[Act 1] [Scene 16] [Reunion]

[thirtythr33]

Lucio replies to Marco. "That is very concerning. Foxglove attacks the heart and blood, but never the mind. I'll have words with your father immediately, to better assess the ailment myself." Lucio leaves the room heading towards Claudio's chambers, leaving Ferran, Marco and Cirillo in the dining room together.

[Benedict]

Ferran waits for Lucio to walk away, then turns and stares hard at Marco and Cirillo, making sure he has their attention.

- Senor Lucio seems like a sensible and knowledgable man. My gut feeling is that your mentor is all this, if not more. It chills me to the bone that such a man would fear something ungodly is at play here. That forces me to take you into my confidence and share a dark secret with you.

Ferran pauses to make his words stick, and before anyone interrupts him, continues.

- When I first embarked to become a sailor, there was a first mate that took an interest in me. He saw a talent of memory and perception in me, and as he put it, he wanted to "crack that thick islander's skull of mine with knowledge".

- This man taught me many things: he taught me the tongues spoken in the ports of the great sea, as well as the art of finding one's way by reading the signs given by stars and other heavely bodies. He also told me that he learned these arts - and darker ones too - in a place near Venice as apprentice to a renowned philosopher. He also told me where to find this man, should I wanted to learn more.

- I'll be frank. This philosopher is said to dabble in nigromancy and alchemy, and that he deals with demons and spirits. The fear for my soul is greater than my sense of wonder. If not for this predicament and Lucio's insinuations you'd never hear a word of this.

- So, what say you senores? Do I have your word of honor that you will keep this secret as your own?

[Korbel]

- Keep it secret? Ferran, if this man knows what's happening with my father we must speak with him immediately!

[Benedict]

- Senor Marco, that's the reason I said what I did in the first place. Don't forget, we've fought side by side against Rocco, and I respect you for that.

- But you have to understand. Your father is ill and old, a fate all we mortal men will share one day. The secret I bear is beyond the ken of mortal men. It is a secret I've sworn upon the Almighty to take to my grave.

Ferran takes out the small silvery strange cross he keeps wearing around his neck and stares at it.

- For the love of God and the sake of your respectable father senor Marco, please honor my request for secrecy. Then I'll take you where you need to go.

[Korbel]

- Fine, I give you my word.

[Benedict]

Ferran looks at Marco, almost in disbelief.

The hot Mediterranean sun is shining down in all his glory. The large merchant barge is cruising on a firm zephyr, the familiar sight of trailing seagulls behind it. A small island chain is seen on the horizon.

The ship's deck is nearly empty, save for two people. The crew is enjoying the short mid-day rest below, as all the morning chores have been attended. A tall dark haired man is steering the ship with a firm hand, while a youth is standing by the railing next to the helmsman, gazing at the sea.

"Isoloto, come near, I have something private I'd like to discuss. Now, with the rest of the crew resting, this is a prime opportunity to do so."
The youth, as if from a breaking spell, slowly turns to the tall man.

"I am at your disposal Maestro Ambrogio."
"Maestro... I've told you again, when we are alone I don't want these useless formalities between us."
The youth starts to protest, but Ambrogio dismisses it with a wave of his hand.

"Come now Ferran, as I've said, there are serious matters to discuss and little time to do so. As you know I'll be leaving the ship for good the next time we make it to port. What I am going to tell is a secret, a secret you must vow to keep to your grave."
Ferran puts on a disdainful look and says.

"Fine, I give you my word."
"Lad, you don't grasp the gravity and severity of an oath. Now swear!"
"I swear to the Almighty that your secret is mine as well, and I will keep it to my grave."
"Good. Now listen. You've been making quite a progress on everything I had to teach you this past year. The moment I leave the ship you will be its new navigator. I've already spoken with the captain about it, you are the perfect man for the job."
Ambrogio makes a short pause, as if he's looking for the right words.

"About the secret now. I've always told you that my mentor is a renowned and influential man. This is true, and so much more. His name is Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. I'm sure you haven't heard of him, given your low birth and current education.

