There had always been a market at La Torre compromised of local fare, regional crops and goods, decent wares from tradesman in the province. But today was different and unique. Today, thanks to Pero’s connections abroad, there were traders, vendors and hawkers from Spain and Morocco.
In previous chapters, we had established that Pero’s trade deal would benefit the Campania region, hence the reason for the banquet thrown in his honor – the banquet he was expelled from after breaking the jaw of the drunk castellan, Rugerius Fabbro.
Anthea has dragged Pero along with her for an early morning stroll to La Torre from the keep at Capua, so he can see firsthand evidence of the good he has accomplished.
Anthea touched the linen to his face once again and as a gentled horse, Pero’s head careened ever so slightly towards her face, his lips gently kissing the knuckles of her hand. The crowd sighed.
Pero’s been having a difficult time concentrating and working and doing the things he’s supposed to be doing because the silence between him and the city of Parthenope is grating at him. He expects the Fabbro family to lash out, to attack or attempt to assassinate him, or hurt someone close to him, someone he loves and cares about. He’s grown quite paranoid and watchful of the shadows where things are always moving, or so he imagines.
Anthea has to find different ways to bring him back to reality, to focus on her and the world around them.
They are beloved here. The Italians in this region are glad Pero is in charge. They trust him. They place a lot of faith in him. And they are excited anytime he is around, him and his bride-to-be.
Anthea was not without her charms. Her smile was radiant and luminous. Her faith superseded mere religion. She was convinced that Christ Himself had touched her, that He had marked her with vigor, the story becoming the belief in her soul, the force, the energy. There was no containing it, her enthusiasm for living.
This is important later on in the story because Anthea Manikos is going to need all that zeal and faith to get through the ordeals she will be facing. She is a warrior, but not with her physical strength, but her spiritual strength. She may get sad. She may feel lonely. She may feel abandoned. But there’s a light in her that cannot be extinguished.
Anthea had enough of the dreariness festering in the world. She was going to insist that this man of her keeping be jubilant and hopeful no matter how sinister and immoral the world showed itself in policy and posture. Her joy would trump it all. She was beautiful, and she was radiant, and right now, they were together. Nothing else mattered. Let the whole world wait on them.
And this is foundation of the story. These two belong together, and together they can get through anything. Anthea believes that, and she thought Pero believed it too. She was going to do everything possible to make sure he remembered that – their love for one another. Nothing else mattered so long as they are together.
And that’s all I got for you today.
Next post, we will take a small bite of the meat of the story.
Until then, stay inspired and keep reading!
Also available now, the Greek mythology novella Ares in Chains. Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook.
Author Allen M Werner 
I’d like your feedback