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THEDEVIL
ANDMISSPRYM
BY
PAULOCOELHO
TranslatedbyAmandaHopkinsonandNickCaistor
HarperCollinsPtty/stars7785FulhamPalaceRoadHammersmith
LondonW68JB
TheHarperCollinswebsiteaddressis:www.fireandwater.com
PauloCoelho'swebsiteaddressis:www.paulocoelho.com.br
FirstpublishedinEnglishbyHarperCollinsPwfe/js/ws2001Thiseditionpublished20021357910
8642
PauloCoelho2000
EnglishtranslationAmandaHopkinsonandNickCaistor
PauloCoelhoassertsthemoralrighttobeidentifiedastheauthorofthisworkAcatalogue
recordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibraryISBN0007116055
PrintedandboundinGreatBritainbyOmniaBooksLimited,Glasgow
Allthecharactersinthisbookarefictitious,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingor
dead,ispurelycoincidental.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,or
transmitted,
HailMary,conceivedwithoutsin,prayforuswhoturntoTheeforhelp.Amen.
ALSOBYPAULOCOELHOTheAlchemist
ThePilgrimageTheValkyries
BytheRiverPiedraISatDownandWept
TheFifthMountain
VeronikaDecidestoDie
Andacertainruleraskedhim,saying,'GoodMaster,whatshallIdotoinheriteternallife?'And
Jesussaiduntohim,'Whycallestthoumegood?Noneisgood,saveone,thatisGod.'
Luke18:1819
Author'snote
ThefirststoryaboutdivisioncomesfromancientPersia:thegodoftime,havingcreatedthe
universe,seesharmonyallaroundhim,butfeelsthatthereisstillsomethingveryimportant
missingacompanionwithwhomtoshareallthisbeauty.
Forathousandyears,hepraysforason.Thestorydoesnotsaytowhomheprays,giventhat
heisomnipotent,thesole,supremelordnevertheless,hepraysand,finally,hebecomes
pregnant.
Whenherealiseshehasachievedhisheart'sdesire,thegodoftimeisfilledwithremorse,
suddenlyconsciousofhowfragilethebalanceofthingsis.Butitistoolateandthechildis
alreadyonitsway.Allheachievesbyhislamentationsistocausethesonheiscarryinginhis
bellytodivideintotwo.
ThelegendrecountsthatjustasGood(Ormuzd)isbornoutofthegodoftime'sprayers,so
Evil(Ahriman)isbornoutofhisremorsetwinbrothers.
However,EvilbeingveryintelligentandresourcefulmanagestopushOrmuzdasideatthe
momentoftheirbirth,andthusisthefirsttoseethelightofthestars.
Distraught,thegodoftimeresolvestoforgealliancesonOrmuzd'sbehalf:hebringsintobeing
thehumanracesothattheycanfightalongsideOrmuzdandstopAhrimantakingcontrolof
everything.
InthePersianlegend,thehumanraceisborntobetheallyofGood,and,accordingtotradition,
Goodwilltriumphintheend.However,manycenturieslater,anotherstoryaboutdivision
emerges,thistimepresentingtheoppositeview:manastheinstrumentofEvil.
IimaginethatmostpeoplewillknowwhichstoryImean.AmanandawomanareintheGarden
ofEden,enjoyingeveryimaginabledelight.Butonethingisforbidden:thecouplecanneverknow
themeaningofGoodandEvil.TheLordGodsays(Genesis2:17:'Butofthetreeofthe
knowledgeofGoodandEvil,thoushaltnoteatofit...'.
Andonefinedaytheserpentappears,swearingthatthisknowledgeismoreimportantthan
paradiseitselfandthattheyshouldpossessthatknowledge.Thewomanrefuses,sayingthat
Godhasthreatenedherwithdeath,buttheserpentassuresherthatnothingofthekindwill
happenbutquitethecontrary,foronthedaywhentheylearnwhatparadiseisdestroyed,andthe
pairaredrivenoutofparadiseandcursed.Yetthereremainsomeenigmaticwordsspokenby
Godandwhichconfirmwhattheserpentsaid:'Behold,themanisbecomeasoneofus,toknow
GoodandEvil...'.Here,too(aswiththegodoftimewhopraysforsomethingeventhoughhe
himselfisthelordoftheuniverse),theBiblefailstoexplaintowhomtheoneGodisspeaking,
andassumingheisuniquewhyheshouldusetheexpression'oweofUS'.
Whatevertheanswer,itisclearthatfromitsveryinceptionthehumanracehasbeen
condemnedtoexistwithintheeternaldivision,alwaysmovingbetweenthosetwoopposing
poles.Sohereweare,afflictedbythesamedoubtsasourancestors.Theaimofthisbookisto
tacklethistheme,occasionallyinterpolatingintotheplototherlegendsonthesubjectdrawnfrom
thefourcornersoftheearth.
TheDevilandMissPrymconcludesthetrilogyAndontheSeventhDay.Thefirsttwobooks
were:BytheRiverPiedraISatDownandWept(1994)
andVeronikaDecidestoDie(1998).Eachofthethreebooksisconcernedwithaweekinthelife
ofordinarypeople,allofwhofindthemselvessuddenlyconfrontedbylove,deathandpower.I
havealwaysbelievedthatinthelivesofindividuals,justasinsocietyatsuchamoment,thereis
nopointinpretendingthatnothinghashappenedorinsayingthatwearenotyetready.
Thechallengewillnotwait.Lifedoesnotlookback.Aweekismorethanenoughtimeforusto
decidewhetherornottoacceptourdestiny.
BuenosAires,August2000
Foralmostfifteenyears,oldBertahadspenteverydaysittingoutsideherfrontdoor.Thepeople
ofViscosknewthatthiswasnormalbehaviouramongstoldpeople:theysitdreamingofthepast
andoftheiryouththeylookoutataworldinwhichtheynolongerplayapartandtrytofind
somethingtotalktotheneighboursabout.
Berta,however,hadareasonforbeingthere.Andthatmorningherwaitingcametoanend
whenshesawthestrangerclimbingthesteephilluptothevillage,headingforitsonehotel.He
didnotlookasshehadsooftenimaginedhewould:hisclotheswereshabby,heworehishair
unfashionablylong,hewasunshaven.
AndhewasaccompaniedbytheDevil.
'Myhusband'sright,'shesaidtoherself.'IfIhadn'tbeenhere,noonewouldhavenoticed.'
Shewashopelessattellingpeople'sagesandputtheman'ssomewherebetweenfortyandfifty.
'Ayoungster,'shethought,usingascaleofvaluesthatonlyoldpeopleunderstand.She
wonderedhowlonehewouldbestaying.Butjuststayonenightbeforemovingontoafateabout
whichsheknewnothingandcaredevenless.
Evenso,alltheyearsshehadspentsittingbyherfrontdoorwaitingforhisarrivalhadnotbeen
invain,becausetheyhadtaughtherthebeautyofthemountains,somethingshehadnever
reallynoticedbefore,simplybecauseshehadbeenborninthatplaceandhadalwaystendedto
takethelandscapeforgranted.
Asexpected,thestrangerwentintothehotel.Bertawonderedifsheshouldgoandwarnthe
priestaboutthisundesirablevisitor,butsheknewhewouldn'tlistentoher,dismissingthematter
asthekindofthingoldpeopleliketoworryabout.
Sonowshejusthadtowaitandseewhathappened.Itdoesn'ttakeadevilmuchtimetobring
aboutdestructiontheyarelikestorms,
hurricanesoravalanches,which,inafewshorthours,candestroytreesplantedtwohundred
yearsbefore.Suddenly,BertarealisedthatthemerefactthatEvilhadjustarrivedinViscosdid
notchangeanything:devilscomeandgoallthetimewithoutnecessarilyaffectinganythingby
theirpresence.Theyareconstantlyabroadintheworld,sometimessimplytofindoutwhat's
goingon,atotherstoputsomesoulorothertothetest.Buttheyareficklecreatures,andthere
isnologicintheirchoiceoftarget,beingdrawnmerelybythepleasureofabattleworthanyone
formorethanaday,letalonesomeoneasimportantandbusyasamessengerfromthedark.
Shetriedtoturnhermindtosomethingelse,butshecouldn'tgettheimageofthestrangeroutof
herhead.Thesky,whichhadbeenclearandbrightupuntilthen,suddenlycloudedover.
'That'snormal,italwayshappensatthistimeofyear,'shethought.Itwassimplyacoincidence
andhadnothingtodowiththestranger'sarrival.Then,inthedistance,sheheardaclapof
thunder,followedbyanother
three.Ontheonehand,thissimplymeantthatrainwasonthewayontheother,iftheold
superstitionsofthevillageweretobebelieved,thesoundcouldbeinterpretedasthevoiceofan
angryGod,protestingthatmankindhadgrownindifferenttoHispresence.
'PerhapsIshoulddosomething.Afterall,whatIwaswaitingforhasfinallyhappened.'Shesat
forafewminutes,payingcloseattentiontoeverythinggoingonaroundherthecloudshad
continuedtogatherabovethevillage,butsheheardnoothersounds.AsagoodexCatholic,she
putnostorebytraditionsandsuperstitions,especiallythoseofViscos,whichhadtheirrootsin
theancientCelticcivilisationthatonceexistedintheplace.
'Athunderclapisanentirelynaturalphenomenon.IfGodwantedtotalktoman,hewouldn'tuse
suchroundaboutmethods.'
Thistime,Bertagottoherfeet,pickedupherchairandwentintoher
housebeforetherainstartedbutthistimeshefeltherheartcontractwithanindefinablefear.
'WhatshouldIdo?'
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Againshewishedthatthestrangerwouldsimplyleaveatonceshewastoooldtohelpherselfor
hervillage,farlessassistAlmightyGod,who,ifHeneededanyhelp,wouldsurelyhavechosen
someoneyounger.Thiswasalljustsomeinsanedreamherhusbandclearlyhadnothingbetter
todothantoinventwaysofhelpingherpassthetime.
Butofonethingshewassure,shehadseentheDevil.Inthefleshanddressedasapilgrim.
Thehotelwas,atoneandthesametime,ashopsellinglocalproducts,a
restaurantservingfoodtypicaloftheregion,andabarwherethepeopleofViscoscouldgather
totalkaboutwhattheyalwaystalkedabout:howtheweatherwasdoing,orhowyoungpeople
hadnointerestinthevillage.'Ninemonthsofwinter,threemonthsofhell,'theyusedtosay,
referringtothefactthateachyeartheyhadonlyninetydaystocarryoutalltheworkinthefields,
fertilising,sowing,waiting,thenharvestingthecrops,storingthehayandshearingthesheep.
Everyonewholivedthereknewtheywereclingingtoaworldwhosedayswerenumberedeven
so,itwasnoteasyforthemtoacceptthattheywouldbethelastgenerationofthefarmersand
shepherdswhohadlivedinthosemountainsforcenturies.Soonerorlaterthemachineswould
arrive,thelivestockwouldberearedfarfromthereonspecialfood,thevillageitselfmightwellbe
soldtoabigmultinationalthat
wouldturnitintoaskiresort.
Thatiswhathadhappenedtoothervillagesintheregion,butViscoshadresistedbecauseit
owedadebttothepast.
Thestrangercarefullyreadtheformhewasgiventofillinatthehotel,decidingwhathewas
goingtoput.Fromhisaccent,theywouldknowhe
camefromsomeSouthAmericancountry,andhedecideditshouldbeArgentina,becausehe
reallylikedtheirfootballteam.Inthespaceleftforhisaddress,hewroteColombiaStreet,
knowingthatSouthAmericansareinthehabitofpayinghomagetoeachotherbynaming
importantplacesafterneighbouringcountries.Ashisname,hechosethatofafamousterrorist
fromthepreviouscentury.
Inlessthantwohours,allthe281inhabitantsofViscosknewthatastrangernamedCarloshad
arrivedinthevillage,thathehadbeenborninArgentinaandnowlivedinapleasantstreetin
BuenosAires.Thatistheadvantageofverysmallvillages:withoutmakingtheslightesteffort,
youcanlearnallthereistoknowaboutaperson'slife.Whichwaspreciselywhatthe
newcomerwanted.
Hewentuptohisroomandunpackedhisrucksack:itcontainedafewclothes,ashavingkit,an
extrapairofshoes,vitaminstowardoffcolds,athicknotebooktowritein,andelevenbarsof
gold,eachweighingtwokilos.Wornoutbytension,bytheclimbandbytheweighthehadbeen
carrying,thestrangerfellasleepalmostatonce,thoughnotbeforeplacingachairunder
thedoorhandle,eventhoughheknewhecouldcountoneachandeveryoneofViscos'281
inhabitants.
Thenextmorningheatebreakfast,lefthisdirtyclothesatreceptiontobelaundered,putthegold
barsbackinhisrucksack,andsetoffforthemountaintotheeastofthevillage.Onhisway,he
sawonlyonevillager,anoldwomansittinginfrontofherhouse,whowaslookingathimwith
greatinterest.
Heplungedintotheforest,wherehewaiteduntilhishearinghadbecomeusedtothenoises
madebytheinsectsandbirds,andbythewindrattlingtheleaflessbranchesheknewthatina
placelikethissomeonecouldeasilybeobservinghimwithouthisbeingawareofit,sohestood
thereforalmostanhourwithoutdoinganything.
Whenhefeltsurethatanypossibleobserverwouldhavelostinterestand
movedonwithoutanythingtoreport,hedugaholeclosetoarockyoutcropintheshapeofaY
andhidoneofthebarsthere.Thenheclimbedalittlehigher,spentanotherhourasifinrapt
contemplationofnature,spottedanotherrockyoutcropthistimeintheformofaneagleand
duganotherhole,inwhichheplacedtheremainingtengoldbars.
Thefirstpersonhesawashewalkedbacktothevillagewasayoungwomansittingbesideone
ofthemanytemporaryriversthatformedwhentheicemeltedhighupinthemountains.She
lookedupfromherbook,acknowledgedhispresence,andresumedherreadingdoubtlessher
motherhadtoknow,andsohewentovertoher.
'Hello,'hesaid.'Veryhotforthetimeofyear.'Shenoddedinagreement.Thestrangerwenton:
'I'dlikeyoutocomeandlookatsomething.'
Shepolitelyputdownherbook,heldoutherhand,andintroducedherself.
'Myname'sChantal.Iworkintheeveningsatthebarofthehotelwhereyou'restaying,andIwas
surprisedwhenyoudidn'tcomedowntodinner,becauseahoteldoesn'tmakeitsmoneyjust
fromrentingrooms,youknow,butfromeverythingtheguestsconsume.YouareCarlosfrom
ArgentinaandyouliveinColombiaStreeteveryoneinthevillageknowsthatalready,becausea
manarrivinghereoutsideofthehuntingseasonisalwaysanobjectofcuriosity.Amaninhis
fifties,withgreyinghair,andthelookofsomeonewhomhasbeenaroundabit.
'Andthankyouforyourinvitation,butI'vealreadyseenthelandscapearoundViscosfromevery
possibleandimaginableangleperhapsitwouldbebetterifIshowedyouplacesyouhaven't
seen,butIsupposeyoumustbeverybusy.'
'I'm52,mynameisn'tCarlos,andeverythingIwroteontheformatthehotelisfalse.'
Chantaldidn'tknowwhattosay.Thestrangerwenton:
'It'snotViscosIwanttoshowyou.It'ssomethingyou'veneverseenbefore.'
Withouttrace.Foramomentshewasafraid,butherfearwasquicklyreplacedbyadesirefor
adventure:afterall,thismanwouldn'tdaredoanythingtoherwhenshehadjusttoldhimthat
everyoneinthevillageknewallabouthimevenifnoneofthedetailswereactuallytrue.
'Whoareyou?'sheasked.'Ifwhatyousayistrue,surelyyourealiseIcouldturnyouintothe
policeforpassingyourselfoffwithafalseidentity?'
'Ipromisetoanswerallyourquestions,butfirstyouhavetocomewithme,becauseIreallydo
wanttoshowyousomething.It'saboutfiveminutes'walkfromhere.'
Chantalclosedherbook,tookadeepbreathandofferedupasilentprayer,whileherheartbeat
infearandexcitement.Thenshegotupandfollowedthestranger,convincedthatthiswould
provetobeyetanotherdisappointingencounter,onewhichstartedoutfullofpromiseandturned
intoyetanotherdreamofimpossiblelove.
ThemanwentovertotheYshapedrock,indicatedtherecentlydugearth,andsuggestedshe
uncoverwhatlayburiedthere.
'I'llgetmyhandsdirty,'protestedChantal.'I'llgetmydressdirtytoo.'
Themangrabbedabranch,brokeitandhandedittohertouseasaspade.Shefoundsuch
behaviourdistinctlyodd,butdecidedtodoasheasked.
Shedidasshewastold.Themanledhertothenexthidingplace.Againshebegandigging,and
thistimewasastonishedatthequantityofgoldshesawbeforeher.
'That'sgoldtoo.Andit'salsomine,'saidthestranger.
Chantalwasbeginningtocoverthegoldoveragainwithsoil,whenheaskedhertoleavethe
holeasitwas.Hesatdownononeoftherocks,litacigarette,andstaredatthehorizon.
'Whydidyouwanttoshowmethis?'sheasked.Hedidn'trespond.
'Whoareyouexactly?Andwhatareyoudoinghere?Whydidyoushowmethis,knowingIcould
goandtelleveryonewhat'shiddenhereonthemountain?'
'Somanyquestionsallatonce,'thestrangerreplied,keepinghiseyesfixedonthemountains,as
ifoblivioustoherpresence.'Asfortellingtheothers,that'spreciselywhatIwantyoutodo.'
'Youpromisedmethat,ifIcamewithyou,youwouldansweranyquestionsIaskedyou.'
'Inthefirstplace,youshouldn'tbelieveinpromises.Theworldisfullofthem:promisesofriches,
ofeternalsalvation,ofinfinitelove.Somepeoplethinktheycanpromiseanything,othersaccept
whateverseemstoguaranteebetterdaysahead,as,Isuspect,isyourcase.Thosewhomake
promisestheydon'tkeependuppowerlessandfrustrated,andexactlythesamefateawaits
thosewhobelievethosepromises.'
Heneeded,rather,tousethekindoflanguagetheyoungwomanwouldunderstand.Chantal,
however,hadunderstoodjustabouteverything.Likealloldermen,hewasobsessedwiththe
ideaofsexwithayoungerwoman.Likeallhumanbeings,hethoughtmoneycouldbuywhatever
hewanted.Likeallstrangers,hewassurethatyoungwomenfromremotevillageswerenaive
enoughtoacceptanyproposal,realorimaginary,provideditofferedafaintchanceofescape.
Hewasnotthefirstandwouldnot,alas,bethelasttotryandseduceherinthatvulgarway.
Whatconfusedherwastheamountofgoldhewasoffering:shehadneverimaginedshecould
beworththatmuch,andthethoughtbothpleasedherandfilledherwithasenseofpanic.
'I'mtoooldtobelieveinpromises,'shesaid,tryingtogaintime.'Eventhoughyou'vealways
believedinthemandstilldo?'
'You'rewrong.IknowIliveinparadiseandI'vereadtheBibleandI'mnotgoingtomakethe
samemistakeasEve,whowasn'tcontentedwith
herlot.'
Thiswasnot,ofcourse,true,andshehadalreadybeguntoworrythatthestrangermightlose
interestandleave.Thetruthwasthatshehadspuntheweb,settinguptheirmeetingwithwhich
todreamofapossiblenewloveandaonewayticketoutofthevalleywhereshewasborn.Her
hearthadalreadybeenbrokenmanytimesover,andyetshestillbelievedshewasdestinedto
meetthemanofherlife.Atfirst,shehadletmanychancesslipby,thinkingthattherightperson
hadnotyetarrived,butnowshehadasensethattimewaspassingmorequicklythanshehad
thought,andshewaspreparedtoleaveViscoswiththefirstmanwillingtotakeher,evenifshe
feltnothingforhim.Doubtless,shewouldlearntolovehimlove,too,wasjustaquestionof
time.
'That'spreciselywhatIwanttofindout:arewelivinginparadiseorinhell?'themansaid,
interruptingherthoughts.
Good,hewasfallingintohertrap.
'Inparadise.Butifyoulivesomewhereperfectforalongtime,yougetboredwithitintheend.'
Shehadthrownoutthefirstbait.Shehadsaid,thoughnotinsomanywords:'I'mfree,I'm
available.'Hisnextquestionwouldbe:'Likeyou?'
'Likeyou?'thestrangerasked.
Shehadtobecareful,shemustn'tseemtooeagerorshemightscarehimoff.
'Idon'tknow.SometimesIthinkthatandsometimesIthinkmydestinyistostayhereandthatI
wouldn'tknowhowtolivefarfromViscos.'
Thenextstep:tofeignindifference.
'Right,then,sinceyouwon'ttellmeanythingaboutthegoldyoushowedme,I'lljustthankyoufor
thewalkandreturntomyriverandmybook.'
'Justamoment!'
Thestrangerhadtakenthebait.
'OfcourseI'llexplainaboutthegoldwhyelsewouldIhavebroughtyou
here?'
Sex,money,power,promises.ButChantaldecidedtopretendthatshewasexpectingsome
amazingrevelationmentaketheoddestsatisfactioninfeelingsuperior,withoutknowingthat
mostofthetimetheyarebeingutterlypredictable.
'You'reobviouslyamanwithagreatdealofexperience,someonewhocouldteachmealot.'
Thatwasit.Gentlyslackentheropeandthenlavishalittlelightpraiseonyourpreysoasnotto
frightenhimoff.Thatwasanimportantruletofollow.
'However,youhaveadreadfulhabitofmakinglongspeechesaboutpromisesorabouthowwe
shouldbehave,insteadofreplyingtoasimplequestion.I'dbedelightedtostayifonlyyou'd
answerthequestionsIaskedyouatthestart:whoexactlyareyou?Andwhatareyoudoing
here?'
Thestrangerturnedhisgazefromthemountainsandlookedattheyoungwomaninfrontofhim.
Hehadworkedformanyyearswithallkindsofpeopleandheknewalmostforcertainwhatshe
mustbethinking.Sheprobablythoughthehadshownherthegoldinordertoimpressherwith
hiswealth,justasnowshewastryingtoimpresshimwithheryouthandindifference.'Whoam
I?Well,let'ssayI'mamanwho,forsometimenow,hasbeensearchingforaparticulartruth.I
finallydiscoveredthetheory,butI'veneverputitintopractice.'
'Whatsortoftruth?'
'Aboutthenatureofhumanbeings.Idiscoveredthatconfrontedbytemptation,wewillalways
fall.Giventherightcircumstances,everyhumanbeingonthisearthwouldbewillingtocommit
evil.'
'Ithink...'
'It'snotaquestionofwhatyouorIthink,orofwhatwewanttobelieve,
butoffindingoutifmytheoryiscorrect.YouwanttoknowwhoIam.Well,I'manextremelyrich
andfamousindustrialist,whoheldswayoverthousandsofemployees,wasruthlesswhen
necessaryandkindwhenIhadtobe.
'I'mamanwhohasexperiencedthingsthatmostpeopleneverevendreamof,andwhowent
beyondalltheusuallimitsinhissearchforbothpleasureandknowledge.Amanwhofound
paradisewhenhethoughthewasaprisonertothehellofroutineandfamily,andwhofoundhell
whenhecouldatlastenjoyparadiseandtotalfreedom.That'swhoIam,amanwhohasbeen
bothgoodandevilthroughouthislife,perhapsthepersonmostfittedtoreplytomyownquestion
abouttheessenceofhumanityandthat'swhyI'mhere.Iknowwhatyou'regoingtoasknext.'
Chantalfeltshewaslosingground.Sheneededtoregainitrapidly.
'YouthinkI'mgoingtoask:"Whydidyoushowmethegold?"ButwhatIreallywanttoknowis
whyarichandfamousindustrialistwouldcometoViscosinsearchofananswerhecouldfindin
books,universities,orsimplybyconsultingsomeillustriousphilosopher.'
Thestrangerwaspleasedatthegirl'sintelligence.Good,hehadchosentherightpersonas
ever.
'IcametoViscosbecauseIhadaplan.Alongtimeago,Iwenttoseeaplaybyawritercalled
Diirrenmatt,whomI'msureyouknow...'
Hiscommentwasmerelyintendedtoprovokeher:obviouslyayoungwomanlikeherwould
neverhaveheardofDiirrenmatt,andheknewthatshewouldagaintrytoappearindifferent,asif
sheknewwhohewastalkingabout.
'Goon,'saidChantal,feigningindifference.
'I'mgladtoseeyouknowhiswork,butletmejustremindyouabouttheparticularplayImean.'
Hemeasuredhiswordscarefullysothathisremarkswouldnotsoundtoosarcastic,butwould
alsomakeitclearthatheknewshewaslying.'It'saboutawomanwhomakesherfortuneand
thenreturnstoherhometownwiththesoleintentionofhumiliatinganddestroyingthemanwho
rejectedherinheryouth.Herlife,hermarriageandherfinancialsuccesshaveallbeen
motivatedbythedesiretotakerevengeonherfirstlove.
'SothenIthoughtupmyowngame:Iwouldgotosomeremoteplace,whereeveryonelookedon
lifewithjoy,peaceandcompassion,andIwouldseeifIcouldmakethepeopletherebreakafew
oftheTenCommandments.'
Chantallookedawayandstaredatthemountains.Sheknewthestrangerhadrealisedthatshe
hadneverheardoftheauthorhewastalkingaboutandnowshewasafraidhewould
askheraboutthosetencommandmentsshehadneverbeenveryreligiousandhadnotthe
slightestideawhattheywere.
'Everybodyinthisvillageishonest,startingwithyou,'thestrangerwenton,'Ishowedyouagold
bar,whichwouldgiveyouthenecessaryfinancialindependencetogetoutofhere,totravelthe
world,todowhateveritisyoungwomenfromsmall,outofthewayvillagesdreamofdoing.The
goldisgoingtostaythereyouknowit'smine,butyoucouldstealitifyouwanted.Andthenyou
wouldbebreakingoneofthecommandments:"Thoushaltnotsteal".'
Thegirlturnedtolookatthestranger.
'Asfortheothertengoldbars,'hewenton,'theyareworthenoughtomeanthatnoneofthe
inhabitantsofthisvillagewouldeverneedtoworkagain.Ididn'taskyoutoreburythegoldbars
becauseI'mgoingtomovethemtoaplaceonlyIwillknowabout.Whenyougobacktothe
village,IwantyoutosaythatyousawthemandthatIamwillingtohandthemovertothe
inhabitantsofViscosonconditionthattheydosomethingtheywouldnevereverdreamofdoing.'
'Likewhat,forexample?'
'It'snotanexample,it'ssomethingveryconcrete.Iwantthemtobreakthecommandment"Thou
shaltnotkill".'
'What?'
LikeusonFacebook
Herquestioncameoutlikeayell.
'ExactlywhatIsaid.Iwantthemtocommitamurder.'
Thestrangersawtheyoungwoman'sbodygorigidandrealisedshemightleaveatanymoment
withouthearingtherestofthestory.Heneededtotellherhisplanquickly.
'I'mgivingthemaweek.If,attheendofsevendays,someoneinthevillageisfounddeadit
couldbeauselessidleman,orsomeonewithanincurableillness,oramentaldefectivewho
requiresconstantattention,thevictimdoesn'tmatterthenthemoneywillgototheother
villagers,andIwillconcludethatweareallevil.Ifyoustealtheonegoldbarbutthevillageresists
temptation,orviceversa,Iwillconcludethattherearegoodpeopleandevilpeoplewhichwould
putmeinadifficultpositionbecauseitwouldmeanthatthere'saspiritualstrugglegoingonthat
couldbewonbyeitherside.Don'tyoubelieveinGodandthespiritualworld,inbattlesbetween
devilsandangels?'
Theyoungwomansaidnothing,andthistimeherealisedthathehadmistimedhisquestionand
rantheriskofhersimplyturningonherheelandnotlettinghimfinish.Hehadbettercuttheirony
andgettotheheartofthematter.
'IfIleavethevillagewithmyelevengoldbarsintact,theneverythingIwantedtobelieveinwill
haveprovedtobealie.IwilldiehavingreceivedananswerIwouldrathernothavereceived,
becauseIwouldfindlifemoreacceptableifIwasprovedrightandtheworldisevil.
'Iwouldcontinuetosuffer,butknowingthateveryoneelseissufferingtoowouldmakethepain
morebearable.Butifonlyafewofusarecondemnedtosufferterribletragedies,then
thereissomethingverywrongwithCreation.'
Chantal'seyesfilledwithtears,butshemanagedtofightthemback.'Why
areyoudoingthis?Whydidyouchoosemyvillage?'
'It'snothingtodowithyouorwithyourvillage.I'msimplythinkingofmyselfthestoryofoneman
isthestoryofallmen.Ineedtoknowifwearegoodorevil.Ifwearegood,Godisjustandwill
forgivemeforallIhavedone,fortheharmIwishedonthosewhotriedtodestroyme,forthe
wrongdecisionsItookatkeymoments,forthepropositionIamputtingtoyounowforHewas
theonewhodrovemetowardsthedark.
'Butifwe'reevil,theneverythingispermitted,Inevertookawrongdecision,weareall
condemnedfromthestart,anditdoesn'tmatterwhatwedointhislife,forredemptionlies
beyondeitherhumanthoughtordeed.'
BeforeChantalcouldleave,headded:
'Youmaydecidenottocooperate,inwhichcase,I'lltelleveryonethatIgaveyouthechanceto
helpthem,butyourefused,andthenI'llputmypropositiontothemmyself.Iftheydodecidetokill
someone,youwillprobablybetheirchosenvictim.'
TheinhabitantsofViscossoongrewusedtothestranger'sroutine:Hewokeearly,ateahearty
breakfastandwentoffwalkinginthemountains,despitetherainthathadnotstoppedfalling
sincehisseconddayinthevillageandwhicheventuallyturnedintoanearcontinuous
snowstorm.Heneveratelunchandgenerallyreturnedtohishotelearlyintheafternoon,shut
himselfinhisroomand,soeveryonesupposed,wenttosleep.
Assoonasnightfell,heresumedhiswalks,thistimeintheimmediatesurroundingsofthe
village.Hewasalwaysthefirstintotherestaurant,heorderedthefinestdishesandnevertaken
inbythepricesalwaysorderedthebestwine,whichwasn'tnecessarilythemostexpensive
thenhewouldsmokeacigaretteandgoovertothebar,wherehehadbeguntomakefriends
withtheregulars.
Heenjoyedlisteningtostoriesabouttheregion,abouttheprevious
generationswhohadlivedinViscos(someonetoldhimthatonceithadbeenafarbiggervillage
thanitwastoday,asyoucouldseefromtheruinedhousesatthefarendorthethreesurviving
streets),andaboutthecustomsandsuperstitionsthatwerepartofrurallife,andaboutthenew
techniquesinagricultureandanimalhusbandry.
Whenthetimecameforhimtotalkabouthimself,hetoldvariouscontradictorystories,
sometimessayinghehadbeenasailor,atothersmentioningthemajorarmsindustrieshehad
beeninchargeof,ortalkingofatimewhenhehadabandonedeverythingtospendtimein
amonasteryinsearchofGod.
Whentheyleftthebar,thelocalsarguedoverwhetherornothewastellingthetruth.Themayor
believedthatamancouldbemanydifferentthingsinhislifetime,althoughthepeopleofViscos
alwaysknewtheirfatefromchildhoodonwardsthepriestwasofadifferentopinionand
regardedthenewcomerassomeonelostandconfused,whohadcometheretotryandfind
himself.
Theonlythingtheyallknewforcertainwasthathewasonlygoingtobethereforsevendays
thehotellandladyreportedthatshehadheardhimphoningtheairportinthecapital,confirming
hisdepartureinterestinglyenough,forAfricanotSouthAmerica.Then,afterthephonecall,he
hadpulledoutabundleofnotesfromhispockettosettlethebillforhisroomaswellastopayfor
themealshehadtakenandthosestilltocome,eventhoughsheassuredhimthatshetrusted
him.Whenthestrangerinsisted,thewomansuggestedhepaybycreditcard,asmostofher
guestsusuallydidthatway,hewouldhavecashavailableforanyemergencythatmightarise
duringtheremainderofhistrip.
Shethoughtofaddingthat'inAfricatheymightnotacceptcreditcards',butfeltitwouldhave
beenindelicatetorevealthatshehadlistenedinonhisconversation,ortoimplythatcertain
continentsweremoreadvanced
thanothers.
Thestrangerthankedherforherconcern,butrefusedpolitely.
Onthefollowingthreenights,hepaidagainincashforaroundofdrinksforeveryone.
Viscoshadneverseenanythinglikeit,andtheysoonforgotaboutthecontradictorystories,and
themancametobeviewedasfriendly,generousandopenminded,preparedtotreat
countryfolkasiftheyweretheequalsofmenandwomenfromthebigcities.
Bynow,thesubjectofthediscussionshadchanged.Whenitwasclosingtimeinthebar,some
ofthelatedrinkerstookthemayor'sside,sayingthatthenewcomerwasamanoftheworld,
capableofunderstandingthetruevalueoffriendship,whileothersagreedwiththepriest,withhis
greaterknowledgeofthehumansoul,andsaidthatthestrangerwasalonelymaninsearch
eitherofnewfriendsorofanewvisionoflife.Whateverthetruthofthematter,hewasan
agreeableenoughcharacter,andtheinhabitantsofViscoswereconvincedthattheywouldmiss
himwhenheleftonthefollowingMonday.
