NOTICE: All "Chapter Excerpts" material is copyrighted through the U.S. Copyright Office, © 2021, © 2022, © 2023, © 2024, and © 2025. All text, story, fictional characters, and artwork are copyrighted by Jason J Albano. See Legal.
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Chapter ExcerptS
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Revised Edition
This Revised Edition is the grammar, punctuation, and structure corrected edition of the 2016 original book, “Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: A Story of the Beginning”. This 2022 edition also includes corrected historical information, proper references, extended chapters, and additional chapters to add depth to the overall story but does not change the basic story principles of the 2016 original book; as such, this book will remain a novelette in its original spirit and maintain its limited reach of story, although in function it is a short book in its 2022 edition. Because the Revised Edition will maintain the spirit of the 2016 original, certain enhancements, corrections, and changes were limited because of the original story structure.
This edition came about after I finished my 2021 book, Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: No Tears (Northern Company), the follow-up book to the 2016 original. I had decided I wanted to go back and correct the many mistakes and, at times, cringe worthy writing of the 2016 book. The experiences gained and historical research that was put into the writing of No Tears (Northern Company) over 5 years gave me a new appreciation of what needed to be corrected with the 2016 book and what could be improved as well. Effort was put into connecting both the revised 2016/2022 book and the 2021 Northern Company, making notes of the connections in the footnotes section of each page as needed; footnotes were also added to explain the structural changes of the book from the 2016 original.
With all those changes noted, however, there should be something said about the raw emotion and simplicity of that original 2016 book. While no longer in print as of 2022 as a stand-alone copy, the original book of A Story of the Beginning can still be read via the hardcover special edition version of Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: No Tears (Northern Company).
Best Regards,
Jason Albano (2022)
This edition came about after I finished my 2021 book, Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: No Tears (Northern Company), the follow-up book to the 2016 original. I had decided I wanted to go back and correct the many mistakes and, at times, cringe worthy writing of the 2016 book. The experiences gained and historical research that was put into the writing of No Tears (Northern Company) over 5 years gave me a new appreciation of what needed to be corrected with the 2016 book and what could be improved as well. Effort was put into connecting both the revised 2016/2022 book and the 2021 Northern Company, making notes of the connections in the footnotes section of each page as needed; footnotes were also added to explain the structural changes of the book from the 2016 original.
With all those changes noted, however, there should be something said about the raw emotion and simplicity of that original 2016 book. While no longer in print as of 2022 as a stand-alone copy, the original book of A Story of the Beginning can still be read via the hardcover special edition version of Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: No Tears (Northern Company).
Best Regards,
Jason Albano (2022)
CHAPTER 4
Fiery Youth
Town of Salzano, Republic of Venice
(July 05th, 1514; morning)
(July 05th, 1514; morning)
Page 31
“Bonaventure! Bonaventure!” 29 pleaded the older Italian man as he hurried after the larger muscular built man in the crowded marketplace, whose once proud dark hair and beard were now lined with gray lines of wisdom, “Devi aiutarci! Come posso vendere le mie mele alla gente della nostra città quando i miei meli vengono devastati da questi fuorilegge e ladri!? Bisogna fare qualcosa!” 30 31 x
29 In the 2016 original book, this section was still part of Chapter 1. The original chapter 1 was split into several chapters with added length for the Revised Edition.
30 “You must help us! How am I supposed to sell my apples to our town folk when my apple trees are being ravaged by these outlaws and thieves!? Something must be done!”
31 Apple harvesting varies depending on the spring conditions. Summer apples peak in August and September. July to me seems like a good common ground, as earlier stated, spring conditions could cause an earlier harvest.
30 “You must help us! How am I supposed to sell my apples to our town folk when my apple trees are being ravaged by these outlaws and thieves!? Something must be done!”
31 Apple harvesting varies depending on the spring conditions. Summer apples peak in August and September. July to me seems like a good common ground, as earlier stated, spring conditions could cause an earlier harvest.
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“Ho detto di no, Marcus,” 32 the large main said with a smile as he kept walking, waving to several people who said hello to him, “Una volta facevi parte dell'orgoglioso esercito mercenario veneziano! Perché non fai qualcosa al riguardo?” 33
The older, smaller man puffed out the air in his lungs, and barked in English that he had learned from the ranks of the mercenary army, “That was a lifetime ago, Bonaventure! Look at me! I can barely walk!”
“I know!” Bonaventure replied in English, stopping to inspect some flowers at a local booth and looked down at the older Marcus, “That is why we have the mighty Venetian army to protect us! You are too old, Marcus,” the large man smiled a toothy grin, “As for me, I am retired and enjoy my time picking flowers and plants for my house, buying your apples, and tending to my own son Deangelo and my nephew Giovanni.”
“Retired?!” Marcus retorted, “Mercenaries do not retire!” Bonaventure looked at Marcus; the smaller man sheepishly trying to collect himself, “Well, some mercenaries do not retire! And you!” Marcus pointed a finger in Bonaventure’s chest, “Are part of that some! You and your brother brought glory and honor to your last name and to the founding family of this town! Your family! The Salzano family! And your brother, fighting bravely at the Battle of
The older, smaller man puffed out the air in his lungs, and barked in English that he had learned from the ranks of the mercenary army, “That was a lifetime ago, Bonaventure! Look at me! I can barely walk!”
“I know!” Bonaventure replied in English, stopping to inspect some flowers at a local booth and looked down at the older Marcus, “That is why we have the mighty Venetian army to protect us! You are too old, Marcus,” the large man smiled a toothy grin, “As for me, I am retired and enjoy my time picking flowers and plants for my house, buying your apples, and tending to my own son Deangelo and my nephew Giovanni.”
“Retired?!” Marcus retorted, “Mercenaries do not retire!” Bonaventure looked at Marcus; the smaller man sheepishly trying to collect himself, “Well, some mercenaries do not retire! And you!” Marcus pointed a finger in Bonaventure’s chest, “Are part of that some! You and your brother brought glory and honor to your last name and to the founding family of this town! Your family! The Salzano family! And your brother, fighting bravely at the Battle of
32 “I said no, Marcus”
33 “You were once part of the proud Venetian mercenary army! Why do you not do something about it?”
33 “You were once part of the proud Venetian mercenary army! Why do you not do something about it?”
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Agnadello, laid down his life for the Republic of Venice herself!”
Bonaventure’s mood darkened for a moment as the painful memory of Corradeo’s death---and that of Anna and his own wife Eva, several years later---came back, “Aye, Marcus, aye. But the Mercenary is dead and the Mercenary That Is Left has seen enough blood for two lifetimes and wishes no more. I do not want my family in danger anymore. I made a promise to Anna four years ago, on her death bed. I failed her once with my brother Corradeo...” Bonaventure shook his head, “...I cannot fail her again. Damn it, Marcus! I am all Giovanni has left. All my own son Deangelo has left! I made a promise to Anna and Eva to keep Giovanni and Deangelo safe. I cannot do that if I am always away on some daring adventure!”
Bonaventure sighed, “I am getting old and one of these days, I will get bested in battle. I would rather go out on top, knowing I was the best when I decided to retire, than die at the hands of some young warrior and risk Giovanni and Deangelo getting hurt or worse. Maybe it was my wife Eva’s death…I do not know…” the adventurer paid for the flowers he had collected and turned back to Marcus, “…but it is time I start focusing on keeping my family together. Let someone else do the fighting. If you want your apple trees safe, ask the army to do the fighting. I am done killing.”
Bonaventure’s mood darkened for a moment as the painful memory of Corradeo’s death---and that of Anna and his own wife Eva, several years later---came back, “Aye, Marcus, aye. But the Mercenary is dead and the Mercenary That Is Left has seen enough blood for two lifetimes and wishes no more. I do not want my family in danger anymore. I made a promise to Anna four years ago, on her death bed. I failed her once with my brother Corradeo...” Bonaventure shook his head, “...I cannot fail her again. Damn it, Marcus! I am all Giovanni has left. All my own son Deangelo has left! I made a promise to Anna and Eva to keep Giovanni and Deangelo safe. I cannot do that if I am always away on some daring adventure!”
Bonaventure sighed, “I am getting old and one of these days, I will get bested in battle. I would rather go out on top, knowing I was the best when I decided to retire, than die at the hands of some young warrior and risk Giovanni and Deangelo getting hurt or worse. Maybe it was my wife Eva’s death…I do not know…” the adventurer paid for the flowers he had collected and turned back to Marcus, “…but it is time I start focusing on keeping my family together. Let someone else do the fighting. If you want your apple trees safe, ask the army to do the fighting. I am done killing.”
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**
Corradeo Salzano Villa, Outskirts of the Town of Salzano
The wetness of it did not bother him as much as the cold of it did. And it was that cold---when his skin registered it---that snapped him awake and halfway up into the face of a cow!
The cow---chewing on something---mooed, and then licked Giovanni’s face again, leaving remnants of its morning meal on the seventeen-year-old’s face.
“Yuck!” Giovanni complained---wiping his face of the food remnants---and hurried up before another face licking could come! Standing with a huff, he dusted himself off from the hay in the barn. The cow looked back at Giovanni blankly, chewing on whatever it was eating and then mooed again, this time turning around and then walking out of the barn.
“Well, well, well,” boomed a loud voice that passed besides the cow, “Look who is up! Sleeping with the animals again, I can see?”
“Oh, shove it, Deangelo!” Salzano replied, walking to his cousin, the morning sun glaring into Giovanni’s eyes from outside and causing him to squint, “What time is it?”
“Time for you to stop dreaming about that girl, Felicia!” Deangelo teased, play punching Giovanni in the shoulder.
Corradeo Salzano Villa, Outskirts of the Town of Salzano
The wetness of it did not bother him as much as the cold of it did. And it was that cold---when his skin registered it---that snapped him awake and halfway up into the face of a cow!
