Historical Setting, 562 C.E. Gaul
Despite Eve’s plea, God is with me as I carry her back in my arms as though she were still a small child.
Dear God thank you for this strength.
She is wrapped in a mud-soaked blanket but her cottage is well supplied for needs so it is not hard to find dry wools to warm her. I wrap her in a bunting and tuck her into bed.
She wakes and I have a hot broth of herbs for her because she has supplied her cottage well with things for the sick.
“Papa, are you still here with me?”
“What can I get for you Eve?”
“Thank you for bringing me home Papa. I was too cold and tired to walk that distance. I feared I would fall and turn to ice.”
“You had a hard go of it in a fierce storm.”
“That farmer’s house was nearly to the St. Martin’s shrine and it was all such a hurry. Then it went so badly.”
“Eve, why did you ask me not to call to God? What is this tiff you are having with your Creator?”
“The mother died. I came too late to help her. When we got there she was so alone in a dense stillness amid the chills of death. She was as icy white as winter’s remnant. The father fetched me believing I had power of pagan demon spells to bring her back. But I don’t. There is no power. He had already begged help from family but the church was having the Christ Mass this night so no one could go with him. And there was a storm. With Christians abandoning, who but the troll would care? So he came to my door.”
“Did you go with him just to help him rake vengeance against God?”
“Of course not. And I didn’t go to honor God either. I went because I wanted to help. But I was too late. She was so alone. Oh Papa, did I sleep too long? I have failed him again! I told him I would send someone who could sit with him and who could help care for his wife’s body. I need to let Ezra know.”
“It’s morning still. And you have done all you can. Ezra and I will go right away. Maybe Colleta can come up here and stay with you until we return.”
“No Papa. You stay.”
“Let me help Ezra ready the cart. Then I will stay.”
(Story continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 