Apartfromanythingelse,hewasextremelydiscreet,aqualityeveryonehadnoticedbecauseof
oneparticulardetail:mosttravellers,especiallythosewhoarrivedalone,werealwaysveryquick
totryandstrikeupaconversationwiththebarmaid,ChantalPrym,possiblyinhopesofa
Meetingromanceorwhatever.Thisman,however,onlyspoketoherwhenheordereddrinks
andneveroncetradedseductiveorlecherouslookswiththeyoungwoman.
Chantalfounditvirtuallyimpossibletosleepduringthethreenightsoffollowingthatmeetingby
theriver.Thestormwhichcameandwentshookthemetalblinds,makinga
frighteningnoise.Sheawokerepeatedly,bathedinsweat,eventhoughshealwaysswitched
offtheheatingatnight,duetothehighpriceofelectricity.
Onthefirstnight,shefoundherselfinthepresenceofGod.Betweennightmareswhichshe
wasunabletoremembersheprayedtoGodtohelpher.Itdidnotonceoccurtohertotell
anyonewhatshehadheardandthusbecomethemessengerofsinanddeath.
Atonepoint,itseemedtoherthatGodwasmuchtoofarawaytohearher,andsoshebegan
prayinginsteadtohergrandmother,whohadpassedawaysometimeago,andwhohad
broughtherupafterhermotherdiedinchildbirth.Sheclungwithallherstrengthtothenotionthat
Evilhadalreadytouchedtheirlivesonceandhadgoneawayforever.Despiteallherpersonal
problems,Chantalknewthatshelivedinavillage
ofdecentmenandwomenwhohonouredtheircommitments,peoplewho
walkedwiththeirheadsheldhighandwererespectedthroughouttheregion.Butithadnot
alwaysbeenso.Forovertwocenturies,Viscoshadbeeninhabitedbytheverydregsof
humanity,andeveryonetookthisforgranted,sayingitwastheconsequenceofacurseputon
thevillagebytheCeltswhentheywerevanquishedbytheRomans.
Andsothingsremaineduntilthesilenceandcourageofasinglemansomeonewhobelieved
notincurses,butinblessingsredeemeditspeople.Chantallistenedtotheclatteringmetal
blindsandrememberedthevoiceofhergrandmotherrecountingwhathadhappened.
'Once,manyyearsago,ahermitwholatercametobeknownasSt
Savinlivedinoneofthecaveshereabouts.
Atthetime,Viscoswaslittlemorethanafrontierpost,populatedbybanditsfleeingfromjustice,
bysmugglersandprostitutes,byconfidencetrickstersinsearchofaccomplices,evenby
murderersrestingbetweenmurders.Thewickedestofthemall,anArabcalledAhab,controlled
thewholevillageandthesurroundingarea,imposingextortionatetaxesonthelocalfarmerswho
stillinsistedonmaintainingadignifiedwayoflife.
'Oneday,Savincamedownfromhiscave,arrivedatAhab'shouseandaskedtospendthenight
there.Ahablaughed:"YoudoknowthatI'mamurdererwhohasalreadyslitanumberofthroats,
andthatyourlifeis
worthnothingtome?"
'"Yes,Iknowthat,"Savinreplied,"butI'mtiredoflivinginacaveandI'dliketospendatleastone
nightherewithyou."
'Ahabknewthesaint'sreputation,whichwasasgreatasvvnandthismadehimuneasy,forhe
didnotliketosharehisglorywithsomeonesoweak.Thushewasdeterminedtokillhimthat
verynight,toprovetoeveryonethathewastheonetruemasteroftheplace.'Theychattedfora
while.Ahabwasimpressedbywhattheainthadtosay,buthewasasuspiciousmanwhono
longerbelievedintheexistenceofGood.HeshowedSavinwherehecouldsleepandthen
continuedmenacinglysharpeninghisknife.Afterwatchinghimforafewminutes,Savinclosed
hiseyesandwenttosleep.
'Ahabspentallnightsharpeninghisknife.Nextday,whenSavinawoke,hefoundAhabintearsat
hisside.
Youweren'tafraidofmeandyoudidn'tjudgeme.Forthefirsttimeever,someonespentanight
bymysidetrustingthatIcouldbeagoodman,onereadytoofferhospitalitytothoseinneed.
BecauseyoubelievedIwascapableofbehavingdecently,Idid."
'Fromthatmomenton,Ahababandonedhislifeofcrimeandsetabouttransformingtheregion.
ThatwaswhenViscosceasedbeingmerelyafrontierpost,inhabitedbyoutcasts,andbecame
animportanttradingcentreontheborderbetweentwocountries.'
'Exactly.'
Chantalburstintotears,gratefultohergrandmotherforhavingremindedherofthatstory.Her
peopleweregood,andshecouldtrustthem.Whilesheattemptedtogobacktothem,sheeven
toyedwiththeideaoftellingthemthestranger'sstory,ifonlytoseehisshockedfaceashewas
drivenoutofViscosbyitsinhabitants.
Thenextday,shewassurprisedtoseehimemergefromtherestaurantattherearofthehotel,
goovertothebarcumreceptioncumsouvenirshop
andstandaroundchattingtothepeoplehemetthere,justlikeanyothertourist,pretendingtobe
interestedinutterlypointlessthings,suchastheirmethodsofshearingsheeporof
smokecuringmeat.ThepeopleofViscosalwaysbelievedthateverystrangerwouldbe
fascinatedbytheirnatural,healthywayoflife,andtheywouldrepeatandexpanduponthe
benefitsoflifeawayfrommoderncivilisation,eventhough,deepintheirhearts,everysingleone
ofthemwouldhavelovedtolivefarfromthere,amongcarsthatpollutetheatmosphereandin
neighbourhoodswhereitwastoodangeroustowalk,forthesimplereasonthatbigcitiesholdan
enormousfascinationforcountrypeople.
Yeteverytimeavisitorappeared,theywoulddemonstratebytheirwords
andonlybytheirwordsthejoysoflivinginalostparadise,tryingtopersuadethemselves
whatamiracleitwastohavebeenbornthereandforgettingthat,sofar,notonehotelguesthad
decidedtoleaveitallbehindandcomeandliveinViscos.
Therewasalivelyatmosphereinthebarthatnight,untilthestrangermadeonerather
unfortunatecomment:'Thechildrenherearesowellbehaved.There'snotasqueakoutofthem
inthemornings,notlikeotherplacesI'vevisited.'
TherewasanawkwardsilencefortherewerenochildreninViscossomeoneaskedhimwhat
hethoughtofthelocalfoodhehadjusteaten,andtheconversationresumeditsnormalrhythm,
revolving,asusual,aroundthewondersofcountrysideandtheproblemsoflifeinthebigcity.As
timepassed,Chantalbecameincreasinglynervous,afraidthathemightaskhertotell
everyoneabouttheirmeetingintheforest.Butthestrangerneverevenglancedatherandhe
spoketoheronlyonce,whenheorderedandpaidcashforaroundofdrinksforeveryone
present.
Assoonasthecustomersleftandthestrangerwentuptohisroom,shetookoffherapron,lita
cigarettefromapacketsomeonehadleftbehind
onthetable,andtoldthehotellandladyshewoulddotheclearingupthenextmorning,sinceshe
waswornoutafterasleeplessnight.Thelandladyagreed,andChantalputonhercoatandwent
outintothecoldnightair.Herroomwasonlytwominutes'walkaway,andasshelettherain
pourdown her face, she was thinking thatperhapseverythingthathad
happenedwasjustsomekindofcrazyfantasy,thestranger'smacabrewayofattractingher
attention.
Thensherememberedthegold:shehadseenitwithherowneyes.
Maybeitwasn'tgold.Butshewastootiredtothinkandassoonasshegottoherroomshetook
offherclothesandsnuggleddownunderthecovers.Onthesecondnight,Chantalfoundherself
inthepresenceofGoodandEvil.Shefellintoadeep,dreamlesssleep,onlytowakeupless
thananhourlater.Outside,allwassilencetherewasnowindbangingthemetalblinds,not
eventhesoundsmadebynightcreaturestherewasnothing,absolutelynothingtoindicatethat
shewasstillintheworldoftheliving.Shewenttothewindowandlookedoutatthedeserted
street,whereafinerainwasfalling,themistbarelylitbythefeeblelightofthehotelsign,allof
whichonlymadethevillageseemevenmoresinister.Shewasalltoofamiliarwiththesilenceof
thisremoteplace,whichsignifiednotpeaceandtranquillity,butatotalabsenceofnewthingsto
say.Shelookedatthemountains,whichlayhiddenbylowcloud,butsheknewthatsomewhere
uptherewasburiedagoldbaror,rather,ayellowobject,shapedlikeabrick,thatthestranger
hadleftbehindthere.Hehadshownheritsexactlocation,virtuallybegginghertodigupthebar
andkeepitforherself.
Shewentbacktobed,tossedandturnedforawhile,thengotupagainandwenttothebathroom
wheresheexaminedhernakedbodyinthemirror,spentafewmomentsworryingthatsoonshe
wouldloseherlooks,thenreturnedtobed.Sheregrettednothavingpickedupthepacketof
cigarettesleftbehindonthetable,butsheknewthatitsownerwasboundtocomebackforit,
andshedidnotwanttoincurpeople'smistrust.
ThatwaswhatViscoswaslike:ahalfemptycigarettepackethaditsowner,thebuttonlostoffa
jackethadtobekeptuntilsomeonecameaskingforit,everypennyhadtobehandedover,there
wasneveranyroundingchangebill.Itwasawretchedplace,inwhicheverythingwas
predictable,organisedandreliable.
Realisingthatshewasn'tgoingtobeabletogettosleep,sheagainattemptedtoprayandto
thinkofhergrandmother,herthoughtshadbecomefixedonasinglescene:thehole,the
earthsmearedmetal,thebranchinherhand,asthoughitwerethestaffofapilgrimabouttoset
off.Shedozedandwokeupagainseveraltimes,butthesilenceoutsidecontinued,andthe
samescenekeptendlesslyrepeatingitselfinsideherhead.
Assoonasshenoticedthefirstlightofdawncominginthroughthewindow,shedressedand
wentout.
Althoughshelivedinaplacewherepeoplenormallyrosewiththesun,itwastooearlyevenfor
that.Shewalkeddowntheemptystreet,glancingrepeatedlybehindhertobesurethatthe
strangerwasn'tfollowingherthemistwassothick,however,thatvisibilitywasdowntoafew
yards.Shepausedfromtimetotime,listeningforfootsteps,butallshecouldhearwasherown
heartbeatingwildly.
Sheplungedintotheundergrowth,madefortheYshapedrockwhichhadalwaysmadeher
nervousbecauseitlookedasifitmighttoppleoveratanymomentShepickedupthesame
branchshehadlefttherethedaybefore,dugattheexactspotthestrangerhadindicated,stuck
herhandintotheholeandpulledoutthebrickshapedgoldbar.Shethoughtsheheard
something:asilencereignedintheheartoftheforest,asthoughtherewasastrange
presenceabroad,frighteningtheanimalsand
preventingtheleavesfromstirring.
Shewassurprisedbytheweightofthemetalinherhands.Shewipeditclean,studiedthe
marksonit:twosealsandaseriesofengravednumbers,whichshetriedinvainto
decipher.
Howmuchwoulditbeworth?Shecouldn'ttellwithanydegreeofaccuracy,butasthe
strangerhadsaiditwouldbeenoughforhernottohavetoworryaboutearninganotherpenny
fortherestofherlife.Shewasholdingherdreaminherhands,thethingshehadalwayslonged
for,andwhichamiraclehadsetbeforeher.Herewastheopportunitytofreeherselffromall
thoseidenticaldaysandnightsinViscosandfromtheendlessgoingbackandforthtothehotel
whereshehadworkedsinceshewaseighteen,fromtheyearlyvisitsofallthosefriendswhose
familieshadsentthemawaytostudyandmakesomethingofthemselves,fromalltheabsences
shehadlongsincegrownusedto,fromthemenwhoarrivedpromisinghertheworldandleftthe
nextdaywithoutevenagoodbye,fromallthefarewellsandnonfarewellstowhichshehadlong
becomeaccustomed.Thatmomentthereintheforestwasthemostimportantmomentofher
entirelife.
Lifehadalwaysbeensounfairtoher:shedidn'tknowwhoherfatherwashermotherhaddied
inchildbirth,leavingherwithaterribleburdenofguilttobearhergrandmother,acountrywoman,
hadekedoutalivingasabaker,savingeverypennyshecouldsothathergranddaughtercould
atleastlearntoreadandwrite.
Shehadhadsomanydreams:shethoughtshecouldovercomeallobstacles,findahusband,
getajobinthebigcityovercomebeingdiscoveredbyatalentscoutwhohappenedto
bevisitingthatoutofthewayplaceinthehopeoffindinganewtalent,getacareerinthe
theatre,writeabestseller,havephotographerscallingouttohertoposeforthem,walkalong
life'sredcarpets.
Everydaywasanotherdayspentwaiting.Everynightwasanightwhenshemightmeet
someonewhowouldrecognisehertrueworth.Everymanshetooktoherbedwasthehopeof
leavingViscosthefollowingmorning,neveragaintoseethosethreestreets,thosestonehouses
withtheirslateroofs,thechurchwithitscemeterybesideit,thehotelsellinglocalhandicrafts
thattookmonthstomakeandweresoldforthesamepriceasmassproducedgoods.
OccasionallyitcrossedhermindthattheCelts,theancientinhabitantsofherregion,mighthave
hiddenanamazingcacheoftreasurethere,whichonedayshewouldfind.Ofallherdreams,
thathadbeenthemostabsurd,themostunlikely.
Yethereshewasnowwithagoldbarinherhands,themeasureshehadneverbelievedin,her
definitivefreedom.
Shewasseizedbypanic:theoneluckymomentinherlifecouldvanishthatveryafternoon.
Whatifthestrangerchangedhismind?Whatifhedecidedtogoinsearchofhervillagewhere
hemightfindanotherwomanmorewillingtohelphiminhisplans?Whynotstandup,gobackto
herroom,putherfewpossessionsintoabagandsimplyleave?
Sheimaginedherselfgoingdownthesteephill,tryingtohitcharideoutofthevillagewhilethe
strangersetoutonhismorningwalkandfoundthathisgoldhadbeenstolen.
Shewouldcontinueonherwaytothenearesttownandhewouldgobacktothehoteltocallthe
police.
Chantalwouldthankthedriverwhohadgivenheralift,andthenheadstraightforthebusstation
andbuyatickettosomefarawayplaceatthatmoment,twopolicemenwouldapproachher,
askingherpolitelytoopenhersuitcase.Assoonastheysawitscontents,theirpolitenesswould
vanish:shewasthewomantheywerelookingfor,followingareportfiledonlythreehoursearlier.
Inthepolicestation,Chantalwouldhavetwooptions:totellthetruth,whichnoonewould
believe,ortoexplainthatshehadnoticedthedisturbedsoil,haddecidedtoinvestigateandhad
foundthegold.Once,shehadsharedherbedwithatreasurehunteralsointentonunearthing
somethingleftbytheCelts.Heclaimedthelawofthelandwasclear:hehadtherighttokeep
whateverhefound,althoughanyitemsofhistoricalinteresthadtoberegisteredwiththerelevant
governmentdepartment.Butthegoldbarhadnohistoricalvalueatall,itwasbrandnew,withall
itsstamps,sealsandnumbers.
Thepolicewouldquestiontheman.Hewouldhavenowayofprovingthatshehadenteredhis
roomandstolenhisproperty.Itwouldbehiswordagainsthers,buthemightbemore
influential,havefriendsinhighplaces,anditcouldgohisway.Chantalcould,ofcourse,always
askforthepolicetoexaminethegoldbarthentheywouldseethattheponce"wastellingthe
truth,forthemetalwouldstillbeartracesofearth.
Bynow,thenewswouldhavereachedViscos,anditshabitantsoutofenvyorjealousywould
startspreadingrumoursaboutthegirl,sayingthattherewerenumerousreportsthatsheoften
usedtogotobedwiththehotelguestsperhapstherobberyhadtakenplacewhilethemanwas
asleep.
Itwouldallendbadly:thegoldbarwouldbeconfiscateduntilthecourtshadresolvedthematter,
shewouldgetanotherliftbacktoViscos,whereshewouldbehumiliated,ruined,thetargetof
gossipthatwouldtakemorethanagenerationtodiedown.Lateron,shewoulddiscoverthat
lawsuitsnevergotanywhere,thatlawyerscostmuchmorethanshecouldpossiblyafford,and
shewouldendupabandoningthecase.
Thenetresult:nogoldandnoreputation.
Therewasanotherpossibleversion:thestrangermightbetellingthetruth.IfChantalstolethe
goldandsimplyleft,wouldn'tshebesavingthe
villagefromamuchdeeperdisgrace?
However,evenbeforeleavinghomeandsettingoffforthefountain,shehadknownshewould
beincapableoftakingsuchastep.Why,atpreciselythemomentthatcouldchangeherlife
forever,wasshesoafraid?Afterall,didn'tshesleepwithwhomevershepleasedanddidn'tshe
sometimesingratiateherselfwithvisitorsjusttogetabiggertip?Didn'tshelieoccasionally?
Didn'tsheenvyherformerfriendswhonowonlycamebacktothevillagetovisittheirfamiliesat
NewYear?
Sheclutchedthegoldtoher,gottoherfeet,feelingweakanddesperate,thencroucheddown
again,replaceditintheholeandcovereditwithearth.Shecouldn'tgothroughwithitthis
inability,however,hadnothingtodowithhonestyordishonesty,butwiththesheerterrorshe
wasfeeling.Shehadjustrealisedthereweretwothingsthatpreventusfromachievingour
dreams:believingthemtobeimpossibleorseeingthosedreamsmadepossiblebysome
suddenturnofthewheeloffortune,whenyouleastexpectedit.Foratthatmoment,allourfears
suddenlysurface:thefearofsettingoffalongaroadheadingwhoknowswhere,thefearofalife
fullofnewchallenges,thefearoflosingforevereverythingthatisfamiliar.
Peoplewanttochangeeverythingand,atthesametime,wantitalltoremainthesame.Chantal
didnotimmediatelyunderstandwhy,butthatwaswhatwashappeningtoher.Perhapsshewas
tooboundtoViscos,tooaccustomedtodefeat,andanychanceofvictorywastooheavya
burdentobear.
Shewasconvincedthatthestrangermustnowbetiredofhersilenceandthatshortlyperhaps
thatveryafternoonhewoulddecidetochoosesomeoneelse.Butshewastoocowardlyto
changeherfate.Theywereinferiorbeings,uptightandtalentlessandtheybelieveittoo.'
Thestranger,however,seemeddeterminedtoshowthathisculturewasworthmorethanallthe
laboursofthemenandwomeninthebar.Hepointedtoaprinthangingonthewall:'Doyou
knowwhatthatis?It'sone
ofthemostfamouspaintingsintheworld:TheLastSupper,paintedby
LeonardodaVinci.'
'Itcan'tbeasfamousasallthat,'saidthehotellandlady.'Itwasverycheap.'
'That'sonlyareproduction:theoriginalisinachurchalong,longwayfromhere.Butthere'sa
storyaboutthispictureyoumightliketohear.'Everyonenodded,thoughonceagainChantalfelt
ashamedtobethere,listeningtoamanshowingoffhispointlessknowledge,justtoprovethat
heknewmorethananyoneelse.'Whenhewascreatingthispicture,LeonardodaVinci
encounteredaseriousproblem:hehadtodepictGoodinthepersonofJesusandEvilinthe
figureofJudas,thefriendwhoresolvestobetrayhimduringthemeal.Hestoppedworkonthe
paintinguntilhecouldfindhisidealmodels.
'Oneday,whenhewaslisteningtoachoir,hesawinoneoftheboystheperfectimageof
Christ.Heinvitedhimtohisstudioandmadesketchesandstudiesofhisface.
'Threeyearswentby.TheLastSupperwasalmostcomplete,butLeonardohadstillnotfound
theperfectmodelforJudas.Thecardinalresponsibleforthechurchstartedtoputpressureon
himtofinishthemural.
'Aftermanydaysspentvainlysearching,theartistcamecrossaprematurelyagedyouth,inrags
andlyingdrunkinagutter.Withsomedifficulty,hepersuadedhisassistants
tobringthefellowdirectlytothechurch,sincetherewasnotimelefttomakepreliminary
sketches.
'Thebeggarwastakenthere,notquiteunderstandingwhatwasgoingon.Hewasproppedupby
Leonardo'sassistants,whileLeonardocopiedthelinesofimpiety,sinandegotismsoclearly
etchedonhisfeatures.
'Whenhehadfinished,thebeggar,whohadsoberedupslightly,openedhiseyesandsawthe
picturebeforehim.Withamixtureofhorrorandsadnesshesaid:
'"I'veseenthatpicturebefore!"'"When?"askedanastonishedLeonardo.
formoreebooks,visitBookBay
'"Threeyearsago,beforeIlosteverythingIhad,atatimewhenIusedtosinginachoirandmy
lifewasfullofdreams.TheartistaskedmetoposeasthemodelforthefaceofJesus."'
Therewasalongpause.Thestrangerwaslookingatthepriest,whowasdrinkinghisbeer,but
Chantalknewhiswordsweredirectedather.
'Soyousee,GoodandEvilhavethesamefaceitalldependsonwhentheycrossthepathof
eachindividualhumanbeing.'
Hegotup,madehisexcuses,sayinghewastired,andwentuptohisroom.Everyonepaidwhat
theyowedandslowlyleftthebar,castingalastlookatthecheapreproductionofthefamous
painting,askingthemselvesatwhatpointintheirlivestheyhadbeentouchedbyanangelora
devil.Withoutanyonesayingawordtoanyoneelse,eachcametotheconclusionthatthishad
onlyhappenedinViscosbeforeAhabbroughtpeacetotheregionnow,everydaywaslikeevery
otherday,eachthesameasthelast.
Exhausted,functioningalmostlikeanautomaton,Chantalknewshewastheonlypersontothink
differently,forshealonehadfelttheheavy,seductivehandofEvilcaressinghercheek.'Good
andEvilhavethesameface,italldependsonwhentheycrossthepathof
eachindividualhumanbeing.'Beautiful,possiblytruewords,butallshereallyneedednowwas
tosleep,nothingmore.
Sheendedupgivingthewrongchangetooneofthecustomers,somethingwhichalmost
neverhappenedsheapologised,butdidnotfeeloverlyguilty.Shecarriedon,inscrutableand
dignified,untilthepriestandthelocalmayorgenerallythelasttoleavehaddeparted.Thenshe
shutupthetill,gatheredherthingstogether,putonhercheap,heavyjacketandwenthome,just
asshehaddoneforyears.
Onthethirdnight,then,shefoundherselfinthepresenceofEvil.AndEvilcametoherinthe
formofextremetirednessandasoaringfever,leaving
herinahalfconsciousstate,butincapableofsleepwhileoutsideinthedarkness,awolfkept
howling.Sometimesshethoughtshemustbedelirious,foritseemedthewolfhadcomeintoher
roomandwastalkingtoherinalanguageshecouldn'tunderstand.Inabriefmomentof
lucidity,sheattemptedtogetupandgotothechurch,toaskthepriesttocalladoctorbecause
shewasill,veryillbutwhenshetriedtoconvertherintentionsintoactions,herlegsgaveway
beneathher,andshewasconvincedshewouldbeunabletowalk.
Or,ifshedidmanagetowalk,shewouldbeunabletoreachthechurch.Or,ifshedidreachthe
church,shewouldhavetowaitforthepriesttowakeup,getdressedandopen,thedoor,and
meanwhilethecoldwouldcauseherfevertorisesorapidlythatshewoulddropdeadonthe
spot,rightthereoutsidethehousethatsomeconsideredtobesacred.'Atleasttheywouldn't
havefartotakemetothecemetery:I'dbevirtuallyinsideitalready,'shethought.
Chantal'sdeliriumlastedallnight,butshenoticedthatherfeverbegantodiminishasthe
morninglightcamefilteringintoherroom.Asherstrengthreturnedandshewastryingtogetto
sleep,sheheardthefamiliarsoundofacarhornandrealisedthatthebaker'svanhadarrivedin
Viscosandthatitmustbetimeforbreakfast.
Therewasnoonetheretomakehergodownstairstobuybreadshewasindependent,she
couldstayinbedforaslongasshewanted,sincesheonlybeganworkintheevening.But
somethinghadchangedinhersheneededcontactwiththeworld,beforeshewentcompletely
mad.Shewantedtobewiththepeoplesheknewwouldnowbegatheringaroundthelittlegreen
van,exchangingtheircoinsforbread,happybecauseanewdaywasbeginningandtheyhad
worktodoandfoodtoeat.
Shewentacrosstothevan,greetingthemall,andheardremarkslike:
'Youlooktired'or'Isanythingwrong?'.Theywerekindandsupportive,
alwaysreadytohelp,simpleandinnocentintheirgenerosity,whilehersoulwasengagedin
bitterstrugglefordreamsandadventures,fearandpower.Muchasshewouldhavelikedto
sharehersecret,sheknewthatifsherevealedittoasingleoneofthem,therestofthevillage
wouldbesuretoknowitbeforethemorningwasover.Itwasbettertothankthemfortheir
concernandtocarryonaloneuntilherideashadbecomealittleclearer.
'No,it'snothing.TherewasawolfhowlingallnightandIcouldn'tgettosleep.'
'Ididn'thearanywolf,'saidthehotellandlady,whowasalsotherebuyingbread.
'It'sbeenmonthssinceanywolveswereheardinthearea,'confirmedanotherwomanwho
madeconservestobesoldinthehotelshop.'Thehuntersmusthavekilledthemall,whichis
badnewsforusbecausethewolvesarethemainreasonthehunterscomeuphereatall,tosee
whocankillthemostelusiveanimalinthepack.It'saprettypointlessexercise,butthey
loveit.'
'Don'tsayanythinginfrontofthebakerabouttherebeingnomorewolvesintheregion,'
mutteredChantal'sboss.'Ifwordgetsout,noonewillcometoViscosatall.'
'ButIheardawolf.'
Thenitmusthavebeentheroguewolf,'saidthemayor'swife,whodidn'tmuchlikeChantal,but
whowassufficientlyWellbredtohideherfeelings.Thehotellandladygotannoyed.Therewas
noroguewolf.Itwasjustanordinarywolf,anditwasprobablydeadbynowanyway.
Themayor'swife,however,wouldnotgiveupsoeasily.
'Regardlessofwhetherornotitexists,weallknowthattherewerenowolveshowlinglastnight.
Youworkthepoorgirltoohard,upuntilallhoursshe'ssoexhaustedshe'sstartingtoget
hallucinations.'
Chantalleftthepairofthemtotheirargument,pickedupherbreadand
wentonherway.
'Apointlessexercise,'sherepeatedtoherself,recallingthecommentmadebythewomanwho
madetheconserves.Thatwashowtheyviewedlife,asapointlessexercise.Shenearlytold
themaboutthestranger'sproposalthereandthen,justtoseeifthosesmug,narrowminded
peoplewouldbewillingtotakepartinagenuinelypurposefulexercise:tengoldbarsinexchange
forasimplemurder,onethatwouldguaranteethefuturesoftheirchildrenandtheir
grandchildrenandreturnViscostoitsformerglory,withorwithoutwolves.
Butsheheldback.Shedecidedinsteadtotellthestorythatverynight,infrontofeveryone,inthe
bar,sothatnoonecouldclaimnottohaveheardorunderstood.
Perhapstheywouldfallonthestrangerandmarchhimstraighttothepolice,leavingherfreeto
takehergoldbarasarewardforservicesrenderedtothecommunity.Perhapstheysimply
wouldn'tbelieveher,andthestrangerwoulddepartbelievingthattheywereallgood,which
wasn'tthecaseatall.
Theyweresoignorant,sonaive,soresignedtotheirlot.Theyrefusedtobelieveanythingthat
didn'tfitinwithwhattheywereusedtobelieving.TheyalllivedinfearofGod.Theywereall
herselfincludedcowardswhenthemomentcomestochangetheirfate.Butasfarastrue
goodnesswasconcerned,thatdidn'texistnotinthelandofcowardlymen,norintheheavenof
AlmightyGodwhosowssufferingeverywhere,justsothatwecanspendourwholelivesbegging
himtodeliverusfromEvil.
Thetemperaturehaddropped.Chantalhadn'tsleptforthreenights,butonceshewaspreparing
herbreakfast,shefeltmuchbetter.Shewasn'ttheonlycoward,thoughshewaspossiblythe
onlyoneawareofherowncowardice,becausetherestofthemthoughtoflifeasa
'pointlessexercise'andconfusedfearwithgenerosity.
Sherememberedamanwhousedtoworkinachemist'sinanearbyvillageandwhohadbeen
dismissedaftertwentyyears'service.Hehadn'taskedforhisredundancymoneybecauseso
hesaidheconsideredhisemployerstobehisfriendsanddidn'twanttohurtthem,becausehe
knewtheyhadhadtodismisshimbecauseoffinancialdifficulties.Itwasallalie:thereasonthe
mandidnotgotocourtwasbecausehewasacowardhewantedatallcoststobelikedhe
thoughthisemployerswouldthenalwaysthinkofhimasagenerous,friendlysort.Sometime
later,whenhewentbacktothemtoaskforaloan,theyslammedthedoorinhisface,butby
thenitwastoolate,forhehadsignedaletterofresignationandcouldmakenofurtherdemands
ofthem.
Veryclever.Playingthepartofacharitablesoulwasonlyforthosewhowereafraidoftakinga
standinlife.Itisalwaysfareasiertohavefaithinyourowngoodnessthantoconfrontothersand
fightforyourrights.Itisalwayseasiertohearaninsultandnotretaliatethanhavethecourageto
fightbackagainstsomeonestrongerthanyourselfwecanalwayssaywe'renothurtbythe
stonesothersthrowatus,andit'sonlyatnightwhenwe'realoneandourwifeorourhusbandor
ourschoolfriendisasleepthatwecansilentlygrieveoverourowncowardice.
Chantaldrankhercoffeeandhopedthedaywouldpassquickly.Shewoulddestroythevillage,
shewouldbringViscostoitskneesthatverynight.Thevillagewoulddiewithinageneration
anywaybecauseitwasavillagewithoutchildrenyoungpeoplehadtheirchildrenelsewhere,in
placeswherepeoplewenttoparties,worefineclothes,travelledandengagedin'pointless
exercises'.
Theday,however,didnotpassquickly.Onthecontrary,thegreyweatherandthelowcloud
madethehoursdrag.Themountainswereobscuredbymist,andthevillageseemedcutoff
fromtheworld,turnedinonitself,asifitweretheonlyinhabitedplaceonEarth.Fromher
window,Chantalsaw
thestrangerleavethehoteland,asusual,headforthemountains.Shefearedforhergold,but
immediatelycalmedherselfdownhewassuretocomebackbecausehehadpaidinadvance
foraweekinthehotel,andrichmenneverwasteapennyonlypoorpeopledothat.
Shetriedtoread,butcouldn'tconcentrate.ShedecidedtogoforawalkroundViscos,andthe
onlypersonshesawwasBertathewidow,whospentherdayssittingoutsideherhouse,
watchingeverythingthatwenton.
'Itlookslikeit'sfinallygoingtogetcold,'saidBerta.
Chantalaskedherselfwhypeoplewithnothingelsetotalkaboutalwaysthinktheweatherisso
important.Shenoddedheragreement.
Thenshewentonherway,sinceshehadsaidallshehadtosaytoBertainthemanyyearsshe
hadlivedinthatvillage.TherewasatimewhenshehadconsideredBertaaninteresting,
courageouswoman,whohadmanagedtocontinueherlifeevenafterthedeathofherhusband
inoneofthemanyhuntingaccidentsthathappenedeachyear.Shehadsoldsomeofherfew
possessionsandinvestedthemoneytogetherwiththeinsurancemoneyinsecurities,andshe
nowlivedofftheincome.
Overtime,however,thewidowhadceasedtobeofinteresttoher,andhadbecomeinsteadan
exampleofeverythingshefearedshemightbecome:endingherlifesittinginachaironherown
doorstep,allmuffledupinwinter,staringattheonlylandscapeshehadeverknown,watching
overwhatdidn'tneedwatchingover,sincenothingserious,importantorvaluableeverhappened
there.
Shewalkedon,unconcernedatthepossibilityofgettinglostinthemistyforest,becauseshe
kneweverytrack,treeandstonebyheart.Sheimaginedhowexcitingthingswouldbeatnight
andtriedoutvariouswaysofputtingthestranger'sproposalinsomeversionsshesimplytold
themwhatshehadseenandheard,inothersshespunatalethatmightor
mightnotbetrue,imitatingthestyleofthemanwhohadnotlethersleepnowforthreenights.
'Ahighlydangerousman,worsethananyhunterI'veevermet.'
Walkingthroughthewoods,Chantalbegantorealisethatshehaddiscoveredanotherperson
justasdangerousasthestranger:herself.Upuntilfourdaysago,shehadbeenimperceptibly
becomingusedtowhoshewas,towhatshecouldrealisticallyexpectfromlife,tothefactthat
livinginViscoswasn'treallysobadafterall,thewholeareawasswampedwithtouristsinthe
summer,everyoneofwhomreferredtotheplaceasa'paradise'.
