I want Dwane to trace that guy thinking he’s us!
They smiled at each other in mutual amazement, then, embarrassed, looked about the room.
Bobolo had pointed out the fine straw mattress, a mere generation old, and the chamberpot, which he’d called a jordan, explaining, again mysteriously, that he hadn’t an outside necessarium with which to receive their exalted wastage. He’d taken time, too, to show them the back garden, where piebald dogs rooted through an uncontained compost heap, and also the dining chamber. Leonard had wanted to examine the bedclothes — he suspected they were none too clean — but was violently struck by the fact that it was a bed, and he and Sally were expected to share it.
Don’t go near that, Sally said. It’s covered with fleas — I can see them jumping from here. I have snugbeds in here somewhere — and she upended her clutchbag onto the rough planked floor, and out fell numerous objects, some of which Leonard recognized, including Sally’s police scanner. There, she said, handing Leonard a square of microsilk. The plaid one’s for you, the red one’s for me. Push the button so — and up puffed a single-unit snugbed complete with micropillow.
There was a knock. Leonard opened the door a crack.
Where we come from, Leonard said, only peasants sleep on beds. We are only slightly insulted but we will need you to take this noxious bedding away.
Behind him, Leonard could hear the sound of snugbeds deflating.
Ascetics, Bobolo said approvingly. My best customers!
Oh, Leonard said, not knowing what Bobolo meant.
Here’s yer pilgrims’ gear, Bobolo said, trying to see around Leonard. The wearers did not die of any contamination, just yer normal afflictions, no fear.
Ah, Leonard said, taking the gear through the sliver of doorway.
The scallop means ye’ve been to Compostela, in case ye didn’t know.
We knew that, Leonard said. Why would you think we wouldn’t know that? and he closed the door.
The scallop Bobolo referred to was a tin seashell pinned to the wide, upfolded brims of their new hats. The clothes, rough woven, consisted of sleeved tunics, mantles, hose, and simple leather shoes in well-worn brown and black — Sally was to wear the same as Leonard, apparently. Accoutrements included a leather pouch for each affixed to a leather strap that was to cross their chest — scrips and baldrics, presumably. Also, plain wooden walking staffs with knobs at one end.
The two turned their backs so they could dress.
Notice anything funny about the way that man talks? Sally asked. No! Don’t turn around!
Well, Leonard said, blushing (because she’d seen that he’d been about to turn), his language was a bit odd.
No, silly. I mean that we understand him. Shouldn’t he be speaking Italian or Latin or something?
It’s Isaac, he said. He translates, in his own way.
Don’t you think it’s time you told me what’s going on?
Sally was right. Asking no questions, she’d traveled to this strange place and time, with no assurance that she’d ever return, and why? To rescue a boy she barely knew. Well, maybe she also wanted to meet Abulafia and get her powers back.
Leonard opened his mouth to explain, or rather, he half opened his mouth, or rather he was about to open his mouth, when the room began to shake and he was flung most urgently to the ground.
Okay, Sally said, her face white. I guess it can wait.
Just like Augustine
What time do you think it is? Leonard asked, after he’d dusted himself off.
Sally looked out the window. Judging from the position of the sun, I’d say midday. Twelve or one. Give or take. Depending on the time of year. And the weather. And our longitude and latitude.
Leonard resolved never to be amazed by Sally again. To be amazed by her amazingness was a betrayal, an indication that he didn’t think her always amazing.
Sally opened their door and listened.
There are people downstairs, Sally said. Let’s see what they know.
Can I kiss you first? Leonard asked.
Intelligence first, kiss later.
Downstairs, milling about, were pilgrims from every corner of the world. Lombards and Cumbrians, Russians too. An old English lady was describing, with much awe, the grill that roasted Saint Lawrence, while a spindly Hungarian described the stone that had hurtled the martyr Abundus to his sewery death. A sprightly Sicilian explained to a phlegmatic Croat that he’d visited the vernicle of Veronica twice, and received eighteen thousand years of indulgence for his sins. Several discussed the horrors of their journey. A redheaded Swabian described a narrow escape from a monster two cubits long — with a carmine cat’s head, the legs of a fish, the bifid tongue of a snake, and a hairy trailing tail! Another described having survived two avalanches, a flooded river, and an outsize case of vertigo.
There was little to distinguish the pilgrims’ dress, but they did wear a variety of badges — the Compostela scallop shell, also tiny keys, a medallion of a woman holding a cloth on which was imprinted the image of a man’s suffering face. Some badges were pinned, some sewn onto hats, others hung about the neck.
Greetings! Leonard said to a Frankish pair. How’s the pilgrimming?
We have been to three of the four patriarchal basilicas! the husband exclaimed. Tonight we go to St. Peter’s!
The wife nodded a gentle Frankish nod.
Do you know Abulafia? Sally said.
The pair shook their heads, puzzled — and why not? Leonard realized. Foreigners, here to see the holy sites of Christendom — what would they know of a Jewish mystic from Spain?
You are from? the Frankish wife asked.
Cathay, Leonard said.
Their eyes opened wide.
Beyond the Levant, Leonard said proudly. We’re Manicheans — and immediately the room hushed. He had no idea what Manicheans were, only that they hailed from Cathay.
You are heretics? the husband whispered.
Ex-Manicheans! Sally said loudly. Like Augustine.
Ah, the man said, relieved. Like Augustine!
Like Augustine! Leonard said, having no notion who Augustine was.
Not heretics! the Frankish woman said.
Not heretics at all, the Frankish man agreed.
So where are the Jews? Sally said.
Again, that strange look.
We wish to convert them, Sally explained, and again their Frankish faces cleared.
No idea, the Frankish man said, and no one seemed to know what to say.
Nice baldrick! Leonard said to the man. Nice scrip! he said to the wife.
The Frankish pair looked to each other for guidance.
Boy, am I ready for victuals! Leonard said.
The Franks smiled — they too!
Hey, look, there’s pottage!
Midday victuals, arranged on a long wooden table surrounded by low benches, consisted of a slimy water-thing (eel, according to Sally) and a sloppy stewy thing, which someone, with apparent approval, referred to as pottage (as in Hey, look, there’s pottage!). Ale was served in glasses that, apparently, were to be shared, and the food was served not on plates but on large pieces of heavy brown bread.
To communicate with the serving wench, the Frankish couple referred to a small book, from which they retrieved useful phrases such as Is this eel quite fresh? And I believe this eel to be not quite fresh. And Perhaps I can parley with the manager?
You got food in your clutchbag? Leonard whispered.
For emergencies, she whispered back. We’re already too conspicuous, thanks to you!
Me! Leonard whispered back. You could have been a bit more discreet!