Chapter 13 of the Dreaming.
Thank you very much to all my fellow readers and authors alike. Returning to school was definitely unhappy, for me.
I had thought we will return on the fifth, but it seems as though I was misinformed, and so I went to school wearing my usual t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
Canto XIII
A few days had passed over the commune of Monteriggioni, the spring solstice has yet to reach its peak at the start of May, and so Serafina thought it would be wise to tend the villa's garden and farm. She had the experience of feeding poultry during her childhood days at the Palazzo Pazzi, and she ignored the feeling of trepidation upon recalling such memory. Like all the servants, she wore a simple green kirtle over her chemise dress, and had her hair tied to several knots. The chickens clucked loudly behind their pen as she threw grains into their feeding trough, others checked if any of them laid eggs during the end of winter season.
They collected only a dozen by the time they completed their routine. Constantina inquired Serafina about her sudden need to assist them; she merely told her that she wanted to repay Mario for his kindness. It would be unfair if she did not do anything inside the villa. The two women cleaned the eggs and set them in drawer-like trays in the kitchen, others were preparing the luncheon for the Auditore family. Serafina wiped the sweat off her brow and looked around in the kitchen, hoping to find something else to occupy her time; a maidservant came by her, telling her they can handle the rest, and that she should take a break from all the work. The young lady nodded and removed the cords to let her hair fall free, she stepped out of the smoldering chamber, and arrived at the marble lobby, the interior still awed her to this day.
Ezio had left early that morning to do a task given by his uncle; he said he might even return at the end of the day if the errand be successful. She sat at the foot of the grand staircase, contented at staring into the town's silhouette, and admired the life of the country. Her trance was disturbed, when she heard a low groan coming from upstairs, and the clamor of a heavy item hitting the door. She went up to the second floor, finding the source of the noise, and slowly opened the door to see Claudia sitting behind a large desk.
She was the financer of the town, dutifully distributing the money to the places in need of refurbishment. It was a stressful job, according to Claudia, and she often refused to do such a thing. Serafina approached her side quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder, inquiring if she needed any help. The Auditore maiden looks up, slightly surprised to see Serafina, and angrily rubbed her eyes. Without asking permission, she looked into the book and saw how jumbled the numbers and words were.
"If you want, Signorina Claudia, I could help you reorganize some of these," said Serafina. "Are you sure?" replied Claudia, "I have been accentuating over these finances for a few months now, and I habitually regret this entire thing without learning from my late father." She detected the sadness in her voice and wished to hear none of it anymore. The forty days of mourning have passed, and it was time to start afresh. Serafina pulled out another blank journal and wrote down everything necessary from the lists on the table.
"You shouldn't actually regret having this job, imagine if the Florentine guards captured you and placed you into prison, would that not be miserable than this?" she said and told her that the town's well is in terrible need of repair.
"That well has not been fixed for years now; I guess we can begin with that," said Claudia, "How do you know of these things?"
"I have read several books about constructing empires, cities, and townships. The first things needed are food and water source, commercial business and miscellaneous affairs come last," explained Serafina.
"I have a good guess that you read a lot, my mother would always force me to read a few books to keep me busy, but I am more into socializing than staring into words all day." The two ladies continued their work, basking in silence for a few moments before Serafina spoke again.
"You are my complete opposite Signorina Claudia, I prefer the quietness of the family library rather than attending parties with my older sister and brother," she said.
"Well that certainly contradicts what Ezio tells me of you. 'Blunt as a soldier's sword' that is what he told me. But why though? The way he described you to me, it is as if you were outgoing in nature, and not so solemn and plain at this moment." Serafina smiled briefly, reminding Claudia that the doctor's treatment house was the first in the business to be restored.
"I have my ways," said she, "And concealment is something I have learned over the years of my life. It helps to cover up so many things you do not want people to see, and I am very vexed to know that your brother saw right through me, like looking into a piece of glass. I use that talent of mine in order to look plain and simple in front of the nobility, I refuse praise and admiration from them, thinking they were made-up lies to add my father's ego. Yet, he still calls me pretty." Claudia returns her smile and writes down what she had prompted her.
