The Quest for Balance

Chapter One

My name is Vittoria Giovanna Rossin. I was born during the time that is now known as the Renaissance Era, yet I cannot be specific on the year. I have been on this earth for so long that the year eludes me. I know momma would always tell me stories of the colors of the leaves falling from the tall oaks the day I was born. So I can tell you I was born near the time of the year when the trees shed and wait out the long winter to start anew. 

This was the time of philosophy, art, and innovation. I've always stood out amongst the crowds due to my physical appearance. My pale skin against my startling emerald green eyes tend to make others look twice. Along with waist length ravens hair isn't what one would consider the most natural thing. Out in the sunlight it shines with undertones of green, purple, and blue. So it goes without saying that blending in hasn’t ever really been a choice for me. But what one would call a disadvantage gave me the opportunity to spend time learning the languages and the ways of the world.

Along with what people can see, there is something else that makes me very different than most. I am half red mage and half white mage. It comes with abilities I have very much explored, and has more reach that I can begin to understand. I remember very clearly when I discover the abilities I was gifted.

 It started with discovering one small gift. When I was about ten years of age or so I was walking the main street with all of the shops. A hay carriage barrelled down the main road illegally, causing many of the crowd to run, jump, or fall out of the way. I wasn’t near as lucky. I was too close to the edge of the road and I couldn't move fast enough. The wheel of the carriage caught my leg from behind. As the wheel brought me to the ground I heard the stomach churning crunch. The pain was instant and searing; the carriage broke my leg right in two. I layed in the dirt and the mud, crying and thinking about the limp I would have for the rest of my life if I survived this. At this point the bystanders start to gather. I gripped just above where the bone had snapped, and my hands began to warm. Slowly the warmth began to spread and the pain slowly dissipated. Then suddenly my leg snapped back into the normal setting. And it was as if it had never been crushed by the carriage at all. When I was finally able to be completely honest with myself,  being able to heal  myself scared me more than the potential limp I could've had. The stars must have been aligned for me that day, because the crowd had not been close enough to see my leg put itself back together. Even though this was the time of people testing everything they've been told, magic just isn't on the list for most popular. If magic is what happened. 

Still startled from the fact that I knew my leg had in fact been broken, and the fact that I somehow managed to heal it with my own hands, I got up, and ran home. As I ran, many thoughts ran through my head as well: what had just happened, should I tell my momma and papa, is magic truly real after all? I mean, if magic is real, and I have this gift, did my parents have it as well, or am I truly as much of an outsider as people portray me because I look different from the rest. And if my parents are magic as well, why haven’t they told me? I would think that this is something that would be important enough to teach and tell your child from a very young age. I slow my pace as I get closer to my home. I needed to make sure that I was as calm and collected as possible. 

My beloved villa was splendid. It was the same home that my grandparents had built for momma and papa to give to them on the day of their wedding. We lived roughly a mile out of town. We have sprawling gardens filled with olive, orange, and avocado trees. We had beautifully shaped evergreens. We also had rosemary, thyme, boxwood, yew, laurel, and juniper. We had statues and fountains. Throughout the gardens we had paths, alcoves, and small ponds with benches by them. The ponds were my favorite places in the garden. I would sit there and read most of the time.

Our house itself was majestic to me. It was big and beautiful. It had columns, balconies, archways, and lots of windows. It was made from what looked like a white stucco, and had a gorgeous red roof. There were ivy-like plants that hung from the balconies. 

Behind the house, we had more gardens, but these were for food. Depending on the season, we would grow wheat, barley, rye, cabbage, carrots, peas, squash, strawberries, and melons. We also had more trees back here such as apple and pear. We had grape vines for eating and making wine. We kept animals for our milk, eggs, and meat. We had cows, pigs, chickens, goats, ducks, and geese. We had our carriage house and stables for our horses as well. 

The inside was opulent. We had granite and wood flooring. We had paintings, murals,  tapestries, and statues everywhere. Every room had a fireplace. We had the best furniture and amenities available. Even our servants had the best available to them. Yes they served us, but they were treated like family. My parents felt and taught me that you need to treat others as you expect to be treated. I believe this is the reason we treated our servants the way we did. 

 The ones that tended to the inside had rooms inside with the same fineries as we had. The ones that tended to the animals and gardens had a servants house with the same as those inside. I do believe that we were the only family that treated our servants like this. The only items they didn’t have were the tapestries, murals, and statues. They didn’t want to have to tend to the upkeep of those as well as ours. 

Thankfully, the road leading to our house was long and this gave me the time I needed to finish collecting myself; and to think some more as to how I was going to address this situation to momma and papa.

