“Lisa T. Bergrenis a master at writingtime travel, and she’s created another spellbindingseries withher Oceans of Time books.Withrichhistoricaldetails,deepcharacters,andarivetingplot,thesebookskeptmeturningthepagesandeagerforthe nextinstallment”
NADINEBRANDES,award-winningauthorofRomanov and ATime to Die
“Rip Tide pulls youdeepintoanother time andplace withflawless execution.Arichandtangible settingwithcharacters so aliveandreal andafamilial bondthatringstruebetweeneachpagebringsthisstorytolifeinawayonlyLisaBergrencan. Rip Tide istheperfectsecondinstallmentfortheOceansofTimeseries,andIcan’twaitforthenext!”
S.D.GRIMM,authoroftheChildrenoftheBloodMoonseriesand ADragon by Any Other Name
Acclaim for ESTUARY
“This is thefirsttimetravel storyIhavereadbyLisaT Bergren,butitwon’tbemylast Adventure,intrigue,romance,and magical realism!Afantastic storythatwill leave youbreathless andexcitedfor more I’msohappy Estuary is the firstina series!Ican’twaitforthenextinstallment.”
“Sometimesyoujustneedtocheckspeculationatthedoorandsinkintoanutterlyabsorbingtale,takingyoutoadreamyplace (Italy),introducingyoutofascinatingpeople(time-travelers)andcasuallylearnaboutatimeperiodyoumightnotknowmuch about(medieval) Divinginto the deep end ofthis firstbookinthe Oceans ofTime will bless youwitha refreshing‘break read,’as well as a restorative opportunityto consider how families are sometimes uniquelybroughttogether byGod . . . a themeclosetomyheart.”
“Estuary will whiskyouawayinto a richlywovenworld ofdanger and beauty and sweepingromance Full oftwists and intrigue thatwill keep youturningpages, this rivetingtale delves into the ties offamilythatspancenturies and the parts of ourselveswediscoverinlong-forgottenplaces.FansoftheoriginalRiverofTimeseries aswellasnewreaders,divingin forthefirsttime willdiscovercharm,heartandcouragebroughttolifeinabreathtakingnewway.Thisspellbindingnovela must-read.Highlyrecommended!”
KARA SWANSON
,ChristyAward–winningauthorofDust and Shadow
“Lisa Bergrenweaves a beautiful storyinthis unique time jump novel Medieval Italyprovides the backdrop withknights, battles,andstrongwomen.AdefiniterecommendationforboththosewholoveherRiverofTimeseriesandfantasy.”
“Fabulous and utterly satisfying! Estuary is a glorious return to Bergren’s much-beloved River of Time series. Beautiful portrayalsoflove,betrayal,andcourageareasgorgeousastheItaliancountrysideinwhichthey’reset Thisstorywilldelight Bergren’slongtimefansandhavenewreaderssearchingcavesforthatportalbacktomedievalItalytomeettheinfamousSheWolvesofSiena.Nockyourarrowsandgetreadytoride thisisonestoryyouwon’twanttomiss!”
This is a work of fiction Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously Any similarity to actual people, organizations,and/oreventsispurelycoincidental
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wholovesthesebooks somuch,shewanted tobe in thenextone.
LadyAdri gripped the youngwoman’s shoulders, grinning, and hugged her close, thenturned to Nico and me to do the same,kissinguseachonbothcheeksastheItaliansdo.“Welldone,myyoungcousins.Welldone!”
“How-howlonghavewebeengone?”mybrotherasked.
“Toscano, per favore ” Ilaria touched his arm, wanting to understand too In Tuscan, please Meaning, their medieval dialectofItalian
“What happened?” Ilaria stared downat her blood-soaked gown. “I remember gettinghit bythe arrow. But little after, until...”Shelookedatmeandmybrother.“Where were we?Whowerethosepeople?”
“Has anyone seenthis happenbefore?” Iasked, turningAdri aside as mybrother beganto tell Ilaria the truthaboutour abilitytotravelthroughtime andthetunnel’sabilitytoheal.
Adri puta hand onher head, thinking. “No. Anumber have seenus emerge fromor disappear into the tomb, butwe’ve alwaysbeenabletoexplainitaway Nonebutfamilyhaveactuallyseenitoccur”
Mypulse picked up. “Would he diginto the wall? Isn’t that against all the archeologyrules?” My thoughts ran in two differentdirectionsatonce Ihadreallywantedtocomeback.TotheForellis.ToGiulio. Buttonothavetheoptiontoreturntoourowntime?Ever?
Ibitmytongue IwasninetypercentsureIwantedtostaywiththeForellis TofigureoutwherethisthingwithGiuliowas going. But to promise forever? I wasn’t readyfor that. After all, things hadn’t turned out so well for myparents and their marriage.WhatdidIknowaboutformingsomethingstrongenoughtogothedistance?
“Gabisentwordtotellusheisconflicted.Tornbetweenbelievingthatwehadnothingtodowiththemurdersofhisfellow citizens and the circumstantial evidence that we were instrumental inthe bloodbath He faces incredible pressure fromhis fellowcountrymentobeasvengefulasthey”
“Hecan’tpossibly...notafterspendingsomuchtimeamongus!”Itcaughtme howmyuseof us soeasilyslippedfrom mytongue.“HasTilianispokentohim?Inperson?”