The cow---chewing on something---mooed, and then licked Giovanni’s face again, leaving remnants of its morning meal on the seventeen-year-old’s face.
“Yuck!” Giovanni complained---wiping his face of the food remnants---and hurried up before another face licking could come! Standing with a huff, he dusted himself off from the hay in the barn. The cow looked back at Giovanni blankly, chewing on whatever it was eating and then mooed again, this time turning around and then walking out of the barn.
“Well, well, well,” boomed a loud voice that passed besides the cow, “Look who is up! Sleeping with the animals again, I can see?”
“Oh, shove it, Deangelo!” Salzano replied, walking to his cousin, the morning sun glaring into Giovanni’s eyes from outside and causing him to squint, “What time is it?”
“Time for you to stop dreaming about that girl, Felicia!” Deangelo teased, play punching Giovanni in the shoulder.
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“Hey!” Giovanni barked, trying to hit his cousin back in the shoulder, only to miss as Deangelo sidestepped out of the way. Shortly thereafter, the two ran off, each trying to tackle or out-do the other in a race towards the far fence and on the other side of the farm field!
By the time the two boys reached the fence, a younger and shorter boy was sitting on-top of the fence, his legs swinging idly. Unlike Deangelo’s stronger and slim structure atop with rowdy black hair and wild blue eyes or Salzano’s shorter, but more balanced and muscular built frame atop with short dark brown hair and strong blue-gray eyes, the younger boy on the fence was liken to a short boy with freckles, wild red hair, a toothy grin, and brown eyes (and his clothes were considerably more ragtag as compared to the other two boys’ clothes).
“What are you doing?” the boy asked Giovanni and Deangelo as he chipped away at a carrot with his big teeth.
“Hey Romano!” Salzano said, waving briefly, as he was doubled over catching his breath, hands on his knees.
“Hi!” the younger wild red-haired boy---about thirteen years old---said with a long wave, “So you like sleeping with cows now, I hear?”
Deangelo, doubled over trying to catch his breath, started laughing and Giovanni punched him in the arm, this time connecting.
“No!” Giovanni defended, getting upright, “I was out late last night---”
By the time the two boys reached the fence, a younger and shorter boy was sitting on-top of the fence, his legs swinging idly. Unlike Deangelo’s stronger and slim structure atop with rowdy black hair and wild blue eyes or Salzano’s shorter, but more balanced and muscular built frame atop with short dark brown hair and strong blue-gray eyes, the younger boy on the fence was liken to a short boy with freckles, wild red hair, a toothy grin, and brown eyes (and his clothes were considerably more ragtag as compared to the other two boys’ clothes).
“What are you doing?” the boy asked Giovanni and Deangelo as he chipped away at a carrot with his big teeth.
“Hey Romano!” Salzano said, waving briefly, as he was doubled over catching his breath, hands on his knees.
“Hi!” the younger wild red-haired boy---about thirteen years old---said with a long wave, “So you like sleeping with cows now, I hear?”
Deangelo, doubled over trying to catch his breath, started laughing and Giovanni punched him in the arm, this time connecting.
“No!” Giovanni defended, getting upright, “I was out late last night---”
Page 36
“---With Felicia,” Deangelo interrupted.
“---No!” Salzano replied, then recanted his statement just as quickly, “Well maybe. But not the whole night! I just did not want to wake up Uncle Bonaventure with getting home so late. So, I decided to sleep in the barn for the night.”
“The whole town already knows about you and Felicia, Salzano!” Deangelo barked.
“Really?!” Giovanni said in fear, his face going white.
Deangelo laughed, “Got you!” after Giovanni’s face got the color back into it, Deangelo said, “But my father does know! And so does the whole town, seriously!”
“Oh no!” Salzano concluded in despair of all the ages, looking up to the heavens with his hands signaling to the skies to make his point, “Uncle Bonaventure knowing is worst then the whole town knowing!”
“Yup,” Romano agreed, chuckling, “Best start digging that six-foot grave now!”
“Speaking of graves,” Deangelo said, “Have you heard the news, Giovanni?”
“What news?” Giovanni asked as he lowered his hands and looked between Deangelo’s excited eyes and Romano’s toothy, annoying grin about the information everyone else seemed to know but Giovanni!
“Oh, nothing,” Romano said playfully.
“---No!” Salzano replied, then recanted his statement just as quickly, “Well maybe. But not the whole night! I just did not want to wake up Uncle Bonaventure with getting home so late. So, I decided to sleep in the barn for the night.”
“The whole town already knows about you and Felicia, Salzano!” Deangelo barked.
“Really?!” Giovanni said in fear, his face going white.
Deangelo laughed, “Got you!” after Giovanni’s face got the color back into it, Deangelo said, “But my father does know! And so does the whole town, seriously!”
“Oh no!” Salzano concluded in despair of all the ages, looking up to the heavens with his hands signaling to the skies to make his point, “Uncle Bonaventure knowing is worst then the whole town knowing!”
“Yup,” Romano agreed, chuckling, “Best start digging that six-foot grave now!”
“Speaking of graves,” Deangelo said, “Have you heard the news, Giovanni?”
“What news?” Giovanni asked as he lowered his hands and looked between Deangelo’s excited eyes and Romano’s toothy, annoying grin about the information everyone else seemed to know but Giovanni!
“Oh, nothing,” Romano said playfully.
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“Yup, nothing,” Deangelo said, then like a burst of wind a moment later as he saw Giovanni’s eyes lower in disappointment, barked with a grin, “Nothing but the fact that the Dark Revenge is in port at Venice!”
“That is Uncle Bonaventure’s old ship!” Giovanni’s eyes flashed with excitement, “How long will they be in port?”
Romano shrugged, “Who knows. My father was selling his bows at the capital the other day and one of the crew said they wanted to say hello to their old boss. Something about some trouble headed this way.”
“Trouble?” boomed a bold voice that had somehow snuck up on everyone and had caused all three boys to jump in surprise, Romano falling off the fence backwards and into the field with a thump.
“Papà!” barked Deangelo.
“Uncle!” Giovanni followed.
“Hi Signore Bonaventure!” Romano said, collecting himself from the ground.
The large man put his equally large hands on his hips and smiled, “I am curious what type of trouble is headed this way?”
Deangelo shook his head, “No one said anything, Pa! I swear!”
The older gentlemen put a firm grasp on his son’s shoulder and calmed him, “No reason to worry, son. If you and
“That is Uncle Bonaventure’s old ship!” Giovanni’s eyes flashed with excitement, “How long will they be in port?”
Romano shrugged, “Who knows. My father was selling his bows at the capital the other day and one of the crew said they wanted to say hello to their old boss. Something about some trouble headed this way.”
“Trouble?” boomed a bold voice that had somehow snuck up on everyone and had caused all three boys to jump in surprise, Romano falling off the fence backwards and into the field with a thump.
“Papà!” barked Deangelo.
“Uncle!” Giovanni followed.
“Hi Signore Bonaventure!” Romano said, collecting himself from the ground.
The large man put his equally large hands on his hips and smiled, “I am curious what type of trouble is headed this way?”
Deangelo shook his head, “No one said anything, Pa! I swear!”
The older gentlemen put a firm grasp on his son’s shoulder and calmed him, “No reason to worry, son. If you and
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Giovanni here do not decide to run off and fight the evils of this world alone, I will be alright.”
Deangelo rolled his eyes, “But Papà! Remember all the fun stories---”
Bonaventure’s features grew dark as he crossed his arms over his chest, “---There is nothing fun about fighting. Or about another man’s death! I did what I did because I had to. That was another time, another life. I have not touched a sword in anger in many years and plan on keeping it that way!”
“Papà…” Deangelo complained, “It has been two years! This is the first time in two years we have seen First Mate Ralph or any of the crew! Can we just go to Venice and say hello? Please?!”
“No,” Bonaventure said firmly, now exchanging his look between all three boys, “I do not want to hear any more of this talk. It is Sunday and church is fast approaching. Not to mention the festival this afternoon! We do not want to be angering the priest now, do we, by being late to church? Get cleaned up and ready now, the lot of you! And Romano, tell your father I said hello and we will see you at church as well.”
**
Deangelo rolled his eyes, “But Papà! Remember all the fun stories---”
Bonaventure’s features grew dark as he crossed his arms over his chest, “---There is nothing fun about fighting. Or about another man’s death! I did what I did because I had to. That was another time, another life. I have not touched a sword in anger in many years and plan on keeping it that way!”
“Papà…” Deangelo complained, “It has been two years! This is the first time in two years we have seen First Mate Ralph or any of the crew! Can we just go to Venice and say hello? Please?!”
“No,” Bonaventure said firmly, now exchanging his look between all three boys, “I do not want to hear any more of this talk. It is Sunday and church is fast approaching. Not to mention the festival this afternoon! We do not want to be angering the priest now, do we, by being late to church? Get cleaned up and ready now, the lot of you! And Romano, tell your father I said hello and we will see you at church as well.”
**
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Later that morning; Town of Salzano
Giovanni’s foot wiggled endlessly in frustration as the prayer came to end with Father Saul speaking, his own voice repeating the prayer with the whole church, including crossing his chest, “…in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Giovanni shot upright from his kneeling position as the gathering of people started to get up and mingle with each other. The teenager looked around in eagerness, trying to find Felicia. He had seen her in church---and she had seen him as well---but now with everyone up and moving, Giovanni could not find her!
Romano came up to where Uncle Bonaventure and Deangelo sat with Giovanni, the former being engaged in a lively conversation with a friend about fishing, while the latter was occupied with a group of other boys. Romano, for his part, was jumping up and down, very excited as he told Giovanni his master plan to sneak out of town tonight and to Venice to see the Dark Revenge, while Giovanni hardly gave the younger boy even a half of an ear to listen to as he moved his head this way and that, trying to see Felicia.
