Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress
Now, as the light-shed off the guard’s torch shadows the walls around us, we are hiding with silence and stillness as our only stealth. A small contingency of soldiers following that single torch pass by us. Apparently, they aren’t even aware we are here, so now we are safely behind them. As we continue toward the end of the tunnel, we can hear their plan to leave one guard at the rock pile while the others search the open field for the Father. They discuss a probability that he has fled to the alehouse. At least we are hearing them considering that as the best place to search, because the other possibility is the wood that borders the pasture and they share rumors of dread that the dark forests are where demons dwell.
Apparently, the demons are on our side now, as we learn that if we can get by only the one guard left at the rocks of the tunnel opening, the woods will be a safe place for us.
We wait here by the steps to go up to the opening of the tunnel, allowing time for the soldiers to cross the pasture to the alehouse and for this one guard left here to find himself some comfortable distraction. Greg goes out first with his sword drawn. I follow, and here he has come up behind the soldier and as I emerge, I see he has his sword pointed into the back of this guard and is demanding the guard hand me his sword. I hesitate.
Greg instructs, “Pretend it is a mere hunting knife, Papa, and take it with you into the woods where that horde of demons is waiting for us.”
The lone soldier is terrified, and Greg orders him to go on to the alehouse as fast as he can run and to tell no one he has seen any demons out here.
Without a weighty sword a soldier can run away fast.
“See Papa, no blood was shed.”
Should I lecture my son just now that a threatening sword and tales of demons are also forms of violence?
Dear God, I probably must leave this lesson in pacifism for another time. Surely you know that a parent’s way of peace is a numb example for a soldier who has just captured a second sword. You must be disappointed. Forgive me. Amen.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 