CAGLIARI, ITALY

MAY 1530

"Good Morrow M'lady, you must awake and greet the day!"

It was a warm day in Cagliari, with just a cool breeze blowing a perfect day for the joust in the Sa Sartiglia faire.

"later! I shall greet the day later," said Magdalena.

"Hark M'lady , today is the day of the Sa Sartiglia faire! We must get on or we will not arrive in time for the festivities," said Agnese.

"As you will Agnese, let us greet the day as if I couldn't greet it later."

Magdalene was in her bedroom, which never failed to astonish her. Her room had a high ceiling painted with cherubs, long windows with ruby red curtains, and especially by her huge canopy bed. That bed looked as if it were a kings, draped with burgundy satin, and posts guilded with gold and delicate gold roses, that looked as if they were touched by Midas himself. It truly was a room fit for kings, and it was all hers, a gift for her eighteenth birthday.

" Pray thee tell me why thou is not excitied to see that strapping young fellow who is riding for your father? What is his name again," said Agnese.

"Alfonso is his name, and no I am bot over joyed to see lads ride steeds at tremendous speeds, with a sword in hand, to pierce a metal star hanging by a lace. I also do not believe it brings good fortune," said Magdalene.

"I pray to differ, the star was pierced many times last year, and your father has done well," said Agnese.

"Well we always do well, what difference does a silly star make!"

"If you don't go for the festivities then go for that boy Alfonso! I heard he is very wealthy, and that he fancies you."

At that Magdalene gaged and scoweled in disgust , for he was a lazy oaf with no wits about him. In addition he was plagued by blemishes, and had disgusting unkempt hair. The only good mark to his name was his wealth and excelent riding skills.

"Heavens No? He disgusts me! After all how do you know he fancies me? have you been gossiping agian," said Magdalene.

Agnese was Magdalene's chamber maid, and was as far she could tell 35 years old. She had a sweet face, and light brown hair streaked with silver. She was a terrible gossip and was often caught doing so with the dairy maid.

"M'lady! Of course I have not, it is not gossip if it is true. After all don't you see how he looks at you! He could burn a wall with those eyes," said Agnese.

"Of course I do not! I spend that time blocking him from my vision," said Magdalene, "Let us get on with the day, for the faire awaits."