“…so what do you think? Huh? Huh?” Romano asked.
Giovanni’s foot wiggled endlessly in frustration as the prayer came to end with Father Saul speaking, his own voice repeating the prayer with the whole church, including crossing his chest, “…in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Giovanni shot upright from his kneeling position as the gathering of people started to get up and mingle with each other. The teenager looked around in eagerness, trying to find Felicia. He had seen her in church---and she had seen him as well---but now with everyone up and moving, Giovanni could not find her!
Romano came up to where Uncle Bonaventure and Deangelo sat with Giovanni, the former being engaged in a lively conversation with a friend about fishing, while the latter was occupied with a group of other boys. Romano, for his part, was jumping up and down, very excited as he told Giovanni his master plan to sneak out of town tonight and to Venice to see the Dark Revenge, while Giovanni hardly gave the younger boy even a half of an ear to listen to as he moved his head this way and that, trying to see Felicia.
“…so what do you think? Huh? Huh?” Romano asked.
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“Wonderful plan Romano,” Giovanni said, putting a hand on the boy’s head to stop him from jumping up and down.
“So---” the boy said, struggling unsuccessfully to move Giovanni’s hand off his head, “Can I do it? Can I get everything ready, and we will head out tonight?”
“Sure,” Giovanni said, still distracted as he looked through the church crowd, and padded Romano on the head, “Have at it. What time again?”
“Nine tonight!” Romano blurted.
“Got it,” Giovanni said, “Nine ton----gotta go!” Giovanni said, using Romano’s head and a church bench to launch himself above and over Romano, into the isle, and towards Felicia’s retreating form!
“Hey!” Romano barked, rubbing the top of his head as he turned around and saw Giovanni retreat into the mingling church crowd as they moved towards the exit door.
Giovanni reached up to Felicia and gently reached out a hand to touch her arm.
“Buona giornata, Felicia!” 34 Giovanni said gently in Italian, blushing a deeper red then a rose.
“So---” the boy said, struggling unsuccessfully to move Giovanni’s hand off his head, “Can I do it? Can I get everything ready, and we will head out tonight?”
“Sure,” Giovanni said, still distracted as he looked through the church crowd, and padded Romano on the head, “Have at it. What time again?”
“Nine tonight!” Romano blurted.
“Got it,” Giovanni said, “Nine ton----gotta go!” Giovanni said, using Romano’s head and a church bench to launch himself above and over Romano, into the isle, and towards Felicia’s retreating form!
“Hey!” Romano barked, rubbing the top of his head as he turned around and saw Giovanni retreat into the mingling church crowd as they moved towards the exit door.
Giovanni reached up to Felicia and gently reached out a hand to touch her arm.
“Buona giornata, Felicia!” 34 Giovanni said gently in Italian, blushing a deeper red then a rose.
34 “Good day, Felicia!”
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“Giovanni!” the girl---around Giovanni’s age---replied with a startle and a follow-up blush. She held up her hand to her face and whispered, “Come stai?” 35
“Buono,” 36 Giovanni replied, seeing that Felicia’s parents and sister were too engrossed in a conversation with another family to notice the two young people talking; Salzano switched to English, “Did your parents find out?”
“No,” Felicia said in English (which Giovanni had been teaching her), then blushing and giggling, replied “But next time you decide to show a girl the stars, do it a bit closer to home! The reflection off the lake was amazing!” the young woman’s eyes lit up at the memory, “But I was afraid of waking ma and da when I got home! My sister had to cover for me! Amazing ma and pa believed her so well!”
Giovanni blushed, “Sorry! I will make sure to do it closer next time---maybe the mountains! You will be so close to the stars---you will be able to touch them!”
Felicia could not contain her surprise and blurted, “Really?! That would be amazing!”
Felicia’s sister turned around at her older sister’s bark and when she noticed Giovanni, she said with a mischievous smile and loud voice, “Chi è il ragazzo, Felicia?” 37
“Buono,” 36 Giovanni replied, seeing that Felicia’s parents and sister were too engrossed in a conversation with another family to notice the two young people talking; Salzano switched to English, “Did your parents find out?”
“No,” Felicia said in English (which Giovanni had been teaching her), then blushing and giggling, replied “But next time you decide to show a girl the stars, do it a bit closer to home! The reflection off the lake was amazing!” the young woman’s eyes lit up at the memory, “But I was afraid of waking ma and da when I got home! My sister had to cover for me! Amazing ma and pa believed her so well!”
Giovanni blushed, “Sorry! I will make sure to do it closer next time---maybe the mountains! You will be so close to the stars---you will be able to touch them!”
Felicia could not contain her surprise and blurted, “Really?! That would be amazing!”
Felicia’s sister turned around at her older sister’s bark and when she noticed Giovanni, she said with a mischievous smile and loud voice, “Chi è il ragazzo, Felicia?” 37
35 “How are you?”
36 “Good”
37 “Who is the boy, Felicia?”
36 “Good”
37 “Who is the boy, Felicia?”
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Who is the boy caught daddy’s attention and the man turned around to Felicia, “Che ragazzo?!” 38 the older man’s expression softened as he saw no boy there, “Deve aver sentito delle cose!” 39
As her father turned back to his conversation with friends, Felicia did a sigh of relief as Giovanni had already slipped away into the crowd, her younger sister giggling. Felicia gave her younger sister a stern look, the girl shrugging with a smirk in return.
As her father turned back to his conversation with friends, Felicia did a sigh of relief as Giovanni had already slipped away into the crowd, her younger sister giggling. Felicia gave her younger sister a stern look, the girl shrugging with a smirk in return.
38 “What boy?!”
39 “Must have been hearing things!”
39 “Must have been hearing things!”
CHAPTER 5
Sequester
Town of Salzano, Republic of Venice
(Before lunch)
(Before lunch)
Page 43
“Ma Papà!” 40 41 barked Felicia in Italian, her face a twisted canvas of anger, shock, and grief. Her best church clothes had been replaced with those ready for a day at the festival in town, her younger sister already waiting with the family’s carriage driver and a domestic servant in the carriage that waited out by the front gate.
“Non farlo!” 42 her father, Enzio, barked in reply sternly, adding, “Imparerai a rispettarmi e a rispettare il nome della nostra famiglia! Il nome Vitali sarà onorato in questa città, non attaccato a un ragazzo come la sua storia!” 43
“Non farlo!” 42 her father, Enzio, barked in reply sternly, adding, “Imparerai a rispettarmi e a rispettare il nome della nostra famiglia! Il nome Vitali sarà onorato in questa città, non attaccato a un ragazzo come la sua storia!” 43
40 This chapter was not part of the 2016 original book and is specific to the Revised Edition.
41 “But Papa!”
42 “Do not!”
43 “You will learn to respect me and respect our family’s name! The Vitali name will be honored in this town, not attached to such a boy as the history of his!”
41 “But Papa!”
42 “Do not!”
43 “You will learn to respect me and respect our family’s name! The Vitali name will be honored in this town, not attached to such a boy as the history of his!”
Page 44
“But Papà! It is not his fault for his father’s death! Or his mother’s death!”
“Abbastanza! Parlerai italiano sotto il mio tetto!” 44
Felicia screamed, tears starting to run down her face, “Ti odio!” 45
“ABBASTANZA!” 46 her mother barked, named Caelia, with a lady’s hat in hand as she used it as much as a threat as she did a pointer to the individuals she was talking to, looking between her husband and daughter as the trio stood in the kitchen as the midday sun soaked through open shutters and doors and several farm fields lay beyond those open doors upon rolling hills and a distant line of trees beyond the fields and more rolling hills of green beyond that, “Nella mia cucina, entrambi farete come dico io!” 47 she stared down her husband as much as she did her daughter, “O darò da mangiare ai maiali meglio di te! Capito? Capito?” 48
Both her husband and daughter fell silent and nodded; Caelia fixed her ruffled hair accordingly and looked first to her husband and spoke in rough English, “If my daughter wants to speak English in my kitchen, she is free to do so,” she turned to her daughter a snap second later, “And you!
“Abbastanza! Parlerai italiano sotto il mio tetto!” 44
Felicia screamed, tears starting to run down her face, “Ti odio!” 45
“ABBASTANZA!” 46 her mother barked, named Caelia, with a lady’s hat in hand as she used it as much as a threat as she did a pointer to the individuals she was talking to, looking between her husband and daughter as the trio stood in the kitchen as the midday sun soaked through open shutters and doors and several farm fields lay beyond those open doors upon rolling hills and a distant line of trees beyond the fields and more rolling hills of green beyond that, “Nella mia cucina, entrambi farete come dico io!” 47 she stared down her husband as much as she did her daughter, “O darò da mangiare ai maiali meglio di te! Capito? Capito?” 48
Both her husband and daughter fell silent and nodded; Caelia fixed her ruffled hair accordingly and looked first to her husband and spoke in rough English, “If my daughter wants to speak English in my kitchen, she is free to do so,” she turned to her daughter a snap second later, “And you!
44 “Enough! You will speak Italian under my roof!”
45 “I hate you!”
46 “ENOUGH!”
47 “In my kitchen, both of you will do as I say!”
48 “Or I will feed the pigs better than you! Understand? Understand?”
45 “I hate you!”
46 “ENOUGH!”
47 “In my kitchen, both of you will do as I say!”
48 “Or I will feed the pigs better than you! Understand? Understand?”
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Watch your tongue in front of your father!” A long silence fell in the kitchen between the trio and enjoying it for a moment, Caelia soaked it in and then asked of her daughter, “Why not Aldus? I am sure your father would see this match more to his liking?”
