Historical Setting, 610 C.E. the old road from Besançon to Luxeuil
The soldiers searching our wagon found the only things that would connect us with the escape of the Father — the extra monk’s robe Greg wore, and Ana’s dress, which was worn by Gaillard when he and Greg were investigating the area to make the plan.
I offered the dress to the young soldier who seemed interested in it. His pleasure in the gift turned to embarrassment, then disgust when the other soldiers mocked it. He threw it down, and trampled it into the river mud before throwing it back into the wagon. Now we actually will be returning a “rag” to Ana so the little lie becomes truth.
This delay has served its purpose, as we can see the horses crossing through the pass ahead of us are no longer in sight.
“Is your search for the escaped prisoner going to take you through that pass up ahead?” I ask the officer in charge, “Because, we’ve heard there may be highwaymen lurking in that place and perhaps if you are with us, we will feel safer. As you can see, we have no weapons or treasure but we’ve heard robbers will even take a mule and wagon from monks.”
“Don’t you suppose God will take care of his own?”
Gabe adds, “But it’s a worry. We’ve heard stories.”
“Sure. Our orders are to guard that pass, so I guess we are available to accompany you there.”
Gabe holds the mule at a very slow pace which makes the soldiers anxious, and the slower we go, the more they seem to find this little good deed they are doing for us annoying. Now, as we finally reach the pass, the muddy hoof prints of the four horses that just crossed the river here seem conspicuous. Gabe points them out to the soldiers who were also noticing these fresh, deep and hurried hoof prints in the mud. Gabe mentions, “Surely the robbers were just here waiting for us, and when they saw we had guards they must have fled in a flurry. So, we are most grateful to you for our safe passage.”
And I added a benediction of blessing.
Then Gabe and I start northward on the road.
Gabe interrupts my silence, “Papa you can say your prayers out loud, I know you are saying prayers.”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 