Journey to the North (On Hold)

Journey to the North

Journey to the North

Prologue

The sea breeze blew over the green plains of Lerida and the golden orb shone high in the sky. La Seu Vella Cathedral rested magnificently over the hills with the recently built granite towers and its gigantic and lustrous bronze bell. The marble sculptures of Saint Peter and the Virgin Mary placed at each side of the church's red iron door watched over the region, guarding the inhabitants of Barcelona from terrible evils that might come without invitation.

The metallic chant of the bell announced that it was three after noon, the time to return home after a hard day of work. Anibal mounted his horse and departed waving goodbye to his students who dismissed him with a polite reverence, the way philosophers should be treated in those days. Anibal was a scholar, a professor in the Estudi General, the first university established in La Corona de Aragón. He was a Spanish noble for his parents were the Counts of Albi, a province in Toulouse in the Reialme dels Francs.

Anibal de Albis possessed all the wealth and respect a person from his blood lineage deserved and wished for, but nothing made him happier than his precious family and the tranquility and beauty of the place he lived in. It was a little more than an hour ride through the peaceful villages, golden wheat crops, the vineyards, and picturesque markets to get to the part of Lerida his villa rested. At home his family waited for him. His beloved wife Doña Ana Sofía and his little son, Augusto were Anibal's reason for living.

Some friendly travelers greeted him on his way home. "Buenas tardes Don Anibal." And he curtsied in reply. In the distance over the southern plains of Lerida rested Villa de Ana, his home. The comfortable and luxurious white adobe and brick structure stood elegantly surrounded by oaks, olive and citrus trees. The red thatched clay roof contrasted with the yellows and greens of the landscape. The vineyards extended to where the eyes could meet, slightly brushing the skirts of the green hills. Far away the walled city of Barcelona could be seen... and beyond, the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Anibal's black Arabic stallion galloped gracefully over the stony path. Little Augusto came out running to welcome his father. Doña Ana Sofía stood on the balcony glowing a warm and big smile on her face to welcome her husband. The breeze fluttered her dark hair and her green eyes reflected the rays of the sun set. Anibal dismounted his horse and grabbed Augusto in his arms playfully, hugging him tight and kissing him. The lovely father climbed up the granite steps and placed his son on the floor to kiss with tenderness his beloved wife. Finally, he was home!

The night was more quiet than usual. The wind howled as it intertwined its ghostly fingers through the tree branches bringing the aroma of mandarins and lemons to the interior of Villa de Ana. Anibal turned and moved on his bed with uneasiness more than once. Something seemed to be wrong, misplaced in that particular eve. He wasn't able to find sleep again and decided to get up the bed to wash his face. The man stared out of the window in his room. The night sky was filled with stars and the full moon illuminated the plains of southern Lerida. It was a beautiful and peaceful night... to peaceful to be truth. His eyed scanned the darkness of the plains. There was something glistening, moving over the hills, like flickering torches. "What's going on there?" He talked to himself.

There were torches moving here and there floating in the dimness of the valley. A sharp cry was heard in the remoteness of the valley and his heart seemed to stop. The once small blaze became bigger... and bigger. Something was burning over the mounds! The nearby village was on fire! The smoke column quickly rose blurring the starry night and everything appeared dismal. More screams were heard! He thought of waking up his father who was a medic, but when he walked out of his bedroom, the horns sounded in the distance blowing a terrifying noise. 'Could it be? No! It couldn't be the Lerida guards sounding the attack alarm! It must be the fire call.' Anibal was shaking and he felt a cold blow in his stomach.

Then, the bell in La Seu Vella chimed... One, two... three times! The screams of women and children echoed on the craggy hills of the valley. His heart hammered even faster in his chest. Goose bumps rose all over his skin and fear overpowered his whole existence. He ran back to his bedroom to wake up his wife. "¡Despierta Ana! ¡Despierta! Wake up my love! We need to go! Lerida is under attack!"