Adventure into the Countryside

[ c. 13th Century ~ ]

Francesco's father could not bring himself to disown his deranged son for leaving in the manner that he did. Instead he paid soldiers and troubadours handsome commissions to recall him - yet although many stories came back, nought could actually help to locate his youngest child.

Within a year Pietro's anguish had increased. He was a successful man used to winning results - yet none had come. He had invested so many hopes in his boy, and was not prepared to take the loss.

And so, resolute with sadness, he decided on his sixtieth birthday, that he should adventure into the countryside himself, that he might locate Francesco and bring him home.

Men of measure would never usually attempt to penetrate the outlying forest. The countryside was complex with dangers: vagabonds and wildlife - unknown terrors and possible hardships.

Most folk lived in the towns for their entire life without so much as a day trip into the country - they rathered to stay on the roads when travelling, and never departed into the thick of the green skirting their province.

Pica had been disconsolate at the thought of him leaving so. She was bewildered by the sudden madness that had overtaken her son, and now privately wondered if her husband had been infected similarly.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances