The Sculptor’s Journey: A Tale of Mystery and Courage

Posted on Sep 24, 2024 in English

The Cathedral

By Cesar Mallorquí

SM, Wide Angle Collection

203 Pages
Index
  • Plot…3
  • Main Characters…5
  • Ideas or Topics…6
  • Reasoned Criticism…7

Argument

Telmo and his father worked side by side as stonemasons. Telmo’s father rarely paused, even for lunch, so focused was he on his work. On the morning of Telmo’s fourteenth birthday, he woke later than usual. While he worked at the site with his father, his mother prepared a celebratory chicken and a hearty breakfast. In his spare time, Telmo began carving a statue of the Virgin Mary. By afternoon, Telmo’s father approached him, explaining that he would show Telmo’s work to his fellow Freemasons at the lodge. Despite Telmo’s insistence that the figure was unfinished, his father prevailed.

At the lodge, Telmo, overcome with nerves, presented the Madonna. His father, however, remained calm as six fellow Freemasons examined the sculpture. After careful consideration, they each cast a vote using white and black stones—white for acceptance, black for rejection. As the bag was emptied, Telmo’s anxiety turned to relief: all six stones were white. He had been accepted into the Freemasons, a significant milestone that granted him a newfound sense of freedom.

Later, Telmo’s father received news: a grand cathedral was to be built in Kerloc’h, and they were seeking a skilled sculptor for the altar’s centerpiece. He would journey to Kerloc’h with three companions: Gunnar, Loki, and Eric. Telmo couldn’t help but notice their imposing presence—they seemed more warrior than artisan, and he doubted they were Freemasons.

During a stop at a bustling tavern, Loki, drawn to a game of dice, began winning consistently. Accusations of cheating arose from the other players, who demanded Loki return his winnings. Fear gripped Telmo, but Gunnar reassured him, stating that Loki was the least of their worries. As they departed, the disgruntled gambler and his cronies confronted them, demanding their possessions. Without hesitation, the trio—Gunnar, Loki, and Eric—unleashed a swift and brutal retaliation, leaving no doubt about their combat prowess.

Their journey to Kerloc’h was long. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Hugo, his wife, and their daughter, Valentina. Telmo learned of a competition to determine the sculptor for the cathedral’s altar. He poured his heart into his work and ultimately emerged victorious.

One day, exploring the cathedral, they stumbled upon a hidden chamber bearing the mark of Thibaud of Orly, a missing sculptor. Later, a strange encounter with a Korrigan, a creature of local folklore, led them to believe Thibaud had perished in a hidden chamber within the cathedral. The Korrigan vowed to return to this place. The next morning, they found the Korrigan dead.

Later that night, as Telmo struggled to sleep, the Korrigan reappeared, bearing the same wounds it had in death. It accused Telmo of failing to save him. Startled, Telmo fled to the cathedral. Using scaffolding, he climbed the cathedral walls and discovered a hidden door above the organ. Inside, he found a gruesome sight: numerous bodies, including those of Thibaud of Orly. The chamber plunged into darkness, and Telmo, running blindly, escaped back to the village. He recounted the horrifying experience to Eric.

As they spoke, a dark figure emerged—Simon of Wallachia. He seized both Telmo and Eric, imprisoning them. Eric, in a life-or-death struggle, managed to escape and sought help from the villagers. They joined forces with Gunnar and Loki, determined to fight back.

Meanwhile, inside the cathedral, a sinister plot unfolded. A spell to summon Lucifer and unleash Armageddon was underway, requiring the sacrifice of a virgin soul—Valentina. Telmo, witnessing the impending sacrifice, intervened, rescuing Valentina and escaping the cathedral.

As they fled, Telmo noticed his companions gazing intently towards the sea, their eyes fixed on something beyond the cathedral’s shadow. He moved to get a better view and was met with a terrifying sight: the Beast, Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness. It was as if Armageddon was upon them. But the spell, disrupted by their escape, was broken. Lucifer, on the verge of glory, was thwarted. The cathedral lay in ruins, and the mercenaries of the Order of the Eagle were defeated.

Exhausted, Telmo sought a moment’s rest, but Ben Mosse roused him, urging him to face the townspeople who hailed him as their hero. Though many urged him to join them in Paris, Telmo, yearning for solitude, chose his own path, leaving Kerloc’h behind.

Main Characters

  • Telmo: The protagonist and narrator. Fourteen years old, his journey begins on his birthday when he becomes a Freemason.
  • Gunnar: One of Telmo’s traveling companions. A giant of a man with broad shoulders, immense strength, and strikingly pale blond hair worn in a long braid. He has a beard and wears iron earrings.
  • Loki: Another of Telmo’s companions. A stark contrast to Gunnar, Loki is short, thin, and dark-haired. He keeps his hair short and has a sharp beard. He possesses a wiry, intense energy, like a coiled spring, and is known for his cunning.
  • Eric: The final member of Telmo’s traveling party. Tall and strong, though not as massive as Gunnar, he has brown hair, a shaved head, a bushy beard trimmed into a rectangle, and a scar that runs diagonally across his face.

Ideas and Themes

  1. Overcoming Self: Evident in Telmo’s aspirations to become a great sculptor and his participation in the cathedral competition.
  2. Fellowship: Highlighted through Telmo’s involvement in the plans and actions of his companions.
  3. Hope: As events unfold in Kerloc’h, Telmo, uncertain of his future, sets out to forge a new life.
  4. Love: Hinted at through Valentina’s affections for Telmo, which develop as the story progresses.
  5. Cooperation: Exemplified in the plan to destroy the cathedral using gunpowder.
  6. Trust Among Comrades: Demonstrated when Loki faces trouble at the inn, and Gunnar reassures Telmo, emphasizing their loyalty to Loki.
  7. Tranquility: Observed in Telmo’s composure during the sculptor’s competition and his retreat to the beach to find peace amidst his demanding work.
  8. Self-Confidence: Showcased in Telmo’s trust in his instincts and artistic vision during the competition.
  9. Courage: Exemplified by Telmo’s heroic act of saving Valentina from being sacrificed.

Reasoned Criticism

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its captivating intrigue from beginning to end. The author’s vivid descriptions of the settings, particularly those related to the characters’ goals, were a highlight for me.

The only aspect I found less engaging was a portion at the beginning, before the journey to Kerloc’h. However, the rest of the book was very well done.