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

  Shamira reached into the satchel. While she took out the telescope, she also pulled out her art portfolio. The Podesta noticed it.

  "Carmella, is it? Do you have the plans for the looker? I wish to again see the interesting way you drew them." Shamira pulled out the papers from the portfolio. There were some of her personal drawings on the top of the pile. Mastino picked them up. He was a connoisseur of art. Under his rule, many buildings, monuments and structures had been constructed. He looked intently at the drawings. The first page was a collage of quick little portraits. He was impressed. "Who taught you your drawing, Carmella?"

  "No one. I guess my hand moves as my eye sees."

  "And your writing?" the Podesta enquired further.

  She looked over to Hansum. "In Vicenza, your Excellency. The priests," she answered.

  "Ah," della Scalla said, looking back at the drawings. He saw that the images he gazed upon showed both craftsmanship and true artistic value. Besides being good likenesses, each sketch showed emotions of the subject's character, the serious, brooding Master, staring into space, next to it, the blubbery face of the Signora. Lincoln's picture, with a big smile that even showed the chip on his front tooth, had a vulnerability in his eyes that strangely evoked pity from Mastino. He looked at a second page of portraits, Ugilino, with his raggedy hat, bulbous, broken nose, one eye bigger than the other, and his crack-faced smile. And then there was a drawing of himself and one of Nicademo. Shamira had only met them for a few minutes the day before and did no drawing while they were there.

  Shamira's drawing technique was far different from the drawing that was common among the artists in Mastino's circle. The arts of perspective and realistic drawing were not yet rediscovered. Painting and sculpture were stylized, stiff, and without the illusion of three dimensions. But these sketches were alive and vibrant.

  "Look, Nicademo, look," he said quietly. As he passed the pictures over to his secretary, a third picture was revealed under them. A single, finished portrait, taking up the whole page. It was Guilietta, sitting at the table, preparing food. Guilietta was holding the two halves of a pomegranate in her hands. The knife that had just cleaved the fruit lay on the table, dripping with juice. She looked out from the page with a soft smile and dark, warm eyes. The picture was a story, telling the viewer exactly who she was.

  Hansum had not seen this drawing.

  "Wow!" he said.

  "Bella," the Podesta agreed. "This is your master's daughter?"

  Hansum seemed so taken by the drawing that he could not answer. He just nodded and swallowed.

  "Carmella, in the following weeks, I have talks with several art masters from different churches. I will show these to them. Would you like that? And maybe one day you can meet them."

  "You mean the guys that design all the sculpture and paintings in the churches?"

  "And the buildings too."

  "Sure. That would be . . . I mean, I would be honored, Excellency."

  Nicademo had picked up the new telescope and was looking out the window.

  "Excellency, this is amazing. The back chamber does allow me to make clearer the image for my eye. I can see across the square and down the street. It's like I'm right next to people and yet they don't know I'm looking at them." He looked seriously at the Podesta. "A truly strategic advantage." Then he asked Hansum, "These will be ready in tin in seven days?"

  "My master is to visit the tinsmith this afternoon. A sample in tin might be ready by tomorrow."

  "Tell your master that I will come in two days to draw up the contract," Nicademo said. "That should give him time to organize with the smith and determine the truth of what should be possible. Inform your master the Podesta does not want promises that are not kept. Do you understand? This is very important. Also tell him I shall bring payment for one tenth the contract."

  "Practical as ever, Nicademo," the Podesta said. "Well, I am a busy man today. Thank your master for me and say your prayers."

  "Grazie, Excellency," Hansum said. "May I take the looker with me?"

  "Whatever for?" the Podesta asked.

  "To show as an example to the tinsmith, Signor."

  "Romero, Romero," the Podesta chastised. "The smith need not see what his tubes will be used for. Let him wait till there are many about the region and you are well established making them. Such foolishness. Have you ever been told you are too trusting?"

  "Once or twice," he admitted.

  The Podesta patted him paternally on the cheek. "It is good to have one's head in the clouds to speak with God, Romero, but one must keep one's feet on the ground too." And then he nodded at his secretary to remove them.

