Chapter 23 Mainz Spring 1453

Without warning, a guy jumped under the window and did a ridiculous roundabout dance in the middle of the street.Peter and I ran to the front of the house to have a look.The demon makes lascivious poses with his tail, and anyone who approaches him is taunted. After a while, a group of children surrounded him and began to make things difficult for him.The demon tried to escape, slipping under one of the outstretched arms, and ran towards the cathedral, followed by hisses and whistles. Almost immediately after that, a group of ugly skeletons with powdered faces, black eyes, and ribs painted on their chests began to walk along the straw-paved street, knocking on the nearby houses from house to house. The walls of a house call for the occupants to come out and join the ranks of the dead.Come on, all of you!They sang and beat their sticks, and walked from door to door with dignity.The time has come!All will be judged!

The citizens of Mainz, like docile sheep, came out of their wooden houses, joined the parade, and headed in the same direction: the cemetery outside the city gate.Some dressed up as kings and queens in splendid costumes made especially for the occasion, others wore masks to cover their faces, and others wore their everyday clothes back and forth.People in strange costumes tie cowbells to their shorts and moo like cows, and younger children cheer or shout together by banging pots and pans.Half-naked acrobats somersaulted back and forth along the street, playing colorful flags and adding laughter to the chaos.

At the same time, the musicians played their instruments.The organ, the viol, the lute, and the harp sounded together, and a chorus rang out from the crowd, and the voices passed in and out, and everyone let go of their throats and sang loudly: King or Queen, Pope or Knight, All are equal in the eyes of God; Judges, lawyers, physicians, jesters, None escaped the final domination of Death; Merchant, beggar, monk, thief, Rich or poor, high or low, began to feel sad; The time for compensation has come, Judgment day for mankind. The crowd slowly shuffled towards the cemetery, forming a single formation across the city, and the footsteps of hundreds of people echoed like thunder.

The final judgment has begun. Mr. Gutenberg approached quietly from behind me. Are you not going to the celebration?he asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.Everyone thinks it's bad luck not to participate in the dance of death, you know. I turn around.Dressed head to toe in red and yellow gingham, the master looked like a buffoon, and his mismatched attire usually made me laugh, but now my heart was heavy.I shrugged.I knew in my heart that my time at Mainz was coming to an end soon and things could not be reversed.My retribution has come. The dance of death continues.In the street outside there was a butcher, pulling the pig nose he wore to his brow, jostling with the waitress.

Don't hang around, don't fight hard, the chorus sings, hold hands, now, take the one who's by your side People on the street are arm in arm, meandering like a snake, passing through the crowded city.This is the busiest event in spring.Brightly colored garlands adorn the doors and windows of every home, and the uplifting smell mingles with the strong smell of barbecue in the distance.Mr. Gutenberg stepped forward and backward, stepping on a jig of his own invention, which was completely out of tune with the music.He was about to join the crowd, but I held out my hand.He looked at me and said, you look like the end is coming, your worried tone is full of sympathy, what's wrong?He bent down beside me and pointed to the joyful faces in the crowd. It was a celebration, Endymion.You should be happy.The dance of death is nothing but a reminder to be grateful for everything.Nothing to be afraid of.

He patted my head affectionately.Almost immediately, my lips began to tremble, as if about to speak. Leave him alone, said Peter suddenly, grabbing my elbows and dragging me back into the house, his suit ain't done yet, that's all.There are still a few small places that need to be modified.I'll take care of it.His hands gripped me like a vise. Mister Gutenberg looked up.Come on, then, he said, especially if you, Peter, don't be late. Peter nodded, a contented look on his face.At this year's celebration, he and Christina were assigned the proudest duties: playing the most important roles of Adam and Eve, leading the dead into the graveyard and then singing to them their deaths.When all the citizens of Mainz die in a symbolic procession, the god will come down to resurrect them.Then the real fun begins: dancing, eating and drinking until late at night.