Nowthemonsterswereemergingfromtheirtombs,darkeninghernights,makingherfeel
discontented,putupon,abandonedbyGodandbyfate.Worsethanthat,theyforcedherto
acknowledgethebitternessshecarriedaroundinsideherdayandnight,intotheforestandto
work,intothoserareloveaffairsandduringhermanymomentsofsolitude.
'Damntheman.Anddamnmyselftoo,sinceIwastheonewhomadehimcrossmypath.'As
shemadeherwaybacktothevillage,sheregrettedeverysingleminuteofherlifeshecursed
hermotherfordyingsoyoung,hergrandmotherforhavingtaughthertobehonestandkind,the
friendswhohadabandonedherandthefatethatwasstillwithher.
Bertawasstillatherpost.
'You'reinagreathurry,'shesaid.'Whynotsitdownbesidemeandrelaxabit?'
Chantaldidasshesuggested.Shewoulddoanythingtomakethetimepassmorequickly.
'Thevillageseemstobechanging,'Bertasaid.'There'ssomethingdifferentintheair,and
lastnightIheardtheroguewolfhowling.'
Thegirlfeltrelieved.Shedidn'tknowwhetherithadbeentheroguewolfornot,butshehad
definitelyheardawolfhowlingthatnight,andatleastoneotherpersonapartfromherhadheard
ittoo.
'Thisplaceneverchanges,'shereplied.'Onlytheseasonscomeandgo,
andnowit'swinter'sturn.'
'No,it'sbecausethestrangerhascome.'
Chantalcheckedherself.Coulditbethathehadtalkedtosomeoneelseaswell?
'WhathasthearrivalofthestrangergottodowithViscos?'
'Ispendthewholedaylookingatnature.Somepeoplethinkit'sawasteoftime,butitwasthe
onlywayIcouldfindtoacceptthelossofsomeoneIlovedverymuch.Iseetheseasonspass,
seethetreeslosetheirleavesandthengrownewones.Butoccasionallysomethingunexpected
innaturebringsaboutenormouschanges.I'vebeentold,forexample,thatthemountainsall
aroundusaretheresultofanearthquakethathappenedthousandsofyearsago.'
Chantalnoddedshehadlearnedthesamethingatschool.
'Afterthat,nothingiseverthesame.I'mafraidthatispreciselywhatisgoingtohappennow.'
Chantalwastemptedtotellherthestoryofthegold,but,suspectingthattheoldwomanmight
knowsomethingalready,shesaidnothing.
'IkeepthinkingaboutAhab,ourgreatheroandreformer,themanwhowasblessedbyStSavin.'
'WhyAhab?'
'Becausehecouldseethateventhemostinsignificantofactions,howeverwellintentioned,can
destroyeverything.Theysaythatafterhehadbroughtpeacetothevillage,drivenawaythe
remainingoutlawsandmodernisedagricultureandtradeinViscos,heinvitedhisfriendsto
supperandcookedasucculentpieceofmeatforthem.
Suddenlyherealisedtherewasnosalt.
'SoAhabcalledtohisson:"Gotothevillageandbuysomesalt,butpayafairpriceforit:neither
toomuchnortoolittle."
'Hissonwassurprised:"IcanunderstandwhyIshouldn'tpaytoomuchforit,father,butifIcan
bargainthemdown,whynotpayabitless?"
'"Thatwouldbethesensiblethingtodoinabigcity,butinasmallvillagelikeoursitcouldspell
thebeginningoftheend."
'Theboyleftwithoutaskinganyfurtherquestions.However,Ahab'sguests,whohad
overheardtheirconversation,wantedtoknowwhytheyshouldnotbuythesaltmorecheaplyif
theycould.Ahabreplied:
"'Theonlyreasonanyonewouldsellsaltmorecheaplyusuallywouldbebecausehewas
desperateformoney.Anyonewhotookadvantageofthatsituationwouldbeshowingalackof
respectforthesweatandstruggleofthemanwholabouredtoproduceit."
'"Butsuchasmallthingcouldn'tpossiblydestroyavillage."
'"Inthebeginning,therewasonlyasmallamountofinjusticeabroadintheworld,buteveryone
whocameafterwardsaddedtheirportion,alwaysthinkingitwasverysmallandunimportant,
andlookwherewehaveendeduptoday."'
'Likethestranger,forexample,'Chantalsaid,hopingthatBertawouldconfirmthatshetoohad
talkedtohim.ButBertasaidnothing.
'Idon'tknowwhyAhabwassokeentosaveViscos,'
Chantalwenton.'Itstartedoutasadenofthievesandnowit'savillageofcowards.'
Chantalwassuretheoldwomanknewsomething.Sheonlyhadtofindoutwhetheritwasthe
strangerhimselfwhohadtoldher.
'That'strue.ButI'mnotsurethatit'scowardiceexactly.Ithinkeveryoneisafraidofchange.They
wantViscostobeasitalwayswas:aplacewhereyoucantillthesoilandtendyourlivestock,a
placethatwelcomeshuntersandtourists,butwhereeveryoneknowsexactlywhatisgoingto
happenfromonedaytothenext,andwheretheonlyunpredictablethingsarenature'sstorms.
Perhapsit'sawayofachieving'Peace'butIagreewithyouononepoint:theyallthinktheyhave
everythingundercontrol,when,infact,theycontrolnothing.'
'Absolutely,'saidChantal.
'Notonejotoronetittleshallbeaddedtowhatiswritten,'theoldwomansaid,quotingfromthe
Gospels.'Butweliketolivewiththatillusionbecauseitmakesusfeelsafe.
Well,it'sachoicelikeanyother,eventhoughit'sstupidtobelievewecancontroltheworldand
toallowourselvestobelulledintoafalsesenseofsecuritythatleavesustotallyunpreparedfor
lifebecausethen,whenyouleastexpectit,anearthquakethrowsuparangeofmountains,a
boltoflightningkillsatreethatwaspreparingforitssummerrebirth,orahuntingaccidentputs
paidtothelifeofanhonestman.'
Forthehundredthtime,Bertalaunchedintothestoryofherhusband'sdeath.Hehadbeenone
ofthemostrespectedguidesintheregion,amanwhosawhuntingnotasasavagesport,but
asawayofrespectinglocaltraditions.Thankstohim,Viscoshadcreatedaspecialnature
reserve,themayorhaddrawnuplawsprotectingcertainnearextinctspecies,therewasatax
perheadofeachanimalkilled,andthemoneycollectedwasusedforthegoodofthe
community.
Berta'shusbandtriedtoseethesportconsideredcruelbysomeandtraditionalforothersas
awayofteachingthehunterssomethingabouttheartofliving.Wheneversomeonewithalotof
moneybutlittlehuntingexperiencearrivedinViscos,hewouldtakethemouttoapieceofwaste
ground.There,hewouldplaceabeercanontopofastone.
Thenhewouldstandaboutfiftyyardsfromthecanand,withasingleshot,senditflying.'I'mthe
bestshotintheregion,'hewouldsay.'Andnowyou'regoingtolearnhowtobecomeasgoodas
me.'
Hereplacedthecanonthesamestone,walkedbacktowherehehadstoodbefore,tooka
handkerchiefoutofhispocketandaskedthenewcomertoblindfoldhim.Thenheaimedonce
moreinthedirectionofthetargetandfiredagain.
'DidIhitit?'hewouldask,removingtheblindfold.
'Ofcoursenot,'thenewarrivalwouldsay,pleasedtoseetheproudguidehumbled.'Youmissed
itbyamile.Idon'tthinkthere'sanythingyoucan
teachme.'
'I'vejusttaughtyouthemostimportantlessoninlife,'Berta'shusbandwouldreply.
'Wheneveryouwanttoachievesomething,keepyoureyesopen,concentrateandmakesure
youknowexactlywhatitisyouwant.Noonecanhittheirtargetwiththeireyesclosed.'
Then,oneday,whilehewasreplacingthecanonthestoneafterhisfirstshot,thewouldbe
hunterthoughtitmustbehisturntoshowhowgoodhisaimwas.WithoutwaitingforBerta's
husbandtorejoinhim,hefired.Hemissedthetarget,buthittheguideintheneck.Hedidnot
havethechancetolearnthatimportantlessoninconcentrationandobjectivity.
havetogo,'Chantalsaid.'ThereareafewthingsIneedtodobeforeIgotowork.'Bertasaid
goodbyeandwatchedherallthewayuntilshedisappeareddownthealleybesidethechurch.
Theyearsshehadspentsittingoutsideherdoor,lookingupatthemountainsandtheclouds,
andholdingconversationsinhermindwithherdeadhusbandhadtaughtherto'see'people.Her
vocabularywaslimited,soshecouldfindnootherwordtodescribeallthemanysensationsthat
otherpeoplearousedinher,butthatwaswhathappened:she'sawthrough'otherpeople,and
couldtellwhattheirfeelingswere.Ithadallstartedatthefuneralforheronegreatlove.Shewas
weeping,andachildnexttoherthesonofaninhabitantofViscos,whowasnowagrownman
andlivedthousandsofmilesawayaskedherwhyshewassad.
Bertadidnotwanttofrightenthechildbymentioningdeathandfinalfarewells,soallshesaid
wasthatherhusbandhadgoneawayandmightnotcomebacktoViscosforalongtime.
'Ithinkhewashavingyouon,'theboyreplied.'I'vejustseenhimhidingbehindagrave,all
smiles,andwithasoupspooninhishand.'
Theboy'smotherheardwhathesaidandscoldedhimforit.'Childrenare
alwaysseeingthings,'shesaid,apologisingtoBerta.ButBertaimmediatelystopped
cryingandlookedinthedirectionthechildhadindicatedherhusbandhadalwayshadthe
annoyinghabitofwantingtoeathissoupwithaspecialspoon,howevermuchthisirritatedher
becauseallspoonsarethesameandholdthesameamountofsoupyethehadalways
insistedonusinghisspecialspoon.Bertahadnevertoldanyonethis,forfearpeoplewouldthink
himcrazy.
Theboyreallyhadseenherhusbandthespoonwasthesign.Childrencould'see'things.From
thenon,Bertadecidedthatwasproofthatshewasgoingtolearnto'see'aswell,becauseshe
wantedtotalktoherhusband,tohavehimbackifonlyasaghost.
Atfirst,sheshutherselfupathome,rarelygoingout,waitingforhimtoappeartoher.Thenone
day,somethingtoldherthatsheshouldgotothedoorofherhouseandstartpayingattentionto
otherpeople,thatherhusbandwantedhertohavemorejoyinherlife,forhertoparticipatemore
inwhatwasgoingoninthevillage.
Shesetupherchairoutsideherhouseandsatstaringatthemountainstherewerenotmany
peopleoutandaboutinthestreetsofViscos,butontheveryfirstdayofhervigil,aneighbour
returnedfromthenextvillage,sayingthattheyweresellingqualitycutleryverycheaplyatthe
marketthereand,asproof,sheproducedaspoonfromherbag.
Bertarealisedshewouldneverseeherhusbandagain,buthewasaskinghertostaythere,
watchingthevillage,andthatwaswhatshewoulddo.Astimewentby,shebegantoperceivea
presencebesideher,toherleft,andshewascertainthathewastherewithher,keepingher
companyandprotectingherfromanydanger,aswellasteachinghertoseethingsthatothers
couldnot,suchasthepatternsmadebytheclouds,whichalwaysspelledoutmessages.She
wasrathersadthatwhenevershetriedtolookathimfullon,thepresencedisappeared,butthen
sherealisedthatshe
couldtalktohimusingherintuition,andsotheybeganhavinglongconversationsaboutallkinds
ofthings.
Threeyearslater,shewasableto'see'people'sfeelings,aswellasreceivesomeveryuseful
practicaladvicefromherhusband.Thatwaswhysherefusedtobefobbedoffwithless
compensationthanshedeserved,andwhyshewithdrewhermoneyfromthebankjustbeforeit
crashed,takingwithitmanylocalpeople'shardearnedsavings.
Onemorningandshecouldnolongerrememberexactlywhenthishadhappenedher
husbandtoldherthatViscosmightbedestroyed.Bertaimmediatelythoughtofearthquakes
creatingwholenewrangesofmountains,buthereassuredherthatnothingofthatsortwould
happenthere,atleastnotforthenextfewthousandyears.Hewasworriedaboutanothersortof
destruction,eventhoughhehimselfwasnotexactlyclearwhatformitwouldtake.Allthesame,
heaskedhertobeonherguard,becausethiswashisvillage,theplacehelovedmostinthe
wholeworld,evenifhehadleftitrathersoonerthanhewouldhavewished.
Bertabegantopaymoreattentiontopeople,tothepatternsmadebytheclouds,tothehunters
whocameandwent,butnothingappearedtoindicatethatanyonewastryingtodestroya
villagethathadneverharmedanyone.Yetstillherhusbandinsistedthatshekeepwatch,and
shehaddoneasheasked.
Thenthreedaysago,shehadseenthestrangerarrivewithadevilbyhissideandsheknewher
waitwasover.Today,shehadnoticedthatChantalwasaccompaniedbybothadevilandan
angel.Sheimmediatelylinkedthetwoeventsandunderstoodthatsomethingoddwas
happeninginhervillage.Shesmiledtoherself,glancedtoherleftandblewadiscreetwhistle.
Shewasnotauselessoldwomanshehadsomethingimportanttodo:tosavetheplacewhere
shehadbeenborn,eventhoughshehadnoideaas
yetwhatstepssheshouldtake.
Chantallefttheoldwomanimmersedinherthoughts,andwentbacktoherroom.Itwas
whisperedamongtheinhabitantsofViscosthatBertawasawitch.Itwassaidshehadshut
herselfupinherhouseforalmostayearand,duringthattime,hadtaughtherselfthemagicarts.
WhenChantalhadaskedwhocouldhavetaughtthemtoBerta,somesaiditwasthedevil
himselfwhoappearedtoheratnight,whileotherssworethatsheinvokedthespiritofaCeltic
priest,usingwordsherparentshadtaughther.Butnoonewasoverlyconcerned:Bertawas
harmlessandshealwayshadgoodstoriestotell.
Theywereright,althoughtheywerealwaysthesamestories.SuddenlyChantalpausedwithher
handonthedoorknob.EventhoughshehadheardthestoryofhowBerta'shusbandhaddied
manytimesover,itwasonlynowthatsherealisedtherewasanimportantlessoninitforher
too.Sherememberedherrecentwalkintheforestandthepentuphatredshehadfeltinside
her,ahatredthatseemedtoflyoutallaroundher,threateningwhoeverwasnear,beitherself,
thevillage,thepeopleinitortheirchildren.
Butshehadonlyonerealtarget:thestranger.Concentrate,ofandkillyourprey.Todothat,she
neededaplanitcouldbefoolishtospeakoutthatnightandletthesituationrunoutofcontrol.
Shedecidedtoputoffforanotherdaytellingthestoryofhowshehadmetthestranger,if,thatis,
sheeverdidtelltheotherinhabitantsofViscos.
Thatnight,whenshewenttocollectthemoneyfortheroundofdrinksthatthestrangerusually
bought,Chantalnoticedthathehadslippedheranote.Sheputitstraightintoherpocket,
pretendingthatitwasamatterofnoimportance,eventhoughshewasawareofthestranger's
eyesoccasionallyseekinghers,asifsilentlyquestioningher.Therolesseemedtohavebeen
reversed:itwasshewhowasincontrolofthesituation,she
whocouldchoosethebattlefieldandthehourofthefight.Thatwashowallthemostsuccessful
huntersbehaved:theyalwaysarrangedthingssothatthepreywouldcometothem.
Itwasonlywhenshereturnedtoherroom,thistimeconfidentthatshewouldsleepsoundly,that
shelookedatthenote:thestrangerwasaskinghertomeethimintheplacewheretheyhadfirst
met.
Heclosedbysayingthathewouldprefertotalktoheralone,butaddedthat,ifshewanted,they
couldalsospeakwitheveryoneelsepresenttoo.Thethreatdidnotescapeher,butshewas,in
fact,contentedthathehadmadeit.Itwasproofthathewaslosingcontrol,becausetruly
dangerousmenandwomennever
madethreats.Ahab,themanwhobroughtpeacetoViscos,alwaysusedtosay:'Therearetwo
kindsofidiotsthosewhodon'ttakeactionbecausetheyhavereceivedathreatandthosewho
thinktheyaretakingactionbecausetheyhaveissuedathreat.'
Shetorethenoteintoshredsandflusheditdownthetoilet,thenshetookascaldinghotbath,
slippedintobedandsmiled.Shehadgotexactlywhatshewanted:tomeetthestrangeragainfor
aconversationalone.Ifshewantedtofindouthowtodefeathim,sheneededtogettoknowhim
better.
Shefellasleepalmostatonceadeep,refreshing,peasefulsleep.Shehadspentonenightwith
Good,onewithGoodandEvil,andonewithEvil.Notoneofthethreehadproducedanydefinite
result,buttheywereallstillaliveinhersoul,andnowtheywerebeginningtofightamongst
themselvestoseewhowasstrongest.
Thetimethestrangerarmed,Chantalwasdrenchedthestormhadrecommenced.
'Let'snottalkabouttheweather,'shesaid.'Asyoucansee,it'sraining.I
knowaplacewhereit'llbeeasierforustotalk.'
Shegottoherfeetandpickedupalongcanvasbag.'You'vegotashotguninthere,'the
strangersaid.
'Yes.'
'Andyouwanttokillme.'
'Yes,Ido.Idon'tknowifI'llsucceed,butthat'swhatI'dliketodo.Ibroughttheweaponherefor
anotherreason,though:Imightmeettheroguewolfontheway,andifIcouldshoothim,Imight
winsomerespectinViscos.Noonebelievesme,butIheardhimhowlinglastnight.'
'Andwhatisthisroguewolf?'
Atfirstshedoubtedwhethertoshareanythingmorewiththismanwhowasherenemy.Butthen
sherememberedabookonJapanesemartialartsshealwaysreadanybooksleftbehindby
hotelguests,nomatterwhatthebookswereabout,causeshedidn'twanttospendherown
moneybuyingthem.
Therewaswrittenthatthebestwaytoweakenone'senemywastogethimtobelievethatyou
wereonhisside.
Astheytrudgedthroughthewindandtherain,shetoldhimthestory.Twoyearsago,aman
fromViscostheblacksmith,tobeprecisewasoutforawalkwhen,allofasudden,hecame
facetofacewithawolfanditsyoung.Themanwasterrified,buthetoreoffabranchandmade
toattacktheanimal.Normally,thewolfwouldhaverunawaybutasitwaswithitsyoung,it
counterattackedandbitthemanontheleg.Theblacksmith,amanwhosejobrequires
enormousstrength,managedtodealthewolfsuchablowthatitfinallyranbackintotheforest
withitscubsandwasneverseenagainallanyoneknewwasthatithadawhite
markonitsleftear.
'Butwhyisitcalledtheroguewolf?'
'Usuallyeventhefiercestofanimalswillonlyattackinexceptionalcircumstances,inorder,for
example,toprotectitsyoung.However,ifananimaldoesattackandtasteshumanblood,thenit
becomesdangerousitwillalwayswantmoreitwillceasebeingawildanimalandbecomea
killer.Everyonebelievesthatonedaythewolfwillattackagain.'
'That'smystorytoo,'thestrangerthought.
Chantalwaswalkingasfastasshecouldbecauseshewasyoungerandfitterthanhimand
wantedtogainapsychologicaladvantageoverhercompanionbytiringhimoutandhumiliating
him,andyethemanagedtokeepupwithher.Hewasoutofbreath,butheneveronceaskedher
toslowdown.
Theyreachedasmall,wellcamouflaged,greenplastictent,usedbyhuntersasahide.Theysat
inside,rubbingtheirfrozenhandsandblowingonthem.
'Whatdoyouwant?'sheaskedhim.'Whydidyougivemethatnote?'
'I'mgoingtoaskyouariddle:ofallthedaysinourlife,whichistheonethatnevercomes?'
Therewasnoreply.
'Tomorrow,'thestrangersaid.'Butyouseemtobelievethattomorrowwillcomeandkeep
puttingoffwhatIaskedyoutodo.We'regettingtowardstheendoftheweek,andifyoudon'tsay
something,I'llhavetodoitmyself.'
Chantallefttherefuge,stoodasafedistancefromit,undidthecanvasbag,andtookoutthe
shotgun.Thestrangerdidn'tseemtoattachanyimportancetothis.
'Youdugupthegoldagain,'hewenton.'Ifyouhadtowriteabookaboutyourexperiences,how
doyouthinkmostofyourreaderswouldreactgivenallthedifficultiestheyhavetoface,the
injusticesdealttothembylifeandotherpeople,thestruggletheyhaveinordertopayfortheir
children'sschoolingandtoputfoodonthetabledon'tyouthinkthatthosepeoplewouldbe
urgingyoutotakethegoldandrun?'
'Idon'tknow,'shesaid,loadingacartridgeintothegun.'NordoI.Butthat'stheanswerI'm
lookingfor.'
Sheinsertedthesecondcartridge.
'You'rewillingtokillme,despitethatreassuringlittletaleaboutfindinga
wolf.Butthat'sallright,becausethattooprovidesmewithananswertomyquestion:human
beingsareessentiallyevil,evenayoungwomanfromaremotevillageiscapableofcommitting
murderformoney.I'mgoingtoleavebutnowIhavemyanswer,soIcandiehappy.'
'Here,takeit,'shesaid,handinghimthegun.'NooneknowsthatIknowyou.Allthedetailsyou
gaveinthehotelarefalse.Youcanleavewhenyouwantand,asIunderstandit,youcango
anywhereyouwanttointheworld.Youdon'tneedtohaveagoodaim:allyouhavetodoispoint
theshotguninmydirectionandsqueezethetrigger.Eachcartridgeisfulloftinybitsofleadas
soonastheyleavethebarrel,theyspreadoutintoaconeshape.Theycankillbirdsorhuman
beings.Youcanevenlooktheotherwayifyoudon'twanttoseemybodybeingblownapart.'
Themancurledhisfingerroundthetrigger,andChantalwassurprisedtoseethathewas
holdingtheguncorrectly,likeaprofessional.Theystoodlikethatforalongwhile,andshewas
awarethathehadonlytosliporbestartledbyananimalcomingonthemunexpectedlyandhis
fingercouldmoveandthegungooff.Shesuddenlyrealisedhowchildishhergesturehadbeen,
tryingtodefysomeonemerelyforthepleasureofprovokinghim,sayingthathewasincapableof
doingwhathewasaskingotherstodo.
Thestrangerwasstillpointingthegunather,staringatherunblinking,hishandssteady.Itwas
toolatenowmaybedeepdownhethoughtitwouldn'tbesuchabadideatoendthelifeofthis
youngwomanwhohaddaredtochallengehim.Chantalwasonthepointofaskinghimtoforgive
her,butthestrangerloweredthegunbeforeshecouldsayaword.
'Icanalmosttouchyourfear,'hesaid,handingherbackthegun.'Icansmellthesweatpouring
offyou,despitetherain,andeventhoughthewindisshakingthetreetopsandmakinganinfernal
racket,Icanhearyourheartthumpinginyourthroat.'
'I'mgoingtodowhatyouaskedmetodothisevening,'hesaid,pretendingshehadn't
heardthetruthshewasllineher.'Afterall,youcametoViscostolearnaboutyourownnature,to
findoutifyouweregoodorevil.There'sonethingI'vejustshownyou:regardlessofwhatImay
havefeltorstoppedfeelingjustnow,youcouldhavepulledthetrigger,butyoudidn't.Doyou
knowwhy?Becauseyou'reacoward.Youuseotherstoresolveyourownconflicts,butyouare
incapableoftakingcertaindecisions.'
'AGermanphilosopheroncesaid:"EvenGodhasahell:hisloveofmankind".No,I'mnota
coward.I'vepressedmanyworsetriggersthanthisone,or,rather,Ihavemadefarbetterguns
thanthisanddistributedthemaroundtheworld.Ididitallperfectlylegally,gotthetransactions
approvedbythegovernment,theexportlicences,paidallthenecessarytaxes.Imarrieda
womanwholovedme,Ihadtwobeautifuldaughters,Ineverstoleapennyfrommycompany,
andalwayssucceededinrecoveringanymoneyowedtome.
'Unlikeyou,whofeelpersecutedbydestiny,Iwasalwaysamanofaction,someonewho
struggledwiththemanydifficultiesinmyway,wholostsomebattlesandwonothers,butalways
understoodthatvictoriesanddefeatsformpartofeveryone'slifeeveryone,thatis,except
cowards,asyoucallthem,becausetheyneverloseorwin.
'Ireadalot.Iwasaregularchurchgoer.IfearedGodandrespectedHiscommandments.Iwas
ahighlypaiddirectorofahugefirm.SinceIwaspaidcommissiononeverydealwemade,I
earnedmorethanenoughtosupportmywifemydaughters,andevenmygrandchildrenandmy
greatgrandchildrenbecausethearmstradeisthemostprofitablebusinessintheworld.Iknew
thevalueofeveryitemIsoldsoIpersonallycheckedallourtransactionsthatwayIuncovered
severalcasesofcorruptionanddismissedthoseinvolvedandhaltedthesales.Myweapons
weremadetohelpdefendorder,whichistheonlywaytoensureprogressanddevelopmentin
thisworld,orsoIthought.'
ThestrangercameuptoChantalandtookherbytheshouldershewantedhertolookhimin
theeyesandknowthathewastellingthetruth.
'Youmayconsiderarmsmanufacturerstobethelowestofthelow.Perhapsyou'reright,
butthefactisthatmanhasusedweaponseversincehelivedincavesfirsttokillanimals,then
towinpoweroverothers.Theworldhasexistedwithoutagriculture,withoutdomesticated
animals,withoutreligion,withoutmusic,butneverwithoutweapons.'
Hepickedupastonefromtheground.
'Here'sthefirstofthem,generouslydonatedbyMotherNaturetothosewhohadtoconfront
prehistoricanimals.Astonelikethisdoubtlesssavedthelifeofaman,andthatman,after
countlessgenerations,ledtoyouandmebeingborn.Ifhehadn'thadthatstone,themurderous
carnivorewouldhavedevouredhim,andhundredsofmillionsofpeoplewouldnothavebeen
born.'
Thewindwasblowingharder,andtherainwasbatteringbutneitherofthemlookedaway.
'Manypeoplecriticisehunters,butViscoswelcomesthemwithopenarmsbecauseitlivesoff
themsomepeoplehateahullinabullring,butgoandbuythemeatfromthem,jeer'sclaiming
thattheanimalhadan"honourable"death.Alotofpeoplearecriticalofarmsmanufacturers,but
theywillcontinuetoexistuntilthere'snotasingleweaponleftonthefaceoftheearth.Because
aslongasoneweaponremains,therewillalwayshavetobeanother,topreservethefragile
balance.'
'Whathasallthisgottodowithmyvillage?'Chantaldemanded.'Whathasitgottodowith
breakingthecommandments,withmurder,stealing,withtheessenceofhumannature,with
GoodandEvil?'
Atthis,thestranger'seyeschanged,asifoverwhelmedbyadeepsadness.
'RememberwhatItoldyouatthebeginning.Ialwaystriedtodomy
businessaccordingtothelawIconsideredmyselfwhatpeopleusuallyterma"goodman".
ThenoneeveningIreceivedaphonecallinmyoffice:itwasawoman'svoice,softbutdevoidof
emotion.Shesaidherterroristgrouphadkidnappedmywifeanddaughters.Theywanteda
largequantityofwhattheyknewIcouldgivethemweapons.Theytoldmetokeepquietaboutit,
theytoldmethatnothingwouldhappentomyfamilyifIfollowedtheirinstructions.
'Thewomanrangoffsayingthatshewouldcallagaininhalfanhourandtoldmetowaitforher
callinaphoneboxatthetrainstation.Shesaidnottoworrymyfamilywasbeingwelltreated
andwouldbefreedwithinafewhoursbecauseallIhadtodowassendanelectronicmessage
tooneofoursubsidiariesinacertaincountry.Itwasn'tevenrealtheft,morelikeanillegalsale
thatwouldgocompletelyunnoticedinthecompanyIworkedfor.
'SinceIwasagoodcitizen,broughtuptorespectthelawandtofeelprotectedbyit,thefirst
thingIdidwastoringthepolice.Aminutelater,Iwasnolongerthemasterofmyowndecisions,
Iwastransformedintosomeoneincapableofprotectinghisownfamilymyuniversewas
suddenlyfilledwithanonymousvoicesandfranticphonecalls.WhenI
wenttothedesignatedphonebox,anarmyoftechnicianshadalreadyhookedupthe
undergroundtelephonecabletothemostmodernequipmentavailable,sothattheycould
instantaneouslytraceexactlywherethecallwascomingfrom.Therewerehelicoptersreadyto
takeoff,policecarsstrategicallypositionedtoblockthetraffic,trainedmen,armedtotheteeth,
onfullalert.
'Twodifferentgovernments,indistantcontinents,alreadyknewwhatwasgoingonandthey
forbadeanynegotiationsallIhadtodowastofolloworders,repeatwhattheytoldmetosayand
behaveexactlyasinstructedbytheexperts.
'Beforethedaywasout,thehidingplacewheretheywerekeepingthe
hostageshadbeendiscovered,andthekidnapperstwoyoungmenandawoman,all
apparentlyinexperienced,simplydisposableelementsinapowerfulpoliticalorganisationlay
dead,riddledwithbullets.Beforetheydied,however,theyhadtimetoexecutemywifeand
children.IfevenGodhasahell,whichishisloveformankind,thenanymanhashishellwithin
easyreach,andthat'shisloveforhisfamily.'
Thestrangerfellsilenthewasafraidoflosingcontrolofhisvoiceandbetrayinganemotionhe
preferredtokeephidden.Assoonashehadrecovered,hewenton:
'Boththepoliceandthekidnappersusedweaponsmadebymycompany.Nooneknowshow
theterroristscametobeinpossessionofthem,andthat'sofnoimportance:theyhadthem.
Despiteallmyefforts,mystruggletoensurethateverythingwascarriedoutaccordingto
thestrictestregulationsfortheirmanufactureandsale,myfamilyhadbeenkilledbysomething
whichI,atsomepoint,hadsoldperhapsoveramealatanexpensiverestaurant,whileIchatted
abouttheweatherorworldpolitics.'
Anotherpause.Whenhespokeagain,itwasasifhewereanotherperson,asifnothinghewas
sayinghadanythingtodowithhim.
'Iknowtheweaponandtheammunitionusedtokillmyfamilywell.Iknowwhichpartofthebody
theyaimedat:thechest.Thebulletmakesonlyasmallholeonenteringaboutthesizeofyour
littlefinger.Whenithitsthefirstbone,though,itsplitsintofour,andeachofthefragments
continuesinadifferentdirection,brutallydestroyingeverythinginitsPath:kidneys,heart,liver,
lungs.Everytimeitcomesupagainstsomethingsolid,likeavertebra,itchanges
directionagain,usuallycarryingwithitsharpbonefragmentsandbitsoftornmuscle,untilat
lastitfindsawayout.Eachofthefourexitwoundsisalmostasbigasafist,andthebulletstil
hasenoughforcetospatterroundtheroomthebitsof
tissuefleshandbonethatclungtoitduringitsjourneythroughthebody.
'Allofthistakeslessthantwosecondstwosecondstodiemightnotseemverylong,buttime
isn'tmeasuredlikethat.Youunderstand,Ihope.'Chantalnodded.
'Attheendofthatyear,Ileftmyjob.Itravelledtothefourcornersoftheearth,alonewithmy
grief,askingmyselfhowhumanbeingscanbecapableofsuchevil.Ilostthemostprecious
thingamancanhave:myfaithinmyfellowman.IlaughedandIweptatGod'sirony,atthe
absurdwayhehadchosentodemonstratetomethatIwasaninstrumentofGoodandEvil.
'Allmysenseofcompassiongraduallyvanished,andnowmyhearthasentirelyshrivelledupI
don'tcarewhetherIliveordie.Butfirst,forthesakeofmywifeanddaughters,Ineedtograsp
whathappenedinthathidingplace.Icanunderstandhowpeoplecankilloutofhateorlove,but
whydoitfornoparticularreason,simplyoversomebusinesstransaction?
'Thismayseemnaivetoyouafterall,peoplekilleachothereverydayformoneybutthat
doesn'tinterestme,I'monlyconcernedwithmywifeanddaughters.Iwanttoknowwhatwas
goingoninthemindsofthoseterrorists.Iwanttoknowwhether,atanypoint,theymighthave
takenpityonthemandjustletthemleave,becausetheirwarhadnothingtodowithmyfamily.I
wanttoknowif,whenGoodandEvilarewithmyfamilystrugglingagainsteachother,thereisa
fractionofasecondwhenGoodmightprevail.'
'WhyViscos?Whymyvillage?'
'Whytheweaponsfrommyfactory,whentherearesomanyarmamentsfactoriesintheworld,
someofthemwithnogovernmentcontrols?Theanswerissimple:chance.Ineededasmall
placewhereeveryonekneweachotherandeotontogether.Themomenttheylearnedaboutthe
reward,GoodandEvilwouldonceagainbepittedagainsteachother,and
whathadhappenedinthathidingplacewouldhappeninyourvillage.
