Historical Fiction – Page 43

43.7, Tues., April 18, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Home in the Vosges Mts. The children are sleeping. It was a long day that started with Easter, then the walk home and the welcoming hugs and the reports of all that happened. Simon and Hannah still did the evening chores, while Greg and Gabe practiced their archery and the mountingContinue reading “43.7, Tues., April 18, 2023”

43.6, Thurs., April 13, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil Ana and the children will be home from church soon, expecting we will be home too. But our long walk is punctuated with one childish plea after another — random arguments — tossed at me like unbaited fishhooks hopelessly cast onto the sea. I remain silent. I’ve no reason toContinue reading “43.6, Thurs., April 13, 2023”

43.5, Weds., April 12, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil We’re celebrating the Feast of the Resurrection today, by the Irish calendar, that is. The somber chanting turns to halleluiahs, and after the familiar but still confusing readings from the gospels for this time we are all supposed to be happy again, just as we were when Jesus sat atContinue reading “43.5, Weds., April 12, 2023”

#43.3 Thurs., April 6, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil “You must know it is your duty to God to deliver the Father’s letter.” “I’m sure there are others who would gladly do this.” I can see Brother Servant feels betrayed. Now he just turns and walks away with no parting blessing. Baro Dithrum is left toContinue reading “#43.3 Thurs., April 6, 2023”

#43.2, Weds., April 5, 2023

Brother Servant asked me to meet here after vespers when my boys are settled in for the night. Brother Servant and a nobleman are waiting by the gate. Brother Servant tells me, “King Guntram is dead.” “I’d heard that. He was old. He was the last living son of Clothar.” “HeContinue reading “#43.2, Weds., April 5, 2023”

#43.1, Tues., April 4, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil My boys had a long day. Before I left our camp I looked on them sleeping like a nest of baby bunnies, so innocently curled up on the fluffy fleeces we brought for these nights camping with the pilgrims. Even as we took our time, the walk here wasContinue reading “#43.1, Tues., April 4, 2023”

#42.14, Thurs., March 30, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. The opened gates of Luxeuil I’m asking Brother Servant what hour will the nuns be in the oratorio. Cy casts a look of suspicious curiosity. “Why would I bring young boys just to see the nuns?” Brother Servant knows why. He says, “I can’t wait to see the lookContinue reading “#42.14, Thurs., March 30, 2023”

#42.13, Weds., March 29, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil This man is not even as heavy on my back as were two boys I’ve carried home from the fields at the end of a day’s work; that was just a year or so before they declared themselves men. Now they are concerned for this man who is lame,Continue reading “#42.13, Weds., March 29, 2023”

#42.12, Tues., March 28, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. On the road to Luxeuil When the crowd opens a little the underside of a mass of pilgrims is revealed. Here are the sick and the lame crawling along among the feet of the gathered, just for a touch of a healing hem; [Luke 8:43-48] and here is one carriedContinue reading “#42.12, Tues., March 28, 2023”

#42.11, Thurs., March 23, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. On the road to Luxeuil Greg is agape studying every soldier in the line, noting every detail: the armor, the swords, the horses, the rich silks, the banner. This is not the banner of the queen. “It’s not royalty at all under that banner.” I tell them, but myContinue reading “#42.11, Thurs., March 23, 2023”