"My brother is very ignorant of things, mostly because he is too childish to even notice, whatever he used to see you in a sea of people, I pray that you and Ezio will remain close to each other." They finished their work before the lunch hour, at this time, the mercenaries returned to their barracks for leisure time, and Claudia went to her mother's bedroom to fetch her. Serafina was warmly accepted in the family table by Mario, since she was a very valuable guest to Ezio. Her cheeks flushed upon hearing the word, and sat down in between Claudia and Maria. The latter was silent and vacant, but her basic movements were still of use.
They ate beef broth and Florentine-style steaks as Mario discussed about his town and the people, Claudia constantly yawned to show her disinterest in the matter while Serafina listened to him, attentively, and often admired him for what he has done over the past years of protecting the townspeople. After lunch, Claudia and Serafina took Maria on a stroll in the desolate garden; the two girls began to talk about what to plant and what to propagate.
Claudia wished for roses, many roses, as well as daffodils and tulips, and Serafina wished for the same. When they were done planning, Claudia returned her mother to the villa whilst Serafina went outside the walls for a stroll of her own. Half-dead saplings of oak and birch trees loom behind the town's ancient walls, they might as well start off here. She walked down the worn path, idly staring up at the branches before touching the cold stones. She hears the thundering hooves of a horse and in the distance, she saw Ezio returning from his task. He comes up to her, pulling his horse to an abrupt stop to greet her formally. Serafina smiles and rests her head against his leg.
"Are you feeling well my dear?" Ezio asked her. Serafina hummed unobtrusively, "Yes. But I feel much better, now that you are here." He placed his gloved hand on her cheek, gently stroking her face before telling her that he must put his horse into the sheds. She stepped back, allowing him to do his job, and waited for him at the gates. He returned to her, softly placing a quick kiss on her lips, and they walk together to the villa, hand in hand.
"Tell me, what goes on in your mind, I have yet to hear your words after what had happened between us," said Ezio. "My words Ezio?" replied Serafina, eccentrically, "They have not changed a bit since our last meeting." "And what a fine meeting it was," he sighed and kisses her cheek unfairly. "Forgive me for being so harsh on you." Serafina returns one kiss, "It is fine. You were depressed, you needed comfort, and I showed it to you in the only way I could." He presses his forehead against hers, their noses touching so intimately, and they smile together. However, Serafina's smile wavered and she asked:
"But what of Cristina Vespucci? Does she still hold a place in your heart still?"
"Do not ask of that Serafina, it matters not anymore," said Ezio curtly.
"Ezio, it seems quite unfair for all three of us, have you broke any of your ties with her before you left Florence?"
They stopped in the front garden; Ezio takes her hands in his, and looks into her eyes lugubriously. He knew she can read him well, and in his eyes she can see the pity. "Your silence tells me you have not, when will you learn? That you cannot hold two women in your heart?" she withdraws her hands and walks to the villa hurriedly. "I greatly respect myself, in spite of all that has happened, and yet, you still are the poor boy I have once met." Ezio sprints up to her, hastier than before, and embraces her.
"I cannot help it, my dear, I am incapable of liberating you both, remember my words at the chapel? It will break me if any of you leave me." His voice was harsh, but she knew him all too well, and so she sighed, and she kissed him. Poor little boy, she thought, and whispered to him how this disgusts her more than everything, having to share someone with a different lady, who was by far more lovely than her. Ezio calms her, saying that their beauty is of equal level. Serafina scoffs, surprisingly, and retells him of her words to Botticelli that individual beauty cannot be compared, for it was unique in its own way.
"You truly have grown, la mia bella luna," said Ezio, chuckling quietly as he kisses her brow. "It is because you have handed me over to womanhood so quickly, I thought it would be expected of me to act mature," came her reply. "And it suits you well." Ezio excused himself to report his errand to his uncle while Serafina waited for him near the staircase. Of all the rooms in the villa, Mario's office was the one she respected greatly, and refused entrance till further invitation.
