Historical setting: 602 C.E. The Vosges Mountains
Even as the sun rises these guests are sleeping soundly. This could never happen under the rule they keep at their own communities. So, to keep the quiet in the cottage, Ana and I take the four little ones outside into the sunny autumn day. Haberd and I carry some logs closer to the door, while Ana takes Layla and Brandell into the shed to search for eggs. Hannah follows after them knowing this won’t end well with babies handling eggs. This is usually her task and she always finds every egg and none ever gets broken.
But today only three of the six eggs make it all the way to the table. We do have a nice bouquet of wild flowers for the table and now our guests are all robed and ready for this new day also.
Brother Servant expects the guards who accompanied Bishop Felix from Châlons will soon be at our door to escort him back to Luxeuil. The message we sent yesterday only said he would be here for a night. And a bishops’ guards have a duty to know where he is. Father Columbanus chooses not to be discovered here so he is the first of our guests to leave as he goes to continue his solitude in whatever is left of wilderness in these times. The Father takes the one bird we still have here that will return to Luxeuil, and that is why he doesn’t need to have his own bevy of armed guards following after him. Brother Servant leaves soon after the Father to return to Luxeuil.
Bishop Felix has no urgency to leave since his own borrowed guards are expected to arrive. His mission is complete now that he’s met with Father Columbanus, and without those listening ears that would surely carry every word of the Fathers’ chat back to the noble bishops of Gaul, had the guards been privy to the all-nighter here. We’ll make no mention of the Father’s visit when they arrive.
Brandell thinks the bishop here dining with our family for breakfast is the most interesting guest he’s ever seen. He touches the pale sleeve of his garment, then pulls his hand back quickly so not to be caught touching a Bishop. Bishop Felix seems to enjoy the child’s curiosity. He smiles, and takes little Brandell onto his knee.
(Continues Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023)
Lazarus Ink 