Pilgrims of Promise(22)

“I’ve a heavy burden on m’heart, as does Wil. He’s whispered it to me on the journey from Genoa. His sister, Maria, was one of our company on crusade. She was sick and near death, left in the care of Benedictines near Arona, along the Lago Maggiore at the feet of the mighty Alps. We think of her often, as do all who love her.

“So listen. I must leave you now, while the weather still allows me to cross the Piedmont. I must go to her. If she has died, and, truth be told, ‘tis likely, then I need the peace of knowing. If not—and God be praised if it could be so!—then I must be at her side.”

The pilgrims sat stunned. Most had not known Pieter before Genoa, but they had quickly learned to love him and to depend on him. One cried out anxiously, “Will Herr Heinrich stay with us?”

All eyes turned toward the baker. He and Pieter had formerly agreed to remain at San Fruttuoso until they all left together at Easter. The priest’s sudden plan was unexpected and had surprised him as much as the others. With a cold stare he answered, “Ja. I shall stay with you all until we begin our journey north together.”

The old man looked at the ground sheepishly. He knew he should have counseled Heinrich on the change, but the whole matter of Maria was awkward. “Heinrich, I am sorry for the surprise, but it is something I must do.”

Heinrich had not resolved the confusion of feeling he had felt upon learning of the little girl. He knew he was not her father, and, according to his easy reckoning, he knew she must have been conceived while he was still in Weyer. It was a violation that haunted him—his feelings for his wife notwithstanding. He nodded.

“Then I go too!” cried Otto. “She is my friend.”

Heinz echoed the same. The two had shared much suffering with the little girl and had loved her like a sister.

Pieter looked at the lads. Heinz was quick footed and keen. Otto was sturdy and dependable. The old priest fixed his eyes onto Otto’s broad face and thought carefully. He scratched Solomon’s ears and finally nodded. “Aye.”

The group was unsettled at the whole notion of Pieter’s leaving them, and more than a few grumbled. They had been happy to leave things as they were—they wished nothing would ever change.

“Now hear me, my precious children. Herr Heinrich and Wil shall bring you to Arona in the springtime, just past Easter. You shall all be in my prayers until then. Our reunion   will be a glorious moment!

“Ah, but more. These good brothers may offer some of you this as your home. Lads, here you can learn the Scriptures, learn to garden and to fish, to make wine, to cure others. Perhaps you might choose to take the vows and take a new name.

“And, my dear maidens, they have told me of a kindly nunnery in sunny Tuscany that would gladly take you all. There you’d be safe enough. You might learn to read and to write, to embroider and prepare fine meals for travelers. You, too, may choose to take the vows. So, all of you, consider my words; think on these things in the months to come.” His words brought them little comfort.

The next morning the sun shone brightly overhead, but the mood of the young pilgrims had not changed. They had become quite attached to the old man and were near tears as he prepared to leave them. With Solomon at his side, Pieter gathered his lambs close and led them to the edge of the water that lay flat and clean under a new day’s light. “Little brothers and sisters, I shall not leave you until I show you something. Come. Each of you stand close to the water and look at your reflection.”

The grumbling company obediently lined themselves along the shore and stared at the arc of long faces gazing glumly at them from below. Pieter chuckled. “Once before my flock faced themselves in such a way. ‘Twas their time to see themselves as they were. Now look at yourselves; open your eyes wide, my beloved, and see what you’ve become.”

“I’m clean again!” cried one.

“M’clothes are new; m’belly’s full!”

“M’scabs are gone!”

Pieter laughed. “Aye! Rested, clean, filled with good food, and dressed in fresh garments; wiser, bolder, ever more free! Rejoice, my children. You’ve much to be thankful for.”

Brothers Petroclus and Stefano stood at a respectful distance, nodding their approval of the priest’s words. When he finished, they called to him and beckoned he follow them to the chapter house.

As the trio arrived, Petroclus turned to Pieter. “My friend, we did not expect you to be leaving quite so soon.” He looked uneasily at Stefano. “We do have news you should know. We have kept it from you all this time so that you and your flock might have a season of rest.”