A Knight’s Time Series

The priest, dressed in blue and gold vestments, vividly painted a picture of suffering and heartbreak as he told the story of Mary seeing her son slowly dying on the cross. Sniffs and low murmurings could be heard in the chapel among the serfs who had come dressed in their finest to hear the great priest. While the women and children sat in chairs the men stood in back shuffling their feet and blowing their noses. Even the brawny blacksmith was seen to pull out a black rag and wipe his runny nose. “Can you imagine,” the priest asked quietly, “seeing your son crucified before you? Can you?” he said slightly lifting his voice. “Blood dripping from his side, his soul in agony and his life draining away.” He paused, clenched his fists and raised his voice so that it boomed off the rafters. “Our Lord Jesus sacrificed himself to save our sinful souls! Who among us has not sinned? Who among us could make such a sacrifice?” He stared around the room, which had plunged into silence. Then, in a whisper that could be heard by everyone he said, “Blessed are they who love the Son of God with all their hearts and all their souls so his sacrifice was not in vain.” Soft sobs broke out followed by whispered words of comfort. “Let us pray.” The group as one bowed their heads as the priest intoned a prayer of might to the righteous and death to all who did not believe. It was in Latin so only the family and Rajeev understood his message. “Amen.” He walked straight to the back of the chapel and out the door with the DesMarets and their household following him. The peasants followed after. “Remarkable that you let your serfs come to the family chapel,” he said to Angelica who stood beside him in front of the chapel door. She was handing fruit out to the peasants as they walked by. “You are truly a daughter of the divine Mary.” Baldwin hugged his mother’s waist. His brothers were standing beside him nodding and greeting the serfs by name, while Armand stood on the other side of the priest. Bhaiya sat patiently beside Baldwin. “I’m glad you gave the sermon in French so the peasants could understand,” Angelica said. “Ah, yes. I believe our Lord Jesus wanted his message of suffering and redemption to be told to everyone. One can’t do that in Latin,” he said and winked at Angelica who nodded her approval. “Some day,” he whispered, “all will hear God’s word in their own language.” He put his finger to his lips, “But don’t say I said so. The pope likes Latin and that’s that.” Suddenly Bhaiya stood and wagged his tail in recognition as one serf in particular walked up. “He was a wise choice for you master Baldwin,” the man said, turning a brown hat in his hands. “He’s a fine dog indeed.” Baldwin patted Bhaiya’s head. “Claude, where is your lovely wife Josephine today?” Baldwin asked politely. “She’s feeling poorly, I’m afraid. She so wanted to hear the priest but couldn’t make it out of her bed.” Angelica overhearing said, “I will visit her today and see what ails her.” “I also,” Baldwin said. “I’m fairly good with herbs you know.” “I’ve heard that you are especially good,” the peasant said. “You helped cure the blacksmith’s wife of the cough. I heard that, yes.” “I did,” Baldwin said and looked over at his mother. “With the help of my good mother, naturally.” “We’ll come with you now and see what herbs she might need,” Angelica said. The priest looked between mother and son. “I will also accompany you. Good healers are rare even among the nuns and monks. I’d like to see what you do. We do attend to many people who come to us.” Angelica noticed the serf had paled. She smiled. “Ah, my dear Father, the arrival of a priest may scare our poor Josephine so badly that she might faint at the sight of you.” For a moment the priest just stared at her, then laughed heartily. “Oh, yes I see. Yes, yes, go ahead of me and tell her of my coming. Better say to offer her a blessing for better health.” “Thank you Father,” Claude said putting on his hat and bowing slightly to the priest. I’ll warn her, I mean tell her that visitors are coming.” With a flushed face he quickly strolled away.