  While Nicademo showed Hansum and Shamira out, the Podesta continued to experiment with his spectacles. He looked at document after document. He read from a large hand-painted bible on a stand. He tried writing with the spectacles on, smiling all the while. When he looked up and did not have to squint to see the paintings across the room, he laughed aloud. Still in a joyous state, he picked up the telescope and went to the window, looking out over the piazza. He saw the two young savants walk across the cobblestones toward the guards. The Romero boy smiled and nodded to Captain Caesar. They exchanged a few words. The officer smiled back and even gave the young man a small salute.

  "The boy commands respect naturally," he said to himself. The looker allowed Mastino to see the detail on the guards' uniforms, even saw the filing marks on the poleax blades. He spied the officer's smile turn to a frown when the ugly apprentice came running up to the others. He could see Ugilino talking and eating a pear at the same time, even the food stuck between his teeth.

  Mastino heard the latch to his office click as Nicademo returned.

  "These children are a puzzle, cousin," Mastino said as he continued viewing the square.

  "They certainly are, Mastino," the secretary said, both dropping the honorifics.

  Mastino took the looker away from his eye.

  "The town of Vicenza is ours," he began. "We have no spectacle maker there?"

  "For sure, no," Nicademo answered. "Spectacles are all made in Murano and Florence, cousin, where the glass is so good." He put out his hand to try the looker again. Mastino handed it to him.

  "And a peasant girl that has the knowledge of writing," Mastino continued, "besides her ability to render likenesses, all in that shambles of a house?" he laughed. "Do you believe they are truthful about learning their skills in Vicenza?"

  "No, I believe them not," Nicademo answered. The two noblemen looked at each other and both shrugged. The truth didn't really matter, possessing the looker was the only important thing. "Can you imagine if the Gonzagas got their hands on this first?" Nicademo added. "We were lucky to catch Feltrino. Very lucky."

  "Yes, God has favored us," Mastino agreed. "We must keep the Gonzaga for another month, say, till we have these lookers well in hand for ourselves. Too bad we can't just make him disappear."

  "Yes, but the Bishop knew he was here. It could be awkward."

  Mastino gave a little grunt, showing agreement, but also disappointment.

  "Nicademo, make enquiries immediately to Vicenza about the children and to Florence about this della Cappa." Nicademo nodded and left. Mastino continued looking out the window with his sharp new eyes. "But these discs for the eyes are a marvel," he said aloud to himself. "Look at that. I have not seen Uncle Cangrande's sarcophagus clearly for a decade. Good day, Uncle," he said, looking at the tomb where he buried his predecessor with much ceremony. "Are you still digesting your foxglove?"

  Chapter 59

  Agistino said he was "over the moon, no, over the stars," when he heard that Baron da Pontremoli was coming to write up a contract. "A contract," he said to Hansum, grabbing the boy's arms and shaking him. "A contract," he repeated to everybody in the room. "They are very serious then."

  "Shouldn't you practice writing your name, Agistino?" the Signora asked.

  "The product is what I better practice at. The product. Th
e sample must be ready and perfect by the time the Baron gets here."

  The day after next, a note came early in the morning, announcing that Baron da Pontremoli would be there just before midday. The Master had stayed up late, working feverishly to have the looker prototype completed in tin. As soon as Shamira read the note aloud, Agistino had the girls heat up a large pot of water so he could wash. He didn't want a repeat of the first impression his family gave the nobles. So when da Pontremoli arrived, the Master was scrubbed, his hair combed, beard trimmed and he was wearing a tunic with mother of pearl buttons. He had also instructed the girls to purchase a selection of pre-made foods from quality vendors at the market. "Something to offer a noble." Guilietta looked worried when her father also told her to find a bottle of Falerno wine from the south. He assured her, with good humor, it was for the guest only. And since she would be serving them, she could make sure that he would only drink some watered-down verjuice.

  When Nicademo arrived, he was invited into the house and bid sit. Master Satore had lent them red velvet to cover the table and benches. Only Guilietta was in attendance with them. The Signora had been sent to the Satores' with instructions to keep her there till the nobleman left. The Master engaged da Pontremoli in idle chit chat as Guilietta served the wine and verjuice. When Nicademo inspected the shop, he was impressed with the new lathe, the Master's organization, the amount of raw materials on hand, and the cleanliness of the workplace and its apprentices. He was most intrigued by the way Lincoln had the place organized and the way he kept track of all the lenses ground and spectacles made in a ledger.

