Deus Vult

Chapter 3

The creak of the chair startled Rodrigo from his sleep. He sat up and stared at a strange man sitting at the table, eating from a plate of food. Rodrigo immediately took notice of his garb, for he had not seen its like before. A brown cloak was draped over the back of the chair, faded and worn but with an intricately woven pattern with strange symbols that were foreign in nature. He wore a blue tunic with gold fringe, fastened with a leather belt with a gold buckle, and brown trousers. The worn leather sandals on his feet were in the style of the ancient Romans. Who is this strange man? His clothes do not look like they are from Europe, nor from any country that I am familiar with.

Who is this strange man? His clothes do not look like they are from Europe, nor from any country that I am familiar with.The man turned his chair to face Rodrigo, who was sitting up on the mattress. He had a broad smile under a thick black beard and wavy black hair with streaks of gray. The stranger stared at Rodrigo with coal-black eyes that seemed to look right through him.

“You must have been tired. You have been sleeping most of the day,” the man said, his deep voice breaking the silence and nearly startling Rodrigo. He held up a piece of bread that he was eating. “Pull up a chair and join me. There is plenty here to eat.”

Rodrigo felt his stomach growling. He stood up slowly and gingerly as he stretched his sore and bruised limbs and stiff back. The last rays of the setting sun illuminated the small room through a window in the corner. “Yes, I will join you. Thank you.” He pulled up a chair and sat down. The stranger passed him the drinking water and some bread with a plate of meat and fruit. Rodrigo bowed his head and said a quick prayer before he began hungrily consuming his meal. The stranger ate in silence as Rodrigo devoured his food like a starving wolf. When Rodrigo was finally satisfied and pushed his plate aside, the stranger spoke.

“It seems you have not eaten in weeks,” he said with a laugh. He glanced at Rodrigo’s armor and tunic lying by the bed. “Though you are wearing a monk’s robes, I can clearly see that you are not one. Tell me your name, sir, and what brings you to this place.”

Rodrigo introduced himself and recounted his fateful journey from Castile on his way to Count Raymond’s tournament in Toulouse. “Although I will not arrive in time to compete in the tournament, I may still be able to join Count Raymond’s army. I will not let this misfortune deter me from answering God’s call to take back the Holy Land and liberate Jerusalem from the Saracen Turks. The atrocities being committed there against the Christians must be stopped.” The stranger said nothing, but stared at Rodrigo with a faint smile as he sat back in his chair. “And what about you?” Rodrigo asked. “Your clothes and your cloak have strange markings. I have not seen their like before. What is your name, and where do you come from?”

“My name is Marcellinus,” the man said. “I am a traveler and a wanderer and am new to this part of Europe. I was once a chronicler in the royal Byzantine court in Constantinople, but that was many years ago. I was much younger then, and at that time, I became disillusioned with my work and began traveling extensively. My travels eventually brought me to Jerusalem, where I worked as a scribe for several years, and then later to Alexandria in Egypt. From there I journeyed to Italy, and I have been traveling through Europe for nearly a year now. I work in different places to replenish my purse, and when the wanderlust strikes me, I set off on a new journey and adventure.” He smiled.

Rodrigo sat up and leaned forward at the mention of Jerusalem. “You were in Jerusalem for several years? When did you leave, and what did you see while living there?”

“It was nearly three years ago that I left Jerusalem. It is an ancient and magnificent city with a wondrous history. I enjoyed my time there; however, I find myself only able to stay in one place for so long.” Marcellinus poured some more water into his cup while Rodrigo stared at him intently. “I guess one could say that I was born with a restless soul.”

Rodrigo’s eyes narrowed. Why did he not mention anything about the crimes being committed against the Christians in the city? Is he hiding something?

Why did he not mention anything about the crimes being committed against the Christians in the city? Is he hiding something?“You said you are originally from Constantinople. Are you a Christian?” Rodrigo asked.

