Pilgrims of Promise by C. D. Baker

Author:C. D. Baker [Baker, C. D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, German
ISBN: 1456406639
Amazon: B007II00R0
Published: 2012-03-06T11:00:00+00:00

The following morning, the company agreed they’d forego the expense of sailing the river and would venture north along the west bank of the Rhine in hopes of finding a caravan. With Pieter riding Paulus, they followed the highway as it bent northward across a landscape that had become flat and easy to walk. They were quickly unsettled, however, when they realized they were among a very few travelers on what should have been a crowded thoroughfare. After all, it was this road that led the way to the fairs at Champagne, to Paris and Strasbourg, and even to dreary Bruges and the Low Countries.

“Keep a sharp eye about,” said Alwin. “Tis all we can do.”

The group marched north quickly but cautiously. Few words were spoken as all eyes were kept fixed on distant points. At the end of the second day, they made camp in a light wood about three bowshots beyond the red-block walls of a free, growing village called Neuf-Brisach. It was on the morning of the next day when it seemed good fortune found them.

“Look,” cried Helmut. “A caravan!” The lad pointed to the north gate of the town from which a column of wagons and horsemen was emerging. The company hurried forward to have a better look, and as they drew near, they smiled.

Led by an armored knight in gaily colored robes and accompanied by a cacophony of sounds, a long line of persons, beasts, and sundry vehicles streamed forward. Heavy-laden packhorses followed yawning servants, and strong-backed Frisians yielded to the cries of the carters as they hauled many numbers of canvas-covered wagons and two-wheeled carts

A host of walkers were intermixed, including freemen of middling means dressed in knee-length tunics and well-loomed leggings. Pilgrims in broad hats, servants under heavy packs, and knots of monks moved along as well; the shavelings were working hard to keep their eyes from lingering on the sampling of “erring sisters” strutting about. Here and there were a few jugglers, and two balladeers were singing a farewell song to the captain of Neuf-Breisach’s guard. Benedetto wrinkled his nose. “German music … always about bloodshed and honor!”

Ambling along either side of the column were two lines of disinterested and rather unseemly men-at-arms mounted on a collection of palfreys and a few chargers. These were mercenaries, mostly landless knights with swords for hire. Dressed in flowing gowns of silk or linen, numbers of ladies were traveling as well. These rode sidesaddle on elegant Spanish-Normans or on small coursers.

But Wil’s company took the greatest delight in the assortment of animals accompanying the parade. Besides carts of swine and fowl, hounds and cats scampered about as pets of the lords and ladies. Hooded falcons rode tethered to perches affixed to numerous wagons.

“And see!” exclaimed Otto. “In those cages. A black bear, and there … a strange bird …”

“Tis an ostrich,” added Pieter.

“Oh.”

“They make huge eggs.” Pieter licked his lips.

“And see there.” Tomas pointed. “Giant cats with spots.”

“Leopards from the Dark Continent,” replied Pieter. “And over there, carrying that fat lord on his litter, are men from that very same place.

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