 There are two things I know for sure at this point, my leg was definitely broken, and I was able to heal it. What I wasn’t so sure about was whether or not my parents would believe me if I told them, and if, for whatever reason they do believe me, would they cast me out or accept me? I walk into the villa that I've grown up in and stop. I can hear the noise of cooking in the kitchen and the murmur of voices. I slowly start to make my way down the hall and find momma and papa in the sitting room. I begin to push the door farther open, and papa turns to look at me 

“Hello angel! How was your walk around the shops?” He asked with a big smile.

“Papa, can I ask you something?” I ask very cautiously, as I walk over to the footrest in front of momma’s rocker. She always seems to radiate a calming comfort when I don't know how to bring something up.

“Did you find something that you want from the shops? A new book? A new dress? Momma and I can take you back down later and take a look with you.” He looked excited. Papa loved when I found a new book about another place in the world. I would always read it as fast as I could and then run done here as soon as I heard him come home to tell him about all the things I learned.

“No, it's about something that happened to me while I was at the shops.” I began, and Papa started to frown.

“What happened at the shop angel? Was someone trying to take from you? Or pestering you about your appearance again?” He was starting to get upset. Papa hated when others would tease me about the appearance I was born with. Yet that always happened to me when I went out. That was nothing new, but what I can't explain; fixing my leg when it was clearly broken was very new. Momma had set her cross stitch to the side and began to run her fingers through my long black hair. That always seemed to give me comfort and strength. Momma somehow always knew when my emotions were not at ease. 

“No Papa, have you or momma ever done something, fixed something that you can't explain? Ever made an ailment or pain go away by just touching the area?” The words just kinda fell out of my mouth, and momma and papa looked very confused. I began to get nervous all over again. Then momma begins to talk.

“I don't understand what you are asking sweetheart. Do you mean like taking a tonic or going to the doctor, and they make it go away for you?” She asked as she was still running her fingers through my hair. I don't know how to explain this to my parents or even if I should. I decided that I need time to mull over what happened to me before I try to explain what happened, mostly because I'm not sure I understand myself.

“Yes momma, sort of like that.” I finished. 

Papa leans forward and says “ Angel you know that the doctors help when you have an ailment, were you ill?” “No papa, I wasn’t ill.” I was struggling to properly convey what I needed to. How do I, as a 10 year old child, tell my parents that I thought I somehow used magic to fix the leg I knew was broken. Especially without knowing if they would believe me or not. 

“Then, angel, if you weren’t ill, why would you need a doctor?” Papa inquired. “Well Papa, I was walking too close to the road, and a carriage came through too fast for me to move in time. It hit my leg, and I know for certain that it was broken. I screamed in pain, and just knew that even if a doctor could fix it, and I was sad because I knew for certain I would have a very recognizable limp for the rest of my life. Without thinking, I touched my leg with both hands. As I did, a sudden warmth came over them, and as if nothing actually happened, my leg was healed.” I just blurted it out without pause. As I was speaking my momma had stopped combing through my hair, and a look of recognition came over my papa’s face. I was scared and shaken as both of my beloved parents sat in silence for what seemed like eternity. What would become of me now was all I could think. And for a small 10 year old child, who grew up in the life of privilege, this was a very sickening thought. 

                                                               ***

My papa's name is Arturo Willam Rossin, he grew up in England. His papa was a silk trader and traveled all over the world selling and buying silks. This is how my grandpapa came to know about my momma. Because of his profession, my grandpapa would meet other silk traders. He met my momma’s, my other grandpapa, during some time in Italy. Upon talking to each other, they set up an arrangement that would merge their trade businesses together and help them capitalize on the silk industry. They agreed to have their children marry to form the merger.

From a young age papa loved learning about other places in the world, and that's why he loves his trade. Not only does he get to learn about the places, but he gets to see them. He passed that passion onto me.

Finally my grandpapa brought my papa to Italy to meet the fiance whom he’d never met in a place he’d never been. He would say it wasn’t the way he would meet his wife, and it wasn't papas plan to marry that young. Papa wanted to work more trading and traveling before he had a home and a wife he was responsible for. However, he had the understanding for the reasons as to why he was. Just as his wife, my momma, understood as well. Their marriage started as a way to grow their families businesses and wealth, but also ended with my momma and papa really growing to love each other.

Momma started as most young upper class women start. From a young age she was taught what would make her a “proper lady”. They taught her to cross stitch and what a lady was and wasn't supposed to say. Most importantly in her training she was taught how to behave a man, and how to behave for her husband. Because of her family's status and ambition to grow the family standings in the world; she was groomed from a young age for an arranged marriage.She always knew that was the way she would marry, and that’s the reason she was so open to the idea of marrying an English man. 

When papa got off the dock in Italy his fiance was waiting for him. The first thing that papa noticed was her olive complexion and the depth of her dark hair. When they got off the boat and went to meet the woman he would marry the next day it was intensely quiet. Neither papa or momma knew what to say to each other or what to talk about. They were complete strangers and got the feeling their relationship was going to be harder to build than they thought. They were from completely separate parts of the world, what did they know about each other or their lives?

