Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress
I’m waiting on the lower level of the prison area, between the two ladders in this ancient place near prisoners in deplorable conditions. I hear the preaching voice of the Bishop above so I know he and the Father are only beginning the prayers and I will have the time it takes for a bishop’s pastoral prayer to figure out where the exit under the outer wall might be. I’m guessing that opening to a tunnel must be in the church.
Dressed as I am, as a monk, it won’t be suspicious for me to prefer to wait in the church. I go back up and let the guard know I will be in the church and will return when the Bishop comes back to the church. The stench below would drive any free man to find an excuse to wait elsewhere. The guard tells me that when the Bishop is not at the basilica the doors are locked so he will have to go along with me and unlock the church for me. He has two keys on the large metal ring. I can assume the other key opens the Father’s cell. As the guard leaves me alone in the church; he says he will tell the Bishop I am waiting there.
This basilica is a massive open space, a holy wilderness of nothing. There is an apse and an altar at the farthest end. Mostly, it is a gaping space for armies of worshippers to stand for the Gospels and the mass. But on the north wall, behind the columns is a small table on a little square of a weave of a rug. On the table are candles and one is lit. Of course, this must be the entrance to the tunnel, unless the secret opening would be in the vestry. But I can imagine the opening wouldn’t be in a place where young soldiers aren’t allowed to go. So most likely it is here and not hidden in the vestry. And here are the candles that would be needed for lighting tallow torches. I search under the candle table. Yes, here it is. The little rug hardly is large enough to cover the door in the floor. So I light a candle to take along with me, as I lift the rug and the hidden door under it together.
(Continues Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023)
Lazarus Ink 