Chapter 34: The Storm Approaches: Part 2

The rhythmic tapping echoed through the sacred halls of the cathedral, each strike a drum heralding urgency. Within the archbishop's chambers, a questioning voice broke the silence.

"Who is it?" asked Archbishop García, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution.

"It's me, Urraca," she replied, her voice firm and clear despite the storm's clamor outside.

Footsteps approached the door, followed by the metallic sound of iron sliding, the door's bolt being withdrawn. With a soft creak, the door opened revealing the figure of the archbishop, his face lit by the dim light of the room.

"Come in, come in," he said with a welcoming gesture, relieved to see it was indeed Urraca.

Before entering, Urraca turned to the sacristan and said, "Thank you for bringing me here."

"It's a pleasure, madam," the sacristan replied with a bow, a glint of respect in his eyes. "It's nothing."

With that, the sacristan walked away, leaving Urraca at the entrance to the archbishop's room. She stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the meeting that could determine the fate of her people in the face of the looming storm.

Upon entering, Urraca immediately perceived the room's implicit division. To the left, the bed was austere yet dignified, with simple garments and a quilt that spoke of nights of solitary rest and reflection. Beside it, a dark wooden table held an open Bible, its pages marked by constant use, and a lit candle casting a dancing light on the sacred text, creating shadows that moved as if alive.

In front of the bed, a carved wooden wardrobe held the archbishop's garments and belongings, locked to preserve the privacy of its contents. The window, situated in the middle of the wall, allowed the entry of a grayish light, filtered by the storm clouds, and offered a partial view of the city preparing to face the weather's onslaught.

To the right, another desk stood as the center of the archbishop's daily work, with three chairs arranged around it: one behind for him and two in front for visitors.

The adjacent shelves, filled with leather-bound books and golden titles, were silent witnesses to years of study and accumulated wisdom. Each meticulously placed volume contained chapters of knowledge and theological, philosophical, and humanistic thought, reflecting the scholar who inhabited the room.

The room's ensemble, with its mix of austerity and erudition, was a clear reflection of the man who occupied it: a spiritual leader dedicated to both contemplation and action, a guardian of faith and a guide for his people in times of uncertainty.

Urraca, with a mix of respect and urgency, apologized for the interruption. "Sorry for the inconvenience, Archbishop."

"No, no, it's no inconvenience," Archbishop García replied with a reassuring smile. "Come, sit down." He pointed to the chairs in front of his desk as he himself took a seat behind it.

Grateful, Urraca accepted the invitation and sat down, her posture reflecting the seriousness of her visit.

"Is there something I can help with?" the archbishop asked, interlacing his fingers in a gesture of attention.

"Yes," she began, "I was wondering if the cathedral could shelter the servants during the storm, in case of flooding."

The archbishop nodded understandingly. "Of course, they can stay until there's no danger. Although I'm not sure if everyone will fit."

"Those who don't fit in the cathedral, I've thought to place them in the town hall and other public buildings," Urraca explained with a tone of voice that denoted her prior planning. "And if even those spaces fill up, I can take them to the castle."

Archbishop García looked at Urraca with an expression of genuine willingness. "Is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked, ready to offer more assistance if necessary.

"No, thank you, for now, I don't need anything else," Urraca replied as she rose from the chair with a fluid motion. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go supervise all the work. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," said the archbishop, also standing up in a gesture of courtesy. He watched Urraca leave the room, his mind already occupied with preparations to welcome the servants into the cathedral.

Urraca crossed the cathedral's corridors with determined steps. As she stepped outside, the wind from the approaching storm blew strongly, and she met Esteban, who was waiting for her with visible concern on his face.

"Where is my carriage?" Urraca asked, scanning the surroundings.

"Better follow me, and I'll take you to where it is," said Esteban, and together they ventured into the streets already battered by premonitory gusts.

Upon reaching the site where the carriage was, Urraca, before getting in, took out three silver coins and handed them to Esteban. "Thank you," he said, with a nod of his head, as he took the coins and walked away.

Urraca climbed into the carriage and closed the door behind her. "Let's return to the town hall," she instructed the driver, who nodded and took the reins. The carriage set in motion, taking Urraca back to the heart of the city, where her leadership would be crucial in the coming hours.

After Urraca's departure, Archbishop García remained looking out the window, watching as the rain fell heavily and the sky turned a leaden gray, a harbinger that the storm would give no respite. With a decisive gesture, he rang a bell that rested on his desk, and in moments, the room filled with the presence of several clerics.

"We may face a flood," the archbishop announced seriously. "Lady Urraca has requested shelter for the servants in our cathedral, and I have agreed. We must be prepared."

With authority, he gave his instructions: "Open the cathedral doors. Start heating water so they can at least wash their feet when they arrive. We'll see if they bring what's necessary for sleeping, but we must be ready to assist them."

The clerics nodded and dispersed to carry out the orders. Some headed to the large wooden doors, removing the heavy bolts to swing them wide open, while others hurried to the outside well. Despite the incessant rain, they drew several buckets of water and brought them inside to heat, ensuring there would be enough for all those seeking refuge.

Meanwhile, a group of servants went to the storeroom in search of wood. They loaded their arms with logs and took them to the kitchen, where a large fire would soon be lit to heat the water. The light of the flames would illuminate the room and provide a bit of warmth and comfort to anxious hearts.

In another storeroom, different from the wood one, several clerics found about seventy buckets that would serve for the servants to wash their feet. Despite the dampness and cold that seeped into every corner, the cathedral was preparing to become a safe and warm refuge for those who would soon knock on its doors seeking shelter.