And I'm not here for the fun Don't worry about us, Peter said, we'll meet you at the gate. I watched helplessly as Mr. Gutenberg nodded and left.The long, bearded face disappeared almost instantly among the wagging and dancing heads.He didn't know I wasn't coming back from the cemetery.I had to hold my eyes to keep the hot tears from rolling down my face. Here, said Peter, slipping a shallow wooden bowl into my hand, so that you'll be in perfect shape and begging for money along the way.As long as it is helpful to you, you need it. He winks at me, tries to cheer me up, then steps back to assess his craft.

I flinched at the mirror on the wall.An old man stared back at me.Peter took care to present me as the poorest beggar in Christendom.A burlap cloak hung over my stooped little frame, and a long, pointed hood hung loosely in the back, like a jester's hat.My eyes are round and big and unnatural, and my back is misshapen. The change in appearance intensified the ominous premonition in my heart.I'm going to Oxford.What is about to unfold in front of me is an unknown land: the north is cold and frozen, the cities on the east and west sides are mysterious, and the Turks are burning, killing and looting somewhere in the south. There is an endless expanse of water.My legs are shaking.I'm at a loss.

I have been looking forward to Peter being able to accompany me. He has traveled all over the world, and he can protect me when encountering murderers and robbers, but I underestimated his love for Christina.It turns out that she is the greatest temptation.Peter owed her father at least until he set out on his own and married this beautiful lady.Peter promised to take care of Mr. Gutenberg and protect him if need be. I grabbed the short stick, which was part staff, part weapon, and followed Peter to the hearth. We had rehearsed this moment several times since returning from Frankfurt four days ago, but when the time finally came, rehearsing didn't make it any easier.At the same time, we approached the open box with a sense of misgiving.

The dragon skin paper seems to predict that there will be a great journey waiting ahead. The loose paper has been greatly transformed, retreated from the snake's teeth, and automatically bound into an incredible book: it looks too heavy to carry, but it is actually so light amazing.A pair of new claws gripped the book tightly, and the outside of the book was covered with silver-green jagged scales.Foster was fascinated by its transformation, but could not explain the sudden change of shape.He had no idea that I was leaving.He still couldn't read why; the story unfolded, but only halfway through; the antidote appeared, but it was missing one or two important flavors, so it couldn't exert its maximum effect; all the doors to the future were still sealed At least for now, unless he finds out I've stashed the missing pages in my kit.It's just a matter of time.

