Introduction:
-Haaa..AAAI!! Birds hastily took to the air as the loud scream from the clearing below reached the tree tops. The shiny rapier passed less than a finger’s length from Sergio’s shoulder as he side-stepped the oncoming charge. But the slender man easily regained his balance from the evasion as he laughed and teased his brother. -So eager, so unelegant....so infantile!
His wild charge had left Renatus wide open and hearing his older brother’s teasing words did little to aid his concentration, fury flashed in his green eyes and his hand clinched the long blade. But alas, before he had time to think he felt the blunt tip of his brother’s sword on his throat, bested....again. -Two things Renatus: One, do not betray your actions with unnecessary words. Two, never let unnecessary words affect your actions.
Renatus blushed, he felt the redness creep all over his beardless face, not only had he been beaten, but Sergio had also noticed that his mocking words had reached him.
-Those are the same, wordbending fool!, he yelped helplessly.
-Ah, not always so, little pup. But think no more of it now, dear brother, let us rather enjoy the wonderful lunch that Riccardo assuredly has prepared for us, come now..
Renatus smiled, Hmmpf....Sergio’s calm and soothing voice could calm even an enraged Turk!, he thought for himself, as he followed to his brother back to the horses.
Riccardo saw the two Princes approach from the clearing. The old servant had been with the family for years and he had known them both from before they could walk. Wherever they were, he would always be within earshot. He had been concerned for a moment when he heard a shout, and had to calm the horses. But here they both came smiling back from their morning practice. Riccardo still marvelled at the difference between the two brothers. Sergio’s slender frame belied his strength., as his unkempt appearance belied his wits. His face was covered by an unruly dark beard, which’s wildness was only overcome by the man’s long black hair which appeared to have been uncut, indeed untouched, from the moment of his birth. Within this frame of hairy chaos rested Sergio’s eversmiling long face, a smile marred by a wide gap between his front teeth. Then again, the 18 year old Prince was referred to as the ‘alley-cat’ by the ladies at court. A comparison Riccardo wholeheartedly agreed to, especially considering the man’s lately string of nightly escapades, that had led to this period of absentia from the court. Here in the countryside, there were fewer maidens to capture the young prince’s interest, and fewer fathers to complain to his mother, the Queen!
Renatus on the other hand, Riccardo thought for himself, was nobility incarnate. Even now he walked calmy, composed and with chin high, a certain aloofness over his young person. The 12 year old’s pale, delicate features had made him his mother’s favourite from early age, and his fiery-red, neck long well trimmed hair made him stand out at court. His green eyes seemed to glow from within and reinforced the impression of an intelligent young Prince. “Now, if he could only grow off his temper and shortsightedness, there would walk a man who could truly be King...” Riccardo thought for himself as the two princes reached him.
- A good round, Sirs?... I take it Renatus finally won as I surely heard his victory yell just now?
- Au contraire, my good servant! He had to yield to a superior arm, a superior fighter and above all... A superior wit! Sergio continued to tease his brother.
- Well, at least this time you had to put up a sweat, your Superiority. Clean up, you look like a dock worker!. The old servant threw Sergio a towel.
- Why... The nerve!!... Servants these days! Sergio feigned insult as Renatus broke into loud chuckles for the fist time since his defeat.
Sergio wiped his face and returned the towel. -Well... Renatus might have lost the duel, but he won new knowledge.
- And what might be today’s piece of infinite wisdom, Sire? Riccardo inquired sarcastically. Renatus answered for his brother, -Do not talk! Act!
- Well! That’s probably the most unsound pie-, Riccardo’s starting lecture was cut by the sound of approaching horses.
Moments later a small entourage appeared from the forest. The princes immediatly recognised Captain de Ferra, leader of the Royal Guards, who led the party. Behind him followed, their mother’s seneschal Vintoro and with him was a man of the cloth they did not know. Behind them followed four knights from de Ferra’s outfit. Upon spotting the boys and the old servant, de Ferra slowed his horse, waved briefly and rode towards them in a calm pace.