“Yes,” answered Enzio in broken English “Yes, Aldus carries a good name in this town. As does his father, Mario! The heir to the Galli fortune rests with the established Aldus, destined to run the Galli family interests, and learn the way of the sailor from Venice and manage the profits of the shipping business after Mario seems well and good to retire.”
“Aldus?” Felicia shook her head and her face twisted in disgust, “No way! He is all about showing off his sword skills and muscular ability to all the ladies in town! Not to mention his sailing skills on the high seas! Not a mind up there worth loving with all that ego! And anyways, he is already seeing someone---well, a few people---in town. Bianca on Mondays, Ravenna on Wednesdays, and Ornella on Fridays. Every lady wants his attention, and everyone knows that Aldus gets around until he has settled on one lady. So there,” Felicia looked at her nails with a sudden stubbornness that matched her father’s, “Aldus is taken. If you want me to marry by autumn, it will be Giovanni Salzano.”
“This Giovanni, he is nothing! A boy whose only inheritance will be to oversee the staff and the villa, not the profits, under the command of his cousin. What future is that for a daughter of mine? My daughter is to marry a
“Yes,” answered Enzio in broken English “Yes, Aldus carries a good name in this town. As does his father, Mario! The heir to the Galli fortune rests with the established Aldus, destined to run the Galli family interests, and learn the way of the sailor from Venice and manage the profits of the shipping business after Mario seems well and good to retire.”
“Aldus?” Felicia shook her head and her face twisted in disgust, “No way! He is all about showing off his sword skills and muscular ability to all the ladies in town! Not to mention his sailing skills on the high seas! Not a mind up there worth loving with all that ego! And anyways, he is already seeing someone---well, a few people---in town. Bianca on Mondays, Ravenna on Wednesdays, and Ornella on Fridays. Every lady wants his attention, and everyone knows that Aldus gets around until he has settled on one lady. So there,” Felicia looked at her nails with a sudden stubbornness that matched her father’s, “Aldus is taken. If you want me to marry by autumn, it will be Giovanni Salzano.”
“This Giovanni, he is nothing! A boy whose only inheritance will be to oversee the staff and the villa, not the profits, under the command of his cousin. What future is that for a daughter of mine? My daughter is to marry a
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good man, not some commoner with a reputation such as this Giovanni’s!”
“Giovanni is a good man, Papà!”
Enzio shook his head, “No, no. Death follows that wild man. God has claimed both his father and mother! And even worse, he has nothing to his name! This shall not be for my daughter.”
“Madre?” 49 Felicia pleaded with her mother, “I do not like Aldus! He is reckless! And he thinks only of himself!” she shook her head, “No! No! I want someone who thinks of me! Who loves me!”
Her father barked, “Love!? Ah!”
“Enzio!” Caelia cited her husband with a stern look.
Felicia burst into an abundance of sudden tears and ran out of the house.
“Here!” Caelia slammed her lady’s hat into her husband’s hands and pointed to the carriage, “Wait for me!” And without another word, walked at a brisk pace after her daughter’s retreating form.
**
“Giovanni is a good man, Papà!”
Enzio shook his head, “No, no. Death follows that wild man. God has claimed both his father and mother! And even worse, he has nothing to his name! This shall not be for my daughter.”
“Madre?” 49 Felicia pleaded with her mother, “I do not like Aldus! He is reckless! And he thinks only of himself!” she shook her head, “No! No! I want someone who thinks of me! Who loves me!”
Her father barked, “Love!? Ah!”
“Enzio!” Caelia cited her husband with a stern look.
Felicia burst into an abundance of sudden tears and ran out of the house.
“Here!” Caelia slammed her lady’s hat into her husband’s hands and pointed to the carriage, “Wait for me!” And without another word, walked at a brisk pace after her daughter’s retreating form.
**
49 “Mother?”
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“You know you cannot run where I cannot find you?”
Felicia looked up to her mother’s voice as she sat along the banks of a creek, her naked feet gently dipped in the running stream of water, “I know, mother.”
Caelia sighed as she pulled up her dress and sat down next to her daughter, slipping off her own footwear and putting her feet into the water, “I forgot how good this feels.”
Felicia smiled, chuckling, as she wiped her eyes.
“Love,” Caelia mused as she looked off to the rolling hills that filled her vision beyond the thin line of trees hugging the creek, “Despite all these years, I still love him.”
“Who?”
Caelia chuckled, “Your father a course!”
“Yuck!” Felicia replied, “With his temper?”
“Even with his temper,” Caelia sighed, “Although he was not always that way. At least not until your brother died so young.”
“Father wanted me to be a boy?” Felicia asked honestly.
There was no point in hiding it, “And your sister. But he had girls and although he does not show it all the time, he loves you two with no end. Only if you could hear how he talks about your accomplishments to me late at night as we
Felicia looked up to her mother’s voice as she sat along the banks of a creek, her naked feet gently dipped in the running stream of water, “I know, mother.”
Caelia sighed as she pulled up her dress and sat down next to her daughter, slipping off her own footwear and putting her feet into the water, “I forgot how good this feels.”
Felicia smiled, chuckling, as she wiped her eyes.
“Love,” Caelia mused as she looked off to the rolling hills that filled her vision beyond the thin line of trees hugging the creek, “Despite all these years, I still love him.”
“Who?”
Caelia chuckled, “Your father a course!”
“Yuck!” Felicia replied, “With his temper?”
“Even with his temper,” Caelia sighed, “Although he was not always that way. At least not until your brother died so young.”
“Father wanted me to be a boy?” Felicia asked honestly.
There was no point in hiding it, “And your sister. But he had girls and although he does not show it all the time, he loves you two with no end. Only if you could hear how he talks about your accomplishments to me late at night as we
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get ready for bed,” Caelia looked to her daughter, “He is very, very proud of both of you.”
“He is stubborn as a mule with showing it!” Felicia complained, then added, “Giovanni taught me English. And then I taught you and papà. But he does not see anything good about Giovanni, only the bad.”
“Your father is very stubborn,” Caelia agreed, “He does not like the foreign man’s tongue. He feels it is taking away from our traditions. As for Giovanni, well Felicia, your father does have a point. Ever since Giovanni’s father and mother passed away, there has been rumors and whispers.”
“About what?” Felicia demanded, “Giovanni has been nothing but a sweetheart and a gentleman to me. Papà should be proud of that!”
“Oh, sweetheart, you know how the old women in town talk. And the old men for that matter! True or not, your father does not want you to be married to the wrong gentleman.”
“You mean father wants more wealth and power,” Felicia said bluntly, crossing her arms, “I have seen how he talks to Mr. Mario about me in marriage to his son Aldus. But not a word to Mr. Bonaventure regarding Giovanni! 50 I may be young, mother, but I am not a fool! Father wants to
“He is stubborn as a mule with showing it!” Felicia complained, then added, “Giovanni taught me English. And then I taught you and papà. But he does not see anything good about Giovanni, only the bad.”
“Your father is very stubborn,” Caelia agreed, “He does not like the foreign man’s tongue. He feels it is taking away from our traditions. As for Giovanni, well Felicia, your father does have a point. Ever since Giovanni’s father and mother passed away, there has been rumors and whispers.”
“About what?” Felicia demanded, “Giovanni has been nothing but a sweetheart and a gentleman to me. Papà should be proud of that!”
“Oh, sweetheart, you know how the old women in town talk. And the old men for that matter! True or not, your father does not want you to be married to the wrong gentleman.”
“You mean father wants more wealth and power,” Felicia said bluntly, crossing her arms, “I have seen how he talks to Mr. Mario about me in marriage to his son Aldus. But not a word to Mr. Bonaventure regarding Giovanni! 50 I may be young, mother, but I am not a fool! Father wants to
50 This connects Giovanni Salzano’s jealous thoughts found in No Tears: Northern Company (pg. 296).
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expand his riches at the expense of my happiness. And, for that matter, my sister’s!” xi
“He is securing a future for you and for your sister,” Caelia pleaded, “He only wants the best for you. If I had my choice, it would be Aldus. He is the most handsome man in town for marriage and his father has already approached your father! Not to mention his family has the wealth that could make your life very comfortable as a wife and as a mother.”
“I do not want comfort, mother! I want love! And Aldus----yuck! His eyes are on every woman of marriage age in town and if the rumors are true, his love as well! He is a wild man with no loyalty beyond his own desires!”
“I did not love your father at first,” Caelia replied, avoiding the subject of Aldus’ well-known behavior, “It was hard to, considering I had barely known your father, and I was but fourteen and he was twenty-one!” she shook her head, looking off, before looking back to her daughter, “But I fell in love with him over time.”
“I do not want over time, mother. I feel that I should have a choice.”
“We do have a choice, Felicia, to love our husbands and our children. To provide for a family and help our family’s legacy.”
“That does not sound like a choice to me.”
Caelia sighed, her face twisting in emotional pain, “It will have to be.”
“He is securing a future for you and for your sister,” Caelia pleaded, “He only wants the best for you. If I had my choice, it would be Aldus. He is the most handsome man in town for marriage and his father has already approached your father! Not to mention his family has the wealth that could make your life very comfortable as a wife and as a mother.”
“I do not want comfort, mother! I want love! And Aldus----yuck! His eyes are on every woman of marriage age in town and if the rumors are true, his love as well! He is a wild man with no loyalty beyond his own desires!”
“I did not love your father at first,” Caelia replied, avoiding the subject of Aldus’ well-known behavior, “It was hard to, considering I had barely known your father, and I was but fourteen and he was twenty-one!” she shook her head, looking off, before looking back to her daughter, “But I fell in love with him over time.”
“I do not want over time, mother. I feel that I should have a choice.”
“We do have a choice, Felicia, to love our husbands and our children. To provide for a family and help our family’s legacy.”
“That does not sound like a choice to me.”
