Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress We are, with the help of God, setting the prisoners of Besançon free. The Father and Gabe have already escaped into the tunnel and no one was alerted to that escape to chase after them. Surely they are safe by now. The prison guard and the fiveContinue reading “#50.14, Thurs., Nov. 30, 2023”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#50.13, Weds., Nov. 29, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress In the midst of this escape, two of the freed prisoners do run to the ladder and start the climb, as the guard sees them he draws his sword shouting “Stop in the name of the King!” The third prisoner is unable to walk, so surely heContinue reading “#50.13, Weds., Nov. 29, 2023”
#50.12, Tues., Nov. 28, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress Here we are in the midst of this daring plot to free Father Columbanus from his cell on the main level and I’ve already broken the chains of the other prisoners. Our plan is that the three of us Ezras will seem as only one monk whoContinue reading “#50.12, Tues., Nov. 28, 2023”
#50.11, Thurs., Nov. 23, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress Now, according to the plan to free the Father, Brother Ezra-Greg goes into the tunnel to the basilica so he takes the candle I had left here and we send him on his way. Brother Ezra-Gabe goes up the ladder to the main level to get the guardContinue reading “#50.11, Thurs., Nov. 23, 2023”
#50.10, Weds., Nov. 22, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress Greg is thinking through his assignment to be the Brother Ezra at the church. “When I pop up through the trap door into the basilica, what if someone sees me?” I answer, “You’ll know what to do. You have a good mind for this. You don’t haveContinue reading “#50.10, Weds., Nov. 22, 2023”
#50.9, Tues., Nov. 21, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress “So we might be releasing dangerous men into Besançon?” asks Gabe. I answer, “As far as I know, people usually end up in chains due to poverty; often the crime is theft or unpaid debt. So maybe these prisoners are just poor people.” [Footnote] “Or maybeContinue reading “#50.9, Tues., Nov. 21, 2023”
#50.8, Thurs., Nov. 16, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress It is the full light of day when I come up into the meadow. “Papa! You found the tunnel! We’ve been waiting for you over in the trees there by the fire.” Greg and Gaillard are tending a campfire, waiting with the mule and wagon. Continue reading “#50.8, Thurs., Nov. 16, 2023”
#50.7, Weds., Nov. 15, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress Now I’m groping my way through the tunnel. The darknesses I prefer, like the dark of night, always seem to glow from something – the moon, the stars, the first rays of sun — but this dark is the nearly a suffocating intensity of death’s dark, even withoutContinue reading “#50.7, Weds., Nov. 15, 2023”
#50.6, Tues., Nov. 14, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress Here are some stones laid as steps down into the darkness. I let the door down above me in the basilica, with the rug staying nearly in place, and I descend into the darkness seeing only as far as the puddle of candlelight. The smell of oilyContinue reading “#50.6, Tues., Nov. 14, 2023”
#50.5, Thurs., Nov. 9, 2023
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 theContinue reading “#50.5, Thurs., Nov. 9, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 