The story like Decameron
Fiaemetta’s story was sad and depressing; it brought tears to all the ladies present. But our king Filostrato seemed to be untouched! Eager to hear some more stories he turned upon Jacobus. He was asked to tell something really emotive.
Jacobus started -
In the remote part of Italy, there lived a merchant of incredible wealth. His life was full of pleasures and earthly delights! Name of this noble man was Bartholomeus de Maglanis. Besides vast treasures, he possessed one which was dearest for him - His only child; young girl was all he cared about! Overwhelmed by idea that one day Sandra could leave old father, he decided to avoid that misfortune.
At that time Sandra already had a devotee, whom she dearly loved. Young man was Sirus De Rubeis. Sirus belonged to lower elite, thus he was no match for noble lady… Bartholomeus tried his best to ruin their relationships. In some sense he succeeded!
Bartholomeus had a custom of taking long walks across his garden. Once he noticed old servant talking with young, handsome man. He moved near, came up closer so he could see who the other man was… Conversation was quick; Sirius gave servant a small letter… Bartholomeus instantly realized what was going on, after Sirius’s departure, he imprisoned servant and captured the letter.
Message was really short, it contained only date and time. Being disappointed in his discovery, (for he hoped to get more information) he didn’t pay much attention to it and quickly forgot about it…
It was a cold evening of November. Full moon eagerly shone from high above. Everything was dead silent. Once overloaded streets now showed no signs of life. Even wind stood still. Time by time you could here dog bark in the garden… Far away - wolves sadly sang their ballades. Like illusive tranquility of the sea before the storm, something wrong was going to happen. Even owls, mystical birds of the night felt this, and kept quiet as if not to disturb shades of the night…
Young ladies house was also silent… Every door locked, every window shut - everyone lay asleep. Only one poor soul was struggling with night, only one hurt was biting faster… Sandra was sitting there in the corner of the dark room. She sat there as an idol, lifeless statue. Soon, Moon reached its highest point in the sky. Shinning through the window, bitter light formed strange objects all over the walls. Those dim images were enough for troubled mind, to transform them into various characters. Vicious scenes made Sandra’s mind and body weaker, now she was fully plunged into the world of ghosts and omens!
As a time of meeting was coming closer, Sirus was getting more and more impatient. Time was advancing slowly. Being at the verge of madness he could hardly bear up desires… Clock struck twelve – twelve long rings boomed in the head of lover. At last, long expected hour had come. Time of idleness was over, now Sirus had to take actions. Loosing no time - he fetched the key (that he obtained from an old servant) and instantly disappeared in the empty street. Through the dark lane he was moving as a shade. Luck was on his side and he managed to avoid couple of burglars, if noticed they would surely cut his throat and take all his belongings. Occupying his mind, with the scenes of pending meeting, he soon approached the point of destination. Without hesitation, he opened the front door and advanced through the lot of dark corridors. Old servant informed him well, so he knew every inch of the house. Finally, Sirus came up to the right spot – He stopped, took a deep breath and turned the handle…
It was past midnight, when Sandra first took notice of clearly audible footsteps. Stairway to her chamber was old and rusty; even devil couldn’t go up without making noise! Still chased by shades of night, she was frightened to death… “God help me” she murmured, and felt a chilly sweat on her forehead. Steps were advancing towards her room, and soon she heard a heavy breath of an evil on the other side of the door. Making no further observations, Sandra calmed herself – And from under the bed got a small dagger. Door opened… At the faint light of the moon, dagger sparkled for couple of times. Few swift movements and lady was victorious in this uneven battle. Heavy body fell with bang - sound echoed through the empty hole. He was still breathing, blood filled his mouth… Sirus uttered: “For what?…”, and befell silent forever.
Lady was stunned - still not understanding what she had committed, she was standing their motionless. Her eyes grew transparent, her body was shivering… Streams of blood advanced from the dead. Dark red spot grew larger and larger, reaching bare foot of the lady. It was after the touch of warm blood, when her mind started to acquire lost senses…
- I know this voice; I’ve heard it before… Ou! What have I done! What have I done!
Realizing all what had happened, Sandra fell on her knees. Lifted Siru’s head and kissed his cold lips. Scene was one of those most dispiriting ever seen - Imagine sorrow of a person who destroyed the most precious thing that he ever possessed, with his own hands!
Blood of a young man wasn’t enough for the ghosts of the death, they longed for more sacrifice… Young girl, frightened either of life without her love, or shameful situation that fell upon her – she took the same dagger and without a single word ended her wretched life.
With the first rays of the sunlight, city started to wake up. Dawn was beautiful - redness of the sky settled hope in the tenants of the city. But there few, who knew true meaning of all that – Few spoke about the young couple’s bloody end, that tinted the sky!