The Lens and the Looker (Book #1 of The Verona Trilogy)

by Lory Kaufman

  By afternoon, Luigi and his military officers had been briefed on the new device that would allow Mastino to have a great and strategic advantage. They resolved to get their hands on one and discover its secret. But how?

  A captain suggested a group of his men could go in and storm the lensmaker's house. Luigi's advisor suggested bribing the lensmaker to come over to them. Feltrino told how he had tried this approach and didn't think it would work. He felt his father's eyes upon him. He knew that look. It showed he understood that there was more to the story. Feltrino then spoke.

  "I think it best if I go back myself. Getting into Verona with many men and out again would be tricky. Too many will cause a problem."

  Over many objections to Feltrino's proposal, Luigi Gonzaga spoke.

  "I now see in my son the ability to do what he says he will do. He has proved himself capable of getting out of messes. Now all he has to do is learn how to stay out of them in the first place. What is your plan, my son?"

  "We need only one of the devices. I will take a wagon and horses and go into Verona as a farmer with produce. When I am in, I will find a way to get my hands on what we want."

  There was a hush from the men around the table.

  "That's no plan," an officer finally said.

  Luigi spoke again. "Well, sometimes one has to wait patiently, like a spider, for an opportunity to come along. The wisdom is to put yourself in the situation from which to strike. I have faith in you, my son. I am very proud and glad you have come back to us."

  Chapter 66

  "Welcome home, Mastino," Nicademo said as his cousin dismounted the carriage. "It's good to have you home early from your trip."

  "Thank you Nikki," Mastino said stretching his stiff limbs. "It's good to be home. Oh, my back and legs. Such a ride. So, all is well here?"

  "Well enough. There's a meal waiting for you. Would you like to freshen up first?"

  "Actually, let's walk around the square to stretch my legs."

  "Good. You can fill me in about news not in your letters."

  Nicademo caught Captain Caesar's eye and motioned up the square. The captain sent two men ahead. Nicademo and Mastino followed behind them.

  "The demonstration of Karl's new cannon was very impressive," Mastino began. "They can throw a four hundred-pound bolder almost two hundred and fifty paces. And the roar of the cannon, it will terrify our enemies if it doesn't kill them."

  "Truly?" Nicademo said. "And what was their first impression of our lookers?"

  "Oh, that was the wonderful part. They fired the cannon and Karl said, 'Come, let's look at the damage,' and I replied, 'No need to soil our boots.' I pulled out a looker and spied through it. Within moments of Karl and his generals trying it, they wanted any number we could provide. And they will trade us for the cannon technology. We need not even give them money."

  "So, della Cappa's brass and crystal lookers turn into gold for us."

  "Romero's lookers, yes." They were halfway around the square, walking leisurely past the treasury. Some officials coming out the door stopped and bowed. Mastino just nodded as he passed. "So, how goes it at della Cappa's? Will they be able to supply?"

  "They have good plans for enlarging their shop, yes, and they are very determined."

  "You don't think the old man will turn to drink again? The reports from Florence you received about how he ruined his old business, it can't be repeated."

  "I think not, cousin. He looks a man reformed, resolved to make his house rich. And the plan he showed me for an even more advanced lathe was most extraordinary."

  "Yes, the water-driven thing you wrote about. The savant's invention again, no doubt. But one never knows about people newly wealthy. They often become more elevated in their minds than their true station." Almost back to the carriage, Mastino stopped and rubbed his neck, twisting his head one way, then the other. "People like that often cause their masters annoyances. Perhaps we should not give them this gift so easily. Maybe we should make it so they will be more appreciative of our boon."

  "How so, Mastino?"

  They were back to the palace's entrance. Mastino smiled at his cousin mischievously.

  "Come. We'll dine and I shall tell you. It's so good when plans fall together."

  "Oh, one other thing. Maybe not so good news." Mastino stopped and looked at his cousin. "Feltrino, he escaped and killed a guard."

  Mastino pondered this. Then he shrugged, turned and continued into the palace.

  "Ah well, we're far enough ahead now."

