Chapter 2
A donkey is being led up a long,
winding and dusty track towards a large building at the very top of a sun baked
rise. The animal, which is making slow progress, is laden with two barrels
strapped to a frame that sits like a saddle across its back . The building is
surrounded by large trees which cast a cooling shade over the courtyard.
Dante Gabriele pulls impatiently at the bridle rope in an effort to
speed up the small beast, but his efforts produce no response. The donkey neither speeds up nor slows down.
A smile plays across Dante’s face. He knows this animal well and knows that it will continue at its own pace
or not at all.
Dante, at eighteen, is tall, lightly muscled and deeply tanned; his face
is topped by a shock of dark curly hair and his almost handsome face is
noticeable mainly for his bright blue eyes, an uncommon feature in this part of
Southern Italy.
He pulls gently at the donkey’s ears.
“Alright, Tessy. Take your
time. Nobody wants to get out of this
sun and into that shade.”
He leans closer and whispers in an ear, “And nobody wants to plunge its
furry old face into that water trough! So, don’t hurry.”
The animal grunts, almost to itself, and slightly increases its pace. Dante laughs out loud.
“You are a very perverse creature, Tessy. You would make a good woman.”
The pair continue on their slow hot journey and eventually reach their
destination, entering the courtyard of a
large country inn and way station. The yard is cobbled and Tessy’s hooves make
a clattering noise as she smells the water trough and resolutely heads for it.
Their arrival is noted by a large man whose stomach is covered by a
stained apron. He pulls aside a beaded
curtain over a door in the corner of the yard, above which is a sign
proclaiming it to be the entrance to the kitchen. He watches as Dante begins to
unstrap the two barrels from the donkey’s back.
Angelo Nadalini, owner and chief cook at the inn, pulls aside the
curtain and quietly steps out into the courtyard. He watches for a moment or two as Dante struggles
to lower the barrels to the ground. When he
is certain that no more effort will be needed, he speaks.
“Dante, you should have called for me. I could have helped you.”
Taking a cotton handkerchief from his pocket, Dante wipes the sweat from
his brow before answering.
“Signor Nadalini, how kind of you.”
There is a slight hint of sarcasm as he continues, “I didn’t want to
disturb you. I know you are busy man.”
He waves his hand to indicate the empty stable stalls.
“Running this large busy inn, horses
to groom, travellers to feed.”
Signor Nadalini deliberately misses the sarcasm as he wipes a hand
across his bald head and smiles at Dante.
“And taking delivery of your mother’s fine olive oil, best in the
region.”
He waves towards the kitchen door.
“Bring them in when you have recovered.”
He turns to go then stops and looks back.
“By the way….”
He hesitates and mumbles, “…your room.”
Dante looks at him.
“Yes?”
“You can’t have it. It’s taken.”
Dante slowly takes this in as he looks at the empty stables. He turns
back to Angelo who has swiftly disappeared back into kitchen and sprints after
him.
The kitchen is large and
surprisingly busy with several cooks preparing various dishes. Angelo is now at
the far end and is seemingly engrossed tasting a sauce with two white hatted assistants. Dante bounds
through the door and immediately spots him. Angrily pushing his way between the
cooks and Angelo, he thrusts his face close to the innkeeper’s.
“There is not a horse or carriage in the yard. Why can’t I have my room.
It is in the price for the oil.”
Angelo tries to move past him but Dante blocks his way.
“We are full. There is a large
group arriving tonight. Musicians, on their way to Rome. I need every room.”
Dante raises his voice indignantly.
“I always stay here. I cannot get back home tonight.”
Angelo is becoming annoyed at having to deal with this irritating young man.
“You can stay in the barn. This group is very important and they pay
more than you do.”
He turns away but Dante tugs at his shirt sleeve.
“You mean you have raised the prices for them?”
Angelo lowers his voice when he sees the kitchen staff beginning to take
notice.
“Good business, that’s all. You can stay in the barn for free.”
He brusquely pulls Dante’s hand from his shirt and returns to tasting
the sauce.
Now quietly angry, Dante begins to talk in a very loud voice to Angelo’s
back. The man completely ignores him.
“Thank you very much, Signor Nadalini.
My companion, my donkey, and I
are overwhelmed by your generosity. A
nice vermin infested barn to sleep in. How
gracious of you.”
As he says this he begins to bow
from the waist and moves backwards
towards the kitchen door, much to the
amusement of the kitchen staff.
