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.” It was an acceptable response and delivered with conviction; the young monk colored and looked away toward the end of the table as if he had not seen it before; he would not look in Rakoczy’s direction.“You have seen these places?” Alcuin asked, waving his hand at the silken map.“With your own eyes?”“Some of the places,” Rakoczy answered truthfully.“It must have been the journey of years,” said Alcuin.“I was gone for some time,” Rakoczy responded.“On the journey home, we traveled quickly.It took slightly more than a year to come from Ch’ang-an to my homeland in the Carpathian Mountains.There was famine in the land, and speed was required.” Famine had been the least of it, but it was something these men would understand, having come through just such a calamity two years ago.“But that was an extraordinary passage, driven by necessity.”“As is much travel,” said Alcuin.“Consider those wretches who come here for sanctuary.They come for dire reasons, and we, in the Name of Christ and Great Karl, take them in.”“I was not so fortunate in my trek,” said Rakoczy.“The Church does not extend much beyond Karlus’ borders,” said Alcuin.“I am not astonished that you found no succor in those wild lands.”Rakoczy kept his thoughts to himself, saying only, “It was a difficult time.”There was a long silence, and then Fratre Roewin said, “As much as you can tell us, we will add to our itineraries and descriptiones of the world, and if it proves incorrect, Great Karl will decide what is to be done.”“I am on my mettle, then,” Rakoczy said with an ironic lilt to his voice.“Karlus requires true service,” said Fratre Roewin.“If you fail to give it, you will face exile, and worse.”“That is acceptable,” said Rakoczy, seeing Alcuin’s slight nod of approval.“This place,” said Fratre Theodo, pointing at a character at the end of the map.“What is it? What can you tell us about it?”“The place is Talas.It is in the far west of the Chinese Empire, in a small valley between great mountains.It is on the northern trade route, which brings fur and amber into China.The river bears that name.A battle was fought there about fifty years ago.” Rakoczy rubbed his clean-shaven chin; he suspected he had been asked about this place because these monks had heard of it.“You don’t know what lies north of it, do you?” asked Fratre Roewin.“Mountains, a large, long, hooked lake, and Turks.” Rakoczy faltered, “Or so I was told by my guides.I didn’t travel there myself.”“Did you trust your guides?” The Fratre who asked was blind in one eye, and scarred from brow to cheek.“Yes.They kept me alive,” said Rakoczy.“Then you were a fortunate man,” said the scarred Fratre.“Fratre Isembard has reason to distrust guides; you must pardon him for questioning you,” said Alcuin, making a gesture to Rakoczy.“You may sit; so may we all.”All but one of the seats were short, plank benches; the X-shaped chair at the head of the table was reserved for Alcuin, who sank onto it while the others jockeyed their way onto the benches, which were each designed for two men.Rakoczy was permitted to occupy a two-man bench alone.Once everyone was in place, Alcuin nodded to Fratre Roewin.“We were told by a merchant from Tana that this map belonged to the Emperor of China himself.” Fratre Roewin could not keep the satisfaction out of his voice.“It is an official map,” Rakoczy agreed.“But all the Emperor’s personal records are done in red, and this is in black.”“Are you saying it is not the Emperor’s?” Alcuin inquired.“I am saying that it isn’t in red ink.” Rakoczy shrugged.“I would suppose it could be a copy of one such map, but it isn’t the map itself.”“An astute response,” said Fratre Theodo in a slightly condescending tone.“It is all I can say,” Rakoczy responded.“Anything else would be speculation.”“You’ve seen the trade road, though,” said Fratre Isembard, satisfying himself on that point.“Yes, I have,” said Rakoczy.“I will be pleased to tell you as much as I can recall of the way.”Alcuin nodded.“It is true that will be most helpful in compiling our descriptiones and itineraries, and for that alone, I am certain that we were well-advised to bring you here.No doubt there will be many other uses to which your knowledge can be put; we will determine them all in time.” He paused as a loud but unmusical bell rang from the Cathedral.“It is the hour for prayer.”The monks rose and formed a line, the oldest at the front, the youngest at the rear; Alcuin blessed himself and the monks and prepared to leave from the collegium, but he paused, looking directly at Rakoczy.“The slaves will have your chests and crates in your chambers.One of them will lead you there.You will not be asked to observe our Hours today, but tomorrow we will expect you to join us in worship.” He inclined his head as a sign of welcome.“There will be a meal served in two hours.”“I believe I will rest this afternoon; I thank you for your graciousness,” said Rakoczy.“And I thank you for your hospitality.”“It is what Our Lord commands us,” said Alcuin.“Those who stop with us are given a haven in His Name.”“I thank you, as His servant, for so carefully fulfilling His bidding,” said Rakoczy, staying with the forms of custom among the Franks.“You honor me with your kindness.”“As you honor us with your presence.” He clapped his hands, and a slave hurried up in response.“Take the Magnatus to his appointed chambers.”The slave lowered his head and averted his eyes as the monks filed out, and the sound of chanting arose, a repetition of prayers on a cycle of five notes.Rakoczy looked at the slave [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]