Page 414 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

– I am Hugues des Arcis. I act on behalf of the King of France. You are accused
of the Cathar heresy. As you know, according to our agreement which you accepted 15
days ago, in order to be free and save your life, you must renounce your faith and
sincerely swear to be loyal to the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. You must say:
"I renounce my religion and accept the catholic religion!"

– I believe in my faith and will never renounce it... – a firm answer followed.
– Throw her in the fire! – The man complacently cried.

Well, that was all. Her fragile short life came to its frightful end. Two persons
grasped and threw her on the wooden tower where a sullen insensible "executor"
waited for her with thick ropes in his hands. The fire blazed there too... Esclarmonde
felt a strong pain, but then she bitterly smiled to herself – very soon she would feel
much more pain...
– What is your name? – Arcis continued his inquiry.
– Corba de Pereille...

In a short while her poor mother was thrown next to her.
Thus, one by one, the Cathars went through the "selection" and the number of
sentenced increased. They all could save their lives. They "just" had to tell a lie and
renounce what they believed in. None agreed to pay that price.

The fire crackled and hissed. The moist wood wouldn’t kindle properly. But the
wind became stronger and from time to time burning flames managed to lick at the
convicts. Their clothing flashed, converting a person into a torch... Heart-rending
screams resounded through the valley. It was obvious that not everybody could endure
such pain.
Esclarmonde shivered with cold and fear. No matter how hard she pretended to
be brave, she was shocked by the view of her burning friends. She was very exhausted
and desperate. She wanted to call someone for help so much. But she knew perfectly
well – nobody would come to help her.
She thought of her little Vidomir. She’ll never see how he grows up. She’ll never
know whether his life will be happy. She was a mother just once. She hugged her child
just a few minutes. And she will never give other children to Svetozar, because her life

was over right now in this fire... next to others.
Esclarmonde breathed deeply, trying to ignore the beastly cold. What a pity that
there is no sun! She liked so much to warm up under its tender rays! But that day the
sky was sullen, grey and heavy. It said goodbye to them...
Doing her best to hold the salt tears, Esclarmonde lifted her head high. She
wouldn’t show how truly hard it all was for her! Not at any price!!! She will stand it
somehow. It won’t keep her waiting too long.

Her mother was near and was about to blaze up.
Her father stood like a stone sculpture, looking at them both. His hardened face
was deathly pale. It seemed that life had left him, speeding away where they will go
very soon.

She heard a heart-rending scream. It was her mother seized with flames.
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