Caelia sighed, her face twisting in emotional pain, “It will have to be.”
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Felicia studied her mother’s face, and her heart sank, “What have you done, mother?”
A tear started rolling down Caelia’s cheek, but she said nothing.
“Mother?”
Gathering up the courage to break the news, Caelia said, “You will be married before the first snow arrives. And it will not be to Giovanni Salzano.”
Felicia’s face twisted in anger, tears misting her eyes in emotional torment, “Who have you sold your daughter to for a man’s legacy?”
Caelia cupped her hands to her face as tears flowed, “Oh dear! I wanted to give you a choice! I wanted you to find love! But Giovanni Salzano is not it! Please, please forgive me!”
“Who, mother?” Felicia enforced, red anger spilling over her face and a tear running down her cheek.
“Your father has accepted Aldus’ father’s wish to marry you to his son. Both the Vitali and Galli families will bring their wealth together through your joined love with Aldus. And soon, your father will be able to challenge the right to power of the Salzano family over the Town of Salzano. Tonight, we have a dinner date arranged between our two families.”
By now, her mother was barely keeping it together and as Felicia drew her mother in for a hug, both women wept
A tear started rolling down Caelia’s cheek, but she said nothing.
“Mother?”
Gathering up the courage to break the news, Caelia said, “You will be married before the first snow arrives. And it will not be to Giovanni Salzano.”
Felicia’s face twisted in anger, tears misting her eyes in emotional torment, “Who have you sold your daughter to for a man’s legacy?”
Caelia cupped her hands to her face as tears flowed, “Oh dear! I wanted to give you a choice! I wanted you to find love! But Giovanni Salzano is not it! Please, please forgive me!”
“Who, mother?” Felicia enforced, red anger spilling over her face and a tear running down her cheek.
“Your father has accepted Aldus’ father’s wish to marry you to his son. Both the Vitali and Galli families will bring their wealth together through your joined love with Aldus. And soon, your father will be able to challenge the right to power of the Salzano family over the Town of Salzano. Tonight, we have a dinner date arranged between our two families.”
By now, her mother was barely keeping it together and as Felicia drew her mother in for a hug, both women wept
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aloud at the injustice done to love that was never to be because of the lust of wealth and power in the eyes of men.
“I am sorry! Forgive me! Forgive me!” Caelia pleaded with her daughter as the two hugged, “Please, I am so sorry!”
“My heart! My heart!” Felicia cried with the sorrow of a thousand lifetimes, “It hurts Mamma! It hurts Mamma 51 !”
“I am sorry! Forgive me! Forgive me!” Caelia pleaded with her daughter as the two hugged, “Please, I am so sorry!”
“My heart! My heart!” Felicia cried with the sorrow of a thousand lifetimes, “It hurts Mamma! It hurts Mamma 51 !”
51 Momma
Chapter 6
Skill & Gallantry
Town of Salzano, Republic of Venice
(10 minutes later)
(10 minutes later)
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“Giovanni!” barked Deangelo, “Giovanni!” 52
Giovanni’s attention on the nearby road in town melted away as he came back to the here and now. He looked to his cousin, who was handing him a bow.
“Your turn,” his cousin was saying.
“Make us proud, Giovanni!” Romano yelled from a ways back where other archers of the various groups of young men waited for a turn.
“Thank---thanks,” Giovanni said, taking a quick glance back to the road as he grabbed an arrow from the haystack next to him.
Deangelo shook his cousin, “Focus, Giovanni!”
Giovanni’s attention on the nearby road in town melted away as he came back to the here and now. He looked to his cousin, who was handing him a bow.
“Your turn,” his cousin was saying.
“Make us proud, Giovanni!” Romano yelled from a ways back where other archers of the various groups of young men waited for a turn.
“Thank---thanks,” Giovanni said, taking a quick glance back to the road as he grabbed an arrow from the haystack next to him.
Deangelo shook his cousin, “Focus, Giovanni!”
52 This chapter was not part of the 2016 original book and is specific to the Revised Edition.
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“I am!” Giovanni bit back in frustration.
Deangelo pointed to his own temple and whispered so only Giovanni could hear, “Up here, Giovanni! Focus! If Felicia comes, she comes! If not, well, then not!”
Giovanni nodded as his cousin gave him a parting slap of encouragement on the shoulder and departed back to the group of waiting boys. Turning his attention to the front, Salzano took steps forward to a dug-out line in the grassy field and put his foot at the ready on the line.
“Man!” barked a loud voice a short haystack over, “I wish Felicia was here!”
Giovanni rolled his eyes as he looked to his left at Aldus, the taller, stronger, short brown hair with face stubble of manhood, and sharp brown eyes man a year older than Giovanni stood. Like Giovanni, Aldus had changed out of his good church clothes and now wore more rugged festival clothing that could withstand a day’s worth of challenging activities.
“Be quiet, Aldus!” Giovanni replied.
“Is that all you got?” the older boy replied with a grin, “No wonder Felicia has been eyeing me more lately! She wants a man, not a boy!”
Giovanni felt his anger boil over, his hands turning hot as he tightened his grip on the bow and arrow and set his jaw. Before any thoughts of punching Aldus in the face could make their way to any serious action, a loud voice barked
Deangelo pointed to his own temple and whispered so only Giovanni could hear, “Up here, Giovanni! Focus! If Felicia comes, she comes! If not, well, then not!”
Giovanni nodded as his cousin gave him a parting slap of encouragement on the shoulder and departed back to the group of waiting boys. Turning his attention to the front, Salzano took steps forward to a dug-out line in the grassy field and put his foot at the ready on the line.
“Man!” barked a loud voice a short haystack over, “I wish Felicia was here!”
Giovanni rolled his eyes as he looked to his left at Aldus, the taller, stronger, short brown hair with face stubble of manhood, and sharp brown eyes man a year older than Giovanni stood. Like Giovanni, Aldus had changed out of his good church clothes and now wore more rugged festival clothing that could withstand a day’s worth of challenging activities.
“Be quiet, Aldus!” Giovanni replied.
“Is that all you got?” the older boy replied with a grin, “No wonder Felicia has been eyeing me more lately! She wants a man, not a boy!”
Giovanni felt his anger boil over, his hands turning hot as he tightened his grip on the bow and arrow and set his jaw. Before any thoughts of punching Aldus in the face could make their way to any serious action, a loud voice barked
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out from the wooden targets set against posts in the field spread out five long and a good distance away.
“READY!” yelled that voice.
Giovanni turned his attention away from the gloating Aldus and took a glance around; all around him in the distance and closer, people of the town and the countryside enjoyed themselves on the community of food, drink, buying and selling of products and baked goods (and an early harvest alike), and overall good company on this festival day in the Town of Salzano. Several canvas tents dotted the mostly open green field towards the middle of town where everything from food and drink to products were sold; various stations of skill----archery, axe throwing, sword dueling, log throwing, and even a booze station on who could drink the most---filled in the festival, while donkey and horse rides, a small petting zoo of various small animals, and an arts and crafts station were for the younger audience. Women either frequented the tents for good sales and foods or watched the children, as the men mostly tried to defend their manhood in skills of challenge. Still more of both men and women simply socialized and enjoyed the festival day. The earlier church crowd had transformed themselves into a lively crowd of community and careless joy.
“AIM!”
Giovanni took aim with his bow and pulled back the bowstring and arrow with it, holding it until the command was given to release.
“READY!” yelled that voice.
Giovanni turned his attention away from the gloating Aldus and took a glance around; all around him in the distance and closer, people of the town and the countryside enjoyed themselves on the community of food, drink, buying and selling of products and baked goods (and an early harvest alike), and overall good company on this festival day in the Town of Salzano. Several canvas tents dotted the mostly open green field towards the middle of town where everything from food and drink to products were sold; various stations of skill----archery, axe throwing, sword dueling, log throwing, and even a booze station on who could drink the most---filled in the festival, while donkey and horse rides, a small petting zoo of various small animals, and an arts and crafts station were for the younger audience. Women either frequented the tents for good sales and foods or watched the children, as the men mostly tried to defend their manhood in skills of challenge. Still more of both men and women simply socialized and enjoyed the festival day. The earlier church crowd had transformed themselves into a lively crowd of community and careless joy.
“AIM!”
Giovanni took aim with his bow and pulled back the bowstring and arrow with it, holding it until the command was given to release.
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“FIRE!”
Giovanni, Aldus, and three other teenager boys released their arrows upon the downrange targets! The rotating crowd of on-lookers to the sides and behind the archers cheered as the results came in. Salzano grimaced as he saw his arrow high right to the furthest circular line.
“Ah!” barked Aldus, “Nice try Giovanni! But I thought you were supposed to hit the bullseye, not try to miss it!”
Another boy closer to the two teenagers in the firing stalls snickered; Salzano turned to his right sharply and the boy promptly silenced himself, then Giovanni looked to his left and towards Aldus’ target and the near bulls-eye, “Beginner’s luck.”
Aldus continued to gloat with a belly laugh fitting to his large size, “Ah! Beginner’s lu---hey, you little turd faced kid! I am no beginner!”
Giovanni tapped his skull with an index finger, “Try to keep up, Aldus.”
“Yeah,” Aldus said, his angry frown giving way to a sudden burst of thought and an arrogant smile spread across his face, “I will have the last laugh when I ask Felicia out on a date tonight!”
“Have you not heard?” Giovanni replied, “We are dating.”
Giovanni, Aldus, and three other teenager boys released their arrows upon the downrange targets! The rotating crowd of on-lookers to the sides and behind the archers cheered as the results came in. Salzano grimaced as he saw his arrow high right to the furthest circular line.
“Ah!” barked Aldus, “Nice try Giovanni! But I thought you were supposed to hit the bullseye, not try to miss it!”