  ***

  Four days after escaping, Feltrino was back in Verona. He kept his beard, wore commoner's clothes, a floppy, wide-brimmed, straw hat and drove a two-horse wagon full of turnips and cabbages. One of his two horses was actually a riding horse, smaller and bred for swiftness. When he somehow got a looker, he would leave the city, abandon the cart and hurry home.

  After accepting whatever a market vendor offered him for his produce, Feltrino strolled toward a tavern to relieve his thirst. On the way, he bought a couple of sweet pears and munched one as he walked. He stopped as he passed a space between two buildings, spying a filthy young man rifling through a heap of garbage, looking for scraps. He'd seen countless people do this, but he recognized this wretch.

  "Hey, ugly one, you work for that lensmaker, don't you?" Feltrino called.

  ***

  Ugilino looked up. He was ragged and haggard again. He had found something recognizable as food and began chewing on it as he gazed at the person speaking to him.

  "I know you," Ugilino said, looking hard at Feltrino. Then he made a face and spit out something even he couldn't stomach. He spit again, to clear his mouth. "I saw the way you were looking at Guilietta."

  "She's a ripe piece of fruit, that one," Feltrino replied. He began to toss his second pear up and down, catching it and tossing it. "So, how goes your house?" Ugilino scowled at the young noble, then looked down. "Ah, not so good for you at home, eh?"

  "I don't live there anymore," Ugilino mumbled.

  "What did you say? Really?" Feltrino continued to toss the pear. He could see Ugilino eyeing the fruit. "Here," he said, tossing it to him. Ugilino grabbed the pear and chomped down greedily. Feltrino laughed. "They had good food at your old master's, I hear. Baron Pontremoli told me that while we were having lunch in his office the other week. You miss all that good food?"

  "We ate like princes," Ugilino mumbled again, his eyes going soft. Suddenly he felt transported back to the della Cappa table, jostling merrily with his old family, joking and eating out of his very own bowl. He remembered happily slurping and munching on the wonderful rabbit stew before they went to church on one particular day. He was a hero that day, the day the Bishop first wore the discs for the eyes. Feltrino's voice jolted him back to the garbage-strewn alley.

  "Well, I know what it is to eat like a prince. I am one. And I'm here on princely business." Ugilino looked at Feltrino with suspicion. "Come," Feltrino said. "Let's go into the tavern. I'll buy you a princely meal."

  A meal and several cups of wine later, Feltrino knew all.

  ***

  "What does it say, what does it say?" Agistino demanded.

  Shamira had stopped serving dinner to answer the door. A soldier handed her the message and said he was to wait. The Master became very anxious. Everyone but the Signora stopped eating to listen.

  "Master Agistino della Cappa," Shamira read, "Our lord, Mastino II della Scalla, has returned ahead of schedule from his business with our German allies. We have urgent business to discuss and command you to come to the palace immediately. Bring your apprentice, Romero, and any planning you may have prepared, including the new lathe. Follow the messenger to the palace. Signed by the hand of Baron Nicademo da Pontremoli, for His Excellency, Mastino II, della Scalla."

  "Romero, let's go. We dine again with the Podesta!"

  ***

  Feltrino and Ugilino were up the street, peering from the edge of an alley. They had been watching th
e house since last night. Feltrino couldn't believe how easy it had been to deceive the ugly dolt. The simpleton had gaped at him, his open mouth full of food, when Feltrino said that, after they stole a looker, Ugilino could come back to Mantua and be his squire.

  "Would I have my own bed?" the fool asked.

  "Why, of course."

  After their night of reconnoitering, they saw Hansum and Lincoln enter the house for dinner and then watched apprehensively when the soldier rode up and handed the message to Shamira.

  "That's Carmella," Ugilino said too loudly. Feltrino hit him to be quiet. A few minutes later the Master was hurrying out the door, putting on his fancy new cap. "There's the Master. There's Romero!" Ugilino cried. Feltrino swatted him again. The soldier motioned for them to follow, which they did on foot.

  "What can be going on?" Feltrino said softly. Then the door burst open again and the Signora barged out. She began waving a hanky and shouting.

  "Good luck with the Podesta about the looker, husband. Good luck."

