In The Lion's Sign

Paolo and Valentino, two faithful workers of Bernardino, had gone to Florence and had identified the engraver’s workshop. Not even a shadow of him. Perhaps a few years ago he had really died and his students had in fact managed to refine their workshop techniques until they reached and surpassed the art of their master. It was not an easy task for Paolo and Valentino, but in the end the offer in money made Baccio’s students capitulate, who gave up the engravings of Botticelli’s works for a sum of three thousand gold florins. Much more than they were actually worth, but Bernardino was convinced that he would certainly recover the sum with interest if he managed to print his Divine Comedy. The friars had made not only the missing illustrations, but also the engravings of the same on copper plates, which Bernardino would then bring back on lead plates, more suitable for printing. Using coloured inks for the illustrations was not new, but it involved long and repetitive steps to obtain a good result. Besides black, Bernardino had used red, blue and yellow. No more than four colours, it had been said, otherwise he would not come up with them.

He browsed with satisfaction page by page, appreciated each of the hundred illustrations, smelled the smell of printed paper, felt the leather cover with his fingertips following with his fingers the engravings of the title, letter by letter, D, I, V, and so on. He finally raised his eyes to the blue, clear, cloudless sky of the early afternoon of a day at the end of March. He admired the swallows that were already circling in the air, animating it with their garrisons. He was tired, he felt tired. He wanted to be one of those swallows to see the world from a different perspective, from above, flying like them and swooping down on everything that attracted his attention. But he understood, from the heaviness of his legs, that age was getting more and more felt every day. At great stride he was about to reach sixty, and they were not few, especially for someone who had always worked like him. He had the feeling of a void in his chest, his heart taking a dive like when you feel a sudden fear. A few missed beats, a few coughs, and the heart resumed at an accelerated pace, only to be quieted down in a few moments. It was an unwelcome sensation, but to which Bernardino had been getting used for some time. Once the sight was in focus again, a few steps away from him, the noble Lucia Baldeschi materialized.

«Bernardino! How pale you are! What happens?»

«Oh, nothing serious, Lady Lucia. Palpitations. Every now and then my heart aches, but I’ve learned that by imposing upon myself to make a few strong coughs, it resumes its regular rhythm.»

«Nothing serious, you say? You are of a certain age, and you shouldn’t underestimate the signals your heart sends to you, or these palpitations, as you call them, will take you straight to your grave. And it would be an eventuality I couldn’t like so much. Take it!», and she extended to him a small dark glass bottle, containing some liquid. «When you feel these disturbances, put a couple of drops in your mouth. But do not swallow them, hold them under your tongue for a long time and they will restore your heart to a normal rhythm and contraction force. If your tachycardia – that’s what we call your disorder in medical terms - should worsen, every night before going to bed, take a drop of this elixir and hold it under your tongue as I told you before. In doing so, you will be preserved from new attacks, which may sooner or later prove fatal.»

«My Lady, do you wish to strike fear into me? I know that I am old, I know that the accident that occurred to me during the fire in my print shop didn’t leave me unscathed, I know that I also have some pains due to the fact I have been working with lead for years, but from here I want to believe that I am one step away from the grave...»

«I don’t say this, Bernardino. I only say you must take care of yourself. You know very well how much I care about you and your friendship. And in fact that is why I am here. I wanted to tell you I’ll go to Apiro the next few days, and so I came by to say you goodbye.»

The printer stuck his eyes into the noblewoman’s hazel eyes. He admired her beauty, he admired how, from the girl she was, in a short time she had become a mature woman, even more beautiful and pleasant. Wrapped in her gamurra in shades of blue, tightened at the waist by an elegant leather belt, the generous neckline that showed off the curve of her breasts, Lucia was breathtakingly beautiful. Her long black hair was gathered behind the back of her neck in a braid, while her forehead was surrounded by a simple leather lace, embellished on the front by a precious stone of the same blue colour as the dress she was wearing. Bernardino, who had never wanted to tie himself to any woman in his life, understood that the only one with whom he had fallen in love, with whom he had managed to share his passion for the arts, poetry and literature, was at that moment a step away from him, but was completely unreachable. Not only would he never make love to her, but he would never even get a kiss or a caress from her. He had to make do with her looks, her smiles, her words. And it was already a lot. For the rest, he could only dream of her.

