The descent of Francois Viyon in the underground Jerusalem

Fragment of Roman Rafael Georusalmi "Brotherhood of Book Hunters"

In Russian, Rafael Georusalmi’s new novel “Brotherhood of Book Hunters” is a fictional biography of the great French poet and no less glorified robber Francois Viyon. With the permission of the publishing house Ivan Lumbach, Gorky publishes an excerpt from the book.

Rafael Georusalmi. Brotherhood of Book Hunters. St. Petersburg: Publishing House of Ivan Lumbach, 2020. Translation from French Alla Smirnova

The staircase seemed endless. On the smooth, polished walls, not a single trace of Kirka was visible. In the cracks at an equal footing, sticks with incense were stuck, they expelled the smell of resin, emanating from the torches. Sometimes the staircase was interrupted by the site, which turned out to be the beginning of the branch-corridor, at each of these sites there were guards. They all had dark faces, black curly hair, thick long beards of the same length. Despite the warlike look, they had neither weapons nor insignia.

Father Paul went down the steps, low his head. The staircase suddenly expanded, and everyone ended up on the bulk of the earthen platform, where dozens of young people, boys and girls scurried about. Some drew water from a large well, others led to the feeders of goats and rams. In the center of the small sand covered in small sand, several people fought. Behind them two women threw knives in a target from wicker reed. Pretent dwellings were cut down in the walls of the caves.

In this place, which so surprised Francois and the knee, there was nothing unusual. The bowels of the Holy Land were penetrated by a network of underground tunnels. Latin historians and Jewish chroniclers, among them, for example, Joseph Flavius, counted more than one hundred. Under the ground of the Jews, the wells and reservoirs of the times of King David, Roman canals and drains, stone bags and thieves' lamps, catacombs and crypts connected in winding, confusing labyrinths were preserved. This, time of Vespasian, was dug by rebellious Jews who lived here for months, not giving rest to the emperor legions, until his son Titus suppressed them. Later, others, also trying to flee from Roman oppression, hid underground. The first disciples of Christ, like their predecessors, installed presses here for push -ups, stoves for bread, arranged schools, dovecess. Then the fraternity of the Book hunters came here, one of the members of which was Gamliel. The heart of this organization was located here, here for almost twelve centuries its invisible army studied. This secret center was neither the government in exile, nor the lair of the rebels, it controlled a complex system, carried out connections, combined the people scattered on the ground, saved the dying communities, looked after hostile monarchs, tried to prevent the dangers that threatened the Jewish world. This secret organization has been repeatedly mentioned - although not openly - in chronicles of different eras, in the stories of travelers, in religious books. It was an “underground Jerusalem”, which Talmudists and exegetes spoke about, never describing it in detail and without giving an exact location.

*

Two sentries at the post greeted the father of the field. One of them spent visitors along long corridors to an oval hall with a low vaulted ceiling. The walls were hung with cards and plans. Around the massive table under an oil lamp that emitted multiple light, there were a dozen two people with their faces barely distinguishable in the twilight. Among the motley public, the composition of which was incomprehensible to him, Viion saw the hat of Rabbi, Bedouin Kufi, the mighty skulls of soldiers. At this meeting, no one chaired by no one. The chair at the head of the table, higher than the others, remained respectfully unoccupied. But this chair, although free now, pointed to the high position of the one who had the right to occupy him. A Hebrew motto was cut on his back, the one that adorned the coat of arms of the Medici on the bindings, which Francois had a chance to see in Paris and in Galilee.

Francois regretted that the head of the fraternity did not consider it necessary to attend the meeting, and the knees found his absence frankly offensive. Soverene representatives should, of course, with much more respect. While the knees were wondering what was better - to endure such an insult, arrange a brawl or remain silent, Rabbi Gamliel came out of the twilight and extended his hand affably:

“Welcome to Jerusalem, Messir Viion.”

Despite the courtesy of the rabbi, the French became uncomfortable and cold from his impassive face. Accustomed to respectful worships, shy views and uncertain smiles of Jews from Orleans or Bordeaux, Francois and knees suddenly felt the awkwardness of what a stranger, Paria usually experienced before them. The true Christian always walked along the streets of the Jewish quarter firmly and confidently, like the true master of these places. But not here. If the French championship in Paris, and the Germans in Frankfurt had no doubt, then whose patrimony was Jerusalem? This question was even worried about those who had never seen the Holy City and did not walk on his land.

Kokiyari carefully examined those present. They kept confidently, looked at the people who entered, almost defiantly, as is characteristic of representatives of the highest classes. In fact, their ancestors served Alexander the Great and Ptolemy, for whom they filled the regiments of the imperial library. Jews, who perfectly mastered many languages: Greek, Persian, Syrian, Aramaic, mastered in the study of texts - were true knowledge hunters. After the fire that destroyed the Alexandrian library, the brotherhood of books hunters offered their services to all the rulers-terans who longed for knowledge and power. Members of the Commonwealth plowed oceans and continents in search of rare or valuable works that their customers were needed. However, they not only replenished the libraries of temples and palaces, they found another source of income. Heretics, alchemists, rebels-scientists used their services in order to protect their work from bonfires. But to save the book, it is not enough to hide it in some cave. It is necessary to understand its meaning and meaning, therefore, the hunters for books were carried out by something like a commented catalog of philosophical thought. And so gradually, from generation to generation, the mercenaries involuntarily became the keepers of wisdom.

The basements of Archivum Secretum Vaticanum, which was zealously guarded, was melted with documents collected from the founding of the papal throne. And the meeting of the Jerusalem Brotherhood went back to a more long period - even before the founding of Rome. His story totaled three thousand years. The fraternity kept the decrees of the pharaohs, the Cretan and Assyrian edicts, Chinese, Ethiopian, Mongol annals, travel diaries and ship magazines, military leaders, treatises on medicine and astronomy, philosophical works from all four countries of the world. The meeting even had the sayings of Jesus, recorded by the high priest Anna before he handed the Savior to Pontius Pilate. This document is the true testament of Christ.

Viion was not indifferent to the last detail. Of all the texts mentioned, he wanted to see this particular and at least just touch him. Probably, for his sake, Francois appeared here. He remembered the blow of the wind near the coffin of the Lord, as if it were a call, which he was alone and could hear. Is he himself not the author of another will - Viion's “will”? He peered into the twilight. Where are all these books hidden? What the hell did the Jews take to their hands the one that contains the last words of Jesus? Francois decided that Hamleyel was somewhat exaggerating.

- And what, the last expression of the will of our Lord, did you hold in your hands?

The rabbi assured him that it was so. He explained that the brotherhood carefully checks the authenticity of each document. It is these days that the monks are engaged in the supervision of the brother of Medar, devout schools in the CFA, scientists of the Platonov Academy, founded by the Medici in the vicinity of Florence. Book hunters are obliged to irrefutably confirm any information, for the volume that are stored here in the “underground Jerusalem” are not bibliographic trophies. This is a weapon.