Another boy closer to the two teenagers in the firing stalls snickered; Salzano turned to his right sharply and the boy promptly silenced himself, then Giovanni looked to his left and towards Aldus’ target and the near bulls-eye, “Beginner’s luck.”
Aldus continued to gloat with a belly laugh fitting to his large size, “Ah! Beginner’s lu---hey, you little turd faced kid! I am no beginner!”
Giovanni tapped his skull with an index finger, “Try to keep up, Aldus.”
“Yeah,” Aldus said, his angry frown giving way to a sudden burst of thought and an arrogant smile spread across his face, “I will have the last laugh when I ask Felicia out on a date tonight!”
“Have you not heard?” Giovanni replied, “We are dating.”
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“All is fair in love and war.” 53 xii
Giovanni set his jaw, “You keep your hands off of her.”
Aldus grinned, “She cannot resist me forever. Ask where she is going tonight, and she will tell you.”
**
Romano had seen the first arrow go high right, then a spat between Giovanni and the man’s archrival in Aldus (which he could not hear clearly), then the second arrow go equally errant as the first.
“Do not worry, Giovanni!” Romano barked out with tunneled hands over his mouth as he and Deangelo sat on a large haystack behind the archers, “You got this!” Then he said under his breath, “Or not.”
“Women,” Deangelo said dryly, knowing who was living in Giovanni’s mind at the moment.
“Bullies named Aldus. I could wipe the floor with Aldus head-to-head in this. But noooo! I am too young!”
“Romano, you are the best archer in town for---”
Giovanni set his jaw, “You keep your hands off of her.”
Aldus grinned, “She cannot resist me forever. Ask where she is going tonight, and she will tell you.”
**
Romano had seen the first arrow go high right, then a spat between Giovanni and the man’s archrival in Aldus (which he could not hear clearly), then the second arrow go equally errant as the first.
“Do not worry, Giovanni!” Romano barked out with tunneled hands over his mouth as he and Deangelo sat on a large haystack behind the archers, “You got this!” Then he said under his breath, “Or not.”
“Women,” Deangelo said dryly, knowing who was living in Giovanni’s mind at the moment.
“Bullies named Aldus. I could wipe the floor with Aldus head-to-head in this. But noooo! I am too young!”
“Romano, you are the best archer in town for---”
53 The proverbial saying ‘All’s fair in love and war’ expresses the idea that, like war, where any strategy is accepted, affairs of the heart are also no-holds-barred contests.”
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“---do not say it.”
“Your age.”
“Intolerable!” Romano barked, shaking his head as he stole some festival food from Deangelo’s plate, “Thanks!”
“Hey!” Deangelo barked in surprise, “That was my food!”
“We both need to eat up,” Romano said, “If we are going to last the journey tonight.”
“What journey?”
Romano’s eyes grew big, “Giovanni did not tell you? We are going to---”
“Deangelo!” rang out a female voice, “Deangelo!”
Deangelo shot upright and looked that way, waving a hand towards the girl roughly his age yelling for his attention, “High Aria! I will be right there!” Deangelo turned to Romano, “It is Aria! I will be right back.”
As his friend shot off towards the lady, the younger Romano sunk in despair and mumbled, “Women.”
His spirits were somewhat lifted by Deangelo’s forfeited food he left behind and Romano shrugged with a smile, taking the plate, and eating the food left abandoned.
**
“Your age.”
“Intolerable!” Romano barked, shaking his head as he stole some festival food from Deangelo’s plate, “Thanks!”
“Hey!” Deangelo barked in surprise, “That was my food!”
“We both need to eat up,” Romano said, “If we are going to last the journey tonight.”
“What journey?”
Romano’s eyes grew big, “Giovanni did not tell you? We are going to---”
“Deangelo!” rang out a female voice, “Deangelo!”
Deangelo shot upright and looked that way, waving a hand towards the girl roughly his age yelling for his attention, “High Aria! I will be right there!” Deangelo turned to Romano, “It is Aria! I will be right back.”
As his friend shot off towards the lady, the younger Romano sunk in despair and mumbled, “Women.”
His spirits were somewhat lifted by Deangelo’s forfeited food he left behind and Romano shrugged with a smile, taking the plate, and eating the food left abandoned.
**
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“Come on Giovanni!” Deangelo egged on as the two teenagers danced in a carefully trained and taught duel of the swords by their uncle.
Giovanni barely avoided the would-be fatal blow, adjusting his feet and sword for a better defense as the two boys circled each other. A small crowd had gathered around the roped-off dueling space as the Salzanos went at it, everyone in town knowing Deangelo was considered the best swordsman in town, even against older boys like Aldus.
“Focus!” Deangelo instructed so only his cousin could hear, putting two fingers towards his eyes, “On me!”
Giovanni’s eyes kept dancing away every few seconds to the crowd and the small dirt mound beyond, hoping to see Felicia.
“I am trying!” Giovanni grumbled.
“Try harder!” the other cousin commanded as the boy moved in for a finishing combo that rallied the crowd in its elegant display of both talent and skill as Giovanni found himself on the ground after failing to defend all the blows.
“You have been defeated, Giovanni!”
“No,” Giovanni said with a cocky smile as he drew his eyes downwards towards Deangelo’s privates, “I have not. You slashed my arms; my sword has ended your day.”
An older gentleman supervising the duel ran in and inspected the final movement of dance and proclaimed, “Giovanni Salzano is the winner!”
Giovanni barely avoided the would-be fatal blow, adjusting his feet and sword for a better defense as the two boys circled each other. A small crowd had gathered around the roped-off dueling space as the Salzanos went at it, everyone in town knowing Deangelo was considered the best swordsman in town, even against older boys like Aldus.
“Focus!” Deangelo instructed so only his cousin could hear, putting two fingers towards his eyes, “On me!”
Giovanni’s eyes kept dancing away every few seconds to the crowd and the small dirt mound beyond, hoping to see Felicia.
“I am trying!” Giovanni grumbled.
“Try harder!” the other cousin commanded as the boy moved in for a finishing combo that rallied the crowd in its elegant display of both talent and skill as Giovanni found himself on the ground after failing to defend all the blows.
“You have been defeated, Giovanni!”
“No,” Giovanni said with a cocky smile as he drew his eyes downwards towards Deangelo’s privates, “I have not. You slashed my arms; my sword has ended your day.”
An older gentleman supervising the duel ran in and inspected the final movement of dance and proclaimed, “Giovanni Salzano is the winner!”
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Deangelo smiled as he offered a hand to help his cousin up as the crowd cheered, “But your wounds would have killed you in time.”
“Perhaps,” Giovanni concluded, “But not today.”
**
Giovanni was walking through the crowded festival, engrossed in some fine festival food after the sword duel with his cousin. Deangelo had run off with his girlfriend Aria and last Giovanni saw the two lovebirds, they were at the axe throwing, while Romano---well Romano, he was trying to find.
“Giovanni Salzano!”
Giovanni stopped and turned around to see Father Saul coming his way, the man’s iconic Catholic priest robes setting him apart at the festival, “Father Saul!”
The priest put a gentle hand on Giovanni’s shoulder and surveyed the boy’s food, “Turley leg. Looks good!”
“The best!” Giovanni replied, licking his lips as he finished the most recent chew of the meat, “Have you had any yet?”
“Oh yes!” the priest chuckled, holding his stomach, “Overly stuffed between Mr. Orazio’s turkey legs, Miss Elen’a spiced beans, and do not forget the Esposito family’s yearly pie selection: chocolate, apple, and cherry!
“Perhaps,” Giovanni concluded, “But not today.”
**
Giovanni was walking through the crowded festival, engrossed in some fine festival food after the sword duel with his cousin. Deangelo had run off with his girlfriend Aria and last Giovanni saw the two lovebirds, they were at the axe throwing, while Romano---well Romano, he was trying to find.
“Giovanni Salzano!”
Giovanni stopped and turned around to see Father Saul coming his way, the man’s iconic Catholic priest robes setting him apart at the festival, “Father Saul!”
The priest put a gentle hand on Giovanni’s shoulder and surveyed the boy’s food, “Turley leg. Looks good!”
“The best!” Giovanni replied, licking his lips as he finished the most recent chew of the meat, “Have you had any yet?”
“Oh yes!” the priest chuckled, holding his stomach, “Overly stuffed between Mr. Orazio’s turkey legs, Miss Elen’a spiced beans, and do not forget the Esposito family’s yearly pie selection: chocolate, apple, and cherry!
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This year they added berry---after a selection of each of those pies, I am about to burst!”
Giovanni chuckled along with Father Saul, “Well, you should leave the over-eating to us boys!”
“Yes, yes, I should. How are you doing, Giovanni?”
“Good,” the teenager said as he stuffed his face with another bite of the turkey leg, “I mean, aside from Aldus, everything is going good.”
“Yes, Aldus,” the priest replied with a knowing frustrated smile, “Indeed, he is a hard boy to get along with. But I believe you two can work things out.”
Giovanni shot the priest a look.
“I will be praying,” the holy man replied instead with a smile, then said, “Have you given any more thought to joining the priesthood?” 54
Giovanni shrugged, “Well, not since our last talk. But, I mean, I guess I could.”
Saul chuckled, “Becoming a priest is not a duty to take lightly, young Giovanni. Therefore, I have been asking you for months now. It is a big decision.”
Giovanni chuckled along with Father Saul, “Well, you should leave the over-eating to us boys!”
“Yes, yes, I should. How are you doing, Giovanni?”
“Good,” the teenager said as he stuffed his face with another bite of the turkey leg, “I mean, aside from Aldus, everything is going good.”
“Yes, Aldus,” the priest replied with a knowing frustrated smile, “Indeed, he is a hard boy to get along with. But I believe you two can work things out.”
Giovanni shot the priest a look.