'Theterroristswerealreadysurroundedanddefeatednevertheless,theykilledmyfamilymerely
inordertocarryoutauseless,emptyritual.YourvillagehaswhatIdidnothave:ithasthe
possibilitytochoose.Theywillbetemptedbythedesireformoneyandperhapsbelievethey
haveamissiontoprotectandsavetheirvillage,butevenso,theystillretaintheabilitytodecide
whetherornottoexecutethehostage.That'sall.Iwanttoseewhetherotherpeoplemighthave
acteddifferentlytothosepoor,bloodthirstyyoungsters.
'AsItoldyouwhenwefirstmet,thestoryofonemanisthestoryofallmen.Ifcompassion
exists,Iwillacceptthatratewasharshwithme,butthatsometimesitcanbegentlewithothers.
Thatwon'tchangethewayIfeelintheslightest,Itwon'tbringmyfamilyback,butatleastitwill
driveawaythedevilthat'salwayswithmeandgivemesomehope.'
'AndwhydoyouwanttoknowwhetherIamcapableofstealingthegold?'
'Forthesamereason.Youmaydividetheworldintotrivialcrimesandseriousones,butitisn't
likethat.Ithinktheterroristsdidthesame.Theythoughttheywerekillingforacause,notjustfor
pleasure,love,hateormoney.Ifyoutookthegoldbar,youwouldhavetojustifythecrimeto
yourselfandtome,andthenIwouldunderstandhowthemurderersjustifiedtothemselvesthe
killingofmylovedones.Asyouhaveseen,Ihavespentalltheseyearstryingtounderstandwhat
happened.Idon'tknowwhetherthiswillbringmepeace,butIcan'tseeanyalternative.'
'IfIdidstealthegold,youwouldneverseemeagain.'
Forthefirsttimeduringthealmostthirtyminutestheyhadbeentalking,thestrangersmiled
faintly.
'Iworkedinthearmsindustry,don'tforget.Andthatincludedworkforthesecretservice.'
Themanaskedhertoleadhimtotheriverhewaslost,anddidnotknowhowtogetback.
Chantaltooktheshotgunshehadborrowedit
fromafriendonthepretextthatshewasverytenseandneededtodoabitofhuntingtotryand
relaxputitbackinitsbag,andthetwoofthemsetoffdownthehill.
Theysaidnothingtoeachotheronthewaydown.Whentheyreachedtheriver,thestrangersaid
goodbye.
'Iunderstandwhyyou'redelaying,butIcan'twaitanylonger.Icanalsounderstandthat,inorder
tostrugglewithyourself,youneededtogettoknowmebetter:nowyoudo.
'Iamamanwhowalkstheearthwithadevilathissideinordertodrivehimawayortoaccept
himonceandforall,Ineedtoknowtheanswerstocertainquestions.'
'AndwhydoyouwanttoknowwhetherIamcapableofstealingthegold?'
'Forthesamereason.Youmaydividetheworldintotrivialcrimesandseriousones,butitisn't
likethat.Ithinktheterroristsdidthesame.Theythoughttheywerekillingforacause,notjustfor
pleasure,love,hateormoney.Ifyoutookthegoldbar,youwouldhavetojustifythecrimeto
yourselfandtome,andthenIwouldunderstandhowthemurderersjustifiedtothemselvesthe
killingofmylovedones.Asyouhaveseen,Ihavespentalltheseyearstryingtounderstandwhat
happened.Idon'tknowwhetherthiswillbringmepeace,butIcan'tseeanyalternative.'
'IfIdidstealthegold,youwouldneverseemeagain.'
Forthefirsttimeduringthealmostthirtyminutestheyhadbeentalking,thestrangersmiled
faintly.
'Iworkedinthearmsindustry,don'tforget.Andthatincludedworkforthesecretservice.'
Themanaskedhertoleadhimtotheriverhewaslost,anddidnotknowhowtogetback.
Chantaltooktheshotgunshehadborroweditfromafriendonthepretextthatshe
wasverytenseandneededtodoabitofhuntingtotryandrelaxputitbackinitsbag,andthe
twoofthemsetoffdownthehill.
Theysaidnothingtoeachotheronthewaydown.Whentheyreachedtheriver,the.stranger
saidgoodbye.
'Iunderstandwhyyou'redelaying,butIcan'twaitanylonger.Icanalsounderstandthat,inorder
tostrugglewithyourself,youneededtogettoknowmebetter:nowyoudo.
Theforkbangedrepeatedlyagainstthewineglass.Everyoneinthebarwhichwaspackedon
thatFridaynight,turnedtowardsthesound:itwasMissPrymcallingforthemtobesilent.
Theeffectwasimmediate:neverinallthehistoryofthevillagehadayoungwomanwhosesole
dutywastoservethecustomersactedinsuchamanner.
'Shehadbetterhavesomethingimportanttosay,'thoughtthehotellandlady.'Ifnot,I'llgetridof
hertonight,despitethepromiseImadetohergrandmothernevertoabandonher.'
'I'dlikeyoualltolisten,'Chantalsaid.'I'mgoingtotellyouastorythateveryonehere,apartfrom
ourvisitor,willknow,'shesaid,pointingtothestranger.'Afterthat,I'lltellyouanotherstorythat
noonehere,apartfromourvisitor,willknow.WhenI'vefinished,itwillbeuptoyoutojudge
whetherornotitwaswrongofmetointerruptyourwellearnedFridayeveningrest,afteran
exhaustingweek'swork.'
'She'stakingaterriblerisk,'thepriestthought.'Shedoesn'tknowanythingwedon'tknow.
Shemaybeapoororphanwithfewpossibilitiesinlife,butit'sgoingtobedifficulttopersuadethe
hotellandladytokeepheronafterthis.'
'Whentheceremonywasover,peoplegatheredtogetherinvariousgroups.Mostofthem
believedthatAhabhadbeendupedbythesaint,thathehadlosthisnerve,andthatheshouldbe
killed.Duringthedaysthatfollowed,manyplansweremadewiththatobjectiveinmind.Butthe
plotterscouldnotavoidthesightofthegallowsinthemiddleofthesquareandtheythought:
Whatisthatdoingthere?Wasiterectedinordertodealwithanyonewhogoesagainstthenew
laws?WhoisonAhab'sside
andwhoisn't?Aretherespiesinourmidst?
'Thegallowslookedatthevillagers,andthevillagerslookedatthegallows.Gradually,the
rebels'initialdefiancegavewaytofeartheyallknewAhab'sreputationandtheyknewhenever
wentbackonadecision.Someofthemleftthevillage,othersdecidedtotrythenewjobsthat
hadbeensuggested,simplybecausetheyhadnowhereelsetogoorbecausetheywere
consciousoftheshadowcastbythatinstrumentofdeathinthemiddleofthesquare.Before
long,Viscoshadbeenpacifiedanditbecamealargetradingcentrenearthefrontier,exporting
thefinestwoolandproducingtopqualitywheat.
'Thegallowsremainedinplacefortenyears.Thewoodwithstoodtheweatherwell,buttherope
occasionallyhadtobereplacedwithanewone.Thegallowswasneverused.Ahabneveronce
mentionedit.Themeresightofthegallowswasenoughtoturncourageintofear,trustinto
suspicion,bravadointowhispersofsubmission.Whentenyearshadpassedandtherule
oflawhadfinallybeenestablishedinViscos,Ahabhadthegallowsdismantledandusedthe
woodtobuildacrossinstead.'Chantalpaused.Thebarwascompletelysilentapartfromthe
soundofthestrangerclapping.
'That'sanexcellentstory,'hesaid.'Ahabreallyunderratehumannature:itisn'tthedesireto
abidebythelawhatemakeseveryonebehaveassocietyrequires,butthefearofpunishment.
Eachoneofuscarriesagallowsinsideus.'
'Today,atthestranger'srequest,Iampullingdownthecrossanderectinganothergallowsinthe
middleofthesquare,'Chantalwenton.
'Carlos,'someonesaid,'hisnameisCarlos,anditwouldbemorepolitetocallhimbyhisname
thantokeepreferringtohimas"thestranger".'
'Idon'tknowhisrealname.Allthedetailshegaveonthehotelformarefalse.He'sneverpaidfor
anythingwithacreditcard.Wehavenoideawherehecamefromorwherehe'sgoingtoeven
thephonecalltothe
airportcouldbealie.'
Theyallturnedtolookattheman,whokepthiseyesfixedonChantal.
'Yet,whenhedidtellyouthetruth,noneofyoubelievedhim.Hereallydidworkforan
armamentsfactory,hereally"ashadallkindsofadventuresandbeenallkindsofdifferent
People,fromlovingfathertoruthlessbusinessman.ButbecauseyoulivehereinViscos,you
cannotcomprehendhowmuchricherandmorecomplexlifecanbe.'
'Thatgirlhadbetterexplainherself,'thoughtthehotellandlady.Andthat'sjustwhatChantaldid:
'Fourdaysago,heshowedmetenlargegoldbars.Theyareworthenoughtoguaranteethe
futureofalltheinhabitantsofViscosforthenextthirtyyears,toprovideformajorimprovements
tothevillage,achildren'splayground,forexample,inthehopethatonedaychildrenwilllivehere
again.Hethenimmediatelyhidthemintheforest,andIdon'tknowwheretheyare.'
Everyoneagainturnedtowardsthestranger,who,thistime,lookedbackatthemandnoddedhis
head.
'ThatgoldwillbelongtoViscosif,inthenextthreedays,someoneinthevillageismurdered.Ifno
onedies,thestrangerwillleave,takinghisgoldwithhim.
'Andthat'sit.I'vesaidallIhadtosay,andI'vereerectedthegallowsinthesquare.Exceptthat
thistime,itisnottheretopreventacrime,butsothataninnocentpersoncanbehanged,so
thatthesacrificeofthatinnocentpersonwillbringprosperitytothevillage.'
Forthethirdtime,allthepeopleinthebarturnedtowardsthestranger.Onceagain,henodded.
'Thegirltellsagoodstory,'hesaid,switchingofftherecorderandputtingitbackinhispocket.
Chantalturnedawayandbeganwashingglassesinthesink.Itwasasiftimehadstoppedin
Viscosnoonesaidaword.Theonlysoundthatcould
beheardwasthatofrunningwater,ofaglassbeingputdownonamarblesurface,ofthedistant
windshakingthebranchesofleaflesstrees.
Themayorbrokethesilence:'Let'scallthepolice.'
'Goahead,'thestrangersaid.'I'vegotarecordinghere,andmyonlycommentwas:"Thegirl
tellsagoodstory."'
'Please,gouptoyourroom,packyourthings,andleavehereatonce,'saidthehotellandlady.
'I'vepaidforaweekandI'mgoingtostayaweek.Evenifyouhavetocallthepolice.''Hasit
occurredtoyouthatyoumightbethepersontobemurdered?'
'Ofcourse.Anditreallydoesn'tmattertome.Butifyoudidmurderme,thenyouwouldhave
committedthecrime,butyouwouldneverreceivethepromisedreward.'
Onebyone,theregularsinthebarfiledout,theyoungeronesfirstandtheolderpeoplelast.
SoononlyChantalandthestrangerwereleft.
Shepickedupherbag,putonhercoat,wenttothedoorandthenturnedtohim.
'You'reamanwhohassufferedandwantsrevenge,'shesaid.'Yourheartisdead,yoursoulisin
darkness.Thedevilbyyoursideissmilingbecauseyouareplayingthegameheinvented.'
'ThankyoufordoingasIasked.Andfortellingmethetrueandveryinterestingstoryofthe
gallows.'
'Intheforest,youtoldmethatyouwantedanswerstoCertainquestions,butfromthewayyou
haveconstructedyourplan,onlyEvilwillberewardedifnooneismurdered.
Goodwillearnnothingbutpraise.Andasyouknow,praisecannotfeedhungrymouthsorhelpto
restoredyingvillagesYou'renottryingtofindtheanswertoaquestion,you'resimplytryingto
confirmsomethingyoudesperatelywanttobelieve:thateveryoneisevil.'
Achangecameoverthestranger'sface,andChantalnoticedit.
'Ifthewholeworldisevil,thenthetragedythatbefellyouisjustified,'
shewenton.'Thatwouldmakeiteasierforyoutoacceptthedeathsofyourwifeanddaughters.
Butifgoodpeopledoexist,then,howevermuchyoudenyit,yourlifewillbeunbearable
becausefatesetatrapforyou,andyouknowyoudidn'tdeserveit.Itisn'tthelightyouwantto
recover,it'sthecertaintythatthereisonlydarkness.'
'Whatexactlyareyoudrivingat?'hesaid,aslighttremorinhisvoice.
'Thewagershouldbefairer.If,afterthreedays,nooneismurdered,thevillageshouldgetthe
tengoldbarsanyway.Asarewardfortheintegrityofitsinhabitants.'
Thestrangerlaughed.
'AndIwillreceivemygoldbar,asarewardformyparticipationinthissordidgame.'
'I'mnotafool,youknow.IfIagreedtothat,thefirstthingyouwoulddoistogooutsideandtell
everyone.'
'Possibly.ButIwon'tIswearbymygrandmotherandbymyeternalsalvation.'
'That'snotenough.NooneknowswhetherGodlistenstovows,orifeternalsalvationexists.'
'You'llknowIhaven'ttoldthem,becausethegallowsishangingnowinthemiddleofthevillage.It
willbeclearifthere'sbeenanykindoftrickery.Andanyway,evenifIwenttherenowandtold
everyonewhatwe'vejustbeentalkingabout,noonewouldbelievemeitwouldbethesameas
arrivinginViscosandsaying:"Look,allthisisyours,regardlessofwhetherornotyoudowhat
thestrangerisasking."Thesemenandwomenareusedtoworkinghard,toearningeverypenny
withthesweatoftheirbrowtheywouldneverevenadmitthepossibilityofgoldjustfallingfrom
heavenlikethat.'
Thestrangerlitacigarette,finishedoffhisdrinkandgotupfromthetable.Chantalawaitedhis
replystandingbytheopendoor,lettingthecoldairintotheroom.
'I'llknowifthere'sbeenanycheating,'hesaid.'I'musedtodealingwithpeople,justlikeyour
Ahab.'
'I'msureyouare.Sothatmeans"yes",then.'Againhenoddedhisagreement.
'Andonemorething:youstillbelievethatmancanbegood.Ifthatweren'tthecase,youwouldn't
haveinventedallthisnonsensetoconvinceyourselfotherwise.'
Chantalclosedthedoorandwalkeddownthemainstreetofthevillagecompletelydesertedat
thathoursobbinguncontrollably.Withoutwantingto,shehadbecomecaughtupinthe
gameshewasbettingonthefactthatpeoplewerebasicallygood,despitealltheEvilinthe
world.Shewouldnevertellanyonewhatsheandthestrangerhadjustbeentalkingabout
because,now,shetoowantedtoknowtheanswer.
Shewasawarethat,althoughthestreetwasempty,frombehindthecurtainsindarkened
rooms,theeyesofViscoswerewatchingasshewalkedbackhome.Itdidn'tmatterItwasfar
toodarkforanyonetoseehertears.
Themanopenedthewindowofhisroom,hopingthatthecoldwouldsilencethevoiceofhisdevil
forafewmoments.
Asexpected,itdidnotwork,becausethedevilwasevenmoreagitatedthanusualafterwhatthe
girlhadjustsaid.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,thestrangernoticedthatthedevilseemed
weaker,andthereweremomentswhenheevenappearedratherdistanthowever,hesoon
reappeared,nostrongerorweakerthanusual,butmuchashealwayswas.Helivedinthe
lefthandsideoftheman'sbrain,inthepartthatgovernslogicandreasoning,buthenever
allowedhimselftobeseen,sothatthemanwasforcedtoimaginewhathemustbelike.Hetried
topicturehiminathousanddifferentways,fromtheconventionaldevilwithhornsandatailtoa
youngwomanwithblondecurls.Theimagehefinallysettledonwasthatofayoungmaninhis
twenties,withblacktrousers,a
blueshirt,andagreenberetperchednonchalantlyonhisdarkhair.
Hehadfirstheardthedevil'svoiceonanisland,wherehehadtravelledafterresigningfromhis
jobhewasonthebeach,interribleemotionalpain,tryingdesperatelytobelievethathis
sufferingmusthaveanend,whenhesawthemostbeautifulsunsethehadeverseen.Itwas
thenthathisdespaircamebackinforce,andheplumbedthedepthsofthedeepestabyssinhis
soulpreciselybecausesuchasunsetshouldalsohavebeenseenbyhiswifeandchildren.He
brokeintouncontrollablesobsandfeltthathewouldneverclimbupfromthebottomofthatpit.
Atthatmoment,afriendly,companionablevoicetoldhimthathewasnotalone,thateverything
thathadhappenedtohimhadapurpose,whichwastoshowthateachperson'sdestinyis
preordained.Tragedyalwayshappens,andnothingwedocanalterbyonejottheevilthat
awaitsus.
'ThereisnosuchthingasGood:virtueissimplyoneofthemanyfacesofterror,'thevoicesaid.
'Whenmanunderstandsthat,hewillrealisethatthisworldisjustalittlejokeplayedonhimby
God.'
Thenthevoicewhichidentifieditselfastheprinceofthisworld,theonlybeingwhoreallyknows
whathappensonEarthbegantoshowhimthepeopleallaroundhimonthebeach.The
wonderfulfatherwhowasbusypackingthingsupandhelpinghischildrenputonsomewarm
clothesandwhowouldlovetohaveanaffairwithhissecretary,butwasterrifiedofhiswife's
response.Hiswifewhowouldliketoworkandhaveherindependence,butwhowasterrifiedof
herhusband'sresponse.Thechildrenwhobehavedthemselvesbecausetheywereterrifiedof
beingpunished.Thegirlwhowasreadingabookallonherownbeneathasunshade,pretending
shedidn'tcare,butinsidewasterrifiedofspendingtherestofherlifealone.Theboyrunning
aroundwitharacquet,terrifiedofhavingtoliveuptohisparents'tennisfameforgenerations.
Thewaiterservingtropicaldrinkstotherichexperts,hurtandterrifiedthathecould
besackedatanytime.Theyounggirlwhowantedtobeadancer,butwhowasstudyinglaw
insteadbecauseshewasterrifiedofwhattheneighboursmightsay.Theoldmanwhodidn't
smokeordrinkandsaidhefeltmuchbetterforit,whenintruthitwastheterrorofdeaththat
whisperedinhisearslikethewind.Themarriedcouplewhoranby,splashingthroughthesurf,
withasmileontheirfacebutwithaterrorintheirheartstellingthemthattheywouldsoonbeold,
boringanduseless.Themanwiththesuntanwhosweptupinhislaunchinfrontofeverybody
andwavedandsmiled,butwasterrifiedbecausehecouldloseallhismoneyfromonemoment
tothenext.Thehotelowner,watchingthewholeidyllicscenefromhisoffice,tryingtokeep
everyonehappyandcheerful,urginghisaccountantstoevergreatervigilance,andterrified
becauseheknewthathoweverhonesthewasgovernmentofficialswouldstillfindmistakesin
hisaccountsiftheywantedto.
Therewasterrorineachandeveryoneofthepeopleonthatbeautifulbeachandonthat
breathtakinglybeautifulevening.Terrorofbeingalone,terrorofthedarknessfillingtheir
imaginationswithdevils,terrorofdoinganythingnotinthemanualsofgoodbehaviour,terrorof
God'sjudgement,ofwhatotherpeoplewouldsay,ofthelawpunishinganymistake,terrorof
tryingandfailing,terrorofsucceedingandhavingtolivewiththeenvyofotherpeople,terrorof
lovingandbeingrejected,terrorofaskingforariseinsalary,ofacceptinganinvitation,ofgoing
somewherenew,ofnotbeingabletospeakaforeignlanguage,ofnotmakingtheright
impression,ofgrowingold,ofdying,ofbeingpointedonbecauseofone'sdefects,ofnotbeing
pointedoutbecauseofone'smerits,ofnotbeingnoticedeitherforone'sdefectsorone'smerits.
Terror,terror,terror.Lifewasareignofterror,intheshadowoftheguillotine.'Ihopethis
consolesyoualittle,'heheardthedevilsay.
'They'reallterrifiedyou'renotalone.Theonlydifferenceisthatyou
havealreadybeenthroughthemostdifficultpartyourworstfearbecamereality.Youhave
nothingtolose,whereasthesepeopleonthebeachlivewiththeirterrorallthetimesomeare
awareofit,otherstrytoignoreit,butallofthemknowthatitexistsandwillgetthemintheend.'
Incrediblethoughitmayseem,thesewordsdidconsolehimsomewhat,asifthesufferingof
othersalleviatedhisown.Fromthatmomenton,thedevilhadbecomeamoreandmore
frequentcompanion.Hehadlivedwithhimfortwoyearsnow,andhefeltneitherhappynorsad
toknowthatthedevilhadcompletelytakenoverhissoul.
Ashebecameaccustomedtothedevil'scompany,hetriedtofindoutmoreabouttheoriginof
Evil,butnoneofhisquestionsreceivedpreciseanswers.
'There'snopointtryingtodiscoverwhyIexist.Ifyoureallywantanexplanation,youcantell
yourselfthatIamGod'swayofpunishinghimselfforhavingdecided,inanidlemoment,to
createtheUniverse.'
Thedevilwasreluctanttotalkabouthimself,theman.Sincethenight,hegoteveryreferencehe
couldfindtohell.Hedecidedtolookupthewordthatmostreligionshavesomethingcalled'of
punishment',wheretheimmortalsoulgoesafteremittingcertaincrimesagainst
society(everythingdeemedtobeseenintermsofsociety,ratherthanoftheindividual).Some
religionssaidthatoncethespiritwasseparatedfromthebody,itcrossedariver,metadogand
enteredhellbyagateofnoreturn.Sincethebodywaslaidinatomb,theplaceofpunishment
wasgenerallydescribedasbeingdarkandsituatedinsidetheearththankstovolcanoes,itwas
knownthatthecentreoftheearthwasfulloffire,andsothehumanimaginationcameupwith
theideaofflamestorturingsinners.
HefoundoneofthemostinterestingdescriptionsofthispunishmentinanArabianbook:thereit
waswrittenthatoncethesoulhadleftthebody,ithadtowalkacrossabridgeasnarrowasa
knifeedge,withparadiseon
therightand,ontheleft,aseriesofcirclesthatleddownintothedarknessinsidetheearth.
Beforecrossingthebridge(thebookdidnotexplainwhereitledto),eachpersonhadtoplaceall
hisvirtuesinhisrighthandandallhissinsinhisleft,andtheimbalancebetweenthetwomeant
thatthepersonalwaysfelltowardsthesidetowhichhisactionsonEarthhadinclinedhim.
Christianityspokeofaplacewheretherewouldbeweepingandgnashingofteeth.Judaism
describedacavewitharoombigenoughforafinitenumberofsoulswhenthiswasfull,the
worldwouldend.Islamspokeofthefireinwhichwewouldallburn'unlessGoddesires
otherwise'.ForHindus,hellwasneveraplaceofeternaltorment,sincetheybelievedthatthe
soulwouldbereincarnatedafteracertainperiodoftimeinordertopayforitssinsinthesame
placewheretheyhadbeencommittedinotherwords,inthisworld.Evenso,therewereno
fewerthantwentyoneoftheseplacesofpunishmentinwhatwasusuallyreferredtoas'the
lowerdepths'.
TheBuddhistsalsodistinguishedbetweenthedifferentkindsofpunishmentasoul
mightfaceeightfieryhellsandeightfreezingones,aswellasakingdomwherethecondemned
soulfeltneitherheatnorcold,onlyinfinitehungerandthirst.
NothingthoughcouldcomparetothehugevarietythattheChinesehadthoughtupunlike
everyoneelsewhoplacedhelldeepdowninsidetheearththeChinesebelievedthatthesouls
ofsinnerswenttoamountainrangeknownastheLittleWallofIronandsurroundedby
anothermountainrangeknownastheGreatWall.Inthespacebetweenthesetworanges,there
werenolessthaneightlargehellsoneontopoftheother,eachofwhichcontrolledsixteen
smallerhells,whichinturncontrolledtenmillionhellsbeneaththem.TheChinesealsosaidthat
devilsweremadeupofthesoulsofthosewhohadalreadycompletedtheirpunishment.
TheChinesewerealsotheonlyonestoofferaconvincingexplanationoftheoriginofdevils
theywereevilbecausetheyhadpersonalexperienceofevil,andnowtheywantedtopassiton
toothers,inaneternalcycleofvengeance.
'Ihadtograspwhatishappeningtome,'thestrangerheardhimself,rememberingMissPrym's
words.
Thedevilrememberedthosewordstooandfelthehadlostsomeofhisground.Theonlywayhe
couldregainitwastoleavenoroomfordoubtinthestranger'smind.
'Allright,soyouhadamomentofdoubt,'thedevilsaid,'buttheterrorremains.Thestoryofthe
gallowswasagoodone,becauseitclearlyshowsthatmankindisvirtuousonlybecauseterror
exists,butthatmenarestillessentiallybad,mytruedescendants.'
Thestrangerwasshiveringnow,butdecidedtoleavethewindowopenawhilelonger.'God,Idid
notdeservewhathappenedtome.Ifyoudidthattome,Icandothesametoothers.Thatis
justice.'
Thedevilwasworried,butresolvedtokeepquiethecouldnotshowthathetoowasterrified.
ThemanwasblasphemingagainstGodandtryingtojustifyhisactions,butthiswasthefirst
timeintwoyearshehadheardhimaddressingtheheavens.
Itwasabadsign.
'Agoodsign,'wasChantal'sfirstthoughtwhensheheardthebaker'svansoundingitshorn.Life
inViscoswasgoingonasusual.thebreadwasbeingdelivered,peoplewereleavingtheir
houses,theywouldhavethewholeofSaturdayandSundaytodiscusstheinsaneproposition
putbeforethem,andthen,withsomeregret,theywouldwatchthestrangerdepartonMonday
morning.Laterthatevening,shewouldtellthemaboutthewagershehadmade,announcing
thattheyhadwonthebattleandwererich.
ShewouldneverbecomeasaintlikeStSavin,butformanygenerationstocomeshewouldbe
rememberedasthewomanwhosavedthevillagefromEvil'ssecondvisitation.Maybethey
wouldmakeuplegendsaboutherthevillage'sfutureinhabitantsmightrefertoherasalovely
youngwoman,theonlyonewhohadnotabandonedViscosbecausesheknewshehada
missiontofulfill.Piousladieswouldlightcandlestoherandyoungmenwouldsighpassionately
overtheheroinetheyhadneverknown.
Shewasproudofherself,butwasawarethatsheshouldactonwhatshesaidandmakeno
mentionofthegoldthatbelongedtoher,otherwisetheywouldendupconvincingherthat,in
ordertobeconsideredasaint,sheshouldalsodivideuphershare.
Inherownwayshewashelpingthestrangertosavehissoul,andGodwouldtakethisinto
accountwhenhemadeafinalreckoningofherdeeds.Thefateofthestrangermatteredlittleto
her,howeverwhatshehadtodonowwastohopethatthenexttwodayspassedasquicklyas
possible,foritwashardtokeepasecretlikethatlockedupinherheart.
TheinhabitantsofViscoswereneitherbetternorworsethanthoseofneighbouringvillages,but
therewasnowaytheywouldbecapableofcommittingamurderformoneyofthatshewas
sure.Nowthatthestorywasoutintheopen,nomanorwomancouldtaketheinitiativealone.
First,becausetherewardwouldhavetobedividedupequally,andsheknewthatnoonewould
wanttoriskthemselvespurelysothatothersmightgain.Second,because,iftheywerethinking
whatshedeemedtobetheunthinkable,theyneededtobeabletocountonthefullcooperation
ofalltheotherswiththeexception,perhaps,ofthechosenvictim.Ifasingleindividualwas
againsttheideaandifneedbe,shewouldbethatpersonthemenandwomenofViscosall
rantheriskofbeingdenouncedandimprisoned.Bettertobepoorandhonourablethanrichand
injail.Chantalwentdownstairsrememberingthathithertoeventheelectionofamayortogovern
thisvillagewithitsthreestreetshadprovokedheated
argumentsandinternaldivisions.Whentheywantedtomakeachildren'splaygroundinpartof
thevillage,therewassuchafussthattheworkswereneverbegunsomesaidthatthevillage
playgroundhadnochildrenanyway,othersroaredthataplaygroundwouldbejustthethingto
bringthemback.
Theirparentscametothevillageonholidayandsawthingswerechanging.InViscosthey
debatedeverything.Thequalityofthebread,thehuntingregulations,thexistence(ornot)of
theroguewolf,Berta'sstrangebehaviourand,possibly,MissPrym'ssecretmeetingswith
someofthehotelguests,althoughnoonewouldeverdarementionittoherface.
Sheapproachedthevanwiththeairofsomeonewho,forthefirsttimeinherlife,wasplayinga
leadingroleinthehistoryofhervillage.Untilthenshehadbeenthehelplessorphan,thegirlwho
hadnevermanagedtofindahusband,apoornightworker,alonelywretchinsearchof
companytheywerelosingnothingbywaiting.Intwodays'time,theywouldcomeandkissher
feetandthankherforhergenerosityandfortheiraffluence,theywouldperhapsinsistuponher
runningformayorinthecomingelections(thinkingitthrough,itmightbegoodtostickaroundfor
awhilelongerandenjoyhernewlywonglory).
Agroupofpeoplegatheredaroundthevanwerebuyingtheirbreadinsilence.Everyoneturnedto
lookather,butnoonesaidaword.
What'sgoingoninthisplace?'askedtheladsellingthebread.'Didsomeonedie?'
'No,'repliedtheblacksmith,whowastheretoo,despiteitbeingaSaturdaymorningwhen
hecouldsleepuntillate'Someone'shavingabadtimeandwe'reallratherworried'
Chantalcouldn'tunderstandwhatwashappening.
'Goaheadandbuywhatyoucametobuy,'sheheardsomeonesay.'Theladhastogetgoing.'
Mechanically,sheheldouthermoneyandtookthebread.Thebaker'sladshruggedhis
shouldersasifabandoninganyattempttounderstandwhatwasgoingongaveherthe
change,wishedeveryonegooddayanddroveoff.
'Nowit'smyturntoaskwhat'sgoingoninthisvillage,'shesaid,andfearmadeherspeakmore
loudlythangoodmannersusuallypermitted.
'Youknowwhat'sgoingon,'theblacksmithsaid.'Youwantustocommitamurderinreturnfor
money.'
'Idon'twantanything!Ijustdidwhattheguytoldmeto!Haveyouallgonemad?'
'You'retheonewho'sgonemad.Youshouldneverhaveallowedyourselftobecomethat
madman'smouthpiece!Whatonearthdoyouwant?Whatareyougettingoutofit?Doyouwant
toturnthisplaceintoahell,justlikeitwasintheAhabstories.Haveyoulostallsenseofhonour
anddignity?'
Chantalbegantotremble.
'Youreallyhavegonemad!Didyouactuallytakethewagerseriously?'
'Justleaveher,'saidthehotellandlady.'Let'sgohomeandhavebreakfast.'
Thegroupgraduallydispersed.Chantalwasstilltremblutchingherbread,rootedtothespot.
Thosepeoplehaveneveragreedaboutanythingintheirlivesbeforeuptonowforthefirsttime
ever,incompleteaccord:shewastheoutvone.Notthestranger,notthewager,buther,
Chantal,theinstigatorofthecrime.Hadtheworldturnedupsidedown?
Sheleftthebreadbyherdoorandsetofftowardsthemountainshewasn'thungryorthirsty,
shedidn'twantanything.Shehadjustunderstoodsomethingveryimportant,somethingthat
filledherwithfear,horrorandutterterror.
Noonehadsaidanythingtothebaker'sboy.
Somethinglikethiswouldnormallybetalkedabout,eitherwithindignationoramusement,
buttheladwiththevan,whodeliveredbread
andgossiptothevariousvillagesintheregion,hadleftwithnoideaofwhatwasgoingon.Itwas
clearthateveryoneinViscoswasgatheredtheretogetherforthefirsttimethatday,andnoone
hadhadtimetodiscusswhathadtakenplacethepreviousnight,althougheveryoneknewwhat
hadhappenedinthebar.Andyet,unconsciously,theyhadallmadeapactofsilence.
Inotherwords,eachoneofthosepeople,intheirheartofhearts,wasthinkingtheunthinkable,
imaginingtheunimaginable.
Bertacalledtoher.Shewasstillatherpost,watchingoverthevillage,thoughtonoavail,since
thedangerwasalreadytherewasfargreaterthananyonecouldpossiblyhaveenvisaged.
'Idon'twanttotalk,'saidChantal.'Ican'tthink,reactorsayanything.'
'Youcanatleastlisten.Sitdownhere.'
Ofallthepeopleshehadknown,Bertawastheonlyonewhohadevertreatedherwithany
kindness.Chantaldidnotjustsitdown,sheflungherarmsaroundBerta.Theystayedlikethat
foralongwhile,untilBertabrokethesilence.
'Nowgooffintotheforestandclearyourheadyouknowyou'renottheproblem.Therestof
themknowthattoo,buttheyneedsomeonetoblame.'
