The Codex Lacrimae: The Book of Tears

Chapter 5: The Sympathies of Brother Nicholas

"So, your father was at Mecina?" Brother Nicholas asked thoughtfully as he and Jacob descended the stairs again on their way to the pilgrim cells.

"Yes," the boy said, "or, at least, we haven't heard from him since that battle."

"You must hate the Hooded Hospitaller," the monk guessed as they walked into the corridor. Ahead of them, a group of knights bearing Ríg's stretcher turned the corner.

"It's pointless to hate," Jacob said, uncomfortable with the conversation.He wished he hadn't revealed so much to Brother Nicholas in such a short time, but the physician had a way of asking questions that made the boy feel important. "Besides, Santini got his just reward when Saladin cut his head off."

"Indeed, indeed," Nicholas said, "but, I must say, Jacob, I find that the longer I'm in the Levant, the more confusing and distorted some stories get. For instance, I told you that I've spent many years in Antioch, and there are many tales about that city from the First Crusade that ... well, let me just say that I'm not certain if they could live up to their reputation if someone were to learn the truth."

"What are you saying?" Jacob asked as they followed the stretcher to another corridor that began the line of single-roomed cells. "That some of the stories aren't true? Antioch's one of the main counties in the Latin Kingdom, so the crusaders obviously made the conquest. You might as well say that the Battle of Mecina never happened."

"No, I'd never say that, but I do think that the myths which were told afterward about such battles can tend toward exaggeration. I mean, really. In the case of Antioch, do you truly believe that ‛hosts of angels' accompanied the besieged crusaders when they turned the tables on the Saracens? Or that story about the crusaders finding the Lance of Christ?I tell you, my boy, if I had a bezant for every Holy Lance, or Splinter of the True Cross that's been found in these lands, I could buy a palace in Constantinople."

"So," Jacob asked, quickly making the connection, "you're saying that Santini might not have been killed at Mecina?"

Brother Nicholas pursed his lips and shook his head. "I don't know enough about the story, but, like the army of angels at Antioch, I do think that it's well worth giving some critical thought to any story you hear around here." He looked thoughtfully at the boy."What would you do if you found that the man responsible for that massacre were still alive? That he might even be within these very walls as we speak?"

The knights eased Ríg onto the bed, and the unconscious youth's groan interrupted the conversation. The lead squire's head turned this way and that, seeking someone in charge.

"I'm here," Brother Nicholas said, "let me take a look at the lad."

The group of squires moved away, persuaded by the natural authority of the physician.

Nicholas gently moved aside Ríg's tunic and trouser, looking for wounds, but also disarming him. He ordered Jacob to unbuckle the teenager's belt, then to remove the scabbarded sword, the trident main gauche, and a small hatchet gripped tightly in the gigantic youth's right hand.

Jacob did as he was told, placing the weapons and tool on a bench.He returned for more directions just as Nicholas was completing his examination.

"There doesn't seem to be any wounds on him except for the cuts on his wrist and back," Nicholas murmured thoughtfully. "There must be some poison in him that's causing this fever."

"How do we help him?" Jacob asked.

"Well," Brother Nicholas said, looking around, "the first thing to do is give him some of that potion I handed you earlier—here, just prop open his lips a bit, and... there. Excellent, lad."