Morning on Prospero's Island

by Rosepixie

A series of very short stories about characters from The Tempest in the morning (not all of them are on the island). There is very little plot, but it is safe to assume that the stories all take place on the same morning, so small connections may become evident. I have no current plans to expand any of these into longer stories, but may continue to add more of them over time.

1. Antonio

Duke Antonio was gently shaken awake by his manservant. He didn't really want to get up yet, but he knew that he had to leave on their journey today. His friend Sebastian had been in Milan for over a month, and they needed to go meet his brother, the King of Naples. They were to meet for a diplomatic conference with a few other leaders.

Antonio climbed out of his large bed and stood yawning as the servant moved around him. It was a routine both were very familiar with. When the servant handed him a soft cloth, Antonio mechanically used it to wash his face and arms. When he was finished, the servant took the cloth from him.

As he stood still, the servant carefully dressed the Duke in traveling clothes. Antonio yawned again as the man carefully tied the laces that attached his oversleeves to his doublet. When he was finished, the Duke sat and pulled on his polished boots and fastened a short cloak over his shoulder.

He was buckling his sword belt on when his wife came into the room. Her attendants hovered respectfully but anxiously outside the door, watching their mistress's every move nervously. Isabella was expected to give birth any day and, heavy as she was now, largely stayed in her rooms. When the baby was born, she would resume her usual flurry of daily activities.

"Dearest," he greeted her, "I would have come to your chambers. You needn't have troubled yourself."

"I know," she responded with a smile, " but the midwives say it's good for me to walk a bit. It didn't hurt any of our others."

"The I will trust them. I will miss you, my sweet."

"And I you. Keep that friend of yours out of trouble, if you can. You know, he could use a wife."

Antonio laughed. "Sebastian can find trouble enough, 'tis true. I will endeavor to obey you and will urge him to consider the advantages of a bride." Privately he felt that a wife was the least of what Sebastian deserved, but there would be time enough for those thoughts later.

"Good, see that you do. Now, have you time enough before you leave to join me for breakfast?"

"As you wish," he replied with a deep bow.