Oliver Pötzsch: The Werewolf of Bamberg

“Before we take our leave forever from this glorious city, we wish to pay our humble respects to the beloved bridal couple,” Malcolm said in his usual flowery language. “My lady, I am profoundly indebted to you for having taken in one of my principals and returned him to health.”

“Anyone would have done the same,” Katharina replied, embarrassed, as she accepted the flowers. “But I thought you had already left the city.”

Malcolm waved dismissively. “There’s a lot for us to do first. Our equipment was badly damaged in this whole affair. No, we’re still camped outside the city walls. It’s safer there now that this, uh, werewolf has finally been destroyed.” He grinned mischievously, and Magdalena could see that one of his incisors was missing since she’d last seen him in the Bamberg dungeon.

“When we finally have all our provisions together, we’ll head for Würzburg,” he continued with obvious pride, though with a slight lisp due to the new gap in his teeth. “The Würzburg bishop and elector himself invited us. We’ll perform in his palace and be a real sensation.” He straightened up to his full height, like a giant scarecrow, and spread his arms out theatrically. “Sir Malcolm’s troupe will be famous in the whole Empire, and soon everybody will have forgotten Guiscard. What did Shakespeare say? ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.’” He winked at Katharina. “Or, as it says in another passage: ‘Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.’”

“I never doubted that in the least,” said Katharina, pointing to the last two remaining chairs. “But please, take a seat and eat and drink with us.”

Malcolm peered at the steaming meat cooking on the hearth and licked his lips.

“I believe we do have a bit of time. Matheo, what do you think?”

The young man winked at Barbara, then let Katharina fill his plate, along with Malcolm’s.

Magdalena leaned across the table and looked intently into the eyes of her younger sister. “So tell me, you and Matheo. .”

But Barbara waved her off. “You don’t have to act like it’s such a secret,” she said with a shrug. “Matheo and I had a heart-to-heart talk yesterday. I was with him all night out in the actors’ camp, and-”

“You were with him all night?” Magdalena had trouble controlling herself. “Good heavens! What does that mean, and why am I just learning about this?”

Barbara looked at her peevishly. “Now you’re sounding like Mother.”

“Strange,” Magdalena mumbled, “somebody else just said the same thing to me. But go on. What were you doing with Matheo out at the actors’ camp?”

“Well, we said good-bye, that’s all, and nothing more.” Barbara hesitated. “I think our relationship is. . platonic. Matheo told me what that means-that we love each other in one way, but in another way we don’t. Anyway, I can’t imagine spending my life wandering around, even though Sir Malcolm told me again yesterday that I really have talent. ” She looked severely at Magdalena, but then her face softened. “When I ran away and hid in the castle garden after that horrible event in the theater, I felt more alone than ever before in my life,” she said softly. “I realized I need my family more than I thought.”

Magdalena smiled. “Well, someday you will probably get married and have a family.”

“Yes, but there’s plenty of time for that still, and until then I’d like to spend time with all of you.” Barbara leaned back and looked at the chattering, quarreling, laughing crowd, then winked at her older sister.

“We’re basically a great family. God knows, life with us will never be boring.”