The Scribe by Antonio Garrido Read Free Book Online

the pages was starting to peel. I don’t know the cause, but when it happens it is vital that the problem is dealt with immediately. I needed an acid that Korne uses, and knowing how distrustful he is, I thought that it would be best to take the codex there, rather than ask him for the acid. At any rate, aside from Theresa, no one at the workshop can read, and one more parchment among the hundreds they have there would not attract anyone’s attention.”
    “I don’t know… that all seems reasonable, but I don’t understand why you are here instead of at the workshop applying that acid. Finish what you have to do and bring the document back to the scriptorium. And for God’s sake, do not call me
Father
! I haven’t worn a habit for years!”
    “As you wish. I will leave as soon as I have tidied the lectern and gathered my blades. However, there was one more thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “The time that I will need to prepare the new ink…”
    “Yes?”
    “If Your Grace will allow it, I would like to be excused from coming to the scriptorium. At home I have all the required tools, and there I could carry out tests in peace and quiet. I also need to find certain ingredients in the forest, so I will have to stay outside the city walls overnight.”
    “In that case, I will tell a soldier to escort you. If you were attacked just this morning inside the shelter of the walls, just imagine what might happen to you on the other side.”
    “I don’t think that will be necessary. I know the area well, and Theresa can accompany me.”
    “Ha!” bellowed Wilfred. “You still look at Theresa with a first-time father’s eyes, but that young woman attracts men as if they were in heat. If bandits get a whiff of her you won’t have time to cross yourselves. You worry about the codex, and I will take care of you. The soldier will be at your house this afternoon.”
    Gorgias decided not to persist. He had planned to spend the next two days looking for the man who had attacked him, but with the soldier at his heels it would be too difficult. Still, he decided to end the conversation to avoid alarming Wilfred any further.
    Gathering his belongings, he changed the subject. “How long do you think the king will take?” asked Gorgias.
    “Charlemagne? I don’t know. A month. Maybe two. The last letter announced that a convoy with supplies was to set off immediately”
    “But the passes are blocked.”
    “Indeed. But sooner or later they will arrive. The pantries will be completely empty before long.”
    Gorgias nodded. Rations were becoming meager, and soon there would be nothing left.
    “Very well. If there is nothing else,” added Wilfred. The count took his reins, tightening the harnesses on the dogs. He crackedhis whip, and the beasts labored to turn the heavy contraption around.
    He was about to leave the scriptorium when a servant burst into the room, screaming as though he had seen the Devil himself:
    “The
factoriae
! For the love of God! Fire is devouring them!”

4
    When Gorgias saw what was left of the workshop, he prayed to God that Theresa wouldn’t be found under the wreckage. The flames had consumed the exterior walls, leading to the collapse of the roof, which in turn only fueled the fire, turning the place into a gigantic pyre.
    Onlookers arrived in throngs to watch the spectacle, while the bolder ones toiled to assist the wounded, rescue anything of use, and smother the embers. After a few moments of confusion, Gorgias recognized Korne, lying on some wooden boards. He looked ragged, his clothes blackened and a wild look in his face.
    Gorgias ran over to him. “Thank God I’ve found you. Have you seen Theresa?”
    The parchment-maker recoiled as though Gorgias had spoken of the Devil. Then he jumped up and lunged for Gorgias’s throat.
    “That dammed daughter of yours! I hope she burns to the last bone!”
    Gorgias threw Korne off just as two neighbors attempted to separate them. The men apologized for