning of this, Theobald punished those who had insulted, but the fear of the woman outweighed the fear of the lord"s retribution. The rumors began to mount. It was said that the woman was a witch, who had put their lord under her spell. When villagers began to disappear mysteriously, the rumors took on a new urgency. Soon t
