Today Emil and I are going on a trip to Useldange with Dad. There is an old castle there with an interesting and educational trail where you can learn exciting things everywhere.

“Knights and noble ladies used to live here,” Dad explains as we walk towards the castle. “But there was also a woman in Useldange whom many people feared: Katrin Theis.”

“A witch?” Emil asks curiously, looking around as if she might appear from behind a tree at any moment.

Dad replies seriously: “People said she healed others with herbs. Some called her a witch, others a healer. She was someone special, and nobody really knew what to think of her.”

We walk across a wooden bridge spanning the moat and enter the castle courtyard. Above our heads, a black crow flaps through the air with a loud caw. Emil jumps aside. The courtyard is surrounded by high old walls. A cool wind blows through it, carrying the scent of damp stone.

We continue along the trail. Herbs and flowers grow everywhere. On the information boards, we read more about the plants and how they were used in the past. Sunlight shines through the branches and dances across the old cobblestones. On one of the viewing panels, there is a picture of a woman with flowers and herbs.

“That must be Katrin,” I say as I pretend to be her. “Emil, take a picture of me.”

Down in the crypt, a fresh breeze suddenly blows. It carries a delicate scent of mint and wild herbs. Shortly afterwards, I spot the black crow again on the roof of the villa in the castle courtyard.

“Katrin Theis…” I whisper in awe.

Dad laughs. “Maybe. Or maybe it’s just the wind and an ordinary bird.”

But Emil and I are certain: Katrin was there. She saw us and is still watching over the castle—the woman who was more healer than villain. With a smile on our faces, we walk back to the bridge. I can feel that this castle is full of stories and that today we discovered a small part of them.