Playingthe partofa wounded maid, she allowed himto lifther up and onto the saddle, and ingentlemanlyfashion, he lookedawayfromthebareskinofher calvesasher skirtsrose.Shekepther handover her chestthewholetime,butas she shifted,brieflyletgotosettleherskirts HadFioreglimpsedwhatIhad?Theslashed-openbodice?Thepuckeredbutclearly healedskin?Oronlythedriedblood?
Iscanned the woods, findingithard to believe we were notstill under attack. Three days had passed. Three days, ina matterofminutes!Whatwould’vehappenedhadManerosucceededinwaylayingus?Separatingus?Hourscouldquicklymean yearshere HowlonghadpassedwhenGabiandLiatraveledbackeachtime?IwishedtheywereheresoIcouldaskthem MymindreturnedtothetombandthepossibilitythatManerowoulddosomeharmtothewall andthereforethetunnel inhisquesttofigureoutjustwhattheyhadwitnessed.
Adri, walkingbeside me, seemed to read mythoughts. “It is a great deal to contemplate,” she said quietly, inEnglish. “Remaininghere Forever ’TwassomethingthegirlsandIwrestledwithforalongtime” “Howdidyouknow?Thatitwasrightforyou?”Ireturned
Shegavemearueful smileandbentcloser Nicowasdirectlyinfrontofus,sohecouldhear,butnotthetwoknightson horsebackbehind us. “There was that, yes. Butitwas more. The communal nature ofthe castello. The connectionto others went beyond our nuclear family, which was so different than what we’d experienced in America. We’d long witnessed it amongtheItalians,ofcourse.Theyarefamouslyclannish.Buthere?Inthistime?It’sevenmoreprevalent.”Shewalkedafew stepsfarther.“Oncewewereonewiththem experiencingthisfiercelovetheyshare wecouldnotimagineseparatingfrom themagain”
“That’saquestionforFatherGiovanni”Shetookmyhandandgaveitabriefsqueeze “Andforeachofyou,asitwasfor eachofus ’Tis animportantstep indeciding Do notfear speakingto him He has beenour confidant in all matters for years.”
Thepriestknew?Everything?
“LadyAdriatthegates!”calledaguard,spottingus.Hegrinnedandleanedovertheparapetasifhecouldnotbelievehis eyes.“Andmore LadyIlariaandtheBetarrinis!Openthegatesatonce!” His command echoed below, and we heard the creakingslide ofthe ironcrossbeam, thenwatched as the patched doors opened giant,new,pinkwoodenbeamsbetweentheoldweathered-grayonesnow whereithadbeenbrokenthroughbythe Perugianbatteringram.Astwoknightspulledthemaside,Ilookedtothosegatheringinthecourtyard,alertedbythecastlegate guard’sdelightedcall.TherewasCookandTomassoandthearchers,OtelloandBaldarino.Ismiledwiththemastheyhurried forwardtogreetusall.
“I found them in the Fiorentini forest,” Adri said, loudly enough to be overheard “The Betarrini twins discovered a medicinal moss andpackedher wound,seeingher throughthe longdays andnights betweenus Godbe praised,LadyIlaria appearstobeonthemend.Butwemustgethertoherquarters.Cook,pleasesendtwobucketsofhotwater.Tomasso,please fetchmytincturechest.Luciana,wouldyoubesokindastoaidmewithIlaria?”
IlariawrappedanarmaroundLuciana’sshouldersandkeptherhandonherchest,curlinginasifinpain,forthesakeofthe others around us. Chiara reached us and puttremblinghands onher sister’s cheeks, gazingather withtearful wonder. “You are here Andwell?”
Chiara’s longfingers traced over Ilaria’s face as ifverifyingshe was real. “Isaw you. . . disappear,” she said witha raggedbreath.“IfearedImightneverseeyouagain!”
Chiara’sfingerswenttohermouthasshepaled “How?Howisthispossible?”ShelookedfromhersistertoAdritous “’Tis the miracle ofwhatcertainBetarrini siblings are able to do,” Adri said “’Tis how Gabriella was saved fromher poisoning.”
Could it be? Iwondered CouldGodhavereallyusedustodosuchathing?DidhewantIlariaaliveforsomepurpose? Andwhyhadwebeenchosen?Wewerenothingmorethantworegularcollegekids.
I glanced at mybrother Tears streamed downhis face, too, as he watched the sisters He cared for her, deeplycared BecauseNiconevercried Sincewe’dbeenkids,I’dseeithappenonlythreetimes whentheYankeeswontheWorldSeries, andwhenourmotherandgrandmothereachbreathedtheirlast.
Conjecturingthatourenemieshadsoughttopoisonourneighborsagainstus,wemappedouttheirnextpotentialtarget They hadsucceededwithFortebraccioandBeluccitooureasternborder,andnowwiththeFiorentinitothenorth.WithSienatoour southwest,our onlyremainingopenflankwas to the northeast, so we concentratedonvisitingneighbors there, affirmingour intentforongoingpeace,andsearchingtheirwoodsforourenemies
Now,after a weekofliningvillagers’andmerchants’purses withForelli coin,we were finallyonthe trail ofa bandof mercenariescampinginthewoodsneartheborder oneofthemreportedlyinpossessionofagoldentunic.
