Chasing Shadows by T.A. Williams

Author:T.A. Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo Books
Published: 2017-01-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Spanish Pyrenees, April 1314

It was getting dark by the time Luc eventually saw the roofs of a hamlet, little more than a big farm. He heard the crowing of a lone cockerel, along with the bark of dog. He and Aimée crouched behind a wall for some minutes while he studied the scene, before he finally decided it was safe to venture in amongst the houses. The dog, a large mongrel, came running out at the sound of their approach and Luc gripped his stick warily. The dog was, however, closely followed by an old man, who called it off with a sharp command as he came forward to meet them.

‘Pilgrims?’

Not unfriendly, just curious. Luc thought for a moment, before opting for the truth, or at least a version of it.

‘Yes, sir. We’re just about the first pilgrims to come over the Somport this season. We’re on our way to Santiago.’

The old man spat carefully into the clump of weeds by his left leg.

‘Not the first. There was a group through yesterday morning, and another group last night. Three groups today. The season’s started again all right.’ He shrugged as if announcing the arrival of rain. ‘You’ll be staying the night here, I’ll be bound.’

Luc nodded. ‘If that might be possible.’

The old man pointed to a large stone barn down by the river. ‘That’s for the use of you pilgrims. There’s no charge, but you could say a prayer for us when you get to Compostela. Yes, say a prayer for us.’ He turned to go, but Aimée’s voice interrupted him.

‘Have you been to Compostela yourself?’

She wasn’t sure why she asked him the question. Maybe just because he sounded a good, fair man. Maybe because she was longing for some conversation after the long silent day’s hike. The old man turned his attention upon her. His voice softened as he replied.

‘Yes, I have. I went many years ago, when my children were still young. My wife stayed at home to look after them. I went with a group of monks from Jaca. It’s the most wonderful place in the world.’ His tone was awed, still now after the passage of so many years. ‘There are buildings twice, three times the size of our castle of Javier. The smoothest stone slabs cover the streets and the cathedral, ah the cathedral… It is surely the tallest, most wonderful, the most majestic building in the whole world.’ He reached out a paternal hand, and patted her shoulder.

‘Just wait till you stand under the Pórtico de la Gloria and look at the carvings and statues. Nowhere will you see their like. Even the Moors come up from their lands down south to admire their beauty. Take my word for it, my dear, you’ll never see a finer sight.’

With these words, he tipped his hat courteously and returned to his home. Luc glanced across at her face. He wondered whether the use of the word ‘see’ might be bothering her, but her face looked untroubled.

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