The Order of the Angels

Chapter 4 Welcome to our humble home.

     Brother Bernardo knocked at the door of the office of the senior brother. Through the door, the Doctor and brother Bernardo heard entrare. Brother Bernardo entered the office followed by the Doctor. Bother Bernardo bowed slightly and said Mi scusi, brother but we have a guest. This is Brother Luke, he is here for the Michaelmas observance.  Brother Alonzo looked up from the ledger he was working on.  He was a thin man with very short silver-grey hair and a thin long face. He had a neatly trimmed goatee that made him look distinguished. He placed the quill he'd been writing with on the desk and closed the inkpot. Brother Alonzo stood and said, "Welcome brother Luke to Carrara." You are interested in our angels?" 

     "Indeed, brother Alonzo, the shepherd looks for ways to protect his flock.  A witnessed tale of a physical miracle to share with the people to bolster their belief while being honored to witness the manifestation of God's divinity with the presence of angels would truly be an honor." 

     Brother Alonzo smiled, "Of course, and you would like to see for yourself God's miracle?"

     "The fire of conviction burns brightest when one has witnessed an actual miracle, Brother Alonzo." the Doctor stated. "A conviction that can then be translated by the shepherd to the flock.  I will then continue my pilgrimage to the seven churches of Rome." The Doctor stated. 

     "You are a wise man, Brother Luke. You are welcome in our humble home. Brother Bernardo will be your guide. You can work with him in the kitchen for the rest of the day, and then he will show you to your quarters while you are our guest." Brother Alonzo said. The Doctor was grateful brother Alonzo did not say he was to administer confessions to earn his bread. 

     "Where did you set out from?  Brother Alonzo asked.

     "The Cathedral of Canterbury is where I started my journey."  The Doctor said.

     "I understand the cathedral is very beautiful." Brother Alonzo stated. 

     "Indeed, brother Alonzo,  A true monument to God's majesty." The Doctor said. 

     "Did you come by land or sea? Brother Alonzo asked. 

     I started on a boat and traveled for a while on land, after seeing the cathedral in Paris, I traveled by boat with some wool merchants who were kind enough to give me passage as they returned to Italy. 

     You are our guest brother Luke, enjoy your stay until you continue your pilgrimage to the Holy city.  Will you please excuse me, brothers, my bookwork here is done but the harvest is ongoing and my labor is needed in the vineyards."

     Brother Bernardo made a sweeping gesture, indicating the Doctor should lead the way and the two men left the room. The Doctor spent the rest of the afternoon preparing Ribollita soup with brother Bernardo who asked him what kind of fare was eaten in England. The Doctor remembered that many foods that were considered stereotypical in the twentieth century and beyond were not available in Europe until after Cristopher Columbus's voyage to the "New World" in 1492. " No tomatoes in Italy, no potatoes in northern Europe, no corn, no pumpkin or squash, no cocoa, and thankfully no tobacco. Unfortunately, no potatoes meant the Doctor could not say fish and chips, no matter how badly he wanted to. 

     The Doctor replied, "Where should I begin?" The Doctor explained vegetables, bread, and cheese.  Swine was the most common meat as pigs were capable of finding their own food in summer and winter and would eat nearly any kind of food scraps. They would even eat acorns and so they could be raised near woods and eat for free.  the Doctor also mentioned meat pies. Meat is seasoned and served with mustard. The Doctor paused for a minute as if he were trying to remember something, and said, "We also eat mutton, lots of mutton."

     Brother Bernardo asked the Doctor, "Have you ever tasted colatura di alici?"  

     The Doctor looked puzzled and asked, "anchovy drippings?"

     "It is a fish sauce, anchovies sauce to be precise. It is like the fish sauce used during the Roman empire. Very strong, but in the right amount, it makes a meal, fantastico." Brother Bernardo took a wooden spoon and told the Doctor to taste the soup from the cauldron, which he did. Brother Bernardo took a small ceramic bottle off a shelf unstoppered it and put a spoonful into the cauldron.  Brother Bernardo tasted the soup after stirring it for a few minutes and said, "Tase it now." 

     The Doctor could taste the difference immediately. The soup was slightly saltier but had a more earthy richness." The Doctor smiled, which made Brother Bernardo smile. The Doctor enjoyed his time with Italians, like many cultures throughout the universe, food is an expression of love.