Chapter 14 Summary

The vaulted basement, dug while the Bayring Horde lies in the region, has protected the Memorabilia from nomads, sectarians, and schismatic knights-friars for 12 centuries. A small flame of knowledge is now smoldering and some claim valid knowledge is indestructible, ideas are deathless, and truth is immortal. The abbot contemplates this applies only to the Creator's ineffable Logos, while human thought and speech is valid only within given cultures. Cultures are not immortal, and truth can be crucified and, perhaps, resurrected. Coming from a different society, the Memorabilia's ancient words and formulae can be little understood. The early AOL brothers' pressing of a Veronica's Veil to the face of their crucified civilization is incomplete, faint, and confusing. It cannot generate a revival of ancient science or civilization, but can offer hints to a new evolution. Venerable Boedullus asserts this has happened before, and Paulo...