When Ezio stepped out, he led her upstairs to his room, at the top floor of the villa. The room was supported by a wooden beam running up from the middle of the floor to the ceiling, a bed rests in the right corner near the stairs, and a desk beset with papers and books was situated in the left corner. Serafina came up to the wooden table, seeing a dagger stabbed onto its surface; she complained how thoughtless he was to the papers beneath it. Ezio came up to her from behind, and wrapped his strong arms around her waist. He asked her if she could paint him a portrait, and she stated that her talent has a very hefty price for such request.
"Ah yes, you are of grand nobility, asking a portrait from you is very expensive is it not?" said Ezio, lightly kissing her lobe. Abruptly, he felt her hands on top of his arms, and she slowly pushed them off. Serafina turned, forcing a sad smile on her face, and looked away. "Did I say something wrong my dear?" he said. "No," said Serafina, abruptly, "your words do not offend me at all." Ezio pulled her back into his arms, holding her tightly, and pressed his forehead against hers, so he may look directly into her gray eyes.
"Then why the sadness in your voice?" he inquired. Serafina sighed, and slightly tilted her head up, their noses touching for a brief second, and she confessed to him.
"I am not of nobility, I never was. I was an orphan, Vieri told me, and he said Madonna Ersilia had adopted me from a brothel, after a good friend of hers, my mother, passed away during childbirth. As for my father, I have no idea where he is, but all they could say was that he left my mother to die." Ezio began to gradually sway her in a dance; she lightly smiled at the gesture, and swayed as well. "But are you not glad? If they did not adopt you, I wouldn't have met you." There was truth in his words, and so she kissed him in thanks, and sighed in contentment.
The middle of May was very important for farmers as they checked for crops for any signs of parasites, for in June would be the harvest season. Serafina had volunteered to go to another town, to buy medicinal supplies, since the doctor Mario hired from Siena has not arrived yet, and to sell some purses she had made over time. Ezio was almost upset in her decision, but Claudia persisted that he should leave Serafina alone once in a while.
The young lady wore her basic chemise gown, a dark blue kirtle, and an olive green overgown adorned with gold embroidery, whose matching sleeves were attached to the gown with the use of pastel buttons. Her long hair was braided, and then coiled around her head, leaving one plait enclosed in green ribbons. Her destination was Castellina Scalo, which was northwest of the town; she bid the Auditore family a pleasant goodbye and went on her way, without horse or carriage, just her trusty satchels. Serafina had hastened her stride whilst walking down the hill, she looked back, beholding the vineyard and the town's mighty walls, and then continued on her journey.
The farmlands stretched beyond what she could see, and she had realized how beautiful the country was than the city. She had never seen much green in all her life. Serafina had paused to glance back, astonished to see how far she was. Were those the towers surrounding Monteriggioni? They seem so small from where she stood, she ate a piece of bread, some fine cheese, and went on her way. She arrived in the town, and it was almost the middle of the day, she directly went to the dottore, buying what was necessary and what was listed. She also bought some things Claudia needed, as well as some gifts for Maria.
Serafina rested at the local inn, dining on rabbit stew baked in milk, and some Tuscan wine. She paid at the right amount and left immediately, knowing that she might return before dark. Ursula once told her that the journey home seemed shorter than leaving it, she was right entirely. Serafina had already reached the middle of her trip by the time it was mid-afternoon, her cheeks and temple were flushed, and her feet complained a bit. As she made her way through the vineyards, she perceived the sound of horses galloping, and before she knew it, a group of horsemen bearing the Pazzi crest appeared from behind the trees. Serafina gathered her skirts, running as fast as she could, the vials of herbs jingled in her bag, and her heart raced rapidly.
"Quick! Do not let her escape!" shouted one of the horsemen. Serafina almost stumbled, and at last she saw the gates, and the group of mercenaries stationed outside.
"Auito! Aiuto!" she screamed. Mario's men immediately brought out their own horsemen into battle, and they deliberately fought with the Pazzi guards. Serafina avoided their galloping horses and oncoming weapons, and managed to run into the town. The gates closed with a loud bang, and the clamor of battle remained behind it, till the horses screamed, and the mercenaries shouted for their victory.