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The intense summer heat had been causing Gerhard Lutzelkolb to take more swigs from his water skin than necessary on this long journey towards Marburg. It was also a way to avoid having to open conversation with his companion, Konrad. They rode in awkward silence with the huge lumbering form of their heavily scarred attendant John, leading on foot. Konrads face was still frozen in muted rage at his failed trail against Henry of Sayn. His tirades and promises of swift holy retribution against those who had ruled against him were seared into the minds of all those who had attended the trial at Maine. Soon he would sear their heretical flesh as he had done before to others. Their silent journey met with few travellers, though the increased fidgeting of Gerhard began to irritate the Inquisitor until he could take no more.

“John, take us into the bushes Gerhard needs to relieve himself,” his disdain marred every syllable.
Nodding silently John led them off the road through the trees and shrubbery until it was no longer in sight. The Franciscan, red in the face through a mixture of sunburn and embarrassment, stumbled off his mule and disappeared into the greenery. Despite the distance from the road, the sound of approaching horses filtered through the trees growing steadily louder. Voices could be heard as their pace slowed.

“I thought they said he came this way,” a first voice cried out.

“Bah, anyone in robes looks like a priest to them,” a second criticised.

“But two priests with mules lead by an ugly bastard? That definitely fits Henrys description,” a third observed.

“Keep your mouths shut and keep looking, they have to be along this road,” another concluded.

After they had departed Gerhard returned. They had all heard the conversation from the road. Konrad could feel within him both fury and elation. The fury over someone trying to kill him, a Servant of God and the sweet sense of such beautiful vindication.

This land needed to be cleansed of Heretical filth.
And he would be the one to do it.

****************

What if Konrad of Marburg, one of the first Inquisitors, survives his murder and gets his much demanded Crusade against the Rhineland?

He pushed quite heavily for a cleansing Crusade of the Rhineland after his involvement in the Albigensian Crusade. Konrad spoke often of how the Rhineland could use a Crusade to root out 'Heresy'. Much of his 'heresy' was speculative and built on shoddy accusations, but he had the backing of the current Pope and given there was Crusades built on far flimsier evidence at the time (the Steddinger 'Crusade') he probably could have pulled it off.

He was on the verge of initiating the Crusade with fiery sermons and other preachers calling for it whipped up by the notoriously sadistic Konrad, when he met a timely death and it petered out.

How would this affect Europe? Would it cause a string of self destructive Crusades to root out 'heresies' from the heart of Christendom?
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