End of days

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

During morning mass on Maundy Thursday, Father Thomas celebrated the Eucharist, commemorating the new covenant Christ established with his disciples during His Last Supper. After mass, the congregation feasted in the great hall as the fasting of Lent was relaxed for this one day since the Church considered the Eucharist and fasting incompatible. Everyone avidly consumed the roast venison, mutton pie with onions and peas, cheese, and pecan tarts, delicacies they had denied themselves throughout the last three weeks of Lent.

On Good Friday the fast was resumed, with only dry bread, beans, cabbage, and salt served at all three meals.

During the solemn mass held at noon, Father Thomas, dressed entirely in black vestments, prostrated himself before the empty altar, covered only with a simple black cloth. After the lessons, chants and prayers, the priest brought forth the Cross, veiled in black cloth, and placed it on the altar. 

Father Thomas sang "Behold the wood of the Cross on which hung the salvation of the world," to which the congregation responded. "Come let us adore." After this liturgy was sung three times, Father Thomas unveiled the Cross. The priest genuflected and kissed the Cross, followed by Rayford and Leah Rose, then the rest of the congregation, their adoration of the Cross symbolizing the worship due to God. The Cross and the consecrated Host were then buried in a special sepulcher in the wall of the chapel and surrounded by candles.

On Easter Eve, all the fires and candles in the chapel, as well as the donjon, were extinguished. A new fire was kindled with flint, symbolizing the Resurrection of Jesus. the Light of the World, from the tomb closed by a stone. Only the great Paschal candle was lit for an all-night vigil in the chapel. On Easter morning the flame from the Paschal candle was used to rekindle light and fire in the castle. During mass, the sepulcher was opened and the Cross and Host were carried to the altar, restored to its previous glory. 

After mass the entire castle community, as well as everyone in Mersthrope, partook of the Easter feast at the castle. Rayford and Leah Rose wandered together through the inner ward where tables had been set up for the villagers, accepting the villagers' offerings of eggs, dyed red to symbolize the joy of Easter. In return, they offered the hospitality of Merclif in the form of an elaborate feast.

"Milady! Milady!"

The sweet, childish voice grabbed Rayford's attention as he and Leah Rose spoke with the village leaders. He turned to find Sadie dashing toward Leah Rose, her mother running behind, clearly trying to catch her. Leah Rose scooped Sadie up into her arms, hugging her and twirling her around.

"Milady," Betsy panted. "I am sorry. Sadie, come here." Betsy reached out to take

Sadie from Leah Rose's arms. "Ye shouldn't bother her ladyship."

"Betsy, 'tis fine." Leah Rose smiled, changing her hold on the little girl to brace Sadie against her hip. "Sadie is not disturbing me. Mayhap I can steal her from you for a little while."

"If ye're sure, milady?" Betsy asked, looking at Rayford and the other men who had stopped talking to watch the women.

"Aye," Leah Rose said. "I will bring her back to you." Betsy nodded, then curtsied toward Rayford and the village leaders before hurrying

 Leah Rose turned back toward the men. "Milord. gentlemen, would you please excuse me?"

"Aye, milady," Rayford said with a grin. He watched as Leah Rose carried the little girl toward the donjon, listening to her excited chatter, before looking back at the other men.

"Her ladyship will make a good mother, if I may be so bold to say so," said Talbot.

"Aye, right you are, Phillip," Rayford agreed. "I take that as a high recommendation, seeing as how you are somewhat of an expert on the subject. Just how many grandchildren do you have now?"

Talbot rocked back on his feet. "Well, Margery, David's wife, was just delivered of a girl, so that makes a round forty." "Congratulations!" Rayford said.

He spoke a little longer with the men before excusing himself and going in search of Belwick. He finally located his castellan coming through the inner curtain gate and walked over to intercept him. "Any trouble?" Rayford asked.

"Nay," Hugh replied. "Entry to the castle grounds was a little slow this morning since we only used the postern gate and had to search each face, but no strangers have entered."

"Good. And the guards?"

"Double guards have been posted on the crenellations, as you ordered."

"Hopefully, the Easter celebration will continue without any problems."

"Aye." Belwick nodded. "We will make sure of it."

Rayford spent a few more moments with the castellan discussing the castle defenses, then ambled back toward the table laden with venison, ham, pigeon pies, cheeses cakes, and wafers. Picking up a pie, he took a bite and started to walk away from the table when a lad barreled into him.

"Sorry, milord." Ming Toy said. "I didn't mean to hit you."

"No harm done, lad. But you should slow down, so you do not harm any of the children or women. Tis the obligation of a knight to watch out for others."

"Ave, milord. I'll do that."

Ming Toy bowed and walked sedately for a few steps before breaking into a nis Shaking his head, Rayford turned to see Bernard advancing toward him. The knigh triangular face was creased in a frown.

"I am sorry, milord," Bernard stated when he reached Rayford. "I despair of ever teaching that boy some manners."

"Do not worry about it. I remember being ten."

"I think that Ming Roy needs to start his training soon. Twill concentrate his energies in a more useful direction."

"Anytime you want to start his training is fine with me, Bernard. But I think is not me you need to convince, but your wife."

"Aye. Clare tends to pamper Ming Toy, treating him like a child rather than a man." "Well, he is her youngest. Clare is a sensible woman. I am sure you will be able to

convince her."