The Camelot Shadow by Sean Gibson

Author:Sean Gibson [Gibson, Sean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2021-11-05T23:41:44+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Henry had worked his own saintly miracle during their absence, for when Alfred and Will returned, they found Johnson chatting amiably about his favorite Italian towns as Henry nodded eagerly and interjected an occasional shout of “Marvelous!” Alfred could only shake his head and smile as he caught Henry’s eye, offering him a silent nod of appreciation.

“Ah, Lord Fitzwilliam and young Upton return,” said their now-coherent host. “I was just telling Miller that he must visit San Gimignano.” Given Johnson’s apparent lucidity, Alfred chose to ascribe the mistaken name to absent-mindedness rather than senility.

“San Gimignano is indeed a hidden gem, Henry,” Alfred responded. “I insist that we follow Dr. Johnson’s advice.” He resumed his seat, and Will followed suit. “For now, however, I was hoping that we could perhaps return to our earlier conversation, as Dr. Johnson seemed on the verge of sharing something interesting.”

“I was?”

“Yes, sir,” said Henry soothingly, “you were telling us about the ‘clusters’

of healing miracles that began to occur in Italy around the year 600, after the arrival of St. Drostan.”

Johnson furrowed his brow, and for a moment Alfred feared that they had lost the old man entirely. Something clicked, however, and he picked up as though the prolonged interruption had not occurred. “It’s quite fascinating, really—these clusters of healing miracles continued almost unabated, with only brief, sporadic interruptions, for over 600 years, until they abruptly ceased around the early-to-mid 1200s—it is difficult to tell exactly when the pattern returned to ‘normal,’ or, rather, more closely mirrored the historical record of other countries. Healing miracles still occurred, but far less frequently. Miracles once again became miracles, rather than commonplace occurrences.”

“What caused the clusters to cease occurring?” asked Alfred.

Johnson shrugged. “Who can say, my lord? No historian worth his salt lends much credence to such tales. I’ve always considered the legends as a cultural curiosity, nothing more—I find the process of unearthing the facts of saints’ lives a far more rewarding and dignified pursuit than speculating about the apocryphal tales that gave rise to their divinity.”

“But,” interjected Will, “surely you must have some theory?”

Johnson ruminated, rocking slowly back and forth, fingers tented before his lips. Alfred, Will, and Henry leaned forward, waiting for a revelation, but when the old man spoke, those hopes quickly faded. “I have nothing to offer, I fear.” All three slumped back in their chairs, with Will’s exasperated sigh drowning out the others’ matching exhalations. “But,” Johnson resumed, “I can, perhaps, suggest a course of action that might be of some use.”

“We would be grateful, Dr. Johnson,” said Alfred.

“In the State Archives of Rome, there exists a repository called the Vatican Secret Archives.” He dropped his voice to a whisper, glancing around furtively. “The Italian State confiscated the archives when their forces conquered Rome a few years ago, but a privileged few scholars have been granted access, and I am one of those fortunate individuals.” He grimaced.

“Unfortunately, I can no longer travel, but if you go to Rome, seek out a man named Giuseppe Russo.

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