'It'sthestrangerwho'stoblame!'
'YouandIknowthat,butnooneelsedoes.Theyallwanttobelievethey'vebeenbetrayed,that
youshouldhavetoldthemsooner,thatyoudidn'ttrustthem.'
'Betrayed?''Yes.'
'Whywouldtheywanttobelievethat?''Thinkaboutit.'
Chantalthought.Becausetheyneededsomeonetoblame.Avictim.
'Idon'tknowhowthisstorywillend,'saidBerta.'Viscosisavillageofgoodpeople,although,as
youyourselfoncesaid,theyareabitcowardly.Evenso,itmightbeagoodideaifyouweretogo
somewherefaraway
fromhereforawhile.'
Shemustbejoking.Noonecouldpossiblytakethestranger'sbetseriously.Noone.And
anyway,shedidn'thaveanymoneyandshehadnowheretogo.
Itwasn'ttrue.Agoldbarawaitedheranditcouldlethergowhereverintheworld.Butshedidn't
wanttothinkaboutthat.
Thatverymoment,asifbysomequirkoffate,thestrangerwalkedpastthemandsetoffforhis
walkinthemountains,ashedideverymorning.Henoddedandcontinuedonhisway.Berta
followedhimwithhereyes,whileChantaltriedtospotwhetheranyoneinthevillagehadnoticed
hisgreeting.Theywouldsayshewashisaccomplice.Theywouldsaytherewasasecretcode
betweenthetwoofthem.
'Helooksworried,'saidBerta.'There'ssomethingoddabouthim.'
'Perhapshe'srealisedthathislittlegamehasbecomereality.'
'No,it'ssomethingmorethanthat.Idon'tknowwhat,but...it'sasif...no,no,Idon'tknowwhatit
is.'
'Ibetmyhusbandwouldknow,'Bertathought,awareofanervousfidgetingtoherleft,but
nowwasnotthetimetotalktohim.
'ItremindsmeofAhab,'shesaidtoChantal.
'Idon'twanttothinkaboutAhab,aboutlegends,aboutanything!AllIwantisfortheworldtogo
backtohowitwas,andforViscosforallitsfaultsnottobedestroyedbyoneman's
madness!'
Itseemsyoulovethisplacemorethanyouthink.'
Chantalwastrembling.Bertahuggedheragain,placingherhandonhershoulder,asifshewere
thedaughtershehadneverhad.
'AsIwassaying,Ahabtoldastoryaboutheavenandhellthatusedtobepassedfromparentto
child,buthasbeenforgottennow.Onceuponatime,aman,hishorseandhisdogwere
travellingalongaroad.Astheypassedbyahugetree,itwasstruckbylightning,andtheyall
died.Butthemanfailedtonoticethathewasnolongerofthisworldandsohe
continuedwalkingalongwithhistwoanimalcompanions.Sometimesthedeadtakeawhileto
registertheirnewsituation...'
Bertathoughtofherhusband,whokeptinsistingthatshegetridofChantalbecausehehad
somethingimportanttosay.Maybeitwastimetoexplaintohimthathewasdead,sothathe
wouldstopinterruptingherstory.
'Itwasalong,uphillwalk,thesunwasbeatingdownonthemandtheywereallsweatingand
thirsty.Atabendintheroadtheysawamagnificentmarblegatewaythatledintoa
goldpavedsquare,inthecentreofwhichwasafountainoverflowingwithcrystalclearwater.
Themanwentovertotheguardattheentrance.
'"Goodmorning."
'"Goodmorning,"theguardreplied.'"Whatisthislovelyplace?"
'"It'sHeaven."
'"Well,I'mverygladtoseeit,becausewe'reverythirsty."
'"You'rewelcometocomeinanddrinkallthewateryouwant."Andtheguardindicatedthe
fountain.
'"Myhorseanddogarealsothirsty."
'"I'mterriblysorry,"saidtheguard,"butanimalsarenotallowedinhere."
'Themanwasdeeplydisappointedforhereallywasverythirsty,buthewasnotpreparedtodrink
alone,sohethankedtheguardandwentonhisway.Exhaustedaftertrudginguphill,they
reachedanoldgatewaythatledontoadirtroadflankedbytrees.Aman,hishatdownoverhis
face,wasstretchedoutintheshadeofoneofthetrees,apparentlyasleep.
'"Goodmorning,"saidthetraveller.'Theothermangreetedhimwithanod.
"'We'reverythirstyme,myhorseandmydog."
'"There'saspringoverthereamongstthoserocks,"saidthemanindicatingthespot."You
candrinkallyouwant."
'Theman,hishorseandhisdogwenttothespringandquenchedtheir
thirst.'Thetravellerreturnedtothanktheman.
'"Comebackwheneveryouwant,"hewastold.'"Bytheway,what'sthisplacecalled?"
'"Heaven."
'"Heaven?Buttheguardatthemarblegatewaytoldmethatwas
Heaven!"'"That'snotHeaven,that'sHell."
'Thetravellerwaspuzzled.
'"Youshouldn'tletotherstakeyournameinvain,youknow!Falseinformationcanleadtoall
kindsofconfusion!"
"Onthecontrary,theydousagreatfavour,becausetheOneswhostaytherearethosewho
haveprovedthemselvescapableofabandoningtheirdearestfriends."'
Bertastrokedthegirl'shead.ShecouldfeelthatinsidethatheadGoodandEvilwerewaginga
pitilessbattle,andshetoldhertogoforawalkintheforestandasknaturewhichvillageshe
shouldgoto.
'BecauseIhavethefeelingthatourlittlemountainparadiseisabouttodesertitsfriends.'
'You'rewrong,Berta.Youbelongtoadifferentgenerationthebloodoftheoutlawswhoonce
populatedViscosrunsthickerinyourveinsthaninmine.Themenandwomenherestillhave
theirdignity,oriftheydon't,theyatleasthaveahealthymistrustofoneanother.Andiftheydon't
evenhavethat,thenatleasttheyhavefear.'
'OK,maybeI'mwrong.Evenso,doasItellyou,andgoandlistentowhatnaturehastosay.'
Chantalleft.AndBertaturnedtowardstheghostofherhusband,askinghimtokeepquietafter
all,shewasagrownwoman,indeed,shewasanelderlywoman,whoshouldn'tbeinterrupted
whenshewastryingtogiveadvicetosomeonemuchyounger.Shehadlearnedtolookafter
herself,andnowshewaslookingafterthevillage.
Herhusbandbeggedhertotakecare.Sheshouldbewaryofofferingadvicetotheyoung
womanbecausenobodyknewwheremattersmightend.
Bertawastakenabackbecauseshethoughtthedeadkneweverythinghadn'thebeentheone
towarnherofthedangerstocome?Perhapshewasgettingtoooldandwasbeginningtoget
obsessiveaboutotherthingsbesidesalwayseatinghissoupwiththesamespoon.
Herhusbandretortedthatshewastheoldone,forthedeadneverage,andthat,althoughthe
deadknewthingsofwhichthelivinghadnoknowledge,itwouldtakealongtimebeforehe
gainedadmittancetotherealmofthearchangels.He,beingonlyrecentlydead(havingleftEarth
amerefifteenyearsbefore),stillhadalottolearn,eventhoughheknewhecouldoffer
substantialhelp.
Bertaenquiredwhethertherealmofthearchangelswasmoreattractiveandcomfortable.Her
husbandtoldhernottobefacetiousandtoconcentrateherenergiesonsavingViscos.Notthat
thiswasasourceofparticularinteresttohimhewas,afterall,dead,andnoonehad
touchedonthesubjectofreincarnation(althoughhehadheardafewconversationsconcerning
thiseventuality),andifreincarnationdidexist,hewashopingtoberebornsomewherenew.But
healsowantedhiswifetoenjoysomepeaceandcomfortduringthedaysstillremainingtoherin
thisworld.
'So,stopworrying,'thoughtBerta.Herhusbandwouldn'ttakeheradvicehewantedhertodo
something,anything.IfEviltriumphed,evenifitwasinsomesmall,forgottenplacewithonly
threestreets,asquareandachurch,itcouldneverthelessgoontocontaminatethevalley,the
region,thecountry,thecontinent,theseas,thewholeworld.
AlthoughViscoshad281inhabitants,ChantalbeingtheyoungestandBertatheoldest,itwas
controlledbyamerehalfdozenindividuals:thehotellandlady,responsibleforthewellbeingof
touriststhepriest,responsibleforthecareofsoulsthemayor,responsibleforthehunting
regulationsthemayor'swife,responsibleforthemayorandhisdecisionsthe
blacksmith,whohadsurvivedbeingbittenbytheroguewolfandtheownerofmostofthelands
aroundthevillage.Itwashewhohadvetoedtheideaofbuildingachildren'splaygroundinthe
vaguebeliefthatViscoswouldonedaystartgrowingagain,andbesidesthesitewouldbe
perfectforaluxuryhome.
Itmatteredlittletotherestofthevillagerswhatdidordidn'thappentotheplace,fortheyhadtheir
sheep,theirwheatandtheirfamiliestotakecareof.Theyvisitedthehotelbar,attendedMass,
obeyedthelaws,hadtheirtoolsrepairedattheblacksmith'sforgeand,fromtimetotime,
acquiredsomeland.Thelandownerneverwenttothebar.Hehadlearnedofthestorythrough
hismaid,whohadbeenthereonthenightinquestionandhadleftinhighexcitement,tellingher
friendsandhimthatthehotelguestwasaveryrichmanwhoknows,perhapsshecouldhavea
childbyhimandforcehimtogiveherpartofhisfortune.Concernedaboutthefuture,or,rather,
aboutthefactthatMissPrym'sstorymightspreadanddriveawayhuntersandtouristsalike,he
decidedtocallanemergencymeeting.Thegroupweregatheringinthesacristyofthesmall
church,justasChantalwasheadingfortheforest,thestrangerwasoffononeofhismysterious
walksandBertawaschattingwithherhusbandaboutwhetherornottotryandsavethevillage.
'Thefirstthingwehavetodoiscallthepolice,'saidthelandowner.'It'sobviousthegolddoesn't
existandbesides,Isuspectthemanoftryingtoseducemymaid.'
'Youdon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,becauseyouweren'tthere,'themayorinsisted.'The
golddoesexist.MissPrymwouldn'triskherreputationwithoutconcreteproof.Notthatthat
altersthings,ofcourse,weshouldstillcallthepolice.Thestrangermustbeabandit,afellow
withapriceonhishead,tryingtoconcealhisillgottengainshere.'
'Don'tbeidiotic!'themayor'swifesaid.'Ifhewas,surelyhe'dbemore
discreetaboutit.'
'Allthisiscompletelyrelevant.Wemustcallthepolicestraightaway.'Everyoneagreed.The
priestservedalittlewinetocalmeveryone'snerves.Theybegantodiscusswhattheywould
saytothepolice,giventhattheyhadnoactualproofthatthe
strangerhaddoneanythingitmightallendwithMissPrymbeingarrestedforincitinga
murder.
'Theonlyproofisthegold.Withoutthegold,wecan'tdoanything.'Butwherewasthegold?Only
onepersonhadknownofcourse.
Thepriestsuggestedtheyformsearchparties.Thehotellandladydrewbackthecurtainofthe
sacristywindowthatlookedoutoverthecemeteryshepointedtothemountains,tothevalley
below,andtothemountainsontheonotherside.
'Wewouldneedahundredmensearchingforahundredyearstodothat.'Thelandownersilently
bemoanedthefactthatthecemeteryhadbeenconstructedonthatparticularspotithadalovely
view,andthedeadhadnouseforit.
'Onanotheroccasion,I'dliketotalktoyouaboutthecemetery,'hesaidtothepriest.'Icouldoffer
youafarbiggerplotforthedead,justnearhere,inexchangeforthispieceoflandnexttothe
church.'
'Nobodywouldwanttobuythatandliveonthesamespotwherethedeadusedtolie.'
'Maybenoonefromthevillagewould,buttherearetouristsdesperatetobuyasummerhomeit
wouldjustbeamatterofaskingthevillagerstokeeptheirmouthsshut.Itwouldmeanmore
incomeforthevillageandmoretaxesforthetownhall.'
'You'reright.Wejusthavetoaskthevillagerstokeeptheirmouthsshut.Thatwouldn'tbeso
hard.'
Asuddensilencefell.Alongsilence,whichnobodydaredbreak.Thetwowomenadmiredthe
viewthepriestpolishingasmallbronzestatuethe
landownertookanothersipofwinetheblacksmithtiedanduntiedthelacesonbothbootsand
themayorkeptglancingathiswatchasiftosuggestthathehadotherpressingengagements.
ButnobodysaidawordeveryoneknewthatthepeopleofViscoswouldneversayawordif
someoneweretoexpressaninterestinpurchasingwhathadoncebeenthecemetery.They
wouldkeepquietpurelyforthepleasureofseeinganotherpersoncomingtoliveinthatvillageon
thevergeofdisappearing.Eveniftheydidn'tearnapennybytheirsilence.Imagineiftheydid
though.Imagineiftheyearnedenoughmoneyfortherestoftheirlives.Imagineiftheyearned
enoughmoneyfortherestoftheirlivesandtheirchildren'slives.
Atthatprecisemoment,ahotandwhollyunexpectedwindblewthroughthesacristy.
'Whatexactlyareyouproposing?'askedthepriestafteralongfiveminutes.Everyoneturnedto
lookathim.
'Iftheinhabitantsreallycanbereliedontosaynothing,Ithinkwecanproceedwithnegotiations,'
repliedthelandowner,choosinghiswordscarefullyincasetheyweremisinterpretedor
correctlyinterpreted,dependingonyourpointofview.
'They'regood,hardworking,discreetpeople,'thehotellandladysaid,adoptingthesamestrategy.
'Today,forexample,whenthedriverofthebaker'svanwantedtoknowwhatwasgoingon.
Nobodysaidathing.Ithinkwecantrustthem.
Therewassilence.Onlythistimeitwasanunmistakablyccivesilence.Eventually,thegame
beganagain,andtheoppressiveblacksmithsaid:'Itisn'tjustaquestionofthevillagers'
discretion,thefactthatit'sbothimmoralandunacceptable.'
'Whatis?'
'Sellingoffhallowedground.'
Asighofreliefranroundtheroomnowthattheyhaddealtsatisfactorilywiththepractical
aspects,theycouldproceedwiththemoraldebate.
'What'simmoralissittingbackandwatchingthedemiseofourbelovedViscos,'saidthe
mayor'swife.'Knowingthatwearethelastpeopletolivehere,andthatthedreamofour
grandparents,ourancestors,AhabandtheCelts,willbeoverinafewyears'time.Soon,we'llall
beleavingthevillage,eitherforanoldpeople'shomeortobegourchildrentotakeintheir
strange,ailingparents,whoareunabletoadapttolifeinthebigcityandspendalltheirtime
longingforwhatthey'veleftbehind,sadbecausetheycouldnotpassontothenextgeneration
thegifttheyreceivedfromtheirparents.'
'You'reright,'theblacksmithsaid.'Thelifeweleadisanunmoralone.WhenViscosdoesfinally
fallintoruin,thesehouseswillbeabandonedorelseboughtupfornexttonothing.Then
machineswillarriveandopenupbiggerandbetterads.Thehouseswillbedemolished,steel
warehouseswillreplacewhatwasbuiltwiththesweatofourancestors.
Agriculturewillbecomeentirelymechanised,andpeoplewillcomeintoworkduringthedayand
returnatnighttothe'homes,farfromhere.HowshamingforourgenerationWeletourchildren
leave,wefailedtokeepthemherewithus'.
'Onewayoranother,wehavetosavethisvillage,'saidthelandowner,whowaspossiblythe
onlyonewhostoodtoprofitfromViscos'demise,sincehewasinapositiontobuyup
everything,thensellitontoalargeindustrialcompany.Butofcoursehecertainlydidn'twantto
handover,forapricebelowmarketvalue,landsthatmightcontainburiedtreasure.
'Whatdoyouthink,Father?'askedthehotellandlady.
'TheonlythingIknowwellismyreligion,inwhichthesacrificeofoneindividualsavedall
humanity.'
Silencedescendedforathirdtime,butonlyforamoment.
'IneedtostartpreparingforSaturdayMass,'hewenton.'Whydon'twemeetuplaterthis
evening?'
Everyoneimmediatelyagreed,settingatimelateintheday,asiftheywereallimmenselybusy
peoplewithimportantmatterstodealwith.
Onlythemayormanagedtoremaincalm.
'Whatyou'vejustbeensayingisveryinteresting,anexcellentsubjectforasermon.Ithinkwe
shouldallattendMasstoday.'
Ihesitatednolonger.SheheadedstraightfortheYshapedthinkingofwhatshewoulddowith
thegoldassoonasshetGohome,getthemoneyshekepthiddenthere,putonsomesensible
clothes,godowntheroadtothevalleyandhitchaliftHomemorewagers:thosepeopledidn't
deservethefortunewithintheirgrasp.Nosuitcase:shedidn'twantthemtoknowshewas
leavingViscosforgoodViscoswithitsbeautifulbutpointlessstories,itskindbutcowardly
inhabitants,thebaralwayscrammedwithpeopletalkingaboutthesamethings,thechurchshe
neverattended.Naturallytherewasalwaysthechancethatshewouldfindthepolicewaitingfor
heratthebusstation,thestrangeraccusingheroftheftetc.,etc.Butnowshewaspreparedto
runanyrisk.
Thehatredshehadfeltonlyhalfanhourbeforehadbeentransformedintoafarmoreagreeable
emotion:vengeance.Shewasgladtohavebeenthefirsttorevealtothosepeopletheevilhidden
inthedepthsoftheirfalse,ingenuoussouls.Theywerealldreamingofthechancetocommita
murderonlydreaming,mindyou,becausetheywouldneveractuallydoanything.Theywould
spendtherestoftheirlivesasleep,endlesslytellingthemselveshownobletheyare,how
incapableofcommittinganinjustice,readytodefendthevillage'sdignityatwhatevercost,yet
awarethatterroralonehadpreventedthemfromkillinganinnocentTheywouldcongratulate
themselveseverymorningonkeeningtheirintegrity,andblamethemselveseachnightforthat
missedopportunity.
Forthenextthreemonths,theonlytopicofconversationinthebarwouldbethehonestyofthe
generousmenandwomenofthevillage.Thenthehuntingseasonwouldarriveandthesubject
wouldn'tbetouchedupontherewasnoneedforvisitorstoknowanythingaboutit,theylikedto
thinktheywereinaremotespot,whereeveryonewasfriends,wheregoodalwaysprevailed,
wherenaturewasbountiful,andthatthelocalproductslinedupforsaleonasingleshelfinthe
hotelreceptionwhichthehotellandladycalledher'littleshop'weresteepedinthis
disinterestedlove.
Butthehuntingseasonwouldcometoanend,andthenthevillagerswouldbefreetoreturn
tothetopic.Thistimearound,aftermanyeveningsspentdreamingabouttherichesthey
hadletslipthroughtheirfingers,theywouldstartinventinghypothesestofitthesituation:whydid
nobodyhavethecourage,atdeadofnight,tokilluselessoldBertainreturnfortengoldbars?
WhydidnohuntingaccidentbefalltheshepherdSantiago,whodrovehisflockupthe
mountainsideeachmorning?Allkindsofhypotheseswouldbeweighedup,firsttimidlyandthen
angrily.Oneyearonandtheywouldbeconsumedwithmutualhatredthevillage
hadbeengivenitsopportunityandhadletitslip.TheywouldaskafterMissPrym,whohadleft
withouttrace,perhapstakingwithherthegoldshevanisheswhichthewretchedstrangerhad
hidden.Theywouldsayterriblethingsabouther,theungratefulorphan,thepoorgirlwhomhad
allstruggledtohelpafterhergrandmother'sdeath,hadgotajobinthebarwhenshehadproved
incapableofgettingherselfahusbandandleaving,whousedtosleepwithhotelguests,usually
menmucholderthanherself,andwhomadeeyesatallthetouristsjusttogetabiggertip.
TheywouldspendtherestoftheirlivescaughtbetweenselfpityandloathingChantalwouldbe
happy,thatwasherrevenge.Shewouldneverforgetthelooksthosepeoplearoundthevangave
her,imploringhersilenceregardingamurdertheywouldneverdaretocommit,then
roundingonherasifshewastoblameforallthecowardicethatwasfinallyrisingtothesurface.
'Ajacket.Myleathertrousers.Icanweartwoteeshirtsandstrapthegoldbararoundmywaist.
Ajacket.Myleathertrousers.Ajacket.'
Thereshewas,infrontoftheYshapedrock.Besideherlaythestickshe
hadusedtwodaysbeforetodigupthegold,Foramomentshesavouredthegesturethatwould
transformherfromanhonestwomanintoathief.Thatwasn'tright.Thestrangerhadprovoked
her,andhealsostoodtogainfromthedeal.Shewasn'tsomuchstealingasclaimingher
wagesforherroleasnarratorinthistastelesscomedy.Shedeservednotonlythegoldbut
much,muchmoreforhavingenduredthestaresofthevictimlessmurderersstandingroundthe
baker'svan,forhavingspentherentirelifethere,forthosethreesleeplessnights,forthesoul
shehadnowlostassumingshehadeverhadasoultolose.
ShedugdownintothesoftearthandsawthegoldbarWhenshesawit,sheheardanoise.
Someonehadfollowedher.Automatically,shebeganpushingtheearthbackintothehole,
realisingasshedidsothefutilityofthegesture.Thensheturned,readytoexplainthatshewas
lookingforthetreasure,thatsheknewthestrangerwalkedregularlyalongthispath,andthatshe
hadhappenedtonoticethatthesoilhadbeenrecentlydisturbed.
Whatshesaw,however,robbedherofhervoiceforithadnointerestintreasure,invillage
crises,justiceorinjustice,onlyinblood.
Thewhitemarkonitsleftear.Theroguewolf.
Itwasstandingbetweenherandthenearesttreeitwouldbeimpossibletogetpasttheanimal.
Chantalstoodrootedtothespot,hypnotisedbytheanimal'sblueeyes.Hermindwasworking
frantically,wonderingwhatwouldbehernextstepthebranchwouldbefartooflimsytocounter
thebeast'sattack.ShecouldclimbontotheYshapedrock,butthatstillwasn'thighenough.
Shecouldchoosenottobelievethelegendandscareoffthewolfasshewouldanyotherlone
wolf,butthatwastoorisky,itwouldbewisesttorecognisethatalllegendscontainahidden
truth.
'Punishment.'
Unfairpunishment,justlikeeverythingelsethathadhappenedinherlifeGodseemedtohave
singledheroutandhappenedtodemonstratehishatredoftheworld.
Instinctivelysheletthebranchfalltothegroundand,inamomentthatseemedtoher
interminablyslow,broughtherhandtoherthroat:shecouldn'tlethimsinkhisteethin.She
regrettednotwearingherleathertrousersthenextbestvulnerablepartwereherlegsandthe
veinthere,which,piercedwouldseeyoubleedtodeathintenminutesoncepierced.Atleast,
thatwaswhatthehuntersalwayssaid,toexplainwhytheyworethosehighboots.
Thewolfopeneditsmouthandsnarled.Thedangerous,pentupgrowlofananimalwhogives
nowarning,butattacksontheinstant.Shekepthereyesgluedtohis,eventhoughherheartwas
pounding,fornowhisfangswerebared.
Itwasallaquestionoftimehewouldeitherattackorrunoff,butChantalknewhewasgoingto
attack.Sheglanceddownattheground,lookingforanyloosestonesshemightslipon,but
foundnone.Shedecidedtolaunchherselfattheanimalshewouldbebittenandwouldhaveto
runtowardsthetreewiththewolf'steethsunkintoher.Shewouldhavetoignorethepain.
Shethoughtaboutthegold.Shewouldsoonbebacktolookforit.Sheclungtoeveryshredof
hope,anythingthatmightgiveherthestrengthtoconfronttheprospectofherfleshbeingripped
bythosesharpteeth,ofoneofherbonespokingthrough,ofpossiblystumblingandfallingand
havingherthroattornout.
Shepreparedtorun.
Justthen,asifinamovie,shesawafigureappearbehindthewolf,althoughstillafairdistance
away.
Thebeastsensedanotherpresencetoo,butdidnotlookaway,andshecontinuedtofixhimwith
herstare.Itseemedtobeonlytheforceofthatstarethatwasavertingtheattackandshedidn't
wanttorunanyfurtherrisksifsomeoneelsewasthere,herchancesofsurvivalwereincreased

evenif,intheend,itcostherthegoldbar.
Thepresencebehindthewolfsilentlycroucheddownandmovedtotheleft.Chantalknewthere
wasanothertreeonthatside,easytoclimb.Atthatmoment,astonearchedacrosstheskyand
landednearthewolf,whichturnedwithphenomenalspeedandhurtledoffinthedirectionofthis
newthreat.
'Run!'yelledthestranger.
Sheraninthedirectionofheronlyrefuge,whilethemanlikewiseclamberedlithelyuptheother
tree.Bythetimetheroguewolfreachedhim,hewassafe.
Thewolfbegansnarlingandleaping,occasionallymanagingtogetpartwayupthetrunk,
onlytoslipbackdownagain.
'Tearoffsomebranches!'shoutedChantal.
Butthestrangerseemedtobeinakindoftrance.Sherepeatedherinstructiontwice,then
threetimes,untilheregisteredwhatshewassaying.Hebegantearingoffbranchesand
throwingthemdownatthewolf.
'No,don'tdothat!Pulloffthebranches,bundlethemup,andsetfiretothem!Idon'thavea
lighter,sodoasIsay!'
Hervoicehadthedesperateedgeofsomeoneinrealperil.Thestrangergrabbedsome
branchesandtookaneternitytolightitand,apartofthepreviousday'sstormhadsoaked
everythinginthemlikethistimeoftheyear,thesundidn'tpenetrateintothatpartoftheforest.
Chantalwaiteduntiltheflamesoftheimprovisedtorchbeguntoburnfiercely.Shewouldhave
beenquitehappyhavehimspendtherestofthedayinthetree,confrontinghisfearhewantedto
inflictontherestoftheworld,butshehadtogetawayandsowasobligedtohelphim.
'Nowshowmeyou'reaman!'sheyelled.'Getdownfromthetree,keepafirmholdonthetorch
andwalktowardsthewolf!'
Thestrangercouldnotmove.
'Doit!'sheyelledagainand,whenheheardhervoice,themanunderstoodtheforceof
authoritybehindherwordsanauthorityderivedfromterror,fromtheabilitytoreactquickly,
leavingfearandsufferingforlater.
Heclimbeddownwiththeburningtorchinhishands,ignoringthesparksthatoccasionally
singedhischeeks.Whenhesawtheanimal'sfoamfleckedteethclose,hisfear
increased,buthehadtodosomethingsomethingheshouldhavedonewhenhiswifewas
abducted,hisdaughtersmurdered.
'Remember,keeplookinghimintheeye!'heheardthegirlsay.
Hedidasshesaid.Thingswerebecomingeasierwitheachpassingmomenthewasnolonger
lookingattheenemy'sweaponsbutattheenemyhimself.Theywereequals,bothCapableof
provokingfearineachother.Thenhisenemywalkedaway.
'Don'ttalktome.'
'Ididn'tsayaword.'
Chantalconsideredcrying,butdidn'twanttodosoinfrontofhim.Shebitbackhertears.'I
savedyourlife.Ideservethegold.'
'Isavedyourlife.Thewolfwasabouttoattackyou.'Itwastrue.
'Ontheotherhand,Ibelieveyousavedsomethingelsedeepinsideme,'thestrangerwenton.
Atrick.Shewouldpretendshehadn'tunderstoodthatwaslikegivingherpermissiontotakehis
fortune,togetoutofthereforgood,endofstory.
'Aboutlastnight'swager.IwasinsomuchpainmyselfthatIneededtomakeeveryonesufferas
muchasIwassufferingthatwasmyonesourceofconsolation.Youwereright.'
Thestranger'sdevildidn'tlikewhathewashearingatall.HeaskedChantal'sdeviltohelphim
out,butherdevilwasnewandhadn'tyetassertedtotalcontrol.
'Doesthatchangeanything?'
'Nothing.Thebet'sstillon,andIknowI'llwin.ButIalsoknowhowwretchedIamandhowI
becamethatway:becauseIfeelIdidn'tdeservewhathappenedtome.'
Chantalaskedherselfhowtheyweregoingtogetoutorthereeventhoughitwasstillonly
morning,theycouldn'tstayintheforestforever.
IthinkIdeservemygold,andI'mgoingtotakeit,don'tstopme,'shesaid.'I'dadviseyoutodo
something.
NeitherofusneedstogobacktoViscoswecanwalktothevalley,hitcharide,andtheneachof
usheadstraighton.
Eachcanfollowourowndestiny,ifyoulike.Butatthisverymomentthevillagersaredeciding
whoshoulddie.'
'That'sasmaybe.They'lldevoteacoupleofdaystoit,tillthedeadlineisupthenthey'lldevotea
coupleofyearsarguingaboutwhoshouldhavebeenthevictim.Theyarehopelesslyindecisive
whenitcomestodoinganything,andimplacablewhenitcomestoapportioningblameIknow
myvillage.Ifyoudon'tgoback,theywon'teventroublethemselvestodiscussit.They'lldismiss
itassomethingImadeup.'
'Viscosisjustlikeanyothervillageintheworld,andwhateverhappenstherehappensinevery
continent,city,camp,convent,wherever.That'ssomethingyoudon'tunderstand,justasyou
don'tunderstandthatthistimefatehasworkedinmyfavour:Ichoseexactlytherightpersonto
helpme.Someonewho,behindthemaskofahardworking,honestyoungwoman,alsowants
revenge.SinceWeCanneverseetheenemybecauseifwetakethistaletological
conclusion,ourrealenemyisGodforputtingusrougheverythingwe'vesufferedweventour
frustrationsoneverythingaroundus.It'sadesireforvengeancecanneverbesatisfied,
becauseit'sdirectedagainstlifeitself.'
'Whatarewedoingsittingaroundheretalking?'askedChantal,irritatedbecausethisman,
whomshehatedmorethananyoneelseintheworld,couldseesoclearlyintohersoul.'Why
don'twejusttakethemoneyand
leave?'
'BecauseyesterdayIrealisedthatbyproposingtheverythingthatmostrevoltsmeasenseless
murder,justlikethatinflictedonmywifeanddaughtersthetruthisIwastryingtosavemyself.
DoyourememberthephilosopherImentionedinoursecondconversation?Theonewhosaid
thatGod'shellisHisloveforhumanity,becausehumanbehaviourmakeseverysecondofHis
eternallifeatorment?
'Well,thatsamephilosophersaidsomethingelsetoo,hesaid:Manneedswhat'sworstinhimin
ordertoachievewhat'sbestinhim.'
'Idon'tunderstand.'
'Untilnow,Iusedtothinksolelyintermsofrevenge.Liketheinhabitantsofyourvillage,Iusedto
dreamandplandayandnight,butneverdoanything.Forawhile,Iusedtoscourthe
newspapersforarticlesaboutotherpeoplewhohadlosttheirlovedonesinsimilarsituations,but
whohadendedupbehavinginexactlytheoppositewaytomyself:theyformedvictim
supportgroups,organisationstodenounceinjustice,campaignstodemonstratehowthepainof
losscanneverbereplacedbytheburdenofvengeance.
'Itootriedtolookatmattersfromamoregenerousperspective:Ididn'tsucceed.ButnowI've
gainedcourageI'vereachedthedepthsanddiscoveredthatthereislightatthebottom.'
'Goon,'saidChantal,forshetoowasbeginningtoseeakindoflight.
Iwastryingtoprovethathumanityisperverse.WhatIwastodoistoprovethatIunconsciously
askedforwhatI'mtryingthathappenedtome.BecauseI'mevil,atotalerateandIdeservedthe
punishmentthatlifegaveme.'
'You'retryingtoprovethatGodisjust.'
Thestrangerthoughtforamoment.'Maybe.'
'Idon'tknowifGodisjust.Hehasn'ttreatedmeparticularlyfairly,andit'sthatsenseof
powerlessnessthathasdestroyedmysoul.Icannotbeas
goodasIwouldliketobe,norasbadasIthinkIneedtobe.Afewminutesago,IthoughtHehad
chosenmetoavengeHimselfforallthesadnessmencauseHim.Ithinkyouhavethesame
doubts,albeitonamuchlargerscale,becauseyourgoodnesswasnotrewarded.'
Chantalwassurprisedatherownwords.Theman'sdevilnoticedthatherangelwasbeginning
toshinewithgreaterintensity,andeverythingwasbeginningtobeturnedinsideout.
'Resist!'hesaidtotheotherdemon.
'Iamresisting,'hereplied.'Butit'sanuphillstruggle.'
Yourproblemisn'ttodowithGod'sjusticeexactly,'thestrangersaid.'It'smorethefactthatyou
alwayschosetobeavictimcircumstance.Iknowalotofpeopleinyoursituation.'
'Likeyou,forexample,Irebelledagainstsomethingthathappenedtomeanddon'tcarewhether
otherslikemyattitudeornot.You,ontheotherhand,believedinyourroleashelplessorphan,
someonewhowantstobeacceptedatallcosts.Sincethatdoesn'talwayshappen,yourneedto
belovedwastransformedintostubborndesireforrevenge.Atheart,youwishyouwerelikethe
restofViscos'inhabitantsinotherwords,deepdownwe'dallliketobethesameaseveryone
else.Butdestinyaccordedyouadifferentfate.'