If you did knew about him, you'd know that he was a nobleman renowned for his scholarship and keen mind, the kind that appears once in a generation, and that he is dead and buried. You see, Giovani angered Pope Innocent VIII and had him imprisoned in France as a heretic and magician. Little do they know! He was later released with the intervention of the Medicis, and charges against him were cleared with the ascension of Pope Alexander VI.

Then some people, under mysterious circumstances, tried to assassinate him, and they almost succeeded. He survived only thanks to Providence and his keen intellect, and keeps his existence hidden from the world since.

"The reason I'm saying all this son is that I want you to continue your studies under Giovanni at the earliest opportunity. You will go to his family estate in Mirandolla and present him this token from me. Consider it a letter of introduction."
Ambrogio fiddles his pouch and produces a small cross shaped trinket. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents and surmounted by a pair of wings on its top. The thing is made of a strange whitish alloy, similar to silver, that produces a reddish-white glint where the sun hits it.

Ferran takes the thing, then begins to speak. Ambrogio silences him once more.
"Keep this always on your person, but away from prying eyes. This is the caduceus, the symbol of Hermes Trismegistus. It is a dangerous thing to carry around, as you will be marked a magician by ignorant people. Remember your oath Ferran, and continue on the path of knowledge."
The crew is stirring from its slumber and one by one the sailors arrive at their posts.

"Go now to your post, we will talk again tomorrow at the first opportunity."
Ferran, hiding the curious item, goes to his post, a million questions buzzing in his mind like angry bees. "I'll push him tomorrow for answers" thinks the Catalan.

Little did he knew that tonight they'd be hit by a summer storm and Ambrogio would be swept overboard by the waves.

Ferran gazes once again at the strange cross in his palm, then says with a firm tone.

- Senor Marco, with all respect, you don't grasp the gravity and severity of an oath.

[Marras]

Cirillo is silently thankful for Marco's interruption and listens to his and Ferran's dialogue. He swears to keep the secret as well.

[Korbel]

- Senor Ferran, I'm a noble and when I give you a word, this is not a play. Now for God's sake speak!

[Benedict]

- I'm sorry if I offended you senor Marco. Very well. Please bear with me, I'll try to be as brief as I can. As I said earlier, most of my craft comes from this charismatic first mate. This man urged me to seek out his mentor to complete my studies. And he revealed things than chilled my very bones.

- Almost thirty years ago Giovanni Pico della Mirandola was a nobleman and famous scholar. His studies at that time angered Pope Innocent the VIII, who had Giovanni imprisoned for heresy. Giovanni was later released with the intervention of the Medicis, and charges were droped by Pope Alexander the VI. Having survived prison was not enough it seems. Someone tried to assassinate him and nearly succeeded. To my knowledge he survived the attack, but he is considered dead three decades now.

- Ambr... my mentor urged me to go to Mirandola and seek this man out. He asked me so a year ago. And provided this to prove my claim.

Ferran displays the caduceus to his companions. Every similarity to a cross is swiftly dispelled by this display.

- That's why I came here in Venice in the first place. If my charts are not mistaken Mirandola is a couple of days travel from here. But I stumbled upon you and your companions and Rocco at St. Marks. The rest you know.

- In all honesty, I don't know if Giovanni can help you out. I haven't even decided if I want to meet this man. You see, I fear for my soul, with all this talk of heresy and witchery. On the other hand I promised I'd go.

Ferran stops briefly to catch his breath, his gaze sunk to the floor.

- Should senor Lucio's suspicions prove true however, this Giovanni sounds the best bet your father has. And a cruel irony for me, as if Providece is forcing me to face the consequences of my promise.

[Korbel]

- And where this Giovanni can be found? - Marco looks like he could set off immediately.

[Benedict]

- I've already told you that senor Marco. He is Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. He resides in Mirandola, as his family is the ruling house of that place. Mirandola is due southwest from Venice. I'd say that's a three days travel on foot, or one day if we ride hard from dawn till nightfall.

OCC: Mirandola is southwest-west of Venice and 117km/73 miles away in a straight line. If I approximate travel times incorrectly I'm sure thirtythr33 will correct me.