Historical Setting: 610 C.E., Vosges Mountains
When I was last keeping this journal, before the caravan of charity, before our farm was rich, before our sons were grown, Ana and I had a house full of wee ones. We had just sent Gabe and Greg off only imagining them as the men they would become. And here is Greg, now leader of the guard. He is tall and straight, broad shouldered, an imposing figure of a soldier, and always at his right flank is a nobleman of Metz, Gaillard. A lot has changed.
Greg follows me to the shed where I’ve come to ready the meats. Yesterday, when we knew of this feast we killed a sheep, and now, here is Greg to help me with the butchering. We take our time with this because Greg has a concern he wants to speak with me about. He is sure Gaillard won’t come out here to help since Gaillard finds raw meats abhorrent.
“Papa, I’ve done as you asked. I’ve kept my sword sheathed as we’ve been searching the east for little windows of peace, not war. After all these years I’ve come to know that your demand is worthy.”
I stop my work and look at him here. Does he possibly know this thing he claims?
He tells me, “You know, Gaillard was never one for drawing his sword, so on our first mission, when we encountered what we thought was a robber stopping us on the road it was my sword immediately at the man’s throat. I raised up his face with my blade under his chin. I looked him in the eye and then I saw this man was that fellow Cy we once met on that pilgrimage to Luxeuil; he was the lame man you carried on your back when Gabe and I were yet children. I think it was a true sign from God that Cy was our first fearsome enemy encounter. He took us then, and showed us the poverty of the people he was caring for.
“Then, this second mission was for charity for those same people, victims of the eastern wars. We saw the wake of war. When I was the one with the spears and swords and the soldiers at my command, I was miraculously given the power of clarity – a vision – you would say. I was empowered to see that this so-called ‘enemy’ across the rivers was really a needy neighbor.”
Thank you, God.
(Continues Tuesday, October 10)
Lazarus Ink 