“I was raised in the Orthodox Christian Church from the time of my youth, so yes, I am Christian,” Marcellinus said before taking a drink of water. “Since then, however, I have grown older, and wiser, and now I choose to worship God in my own way, not in the way of Orthodox Christianity or Roman Catholicism.” Marcellinus lowered his cup, and his gaze locked with Rodrigo’s. “I know what you are thinking. One can hardly travel through Europe at this time and not hear all that is being said about what is taking place in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.” Rodrigo’s gaze softened, and he looked down at his plate for a moment as Marcellinus continued. “I can tell you this—all the stories of the atrocities being committed against the Christians in the city by the Turks at this time are not true.”

can“What?” Rodrigo exclaimed, frowning. He would dare to suggest that the Pope is spreading lies? “How can they not be true? The Pope himself has spoken about the s*******r of innocent Christians in Jerusalem. You would accuse the Pope of lying to the people of Europe?” he asked, pointing his finger at Marcellinus.

He would dare to suggest that the Pope is spreading lies?Marcellinus’s expression did not change as he sat back and tore a piece of bread from his plate. “I am simply telling you what I have seen and witnessed with my own eyes,” he said in a calm voice.

Rodrigo put his hands on the table and leaned toward Marcellinus. “Tell me then, why would the Pope lie about such things?”

“Why, indeed?” Marcellinus answered. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Rodrigo while he took a bite of bread. There was silence for a tense moment, but Rodrigo stood up from the table and walked to the center of the room as Marcellinus continued. “It is a good question to ask, so let us take a moment and discuss it. Tell me, what effect have the Pope’s words about the atrocities in Jerusalem had on all the nobles and princes in Europe?”

Rodrigo paused for moment as he thought. “It has brought them all together, united under one cause, to reclaim the Holy Land and the city of Jerusalem and restore the rule of the Pope and the holy Catholic Church.”

“That is correct,” Marcellinus replied. “What is more important to understand is that this unification has stopped the constant warring and fighting among those nobles in Christendom. It is true that Jerusalem is now under Turkish control, but they took the city nearly four hundred years ago! In the holy city right now, Christians, Jews, and Muslims all live together in relative peace. Most of the killing being committed by the Turks at this time is against other Turks. They are constantly fighting each other for lands and power, much the same way the Christians do here in Europe.”

Rodrigo remained speechless, and he began pacing about the room as he thought. So, not only is he suggesting the Pope is spreading lies, but it is to further some kind of agenda? “I cannot believe that our holy Pope would lie outright to the people of Europe for the reasons you have mentioned,” Rodrigo said, stopping and folding his arms across his chest.

So, not only is he suggesting the Pope is spreading lies, but it is to further some kind of agenda? “The Pope’s message is not only for the sake of unity among the European nobility,” said Marcellinus. “I believe there are other reasons as well.”

“What other reasons?”

“The Turks have been encroaching upon the borders of the Byzantine Empire for some time now,” Marcellinus said. “It is fairly well known that Emperor Alexios Komnenos, the Byzantine ruler, has made an appeal to the Pope for aid against the Turks. So, it seems that the Pope has yet another reason to call for a Christian incursion into the Holy Land, none of which has anything to do with atrocities being committed against Christians in Jerusalem.” He wiped his hands on a cloth next to his plate.

Rodrigo said nothing, but shook his head and began pacing again. That may be true, but regardless of the reasons, how could the Pope, the Holy Father, be spreading lies and falsehood to the people?

That may be true, but regardless of the reasons, how could the Pope, the Holy Father, be spreading lies and falsehood to the people?“And I have also heard,” Marcellinus continued, “that the Pope has offered all who take up this journey penance for all their sins.”

Rodrigo stopped pacing and turned to Marcellinus. “Yes, that is true. What of it?”

“Is the Pope God? Does he have the power to absolve the masses of their sins?” Marcellinus asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Rodrigo.

“Well, no, but he speaks for God!” Rodrigo answered loudly.

“Does he?” asked Marcellinus, the tone of his voice now matching Rodrigo’s. “So, tell me, does God want all the nobles in Europe to wage a holy war against the Turks for reasons that are naught but lies?” Marcellinus’s deep voice was loud and commanding and, in that moment, Rodrigo heard the voice of his uncle. Marcellinus’s piercing gaze showed an unwavering clarity as they stared at each other. Rodrigo averted his gaze and stared at the ground. He searched for words but could find none.

