Historical Setting: 610 C.E., Vosges Mountains
Gaillard continues telling his plan.
“The guards will be expecting you Laz, and when they see you are peaceful, you will be escorted in to see the Father.”
“And how is that going to bring about his release? Are you assuming magic in our prayers?”
“No magic is needed.” Gaillard answers, “Just a good plan. For now, Greg and I will go as fast as we can, to Besançon to gather more detailed information. And Gabe and Laz, you will take the wagon with the mule, and find a smithy willing to lend you a tool for opening links of chain. Then go on to the monastery and tell the teacher who is acting as abbot that if all goes well, the Father will be back later this week. It would be a problem for us if Eustasius were to send others with a different plan.
Then, you can gather up a monk’s robe for Laz to wear, and one for Greg. And…” turning to Ana he says, “… and I will need to borrow a women’s tunic with a wide skirt. I could never pass as a matching monk, and I need a long flowing gown so I can ride a horse and hide my sword.”
I catch the eye of Haberd, and squelch his near laughter with my threatening glare. He elbows Brandell and both bow their heads to hide grimaces.
Gabe and I are to start our tasks immediately, and when we leave Luxeuil with the wagon we are to follow the river road south. “When it is dark,” as Gaillard has instructed, “wherever you are on that road, stop and camp right out in the open by the roadside, and in the morning, Greg will find you there and tell you what to do next.”
It is a moonlit night, and the road is straight and easy to follow, so we made it a good distance toward Besançon before we made camp.
It is hard to sleep now. Dear God, stay near. Amen.
Greg finds us here sleeping into the morning light. He has lots of instructions for us as we follow him on down the road into the region of the River Daub. He takes us to a cottage of an Irishman said to be a follower of Father Columbanus and an ally in this project.
Gaillard’s plan is ready to act on now.
(Continues Tuesday, October 31)
Lazarus Ink 