  Agistino turned around quickly and shushed her in an annoyed fashion, waving for her to get back in the house. The kitchen girl and Guilietta came out and grabbed the old woman by the arms and pulled her back. While several neighbors laughed, the Master turned and hurried on.

  "They're going to the palace about the looker, are they?" Feltrino said. He thought for a few moments, then smiled. Ugilino looked at him curiously. Feltrino walked up the alley to his wagon and pulled something out of one of his bags. It was another piece of paper. He wrote something on it. "We'll wait awhile then have someone deliver this."

  ***

  It seemed to Pan that Master della Cappa might have a heart attack by the time they got to the palace. Even though the soldier was walking his horse, it was hard for the men on foot to keep up. Hansum was sweating profusely by the time they got to their destination. They were greeted by Baron da Pontremoli at the palace door, and while he was friendly, he was also somewhat reserved. They were taken to the same dining room as before, but no sumptuous food was set before them.

  "Wait here. I shall return with the Podesta as soon as possible." After all their hurrying, now they were made to cool their heels.

  "Something's odd," Pan whispered to Hansum. "It's the old hurry-up-and-wait routine."

  ***

  Feltrino flicked the boy hard on the nose then pointed at the della Cappa house.

  "Do you see that house? You take this letter there, and what do you say?" Feltrino asked.

  "The lensmaker told me to bring this letter to you," the boy said. He was about ten, very dirty, but he didn't look stupid. He did look peeved at having his nose beaten.

  "And then what do you do?" Feltrino continued, flicking at his nose again.

  "Come back and get my coin."

  "Buon. Now go and be quick."

  Feltrino and Ugilino watched the boy go to the house and knock. Shamira answered the door, took the note and the boy ran back.

  ***

  Shamira read the note to Guilietta. "Master della Cappa requires another looker brought to the palace immediately. That's all it says."

  "Things must be going well at the meeting if they need another sample," Guilietta said, smiling.

  "I guess," Shamira said, staring at the note.

  "There's only one left in a leather case. It's in Papa's room. We'd better hurry." Just as Guilietta ran up the stairs, Lincoln came in.

  "I'm getting a snack for the boys," he said. "What's that note about?"

  "They want another looker brought to the palace right away."

  Lincoln took the paper. "Whose chicken scratch is this? It's not Hansum's writing."

  Shamira shrugged as Guilietta came running down the stairs.

  "We must go to the palace quickly," Guilietta said.

  "Oh darn," Shamira said. "I've got this stew cooking. It'll burn if we don't watch it."

  "You stay here then," Guilietta said, smiling brightly. "I can run fast. And on the way home I'll stop and get some wonderful fruits for dessert. Papa and Romero will most certainly bring home a huge order. We'll have a celebration."

  ***

  Pan noted that when Nicademo and the Podesta finally came into the meeting room, they had tentative looks on their faces. Mastino smiled, but did not shake hands. Plus, he sat somewhat down the table from the others.

  "Let me see the documents you speak of," he said to Nicademo.

  Nicademo collected the plans for the new lathe as well as the lists of materials. He showed them to Mastino, who looked at them for a protracted time, nodded, then placed them even further down the table, out of reach. Then he looked up and began.

  "Fifteen hundred lookers. That's how many I need for the Germans."

  Master della Cappa began to breath very hard. Then he crossed himself and forced a smile.

  "The lathe design we now use..." his voice broke into a squeak. He started again. "The lathe design we now use is superior to all in Europe. And it was made right here in Verona. And as you have observed, we have yet another design to make us yet more efficient. Noble gentlemen, I will not fail you and . . ." Agistino stood up and bowed as low as he could. "I thank you for your order."

  Neither the Podesta nor Nicademo answered. They allowed a long silence, looking at each other and then at Master della Cappa. Agistino stood there, puzzled. The Podesta's secretary, Nicademo, took out a leather portfolio. He pulled a letter out of it and motioned for the Master to sit down. He held the letter up.

  "Oh, oh," Pan whispered to Hansum.

  "Agistino, you are our friend," Nicademo began. "We wish you no harm. But it has come to our attention that you are indebted to several people in Florence. Men who would like to know where you are." Agistino's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "You still owe much to some glass makers in Murano and Jews you borrowed money from in Florence." Both the secretary and Podesta kept innocent looks on their faces. The Master's head fell to his chest. He was clearly embarrassed.