Chantalshookherhead.
'Dosomething,'saidChantal'sdeviltohiscolleague.'Eventhoughshe'ssayingno,hersoul
understandsandissayingyes.'
Thestranger'sdevilwasfeelinghumiliatedbecausethenewarrivalhadnoticedthathewasn't
strongenoughtogetthemantoshutup.
'Wordsdon'tmatterintheend,'thedevilsaid.'Letthemtalk,andlifewillseetoitthattheyact
differently.'
'Ididn'tmeantointerruptyou,'thestrangersaid.'Please,goonwithwhatyouweresayingabout
God'sjustice.'
Chantalwaspleasednottohavetolistenanymoretothingsshedidn'twanttohear.
'Idon'tknowifitmakessense.ButyoumusthavenoticedthatViscosisn'taparticularlyreligious
place,eventhoughithasachurch,likeallthevillagesinthisregion.That'sbecauseAhab,
eventhoughhewasconvertedtoChristianitybyStSavin,hadseriousreservationsaboutthe
influenceofpriests.Sincethemajorityoftheearlywerebandits,hethoughtthatallthepriests
cabitalltswiththeirthreatsofeternaldamnation,wouldbewooedbacktotheircriminalways.
Menwhohavetoshownothingtolosenevergiveathoughtforeternallife.
'Naturally,thefirstpriestdulyappeared,andAhabknewwhattherealthreatwas.To
compensateforit,heinstitutedsomethinghehadlearnedfromtheJewsDayofAtonement
exceptthathedeterminedtoestablisharitualofhisownmaking.
'Onceayear,theinhabitantsshutthemselvesupintheirhouses,madetwolists,turnedtoface
thehighestmountainandthenraisedtheirfirstlisttotheheavens.
'"Here,Lord,areallthesinsIhavecommittedagainstyou,"theysaid,readingtheaccountofall
thesinstheyhadcommitted.Businessswindles,adulteries,injustices,thingsofthatsort."I
havesinnedandbegforgivenessforhavingoffendedYousogreatly."
'ThenandherelayAhab'soriginalitytheresidentsimmediatelypulledthesecondlistoutof
theirpocketand,stillfacingthesamemountain,theyheldthatoneuptotheskiestoo.Andthey
saidsomethinglike:"Andhere,Lord,isalistofallYoursinsagainstme:Youmademework
harderthannecessary,mydaughterfellilldespiteallmyprayers,IwasrobbedwhenIwastrying
tobehonest,Isufferedmorethanwasfair."
Afterreadingoutthesecondlist,theyendedtheritualIhavebeenunjusttowardsYouandYou
havebeentowardsme.However,sincetodayistheDayofAtonement,Youwillforgetmyfaults
andIwillforgetYoursandwecancarryontogetherforanotheryear."'
'ForgiveGod!'saidthestranger.'ForgiveanimplacableGodwhoisconstantlycreatingand
destroying!'
'Thisconversationisgettingtoopersonalformytaste'saidChantal,lookingaway.'Ihaven't
learnedenoughfromlifetobeabletoteachyouanything.'
Thestrangersaidnothing.
'Idon'tlikethisatall,'thoughtthestranger'sdevil,beginningtoseeabrightlightshiningbeside
him,apresencehewascertainlynotgoingtoallow.Hehadbanishedthatlighttwoyearsago,on
oneoftheworld'smanybeaches.
Inanynumberoflegends,ofCelticandProtestantinfluence,givenbycertainunfortunate
examplessetbytheArabwhohadbroughtpeacetothevillage,andgiventheconstantofsaints
andbanditsinthesurroundingarea,thepriestknewthatViscoswasnotexactlyareligious
place,eventhoughitsresidentsstillattendedbaptismsandweddings(althoughnowadaysthese
weremerelyadistantmemory),funerals(which,onthecontrary,occurredwitheverincreasing
frequency)andChristmasMass.Forthemostpart,fewtroubledtomaketheefforttoattendthe
twoweeklyMassesoneonSaturdayandoneonSunday,bothateleveno'clockinthemorning
evenso,hemadesuretocelebratethem,ifonlytojustifyhispresencethere.Hewishedtogive
theimpressionofbeingabusy,saintlyman.
Tohissurprise,thatdaythechurchwassocrowdedthathehadtoallowsomeofthe
congregationupontothealtarsteps,otherwisetheycouldnothavefittedeveryonein.Insteadof
turningontheelectricheaterssuspendedfromtheceilinghehadtoaskmembersofthe
congregationtoopenthesmallsidewindows,aseveryonewassweatingthewonderedto
himselfwhetherthesweatwasduetotheheatortothegeneraltension.Theentirevillagewas
there,apartfromMissPrym,possiblyashamedof
whatshehadsaidthepreviousdayandoldBerta,whomeveryonesuspectedofbeingawand
thereforeallergictoreligion.
'IntheNameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.'
Aloud'Amen'rangout.Thepriestbegantheliturgyoftheintroit,hadtheusualfaithfulchurch
memberreadthelesson,solemnlyintonedtheresponsory,andrecitedtheGospelinslow,grave
tones.Afterwhich,heaskedallthoseinthepewstobeseated,whilsttherestremained
standing.
Itwastimeforthesermon.
'IntheGospelaccordingtoLuke,thereisamomentwhenanimportantmanapproachesJesus
andasks:'GoodMaster,whatshallIdotoinheriteternallife?'And,tooursurprise,Jesus
responds:'Whycallestthoumegood?Noneisgood,saveone,thatis,God.'
'Formanyyears,Iponderedoverthislittlefragmentoftext,tryingtounderstandwhatOurLord
wassaying:ThatHewasnotgood?ThatthewholeofChristianity,withitsconceptofcharity,is
basedontheteachingsofsomeonewhoconsideredHimselftobebad?Finally,Isawwhathe
meant:Christ,atthatmoment,isreferringtoHishumannature.Asman,Heisbad,asGod,He
isgood.'
Thepriestpaused,hopingthatthecongregationunderstoodhismessage.Hewaslyingto
himself:hestillcouldn'tgraspwhatChristwassaying,sinceifhishumannaturewasbad,then
hiswordsandactionswouldalsobebad.Buttheinadiscussionofnorelevancejustthenwhat
wasanexplanationshouldbeconvincing,andthatpartofbeinghumanistoacceptourbaser,
natureandknowthattheonlyreasonthatwewere,damnedtoeternaldamnationbecauseof
thisbasethatJesussacrificedhimselftosavehumanity.
Thesacrificeofthesonsavedusall.
'Iwishtoclosethissermonbymentioningthebeginningofoneofthe
sacredbooksthattogethercomprisetheBible,theBookofJob.GodissittinguponHiscelestial
throne,whentheDevilcomestospeaktoHim.GodaskswherehehasbeenandtheDevil
repliesthathehasbeen"goingtoandfroinEarth".
'"DidyouseemyservantJob?Didyouseehowheworshipsme,andperformsallhis
sacrifices?"
'TheDevillaughsandreplies:"Well,Jobdoes,afterall,haveeverything,sowhywouldn'the
worshipGodandmakesacrifices?TakeawaythegoodYougavehim,andseeifheworships
Youthen."
Godacceptsthechallenge.YearafteryearhepunishesthemanwhomostlovedHim.Jobisin
thepresenceofawarhecannotcomprehend,whomhebelievedtobethe
supremeJudge,butwhoisdestroyinghisanimals,killinghischildrenandafflictinghisbodywith
boils.Then,aftergreatJobrebelsandblasphemesagainsttheLord.OnlythenGodrestoredto
himthatwhichHehadtakenaway.
'ForyearsnowwehavewitnessedthedecayofourvillageIwondernowwhetherthismightnot
beadivinepunishmentforouruncomplainingacceptanceofwhateverwasdealtouttous,asif
wedeservedtolosetheplacewelivein,thefieldswherewecultivateourcropsandgrazeour
sheep,thehousesbuiltbythedreamsofourancestors.Hasnotthemomentcomeforusto
rebel?IfGodforcedJobtodoasmuch,mightHenotberequiringustodolikewise?
'WhydidGodforceJobtobehaveinthatway?Toshowthathewasbynaturebad,andthat
everythingthatcametohimwasbygraceandgracealone,andnotasarewardforgood
behaviour.Wehavecommittedthesinofprideinbelievingourselvestobebetterthanweare
andthatiswhywearesuffering.
'GodacceptedtheDevil'swagerandsoitseemscommittedaninjustice.Remember
that:GodacceptedtheDevil'swager.AndJob
learnedhislessonfor,likeus,hetoowascornmittingthesinofprideinbelievingthathewasa
goodman.
'Noneisgood,saystheLord.Noone.Weshouldstoppretendingtoagoodnessthatoffends
Godandacceptourfaults:ifonedaywehavetoacceptawagerwiththeDevil,letusremember
thatourFatherwhoisinheavendidexactlythesameinordertosavethesoulofHisservant
Job.'Thesermonwasatanend.Thepriestaskedeveryonetostandup,andcontinuedthe
Mass.Hewassurethatthemessagehadbeenfullyunderstood.
'Leteachofusjustgoourownway,mewithmygoldbarandyou...''Youmeanmygoldbar,'
thestrangerbrokein.
'Allyouhavetodoispackupyourthingsanddisappear.IfIdon'ttakethegold,I'llhavetogo
backtoViscos.I'llbesackedfrommyjoborstigmatisedbythewholepopulation.They'llthinkI
liedtothem.Youcan't,yousimplycan'tdothattome.Let'ssayIdeserveitaspaymentforall
mywork.'
Thestrangerrosetohisfeetandpickedupsomeofthebranchesfromthefire.
'Thewolfwillrunawayfromtheflames,won'tit?Well,then,I'mofftoViscos.Youdowhatyou
thinkbest,stealthegoldandrunawayifyouwant,Ireallydon'tcareanymore.I'vegot
somethingmoreimportanttodo.'
'Justaminute!Don'tleavemeherealone!''Comewithme,then.'
Chantallookedatthefirebeforeher,attheYshapedrock,atthestrangerwhowas
alreadymovingoff,takingsomeofthefirewithhim.Shecoulddolikewise:takesomewoodfrom
thefire,digupthegoldandheadstraightdowntothevalleytherewasn'tanyneedforhertogo
homeandfetchthelittlemoneyshehadsocarefullyscrapedtogether.Whenshereachedthe
towninthevalley,shewouldaskthebanktovalue
thegold,shewouldthensellit,buyclothesandsuitcases,andshewouldbefree.
'Wait!'shecalledafterthestranger,buthewasstillwalkingtowards
Viscosandwouldsoonbelosttoview.
'Thinkfast,'shetoldherself.
Shedidn'thavemuchtime.Shetootooksomeburningtwigsfromthefire,wentovertotherock
andonceagaindulypickedupthegold.Shepickeditup,cleaneditoffonherdressandstudied
itforthethirdtime.Thenshewasseizedwithpanic.Shetookherhandfulofburningwoodand,
hatredoozingfromhereverypore,ranafterthestranger,downthepathhemusthavetaken.
Shehadmettwowolvesthatday,onewhocouldbescaredoffwithfire,andanotherwhowasn't
scaredofanythinganymorebecausehehadalreadylosteverythinghevaluedandwasnow
movingblindlyforward,intentondestroyingeverythinginhispath.
Sheranasfastasshecould,butshedidn'tfindhim.Historchwouldhaveburnedoutbynow,
buthemuststillbeintheforest,defyingtheroguewolf,wantingtodieasfiercelyashewanted
tokill.
Shereachedthevillage,pretendednottohearBertacallingtoherandmetupwiththe
congregationleavingMass,amazedthatvirtuallytheentirepopulationhadgonetochurch.The
strangerhadwantedtoprovokeamurderandhadendedupfillingthepriest'sdiaryitwouldbea
weekofconfessionsandpenancesasifGodcouldbehoodwinked.
Theystaredather,butnoonespoketoher.Shemettheirstaresbecausesheknewthatshe
wasnottogotheirway.Shehadnoneedofconfession,shewasblameless,anyoneinan
evilgame,onethatshewasslowlybeginninggingerlytounderstandandshedidn'tatalllike
whatshesaw.
Shelockedherselfinherroomandpeepedthroughthewindow.Thecrowdhadnowdispersed,
andagainsomethingstrangewasgoingonthevillagewasunusuallyemptyforaSaturday.Asa
rule,peoplestoodabout
chattinginsmallgroupsinthesquarewhereoncetherehadbeenagallowsandwherenow
therewasacross.
Shestoodforawhilegazingattheemptystreet,feelingthesunonherface,thoughitnolonger
warmedher,forwinterwasbeginning.Ifpeoplehadbeenoutinthesquare,thatwouldhave
beentheirtopicofconversationtheweather.Thetemperature.Thethreatofrainor
drought.Buttodaytheywereallintheirhouses,andChantaldidnotknowwhy.
Thelongershegazedatthestreet,themoreshefeltshewasthesameasallthoseother
peopleshe,whohadalwaysbelievedherselftobedifferent,daring,fullofplansthatwould
neverevenoccurtothosepeasantbrains.
Howembarrassing.Andyet,whatarelieftooshewasnolongerinViscosbysomecruelwhim
ofdestiny,butbecauseshedeservedtobethere.Shehadalwaysconsideredthatshewas
herselftobedifferent,andnowshesawthatshewasthesameasthem.Shehaddugupthe
goldbarbuthadbeenincapableofactuallyrunningoffwithit.Shehadcommittedthecrimein
hersoul,buthadbeenunabletocarryitoutintherealworld.
Nowsheknewthattherewasnowayshecouldcommitthecrime,foritwasn'tatemptation,it
wasatrap.
'Whyatrap?'shewondered.Somethingtoldherthatthegoldbarshehadseenwasthesolution
totheproblemthestrangerhadcreated.But,howeverhardshetried,shecouldnotworkout
whatthatsolutionmightbe.
HernewlyarriveddevilglancedtoonesideandsawthatMissPrym'slight,whichbeforehad
seemedtobegrowing,wasnowalmostdisappearingagainwhatashamehiscolleaguewasn't
therewithhimtocelebratethevictory.
Whathedidn'tknowwasthatangelsalsohavetheirstrategies:atthatmoment,MissPrym's
lightwashidingsoasnottoawakenaresponsein
itsenemy.AllthattheangelrequiredwasforChantaltorestalittlesothathecouldconverse
withhersoulwithoutinterferencefromthefearandguiltthathumanbeingslovetoload
themselvesdownwitheverydayoftheirlives.
Chantalslept.Andsheheardwhatsheneededtohearandunderstoodwhatsheneededto
understand.
'Let'sdropallthistalkoflandandcemeteries,'themayor'swifesaid,assoonastheywereall
gatheredagaininthesacristy,let'stalkplainly.'
Theotherfiveagreed.
'Father,youconvincedme,'saidthelandowner.'Godjustifiescertainacts.'
'Don'tbecynical,'repliedthepriest.'Whenwelookedthroughthatwindow,weallknew
whatwemeant.That'swhythathotwindblewthroughhereitwastheDevilcometokeepus
company.'
'Ofcourse,'agreedthemayor,whodidnotbelieveindevils.'We'reallconvinced.We'dbetter
talkplainly,orwe'llloseprecioustime.'
'I'llspeakforallofus,'saidthehotellandlady.'Wearethinkingofacceptingthestranger's
proposal.Tocommitamurder.'
'Toofferupasacrifice,'saidthepriest,moreaccustomedtotheritesofreligion.Thesilence
thatfollowedshowedthateveryonewasinagreement.
'Onlycowardshidebehindsilence.LetusprayinaloudvoicesothatGodmayhearusand
knowthatwearedoingthisforthegoodofViscos.Letuskneel.'
Theyallreluctantlykneeleddown,knowingthatitwasuselessbeggingforgivenessfromGodfor
asincommittedinfullconsciousnessoftheeviltheyweredoing.ThentheyrememberedAhab's
DayofAtonementsoon,whenthatdaycamearoundagain,theywouldaccuseGodofhaving
placedtheminterribletemptation.
Thepriestsuggestedthattheypraytogether.
'Lord,Youoncesaidthatnooneisgoodacceptusthenwithallour
imperfectionsandforgiveusinYourinfinitegenerosityandYourinfinitelove.ForasYou
pardonedtheCrusaderswhokilledtheMuslimsinordertoreconquertheholylandof
Jerusalem,asYoupardonedtheInquisitorswhosoughttopreservethepurityofYourChurch,
asYoupardonedthosewhoinsultedYouandnailedYoutothecross,sopardonuswhomust
offerupasacrificeinordertosaveourvillage.'
'Let'sgetdowntopracticalities,'saidthemayor'swife,risingtoherfeet.
'Whoshouldbesacrificed?Andwhoshouldcarryitout?'
'ThepersonwhobroughttheDevilherewasayoungwomanwhomwehaveallalwayshelped
andsupported,'commentedthelandowner,whointhenottoodistantpasthadhimselfsleptwith
thegirlhewasreferringtoandhadeversincebeentormentedbytheideathatshemighttellhis
wifeaboutit.'EvilmustfightEvil,andshedeservestobepunished.'
Twooftheothersagreed,arguingthat,inaddition,MissPrymwastheonepersoninthevillage
whocouldnotberatedbecauseshethoughtshewasdifferentfromeveryoneandwasalways
sayingthatonedayshewouldleave.
'Hermother'sdead.Hergrandmother'sdead.Nobodywouldmissher,'themayoragreed,thus
becomingthethirdtoapprovethesuggestion.
Hiswife,however,opposedit.
'Whatifsheknowswherethetreasureishidden?Afterallshewastheonlyonewhosawit.
Moreover,wecantrustherpreciselybecauseofwhathasjustbeensaidshewastheonewho
broughtEvilhereandledawholecommunityintoconsideringcommittingamurder.Shecansay
whatshelikes,butiftherestofthevillagesaysnothing,itwillbethewordofoneneuroticyoung
womanagainstus,peoplewhohaveallachievedsomethinginlife.'
Themayorwasundecided,asalwayswhenhiswifehadexpressedheropinion:'Whydoyou
wanttosaveher,ifyoudon'tevenlikeher?'
'Iunderstand,'thepriestresponded.'Thatwaytheguiltfallsontheheadoftheonewho
precipitatedthetragedy.Shewillbearthatburdenfortherestofherdaysandnights.Shemight
evenenduplikeJudas,whobetrayedJesusandthencommittedsuicide,inagestureofdespair
andfutility,becauseshecreatedallthenecessarypreconditionsforthecrime.'Themayor'swife
wassurprisedbythepriest'sreasoningitwasexactlywhatshehadbeenthinking.Theyoung
womanwasbeautiful,sheledmenintotemptation,andsherefusedtobecontentedwiththe
typicallifeofaninhabitantofViscos.Shewasforeverbemoaningthefactthatshehadtostayin
thevillage,which,forallitsfaults,wasneverthelessmadeupofhonest,hardworkingpeople,a
placewheremanypeoplewouldloveto spend their days (strangers, naturally,
who would leave afterdiscoveringhowboringitistoliveconstantlyatpeace).
'Ican'tthinkofanyoneelse,'thehotellandladysaid,awareofhowdifficultitwouldbetofind
someoneelsetoworkinthebar,butrealisingthat,withthegoldshewouldreceive,shecould
closethehotelandmovefaraway.'Thepeasantsandshepherdsformaclosedgroup,some
aremarried,manyhavechildrenalongwayfromhere,whomightbecomesuspiciousshould
anythinghappentotheirparents.MissPrymistheonlyonewhocoulddisappearwithouttrace.'
Forreligiousreasonsafterall,Jesuscursedthosewhocondemnedaninnocentpersonthe
priesthadnowishtonominateanyone.Butheknewwhothevictimshouldbehejusthadto
ensurethattheotherscametothesameconclusion.
'ThepeopleofViscosworkfromdawntodusk,comerainorshine.Eachonehasatasktofulfill,
eventhatpoorwretchofagirlwhomtheDevildecidedtouseforhisownevilends.Thereare
onlyafewofusleft,andwecan'taffordtheluxuryoflosinganotherpairofhands.'
'So,Father,wehavenovictim.Allwecanhopeisthatanotherstrangerturnsuptonight,yet
eventhatwouldproverisky,becausehewould
inevitablyhaveafamilywhowouldmisshimtotheendsoftheearth.InViscoseveryoneworks
hardtoearnthebreadbroughttousbythebaker'svan.'
'You'reright,'saidthepriest.'Perhapseverythingwehavebeenthroughsincelastnighthas
beenmereillusion.Everyoneinthisvillagehassomeonewhowouldmissthem,andnoneofus
wouldwantanythingtohappentooneofourownlovedones.Onlythreepeopleinthisvillage
sleepalone:myself,BertaandMissPrym.'
'Areyouofferingyourselfupforsacrifice,Father?''Ifit'sforthegoodofthecommunity.'
Theotherfivefeltgreatlyrelieved,suddenlyawarethatitwasasunnySaturday,thattherewould
benomurder,onlyamartyrdom.Thetensioninthesacristyevaporatedasifbymagic,andthe
hotellandladyfeltsomovedshecouldhavekissedthefeetofthatsaintlyman.
There'sonlyonething,'thepriestwenton.'Youwouldneedtoconvinceeveryonethatitisnota
mortalsintokillaministerofGod.'
'YoucanexplainittoViscosyourself!'exclaimedthemayorenthusiastically,already
planningthevariousreformshecouldputinplaceoncehehadthemoney,theadvertisements
hecouldtakeoutintheregionalnewspapers,attractingfreshinvestmentbecauseofthetaxcuts
hecouldmake,drawlngintouristswiththechangestothehotelheintendedto'und,and
havinganewtelephonelineinstalledthatwouldprovelessproblematicthanthecurrentone.
Ican'tdothat,'saidthepriest.'Martyrsofferthemselvesupwhenthepeoplewanttokillthem.
Theyneverincitetheirowndeath,fortheChurchhasalwayssaidthatlifeisagiftfromGod.
You'llhavetodotheexplaining.'
'Nobodywillbelieveus.They'llconsiderustobetheveryworstkindofmurdererifwekillaholy
manformoney,justasJudasdidtoChrist.'
Thepriestshrugged.Itfeltasifthesunhadonceagaingonein,andtensionreturnedtothe
sacristy.
'Well,thatonlyleavesBerta,'thelandownerconcluded.Afteralengthypause,itwasthepriest's
turntospeak.
'Thatwomanmustsuffergreatlywithherhusbandgone.She'sdone
nothingbutsitoutsideherhousealltheseyears,alonewiththeelementsandherownboredom.
Allshedoesislongforthepast.AndI'mafraidthepoorwomanmayslowlybegoingmad:I've
oftenpassedbythatwayandseenhertalkingtoherself.'
Againagustofwindblewthroughthesacristy,startlingthepeopleinsidebecauseallthe
windowswereclosed.
'She'scertainlyhadaverysadlife,'thehotellandladywenton.'Ithinkshewouldgiveanythingto
joinherbeloved.Theyweremarriedforfortyyears,youknow.'
Theyallknewthat,butitwashardlyrelevantnow.
'She'sanoldwoman,neartheendofherlife,'addedthelandowner.
'She'stheonlypersoninthevillagewhodoesnothingofnote.Ionceaskedherwhyshealways
satoutsideherhouse,eveninwinter,anddoyouknowwhatshetoldme?Shesaidshewas
watchingoverourvillage,sothatshecouldseewhenEvilarrived.'
'Well,shehasn'tdoneverywellonthatscore.'
'Onthecontrary,'saidthepriest,'fromwhatIunderstandofyourconversation,thepersonwho
letEvilenterinwouldalsobetheonewhoshoulddriveitout.'
Anothersilence,andeveryoneknewthatavictimhadbeenchosen.
'There'sjustonething,'themayor'swifecommented.'Weknowwhenthesacrificewillbe
offeredupintheinterestsofthewellbeingofthevillage.Weknowwhoitwillbe.Thankstothis
sacrifice,agoodsoulwillgotoheavenandfindeternaljoy,ratherthanremainsufferinghereon
earth.Allweneedtoknownowishow.'
'Trytospeaktoallthemeninthevillage,'thepriestsaidtothemayor,
'andcallameetinginthesquarefornineo'clocktonight.IthinkIknowhow.Dropbyhereshortly
beforenine,andthetwoofuscantalkitover.'Beforetheyleft,heaskedthat,whilethemeeting
thatnightwasin
progress,thetwowomenshouldgotoBerta'shouseandkeephertalking.
Althoughsheneverwentoutatnight,itwouldbebestnottotakeanyrisks.
Chantalarrivedatthebarintimeforwork.Noonewasthere.
'There'sameetinginthesquaretonightatnine,'thehotellandladysaid.
'Justforthemen.'Shedidn'tneedtosayanythingmore.Chantalknewwhatwasgoingon.
'Didyouactuallyseethegold?'
'Yes,Idid,butyoushouldaskthestrangertobringithere.Youneverknow,oncehe'sgotwhat
hewants,hemightsimplydecidetodisappear.'
'He'snotmad.''Heis.'
Thehotellandladythoughtthatthismightindeedbeagoodidea.Shewentuptothestranger's
roomandcamedownafewminuteslater.
'He'sagreed.Hesaysit'shiddenintheforestandthathe'llbringitheretomorrow.''IguessI
don'tneedtoworktoday,then.'
'Youcertainlydo.It'sinyourcontract.'
Shedidn'tknowhowtobroachthesubjectsheandtheothershadspenttheafternoon
discussing,butitwasimportanttogaugethegirl'sreaction.
'I'mreallyshockedbyallthis,'shesaid.'Atthesametime,Irealisethatpeopleneedtothink
twiceorevententimesbeforetheydecidewhattheyshoulddo.'
'Theycouldthinkitovertwentyortwohundredtimesandtheystillwouldn'thavethecourageto
doanything.'
'Youmayberight,'thehotellandladyagreed,'butiftheydodecidetomakeamove,whatwould
youdo?'
ThewomanneededtoknowwhatChantal'sreactionwouldbe,andChantalrealisedthatthe
strangerwasfarclosertothetruththanshewas,despiteherhavinglivedinViscosallthose
years.Ameetinginthesquare!Whata
pitythegallowshadbeendismantled.
'Sowhatwouldyoudo?'thelandladyinsisted.
'Iwon'tanswerthatquestion,'shesaid,eventhoughsheknewexactlywhatshewoulddo.'I'll
onlysaythatEvilneverbringsGood.Idiscoveredthatformyselfthisafternoon.'
Thehotellandladydidn'tlikehavingherauthorityflouted,butthoughtitprudentnottoarguewith
theyoungwomanandriskanenmitythatcouldbringproblemsinthefuture.Onthepretextthat
sheneededtobringtheaccountsuptodate(anabsurdexcuse,shethoughtlater,sincethere
wasonlyoneguestinthehotel),sheleftMissPrymaloneinthebar.ShefeltreassuredMiss
Prymshowednosignsofrebellion,evenaftershehadmentionedthemeetinginthesquare,
whichshowedthatsomethingunusualwashappeninginViscos.Besides,MissPrymalsohad
agreatneedformoney,shehadherwholelifeaheadofher,andwouldalmostcertainlyliketo
followinthefootstepsofherchildhoodfriendswhohadalreadyexitedthevillage.And,evenif
shewasn'twillingtocooperate,leastshedidn'tseemtowanttointerfere.
Shedinedfrugallythensatdownaloneononeofthechurchsteps.Thepriestandotherwould
bethereinafewminutes.
Shecontemplatedthewhitewashedwalls,thealtarunadornedbvanyimportantworkofart,
decoratedinsteadwithcheapreproductionsofpaintingsofthesaintswhointhedimand
distantpasthadlivedintheregion.ThepeopleofViscoshadneverbeenveryreligious,despite
theimportantroleStSavinhadplayedinresurrectingthefortunesoftheplace.Butthepeople
forgotthisandpreferredtoconcentrateonAhab,ontheCelts,onthepeasants'
centuriesoldsuperstitions,failingtounderstandthatittookonlyagesture,asimplegesture,
toachieveredemption:thatofacceptingJesusasthesoleSaviourofhumanity.
Onlyhoursearlier,thepriesthadofferedhimselfupformartyrdomIthadbeenariskymove,but
hehadbeenpreparedtoseeitthroughanddeliverhimselfoverforsacrifice,hadtheothersnot
beensofrivolousand
soeasilymanipulated.
'That'snottrue.Theymaybefrivolous,butthey'renoteasilymanipulated.'Indeed,
throughsilenceorwords,theyhadmadehimsaywhattheywantedtosacrificethatredeems,
thevictimwhosaves,decaytransformedanewintoglory.Hehadpretendedtolethimselfbe
usedbytheothers,buthadonlysaidwhathehimselfbelieved.
Hehadbeenpreparedforthepriesthoodfromanearlyage,andthatwashistruevocation.By
thetimehewastwentyone,hehadalreadybeenordainedapriest,andhadimpressed
everyonewithhisgiftsasapreacherandhisskillasaparishadministrator.Hesaidprayers
everyevening,visitedthesickandthoseinprison,gavefoodtothehungryjustastheholy
scripturescommanded.Hisfamesoonspreadthroughouttheregionandreachedtheearsof
thebishop,amanknownforhiswisdomandfairness.
Thebishopinvitedhim,togetherwithotheryoungpriests,foraneveningmeal.Theyateand
talkedaboutvariousmattersuntil,attheend,thebishop,whowasgettingoldandhad
difficultieswalking,gotupandofferedeachofthemsomewater.Thepriesthadbeentheonly
onenottorefuse,askingforhisglasstobefilledtothebrim.
Oneoftheotherpriestswhispered,loudenoughforthebishoptohear:
'Weallrefusedthewaterbecauseweknowwearenotworthytodrinkfromthehandsofthis
saintlyman.Onlyoneamonguscannotseethesacrificeoursuperiorismakingincarryingthat
heavybottle.'
Whenthebishopreturnedtohisseat,hesaid:'You,whothinkyouareholymen,werenot
humbleenoughtoreceiveandsodeniedmethepleasureofgiving.OnlythismanallowedGod
tobemademanifest.'
Heimmediatelyappointedhimtoamoreimportantparish.
Thetwomenbecamefriendsandcontinuedtoseeeachotheroften.Wheneverhehadany
doubts,thepriestwouldgotothepersonhecalled
'myspiritualfather',andhewasverysatisfiedwiththeanswershegot.Oneevening,for
example,hewastroubledbecausehecouldnolongertellwhetherornothisactionswere
pleasingtoGod.Hewenttoseethebishopandaskedwhatheshoulddo.
'Abrahamtookinstrangers,andGodwashappy,'camethereply.'Elijahdislikedstrangers,and
Godwashappy.Davidwasproudofwhathewasdoing,andGodwashappy.Thepublican
beforethealtarwasashamedofwhathedid,andGodwashappy.JohntheBaptistwentoutinto
thedesert,andGodwashappy.PaulwenttothegreatcitiesoftheRomanEmpire,andGod
washappy.HowcanoneknowwhatwillpleasetheAlmighty?Dowhatyourheartcommands,
andGodwillbehappy.'
Thedayafterthisconversation,thebishop,hisgreatspiritualmentor,diedfromamassiveheart
attack.Thepriestsawthebishop'sdeathasasign,andbegantodoexactlywhathehad
recommendedhefollowedthecommandsofhisheart.Sometimeshegavealms,sometimes
hetoldthepersontogoandfindwork.Sometimeshegaveaveryserioussermon,atothershe
sangalongwithhiscongregation,"isbehaviourreachedtheearsofthenewbishop,andhewas
summonedtoseehim.
Hewasastonishedtofindthatthenewbishopwasthesamepersonwho,afewyearsearlier,
hadmadethecommentaboutthewaterservedbyhispredecessor.
'Iknowthattodayyou'reinchargeofanimportantparish,'thenewbishopsaid,anironiclookin
hiseye,'andthatovertheyearsyoubecameagreatfriendofmypredecessor,perhapseven
aspiringtothispositionyourself.'
'No,'thepriestreplied,'aspiringonlytowisdom.'
'Well,youmustbeaverywisemanbynow,butweheardstrangestoriesaboutyou,that
sometimesyougivealmsandthatsometimesyourefusetheaidthatourChurchsayswe
shouldoffer.'
'Ihavetwopockets,eachcontainsapieceofpaperwithwritingonit,but
Ionlyputmoneyinmyleftpocket,'hesaidinreply.
Thenewbishopwasintriguedbythestory:whatdidthetwopiecesofpapersay?
'Onthepieceofpaperinmyrightpocket,Iwrote:Iamnothingbutdustandashes.Thepieceof
paperinmyleftpocket,whereIkeepmymoney,says:IamthemanifestationofGodonEarth.
WheneverIseemiseryandinjustice,Iputmyhandinmyleftpocketandtrytohelp.WheneverI
comeupagainstlazinessandindolence,IputmyhandinmyrightpocketandfindIhavenothing
togive.Inthisway,Imanagetobalancethematerialandthespiritualworlds.'
Thenewbishopthankedhimforthisfineimageofcharityandsaidhecouldreturntohisparish,
butwarnedhimthathewasintheprocessofrestructuringthewholeregion.