After searchingall day,weatlastsaw thespiralingriseofcampfiresmokeinthedistance.Communicatingthroughhand signals,weagreedthatGiuliowouldleadtwelvemendirectlytowardthem,whileIwouldleadtheothertwelveofftheroad and go around to cutthemoffshould theytryto flee Ileftbefore Giulio to find good spots for myarchers But Iknew he wouldn’ttarrylong,fearfulthatourpresencewouldbedetected
Iurgedmymounttomovefasterthroughthetrees,myheartpounding.Didwefinallyhavethem?Weneededtocaptureat least one alive someone who knew of the intrigue in order to clear the Forelli name and free our family from the Fiorentini’snets.Their trial wasfastapproaching,anditwouldtakeadayandahalfjusttotravel there.Wehadtofindour witnesses,andquickly.
Igestured to Iacapo and Falito, urgingthemto take up positionintrees oneither side ofthe road Thento Gaspare and Agostino, to do the same farther along the road Four swordsmen moved toward the wood on the road itself, remaining mounted.Twomorehobbledtheirhorsesandstoodtheirgroundbeforeme.Thelasttwoflankedme.Wewereready.
Iprayedeachmanrememberedtheirchartertonotkill,onlymaim.Iprayedwewouldfindtheoneweneeded. Just one, Lord We need but one But two would be better
WasAndreaErcoleamongstthem,oroneofhishiredmen?Wasthegirl,Rosa,withthemtoo?Ideally,wewouldcapture them fortheyweresurelyinstrumentalintheFiorentinibloodbathinSiena LucianaandDomenicohadgiventhemchase If onlytheyhadsucceededinbringingthemdown!
Ithoughtofmytime-travelingcousins,andofIlaria,disappearingwiththem.Wouldtheyeverreturn?GiulioandIhadboth beenindismal spirits since theydeparted, frettingthatwe mighthave lostIlaria forever. Butwhatchoice had we? She had beenaboutto die whenthe twins tookher. Accordingto myauntand mother, itcould be days, or weeks or evenyears beforetheyreturned Iftheywereabletoreturnatall Italldependedonwhattheyencounteredontheotherside
Wewaited,strainingtohearmencomingourway,mymountdancingbeneathmewiththetension.AndthenIthoughtabout takingawitnesstoFirenze,clearingtheForellis’goodname...andseeingValentinoValeri.HehadgonewithLordAurelio Paratore,his onlyrecourse as his captain Butnow,withhimonthe far side ofthe border,itseemedas ifhe was as cutoff frommeasIwasfromIlaria Asifaninsurmountablewallhadrisenbetweenus
Myfirst line of archers shot at the leadingpair, but intheir efforts to maimbut not kill, missed one and shot the other throughthe thigh. He managed to keep his seatand keptonriding. The second line oftree archers tookoutthe one theyhad missed,shootinghimintheshoulderatsuchcloserangethattheforceofitsenthimwheelingoverthebackofhismare Seeing usahead,thenextmanrodewideandintoafield
Iacapo and Falito descended from the trees to capture the wounded man. But the masked trio riding past them and roundingtowardthewoods stolemybreath.OneworeForelligold!Andthesmalleronehadtobeawoman.Rosa?
Buttheywereescaping.
“Withme!” I shouted to Agostino, still onhis horse. “To your mounts and follow!” I cried to the swordsmen. We gave chase,grantingourhorsesenoughreintofindtheirownsurepathaswegallopedbehindthethreefugitives
We gainedonthembyridingbeside the edge ofthe forest,glimpsingthembetweenthe trees,until the woodbecame too thick.Isawoneriderlesshorse,thenasecond,andbelatedlyrealizedtheyhadabandonedtheirmountswherethewoodsgrew thicker. Agostino and I circled back and studied the wood, frequently pausing to listen for the telltale sign of those bushwhackingtheirwaythrough ortryingtostealthilyslipaway.Butweheardnothingbeyondthelaboredbreathingofour ownhorses
Wherehadtheygone?
Witha gruntoffrustration, Idismounted and slapped Cardo’s rump, sendinghimaway, frustrated thathis heavingbreath mightbe disguisingour enemy’s escape. Agostino did the same. Together, we held our ownbreath, listeningfor anysignof them.Buttherewasnothing.Hadtheygonetoground?Weretheybutafewpacesaway,hiddeninthethickfoliage?
Bloodpulsedinmyears Inthedistance,mencriedoutinbattle Giuliohadmanagedtowaylaysomeofthem,atleast My eyesdartedleftandright,searchingthewood. Where, Lord? Where? Please do not let them escape us again.
Agostino and I turned to see a second dagger winging its way toward him It grazed his cheek, and he winced but concentratedonthetwomencomingourway,swordsdrawn,clothsacrosstheirfacesinaneffortatdisguise
“You saw through my disguise,” he said, as if disappointed He again lifted and brought his own sword down hard I narrowlylifted myblade intime to blockhim. Where were myswordsmenonhorseback? Had Rosa lured theminanother direction?
Andrea Ercole was an adept swordsman one Giulio had been reluctant to dismiss and I was now reminded of his prowess Ileaned backand feltthe tip ofhis blade justmiss mybelly Iturned and stabbed again the bestuse ofa short sword buthesidesteppedme Hisnextattemptnearlytookoffmyhead ItbrushedpastmyearandIdistantlywonderedifhe hadtakenapartofit.