Peter stared inside the box, the window was open, and the noisy voices outside came from under the window. I wish there was another way.Sighing, Peter took out the magical dragon-skinned book and stuffed it into the barely usable harness.He strapped the harness around my back, which made me look even more stooped.The kit was hidden under my belt, safe from Peter's knowledge. Peter wouldn't look me in the eye, but kept busy, methodically tying the strips of cloth around me, before wrapping me in the yellow sackcloth cloak.His thoughts are stuffed in his stomach, as if speaking out shows cowardice. I tried to imagine the look on Foster's face the next time he looked into the box and saw that the dragon paper was gone.He will definitely be furious!I shudder just thinking about it.Will he chase me to the ends of the earth to find it?Will I still be able to go back to Mainz? My knees buckled and Peter reached out to hold me. Are you ready?Peter asked me, and gave me a sad smile, the sweetest gesture he'd ever shown.Before I could react, he pulled up the hood of my cloak and pulled it over me, so that I couldn't see to either side, but straight ahead.He thought that way I wouldn't be able to see the tears welling up in his eyes. But I saw it. Christina surprised us by bouncing down the street to meet us.Her hair was fluttering, and she could see that she was very distressed. Dad knows!She yelled over the jubilant cacophony of voices.I tried my best to hide it from him, but he still found out!He is coming for you! Pushing and pushing, she fought her way through the mass of dancing people.Peter asked Christina to occupy Foster's attention so we could prepare for my departure, but Foster was on guard, trying to get the truth out of his daughter.His jealousy and suspicion knew no bounds.At this moment, someone who could see him from a distance was at the end of the street, struggling to squeeze through the crowd.Christina found us by sheer force of will before her father did. My heart was beating wildly in my chest.I looked left and right nervously, desperately trying to find a way to escape, but my legs were so weak.One by one, we were trapped in the house and could not get out.There is a thief in the distance!Thief!Shouting, Foster's voice clearly rose above the din of the crowd. quick!Time is running out!Christina screamed, you must go!Like a frenzied hen, she rolled up her skirts and began to hiss away the crowd, which only made the crowd louder. Fortunately, Peter had a plan.He grabbed my arm and pushed me into a small, reveling crowd. quick!Pretend to be dancing!He yelled at me, and masked kings, queens, knights and jesters danced around us, masks blurred.I followed Peter in a good way, imitating his bouncing and jumping, but I didn't learn well, and couldn't keep up with his enthusiastic footsteps.I pretended to smile, but my movements froze in secret.I laughed like a skull. Foster was closing in quickly, pushing the crowd aside with bejeweled hands. Our cover strategy is finally starting to pay off.Most of the revelers recognized the two protagonists, Adam and Eve, danced towards them, then stopped dancing, pointed and stared. What are you waiting for here?Peter yelled, instructing the nearest bystanders to start a procession to the cemetery, let's go! These words seemed to break the spell on the citizens of Mainz.The crowd cheered loudly and surged up behind us, dancing all the way, all headed in the same direction: the cemetery on the edge of the city.The stranger in front of us jumped to the side of the road to let us pass, then clapped his hands and jumped into the tail of the line into the carnival atmosphere.The whole street was in chaos. stop!I heard Foster yelling as more and more people blocked his way, let me pass, you fools!They stole my book! I glance behind.The vain Foster, posing as Pope, was the highest in the procession.Although some people mocked him and made fun of him, others owed him courtesy and let him pass unhindered.If anything, the crowd pushed him closer to us. Christina felt my shaking and grabbed my other hand tightly. We rushed through the streets and alleys together, and scattered people followed the team one after another.Panting and dizzy, I hopped and clung to my rescuers, and they both pushed me into the shadow of the rosy cathedral and up the cobbled path to the north gate. Suddenly, from the heights of the ramparts, a jubilant blast of trumpets greeted us, as if a swarm of sonorous angels attacked us.Musicians scurry along the parapet, dancing and playing music.The fire of the apocalypse is upon us!Trumpets and horns shone in the sun, and the red and gold pennants hanging on the city gate danced like silky light.Already a large crowd had gathered under the tall tower, on the edge of the cemetery.As soon as we appeared, singing burst out of the people's words. Foster was on our heels and showed no sign of letting go.His yelling was like a dog barking, chasing after him. In desperation, I searched for Mr. Gutenberg, but did not see him among the confusion of faces.We made our way through the crowd. In front of us stood the big wooden door, and beyond that was the entrance to the cemetery.If we're not careful, we'll soon be squeezed into the cemetery, stuck there forever, for Foster to get us. Peter and Christina seem to be coming to the same conclusion.Without warning, they tossed me off into a mass of waiting arms.I jumped and jumped, falling from