“I will be praying,” the holy man replied instead with a smile, then said, “Have you given any more thought to joining the priesthood?” 54
Giovanni shrugged, “Well, not since our last talk. But, I mean, I guess I could.”
Saul chuckled, “Becoming a priest is not a duty to take lightly, young Giovanni. Therefore, I have been asking you for months now. It is a big decision.”
54 When I was a young boy, I wanted to become a Roman Catholic Priest. It was a very serious intention of mine, even though I personally did not accept the Lord Jesus Christ until many years later when I was 21 years old. Henceforth, this is a reference to that youthful intention.
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“You ask because I have no parents,” Giovanni summarized quickly and boldly, pointing out the priest’s hidden logic, “You have not asked anyone else in town.”
“Well, yes. Like me, Giovanni. I was taken in by the church at a young age when my parents were unfortunately killed. The church is a haven for young boys like you and like I was who have lost parents, a place of education, safety, and growth with God. 55 It will only serve you well, as it has me.”
“Well, why did the church not take me in earlier? Like you?”
Saul smiled thinly, “Because young Giovanni, I am here now. Not then when you were younger. Father Guglielmo, who was moved to Venice as you know two years ago and I replaced him here in town, felt that the priesthood should be something attained later in life, when we are older and wiser. Also, because of your Uncle Bonaventure.”
“What do you mean my uncle had stopped me from joining the church?”
“Uncle Bonaventure is a good man. But his views on the church are different than mine---and I hope yours.”
“He does not talk much about the church.”
“Well, yes. Like me, Giovanni. I was taken in by the church at a young age when my parents were unfortunately killed. The church is a haven for young boys like you and like I was who have lost parents, a place of education, safety, and growth with God. 55 It will only serve you well, as it has me.”
“Well, why did the church not take me in earlier? Like you?”
Saul smiled thinly, “Because young Giovanni, I am here now. Not then when you were younger. Father Guglielmo, who was moved to Venice as you know two years ago and I replaced him here in town, felt that the priesthood should be something attained later in life, when we are older and wiser. Also, because of your Uncle Bonaventure.”
“What do you mean my uncle had stopped me from joining the church?”
“Uncle Bonaventure is a good man. But his views on the church are different than mine---and I hope yours.”
“He does not talk much about the church.”
55 I have no historical evidence that this is true with the Roman Catholic Church. Henceforth, this should be considered fictional for storytelling purposes of the book.
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Saul smiled thinly again, “I am not surprised,” Saul sighed, “I am headed to Rome tonight, Giovanni. I will be gone for several weeks for some matters that demand my attention. I would encourage you to reconsider joining the priesthood, it really is the best time of your life to join. Before you turn eighteen and run off to conquer the world! You could come with me to Rome, and I could show you the glory of Rome and of the Church. Not to mention we can cut through a lot of the red tape of joining the priesthood, being with the Pope himself.”
“The Pope! Really?”
“Really!” Saul replied, adding, “It can be easily arranged for you to see the Pope in Rome. Easily, because you know me.”
“Wow!” Giovanni replied, then he started thinking how it would all work out with such short notice, “Can I wait a few days to decide? I should really talk to my uncle and my friends.”
“Have you not already been talking to them?” Saul asked.
“Well, yes,” Giovanni said, “But this is different. Can I wait a few days, please?”
“Unfortunately, no, Giovanni,” Saul replied, adding, “If you do not accept this invitation now, I do not know when else it could happen so quickly. I have already offered for months for you to join the priesthood with me. I am sure your uncle would understand if you left tonight. You would return in a few weeks with me, to see all your friends and
“The Pope! Really?”
“Really!” Saul replied, adding, “It can be easily arranged for you to see the Pope in Rome. Easily, because you know me.”
“Wow!” Giovanni replied, then he started thinking how it would all work out with such short notice, “Can I wait a few days to decide? I should really talk to my uncle and my friends.”
“Have you not already been talking to them?” Saul asked.
“Well, yes,” Giovanni said, “But this is different. Can I wait a few days, please?”
“Unfortunately, no, Giovanni,” Saul replied, adding, “If you do not accept this invitation now, I do not know when else it could happen so quickly. I have already offered for months for you to join the priesthood with me. I am sure your uncle would understand if you left tonight. You would return in a few weeks with me, to see all your friends and
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family. Ready to show them your devotion to God and to the Church!”
“Well…” Giovanni started, looking down to the ground, “There is Felicia I still want to see and…” Giovanni looked up to Saul, “When you return in a few weeks, Father Saul, I will have made up my mind.”
Saul sighed, “I am sorry to hear this.”
“Are you disappointed?” Giovanni asked, suddenly ashamed of himself.
“I would have hoped you made another choice, but you are your own man. And the Salzanos are known for their independence.”
“Thank you, Father,” Giovanni replied, “Thank you for understanding.”
Saul smiled, “The choices we make, young Giovanni, always have consequences. Good or bad.”
“I---I will,” Giovanni replied, a bit put off by those strangely foreshadowing parting words as the priest moved on, quickly taken away by another person nearby who wanted to have a conversation with him.
“Giovanni! Giovanni! Help!!!!!!” Romano’s voice rang out not a moment later as Giovanni turned to the boy’s voice and saw the little wild red hair, toothy grinned boy running through the crowd towards Giovanni with all haste!
“Romano, what is going on?” Giovanni asked as the boy ran straight into Giovanni and the pair fell to the ground!
“Well…” Giovanni started, looking down to the ground, “There is Felicia I still want to see and…” Giovanni looked up to Saul, “When you return in a few weeks, Father Saul, I will have made up my mind.”
Saul sighed, “I am sorry to hear this.”
“Are you disappointed?” Giovanni asked, suddenly ashamed of himself.
“I would have hoped you made another choice, but you are your own man. And the Salzanos are known for their independence.”
“Thank you, Father,” Giovanni replied, “Thank you for understanding.”
Saul smiled, “The choices we make, young Giovanni, always have consequences. Good or bad.”
“I---I will,” Giovanni replied, a bit put off by those strangely foreshadowing parting words as the priest moved on, quickly taken away by another person nearby who wanted to have a conversation with him.
“Giovanni! Giovanni! Help!!!!!!” Romano’s voice rang out not a moment later as Giovanni turned to the boy’s voice and saw the little wild red hair, toothy grinned boy running through the crowd towards Giovanni with all haste!
“Romano, what is going on?” Giovanni asked as the boy ran straight into Giovanni and the pair fell to the ground!
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“Help me!” the boy barked, holding onto Giovanni for dear life.
“Romano, what in the blue sky is going on?” Giovanni asked again, starting to collect himself up off the ground and pull Romano up with him. Giovanni looked at the young boy and brushed the grass and dirt off him, then looked at the boy’s face. Giovanni’s face grew serious, “Who hit you?”
Romano looked around, then mumbled, “Aldus.”
Giovanni’s blood boiled, “Why?”
“Because I---”
“Because he is a cheater!” Aldus barked as the boy’s large shadow and two other shadows of his friends came into view behind Romano.
“Cheater?” Giovanni raised an eyebrow as he looked up to Aldus, moving the shaking Romano behind him, the young boy looking out from behind Giovanni at the older boys, “I have never known Romano to cheat in his life.”
“No one beats me with the bow and arrow!” Aldus barked, pounding his fist into his other open palm, “And he made me look like a fool! And if you do not get out of the way, Giovanni Salzano, I will make it a two-for-one deal and pound both you and that worthless little peasant into the ground!” The other two boys laughed.
“I won, fair and square!” Romano defended himself, looking up to Giovanni, “I swear!”
“Romano, what in the blue sky is going on?” Giovanni asked again, starting to collect himself up off the ground and pull Romano up with him. Giovanni looked at the young boy and brushed the grass and dirt off him, then looked at the boy’s face. Giovanni’s face grew serious, “Who hit you?”
Romano looked around, then mumbled, “Aldus.”
Giovanni’s blood boiled, “Why?”
“Because I---”
“Because he is a cheater!” Aldus barked as the boy’s large shadow and two other shadows of his friends came into view behind Romano.
“Cheater?” Giovanni raised an eyebrow as he looked up to Aldus, moving the shaking Romano behind him, the young boy looking out from behind Giovanni at the older boys, “I have never known Romano to cheat in his life.”
“No one beats me with the bow and arrow!” Aldus barked, pounding his fist into his other open palm, “And he made me look like a fool! And if you do not get out of the way, Giovanni Salzano, I will make it a two-for-one deal and pound both you and that worthless little peasant into the ground!” The other two boys laughed.
“I won, fair and square!” Romano defended himself, looking up to Giovanni, “I swear!”
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“I am sure you did, Romano,” Giovanni replied, then said to Aldus, “Why do you not just walk away, Aldus? He is thirteen years old! I am sure an eighteen-year-old has much better things to do.”
“Yeah, I do have better things to do, like beat you to the ground!”
Aldus threw a punch towards Giovanni and the young man had neither saw it coming or had the time to react, so he closed his eyes with the moment he had!
SMACK!
No pain. No heat. No loose teeth. No blood. Giovanni opened one eye, seeing a blurry forearm stretched out before his face, then Giovanni opened the other eye, his vision coming into focus. A muscular forearm was outstretched from the robes of a Catholic priest, a hand holding firmly the fisted hand of Aldus inches from Giovanni’s face!
But it was not Father Saul’s saving forearm that caught Giovanni’s attention or Aldus’ strained face as he tried to force the punch past the priest’s hand that now held the larger boy’s fist. Rather, it was the iron brandings across that forearm of the priest resembling two crossed gladius swords with a human eye under the crossed swords, which caught Giovanni’s attention. The young Italian’s eyes looked towards Father Saul’s eyes and the two shared a moment of collective knowledge between the two, before Father Saul broke the look and took a step forward and pushed the older Aldus away, standing off to the side
“Yeah, I do have better things to do, like beat you to the ground!”