“Thatcanbe arranged,” he said witha cockysmile. He slapped his companiononthe backand the two dived into the brush,makingtheirwaysteadilyuphill,everystepaudible Iitchedformybowandquiver,thechancetoriddletheirpathwith arrows,buthonor heldme Hehadsparedmewhenhecouldclearlyhavekilledmeandmyknight Why?Woulditnothave beenthegreatestblowtoourhousetotakemedown?
Weheardhis echoedorder below,andafter abriefwait,thetoweringgates opened Our grandmother,Adri,awaitedus, andIfoughtnottohangmyheadinfailureaswenearedheranddismounted ButshewasnotasgrimfacedasIanticipated Nay,herfacewas...exultant.“Whatisit?HaveyouhadgoodnewsfromFirenze?”
My grandmother’s smile faltered. “Still no further word fromFirenze. But some fromthose of Britannia. ” She turned partway,andGiulioandIlookedpasthertotheotherswhogathered.Myeyeswidened.
Aknightopened the door for us, and we climbed the turretstairs and entered the familywing. Benedetto’s rooms were close,andaknightwasstationedoutsidehisdoorasguard.Hebenthisheadingreetingandwordlesslyopenedthedoorfor us
ButNona was shakingher head. “Theywere verynearlycaptured onthe other end. We are fortunate theywere able to return Wemightnotbesoluckyiftheyattemptitagain”
As everyone dispersed, Giulio remained with me Gradually even the servants gave us our space, leaving us alone in the middleofthemassivecourtyard Itfeltgoodtobesurroundedbythecomforting,protectivewallsagain,amongourpeople But
Weenteredthehall.Afirecrackledinthemassivefireplaceatthefarend.Thoughitwaslatesummer,theevenings and the cavernous hall, crafted of stone tended to be chilly. The fire was a welcome sight as we drew closer to the others. I thoughtbackto myowntime, whenwe stood inside thatlong-defunctfireplace, scrubbed cleanofanysoot Here and now, massivelogsglowedred,andsmokedisappeareduptheblackenedchimney
Ihesitated Whatwasthis?Hedidn’tthinkweweregoingtogetmarriedorsomethingright now didhe?
How fast did medieval couples move on the love-and-marriage front in Italy? I remembered from my studies that in England,itcouldbeanextendedcourtshiporanarrangedmarriageinwhichcouplesmetandmarriedthesameday.Marriage wasananything-goesconceptinthisperiod.Justasitprettymuchwasinmine.Lotsofpeoplespontaneouslydecidedtoelope. WasthisamedievalversionofVegas’sChapelofLove?
Before I could ask Giulio why it was so urgent I meet the priest, he took a knee, head lowered in prayer I sat there awkwardlyfor a moment,wonderingwhatIoughttodo.There was a strongurge tofollow suitandkneel as well Ididn’t wantGiulio to thinkIwas a total heathen. And yetIhadn’tbeento mass since itwas required inour Catholic highschool. Otherthan,youknow,ChristmasandEaster.
Momand mygrandmother had beendevout. Dad, notso much. LastIknew, he was onhis own“spiritual quest” out in California,whichapparentlyreliedheavilyontimespentinhotyogaandlongswimsintheocean
Ifinallyduckedmyheadandsilentlyprayed, Lord, show me what this is all about. Why you ’ ve brought me here. And if Giulio is truly The One Because I’m scared he is And kind of scared that I’m scared What is that all about? Okay, then That’s it Oh, and help Benedetto to get better tonight Amen
WhenIopenedmyeyes,FatherGiovanniwasrisingwithsomeeffort asifhemighthavejustfinishedprayingforhours andturnedtofindus.Hesmiledwarmly,welcomingmewithasparklyeyednod.Hethenfoldedhishands,patientlywaiting forGiuliotofinishhisownprayer.Ifoughttheurgetonudgehim.Priestsalwaysmademefeel uneasyandjudged.Thisone mightgetirritatedwaitingonus.ButasIdaredtomeetthesmall man’seyesagain,Isaw nothinginhimbutpeace.Itletme takeadeeperbreathandsettleinawayI’dneverexperiencedbefore. Giulioatlastcrossedhimselfandrose “Ahh,FatherGiovanni,forgivemydelay” “ThereisnodelayinGod’stime,myson,”themanreturnedkindly Icametomyfeettoo.Wehadmetbefore,butinpassing.“Father,”Isaid,brieflybowingmyheadinrespect. “LadyBetarrini.”Hereturnedmybow.“Youareawelcomesight.”Heglancedovermyshouldertothedoor,verifyingit was shut.“AndIhear thatGodgrantedour prayer your journeyhealedour belovedIlaria.Please,sit,sit.Letus talk.” He tookaseatonthebenchbeforeus,andwereturnedtoourown “Ibroughtyouhere,Luciana,forIknewyouundoubtedlyhavequestions,”Giuliosaid “AsdidI LordMarcellosentmeto speakto Father Giovanni. He knows everything. M’ladies and their husbands needed someone inwhomtheycould confide.
Igaped athim. He’d understood somethingthatIhad notyetdeciphered myself. Ineeded a neutral soundingboard. Not Lia’sslightlyjadedear,norGabi’sslightlysunnyone.NortheirrepressibledrawofGiulio’swholebeing.