  "You read and write, my son?"

  "Sure, why not . . ." Lincoln began, then said, "Si, Excellency."

  Nicademo also found it curious when he saw Shamira in the shop setting lenses.

  "She's good with her hands," the Master explained.

  "Si, I've seen this," Nicademo commented.

  They went back to the house, ate, drank some more, and wrote a contract. By the time the meeting was over, everything was deemed a great success. It was evident that Nicademo was now confident the delivery of the first six lookers could be accomplished by the next week and the rest of the hundred within a month. The contract agreed on the unbelievable price of eighty denari for each of the first tin lookers and one hundred for the brass. And he left a deposit of one tenth of the total order. Master Agistino hadn't had that amount of money in his possession in a long time.

  Nicademo shook hands profusely with Agistino as he left mid-afternoon. He was well fed, impressed and had the first of the usable lookers in hand.

  "Della Cappa," he said standing next to his carriage, "I must admit I had my doubts."

  Guilietta was standing next to her father, smiling, her hands demurely folded in front of her. The Master laughed at the nobleman's comment.

  "My house shall rise like the phoenix, with your house's patronage, Excellency."

  ***

  That Saturday, Mastino della Scalla actually ran down to the front entranceway of the palace. He heard that the della Cappa apprentice was there to deliver the first part of the contract. As Hansum handed him the lookers, one at a time, Mastino tried each. They were all amazingly identical. He patted Hansum on the cheek, saying, "Good boy, good boy."

  For days, the lookers were the talk of the palace. Everyone who tried one wanted to own it immediately. But Mastino gave orders that the lookers were restricted to the military for now. Part of Agistino's contract was that he could not make lookers for anyone but the Podesta until he had permission to do so, which, to Mastino, meant never.

  Chapter 60

  A second lathe was delivered from Master Raphael's shop during the middle of the second week of the contract. Master della Cappa put Hansum to work on it immediately. By the end of the third day, he had the lenses coming off of it perfectly and quickly. Now, with both the Master and Hansum working, it took only ten days to complete the order, almost a week ahead of plan. It had been a very busy and exhausting push of work, but everyone was high with excitement on the morning of the big delivery.

  Again, Mastino was doubly pleased when he got word that the balance of the lookers were being delivered early. When he came down to the front of the palace, Captain Caesar was having his men help Hansum unload the five crates from a blood-stained push cart which Agistino had obviously borrowed from a butcher. Agistino was carrying a cylindrical case made from leather and also had on a new hat.

  "Nice cap," the Podesta said.

  "To go with my name, Excellency." He held out the leather case to Mastino. With my compliments, Excellency," Agistino said. "Each looker has its own home, as every important and valuable tool should."

  "This was not in the contract," Mastino said, looking at the finely tooled leather.

  "No, Excellency. Again, with my compliments."

  Mastino nodded in reply, then looked down at the case. On its flap was embossed the design of a cap, just like the one Master della Cappa had on his head.

  "Very good," the Podesta laughed. "Very clever."

  "What did you called it, Romero?" the Master asked Hansum, who was carrying one end of a heavy case with a soldier.

  "Marketing," Hansum answered. "Marketing, Master."

  "Yes, so everyone who sees that mark knows it is of our house," Agistino explained.

  "I see," Mastino said. "I see." Once again the idea was the boy's. He opened up several of the identical leather cases and found perfect replicas of the telescope. "Come della Cappa, and you too, Romero. Let my men do this work. I was just going to sit down to a meal. Join me."

  As they walked through the hall, they saw a young man, his hands tied behind his back, being escorted by two armed guards. They saw him from behind, but when they turned a corner, the man jerked his head around, locking his gaze momentarily with Hansum's. It was a very dirty and unshaven Feltrino. Feltrino tried to stop, but a guard pulled him forward and out of sight.

  "Excuse me, Excellency," Hansum said. "Was that Feltrino?"

  "Romero!" Agistino scolded. "Speak only of what is our business."

  "Yes, young Romero," agreed the Podesta lightly. "Mind your Master's wisdom."

