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”
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
#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”
#50.4, Weds., Nov. 8, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress My assigned part in Gaillard’s plan is simply to learn the layout of this prison and inform the Father. The plan was designed knowing this was an old Roman construction and we imagined the Father imprisoned more as described in the Acts account of Paul and Silas, chained inContinue reading “#50.4, Weds., Nov. 8, 2023”
#50.3, Tues., Nov. 7, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress One of the guards stationed at the bridge gate of Besançon is guiding me through this walled city to the place where prisoners are chained. Inside, besides the church of the archdiocese, is also an old Roman amphitheater made of quarried stone which still remains. The wood floorsContinue reading “#50.3, Tues., Nov. 7, 2023”
#50.2, Thurs., Nov. 2, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Fortress Besançon I’m following the first instruction in Gaillard’s intricate escape plan for Father Columbanus. I introduce myself to the guards at the gate as “Brother Ezra, here to pray with Father Columbanus.” They are expecting me because the father called for “Ezra” as they were taking him away. Gaillard’sContinue reading “#50.2, Thurs., Nov. 2, 2023”
#50.1, Weds., Nov. 1, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. Besançon Fortress We’re starting the plan to go into the dungeon to set free Father Columbanus and other prisoners. We assume the soldiers at the north gate expect a “Brother Ezra” to arrive as the Father called for at his capture. In time, this story of rescue may be attributedContinue reading “#50.1, Weds., Nov. 1, 2023”
#49.13, Tues., Oct. 31, 2023
Historical Setting: 610 C.E., Vosges Mountains Greg tells us what he and Gaillard did late into last night. “First, while it was dusk, after we found this safe farmhouse, we went to circle around the fortress looking for gates and openings and analyzing possible views from walls and watchtowers. The river runs wideContinue reading “#49.13, Tues., Oct. 31, 2023”
#49.12, Thurs., Oct. 26, 2023
Historical Setting: 610 C.E., Vosges Mountains Gaillard continues telling his plan. “The guards will be expecting you Laz, and when they see you are peaceful, you will be escorted in to see the Father.” “And how is that going to bring about his release? Are you assuming magic in our prayers?” Continue reading “#49.12, Thurs., Oct. 26, 2023”
#49.11, Weds., Oct. 25, 2023
Historical Setting: 610 C.E., Vosges Mountains Father Columbanus was taken away by soldiers in the night. He wants no soldiers to follow. He specifically asked for me, probably because he knows I won’t bring on a fight. I hope his ask was not because he knows me by my actual name. That would implyContinue reading “#49.11, Weds., Oct. 25, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 