«Lady, why go to Apiro? There is no one left to bind you to those places. They are places damned by God, populated by demons and servants of the devil, witches and sorcerers. You are a noblewoman, why do you want to be mistaken for a healer or, worse, a witch?»

«Oh, come on, Bernardino! What are these talks? Did it hurt you to work with the Friars of St. Urban’s Abbey? They too are from Apiro, and yet they have served you well for your work. To prepare infusions and medicines like the one I have given you now, I need to collect medicinal plants. And in Apiro, especially in the area of Colle del Giogo, I can collect many of them and of excellent quality. And then this is the best season to collect them. I will also take advantage of the flowering Crocus to get the precious stigmas and I will also find many good asparagine shoots. So I’ll also be able to supply my kitchens. I’ll stay away for a few days and return refreshed in body and soul. The winter was long and I spent it in anguish for not having any news about Andrea. Now I need to distract myself a bit, and do it my way. By the way, I would also like to visit Germano degli Ottoni, the regent of the Community of Apiro.»

«I see that my advice is like words thrown to the wind. Give me an ear at least in this: let me know you’ll be accompanied by a trustworthy escort! In addition, at this point, since you are going to go to the town of Apiro, I want to ask you a small favour», and he put into Lucia’s hands the precious book that she had been admiring until just now. «This is the first copy I printed of the Divine Comedy containing the illustrations made by the friars of St. Urbano. Stop by the Abbey and give the book to the Guardian Father, greeting him and thanking him on my part. I believe he will be very happy to see this work finally completed, and to keep a copy of it in the library of the Convent.»

«Are you sure you want to part with it? It seems to me it’s the only copy you have printed so far!»

«I have verified the quality and I have everything ready to print hundreds and hundreds of copies. I believe right this first copy should be delivered to the community of friars who have worked so hard to make it.»

«Well, Bernardino, if it’s your will, I’ll be happy to carry out this mission on your behalf.»

Lucia almost made the tome disappear by putting it under her arm. Then she approached the printer with delicacy, touching one cheek with her lips, like a greeting. Bernardino pretended nothing, but his heart was in turmoil. As he watched her go, he abandoned himself sitting on a wooden bench, near the entrance to the store. He put his hand in his pocket and squeezed the bottle that Lucia had given him. But he didn’t have time to put a few drops of the medicine in his mouth, because he collapsed earlier. He panting, looking for air, his eyelids lowered. He felt that his heart was no longer beating, it was still. He slipped off the bench, until he reached the ground, then everything around him went dark. When he opened his eyes again he saw Valentino above him, holding his nose with his fingers and pushing his breath hard into his mouth. He beckoned him to stop, finding the strength to carry the bottle he was still holding in his hand to his mouth. He managed to pour a few drops, holding it under his tongue. In a few moments he felt a strange heat pervade him, regained his strength, retreated to his feet, refusing the help of Valentino who was holding his hand, and went back inside the store.

«Paolo! Valentino! Prepare the machines. We are going to press!»

 

 CHAPTER 9

Spring is ecstasy.

Flowering is an act of love.

(Anonymous)

Before leaving the city; Lucia went to the Bishop’s Palace to greet Monsignor Piersimone Ghislieri, who was pleased to receive she in the audience hall.

«My dear Countess, I am very happy to see you», he said, extending his ringed hand towards the young woman, prostrate at her feet. «Come, come, stand up, and tell me, rather! Any news from your betrothed? Is it known when he will return? When will I finally be able to join you in marriage?»

«Eh, how many questions, Your Eminence. If I had the answers, I would be very happy to share them with you. Unfortunately, my informers report to me that Andrea was sent last autumn to fight in the Netherlands, to accompany the French soldiers in the dirty war against Charles V of Habsburg. The winter has been long, and nothing more has been known about Andrea and his comrades-in-arms. But my heart tells me he is certainly alive.»