NotthatIwantedtoleave.I’dwantedtoremainevenbeforeitwasourdutytobringIlariaback.ButFatherGiovannimight fitmyneedforacounselorandguide Someonetohelpmesortitallout Becausethiswas a lot “Thankyou”IsqueezedGiulio’shand He covered myhand withhis other. “Youare mostwelcome. Iwantyouto have all thatyouneed, Luciana. Ifyouneed anythingelse,simplytellme.IwilldoeverythingIcantogetitforyou.”
“What do youthinkabout us changinghistory? The Ladies Forelli it is clear their presence changed the future of the castello. Theysaid thatas childrenitwas butrubble, butinthe future, itis whole. Whataboutthe lives thatwere changed becauseoftheirpresenceandactions?”
Hefrowned,chininhand.“’Tisagravequestion,indeed.”
“Theylikelysaved lives Buttheyalso tooklives, as Ihave now, too” Myvoice cracked as Iuttered those lastwords GiulioputagentlehandonmybackasIfoughtbacksuddentears “IfIremainherewithmybrother,wewilllikelysaveand takeothers.”
“Apparently,”hesaid,liftingbothhands.“Otherwise,hewouldnothavesentyou.”Heheavedasigh.“LadyGabriellaand EvangeliaandIhaveponderedthisforyears IhaveencouragedthemtosimplylivetheirlivesasGodordains,trustinginhis sovereignty Butthis notionwithFirenze ” He looked awayfromus to the small windows thatlined the tinychapel and shookhis head. “Their intention alongwithMarcello and Luca to tryand build a bridge betweenFirenze and Siena was noble, atheart. IfLadyTiliani and Lord Paratore had found their wayto love, Imighthave considered itGod smilingupon theirplan.”
“IthinktheForellistriedtoget ahead ofGod,”hesaidsorrowfully.“SomethingIcautionedagainst.”Hereachedouttoput awarm,weatheredhandovermyown whichIhadn’trealizedIwaswringing “TheLordbroughtyouhere,tous,Luciana Your presence is bound to change history, as yousay But youcannot second-guess everything ’twill make youmad with worry.Simplywalkthroughthenextdoorheopensforyou,butdonottryandforgeyourowndoor.Makeprayerahabit.Try and listen for a response, and follow where he directs youto go. Whenindoubtover takinga life, choose mercy. Whenin battle,protectyourselfandourpeople.Andtrusthimwithwhatcomes.”
Itookalong,deepbreath “Thankyou,Father Youhavegivenmeagreatdealtoconsider” “Ihave spenta decade consideringsuchthings alongside our ladies,” he said “Seekme outas youwish Ishall always havetimeforyouandkeepyourconfidences.”
Iletherinandturnedsoshecouldpulltautthelacesatmyback.Thenshefetchedmyslippersandhelpedmeslidethem ontomyfeetlikeIwasthreeyearsold Itwasanoddtime Womenwereexpectedtodosomuch theladiesofthiscastelloso muchmore and yettheyalso were expected to be fussed over and assisted Itdidn’thelp thatsome ofthe clothingforced assistance.Andyettherewassomesweetconnectioninitall thisrelianceonothers.
There are pros and cons wherever you live,Icouldhearmymothersay. The important thing is to focus on the positives. Pullingmybodicestraightandfluffingoutmyskirts,Igavethemaidanodandfollowedherout,closingmydoorbehind me.Ihurrieddownthehallandthroughtheturretgate,thenondownanotherhall,thenupaturrettothesecondfloorwherethe solariumwas Whentheywere home, itwas where the elder Forellis spentthe majorityoftheir time, and Icould see why Situated to absorb the afternoonsun and yetwithwide windows opento the courtyard and arrow slits onthe far side that permittedgoodairflow itwasapleasantplacetobe.
Ilariawasthere,pretendingtobehardatworkonsomeembroidery,withherfeetuponanottoman,herbodycoveredto herchestwithalightblanket.IswallowedaknowingsmilewhenIsawNicoalreadythere,quietlyconferringwithAdriand Chiarainthefarcorner Of course he’s already here Didn’t take him long ButassoonasI’dclosedthedooranditwasjust us,Ilariathrewtheblanketandstitcheryasideandrose
Adri’s lips thinned “While you all are away, we shall be gathering more mercenaries and arming them for whatever comes Tilianiinsistsshemustgonorth,too,despiteherparents’wishes Shefeelsshemayaidinthenegotiation,givenher friendship withLordParatore.”
“OurbestchancetofreetheForellisandavoidoutrightwaristoproduceSirErcole...oratleastoneofthemurderersin PalazzoPubblico,”Nicosaid.“WhatifLucianaandIgoaheadofyou?TheFiorentinidonotknowusaswellastheydoyou andmaynotrecognize us We candisappear amongthe streets andtavernas,makinginquiries as towhere we mightfindSir Ercoleandhisladyortheirassociates Withafewwell-placedcoins,wemightmakegreaterprogress”
Chiara leftto alerther brother, and Nico and Isetoffto packour meager belongings I’d need a couple ofgowns to be presentable,andtofindthetrainingoutfitI’dusedinthewoods Itmightcomeinhandytodisguisemyselfasaboy,makingus lessrecognizableinthedarktavernas.
