Then, striding out, he bolted the heavy door.
They looked around. The windows were covered with an iron grating, and there was no possible way of escape.
“We cannot get away,” said Hulda, “so let us make the best of it and find something to eat, for I am hungry.”
But there was no food about the place, and they realized then that he meant to starve Willeswind into obeying him.
But suddenly a bright thought came to her, and she smiled.
“He cannot do it, though, for I have my raven.” And stroking its glossy wings she said, “Berries, pet, berries.”
Her hours of training had been well spent. For as if it understood, the bird spread its shining wings and flew out between the grating. After a while it returned with a sprig of crimson berries, the fragrant, juicy Rhine buds, and laid them in its mistress’ lap.
Many trips it made during the days that followed, and the woodland fruit kept the women from starvation, for it contained both nourishment and water.
So, instead of growing weak and wan, they kept their strength, and the baron could not understand how, with neither food nor water, Willeswind remained strong and well, and as defiant as ever. But to Willeswind and Hulda it was no mystery, and they were full of gratitude to the raven.