The Fall of Freiburg - Interlude

What Antonio did for his Summer Holidays

Antonio Mondavi looked around himself with very mixed feelings. He was standing on a street in the city of Gorivari in the principality of Lucani, and all he could see was fear and misery. This was what his uncle had wanted. This was victory. And he, Antonio, was partly responsible for it.

Months earlier Antonio had been seriously injured while fighting with Franz Von Tannen and his team in Eisen. It had taken him quite a while to recover from those wounds, and during that time he had much to think on. He knew that he could not continue this way. The rift between himself and his family was eating away inside. He felt restless and empty, the memory of his cousin Isabella constantly resurfacing. He knew that if he did not resolve the issues with his family, he would never be at peace.

But it was still too soon. His uncle was a very proud man, and much as he would have sympathy for Antonio killing Clemenza, the other matter would take a little longer for his uncle to forgive. However making the decision to return, even if it wouldn't be right away, began to make Antonio feel better.

After finally recovering from his wounds, Antonio contemplated rejoining Von Tannen and the rest. But no, he could not imagine that group being in anything but the riskiest adventures, and much as that sounded like fun, Antonio knew that he would not be able to stay focused on their tasks until his own issues were resolved. He would probably end up getting killed and helping no one. What he needed was something that would occupy him while he waited for the right time to return home.

The peace and calm of sailing the seas seemed ideal. With his experience as a sailor he could get work on a nice quiet merchant ship and wile away his time for a few months before returning.

And so Antonio traveled across to Montaignia, found a Vodacce merchant ship in one of its ports and signed up. He then spent the next few months sailing up and down the coast, working hard and getting back into tip-top shape. Time passed all too quickly, and soon he began to feel the time was right to finally mend his family ties, especially since his ship was soon due to dock in Mondavi itself.

It did not take long for Antonio to find himself at the gate of his father's estate. His stomach felt like a sailing ship's knot, but he steeled himself and rode inside. As he rode past the vineyards and approached the villa, the first person he saw was his mother working in their little herb garden. She stood and turned when she heard the horse's hooves. Seeing Antonio, her face broke into a huge smile and she dropped her garden tools and came running to him. Antonio leapt off his horse, picked her up and gave her a huge hug.

In many ways the hardest part was over. Once Antonio knew his mother was happy to see him, the rest he could deal with. Inside, his brother Michelangelo saw him and yelped with delight. Mickey was still limping off course but his arms were like bears when he hugged Antonio, and little Carmelina had grown six inches since last he saw her. Finally, Antonio asked after his father. "He is well", his mother told him, "and yes, he will be very happy to see you." The knot in Antonio's stomach finally began to feel better.

When his father finally arrived home he was indeed happy to see Antonio. The family sat and talked and Antonio told all about his adventures in Eisen, and of the friends he made there. At the end of the evening, when Antonio was alone with his father and Mickey, he asked about his uncle. His father gave a small smile. "You know," he began, "it was only two weeks ago that the stubborn old bastard finally admitted to me that he was glad you killed that son of a whore Clemenza. He also said that if I ever heard from you to let you know you can come home without fear of him killing you." Antonio felt a great weight lifting off him. "Besides," his father continued turning grave, "he has more pressing matters to worry about now."

"What do you mean?" asked Antonio.

"It seems our Uncle has been making deals with Eisen Mercenaries," his brother answered, "he's being very secretive about the whole thing but father and I are beginning to think he may be planning something stupid."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. As I said, it's a secret. But we're talking and army of mercenaries. He's been meeting them at his country villa so as not to attract too much attention. That's how father and I found out, when we went to visit him."

Antonio wondered about this. Did his uncle get some news of someone about to threaten Mondavi? If so, then getting some outside help seemed like a wise move. It started Antonio thinking. Perhaps volunteering to defend Mondavi would get him back in his uncle's good books.

So began a chain of events leading to Antonio standing in Gorivari. Antonio's uncle had done more than just defend Mondavi, although that was always what he claimed he was doing. But his moves became more and more aggressive until he finally ordered the invasion of Lucani, killing Prince Albert in the process. And although Antonio's desire to ingratiate himself once again with his uncle was huge, with each of his uncle's moves, Antonio wondered more and more what the hell his uncle was doing.