“Because Ithinktheywantto use, ya know . . . negotiation, first. And because there are probablytens ofthousands of Fiorentini all aroundwhere they’re beingheld We mightbustthemloose,butwe’dbe hard-pressedto keep themloose Or ourselves”Ipulledhimtoastopandwaiteduntilwewerealone
He nodded and set Cardo’s saddle across the gelding’s back. “Are you certain this is a wise decision?” Giulio asked quietly,passingCardo’ssaddlestraptomeasItookpositiontohelphimfinishtheprocess.
“Nay ButIdobelieveitistheonlyoneIcanmake Toremainherewouldbe untenable Wemustaidmyaunt,uncle and cousininescapingthe cityand returningto Benedetto’s side Mayhap ifhe heard their voices, he would fightharder to returntous.”
“SoitisonlyforBenedettothatyougo?”
“AndtohuntforErcole.”
“And?”Hecrossedhisarmsandliftedabrow
“Very well,” I said in irritation “Would you remain home” I glanced around to make sure none were in earshot “knowingLucianawaselsewhereandyoumightseeher?”
IfinishedsaddlingCardoandslidabitintohismouth Wehadpackedourfineryandelectedtoallwearplaingownsand jerkins andtunics,endeavoringtoblendinalongthe roadandsecretthe twins inthroughFirenze’s gates withoutthembeing identified.Wehadgoneas far as addingamuleloadedwithcarpets,craftedbyalocal weaver,sothatwhenDomenicoand Lucianareachedthegates,theywouldappearasnothingmorethanmerchants,eagertohawktheirwares.
ButwhenLucianaemergedfromthestablegateway,Ihadtostiflealaugh.Giulioglancedpastherandthendidadouble take
Luciana had stuffed her long hair beneath a cap with sides that hung down and covered her ears It was warmfor the season,butithidherhairwell.Shehaddonnedmycousin’sleatherjerkinandtunic,whichshe’dborrowedforpracticeinthe meadow, as well as someone’s knee-highleather boots. Ifone didn’tstudyher for more thana momentor two, theywould assumeshewasaboy.
“She is correct,” I said to him, recognizing the genius stroke. “’Twill be all the more convincing. And we need every opportunitytoferretoutErcoleandhiswoman.Mayhapsheisthecleverestofusall.IfIdressedthesame,wewouldbeless likelytobeidentified,pursued,orattackedontheroad.”
WhenIreturnedinmycostume,thethreeofthemweremountedandready.Ilariatoo.Giuliostifflysatatophismount,lips clamped shut. Seeingme dressed as a manplainlymade himall the more furious. Luciana gave me a half-guilty, half-jaunty smile.MountingCardo soeasilydone inmale clothing Ismiledtoo.This remindedme ofstories mymama andaunthad told me over the years of their adventures Of when they were young and more fearless And it made me feel better preparedtofacetheFiorentini
“Letusbeoff,LordGreco,”Icalled.
Heheldhismare’sreinstightlyasifhewisheditwere us hecouldreinin.“Tiliani,Ibegyoutoreconsider thiscourse. YoualreadyendangeryourselfbygoingtoFirenze,againstyourparents’wishes.Doyou ”
Wecircumventedthemainroads,avoidinganyFiorentinieagertoensnaremoreForellis Wethentookonegametrailafter anothernorthward,Giulioleadingtheway.Liketheirfatherhadbeenbeforethem,bothGiulioandIlariaweregiftedtrackers and able to keep their bearings in the densest forest. My cousins and I had given up playing hide-and-seek with them as children,simplybecausetheyreadilyfoundus,andwhentheyhid,ittookushourstofindthem
Weformedcampthatnight,mayhaptwohoursshortofFirenze,anddiscussedouroptions Idislikedtheideaofthetwins enteringalone,andtheGrecosreadilyagreed.WedecidedthatGiulioandLucianawouldenterhergatesinthemornalongside other village merchants. Ilaria and Domenico would enter withthe throngs ofvisitors to the city. Once inside the city, they woulddivideup GiulioandLucianaconcentratingonthenorthernside,DomenicoandIlariaonthesouthern.Wewouldall reconvene that night at Palazzo Paratore after Luciana had donned a proper gown, of course Giulio would be less recognizableseparatedfromme,andhehadpurchasedawide-brimmedhatthatheworelowonhisbrow Hemightpassasa merchant,butIworriedthathisfamouslyhandsomevisagewouldbetoomuchofadraw fortavernmaidsandattractothers’ attentioninturn.He’dbemoreliabletoberecognizedamongFirenze’seliteandtheir protectorsthanthelocals,butifthere weresomeofFortebraccio’smercenariesamongthem...Isighed,wearyoffretting.
IsuspectedGiulioagreedtoourplanbecausehewantedtobenearLuciana,andyetIknewitgratedathim,allowingme outofhissight Heandhissisterhadalwaysbeenmyprotectors Thatnoted,neitherofuscoulddenytheBetarrinis’prowess ina hand-to-hand fight Onthe battlefield I would still want Giulio beside me Ina taverna? The twins’particular fighting prowesswouldbepreferable.