«From what I know, the French are having the worst, so much so that our Pope Clement VII, in order not to be overwhelmed by events, is trying to make a possible alliance with the Emperor, in order to safeguard the State of the Church.»

«Really? And our beloved Pope doesn’t think to the rest of Italy? In doing so he would open the way for the Lansquenets, who could reach as far as Milan, plunder it, and from there go as far as Florence and even Rome. And what will happen to our people, who are giving hand in hand to the French army, what will happen to them?»

«We must have faith in our Holy Father. You will see, everything will go well. But tell me the real reason why you came to see me. I don’t believe, Countess Lucia, that you have come here to talk about war and politics. So?», and the Cardinal took an attitude of listening, looking at the young lady of subtext, with cunning eyes.

Lucia blushed slightly, feeling so observed by a high prelate. She tried to conceal the embarrassment, detaching her gaze from the Cardinal’s eyes and staring at the cheerful flames of the large fireplace.

«For a few days I will stay away from Jesi, and therefore I will not be able to follow, as I did all winter, the government and administration of the city. Therefore, in my absence, I put these functions, which you have entrusted to me with such confidence, back into your hands. Clearly, until my return.»

«Well, I have no problem with that, even though I am more experienced in governing souls, rather than material and earthly matters. But, gracefully, tell me where you wish to go, and for how long you will be absent. Are you not going to join your beloved in the Netherlands, risking your own life?»

«No, don’t worry. My intention is to stay away only a few days. I’ll go to the Apennines and reach the abbey of St. Urbano. I have a mission to accomplish on behalf of Bernardino, the printer. I have to deliver to the Benedictine monks, brothers dear to you, a copy of the Divine Comedy made by my dear friend the printer and enriched with illustrations drawn by the hand of the monks themselves. I will take the opportunity to gather a few days in meditation and prayer and do penance. After the long winter that has passed, I need it.»

«Well, my dear little countess. I don’t want to hinder in any way this will of yours. But allow me to have you accompanied by some men of my confidence. They will be your escort, and I will feel more at ease.»

Lucia, who had no intention of being controlled day and night by the Cardinal’s thugs, pretended to think a little bit about it, then took up her word again.

«I thank you, Your Eminence», and Lucia lowered herself a little to take back the Cardinal’s hand and kiss the ring to say goodbye. «I have already given orders to four of my men to prepare the horses and provisions. I am already well escorted. Don’t worry about me.»

Of course, the next morning at an early hour, even before dawn, Lucia gave instructions to the girls’ housekeepers, woke up the stable boy, saddled Morocco, and galloped off, without any escort or provisions.

She arrived at the abbey of St. Urbano which was late afternoon. The air was sparkling. Although the sun was shining, the mountains around were still snowy. Going up from Esinante towards the abbey, Lucia had stopped in a wide clearing dotted with colourful flowers. The characteristic of these flowers, called Crocus, was to sprout in mountain meadows immediately after the snow had melted. The stigmas of the Crocus were much sought after by housewives and healers. The first ones, from the cultivated seedlings that blossomed in autumn, obtained saffron, an excellent reddish yellow spice to be used to make tasty dishes. The healers used instead the medicinal properties of wild flowers, which in nature blossomed in spring. The stigmas of the latter had to be dried as soon as they were picked and then stored in well closed glass jars. Crocus, in addition to having digestive, sedative and tranquilizing properties, could in fact be toxic, especially if taken in high doses or if the stigmas had not been dried properly, according to the rules handed down from mother to daughter. Therefore, once satisfied with the harvest, Lucia was quick to jump back on her steed to reach the abbey. Among other things, she would have asked the Prior, Father Gerolamo, to use the drying room, which no doubt was provided by the convent’s pharmacy. But when she arrived on the spot, the first thing that caught her eye, and that made everything else take second place, was Father Ignazio Amici’s cart, abandoned in the grassy square. Of course, it was covered with a beautiful layer of dust, which shows it had been there for quite a while. But the fact that Father Ignazio could arrive there from one moment to the next put a lot of anxiety on her.