Antonio looked about him again. It was nearing curfew and people began to scuttle back to their homes. The sun was beginning to set and Antonio walked through the balmy evening. A few guards tried to stop him until they recognized who he was. They apologized and let him pass. He continued to walk, wishing he was elsewhere, feeling more and more like he was betraying his own heart. Antonio was not naïve. He knew the power struggles that continually went on in Vodacce, and that being in a family of power meant that these struggles were a part of your life. But from what he had heard, Prince Albert was a good man, and certainly one of the least aggressive of the Vodacce princes. Why him? The more he thought about it the more it seemed it was because Albert was an easy target. This did not sit well with Antonio.

Suddenly Antonio's introspection was broken by the sound of someone running down an alleyway beside him. Instinctively Antonio took off after them. He saw a shadow up ahead and bolted, quickly catching up and tackling them. His pursued dropped like a sack and Antonio held them down.

"What do you think you're doing?" he called.

"Get off me. Get off," a distinctly female voice hissed back.

Surprised, Antonio looked at the face of his captive. She was beautiful.

"What are you doing? You know the curfew laws. You could get yourself killed."

"I was looking for some food. My cousin is very sick."

"Right. And you wait till after curfew to do this?" At that she didn't say anything. Antonio looked at her again. "Where have I seen you before?"

"I don't know what you mean. I've never seen you before."

"At the court. When my uncle claimed the throne. You were part of Albert's family. That's why you're sneaking around at night, you don't want to get caught and thrown into prison."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I've never been at court."

"Oh yes you have. I never forget a pretty face. Don't worry, I'm not going to turn you in."

"Ha!"

"If I wanted you arrested I would have called the guards by now. Maybe I can help."

"Why the hell would you want to help?"

"I have my reasons. Now I'm going to get up, and let you go OK?"

"Yes, alright"

Slowly Antonio let go of the young woman's wrists and stood up. The young woman also stood up and glared at him. "What's your name?" Antonio asked. "Come on, I said I wasn't going to hurt you."

Eventually she answered. "Lucinda", she said, "Lucinda Lucani."

"Ah", Antonio replied. "Married?"

"Yes, but my husband's away."

"Run away did he? Still with that name you don't blame him."

"He did not run away!" Lucinda answered quite hotly. "He was gone when the cowardly attack came. Alberto sent him on a mission to get him away from that stupid Clemenza."

"What!?" Antonio yelped. "What Clemenza?"

"Oh, he blamed my husband for seducing his daughter. I know Giancarlo, he wouldn't have touched her with your prick."

"This Clemenza, is he short, round and bald?"

"Well, he's short and round, but he's not bald. He does have a scar running down his left cheek though. Why?"

"Oh nothing." Antonio thought to himself, scratching his chin. "Must be his brother. Say, I'm beginning to like this husband of yours. Anyone who can annoy that family must be all right. What did you say you were after?"

"Actually I was just after some food for myself. I haven't eaten in three
days."

"OK, wait here. Try not to get caught." With that Antonio went down to one of the taverns now being frequented by the mercenaries, got some bread and cheese and made his way back.

As Lucinda wolfed down her food, Antonio sat and asked her some questions. He realized he missed just talking to someone like this. Eventually he asked Lucinda what the mission was that her husband was sent on.

"He was sent to Eisen to find someone named Von Tannen," She said between mouthfuls.

"You're kidding!" exclaimed Antonio.

"No. He was supposed to help Von Tannen and try to improve relations between Eisen and Lucani. Looks like your uncle got to Eisen first. You know there's something about you that reminds me a lot of Giancarlo."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I think it's the way you walk. Sort of like cats."

Antonio found himself warming to the girl. Over the next few nights he met Lucinda and helped her get food and survive, and eventually began to feel a little better about himself. Lucinda, on her part began to trust him more and more. Soon they started making plans for getting her out of the city. They were to meet in a couple of says time after Antonio had arranged to be away.

But it was not to be.

The following night Antonio was walking to their usual meeting place when he heard a guard yelling at someone. Antonio ran towards the alleyway where he saw two guards standing over a body, one carrying an empty crossbow. On the ground was Lucinda, a crossbow sticking from her side. Antonio bent down to pick her up, but he could see she was dying. Lucinda turned to him, "Please, if you ever see Giancarlo, tell him my last thoughts were of him."

"I promise you, I'll find him. And I'll tell him." Antonio replied, his voice choking up.

With that her eyes glazed over. And she died.