Marcellinus put his cloth down, calmly pushed his chair back, and stood up. He turned his gaze from Rodrigo and looked around for a moment as he dusted some crumbs off the front of his tunic. “I respect you, Sir Rodrigo, for your passion and conviction of what you believe is the truth. If it is your destiny to travel to the Holy Land, then you will see with your own eyes what is truth and what is not.” He replaced his chair back under the table and walked to the door before turning back to Rodrigo. “Wherever fate leads you, always remember this. Place your trust in God and not in man. Men are fallible and may lead you astray, but God will always guide you to truth and salvation.” Rodrigo looked up at Marcellinus, who gave him a quick smile and nod before going out the door and closing it behind him.

Outside the room, Rodrigo could hear Marcellinus speaking in the sanctuary with Sister Mary, although he could not hear what they were saying. That evening, Rodrigo sat at the table for a long time, staring at his drinking cup and thinking about all that had been said. I cannot believe that His Holiness the Pope and the holy Catholic Church are spreading lies and falsehoods for their own political ends. There is only one thing I can do. I must journey to the Holy Land, not only to bring honor to my family’s name, but to discover for myself what is truth and what is a lie. If everything the Pope has said is truth, then I will be carrying out the will of God. If everything he said was a lie, then . . . Rodrigo frowned and lowered his head, and his hands knotted into fists upon the table. He got up to lie back down on the straw mattress. Night had fallen and it was now completely dark in the room, yet he lay awake staring at the ceiling. At last, he fell asleep, tossing and turning in a fitful slumber.

I cannot believe that His Holiness the Pope and the holy Catholic Church are spreading lies and falsehoods for their own political ends. There is only one thing I can do. I must journey to the Holy Land, not only to bring honor to my family’s name, but to discover for myself what is truth and what is a lie. If everything the Pope has said is truth, then I will be carrying out the will of God. If everything he said was a lie, then . . .* * *

A c**k’s crow roused Rodrigo from his sleep. Rising from his bed, he gathered his belongings. As he left the room, he saw Sister Mary in the sanctuary carrying some books and approached her. “Sister Mary, my thanks for everything you have done for me. Your kindness and the hospitality and generosity of this monastery will not be forgotten. I will set out for Toulouse and do not want to waste any time, since I travel by foot. Will you help me one last time and tell me what paths I must take to take to get there?”

“Oh!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide and a smile on her face. “Did he not tell you?”

“Who? Tell me what?” Rodrigo asked.

“The man that was here, Marcellinus. He left early this morning, but said he wished to aid you in your travels. He said you were on a journey to the Holy Land and hoped to find something there.”

A smile came across Rodrigo’s face. “That is true. What did he not tell me?”

“He left one of his horses for you. And a full pack of provisions. The horse is tied outside the monastery, and the provisions are there as well.”

Rodrigo smiled again and bowed his head. Selfless acts of kindness seem to be rare thing in this world, but since I arrived they have been shown to me twice, by both Sister Mary and Marcellinus. “I may or may not pass this way again. Thank you for everything, and if the man Marcellinus ever comes back, please give him my humble thanks as well.” Then, turning, he walked through the door and exited the monastery.

Selfless acts of kindness seem to be rare thing in this world, but since I arrived they have been shown to me twice, by both Sister Mary and Marcellinus.“I will,” said Sister Mary. “Follow the main path from the monastery until you reach the village. The villagers will guide you the rest of the way. God be with you!” she called out as she watched him from the doorway.

Rodrigo walked to the post outside the monastery where the horse and provisions were waiting for him. He took the reins and mounted. The sun was cresting the cliffs above the monastery, flooding the valley with the light of the new day. Rodrigo took a deep breath and filled his lungs with the crisp morning air as he thought about how quickly his fortune had changed and the destiny that lay before him. He spurred the horse into a gallop down the pathway toward the village. Toulouse was only days away, and Count Raymond’s tournament awaited.