The Scribe(131)
“I see you have a gift for controversy.” Flavio tried to dry the chest with a damp cloth. “The talent of someone who wastes his breath without knowing the reason for his arguments. Do you know the true power of relics? Are you able to distinguish between the Lance of Longinus, the Holy Shroud, and the blood of a martyr?”
“I know that classification—but in any event, I repeat my apology. I did not wish to question—”
“If you do not wish it, then do not do it,” Flavio said loudly.
“I’m sorry, Father,” Alcuin responded, taken aback. “But, if it is no trouble, permit me to ask a final question.”
Flavio looked at him wearily, as if he could not be bothered to answer. “Yes?”
“Why are you taking the relic to Würzburg?”
The prelate seemed to think it over. Finally he responded. “As you will know, for years Charlemagne has been trying to subjugate the pagan Obodrites, Pannonians, and Bavarians. However, neither his continual campaigns nor his exemplary punishments have altered the fact that they remain Godless in the depths of their souls. The pagans are crude folks, stuck in the ways of polytheism, of heresy, of concubinage… with these people, the force of arms is necessary, though sometimes it is not enough.”
“Please continue.” Alcuin was already not sure he agreed with Flavio’s premise.
“Damned wound.” He paused to reposition his bandages. “Well, eight years ago Charlemagne and his host went to Italy in response to the Holy Pontiff’s entreaty. As you might know, the Lombards, not satisfied with ruling over the former Byzantine duchies, had invaded the cities of Faenza and Comacchio, besieged Ravenna, and subjugated Urbino, Montefeltro, and Sinigaglia.”
“You speak of Desiderius, the Lombard king.”
“That man, a king? For the love of God, don’t make me laugh. He might have called himself one, but he was nothing more than a serpent in human form. The king of treachery. That should have been his title.”
“But didn’t a daughter of Desiderius marry Charlemagne himself?”
“Indeed. Could you imagine a more heinous offense? The Lombard took it upon himself to wed his pup to Charlemagne and then, believing himself immune, attack the Vatican territories. However, Pope Adrian persuaded Charlemagne that he needed his help, and the king, after crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass with his troops, surrounded the traitor at this lair in Pavia.”
“Without question the gesture of a good Christian.”
“In part, yes. But do not be fooled. Charlemagne wishes to contain the expansionist ambitions of the Lombard king as much as the pope did. After all, following his foreseeable victory, not only would Charlemagne return to the papacy the usurped territories under the liber pontificalis, but also benefit himself by appropriating the Lombard duchies of Spoleto and Benevento.”
“Interesting, to be sure. Please, do continue.”
Theresa was listening attentively.
“The rest you will know. Desiderius refused to leave Pavia, forcing Charlemagne to begin a siege. However, after nine months, Charlemagne’s host grew impatient. It would appear that they feared for their crops—and there was news of another revolt in the Saxon lands. Meanwhile, Desiderius remained trapped, so Charlemagne started to consider how he would end the siege.”
“But Charlemagne was victorious,” Theresa cut in, proud that she knew the story.
“That’s right, but not thanks to his troops. As soon as he learned of the situation, Pope Adrian ordered the lignum crucis—kept until then at the Roman Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem—to be taken to Charlemagne’s camp. And within a week of its arrival, a sudden epidemic began to decimate the Lombards. Desiderius surrendered, and Charlemagne took the city without shedding a single drop of blood.”
“And now Charlemagne plans to use the power of the lignum crucis in his war with the Saxons.”
“Indeed. The monarch asked the pope for his help, and the pope did not hesitate to send him the relic. And now that he has it, he intends to deposit it in a safe city.”
“It’s curious,” said Alcuin. “Please forgive my forwardness, but as the guardian of such an important relic, why have you embarked on this dangerous and unnecessary journey? You could have waited in Aquis-Granum until Charlemagne began the next campaign.”
“And leave the inhabitants of Würzburg at the mercy of their ill fate? I don’t know about you, but I would consider that neither charitable nor Christian.”
“Viewed in that way, you are right. Incidentally, shouldn’t you open the chest to check its condition?” Alcuin remarked as he started to lift the lid.
Flavio swooped down on the chest and slammed it shut again. “I don’t think that’s necessary,” he hastened to say. “The chest is lined with greased leather. What’s more, the lignum crucis is protected by a lead coffer that acts as a reliquary.”
“Ah! Then we have nothing to worry about. Particularly if the coffer you speak of is large and with thick panels.”
“It is. And now, if you will allow me, I will rest a while.”
Alcuin watched Flavio as he leaned back against the chest. He wondered whether his abrupt behavior was due to his lack of sleep or the recent attack, but the question still remained how such a light chest could contain a heavy lead coffer.