Historical Setting, 629 C.E. Vosges
As everyone was working with every frivolous detail for the wedding feast, Greg brings Layla here, affirming my worst worry.
Greg tells us that it was hardly a secret that Layla was hidden by the nuns after Hannah found she had been beaten by her husband. So, of course the oaf went in search of her.
Greg brought her here so we can protect her and the child she is carrying by hiding her from the man who believes he legally owns her. Greg told us when the thug discovered Layla was gone because he had no one to prepare him his gruel, he filled his emptiness with the last drops of ale from a keg. This is the fellow who complained about the menu at our own family feast!
Greg said, “He was quite drunk by the time he went looking for his wife, and,” in his most polite way to save Layla from hearing it, “he was disrespectful of the sacred halls of the monastery.
“After his indiscretion in the halls where the monks have their cells, he took himself over to the convent. This fellow was grunting and roaring, and making no intelligible human sound which was probably a good thing, since no one wanted to hear the human words that would suit his mood. Gaillard and I were in the monk’s guest quarters so when we heard the ruckus, we went out into the halls with swords drawn thinking a boar or a bear from the forests had wandered in.
“He was heading toward the convent, crossing through the courtyard when we saw it was Layla’s husband looking for his wife. The nuns were terrified, barring the doors and shuttering the windows.
Gaillard and I had to take control of him by threatening him with our swords, then we took him at sword point before the Abbot. The Abbot told Will his wife wouldn’t be at the convent anymore, so he was never to come back there. And now Gaillard is taking drunken Will home, while I have Layla here in need of a safe place to stay.”
Layla whimpers, “I’m sorry, Papa, Momma. I know he will come after me here too. I’m so sorry to bring this trouble here. If I just go back to him when he is sober there won’t be any more trouble. It has happened before; I know he will be sorry when he wakes up tomorrow.”
“No” Ana tells her, “You can’t go back to him.”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 