The Curse of Blackbane - Chapter 14

Road to Amiens

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Chapter 14

It took another day to reach Amiens. As the men rode the sloppy trail, Marshall learned more about Leiras. To say the monk was insane might be an understatement. Leiras provided many bloodthirsty tales of his travels. He claimed journeys through every kingdom within Europe and into the Ottoman Empire. While Marshall remained skeptical of the claims, there was something in the man which Marshall understood. Beneath the genial demeanor of Leiras, the man appeared to carry an iron will.

Marshall heard the man’s views about life and the universe. Some of his beliefs were heretical enough to find the monk bound to a stake with a mob screaming for his burning. Yet the captain agreed with them. Still, Leiras shocked Marshall when he briefed him on his plan. The body parts of saints and martyrs meant everything to the faithful. Leiras intended to use the relics as a path of reclamation. However, Blackbane understood the irony of what the monk envisioned. The entire plan struck him as a self-serving and vainglorious way to remove a curse.

After stopping at a tavern in Amiens, the two men sat at a bench table where they drank beer and filled their bellies with black bread and a thick stew. As they talked and warmed by the effects of the alcohol, Leiras elaborated further about their new partnership.

“God wanted us to find and recover the lost relics of the many saints. And we’ll become rich in the process. I swear to you that wealthy people inside and outside of the Church will pay in gold for such items,” the monk insisted.

“If I’d known that, I’d stole more of them,” Blackbane commented as he enjoyed the warmth of the nearby fire. The beer relaxed him, and he broke into a smile as he recalled his first profitable trip along the Spanish coast.

“I found a wooden case holding relics of some saint. I don’t even remember the name. However, its value in gold and precious stones was the reason I took it back to Tunis. It was a silver box shaped like a casket with the finger bone of some saint. My share of the profit bought several whores for the night.” Marshall raised his clay mug in a toast to his companion.

“And I still had some of the gold coins when I finished with them.”

“For such lust, you pay now,” the monk’s sarcasm remained good-natured. “Nevertheless, I assure you that the macabre body parts inside those trinkets are worth far more to the right person in Europe. The heretics of the south do not know. Otherwise, they’d bring their goods here. However, we’ll soon have enough for you to fill a house with whores.”

“But why would a person wish for such things? As a youth, my preacher explained the wickedness of idolatry. Both Luther and Calvin spoke against relics.” The pirate swirled his mug in thought. “You seem to believe in the power of such things.”

“It is said that they healed many sick when Peter’s shadow passed over them. Who am I to argue against the bible?” Leiras leaned forward. “Remember, there were many things left inside the house of the Pope who controls what we are told.”

The monk leaned back, then glanced around the tavern.

“In my travels, I’ve seen many places and heard many stories. I’ve learned that the fool is obstinate. The first thing to know about fools is the fact that they know all things but their ignorance. I’m called by God when I’ve seen the dead come to me in my dreams. After your travels, can you tell me there is nothing to this shared vision? Then, you can explain why you keep the dagger in your possession when you might have sold it when we arrived in this town?”

Marshall pondered the question and unconsciously touched his neck. He took a deep breath.

“Then I toast your idea,” the pirate stated. “But I remain skeptical. When we meet such people who wish to pay us for relics, then I will decide.”

“That’s fair enough,” Leiras agreed as he lifted his mug. “Let’s find more food and drink for the rest of the trip.”

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