Shortlyafterwards,thepriestreceivednewsthathewasbeingtransferredtoViscos.He
understoodthemessageatonce:envy.ButhehadtheWordtoserveGodwhereveritmightbe,
andsohesetoftoViscosfullofhumilityandfervour:itwasanewchallengeforhimtomeet.
Ayearwentby.Andanother.Bytheendoffiveyears,inspiteallhisefforts,hehadnot
succeededinbringinganynewbelieversintothechurchthevillagewashauntedbyaghost
fromthepastcalledAhab,andnothingthepriestsaidcouldbemoreimportantthanthelegends
thatstillcirculatedabouthim.Tenyearspassed.Attheendofthetenthyear,thepriestrealised
hismistake:hissearchforwisdomhadbecomepride.Hewassoconvincedofdivinejustice
thathehadfailedtobalanceitwiththeartofdiplomacy.Hethoughthewaslivinginaworld
whereGodwaseverywhere,onlytofindhimselfamongstpeoplewhooftenwouldnotevenlet
Godentertheirlives.
Afterfifteenyears,heknewthathewouldneverleaveViscos.Bythen,theformerbishopwasan
importantcardinalworkingintheVaticanandquitelikelytobenamedPopeandhecould
neverallowanobscurecountrypriesttospreadthestorythathehadbeenexiledoutofenvyand
greed.
Bythen,thepriesthadallowedhimselftobeinfectedbythelackofstimulusnoonecould
withstandallthoseyearsofindifference.Hethoughtthathadheleftthepriesthoodattheright
moment,hecouldhaveservedGodbetterbuthe"adkeptputtingoffthedecision,always
thinkingthattheSituationwouldchange,andbythenitwastoolate,hehadlostallcontactwith
theworld.
Aftertwentyyears,hewokeuponenightindespair:hislifehadbeencompletelyuseless.He
knewhowmuchhewascapableofandhowlittlehehadachieved.Herememberedthetwo
piecesofpaperheusedtokeepinhispocketsandrealisedthatnowhealwaysreachedintohis
righthandpocket.Hehadwantedtobewise,buthadbeenlackinginpoliticalskills.Hehad
wantedtobejust,buthadlackedwisdom.Hehadwantedtobeapolitician,buthadlacked
courage.
'WhereisYourgenerosity,Lord?WhydidYoudotomewhatYoudidtoJob?WillIneverhave
anotherchanceinthislife?Givemeonemoreopportunity!'
Hegotup,openedtheBibleatrandom,asheusuallydidwhenhewassearchingforananswer,
andhecameuponthepassageduringtheLastSupperwhenChristtellsthetraitortohand
himovertotheRomansoldierslookingforhim.
Thepriestspenthoursthinkingaboutwhathehadjustread:whydid
Jesusaskthetraitortocommitasin?
'Sothatthescriptureswouldbefulfilled,'thewisemenoftheChurchwouldsay.Evenso,why
wasJesusaskingsomeonetocommitasinandthusleadinghimintoeternaldamnation?'
Jesuswouldneverdothatintruth,thetraitorwasmerelyavictim,asJesushimselfwas.Evil
hadtomanifestitselfandfulfilitsrole,sothatultimatelyGoodcouldprevail.Iftherewasno
betrayal,therecouldbeno
cross,thewordsofthescriptureswouldnotbefulfilled,andJesus'sacrificecouldnot
serveasanexample.
Thenextday,astrangerarrivedinthevillage,assomanystrangershadbefore.Thepriestgave
thematternoimportance,didheconnectittotherequesthehadmadetoJesus,orthepassage
hehadreadintheBible.WhenheheardthestoryofthemodelsLeonardodaVincihadusedin
hisLastSupper,herememberedreadingthecorrespondingtextintheBible,butdismisseditas
acoincidence.
ItwasonlywhenMissPrymtoldthemaboutthewagerthatherealisedhisprayershadbeen
answered.
EvilneededtomanifestitselfifGoodwasfinallytomovetheheartsofthesepeople.Forthefirst
timesincehehadcometotheparish,hehadseenhischurchfulltooverflowing.Forthefirst
time,themostimportantpeopleinthevillagehadvisitedhiminthesacristy.'Evilneeds
tomanifestitself,forthemtounderstandthevalueofGood.'JustasthetraitorintheBible,soon
afterbetrayingJesus,understoodwhathehaddone,sothepeopleinthevillagewouldrealise
whattheyhaddoneandbesooverwhelmedbyremorsethattheironlyrefugewouldbethe
Church.AndViscosafteralltheseyearswouldonceagainbecomeaChristianvillage.
HisrolewastobetheinstrumentofEvilthatwasthegreatestactofhumilityhecouldofferto
God.
Themayorarrivedasarranged.
'IwanttoknowwhatIshouldsay,Father.'
'Letmetakechargeofthemeeting,'thepriestreplied.
Themayorhesitatedafterall,hewasthehighestauthorityinViscos,andhedidnotwanttosee
anoutsiderdealinginpublicwithsuchanimportanttopic.Thepriest,itwastrue,hadbeeninthe
villagenowformorethantwentyyearsbuthehadnotbeenbornthere,hedidnotknowalltheold
storiesandhedidnothavethebloodofAhabinhisveins.
'Inmattersasgraveasthis,IthinkIshouldbetheonetospeakdirectlytothepeople,'hesaid.
'Yes,you'reright.Itwouldprobablybebetterifyoudidthingsmightgowrong,andIdon'twantthe
Churchinvolved.I'lltellyoumyplan,andyoucantakeonthetaskofmakingitpublic'
'Onsecondthoughts,iftheplanisyours,itmightbefairerandmorehonestforyoutoshareit
witheveryone.'
'Fearagain,'thoughtthepriest.'Ifyouwanttocontrolsomeone,allyouhavetodoistomake
themfeelafraid.'
TheWomenreachedBerta'shouseshortlybeforenineandfoundherdoingsomecrochetwork
inhertinylivingroom.
'There'ssomethingdifferentaboutthevillagetonight,'theoldwomansaid.'Iheardlotsofpeople
walkingaround,lotsoffootstepsgoingpast.Thebarisn'tbigenoughtoholdthemall.'
'It'sthemeninthevillage,'thehotellandladyreplied.'They'regoingtothesquare,todiscuss
whattodoaboutthestranger.'
'Isee.Ishouldn'tthinkthere'smuchtodiscussthough,isthere?Eithertheyaccepthisproposal
ortheyallowhimtoleaveintwodays'time.'
'Wewouldneverevenconsideracceptinghisproposal,'themayor'swifesaidindignantly.
'Whynot?Iheardthatthepriestgaveawonderfulsermontoday,explaininghowthesacrificeof
onemansavedhumanity,andhowGodacceptedawagerwiththeDevilandpunishedhismost
faithfulservant.WoulditbesowrongifthepeopleofViscosdecidedtoacceptthe
stranger'sproposalaslet'ssayabusinessdeal?'
'Youcan'tbeserious.'
'Iam.It'syouwhoaretryingtopullthewoolovermyeyes.'
Thetwowomenconsideredgettingup,thereandthenandleavingatonce,butitwastoorisky.
'Apartfromthat,towhatdoIowethehonourofthisvisit?It'snever
happenedbefore.''Twodaysago,MissPrymsaidsheheardtheroguewolfhowling.'
'Nowweallknowthattheroguewolfisjustastupidstorydreamedupbytheblacksmith,'the
hotellandladysaid.'Heprobablywentintotheforestwithawomanfromanothervillage,and
whenhetriedtograbher,shefoughtback,andthat'swhyhecameupwiththestoryofthewolf.
Butevenso,wedecidedwe'dbettercomeoverheretomakesureeverythingwasallright.'
'Everything'sfine.I'mbusycrochetingatablecloth,althoughIcan'tguaranteeI'llfinishitwho
knows,Imightdietomorrow.'
Therewasamomentofgeneralembarrassment.
'Well,youknow,oldpeoplecandieatanytime,'Bertawenton.Thingshadreturnedtonormal.
Oralmost.
'It'sfartoosoonforyoutobetalkinglikethat.'
'Maybeyou'rerighttomorrowisanotherday,astheysay.ButIdon'tmindtellingyouthatit's
beenonmymindalottoday.'
'Foranyparticularreason?''Doyouthinkthereshouldbe?'
Thehotellandladywantedtochangethesubject,butshehadtodosoverycarefully.Bynow,the
meetinginthesquaremusthavebegunanditwouldbeoverinafewminutes.
'Ithinkthat,withage,peoplecometorealisethatdeathisinevitable.Andweneedtolearntoface
itwithserenity,wisdomandresignation.Deathoftenfreesusfromalotofsenselesssuffering.'
'You'requiteright,'Bertareplied.'That'sexactlywhatIwasthinkingthisafternoon.Anddoyou
knowwhatconclusionIcameto?I'mvery,veryafraidofdying.Idon'tthinkmytimehasquite
come.'
Theatmosphereintheroomwasgettingtenserandtenser,andthemayor'swiferemembered
thediscussioninthesacristyaboutthelandbesidethechurchtheyweretalkingaboutone
thing,butmeaningsomethingelseentirely.
Neitherofthetwowomenknewhowthemeetinginthesquarewasgoingneitherofthemknew
whatthepriest'splanwas,orwhatthereactionofthemenofViscoswouldbe.Itwaspointless
tryingtotalkmoreopenlywithBertaafterall,nooneacceptsbeingkilledwithoutputtingupa
fight.Shemadeamentalnoteoftheproblem:iftheywantedtokilltheoldwoman,theywould
havetofindawayofdoingsothatwouldavoidaviolentstrugglethatmightleavecluesforany
futureinvestigation.Disappear.Theoldwomanwouldsimplyhavetodisappear.Herbody
couldn'tbeburiedinthecemeteryorleftonthemountainsideoncethestrangerhadascertained
thathiswisheshadbeenmet,theywouldhavetoburnthecorpseandscattertheashesinthe
mountains.Soinboththeoryandinpractice,Bertawouldbehelpingtheirlandbecomefertile
again.
'Whatareyouthinking?'Bertaasked,interruptingherthoughts.
'Aboutabonfire,'themayor'swifereplied.'Alovelybonfirethatwouldwarmourbodiesandour
hearts.'
'It'sjustaswellwe'renolongerintheMiddleAges,because,youknow,therearesomepeoplein
thevillagewhosayI'mawitch.'
Therewasnopointinlying,theoldwomanwouldonlybecomesuspicious,sothetwowomen
noddedtheiragreement.
'IfwewereintheMiddleAges,theymightwanttoburnmealive,justlikethat,justbecause
someonedecidedImustbeguiltyofsomething.'
'What'sgoingonhere?'thehotellandladywaswonderingtoherself.
'Couldsomeonehavebetrayedus?Coulditbethatthemayor'swife,who'sherewithmenow,
cameoverearlierandtoldhereverything?Orcoulditbethatthepriestsuddenlyrepentedand
cametoconfesshimselftothissinner?'
'Thankyousomuchforyourvisit,butI'mfine,really,inperfecthealth,readytomakeevery
necessarysacrifice,includingbeingononeofthosestupiddietstolowermycholesterollevels,
becauseIwanttogoonliving
foralongwhileyet.'
Bertagotupandopenedthedoor.Thetwowomensaidgoodbyetoher.Themeetinginthe
squarehadstillnotfinished.
'I'msopleasedyoucame.I'mgoingtostopmycrochetingnowandgotobed.Andtotellyouthe
truth,Ibelieveintheroguewolf.Nowsinceyoutwoaresomuchyoungerthanme,wouldyou
mindhangingarounduntilthemeetingfinishesandmakequitesurethatthewolfdoesn'tcome
tomydoor?'
Thetwowomenagreed,badehergoodnight,andBertawentin.
'Sheknows!'thehotellandladywhispered.'Someonehastoldher!Didn'tyounoticetheironic
toneinhervoice?Sheknowswe'reheretokeepaneyeonher.'
Themayor'swifewasconfused.
'Buthowcansheknow?Noonewouldbesocrazyastotellher.Unless...'
'Unlessshereallyisawitch.Doyourememberthehotwindthatsuddenlyblewintothesacristy
whileweweretalking?'
'Eventhoughthewindowswereshut.'
Theheartsofthetwowomencontractedandcenturiesofsuperstitionsrosetothesurface.If
Bertareallywasawitch,thenherdeath,farfromsavingthevillage,woulddestroyitcompletely.
Orsothelegendssaid.
Bertaswitchedoffthelightandstoodwatchingthetwowomeninthestreetoutofacornerofher
window.Shedidn'tknowwhethertolaughorcry,orsimplytoacceptherfate.Shewassureof
onething,though,shehadbeenmarkedouttodie.
Herhusbandhadappearedearlierthatevening,andtohersurprise,hewasaccompaniedby
MissPrym'sgrandmother.
Berta'sfirstreactionwasoneofjealousy:whatwashedoingwiththatwoman?Butthenshesaw
theworriedlookonbothoftheirfaces,andbecameevenmoretroubledwhensheheardwhat
theyhadtosayabout
whathadgoneoninthesacristy.
Thetwoofthemtoldhertorunawayatonce.
'Youmustbejoking,'Bertareplied.'HowamIsupposedtorunaway?Mylegscanbarelycarry
methehundredyardstochurch,sohowcouldIpossiblywalkallthewaydowntheroadandout
ofthevillage?Please,sortthisproblemoutupinheavenanddosomethingtoprotectme!After
all,whyelsedoIspendmytimeprayingtoallthesaints?'
ItwasamuchmorecomplicatedsituationthanBertacouldimagine,theyexplained:Goodand
Evilwerelockedincombat,andnoonecouldinterfere.Angelsanddevilswereinthemidstof
oneoftheperiodicbattlesthatdecidewhetherwholeregionsoftheeartharetobe
condemnedforawhileorsaved.
'I'mnotinterestedIhavenowayofdefendingmyself,thisisn'tmyfight,Ididn'tasktobecaught
upinit.'
Nobodyhad.Ithadallbeguntwoyearsearlierwithamistakemadebyaguardianangel.
Duringakidnapping,twowomenweremarkedouttodie,butalittlethreeyearoldgirlwas
supposedtobesaved.Thisgirl,itwassaid,wouldbeaconsolationtoherfatherandhelphimto
maintainsomehopeinlifeandovercomethetremendoussufferinghewouldundergo.Hewasa
goodman,andalthoughhewouldhavetoendureterriblesuffering(nooneknewwhy,thatwas
allpartofGod'splan,whichhadneverbeenfullyexplained),hewouldrecoverintheend.Thegirl
wouldgrowupmarkedbythetragedyand,whenshewastwenty,woulduseherownsufferingto
helpalleviatethatofothers.Shewouldeventuallydoworkofsuchvitalimportancethatitwould
haveanimpactallovertheworld.
Thathadbeentheoriginalplan.Andeverythingwasgoingwell:thepolicestormedthehideout,
shotsstartedflyingandthepeoplechosentodiebegantofall.Atthatmoment,thechild's
guardianangelasBertaknew,allthreeyearoldscanseeandtalktotheirguardianangelsall
thetime
signalledtohertocrouchdownbythewall.Butthechilddidnotunderstandandran
towardshimsothatshecouldhearbetter.
Shemovedbarelyamatterofinches,justenoughtobestruckbyafatalbullet.Fromthenon,the
storytookanewtwist.Whatwasmeanttobecomeanedifyingstoryofredemption,turnedintoa
mercilessstruggle.Thedevilmadehisappearance,claimingthattheman'ssoulshouldbehis,
beingasitwasfullofhatred,impotenceandadesireforvengeance.Theangelscouldnot
acceptthishewasagoodmanandhadbeenchosentohelphisdaughtermakegreatchanges
intheworld,eventhoughhisprofessionwashardlyideal.
Buttheangels'argumentsnolongerrangtruetohim.Bitbybit,thedeviltookoverhissoul,until
nowhecontrolledhimalmostcompletely.
'Almostcompletely,'Bertarepeated.'Yousaid"almost".'
Theyagreed.Therewasstillatinychinkoflightleftbecauseoneoftheangelshadrefusedto
giveupthefightButhehadneverbeenlistenedtountilthepreviousnight,whenhehad
managedbrieflytospeakout.AndhisinstrumenthadbeennoneotherthanMissPrym.
Chantal'sgrandmotherexplainedthatthiswaswhyshewastherebecauseifanyone
couldchangethesituation,itwashergranddaughter.Evenso,thestrugglewasmoreferocious
thanever,andthestranger'sangelhadagainbeensilencedbythepresenceofthedevil.
Bertatriedtocalmthemdown,becausetheybothseemedveryupset.They,afterall,were
alreadydeadshewastheonewhoshouldbeworried.Couldn'ttheyhelpChantalchangethe
courseofthings?
Chantal'sdevilwasalsowinningthebattle,theyreplied.WhenChantalwasintheforest,her
grandmotherhadsenttheroguewolftofindherthewolfdid,infact,exist,andtheblacksmith
hadbeentellingthetruth.Shehadwantedtoawakenthestranger'sgoodsideandhaddoneso.
Butapparentlytheargumentbetweenthetwoofthemhadgotthemnowhere
theywerebothtoostubborn.Therewasonlyonehopeleft:thatChantalhadseenwhatthey
wantedhertosee.Orrather,theyknewshehadseenit,butwhattheywantedwasforherto
understandwhatshehadseen.
'What'sthat?'Bertaasked.
Theyrefusedtosay.Theircontactwithhumanbeingshaditslimits,thereweredevilslisteningin
totheirconversationwhocouldspoileverythingiftheyknewoftheplaninadvance.
Buttheyinsisteditwassomethingverysimple,andChantalwasasintelligentasher
grandmothersaidshewouldknowhowtodealwiththesituation.
Bertaacceptedthisanswerthelastthingshewantedwasindiscretionthatmightcostherher
life,eventhoughshelovedhearingsecrets.Buttherewassomethingshestillwantedexplained
andsosheturnedtoherhusband:
'Youtoldmetostayhere,sittingonthischairalltheseyears,watchingoverthevillageincase
Evilenteredit.Youaskedthatofmelongbeforethatguardianangelmadeamistakeandthe
childwaskilled.Why?'
Herhusbandrepliedthat,onewayoranother,EvilwasboundtopassthroughViscos,because
theDevilwasalwaysabroadintheEarth,tryingtocatchpeopleunawares.
'I'mnotconvinced.'
Herhusbandwasnotconvincedeither,butitwastrue.PerhapsthefightbetweenGoodandEvil
isragingallthetimeineveryindividual'sheart,whichisthebattlegroundforallangelsanddevils
theywouldfightinchbyinchforthousandsofmillenniainordertogainground,untiloneofthem
finallyvanquishedtheother.Yeteventhoughhenowexistedonaspiritualplane,therewerestill
manythingshedidnotunderstandmanymore,infact,thanonEarth.
You'veconvincedme.GoandrestifIhavetodie,itwillbebecausemyhourhascome.'Berta
didnotsaythatshefeltslightlyjealousandwould
liketobewithherhusbandagainChantal'sgrandmotherhadalwaysbeenoneofthemost
soughtafterwomeninthevillage.
Theyleft,claimingthattheyhadtomakesurethegirlhadunderstoodwhatshehadseen.
Bertafeltevenmorejealous,butshemanagedtocalmherself,eventhoughshesuspectedthat
herhusbandonlywantedtoseeherlivealittlelongersothathecouldenjoythecompanyof
Chantal'sgrandmotherundisturbed.
Besides,theindependencehethoughthewasenjoyingmightwellcometoanendtheverynext
day.Bertaconsideredalittleandchangedhermind:thepoormandeservedafewyears'rest,it
wasnohardshiptolethimgoonthinkinghewasfreetodoashelikedshewassurehemissed
herdreadfully.
Seeingthetwowomenstillonguardoutsideherhouse,shethoughtitwouldn'tbesobadtobe
abletostayawhilelongerinthatvalley,staringupatthemountains,watchingtheeternal
conflictsbetweenmenandwomen,thetreesandthewind,betweenangelsanddevils.Then
shebegantofeelafraidandtriedtoconcentrateonsomethingelseperhapstomorrowshe
wouldchangethecolouroftheballofyarnshewasusingthetableclothwasbeginningtolook
distinctlydrab.
Beforethemeetinginthesquarehadfinished,shewasfastasleep,sureinhermindthatMiss
Prymwouldeventuallyunderstandthemessage,evenifshedidnothavethegiftofspeaking
withspirits.
'Inchurch,onhallowedground,Ispokeoftheneedforsacrifice,'thePriestsaid.'Here,on
unhallowedland,Iaskyoutobepreparedformartyrdom.'
Thesmall,dimlylitsquaretherewasstillonlyonestreetlamp,despitethemayor'spreelection
promisestoinstallmorewasfulltooverflowing.Peasantsandshepherds,drowsyeyed
becausetheywereusedtogoingtobedandrisingwiththesun,stoodinrespectful,awed
silence.Thepriest
hadplacedachairnexttothecrossandwasstandingonitsothateveryonecouldseehim.
'Forcenturies,theChurchhasbeenaccusedoffightingunjustbattles,when,inreality,allwe
weredoingwastryingtosurvivethreatstoourexistence.'
'Wedidn'tcomeheretohearabouttheChurch,Father,'avoiceshouted.
'WecametofindoutaboutViscos.'
'Idon'tneedtotellyouthatViscosrisksdisappearingoffthemap,takingwithityou,yourlands
andyourflocks.NordidIcomeheretotalkabouttheChurch,butthereisonethingImustsay:
onlybysacrificeandpenitencecanwefindsalvation.AndbeforeI'minterruptedagain,Imean
thesacrificeofonePerson,thepenitenceofallandthesalvationofthisvillage.'
'Itmightallbealie,'anothervoicecriedout.
Thestrangerisgoingtoshowusthegoldtomorrow,'themayorsaid,pleasedtobeabletogivea
pieceofinformationofwhicheventhepriestwasunaware.'MissPrymdoesnotwishtobearthe
responsibilityalone,sothehotellandladypersuadedthestrangertobringthegoldbarshere.We
willactonlyafterreceivingthatguarantee.'
Themayortookoverandbegantellingthemabouttheimprovementsthatwouldbemadetolife
inthevillage:therebuildingwork,thechildren'splayground,thereducedtaxesandtheplanned
redistributionoftheirnewlyacquiredwealth.
'Inequalshares,'someoneshouted.
Itwastimeforthemayortotakeonacommitmenthehatedtomakeasifsuddenlyawoken
fromtheirsomnolentstate,alleyeswereturnedinhisdirection.
'Inequalshares,'thepriestsaid,beforethemayorcouldrespond.Therewasnootherchoice:
everyonehadtotakepartandbearthesame
responsibilityandreceivethesamereward,otherwiseitwouldnotbelongbeforesomeone
denouncedthecrimeeitheroutofjealousyorvengeance.Thepriestwasalltoofamiliar
withboththosewords.
'Whoisgoingtodie?'
ThemayorexplainedthefairprocessbywhichBertahadbeenchosen:shesufferedgreatly
fromthelossofherhusband,shewasold,hadnofriends,andseemedslightlymad,sitting
outsideherhousefromdawntodusk,makingabsolutelynocontributiontothegrowthofthe
village.Insteadofhermoneybeinginvestedinlandsorsheep,itwasearninginterestinsome
faroffbanktheonlyoneswhobenefitedfromitwerethetraderswho,likethebaker,cameevery
weektoselltheirproduceinthevillage.
Notasinglevoiceinthecrowdwasraisedagainstthechoice.Themayorwasgladbecause
theyhadacceptedhisauthoritybutthepriestknewthatthiscouldbeagoodorabadsign,
becausesilencedoesnotalwaysmeanconsentusuallyallitmeantwasthatpeoplewere
incapableofcomingupwithanimmediateresponse.Ifsomeonedidnotagree,theywouldlater
torturethemselveswiththeideathattheyhadacceptedwithoutreallywantingto,andthe
consequencesofthatcouldbegrave.
'Ineedeveryoneheretoagree,'thepriestsaid.'Ineedeveryonetosayoutloudwhetherthey
agreeordisagree,sothatGodcanhearyouandknowthatHehasvaliantmeninHisarmy.If
youdon'tbelieveinGod,Iaskyouallthesametosayoutloudwhetheryouagreeordisagree,so
thatwewillallknowexactlywhateveryoneherethinks.'
Themayordidnotlikethewaythepriesthadusedtheverb'need':'Ineed'hehadsaid,whenit
wouldhavebeenmoreappropriatetosay:'weneed',or'themayorneeds'.Whenthisbusiness
wasover,hewouldhavetoreimposehisauthorityinwhateverwaywasnecessary.Now,likea
goodpolitician,hewouldletthepriesttaketheleadandexposehimself
torisk.
'Iwantyoualltosaythatyouagree.'
Thefirst'yes'camefromtheblacksmith.Thenthemayor,toshowhiscourage,alsosaid'yes'in
aloudvoice.
Onebyone,everymanpresentdeclaredoutloudthattheyagreedwiththechoiceuntilthey
hadallcommittedthemselves.Someofthemdidsobecausetheywantedtogetthemeeting
overanddonewithsothattheycouldgohomesomewerethinkingaboutthegoldandaboutthe
quickestwaytheycouldleavethevillagewiththeirnewlyacquiredwealthotherswere
planningtosendmoneytotheirchildrensothattheywouldnolongerhavetofeelashamedin
frontoftheirfriendsinthebigcity.AlmostnooneinthecrowdbelievedthatViscoswouldregain
itsformergloryalltheywantedweretherichestheyhadalwaysdeserved,buthadneverhad.
Butnoonesaid'no'.
'108womenand173menliveinthisvillage,'thepriestwenton.'Sinceitisthetraditionherefor
everyonetolearnhowtohunt,eachinhabitantownsatleastoneshotgun.Well,tomorrow
morning,Iwantyoueachtoleaveashotguninthesacristy,withasinglecartridgeinit.I'm
askingthemayor,whohasmorethanonegun,tobringoneformeaswell.'
'Weneverleaveourweaponswithstrangers,'ahuntingguideshouted.
'Gunsaresacred,temperamental,personal.Theyshouldneverbefiredbyotherpeople.'
'Letmefinish.I'mgoingtoexplainhowafiringsquadworks.Sevensoldiersarechosentoshoot
thecondemnedman.
Sevenriflesarehandedouttothesquad,butonlysixofthemareloadedwithrealbullets,the
seventhcontainsablank.Thegunpowderexplodesinexactlythesameway,thenoiseis
identical,butthere'snoleadtobefiredintothevictim'sbody.
'Noneofthesoldiersknowswhichriflecontainstheblank.Inthatway,eachofthemthinksthat
hisguncontainedtheblankandthathisfriendswereresponsibleforthedeathofthemanor
womannoneofthemknew,butwhomtheywereforcedtoshootinthelineofduty.'
'Soallofthembelievetheyareinnocent,'thelandownerchimedin,speakingforthefirsttime.
'Exactly.TomorrowIwilldothesame:I'lltaketheleadoutofeightysevenofthe
cartridgesandleavetheothershotgunswithliveammunitioninthem.Alltheweaponswillgooff
atthesametime,butnoonewillknowwhichofthemhaspelletsinsideinthatway,allofyou
canconsideryourselvesinnocent.'
Tiredthoughthemenwere,theygreetedthepriest'sideawithahugesighofrelief.Adifferent
kindofenergyspreadthroughthecrowdasif,fromonehourtothenext,theentiresituationhad
lostitstragicairandhadbeentransformedintoasimpletreasurehunt.Everymanwas
convincedthathisgunwouldcarrytheblankammunition,andthathewouldnotthereforebe
guiltyhewassimplyshowuigsolidaritywithhisfellows,whowantedtochangetheirvesand
wheretheylived.Everyonewasexcitednowattest,Viscoshadbecomeaplacewhere
different,importantthingshappened.
'Theonlyweaponyoucanbesurewillbeloadedismine,becauseIcan'tchooseformyself.Nor
willIkeepmyshareofthegold.I'mdoingthisforotherreasons.'
Again,themayordidnotlikethewaythepriestspoke.Hewastryingtoimpressonthepeople
ofViscoswhatacourageousmanhewas,agenerousleadercapableofanysacrifice.Ifthe
mayor'swifehadbeenthere,shewoulddoubtlesshavesaidthatthepriestwaspreparingto
launchhimselfasacandidateforthenextelections.
'WaituntilMonday,'hetoldhimself.Hewouldpublishadecreeannouncingsuchasteep
increaseintaxonthechurchthatitwouldbeimpossiblefor
thepriesttostayoninthevillage.Afterall,hewastheonlyonewhoclaimedhedidn'twanttobe
rich.
'Whataboutthevictim?'theblacksmithasked.
'She'llbethere,'thepriestsaid.'I'lltakecareofthat.ButIneedthreementocomewithme.'
Whennoonevolunteered,thepriestchosethreestrongmen.Oneofthemtriedtosay'no',but
hisfriendsstaredhimdown,andhequicklychangedhismind.
'Wherewillthesacrificetakeplace?'thelandownerasked,addressingthepriest.Themayor
againsensedauthorityslippingawayfromhimheneededtoregainitatonce.
'I'mtheonewhodecidesthat,'hesaid,shootingafuriouslookatthelandowner.'Idon'twantthe
earthofViscostobestainedwithblood.We'lldoitatthissametimetomorrownightupbythe
Celticmonolith.Bringyourlanterns,lampsandtorches,sothateveryonecanseeclearlywhere
theyarepointingtheirshotgun,andnobodymisses.'
Thepriestgotdownfromhischairthemeetingwasover.ThewomenofViscosonceagain
heardfootstepsinthestreet,themenreturningtotheirhouses,havingadrink,staringoutofthe
window,orsimplycollapsingintobed,exhausted.Themayorreturnedtohiswife,whotoldhim
whathadhappenedinBerta'shouse,andhowfrightenedshehadbeen.Butaftertheytogether
withthehotellandladyhadanalysedeverysinglewordthathadbeensaid,thetwowomen
concludedthattheoldwomanknewnothingitwasmerelytheirsenseofguiltmakingthemthink
likethat.
'Makebelieveghosts,liketheroguewolf,'themayorsaid.
Thepriestwentbacktothechurchandspentthewholenightinprayer.Chantalbreakfastedon
thebreadshehadboughtthedaybefore,since
thebaker'svandidn'tcomeonSundays.Shelookedoutofherwindowandsawthemenof
Viscosleavingtheirhouses,eachcarryingaweapon.
Shepreparedherselftodie,astherewasstillapossibilitythatshewouldbethechosenvictim
butnooneknockedonherdoorinstead,theycarriedondownthestreet,wentintothesacristy,
andemergedagain,emptyhanded.
Sheleftherhouseandwentdowntothehotel,wherethehotellandladytoldherabout
everythingthathadhappenedthepreviousnight:thechoiceofvictim,whatthepriesthad
proposedandthepreparationsforthesacrifice.Herhostiletonehadvanished,andthings
seemedtobechanginginChantal'sfavour.
'There'ssomethingIwanttotellyouoneday,Viscoswillrealiseallthatyoudidforitspeople.'
'Butthestrangerstillhastoshowusthegold,'Chantalinsisted.'Ofcourse.Hejustwentout
carryinganemptyrucksack.'
Chantaldecidednottogototheforest,becausethatwouldmeanpassingbyBerta'shouse,and
shewastooashamedtolookather.Shewentbacktoherroomandrememberedherdreamof
thepreviousnight.
Forshehadhadastrangedreaminwhichanangelhandedhertheelevengoldbarsandasked
hertokeepthem.
Chantaltoldtheangelthat,forthistohappen,someonehadtobekilled.Buttheangelsaidthat
thiswasn'tthecase:onthecontrary,thebarswereproofthatthegolddidnotexist.
Thatwaswhyshehadinsistedtothehotellandladythatthestrangershouldshoweveryonethe
goldshehadaplan.However,sinceshehadalwayslosteveryotherbattleinherlife,shehad
herdoubtsastowhethershewouldbeabletowinthisone.
Bertawaswatchingthesunsettingbehindthemountainswhenshesawthepriestandthree
othermencomingtowardsher.Shefeltsadforthreereasons:sheknewhertimehadcomeher
husbandhadnotappearedtoconsoleher(perhapsbecausehewasafraidofwhathewould
hear,orashamedofhisowninabilitytosaveher)andsherealisedthatthe
moneyshehadsavedwouldendupinthehandsoftheshareholdersofthebankwhereshehad
depositedit,sinceshehadnothadtimetowithdrawitandburnit.
Shefelthappyfortworeasons:shewasfinallygoingtobereunitedwithherhusband,whowas
doubtless,atthatmoment,outandaboutwithMissPrym'sgrandmotherandalthoughthelast
dayofherlifehadbeencold,ithadbeenfilledwithsunlightnoteveryonehadthegoodfortune
toleavetheworldwithsuchabeautifulmemoryofit.
Thepriestsignalledtotheothermentostayback,andhewentforwardonhisowntogreether.
'Goodevening,'shesaid.'SeehowgreatGodistohaveroadetheworldsobeautiful.'
'They'regoingtotakemeaway,'shetoldherself,'butIwillleavethemwithalltheworld'sguiltto
carryontheirshoulders.'
'Think,then,howbeautifulparadisemustbe,'thepriestsaid,butBertacouldseeherarrowhad
struckhome,andthatnowhewasstrugglingtoremaincalm.
'I'mnotsureaboutthat,I'mnotevensureitexists.Haveyoubeenthereyourself,Father?'
'Notyet.ButI'vebeeninhellandIknowhowterriblethatis,howeverattractiveitmightappear
fromtheoutside.'