  "I, I had some times of trouble, Your Excellencies."

  "As do we all," the Podesta answered.

  "But those times are past," the Master said, doe-eyed.

  "We believe you, della Cappa," the Podesta assured.

  "Agistino," Nicademo said, "we have asked you here to enquire how you will pay for the new supplies. These are very large orders and, well, you have no credit."

  "Um, uh, well, I'll negotiate, I suppose," the Master said.

  Continuing to do the hatchet work, Nicademo said with a little chuckle, "Oh, Agistino, our ambassador to Florence says you left a very bad taste in the mouth of the glass maker. And the Jews, they are suspicious that your ugly apprentice stole back some repossessed items."

  Agistino fell to his knees and begged. "We were desperate, Signori. A sick wife and a daughter, and me ill from the grape. Before my troubles, I was great friends with the glass maker. And the Jews, they are honorable and gave me much credit in my younger days. Now that I am well, I will travel there and renew these friendships."

  "Agistino, please get off your knees," Nicademo said. "There is no need. But in all honesty, I think it will be some time before your credit is honored in Florence again. Longer than we have, I'm afraid."

  Agistino's machismo quickly evaporated and he looked down at the floor.

  Pan whispered into Hansum's ear. "Ask what they propose."

  "What do you propose, Signori?" Hansum asked calmly.

  "Ah, very good, young man. Direct," the Podesta said. "Master della Cappa, please, off your knees. Be calm like Romero here."

  ***

  Ugilino saw Guilietta run out of the house with the leather carrying case strap slung over her shoulder. He saw her wave up at the Satores' window, smile, then take off running toward the city.

  "That girl has swift legs," Ugilino heard Feltrino say, smiling. Then Ugilino felt his new master pull hard on his ear. "Andiamo!" They ran and mounted Feltrino's wagon. Feltrino whipped the horses and took off quickly. "We'll get a
head of her at Piazza Bra. You'll run and snatch the looker from her."

  "What? She'll recognize me." Feltrino backhanded Ugilino across the face.

  "Don't question me, idiot! You won't be living in this town anymore. What's it matter?

  "I guess," Ugilino said. "Hey, turn here! You missed the street."

  "Now see what you made me do? Fool."

  By the time they got turned around and to Piazza Bra, they could see Guilietta in the distance, striding quickly around the stalls.

  "Damn!" Feltrino cursed. "We'll have to catch her at Piazza Grande Urbe. Get your ass off the wagon and go get her." Ugilino looked at Feltrino with some confusion. "Go on, damn it. Grab the looker and we'll meet somewhere around the square. Hurry! Hurry!" Ugilino looked quickly around and saw a blanket on the wagon floor. Just as he grabbed it, he felt Feltrino pushing him hard. He tumbled off the seat and landed on the ground. "Get going!"

  Ugilino got to his feet and ran as fast as he could. He wove in and out of people in the aisles, bumping many. By the time they got to the Grande Urbe Square, he was only about fifty strides behind Guilietta, hidden within a dense crowd of people. Suddenly Guilietta stopped. There was a procession going through the square which nobody could pass.

  "It's the Bishop with a relic of San Zeno," Ugilino heard a townsperson say. The line of people turned into a wall which Guilietta was now stuck behind. Ugilino could see Guilietta become agitated. She started pushing her way through the crowd, the leather case with the looker slung behind her. As he made his way through the crowd, he put the blanket over his back, like a cloak. Ugilino was now only feet away from Guilietta, the leather case almost in grasping distance.

  ***

  Shamira finished stirring the pot of stew hanging over the nice, even bed of coals in the hearth. She put the wooden spoon to her lips, tasted it and smiled. She then looked around and saw a wooden bowl on the table. She would bring the Signora a snack. As she got to the table, she saw the note about needing another telescope. She looked at it again and something stirred in her mind. She picked it up and examined the paper. Both the paper and the writing were somehow familiar.

  Shamira slammed the spoon on the table and ran out of the house. She ran down the alley and into the shop. Lincoln, caught up on work, was giving the little apprentices reading and writing lessons.