“They’d rightfully claimwe are trespassing. But they’d mostly want to hold on to us because we appeared through a wall,”Domenicosaiddryly.“Wecannotexplainit,norcanthey.Sotheywouldwanttostudyus.Dissectus asmuchasthey could examineourblood,ourbrains.Figureouthowwedowhatwedo.”
IwalkedonthefarsideofthemulefromGiulio,asmostoftheotherpeasantpairsdidbeforeus Horse-drawncarriages and cargo gathered before the massive central gates Merchants and pedestrians lined up at either of the flanking smaller passageways.Aswenearedthestiff,irritablearmedguardsandsecretarytakingnames,IwasthankfulthatGiuliowasthereto speakforus.ThoughIwasrapidlypickingupmedievalwaysofspeech,Iknewthelocalsnoticedtherewassomethingjusta littleoff likemyaccentwasabitwrongorsomething.
Giuliogavemorefalseinformation,andwithanodofapproval fromthesecretary,wemovedthroughthesmall gateand into the wider plaza beyond. I dared to take a full breathand we shared a short look. That was the easy part, I reminded myself.
We moved downthe already-crowded street, withestablished merchants openingdoors and shutters and settingouttheir wares,thenpastatoweringcathedralandstonemasonsbuildinganew palazzo Ipausedbeneathahand-carvedsignwiththe simpleword Libreria knowingitwasabookstore all thevolumeslikelyleather-boundandinalockedcabinetonthefar
end. Onlya single massive volume, openonanornatelycarved stand inthe center of the store, gave one a glimpse of the treasuresthatmightlayinside.
Once we’d reached the market piazza, and spoken to the dismissive coordinator, we quietly set out our carpets in the chalked-off portion assigned to us, numbered XXXII. We were flanked by a basket maker with questionable skills and a womansellingchipped, secondhand pottery. Watchingthe clean-dressed and happymerchants toward the frontand center of theplaza,wewereclearlythirdorfourthtier,butthatwasfinewithus Wedidn’twishtodrawattention
Asarranged,Ipickedupawovenbagandfingeredthesmallpurseatmyhip,intentonmakingmywaythroughthewhole marketasifshopping,whileGiulioremainedheretotalkupourneighborsandanyshopperswhocameby.Thecarpetswe’d broughtwere decent, butnottop-notch. Our goal had beento attractthe middle and lower class those who mightbe more willingto share the local gossip withstrangers. Later on, as the dayfaded, we would slip into the tavernas to eavesdrop, hopingtogainwordofwhereErcoleorhismenmightbe
I made minimal small talk with the merchants, pretending to be shy as I smiled at themand then ducked my head and listenedintotheirconversations.Somegripedabouttherisingtaxesinthecity,someofwhichhadbeendumpedonthestreet merchants Thevintnerstalkedabouttheslowgrowthofgrapesthissummer,blamingitonalatespring
“Buongiorno, ” Igreeted him, tryingto sound like a man. “Sto cercando un pugnale come regalo per mio amico. ” I am looking for a dagger as a gift for my friend
Irushedaway,knowingbytheheatofmyfacethatIwasblushing Withintenminutes,I’dalreadyblunderedandattracted attention AllI’dwantedwasareasontohangaroundhisstall,andnowhe’dmarkedmeasforeignandodd Stellar sleuthing, Betarrini, Isaidtomyself. Forget any idea of working for the CIA.
Themanconsideredmeamomentbeforeturningtothefarendofthestackofshortbroadswords “IfitistheSieneseyou intend to fight, thenIshall give youa bargainonthis one.” He lifted itand looked downthe shaftas ifadmiringthe plane, shininginthesun,thenwithaneatflickofhiswrist,tosseditupandcaughtthetip,handingitovertometoexamine.
Itookholdoftheleatherhandle,craftedforaslightlylargerhandbutreasonablycomfortableinmyown.Then,asGiulio and Ilaria had taught me, I turned it in an arc one way and then another I flipped it to the far side, examining it further “Quanto?”
Hetappedhischin “ThereareseveralwhorecruitmercenariesoutofTavernadegliAssi Gothiseveandwatchthemfor awhile,seehowtheytreattheirfriendsandnewlyhired,beforeyouenlist” I paused. “Mymother is verysick. I need to make the greatest amount possible to payfor her treatment. Who pays the best?”
Helaughedandpattedmeontheshoulder.“Youshallneedfarmoreexperiencebeforesuchmenwouldconsideryou,pup.” Heloweredhistone “Besides,menthatpaythebestareeitherlordsorthoseemployedbylordsfornefariouspurposes You wantnothingtodowiththem”
“The southernarea oftown,” he said, downrightfatherlyinhis tone now. “Nay, youhead farther northto Taverna degli Assi.I’dwager AdrianoSordi wouldbe the bestboss for you.He’ll give youminor responsibilities inbattles until youcut yourteeth.Onceyou’reamanwithmolars,he’llgiveyougreaterresponsibilities.Andhepaysdecently.”
TheSieneseknightsaccompaniedmeintothestreetsofFirenze IhadleftmostofmymenbehindatCastelloForelli despite Nona’sdisagreement knowingGiulioandIlariawouldbeinthecitywithmeandBenedettounabletoleadthem.Withevery elderForellinowinFirenze,thatleftourhomeaviabletarget.Thankfully,LordEnicihadalsosentahundredknightstocamp aboutthecastello,makingitlessappealing Iknewfromtheironeandonlymissivethatmyfamilywasunderhousearrestwith LordRusso IturnedontoViaRoma,headingtowhereAureliohaddescribedhispalazzo’slocation Hewouldknowhowmy familyfared and how bestto approachLord Russo. Better yet, he mighthave discovered a pathoutofthis dire situationby now.
