At home she carefully bundled the Loden cloak near the door. She went to bed and slept soundly until the next morning.
While Liesl slept, Krampus snuck down the chimney. He brought the cape to the well and rinsed the mud from the bells. Then he dried it over the fire, bundled it by the door, and left.
The next day at the appointed time Liesl took the cloak and walked to the church, arriving a moment before St. Nicholas and Krampus. The townspeople gathered at the bottom of the steps, to see what would become of them. Lukas and the woodsman’s daughter were huddled under his cape, asleep, naked save for a few torn rags.
Krampus nudged them with his foot, waking them. “I can see you’ve worked hard,” sneered Krampus, but you’ve had help, and now you lay naked together before the church. Why should I not take you both?”
Lukas stood, helping Wilda to her feet. “We are to be wed on St. Nicholas’s feast day, two days hence,” he told Krampus, stoutly. The woodsman’s daughter smiled proudly, and Liesl smiled as well, happy for her brother and her friend.
St Nicholas beamed. Krampus snorted. St Nicholas said, “Well then. Let’s see how you’ve managed your task.” Lukas wrapped his cloak around his betrothed, and together they ran down the steps. Each clapper was wrapped in cloth, and none so much as whispered as he moved.
“I release you,” he said grudgingly to the boy. “And wish you a joyful wedding.” The townspeople cheered the couple, and clapped Lukas on his back.
St. Nicholas and Krampus turned to Liesl. “You look well rested,” smiled Krampus. “Are you ready to come to my lair? I’ll make you my bride, and only beat you whenever I please. If the mood strikes me, I’ll devour you.”
Liesl stared haughtily past him. “Well then,” said St. Nicholas, “Let’s see how you’ve managed your task.” Liesl swept the cloak around her shoulders and started confidently down the steps. She made it three steps before she realized the bells were ringing clearly with each movement.
Krampus cackled as Liesl came to a stunned stop, and St. Nicholas shook his head sadly. Krampus grabbed Liesl and ripped away the ringing Loden cape. He pushed her to her hands and knees and beat her with a bundle of twigs until her skin was bleeding and raw beneath her clothes. “Tomorrow is my day!” He announced, letting the twigs scatter on the steps. “Tomorrow I’ll come for you, so say your farewells and see your wedding gown is ready!”
St. Nicholas and Krampus marched down the steps and disappeared in a cloud of snow.
“Lukas!” Cried Liesl. “Krampus will take me tomorrow. What will you do?”
Lukas went to Liesl and helped her to her feet. “Of course I won’t let him take you!” Lukas said. The miller and his wife emerged from the church and nodded in agreement. Liesl was still worried, but they all walked home, talking excitedly about the upcoming wedding.
The next morning, Liesl went to wake her parents and Lukas. She was alone in the house. Lukas and their parents had left early to set up the church for the wedding, and to prepare for St. Nicholas’s feast.
When Liesl heard a scuttling sound in the chimney, she put on her bride’s gown, wiping away angry tears. She stuffed the pockets of her dirndl full of charcoal from the stove.
Krampus emerged from the fireplace and surveyed Liesl with satisfaction. He snatched her by the arm but Liesl jerked away. She took the bag from him, then stepped in herself, glaring defiantly the whole time. The demon grinned more widely and closed the bag around her. He bundled it up the chimney, laughing at the muffled sound of bells.
The next day, at the appointed time, Lukas and his parents made ready to go to the church. They called for Liesl. When she didn’t answer, they remembered their promise, and realized she’d been taken. They went to the church with sadness in their heart, but it was St. Nicholas’s feast day. It was Lukas’s wedding, so they did their best to put it aside and be glad.
When the woodsman’s daughter heard that they’d left Liesl to the demon, she was sad and angry, and at first she refused to marry Lukas. Lukas wept, and she forgave him, for she did love him, and he she, but she was heartbroken to learn her friend would never become her sister.
The townspeople gathered at the church, and St. Nicolas arrived riding a great white horse, large silver bells singing on the tack. He bounded up the stairs, handing out oranges, nuts, sweets and small trinkets to the guests.
Following St. Nicholas’s horse, Krampus rode in on a shaggy black goat, cracking a fearsome whip in the air. He sprang from the goat and strode up the steps of the church, kicking at anyone who stood in is way. He carried his filthy sack, and snarled at everyone who looked at him.
The guests settled inside the church. St. Nicholas sat up near the front with the miller, the woodsman and their wives. Krampus leaned on the wall by the door. The priest went to the alter.
Lukas and Wilda walked from the back, past Krampus, up the aisle towards the front of the church. All eyes followed them, but Krampus followed too, several steps behind. While the bride and groom walked, Krampus stopped at a row near the back, where Dovetail sat on the aisle. “My bride escaped,” said Krampus,“You look rude enough to hammer, so I think you’ll take her place!” And he shoved the girl in his sack before she could say a word in response
Lukas and Wilda made it a quarter of the way up the aisle. Krampus walked a few rows further up, grabbing Strudel. “You look sweet,” said Krampus, “But you are probably spoiled and sour. You’re overdue to be a snack!” The baker’s daughter recoiled, but he shoved her into his sack.
Lukas and Wilda were halfway of the aisle. Krampus stopped next to Henni. “Two wives are not enough!” He said to her, and the auburn haired girl blinked at him in confusion. Krampus shoved her in his sack. “You’ll be delicious in my pot, or perhaps I’ll beat you for a while before I pluck and scald you!”
As the priest began to speak, Krampus dragged his bulging sack to the front and sat himself by St. Nicholas.
No one noticed the missing girls, and the priest married Lukas and Wilda.