The Prior, in all probability, had noticed the hesitant lady in the abbey square from the window of his cell. And so he had gone out to help her get off her horse and to welcome her.

«My Lady, I am truly honoured by your presence. But, tell me, how is it that you have come so far, in this still harsh season, and moreover alone, without any escort? Isn’t it unwise for a noblewoman to go around as you do?»

«Well, now that I see that cart, some fear is also beginning to come over me.»

«Don't worry», Father Gerolamo smiled. «If you are referring to Father Ignazio Amici, I believe we’ll no longer have to deal with him and his inquisitorial manias. A year and a half ago, after staging that farce of a trial up on the Colle dell’Aggiogo, he disappeared and no one knew anything about him anymore. But I assure you he certainly doesn’t roam these woods like a wolf. Someone would have sighted him sooner or later. I myself have made some inspections and found irrefutable convincing me our brother Ignazio, on the very day of the vile executions, has put his feet in foul, falling inside a sulphurous resurgence. Satan has called him back to himself, he has fallen straight to hell!»

«Well, although I never wish death to anyone, not even to my most bitter adversary, this news comforts me. But let’s come to the reasons for my visit.»

«Sure, but not here, my Lady. It’s starting to get cold. Come with me, let’s go to the library. We’ll converse in front of a nice lit fireplace.»

The library itself was a warm and comfortable environment. The walls were almost completely covered with shelves filled with books. Each section was marked with a letter of the alphabet, indicating the initial of the title of the texts stored there. Some friars worked in absolute silence, sitting at some desks, arranged in the centre of the room. A large fireplace spread light and warmth throughout the large living room. At a nod of the Prior, the amanuensis rested their instruments in good order and took their leave, one after the other. In short, Lucia remained alone with Father Gerolamo. First she gave him the precious tome entrusted to her by Bernardino. The Prior appreciated it, first sniffing it, to smell the printed paper, then flipping through some pages, finally dwelling on some of the illustrations.

«An excellent job!», he said, heading towards the section of the library marked with the letter D. «Thank your friend the printer. Few in the world know how to work as he does.»

«It is he who thanks you. Without your work, his work would have had much less value. And that is why he wanted you to have the first printed copy.»

«I am delighted, and my confreres will be too. But come to us. Soon darkness will fall, and I imagine that you will need hospitality. We have no nuns here in St. Urbano, so I will have to have a room prepared for you for the night in the guesthouse. I hope you are not afraid to be alone.»

«Don’t worry, I’m very tired and I’ll sleep like a log. And then it’s just one night. Tomorrow morning at dawn I will leave again. I’ll pay a courtesy visit to Mayor Germano degli Ottoni and I’ll return to Jesi before tomorrow evening. But I would like to ask you a couple more things. First of all I would like to pray, and then I would ask you to participate in the Vespers prayer together with your confreres.»

«And for that there is no problem. We recite the evening prayer in the church and there is always some faithful to attend. Take your place in the nave and turn to the Lord as you see fit. There are also confessors if you want to take advantage. Do you have any other request, my Lady?»

«Yes, if I may. The last favour I would like to ask you is to have the stigmas of the Crocus that I collected this morning dried for me. You know very well they must be dried as soon as possible, to take advantage of their medicinal properties.»

«Unfortunately, I cannot satisfy you in this. The brother who treated the pharmacy was very old and passed away just a few months ago. We have not yet had the opportunity to replace him, so there is no one who is able to use the equipment that belonged to him.»

Lucia was about to ask to do the job herself but, aware the request would be a serious embarrassment for the Prior, she held back. She should have found a valid alternative to dry the stigmas before returning to Jesi. She didn’t know how, but she would have thought about it.

«Well, sure, I understand. Provide me at least some glass jars to store them properly.»