BertaunderstoodhimtomeanViscos.
'You'remistaken,Father.Youwereinparadise,butyoudidn'trecogniseit.It'sthesamewith
mostpeopleinthisworldtheyseeksufferinginthemostjoyousofplacesbecausetheythink
theyareunworthyofhappiness.'
'Itappearsthatallyouryearsspentsittingoutherehavebroughtyousomewisdom.'
'It'sbeenalongtimesinceanyonebotheredtocomeandchatwithme,andnow,oddlyenough,
everyonehasdiscoveredthatIstillexist.Justimagine,Father,lastnight,thehotellandlady
andthemayor'swife
honouredmewithavisitandnowhere'stheparishpriestdoingthesame
haveIsuddenlybecomesuchanimportantperson?'
'Verymuchso,'thepriestreplied.'Themostimportantpersoninthevillage.''HaveIcomeinto
moneyorsomething?'
'Tengoldbars.Futuregenerationsofmen,womenandchildrenwillgivethankstoyou.It'seven
possiblethey'llputupastatueinyourhonour.'
'I'dpreferafountain,becauseaswellasbeingdecorative,itquenchespeople'sthirstand
soothesthosewhoareworried.'
'Afountainitwillbethen.Youhavemywordonit.'
Bertathoughtitwastimetoputanendtothisfarceandcomestraighttothepoint.
'Iknoweverything,Father.Youarecondemninganinnocentwomanwhocannotfightforherlife.
Damnyou,sir,anddamnthisvillageandallwholiveinit.'
'Damnedindeed,'thepriestsaid.Tomorethantwentyyears,I'vetriedtoblessthisvillage,butno
oneheardmycalls.Forthesametwentyyears,I'vetriedtoinculcateGoodintomen'shearts,
untilIfinallyrealisedthatGodhadchosenmetobehisleftarm,andtoshowtheevilofwhich
menarecapable.Perhapsinthiswaytheywillbecomeafraidandacceptthefaith.'
Bertafeltlikecrying,butcontrolledtheimpulse.
'Finewords,Father,butempty.They'rejustanexcuseforcrueltyandinjustice.'
'Unlikealltheothers,I'mnotdoingthisforthemoney.Iknowthatthegoldiscursed,likethis
wholeplace,andthatitwon'tbringhappinesstoanyone.IamsimplydoingasGodhasasked
me.Orrather,ashecommandedme,inanswertomyprayers.'
'There'snopointarguingfurther,'Bertathought,asthepriestputhishandinhispocketand
broughtoutsomepills.
'Youwon'tfeelathing,'hesaid.'Let'sgoinside.'
'NeitheryounoranyoneelseinthisvillagewillsetfootinmyhousewhileI'mstillalive.Perhaps
latertonightthedoorwillstandwideopen,butnotnow.'
Thepriestgesturedtooneofthemen,whoapproachedcarryingaplasticbottle.
'Takethesepills.You'llsoonfallasleepandwhenyouwakeup,you'llbeinheaven,withyour
husband.'
'I'vealwaysbeenwithmyhusbandand,despitesufferingfrominsomnia,Inevertakepillstoget
tosleep.'
'Somuchthebetterthey'lltakeeffectatonce.'
Thesunhaddisappeared,anddarknesswasbeginningtofallonthevalley,thechurch,andon
theentirevillage.
'AndwhatifIdon'twanttotakethem?''You'lltakethemjustthesame.'Bertalookedatthethree
menandsawthatthepriestwasright.Shetook
thepillsfromhim,placedtheminhermouthanddranktheentirebottleofwater.Water:ithasno
taste,nosmell,nocolourandyetitisthemostimportantthingintheworld.Justlikeheratthat
moment.
Shelookedoncemoreatthemountains,nowcoveredindarkness.Shesawthefirststarcome
outandthoughtthatshehadhadagoodlifeshehadbeenbornandwoulddieinaplaceshe
loved,eventhoughitseemedthatherlovewasunrequited,butwhatdidthatmatter?Anyone
wholovesintheexpectationofbeinglovedinreturniswastingtheirtime.
Shehadbeenblessed.Shehadneverbeentoanothercountry,butsheknewthathereinViscos
thesamethingshappenedaseverywhereelse.Shehadlostthehusbandsheloved,butGod
hadgrantedherthejoyofcontinuingathisside,evenafterhisdeath.Shehadseenthevillageat
itsheight,hadwitnessedthebeginningofitsdecline,andwasleavingbeforeitwascompletely
destroyed.Shehadknownmankindwithallitsfaultsandvirtues,andshebelievedthat,despite
allthatwashappeningtoher
now,despitethestrugglesherhusbandsworeweregoingonintheinvisibleworld,human
goodnesswouldtriumphintheend.
Shefeltsorryforthepriest,forthemayor,forMissPrym,forthestranger,foreveryoneof
theinhabitantsofViscos:EvilwouldneverbringGood,howevermuchtheywantedtobelieve
thatitwould.Bythetimetheydiscoveredthetruth,itwouldbetoolate.
Shehadonlyoneregret:neverhavingseenthesea.Sheknewitexisted,thatitwasvastand
simultaneouslywildandcalm,butshehadneverbeentoseeitortastedthesaltwateronher
tongueorfeltthesandbeneathherbarefeetordivedintothecoldwaterlikesomeonereturning
tothewomboftheGreatMother(sherememberedthatthiswasanexpressionfavouredbythe
Celts).
Apartfromthat,shedidnothavemuchtocomplainabout.Shewassad,verysad,tohaveto
leavelikethis,butshedidnotwanttofeelshewasavictim:doubtlessGodhadchosenthisrole
forher,anditwasfarbetterthantheoneHehadchosenforthepriest.
'IwanttotalktoyouaboutGoodandEvil,'sheheardhimsay,justasshebegantofeelakindof
numbnessinherhandsandfeet.
'There'snoneed.Youdon'tknowwhatgoodnessis.Youwerepoisonedbytheevildonetoyou,
andnowyou'respreadingthatplaguethroughoutourland.You'renodifferentfromthestranger
whocametovisitusanddestroyus.'
Herlastwordswerebarelyaudible.Shelookedupattheonestar,thenclosedhereyes.
Thestrangerwentintothebathroominhishotelroom,carefullywashedeachofthegoldbars
andreplacedtheminhisshabby,oldrucksack.Twodaysagohehadleftthestage,andnowhe
wasreturningforthefinalact
hehadtomakealastappearance.Everythinghadbeencarefullyplanned:fromthechoiceofa
small,remotevillagewithfewinhabitants
downtothefactofhavinganaccomplice,sothatifthingsdidnotworkout,noonecouldever
accusehimofincitingpeopletomurder.Thetaperecorder,thereward,thecarefulstepshehad
taken,firstmakingfriendswiththepeopleinthevillageandthenspreadingterrorandconfusion.
JustasGodhaddonetohim,sohewoulddountoothers.JustasGodhadgivenhimallthat
wasgoodonlytocasthimintotheabyss,sohewoulddothesame.
Hehadtakencareofeverydetail,exceptone:hehadneverthoughthisplanwouldwork.He
hadbeensurethatwhenthemomentcametochoose,asimple'no'wouldchangethestoryat
leastonepersonwouldrefusetotakePart,andthatpersonwouldbeenoughtoprovethatnot
everythingwaslost.Ifonepersonsavedthevillage,theworlditselfwouldbesaved,hopewould
stillbepossible,goodnesswouldbestrengthened,theterroristswouldnothavetrulyknownthe
eviltheyweredoing,therecouldbeforgiveness,andhisdaysofsufferingwouldbebutasad
memorythathecouldlearntolivewithandhecouldperhapsevenseekhappinessagain.For
that'no'hewouldhavelikedtohaveheard,thevillagewouldhavereceiveditsrewardoftengold
bars,independentlyofthewagerhehadmadewithChantal.
Buthisplanhadfailed.Andnowitwastoolate,hecouldn'tchangehismind.Someoneknocked
athisdoor.
'Let'sgo,'heheardthehotellandladysay.'It'stime.''I'llberightdown.'Hepickeduphisjacket,
putitonandmetthelandladydownstairsinthebar.
'I'vegotthegold,'hesaid.'But,justsothere'snomisunderstanding,youshouldbeawarethat
thereareseveralpeoplewhoknowwhereIam.Ifyoudecidetochangeyourvictim,youcanbe
surethatthepolicewillcomelookingformeyouyourselfsawmemakingallthosephonecalls.'
Thehotellandladymerelynodded.
TheCelticmonolithwashalfanhour'swalkfromViscos.Formany
centuries,peoplehadthoughtitwasmerelyanunusuallylargestone,polishedbythewindand
theice,whichhadoncestoodupright,butthathadbeentoppledbyaboltoflightning.Ahabused
toholdthevillagecounciltherebecausetherockservedasanaturalopenairtable.
ThenonedaytheGovernmentsentateamtowriteasurveyoftheCelticsettlementsinthe
valley,andsomeonenoticedthemonument.Thencamethearchaeologists,whomeasured,
calculated,argued,excavatedandreachedtheconclusionthataCeltictribehadchosenthe
spotassomekindofsacredplace,eventhoughtheyhadnoideawhatritualshadbeen
performedthere.Somesaiditwasasortofobservatory,otherssaidthatfertilityritesinwhich
youngvirginswerepossessedbypriestshadtakenplacethere.Theexpertsdiscusseditfora
wholeweek,butthenlefttolookatsomethingmoreinteresting,withoutreachinganydefinite
conclusionsabouttheirfindings.
Whenhewaselected,themayortriedtoattracttourismtoViscosbygettinganarticlepublished
intheregionalpressabouttheCelticheritageofthevillage.Butthepathsthroughtheforestwere
difficult,andthefewintrepidvisitorswhocamefoundonlyafallenstoneattheendofthem,
whereasothervillagescouldboastsculptures,inscriptionsandotherfarmoreinterestingthings.
Theideacametonothing,andthemonolithsoonresumeditsusualfunctionasaweekend
picnictable.
Thatevening,therewereargumentsinseveralhouseholdsinViscosalloverthesamething:the
menwantedtogoalone,buttheirwivesinsistedontakingpartinthe'ritualsacrifice',asthe
inhabitantshadcometocallthemurdertheywereabouttocommit.Thehusbandsarguedthatit
wasdangerous,ashotgunmightgooffbyaccidenttheirwivessaidthatthemenwerejust
beingselfishandthattheyshouldrespectthewomen'srights,theworldwasnolongerasthey
thoughtitwas.Intheend,thehusbandsyielded,andthewivesrejoiced.
Nowtheprocessionwasheadingforthemonolith,achainof281pointsoflightinthedarkness,
forthestrangerwascarryingatorch,andBertawasnotcarryinganything,sothenumberof
inhabitantsofthevillagewasstillexactlyrepresented.Eachofthemenhadatorchorlanternin
onehandand,intheother,ashotgun,itsbreechopensothatitwouldnotgooffbyaccident.
Bertawastheonlyonewhodidnotneedtowalk.Shewassleepingpeacefullyonakindof
improvisedstretcherthattwowoodcutterswerestrugglingalongwith.'I'mgladwewon'thaveto
carrythisgreatweightback,'oneofthemwasthinking,'becausebythen,withallthebuckshotin
her,she'llweighthreetimesasmuch.'
Hecalculatedthateachcartridgewouldcontain,onaverage,atResistsixsmallballsoflead.If
alltheloadedshotgunshittheirtarget,theoldwoman'sbodywouldberiddledwith522pellets,
andwouldendupcontainingmoremetalthanblood.
Themancouldfeelhisstomachchurning.Heresolvednottothinkanymoreaboutituntil
Monday.
Noonesaidawordduringthewalk.Noonelookedatanyoneelse,asifthiswasakindof
nightmaretheywantedtoforgetasquicklyaspossible.Theyarrivedoutofbreathmorefrom
tensionthanfromexhaustionandformedahugesemicircleoflightsintheclearingwherethe
Celticmonumentlay.
Themayorgaveasignal,andthewoodcuttersuntiedBertafromthestretcherandlaidheronthe
monolith.
'That'snogood,'theblacksmithprotested,rememberingthewarfilmshe'dseen,withsoldiers
crawlingalongtheground.'It'shardtoshootsomeonewhenthey'relyingdown.'The
woodcuttersshiftedBertaintoasittingpositionwithherbackagainstthestone.Itseemedideal,
butthenasuddensobwasheardandawoman'svoicesaid:
'She'slookingatus.Shecanseewhatwe'redoing.'
Bertacouldnot,ofcourse,seeathing,butitwasunbearabletolookatthatkindlylady,asleep,
withacontentedsmileonherlips,andtothinkthatinashortwhileshewouldbetornapartbyall
thosetinypellets.
'Turnherround,'orderedthemayor,whowasalsotroubledbythesight.
Grumbling,thewoodcuttersreturnedoncemoretothemonolithandturnedthebodyround,
sothatthistimeshewaskneelingontheground,withherfaceandchestrestingonthestone.It
wasimpossibletokeepheruprightinthisposition,sotheyhadtotiearoperoundherwrists,
throwitoverthetopofthemonument,andfastenitontheotherside.
Berta'spositionwasnowutterlygrotesque:kneeling,withherbacktothem,herarmsstretched
outoverthestone,asifshewereprayingorbeggingforsomething.Someoneprotestedagain,
butthemayorsaiditwastimetodowhattheyhadcometodo.
Andthequickerthebetter.Withnospeechesorjustificationsthatcouldwaituntiltomorrowin
thebar,onthestreets,inconversationsbetweenshepherdsandfarmers.Itwaslikelythatoneof
thethreeroadsoutofViscoswouldnotbeusedforalongwhile,sincetheywereallso
accustomedtoseeingBertasittingthere,lookingupatthemountainsandtalkingtoherself.
Luckily,thevillagehadtwootherexits,aswellasanarrowshortcut,withsomeimprovised
stepsdowntotheroadbelow.
'Let'sgetthisoverwith,'saidthemayor,pleasedthatthepriestwasnowsayingnothing,and
thathisownauthorityhadbeenreestablished.
'Someoneinthevalleymightseetheselightsanddecidetofindoutwhat'sgoingon.Prepare
yourshotguns,fire,andthenwecanleave.'Withoutceremony.Doingtheirduty,likegood
soldiersdefendingtheirvillage.Withnodoubtsintheirminds.Thiswasanorder,anditwouldbe
obeyed.
Andsuddenly,themayornotonlyunderstoodthepriest'ssilence,herealisedthathehadfallen
intoatrap.Ifonedaythestoryofwhathadhappenedgotout,alltheotherscouldclaim,asall
murderersdidinwartime,thattheyweremerelyobeyingorders.Butwhatwasgoingonatthat
momentintheirhearts?Didtheyseehimasavillainorastheirsaviour?
Hecouldnotweakennow,attheverymomentwhenheheardtheshotgunsbeing
snappedshut,thebarrelsfittingperfectlyintothebreechblocks.Heimaginedthenoisethatguns
wouldmake,butbythetimeanyonearrivedtoseewhatwasgoingon,theywouldbefaraway.
Shortlybeforetheyhadbeguntheclimbuptothemonolith,hehadorderedthemtoextinguishall
lightsonthewayback.Theyknewtheroutebyheart,andthelightsweresimplytoavoidany
accidentswhentheyopenedfire.
Instinctively,thewomensteppedback,andthementookaimattheinertbody,somefiftyyards
away.Theycouldnotpossiblymiss,havingbeentrainedsincechildhoodtoshootfleeing
animalsandbirdsinflight.
Themayorpreparedtogivetheordertofire.'Justamoment,'shoutedafemalevoice.
ItwasMissPrym.
'Whataboutthegold?Haveyouseenityet?'
Theshotgunswerelowered,butstillreadytobefiredno,noonehadseenthegold.Theyall
turnedtowardsthestranger.
Hewalkedslowlyinfrontoftheshotguns.Heputhisrucksackdownonthegroundandoneby
onetookoutthebarsofgold.
'Thereitis,'hesaid,beforereturningtohisplaceatoneendofthesemicircle.MissPrymwent
overtothegoldbarsandpickedoneup.
'It'sgold,'shesaid.'ButIwantyoutocheckit.Letninewomencomeuphereandexamineeach
ofthebarsstillontheground.'
Themayorbegantogetworried:theywouldbeinthelineoffire,andsomeoneofanervous
dispositionmightsetoffagunbyaccidentbutninewomenincludinghiswifewentovertojoin
MissPrymanddidassheasked.
'Yes,it'sgold,'themayor'swifesaid,carefullycheckingthebarshehadinherhands,and
comparingittothefewpiecesofgoldjewelryshepossessed.'Icanseeithasahallmarkand
whatmustbeaserialnumber,aswellasthedateitwascastanditsweight.It'stherealthingall
right.'
'Well,hangontothatgoldandlistentowhatIhavetosay.'
'Thisisnotimeforspeeches,MissPrym,'themayorsaid.'Allofyougetawayfromtheresothat
wecanfinishthejob.'
'Shutup,youidiot!'
ThesewordsfromChantalstartledeveryone.NoneofthemdreamedthatanyoneinViscos
couldsaywhattheyhadjustheard.
'Haveyougonemad?'
'Isaidshutup!'Chantalshoutedevenmoreloudly,tremblingfromheadtofoot,hereyeswide
withhatred.'You'retheonewho'smad,forfallingintothistrapthathasledusallto
condemnationanddeath!Youaretheirresponsibleone!'
Themayormovedtowardsher,butwasheldbackbytwomen.
'Wewanttohearwhatthegirlhastosay,'avoiceinthecrowdshouted.
'Tenminuteswon'tmakeanydifference!'
Tenorevenfiveminuteswouldmakeahugedifference,andeveryonethere,menandwomen,
knewit.Astheybecamemoreawareofthesituation,theirfearwasgrowing,thesenseofguilt
wasspreading,shamewasbeginningtotakehold,theirhandswerestartingtoshake,andthey
werealllookingforanexcusetochangetheirminds.Onthewalkthere,eachmanhadbeen
convincedthathewascarryingaweaponcontainingblankammunitionandthatsoonitwouldall
beover.Nowtheywerestartingtofearthattheirshotgunswouldfirerealpellets,andthatthe
ghostoftheoldwomanwhowasreputedtobeawitchwouldcomebackatnighttohaunt
them.
Orthatsomeonewouldtalk.Orthatthepriesthadnotdoneashehadpromised,andtheywould
allbeguilty.
'Fiveminutes,'themayorsaid,tryingtogetthemtobelievethatitwashewhowasgiving
permission,wheninfactitwastheyoungwomanwhowassettingtherules.
'I'lltalkforaslongasIlike,'saidChantal,whoappearedtohaveregainedhercomposure
andtobedeterminednottogiveaninchshespokenowwithanauthoritynoonehadeverseen
before.'Butitwon'ttakelong.It'sstrangetoseewhat'sgoingonhere,especiallywhen,asweall
know,inthedaysofAhab,menoftenusedtocometothevillageclaimingtohaveaspecial
powderthatcouldturnleadintogold.Theycalledthemselvesalchemists,andatleastoneof
themprovedhewastellingthetruthwhenAhabthreatenedtokillhim.
'Todayyouaretryingtodothesamething:mixingleadwithblood,certainthatthiswillbe
transformedintothegoldwewomenareholding.Ontheonehand,you'reabsolutelyright.On
theother,thegoldwillslipthroughyourfingersasquicklyasitcame.'
Thestrangercouldnotgraspwhattheyounggirlwassaying,buthewilledhertogoonhehad
noticedthat,inadarkcornerofhissoul,theforgottenlightwasonceagainshiningbrightly.
'Atschool,wewerealltoldthefamouslegendofKingMidas,whometagodwhoofferedtogrant
himanythinghewishedfor.Midaswasalreadyveryrich,buthewantedmoremoney,andhe
askedtohavethepowertoturneverythinghetouchedintogold.
'Letmeremindyouwhathappened:first,Midastransformedhisfurniture,
hispalaceandeverythingaroundhimintogold.Heworkedawayforawholemorning,andsoon
hadagoldengarden,goldentreesandgoldenstaircases.Atnoon,hefelthungryandwantedto
eat.Butassoonashetouchedthesucculentlegoflambthathisservantshadprepared,that
toowasturnedintogold.Heraisedaglassofwinetohislips,anditwasinstantlyturnedinto
gold.Indespair,herantohiswifetoaskhertohelphim,forhewasbeginningtounderstandhis
mistake,butassoonashetouchedherarm,sheturnedintoagoldenstatue.
'Theservantsfledthepalace,terrifiedthatthesamethingwouldhappentothem.Inlessthana
week,Midashaddiedofhungerandthirst,surroundedbygoldonallsides.'
'Whyareyoutellingusthisstory?'themayor'swifewantedtoknow,puttinghergoldbarbackon
thegroundandreturningtoherhusband'sside.'HassomegodcometoViscosandgivenus
thispower?'
'I'mtellingyouthestoryforonesimplereason:golditselfhasnovalue.Absolutelynone.We
cannoteatitordrinkitoruseittobuymoreanimalsorland.It'smoneythat'svaluable,andhow
arewegoingtoturnthisgoldintomoney?
'Wecandooneoftwothings:wecanasktheblacksmithtomeltthebarsdowninto280equal
pieces,andtheneachoneofyoucangotothecitytoexchangeitformoney.Butthatwould
immediatelyarousethesuspicionsoftheauthorities,becausethereisnogoldinthisvalley,soit
wouldseemveryoddifeveryViscosinhabitantweresuddenlytoturnupbearingasmallgold
bar.Theauthoritieswouldbecomesuspicious.Wewouldhavetosaywehadunearthedan
ancientCeltictreasure.Butaquickcheckwouldshowthatthegoldhadbeenmaderecently,
thatthearearoundherehadalreadybeenexcavated,thattheCeltsneverhadthisamountof
goldiftheyhad,theywouldhavebuiltalargeandsplendidcityonthissite.'
'You'rejustanignorantyoungwoman,'thelandownersaid.'We'lltakeinthebarsexactlyasthey
are,withthemayoratabankanddividethemoneybetweenus.'
'That'sthesecondthing.Themayortakesthetengoldbars,goestothebank,andasksthemto
exchangethemformoney.Thebankcashierwouldn'taskthesamequestionsasifeachofus
weretoturnupwithourowngoldbarsincethemayorisafigureofauthority,theywouldsimply
askhimforthepurchasedocumentsforthegold.Themayorwouldsayhedidn'thavethem,but
wouldpointoutashiswifesaysthateachbarbearsagovernmenthallmark,andthatit's
genuine.There'sadateandaserialnumberoneachone.
'Bythistime,themanwhogaveusthegoldwillbefarfromhere.Thecashierwillaskformore
timebecause,althoughheknowsthemayorandknowsheisanhonestman,heneeds
authorisationtohandoversuchalargeamountofmoney.Questionswillbeaskedaboutwhere
thegoldcamefrom.Themayorwillsayitwasapresentfromastrangerafterall,ourmayoris
anintelligentmanandhasananswerforeverything.
'Oncethecashierhasspokentohismanager,themanagerwhosuspectsnothing,butheis
neverthelessapaidemployeeanddoesn'twanttorunanyriskswillphonethebank
headquarters.Nobodythereknowsthemayor,andanylargewithdrawalisregardedas
suspicioustheywillaskthemayortowaitfortwodays,whiletheyconfirmtheoriginofthegold
bars.Whatmighttheydiscover?Thatthegoldhadbeenstolenperhaps.Orthatitwas
purchasedbyagroupsuspectedofdealingindrugs.'
Whenshefirsttriedtotakehergoldbarwithherwasnowbeingsharedbyallofthem.Thestory
ofonepersonisthestoryofallofhumanity.
'Thisgoldhasserialnumbersonit.Andadate.Thisgoldiseasytoidentify.'Everyonelookedat
thestranger,whoremainedimpassive.
'There'snopointaskinghimanything,'Chantalsaid.'Wewouldhavetotakeitontrustthathe's
tellingthetruth,andamanwhocallsforamurdertobecommittedishardlytobetrusted.'
'Wecouldkeephimhereuntilthegoldhasbeenchangedintomoney,'theblacksmithsaid.
Thestrangernoddedinthedirectionofthehotellandlady.
'Wecan'ttouchhim.He'sgotpowerfulfriends.Ioverheardhimphoningvariouspeople,and
he'sreservedhisplaneticketsifhedisappears,they'llknowhe'sbeenkidnappedandcome
lookingforhiminViscos.'Chantalputthegoldbardownonthegroundandmovedoutoftheline
offire.Theotherwomendidthesame.
'Youcanshootifyoulike,butsinceIknowthisisatrapsetbythestranger,Iwantnothingtodo
withthismurder.'
'Youdon'tknowanything!'thelandownercried.
'ButifI'mright,themayorwouldsoonbebehindbars,andpeoplewould
cometoViscostofindoutwhohestolethistreasurefrom.Someonewouldhavetoexplain,and
it'snotgoingtobeme.
'ButIpromisetokeepquiet.I'llsimplypleadignorance.Andbesides,themayorissomeonewe
know,notlikethestrangerwhoisleavingViscostomorrow.Hemighttakealltheblameon
himselfandsaythathestolethegoldfromamanwhocametospendaweekinViscos.Then
wewouldallseehimasahero,thecrimewouldgoundiscovered,andwecouldallgoonliving
ourlivessomehoworotherbutwithoutthegold.'
'I'lldoit,'themayorsaid,knowingthatthiswasallpureinventiononthepartofthismadwoman.
Meanwhile,thenoiseofthefirstshotgunbeingdisarmedwasheard.'Trustme!'themayor
shouted.'I'lltaketherisk!'
Buttheonlyresponsewasthatsamenoise,thenanother,andthenoisesseemedtospreadby
contagion,untilalmostalltheshotgunshadbeendisarmed: since when could anyone
believein the promises of apolitician?Onlythemayorandtheprieststillhad
theirshotgunsatthereadyonewaspointingatMissPrym,theotheratBerta.Butthe
woodcuttertheonewho,earlieron,hadworkedoutthenumberofpelletsthatwould
penetratetheoldwoman'sbodysawwhatwashappening,wentovertothetwomenand
tooktheirweaponsfromthem:themayorwasnotmadenoughtocommitamurderpurely
outofrevenge,andthepriesthadnoexperienceofweaponsandmightmiss.MissPrymwas
right:itisverydangeroustobelieveinotherpeople.It
wasasifeveryonetherehadsuddenlybecomeawareofthat,becausetheybegantodriftaway
fromtheclearing,theolderpeoplefirst,thentheyoungerones.
Silently,theyallfileddownthehillside,tryingtothinkabouttheweather,thesheeptheyhadto
shear,thelandthatwouldsoonneedploughingagain,thehuntingseasonthatwasaboutto
start.Noneofthishadhappened,becauseViscosisavillagelostintime,whereeverydayisthe
same.
Theywereallsayingtothemselvesthatthisweekendhadbeenadream.Oranightmare.
Onlythreepeopleandtwotorchesremainedintheclearingandoneofthosepeoplewasfast
asleep,stilltiedtothestone.
'There'sthevillagegold,'thestrangersaidtoChantal.'ItlookslikeIend
upwithoutthegoldandwithoutananswer.'
'Thegolddoesn'tbelongtothevillage,itbelongstome.Asdoesthebarburiedbesidethe
Yshapedrock.Andyou'regoingtocomewithmetomakesureitgetschangedintomoneyI
don'ttrustawordyousay.'
'YouknowIwasn'tgoingtodowhatyousaidIwoulddo.Andasforthecontemptyoufeelforme,
it'snothingmorethanthecontemptyoufeelforyourself.Youshouldbegratefulforallthat's
happened,becausebyshowingyouthegold,Igaveyoumuchmorethanthepossibilityofsimply
becomingrich.Iforcedyoutoact,tostopcomplainingabouteverythingandtotakeastand.'
'Verygenerousofyou,I'msure,'saidChantalwithatouchofironyinhervoice.'Fromthevery
start,IcouldhavetoldyousomethingabouthumannatureeventhoughViscosisavillagein
decline,itoncehadawiseandgloriouspast.Icouldhavegivenyoutheansweryouwerelooking
for,ifonlyIhadthoughtofit.'
ChantalwentovertountieBertashesawthatBertahadacutonherforehead,perhaps
becauseofthewayherheadhadbeenpositionedonthestone,butitwasnothingserious.Now
theyjusthadtowaitthereuntilmorningforBertatowakeup.
'Canyougivemethatanswernow?'thestrangerasked.
'SomeonemustalreadyhavetoldyouaboutthemeetingbetweenSt
SavinandAhab.'
'Ofcourse.Thesaintcame,talkedtohimbriefly,andtheArabconvertedtoChristianitybecause
herealisedthatthesaintwasmuchbraverthanhim.'
'That'sright.Exceptthat,beforegoingtosleep,thetwoofthemtalkedtogetherforawhile.Even
thoughAhabhadbeguntosharpenhisknifethemomentthesaintsetfootinhishouse,safein
theknowledgethattheworldwasareflectionofhimself,hewasdeterminedtochallengethe
saintandsoheaskedhim:
'"If,tonight,themostbeautifulprostituteinthevillagecameinhere,wouldyoubeabletoseeher
asneitherbeautifulnorseductive?"
'"No,butIwouldbeabletocontrolmyself,"thesaintreplied.
'"AndifIofferedyouapileofgoldcoinstoleaveyourcaveinthemountainandcomeandjoin
us,wouldyoubeabletolookonthatgoldandseeonlypebbles?"
'"No,butIwouldbeabletocontrolmyself."
'"Andifyouweresoughtbytwobrothers,oneofwhomhatedyou,andtheotherwhosawyouas
asaint,wouldyoubeabletofeelthesametowardsthemboth?"
'"Itwouldbeveryhard,butIwouldbeabletocontrolmyselfsufficientlytotreatthemboththe
same."
Chantalpaused.
'TheysaythisdialoguewasimportantinAhab'sconversiontoChristianity.'Thestrangerdidnot
needChantaltoexplainthestory.
SavinandAhabhadthesameinstinctsGoodandEvilstruggledinbothofthem,justastheydid
ineverysoulonthefaceoftheearth.WhenAhabrealisedthatSavinwasthesameashim,he
realisedtoothathewasthesameasSavin.
Itwasallamatterofcontrol.Andchoice.Nothingmoreandnothingless.Chantallookedforthe
lasttimeatthevalley,themountainsandthewoodswheresheusedtowalkasachild,andshe
feltinhermouththetasteofthecrystalclearwater,ofthefreshlypickedvegetablesandthe
localwinemadefromthebestgrapesintheregion,jealouslyguardedbythevillagerssothatno
visitingtouristwouldeverdiscoveritgiventhattheharvestwastoosmalltobeexported
elsewhere,andthatmoneymightchangethewineproducer'smindonthesubject.
ShehadonlyreturnedtosaygoodbyetoBerta.Shewaswearingthesameclothessheusually
wore,sothatnobodytherewouldknowthat,inhershortvisittothecity,shehadbecomea
wealthywoman.Thestrangerhadarrangedeverything,signingallthepapersnecessaryforthe
transferinownershipofthegoldbars,sothattheycouldbesoldandthemoneydepositedin
MissPrym'snewlyopenedaccount.Thebankclerkhadbeenexaggeratedlydiscreetandhad
askednoquestionsbeyondthosenecessaryforthetransactions.ButChantalwassureshe
knewwhathewasthinking:heassumedhewaslookingattheyoungmistressofanolderman.
'Whatawonderfulfeeling!'shethought.Inthebankclerk'sestimation,shemustbeextremely
goodinbedtobeworththatimmenseamountofmoney.
Shepassedsomeofthelocalresidents:noneofthemknewthatshewasabouttoleave,and
theygreetedherasifnothinghadhappened,asif
ViscoshadneverreceivedavisitfromtheDevil.Shereturnedthegreeting,also
pretendingthatthatdaywasexactlythesameaseveryotherdayinherlife.
Shedidnotknowhowmuchshehadchangedthankstoallshehaddiscoveredaboutherself,
butshehadtimetofindout.Bertawassittingoutsideherhousenotbecauseshewasstillon
thewatchforEvil,butbecauseshedidn'tknow
whatelsetodowithherlife.
'They'regoingtobuildafountaininmyhonour,'sheannounced.'It'sthepriceformysilence.But
Iknowthefountainwon'tlastlongorquenchmanypeople'sthirst,becauseViscosisdoomed
whicheverwayyoulookatit:notbecauseofadevilwhoappearedintheseparts,butbecauseof
thetimeswelivein.'
Chantalaskedwhatthefountainwouldlooklike.Bertahaddecidedthatitshouldbeasun
spoutingwaterintothemouthofafrog.Shewasthesunandthepriestwasthefrog.'I'm
quenchinghisthirstforlightandwillcontinuetodosoforaslongasthefountainremains.'
Themayorhadcomplainedaboutthecost,butBertawouldnotlisten,andsotheyhadno
choice.Buildingworkwasduetostartthefollowingweek.
'AndnowyouarefinallygoingtodoasIsuggested,mygirl.OnethingIcantellyouwithabsolute
certainty:lifecanseemeitherverylongorveryshort,accordingtohowyouliveit.'
Chantalsmiled,gaveherakiss,andturnedherbackonViscosforthelasttime.Theoldwoman
wasright:therewasnotimetolose,thoughshehopedthatherlifewouldbeverylongindeed.
TheEnd
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