Chapter 23

The End of a Story

and the Beginning of a Journey

 

 

 

Journal Entry

 

“Brother Anselm emerged from the monastery infirmary looking tired but satisfied with himself. He spotted me slumped in a corner, passing the time by scribbling my random thoughts in this small leather bound journal.

“‘Your friend is going to be all right, but he’s lost a lot of blood and needs his sleep right now. The wound was deep, but there was nothing vital in its path. I applied an herbal balm to prevent swelling, but it will be a couple of weeks before he can comfortably use that arm again.’

“I exhaled and my shoulders released their imaginary burden. ‘Thank God! I thought we were going to lose him.’

“‘Oh no, he’s still got quite of bit of fight left in him, but I suggest we leave him here, under the protection of the brothers, until he’s well enough to travel and take care of himself.’

“I was grateful. It seemed that the circle of my friends was in danger from all sides. I knew that Bernardo was already on his way to the safety of Italy with his new wife and mother-in-law, but I had heard nothing, for several days now, concerning the whereabouts of Dormoy. I wondered if Gaudin had said anything to Brother Anselm about their Provençal friend.

“‘As a matter of fact, he rambled on about many subjects, before his fever broke. He talked about an alchemist who is a follower of Doctor de Nostra Dame. He said that a group of them were reported to have left for Sarlat, in the south, but no one was saying when or by what route. They were doing their best to evade detection, I understand.’

“‘As best they might,’ I said, remembering the dark prophesies that Doctor Michel was said to have uttered to his circle of devotees.

“‘But it was England that he talked about the most. He said you have to get back there, as quickly as possible before the Duke of Guise lays hold of you.’ Now Anselm looked at me earnestly. ‘He said de Frontenac intends to carry out his threat.’

“‘That vindictive little twit,’ I replied, ‘he’s the least of my worries, right now.’

“‘Nevertheless, I think it would be a mistake to underestimate his ability to manipulate the uncertainty of these times to his advantage,’ replied Anselm. ‘Your wounded friend was insistent that we get you out of here, as quickly as possible.’

“‘If I were to try to get back to England now, how would I avoid capture along the way?’

“‘I’ve spoken with the Prior about that, and he has prepared letters to each of the abbots and priors of the monasteries along the route. They will offer you protection, so that, if the soldiers caught up with you during the night, even the Duke of Guise himself would not dare violate the rules of sanctuary in order to lay hands on you. You’ll be seen safely to Calais, after which you are on your own.’

“‘Thank you, Brother. You’ve been most kind. If I can just go back to St Victor for some of my things…’

“‘You mustn’t go back there. It’s the first place they’ll look for you. We’ve prepared some travelling clothes for you and some bread and cheese for the journey. If you leave now, you can get to St Giles’ before nightfall.’

“‘May I say “Good-bye” to my friend, first?’

“‘By all means, but keep it brief, for his sake as well as your own.’”