Aldus threw a punch towards Giovanni and the young man had neither saw it coming or had the time to react, so he closed his eyes with the moment he had!
SMACK!
No pain. No heat. No loose teeth. No blood. Giovanni opened one eye, seeing a blurry forearm stretched out before his face, then Giovanni opened the other eye, his vision coming into focus. A muscular forearm was outstretched from the robes of a Catholic priest, a hand holding firmly the fisted hand of Aldus inches from Giovanni’s face!
But it was not Father Saul’s saving forearm that caught Giovanni’s attention or Aldus’ strained face as he tried to force the punch past the priest’s hand that now held the larger boy’s fist. Rather, it was the iron brandings across that forearm of the priest resembling two crossed gladius swords with a human eye under the crossed swords, which caught Giovanni’s attention. The young Italian’s eyes looked towards Father Saul’s eyes and the two shared a moment of collective knowledge between the two, before Father Saul broke the look and took a step forward and pushed the older Aldus away, standing off to the side
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between Giovanni and Aldus. By now, a stunned crowd had formed around the spectacle.
“This is no place to be hurting each other,” Saul said, looking between both boys, “I am sure it was a simple misunderstanding. Am I right boys?” Both Aldus and Giovanni nodded, Aldus as frozen in shock at what to do as Giovanni was about the iron brandings on the priest’s forearm; Romano nodded as well from behind Giovanni, “Aldus, Giovanni, shake hands. And be good gentlemen about this and go your own way.”
Aldus and Giovanni tore their eyes from the priest and looked to each other, then against every fiber in their bodies, outstretched their hands and shook. The crowd that had gathered did a collective sigh of relief and spoke some encouraging words for the two boys, before moving on to continue their festival day. Aldus released his grip on Giovanni and simply stalked away the other direction, the two other bullies going with him.
As for Giovanni, he looked to Saul who returned the look to him, the young boy’s mind still frozen in shock as memories flooded in---
“Now,” Corradeo Salzano said, kneeling in front of his twelve-year-old son and holding him by the shoulders, “You are my son. And I am proud of you. Very, very proud of you. Today, you become a man.”
“This is no place to be hurting each other,” Saul said, looking between both boys, “I am sure it was a simple misunderstanding. Am I right boys?” Both Aldus and Giovanni nodded, Aldus as frozen in shock at what to do as Giovanni was about the iron brandings on the priest’s forearm; Romano nodded as well from behind Giovanni, “Aldus, Giovanni, shake hands. And be good gentlemen about this and go your own way.”
Aldus and Giovanni tore their eyes from the priest and looked to each other, then against every fiber in their bodies, outstretched their hands and shook. The crowd that had gathered did a collective sigh of relief and spoke some encouraging words for the two boys, before moving on to continue their festival day. Aldus released his grip on Giovanni and simply stalked away the other direction, the two other bullies going with him.
As for Giovanni, he looked to Saul who returned the look to him, the young boy’s mind still frozen in shock as memories flooded in---
“Now,” Corradeo Salzano said, kneeling in front of his twelve-year-old son and holding him by the shoulders, “You are my son. And I am proud of you. Very, very proud of you. Today, you become a man.”
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---Giovanni simply blinked as Saul tugged at his sleeve to make sure the forearm was covered again---
The doors to the crypt were closed and a closed black steel coffin with red highlights was on a raised dais before the stairs, in between the flaming torches. At the top of the coffin was a gold imagine crafted into the black steel, resembling two crossed gladius swords with a human eye under the crossed swords. The symbol was the same as the iron brandings on Corradeo’s forearms, the same symbol that Giovanni’s father never talked about but seemed to be very important to the Salzano family.
Those gathered before the casket included the immediate family of Anna, Giovanni, Bonaventure, Eva, and Deangelo, the domestic servants, and the guards presently not on guard duty. A handful of close family friends from within town in addition to Romano and his father, the mayor of the Town of Salzano, and a handful of business magnets from Venice itself---all arriving last minute because of the short notice---gathered as well to pay their respects. Most of the people from Venice Giovanni did not know, although a handful of them he had seen before, always in quiet conversations with his father, Corradeo.
---Saul did not show any emotion as he broke eye contact and slipped back into the crowd.
“Giovanni!” Romano was saying, shaking Giovanni out of his thoughts, “Giovanni!”
The doors to the crypt were closed and a closed black steel coffin with red highlights was on a raised dais before the stairs, in between the flaming torches. At the top of the coffin was a gold imagine crafted into the black steel, resembling two crossed gladius swords with a human eye under the crossed swords. The symbol was the same as the iron brandings on Corradeo’s forearms, the same symbol that Giovanni’s father never talked about but seemed to be very important to the Salzano family.
Those gathered before the casket included the immediate family of Anna, Giovanni, Bonaventure, Eva, and Deangelo, the domestic servants, and the guards presently not on guard duty. A handful of close family friends from within town in addition to Romano and his father, the mayor of the Town of Salzano, and a handful of business magnets from Venice itself---all arriving last minute because of the short notice---gathered as well to pay their respects. Most of the people from Venice Giovanni did not know, although a handful of them he had seen before, always in quiet conversations with his father, Corradeo.
---Saul did not show any emotion as he broke eye contact and slipped back into the crowd.
“Giovanni!” Romano was saying, shaking Giovanni out of his thoughts, “Giovanni!”
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Giovanni looked down at Romano, who was tugging on his clothes, “Yes, Romano?”
The little boy smiled, “Thank you.”
**
Giovanni, Deangelo, and Romano were walking away from the festival, the boys cheerful as the sun started to come down in the distance. Remnants of the festival remained in the background, mostly down to the last socialites and the volunteers who set up and went to tear down the festival.
“Now that was a day!” Romano proclaimed.
Giovanni smiled, “We heard that you wiped the archery field with your skill, Romano.”
“You saved me from a beating!” Romano replied, adding, “Aldus is such a poor looser!”
The three boys laughed.
“Hey, where was Uncle Bonaventure?” Giovanni asked, “He has always attended these festivals, to boast of our swordsmanship! And, a course, his birthday!”
Deangelo shrugged, “He had some meeting at the villa today,” he then snickered, “Perfect day for us not interrupting those important adult conversations.”
The little boy smiled, “Thank you.”
**
Giovanni, Deangelo, and Romano were walking away from the festival, the boys cheerful as the sun started to come down in the distance. Remnants of the festival remained in the background, mostly down to the last socialites and the volunteers who set up and went to tear down the festival.
“Now that was a day!” Romano proclaimed.
Giovanni smiled, “We heard that you wiped the archery field with your skill, Romano.”
“You saved me from a beating!” Romano replied, adding, “Aldus is such a poor looser!”
The three boys laughed.
“Hey, where was Uncle Bonaventure?” Giovanni asked, “He has always attended these festivals, to boast of our swordsmanship! And, a course, his birthday!”
Deangelo shrugged, “He had some meeting at the villa today,” he then snickered, “Perfect day for us not interrupting those important adult conversations.”
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The boys laughed again and as a dual horse-lead carriage went by on the dusty road, Romano blurted out as he pointed, “Hey, it is the Vitali family!”
Giovanni’s head snapped to the carriage as it passed on the left and he saw Felicia in there! He started to wave, but only a sad and small smile was returned from her. Giovanni’s waving slowed and then stopped completely as a familiar face of torment in the name of Aldus looked out the window across from her and looked at Giovanni with an evil smile, then swung the privacy curtain over the window.
Giovanni slowed and then stopped, the teenager bending over with his hands on his thighs a moment later.
“Giovanni!” Deangelo said in alarm as he retraced his steps back to his cousin, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, “I am sorry.”
“Oh God…” Giovanni managed, feeling as if he was going to throw up, “It just hurts a little right now.”
Giovanni’s head snapped to the carriage as it passed on the left and he saw Felicia in there! He started to wave, but only a sad and small smile was returned from her. Giovanni’s waving slowed and then stopped completely as a familiar face of torment in the name of Aldus looked out the window across from her and looked at Giovanni with an evil smile, then swung the privacy curtain over the window.
Giovanni slowed and then stopped, the teenager bending over with his hands on his thighs a moment later.
“Giovanni!” Deangelo said in alarm as he retraced his steps back to his cousin, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, “I am sorry.”
“Oh God…” Giovanni managed, feeling as if he was going to throw up, “It just hurts a little right now.”
END OF CHAPTER EXCERPTS
REFERENCES
x (31; pg. 31) Information sourced from:
• https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/harvesting-and-storing-apples.htm
(Retrieved 03-26-2022)
xi (Pg. 49) Information sourced from:
• https://www.essaytyping.com/marriage-marriage-practices-renaissance-england/
(Retrieved 04-23-2022)
• https://www.medievaltimes.com/education/medieval-era/marriage
(Retrieved 04-23-2022)
xii (53; pg. 56) Information sourced from:
• https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/alls-fair-in-love-and-war.html
(Retrieved 04-25-2022)
• https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/harvesting-and-storing-apples.htm
(Retrieved 03-26-2022)
xi (Pg. 49) Information sourced from:
• https://www.essaytyping.com/marriage-marriage-practices-renaissance-england/
(Retrieved 04-23-2022)
• https://www.medievaltimes.com/education/medieval-era/marriage
(Retrieved 04-23-2022)
xii (53; pg. 56) Information sourced from:
• https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/alls-fair-in-love-and-war.html
(Retrieved 04-25-2022)
NOTICE: All "Chapter Excerpts" material is copyrighted through the U.S. Copyright Office, © 2021, © 2022, © 2023, © 2024, and © 2025. All text, story, fictional characters, and artwork are copyrighted by Jason J Albano. See Legal.