Historical Setting, 629 C.E. Vosges Mts.
Some things feel right about these times. Ana and I are together, and all of our children and their spouses and the grandchildren are here. We even have Gabe with us for this rare reunion feast. And I have had a chance to listen to each, for their hopes and dreams and fears and woes. But what probably seems peaceful to mules and horses returned to their familiar pastures is unsettling for us humankinds realizing we are on the cusp of transitions that are beyond our power to own as dreams.
Kings and emperors are vying for power, and bishops still maintain armed guards. Peace is tenuous. The poor become poorer as the wealthy buy seats of power.
Among the poor, I worry about our youngest, Layla, now with child, and married to an oafish castle serf. Not that I have anything against poor farmers, as I am also one, but as her father, I never had the opportunity to give them my blessing. And now that I could offer that, I wonder if I even should.
There is some forgiveness needed in this family. Greg finally recognizes Haberd as the master of this family farm, even though Haberd wasn’t the first born. And Haberd has made an agreement with Greg to let out the extra pastureland to the mules and horses he and Gaillard bring for pasturing.
Gabe brings the news to Brandell that the monastery has had some changes too. They have plans to add artwork. And it seems in the years when Brandell was away learning the pigments and binders for painting, preparing himself as an artist, the dour old authority on Church doctrine passed away. He is buried in the monk’s cemetery.
Brandell asks Gabe to put in a word for him as a possible artist. He says he has an idea for a gospel story that could include portraits of lesser saints, like maybe a little portrait of Brother Albestus himself.
Haberd’s wife scolds Brandell for that teasing.
“It could be respectful.” Brandell defends. Haberd snickers.
It seems, Gaia and Brandell are planning a wedding at the secular church in hopes some of the people Gaia and Brandell were traveling with will be able to come for the feast and the dancing. It will be later in the season when beautiful weather is more to be expected. They will dance as the vine that brings people together and Brandell is already writing new words for the once forbidden songs.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 