#50.2, Thurs., Nov. 2, 2023

Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Fortress Besançon

I’m following the first instruction in Gaillard’s intricate escape plan for Father Columbanus. I introduce myself to the guards at the gate as “Brother Ezra, here to pray with Father Columbanus.” They are expecting me because the father called for “Ezra” as they were taking him away.

         Gaillard’s plan calls for me to meet with the Father and let him know of our plan, then to scout out the inside opening to the tunnel under the distant wall. We need to find the way out of the fortress to the rock heap in the pasture at the far tunnel entrance.

         Gaillard explained it all. He will be the century waiting at that place in the pasture with the wagon and he will also have a sword, may it not be needed. The other two, Greg and Gabe are also monks who go inside the fortress.  In fact, we are all three, the same monk named Brother Ezra.

Gailliard stressed, “Three Brother Ezra’s isn’t confusing, as long as we never let ourselves be seen together. It will allow Brother Ezra to be three places at once: one who comes with prayer, another the tool for breaking chains, and the third, a sword.”

         So, my task, once inside the walls, after prayer with the Father and informing him of the plan is to locate the inside entrance to the tunnel. Gabe will go back in with the chain cutter and cut all the prisoners free. Greg will follow, with the sword. Then Gaillard may decide to send me back through the tunnel and help create the confusion with three identical Ezras, while the Ezra with a sword will guide the Father safely to the wagon. We will all meet at the safe farm, then go on to Luxeuil.

         Now, inside these old Roman walls I can see that this is an old city. Here is the church butted up against the east side of the wall which is the wall not protected by the river. In Tours the church is built right into the wall. It was an ancient pattern. And I suppose it is the logical place for a secret door to a tunnel.

         Besançon is the see of an archbishop. So here we have both the guardsmen of the nobility to contend with, and also one of those ever-pesky Frankish bishops with his own guards, and of course, lots of young soldiers in training, each longing to become legend.

(Continues Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023)