one person to another, until I was short of breath and fell bruised near the huge stone outer wall, which belonged to the inside of the city wall.I hunched over exhausted, struggling to catch my breath.My whole body was aching, and suddenly I felt that the book was too heavy on my back.When I looked up, Peter and Christina had gone, disappeared into the cemetery. I stood there for a while.People around me were shouting, clapping, and dancing, but I couldn't hear their songs, and couldn't feel their joy.I froze in amazement.I didn't expect Peter to leave me so rudely, so emotionlessly, without even saying goodbye.I knew why he did it, to give me time to escape, but I still felt betrayed.I don't want it to end like this.I slowly shouldered the load and began to carefully find my way among the crowd.Tears blinded me to see where I was going. The carnival crowd suddenly fell silent, as if sensing my mood.A silence slid through the crowd like a snake.The frenzied music faded. Foster arrives. He was standing at almost a stone's throw away, prowling among the crowd of onlookers, determined to find me.I squatted against the wall, trying to make myself invisible.Foster was not fooled by Peter's ploy.He probably saw that I was running away.he's coming to get the book back I hold my breath. The crowd was taken aback by his violent actions, and tremblingly gave way to a circle in front of him. His actions were no longer from an innocent bystander.Foster's eyes narrowed into black slits, and his nostrils bulged, like a beast trying to sniff me out. Fortunately, an unlucky belch from one of the brave trumpeters broke the silence, and a burst of nervous laughter erupted from the crowd.Foster stopped and glared at the circle of faces that had offended him. Fools, he spat, just laugh, you don't know what's going to happen! The few snickers shut up.Peter, dressed as Adam, strode on stage.He was bare-chested and heroic, facing his master.Amid the applause, Christina walked behind Peter, and like Eve, stretched her arms around Peter's waist sexyly. Foster, dressed as the pope, pointed at them. you!He hissed, unable to contain his anger anymore, it's all your fault!It's all your fault! Two or three onlookers mistook this as part of the show and laughed softly. Foster turned blue with anger, and turned his ring finger to those people, fool!He cursed again, and the jewels on his fingers caught fire as soon as the light caught him, you all bloody fools! Doing so just adds to the joyous atmosphere.Suddenly, laughter and insults erupted from the crowd, taunting the pope. Peter and Christina quickly raised their hands to stop the commotion.They began to sing softly, with a hint of sadness in their voices: King or Queen, Pope or Knight, All are equal in the eyes of God. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, We come to claim your soul: John.Foster Foster looked at them in disgust, and immediately understood his situation, so the corner of his mouth twisted into a contemptuous sneer. No!I dont go!You can't make me go! Peter and Christina repeated Adam and Eve's lines, emphasizing that Foster's Pope was the most important member of the procession, the first to be led into the graveyard.While they were singing, a group of skeletons emerged from hiding and stalked towards Foster, ready to take the first victim.Once called to the cemetery, Foster had to wait in obedience for death until all the citizens of Mainz, from noble knights to poor beggars, lay beside him.Finally, after a symbolic dance, God will come down and wake up everyone by that time and I will be gone. One by one the skeletons came forward and bowed to Foster, inviting him to join in the dance of death. Foster becomes hysterical, no!I dont go!no way!You can't take me away! He ran from one side of the crowd to the other, begging to let him pass, groping about, but the spectators had now formed a human wall and barred his way. Peter and Christina are resolutely getting closer. Foster tried to escape again, but a mischievous demon, alerted, rushed behind him and kicked him in the hip, causing him to fall.He crawled on all fours like a baby, away from his daughter and his chosen son-in-law. Still, the swarm of skeletons blocked his way. Peter and Christina remained indifferent, watching Foster being dragged away by the hands and feet.Foster struggled violently against the shame of death.The crowd clamored to express their approval, as if the sky was falling apart, and the players on the city wall played their instruments.The last time I saw Foster, he was held down by a horde of ghosts and ghosts, left in the realm of the dead, and forced to lie motionless next to a dug-out grave.He writhed desperately under the hooves and claws of the demon, trying to come after me and retrieve the book. Peter and Christina shook their heads, scanning the faces for the next person to join in the dance of death.I longed for them both to pick me out of the crowd, but I forced myself to walk away. Blind and staggering, I pushed my way through the excited crowd, an inconspicuous beggar, bound by the burden on my back, toward the protective shadow of the cathedral.I only looked back when I heard Peter's voice, like an angel's singing, over the crowd: We come naked, naked to see How this body decays so quickly god bless the poor traveler Don't be afraid, we'll meet again someday I turned and walked alone towards my future through this suddenly gloomy city.