Читать книгу Theopolda's Quest - Linda Wisely - Страница 17

The next day the group happily rode toward the village. Heath was about five miles away. After asking everyone in town, Theo was directed to a widow whose husband, she was told, had died recently. He had fallen off a high ridge while hunting, hit his head on a rock, and died instantly. The couple's two children had died during the Plague. The townsperson Theo talked to thought the widow might need the income.

Brother Justus and Theo went to the woman's rough hut on the edge of town. When they knocked, a middle aged woman answered the door. She was strongly built, tall, and big boned. It appeared she may have been a beauty in her youth. She still had thick dark hair that was fixed in a braid, wound around her head, and sparkling dark Italian eyes. When she smiled, a couple of teeth missing on one side was the only thing that detracted from her appearance.

"Buona giornata a te (good day to you), Signora Gambini. (They had been told her name was Sophia Gambini) I am Friar Justus from the Monastery of Literary Wisdom. The owner of La Luna Blu Inn is a dear friend of mine. You may have heard of Phidolphulis Sarginy. He is in dire need of someone to help him run the inn." Brother Justus put his hand on Theo's arm. "This is my charge, Theo. We were told that you might be interested in such employment."

The woman backed away from her door, motioning them in. Her house was immaculately clean, as was she.

"I was acquainted with Sarah, his wife, when we were children. I hadn't seen her in a good many years before she died.

"Do you think you might be interested in working there?" Theo asked her eagerly.

"Bene (well)...I've heard that the inn is about to fall down. I don't know if I'm up for all the work that would be needed to fix it up in order for him to reopen it. I have achy joints and a bad back," she said, putting her hand on her back and grimacing.

"My young charges have spent many days helping clean and fix up the inn. It looks great now. If you would just come with us and look it over, he is offering room, board, and two farthing a month for help in the kitchen," Brother Justus beseeched her.

"I could use a job. It's terribly lonely here since my Harry died," Sophia hesitated.

"Please consider it," Theo chimed in.

After a moment, in which she appeared to be considering her choices, she said, "Very well. I can borrow my neighbor's donkey to follow you there."

When they arrived back at the inn, they were proud to see how nice and welcoming it looked. Sagan had even painted a blue moon and fresh letters on the sign and Will had rehung it.

"This place looks like I rememer it twenty years ago," exclaimed Sophia.

Upon hearing them ride into the cobblestone courtyard, Phidolphulis hurriedly opened the heavy wooden door which looked almost new after having been cleaned and the hinges oiled.

"Sophia Gambini, I haven't seen you in years. Where is Harry?"

At this statement, tears came to Sophia's eyes. "He died six months ago in a hunting accident."

"I am so sorry to hear this. Let me help you get down from your donkey. Come in and warm yourself by the fire," Phidolphulis said kindly, as he reached up to help Sophia slide off of the donkey down into his steadying arms.

They talked together for a long time. Brother Justus just sat with them and listened quietly.

It seemed Phidolphulis's problem was solved. Theo fixed a dinner of homemade bread and roast deer. As they all sat around the long wooden table, a great peace settled on the place. Before eating, they joined hands, bowed their heads, and Brother Justus prayed. "Dear Lord, please bless this meal, good friends, and new beginnings. Thank you for your help and love. In Jesus' name, amen."

It was a good evening of camaraderie. As Theo settled into a clean bed in the first room off of the stairs, she was content and looking forward to the next adventure, unaware of the mysterious guest who had just disembarked from a ship at the Isle of the Monastery of Literary Wisdom.

Dressed again in their good clothes the next morning, they each mounted their horses. Farewells had been a little teary on Theo's part. Looking back at Phidolphulis and Sophia waving goodbye and smiling, she smiled to herself, glad for having had this opportunity to help them. As they headed north, Theo asked Brother Justus, "Is this what I can expect during the rest of the trip? Are we on this trip to help people who are in need?"

"We are always going to help where it is needed, as that is the Franciscan way, my dear child. But remember, this is your trip to help you know if your place is at the monastery or in this world doing God's work."

Theo became very quiet as she tried to think of a different life away from the monastery and those she loved. She felt a little nauseous as she realized how her life might change. She frowned and gripped her reigns tightly. She loved her life at the monastery. How could she even think of living away from Will, and Fhi, not to mention Sagan, and Brother Justus?

Will and Sagan had ridden ahead to scout out the road, so they didn't hear this conversation.

"I'm just sayin' that Theo and Brother Justus are in good hands with us as their protectors," Will said in his rash way.

"And I'm just saying, L'orgoglio va prima di una caduta (pride goes before a fall). Yes, we will do our best, but we don't know what is ahead," Sagan told him.

There's still nothing wrong with a little confidence," Will retorted.

I'm glad to hear you are back to your old self after your horrible experience in Naples," Sagan laughed.

Little did they know that their valor and confidence was to be tested many times before this journey would end.