  In the dining room, Mastino watched Agistino at the long, ornate table, fidgeting in his chair. The old lensmaker was gawking at the sumptuous surroundings, unfamiliar with such grandeur. Yet the boy looked at his relative ease, not intimidated at all.

  Highly decorated ceramic plates and trays were brought out and placed before them. Master della Cappa's eyes seemed to pop out of his head at the sight of the fine food. Silver chalices were put in front of each person and filled. Mastino raised his cup.

  "To our continued good fortune, Master della Cappa."

  Agistino crossed himself and brought the cup to his lips, but Mastino noticed he did not drink. Each ate a bowl of rabbit stew with cheese gnocchi on the side. Agistino sighed with delight as he chewed. When they were eating the eel and roe tart, the lensmaker said with his mouth full, "Eel is best in the winter."

  "Just so," the nobleman agreed. "Romero, have some figs. They're very sweet."

  "Thank you, Excellency. They are good."

  Nicademo entered the room.

  "With the ones from before, one hundred exactly, Excellency," he said verifying the count of lookers. Mastino held up the looker beside him on the table.

  "One hundred and one," he said.

  "My gift to you," the lensmaker said, his mouth still full.

  "So many gifts," Master della Cappa. "Thank you. Nicademo, you have the Master's payment?"

  "Payment? Today?" the Baron said, a surprised tone to his voice.

  "Of course, today," Mastino said. "Go to the treasury and get it. I shall tell the Master of my further plans for him and his establishment."

  "What further . . ." the Baron began.

  "The payment, Nikki!" When the Baron left, Mastino folded his hands on the table and looked back and forth between the older and younger man. "In some weeks I am going
on a tour of our northern allies, the Germans, Master della Cappa."

  "How interesting," the lensmaker said, almost wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

  "It is to see their new technology of cannon and powder. Do you know of cannon and powder, Master?"

  "Ah, no Excellency." Mastino looked at Hansum.

  "A little," Hansum said.

  "Of course you do," Mastino said matter-of-factly. "But more importantly, your lookers. During my trip, I believe I may be able to secure orders for more of your wonderful devices. What do you say to that?"

  "What, what could I say, Excellency?" Agistino replied. "My house would be at your service. We could maybe turn out another hundred even faster the second time."

  "Oh no," Mastino said. "Not another hundred. Perhaps another five hundred. Perhaps more."

  The Master nearly choked on his food.

  Chapter 61

  Even weeks after the meeting with the Podesta, Pan was amazed how the whole della Cappa household was still so enthusiastic about everything. For Hansum and the Master, it started right after they left the palace, weighed down with more gold than Agistino had ever had in his possession. It was hidden under the Master's ample coat.

  "Such glorious food," Agistino said to Hansum as they walked through Signori Square. Then he came close to Hansum's ear and whispered, "Such glorious money!" The Baron had offered to send a soldier with him for protection, but Agistino declined, saying he didn't want to attract too much attention. He also turned down an introduction to a Jew who could hold the money securely and even pay interest.

  "He is very trustworthy," Da Pontramoli had said. "Our Podesta does business with him."

  "Thank you, Excellency. Perhaps later, soon, perhaps."

  As they left the square and walked the narrow streets, flanked by towering strong houses, Agistino said, "Romero, we cannot wait till spring to find new apprentices. I want you to get on with your suggestion about getting apprentices from surrounding churches." Pan had suggested this to Hansum. Having the priests recommend apprentice candidates would ingratiate them to the community.

  Pan stayed with Hansum during the selection process, noticing how Hansum was becoming much more independent and not needing as much of his counsel. Hansum chose two quiet, clever boys who could still live at home till the first part of their training was over. Nine-year-old Pippo was the seventh son of the miller da Barletto. There wouldn't be a place for him in his father's business and he seemed to have an aptitude for numbers. The miller was a good friend of one of the priests at San Zeno, so this was a good move. Hansum visited the mill and was amazed at the huge size and complexity of the machinery. Master da Barletto also seemed to be showing off his seventeen-year-old daughter, Serindella, to him. She was a pleasant, but amazingly homely, girl who reminded Hansum of Ugilino. The other new apprentice he chose, eight-year-old Benicio, was a foundling who lived at a monastery orphanage. He was very quiet, but did what he was told meticulously. It was rumored the boy was the illegitimate son of Father Benedict.