«All right, my lady, for those there are no difficulties. After Vespers, you can have dinner in the refectory with us and, at the end of the meal, our guardian brother will give you the jars you need.»

«Thank you very much, Father, and before I leave, I will not fail to make a generous offer to your Convent.»

Rather than prayers and glass jars, Lucia’s thoughts were focused on other interests, even during the conversation with the prior. She was well aware that on that day, March 21, the spring equinox would occur, but the night that was coming would be even more magical because of the astral circumstance that included both the new moon and the entry of the sun into the constellation of the ram. In her head resounded a phrase that her grandmother had often repeated to her: “The new moon in ram carries the sacred fire of love, which will make us all free”.

So, once she was left alone in the small room of the guesthouse, several times she looked out of the window to admire the sky, which appeared to her eyes as a carpet of bright stars, where the moon could not be seen, but its presence was perceived as a dark disc evident in a precise point of the sky. She remembered one by one the words of the prayer that her grandmother Elena had taught her, to address to the Earth, to the Good Goddess.

Make me free.

Light the Sacred Fire and

Make me free to be.

Make me free to Love.

Make me free and you will teach me to have within me all the loves of the World.

She felt a shiver down his spine at the thought that some of the friars had just been able to intuit his thoughts. The Inquisition was a very powerful institution of the Church, even in those remote places. But now the desire to reach the Colle dell’Aggiogo, the magical place where she had been initiated into the art of healer and where she received the book “The Key of Solomon” to be its custodian, was too strong. At the end of the day, what was wrong, once she got up there, in lighting a bonfire, perhaps in order to dry the stigmata of the crocus, recite the prayer to the Good Goddess and thus celebrate the spring equinox in a dignified way, even if in solitude? She could have returned to the monastery before dawn, before the morning prayer of the monks, and no one would have noticed anything.

When she was sure that everything was quiet, she grabbed the jars with the crocus and went out in the stinging cold of the night, reached her horse, untied it, so as not to make noise led him on foot for a good stretch, then jumped on the saddle and took up the steep that, past the small towns of Poggio and Frontale, led to the Colle dell’Aggiogo.

The clearing in front of what were the ruins of Alberto and Ornella’s house was softly illuminated by the bluish glow emanating from the stars. The celestial vault was crossed by the Milky Way and the main constellations, the Small and the Big Dipper, Orion, the Bull, the Charioteer, the Greater Dog, and so on, were well recognizable by Lucia. The place reminded Lucia too much of the tragic events of which it had been the scene not even two years ago, and so she decided to continue towards the top of the hill. She found a quiet clearing, tied Morocco to a tree, collected wood and lit a bonfire. In a short time the flames rose cheerfully, spreading upwards in a thousand sparks. The young girl placed the Crocus near the fire, and concentrated on the flames, which at each instant took on different shapes and shades of colour.

The sparks make everything invisible and unreal, real and visible.

Now Lucia’s face was illuminated by the flames and made even more alive by their light. The girl, immersed in her thoughts and meditations, had not even noticed the young women who were getting closer to the bonfire and who, holding hands, had joined in her meditations.

Everything is love, and love frees everything and everyone and makes us free.

Lucia heard these words coming to her ears, in a muffled manner, as if they were spoken in a whisper of her own voice. Then she looked around and saw herself surrounded by at least a dozen girls who, in the heat of the bonfire, had begun to undress until they were naked, forming a circle around the fire. She threw more wood to revive the flames and increase their height, and felt the instinct to get rid of her clothes too.

The Aries wraps us in his embrace. It invites us to embrace, to feel the grip, to feel the heart bursting in our chest for happiness.

Declaring these words, she took two of the young women close to her by the hand, inviting the others to do the same to join in a circle around the bonfire.

We deserve ourselves.

We must love ourselves.

We must heal by giving love and love.

To heal is to free the love we have inside,

and unleash the strength we feel inside.

It's time to blossom and taste the sparkling air

and full of love.

The girls now, twelve in all, including Lucia, were dancing in a circle holding hands, completely naked, in the light of the fire and the stars.