Echoes from the Alps: Swords and Secrets by Alexander Mark

Author:Alexander, Mark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

As they returned from their trip to Altdorf, Gérard saw the familiar spires of Valère Basilica in the distance. It was a beacon, drawing him closer, and the sight somehow made him relax. The longer he stayed in this region and helped these good, hard-working people, the more these mountains comforted him. As Gérard, Bertram, and Alban passed through the gates of Tourbillion, the captain of the guards approached.

“Master de Villiers,” the captain said. “The bishop had requested that you visit him in his private office when you had returned.”

“Thank you, captain.”

As the men dismounted, Bertram and Alban took the horses and mules to the stables. Alban would bring Gérard’s satchel to his room in the keep once they had tended to the animals. While the bishop offered Gérard a room on the same floor as his residence, he found that the solitude on the top floor of the keep suited him better. And it forced the aging bishop to decide if talking with Gérard was worth climbing another staircase.

Exiting the staircase on the third floor, he walked the hallway to the bishop’s office. As Gérard knocked, he heard the bishop answer, “Enter.”

“Master de Villiers,” Bishop Boniface began, rising to greet him. “I am glad you have returned so we can continue our many conversations.”

Gérard sighed, hoping his face displayed pleasure in seeing the bishop again. However, he had wanted to clean up, read any letters that had arrived since he was gone, and rest after the long ride.

“Your Holiness, it is always a pleasure to engage in your conversations,” Gérard replied. Then, changing the subject, he added, “As we passed Brig, I noticed the fortifications were nearly complete.”

“They are!” Boniface exclaimed with delight. “Thanks to the masons you had hired from France and Germany, the curtain wall around the tower was completed this past week.”

Brig lies northeast of Sion, following the Rhône River toward its source. The village sits at the foot of the northern slope of the Simplon Pass, near where the Saltine stream joins with the Rhône.

The Rhône Valley starts its journey southward at the Gotthard Pass, and by continuing north, you cross the route that Gérard had just taken, returning from Altdorf. The Simplon Pass provided access to Milan and was the route Gérard, Bertram, and Frederic took when returning from Venice.

“That is good news,” Gérard answered. “However, I must retire and find some rest. Perhaps later, we can continue our discussions.”

“That I would enjoy,” Boniface replied. “I will have them set a place for you at the evening meal. It will be nice to chat with someone of intellect.”

As Gérard left and climbed the stairs to his room, he took a deep breath. While he did not mind the bishop’s meal conversations, he found that the man liked to hear himself talk rather than listen.

However, the fortifications at Brig that are now completed are a good sign, he thought. It was another fortified link in the network connecting these small alpine villages to the vast wealth of Italy and Northern Europe.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.