Fourteen of his friends and comrades fromFirenze had been murdered in Palazzo Pubblico more than a sennight past. Fourteenmen youngandold eachwithinfluentialfamiliesandfriends Fourteenmenwithfamiliesandfriendsnowbenton seeingtheForellispayapriceforthoseforfeitedlives
Dressed again in a proper gown, I carried a white flag myself. Moving at a trot and armed to the teeth, we passed dumbfounded knights atthe gates and made our wayquicklyinto the city. People gave wayto our entourage buthissed and shoutedbehindusastheyidentifiedusbyourForelligold.AswepulledtoastopbesideapalazzowiththeParatore’scrimson flags,Iglancedback.Sieneseknightstowardtheendofthelineweregettingpeltedbyrottenfruit.Somedrew swordswhen thecrowdsurgedtowardthem
Withoutfurtherword,heslammedthetinydoorshut,andweheardtheslideofabarrierrod,thenthecreakofthegiantoak doors I dared to take a breath, relieved that Aurelio might grant us eventemporarysanctuary I glanced backas the gates opened Four Sieneseknightsnow slasheddownwardor liftedthreateningswords Eachtime,thegrowingmobshrankback, gatheredthemselves,andtriedagain.
Withrelief we beganfilinginto the courtyard, one at a time, thentwo as the doors opened wider. I turned and waited beside the gate until the very last man entered, the mob shouting lewd and foul names at me, lifting daggers and swords. Murderess Temptress Whore Hatefairlydrippedfromthem Asthegatewasclosedandsecuredagain,IdiscoveredAurelio besidemygelding,rubbingCardo’shead
IglancedbackatSirFioreandtheothermen,whowereall systematicallydisarmed,asexpected Theywouldremainin the courtyard, under guard. No respectable Fiorentini leastofall Aurelio was aboutto allow a takeover fromwithinby Sienese. ButIhoped theymightbe givenaccess to the well atthe center ofthe courtyard. Eachcarried a week’s supplyof driedmeatandfruitintheirbags,aswellasabitofbread.Ineededthemrestoredfromourlongrideinordertofacewhatever layaheadofus IwalkedbesideAurelioasweenteredhishome,SirFioretheonlyoneallowedtoaccompanyme Hedidnotofferhisarm,nordidIresenthimforit ’Twasenoughtoallowussanctuary Iunderstoodwhyhedidnotneed his mento see himmakinganythingbutpolite overtures. We passed a fine libraryand whatappeared to be a small butlery.
Thereweregorgeoustapestriesonthewalls.
’Twasoddtothinkthatthisoncemighthavebeenmyhome,too,hadthingsworkedoutdifferently.Wewalkedthroughthe largecentralhall,withabarrel-vaultceilingandnumerousbeautifultablesfordining,thenthroughanarrowpassageway.We thenclimbedupaturret,walkeddownahall,andenteredanintimate,luxuriousmeetingroom.Therewasalow,centraltable, alreadysetwitha jugofwine, cups, and a wide platter withbread and cheese and fruit. Openwindows allowed me a fine viewofthecitywallandbeyondit,thegreen-woodedhillsthatclimbedawayfromthefarsideoftheRiverArno
I wondered againwhere Valentino might be Mayhap he was onanerrand I sat downwhile Sir Fiore tookhis station besidethedoor,staringdeadaheadasifhecouldnotseeorhearmeandAurelio.
“Ibidyouthanks,buthunger is the farthestthingfrommymind” Itooka sipandthensetthe cupaside “Please tell me whatyouknowofmyfamily”
“They are well enough,” he said with a sigh, settling into his soft chair and rubbing his face with both hands as if unaccountablyweary.Helookedmeintheeye.“TrustmewhenIsayIamdoingallIcantoaidthem.”
“Ihad no choice We have notheard fromour familyindays and feared theyare notreceivingour missives Mycousin Benedettoisterriblyill AndImightbearwitnessatthehearingonthemorrow YouandIareattheverycenterofthis Neither ofushadanyknowledgeofwhatwasabouttotranspire.MayhapifIdaretotestify,yourGrandishalltakemeatmyword.”
Ercole will not be able to stay away, she’dsaid. And if you are there too? Daring to march right down the street and into the heart of the city? He’ll take it like a slap to the face He will arrive as fast as a shark to blood-filled waters And we will be there, waiting for him to surface Iprayedshewasright.
LUCIANA
Giulio trailed me, maybe tenpeople betweenus. Itookto pausingateachcorner, makingcertainhe could keep trackofmy progress.BecauseasmuchasIwantedtoblendinandnotbeseen,Ialsodidn’twanttolosehim. Good grief, I’m already so far from Nico thethoughtofGiulionothavingmybacksentalittleshiverofpanicdownmyneck Ipausedandtookadeepbreath,rememberingmytraining I’m strong I’m a good fighter And I’m smart Iundoubtedly had ten times the education most of these people around me had. But then they were medieval-street-savvy like nobody’s business.