- What now, Renatus asked concerned. This was an unusual assortment of men and he was uncertain as to what this meant.
- Perhaps they miss us at court brother... although I fear there might be bad news.
“Halt!” Captain de Ferra commanded when the party had closed the short distance, now that they were nearer they could see that the large man had a grave and hard look upon him. The priest, Sergio now recognized him, was Cardinal Odento, a man who had sometimes appeared at court.
- Greetings to you, Prince Sergio and Prince Renatus, I am sorry to disturb your stay here outside Brindisi, but certain recent events in Naples needs your urgent attention. We have travelled quickly from court and trough Apulia for over a week to reach you and-
-That’s quite enough Captain!, Cardinal Odento interrupted in a high pitched voice. -I will take it from here! The fat Cardinal rose in the saddle authoratively, a pose partially marred by the man’s obesity, which seemed to threaten both the health of his horse and the gold buttons on his bright red, bulging travelling frock. He produced a small handkerchief and quickly patted his large forehead, it was obvious that the journey had been less than pleasurable for the priest.
-After the unfortunate accident that befell your mother, he began. Sergio could later have sworn he saw glee glinting in the man’s small dark eyes, but before he had a chance to reflect over it both he and Renatus interrupted the Cardinal. –What accident, Renatus screamed, his voice breaking. –Is she alright, Sergio chimed in.
- Ahh... you have not heard? How unfortunate... well, regrettably I have to inform you that the Queen was attacked in her own chambers and thrown down a staircase. She lives, Thank God! But she suffered strong injuries to the head, as a result her senses have left her and she seems devoid of reason.
-WHAT, Sergio exclaimed, his face filling with rage. He turned to de Ferra, -What...? Who would DARE such a thing? Surely this assailant was captured?
- We have been unable to capture the cretin, the guard was away and there are no signs to anyone entering. They must have been privvy to the guards’s routines and, I suspect, had keys..., as he uttered the last word the Captain placed his eyes on the Seneschal.
Renatus had trouble keeping his composure, this was too much and he was afraid he would start crying. Had it not been for Riccardo placing his hands on the boy’s shoulders he would undoubtedly have done so too..
- ...or what say you, Viceroy, de Ferra nearly spat the last word.
- Doutbful, my dear Cap-.
- VICEROY? Since when did you attain such a title Vintoro? And why are you away from my mother at a time like this?? What exactly is happening here, Sergio quickly turned to Vintoro and uttered the words in anger. His rage showed clearly in his red face and clenched hands.
- Ehh..well. Certain.... adjustments to th-, the low and seething voice of the former Seneschal was abruptly cut off by the stringent Cardinal.
- What the Viceroy is trying to tell you, young Princes, is that from Novembris 14, Anno Domini 1419, by Papal Decree, the Kingdom of Naples in its entirety, for all time forward is to be ruled from Rome. The Holy Chair in its infallability and wisdom has decreed that the lands formerly ruled from Naples will now be under the spiritual AND secular guidance of the Papa. Rejoice! I have come here to relay this great joy to you both and to ensure that your return from Apulia to Naples is uneventful....after all we do not want you to share the fate of your poor mother...
Sergio was dumbfounded. His world was collapsing around him and he was at a loss at what to do. For the first time in his life he did not know what to say, what to ask, what to command! He was speechless, and it felt most disturbing. He was about to scream, when he felt Renatus tugging at his shirt.
- What, he hissed. “..o..t..lk...a...”, Renatus sobbed, his earlier composure now vanished completely. -WHAT, BROTHER, SPEAK UP, Sergio yelled. “..do not talk, act!” Sergio looked upon him as if he had fallen from the sky and invited him to dance! But just as soon realization dawned upon him, a wry smile snuck over his lips and the wild fury in his eyes was replaced with a playful, devil-may-care look. Renatus raised his chin, suppressed a last sob and looked questiongly at his older brother. Sergio nodded in agreement and they both drew their rapiers.....
Edit - Typos
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