Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress
My assigned part in Gaillard’s plan is simply to learn the layout of this prison and inform the Father. The plan was designed knowing this was an old Roman construction and we imagined the Father imprisoned more as described in the Acts account of Paul and Silas, chained in manacles. [Acts 16:16-40]. As mere mortals, without the power of earthquakes or angels to break the chains, we’ve brought a tool for that.
The prison guard is posted on the main level by the descending ladder. He sent me down here to the lower level to wait, because the Bishop of Besançon is praying with the Father at this time. When the Bishop says the ‘amens’ and calls the guard to open the cell, he will come down the first ladder, and I can follow him up the other ladder to the cell so I can go in to visit with the Father.
With the guard on the main level he can see the cage and the far wall of this dungeon where other prisoners are chained, as Paul was in the biblical account. But the guard can’t see me from his post, waiting here unless I stand near the prisoner’s wall. There is a stench here, of human filth mixed with the suffocating oily smoke of tallow burning.
These five in chains are a very dour lot. But since I’m waiting here as a monk I offer them prayers. One answers for them all with a groaning sound that clearly means ‘no prayers.’
“Okay then, only my own needs shall be elevated in prayer.” And I pray aloud, “Dear God, may my moment waiting here give me a new understanding. Amen.”
Now I ask if they have no one guarding them down here.
The one who groans for the lot of them answers, “What do we need with a guard? We have chains.”
“Of course, I see that. But does a guard come and release you once in a while? Do they bring you food here?”
“Why?”
“Even the Celtic Rule allows a break from fasting. Are you given no food?”
There is no answer, even from the grunting fellow. And it is obvious from the stench that they aren’t released for their personal needs. No wonder the guard waits above on the main level. And I’m glad to find the Father is not chained in this predicament also.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 