They were only 14 and 15 respectively. How were they going to do this? The one thing they both knew for certain, is that no matter what they had to make it work. Their families and businesses depended on it. 

The wedding was small and simple.The only ones in attendance were my momma, papa, and their parents. The church was small and simple as well. After the wedding ceremony the small group went back to momma and papa’s new villa which the family bought for them. They had an extravagant meal, there were musicians and dancers, great entertainment all around, but the new bride and groom sat in almost complete silence.. It only emphasized then the true fact that none of these people really knew each other. Their fathers finally fell into a comfortable conversation about their business plans and the trading industry. The mothers also fell into a comfortable conversation about how their babies, where no long babies, would become a true man and true women that night. Momma blushed because she knew what the expectations of that night were.

Yes, both of my parents knew what the expectations were for that night. The thing about it though, they were both young, and regardless of the expectations of the time, they both honestly felt that they weren’t truly ready. Should they follow through with the expectations, or should they wait until they got to know each other better and were more mature to take on such a serious task. Did they even know what to do and could they seal their marriage that way when most of the words they have exchanged were their marriage vows?

That is when my young but cunning parents decided to shock their families and dance. They needed some privacy that dancing provided to talk, plan, and scheme. They both knew what was expected and that things would be checked the next day to make sure those expectations were met. Because they both felt they were too young, and barely knew each other, they had to decide on how to fool my grandparents into thinking that the deed was done until they were ready. The biggest obstacle to their plan was getting the perfect amount of blood to put on the sheet.

They get up from the dinner table to dance their first dance as a married couple. They fall into a slow dance and momma begins to broach the subject about the expectations of that evening. 

“Hello Arturo.” she begins hesitantly.

“Hello.” he said just as hesitantly.

“I must ask you something…” Momma said. She was nervous, but she was much more nervous about the expectations.

“Alright.” He said looking at her expectantly.

“Are you sure you are truly ready to do what is expected of us tonight?” The question just started to fall out of her mouth. 

“I wasn’t necessarily ready for this marriage let alone this. Please do not misunderstand, this is nothing against our marriage or you, my young bride.” He said with fear because he did not truly know her, he never wanted to hurt her.

“I feel the same Arturo. But the question is how do we get around this? Our parents expect this of us, when we’ve barely laid eyes on each other but a day ago.”

“I believe we need a plan as well, but we’ve been watched all night. As we will be watched up until it's time. And we don't have any allies on our side here yet. All these people work for parents. If we try to escape the expectations, someone will surely give us away.” He spoke softly and quickly.

“That may not be all true! “ Momma had a thought just then. “ My momma allowed me to bring one very special thing with me to our new home. My hand maid, Maggie. She has always truly been on my side, despite working for my parents. She holds more secrets of mine than you can count. I know we can trust her!” Momma exclaimed! She was so sure of Maggie being their confidant. Arturo wasn't so sure. 

“Are you sure, Giovanna? This marriage was also a merger for our fathers trading companies that I so hope to take over one day. I am not ready for tonight, but I also do not want to risk our future.” He finished. 

“Yes, I am sure! Maggie has never betrayed me, and there is no good reason for her to start now. She is really our only hope to pull this off, Arturo.” She almost pleaded. 

“Well I suppose the best way to start our marriage is based on trust and I will trust your judgement on your trust of Maggie. But what about the specifics of how we are going to fool our families?” He inquired. 

“Leave the specifics up to Maggie and I.” Giovanna said. And just as they finished planning, the song they were dancing to ended.

Just as Giovanna made a beeline to find Maggie, her momma caught her arm.

“Where are you running off to darling? This is your wedding party, dear. You are expected to be present!” She sounded exasperated. Typical momma Giavonna thought.

“I’m just running to find Maggie momma! I just want to make sure things are ready for this evening.” I explained, trying to get out of her grip. 

“Dear, I’ve already taken care of everything! Go and be with your husband!” She was not backing down! I have a quick thought, that I know I must act on.

“But momma! I’m married now, I have to learn to do what you do for papa. I have to start at some point, right?” I ask her. Her grip begins to loosen.

She sighs “Quickly darling.” and lets go of my arm. She runs off towards the butlers pantry to find Maggie. I asked the butler if he had seen her. He points me to the laundry area. I quickly round the corner, and almost run into maggie. I skid to a halt and see Maggie is carrying a bundle of clean linens.

“Maggie, there you are!” Giovanna exclaims! 

“I wasn’t hiding madam! If I had known you had been looking for me so insistanly I would’ve come to you!” Maggie looked worried “What is my dear?” she asked 

“Arturo and I need your help Maggie.” I say.

“Oh my! Anything my dear. So what is it you both need? Are the plans for this evening alright? I can make some changes if you’d like.” she asked

“Actually tonight is exactly what I want to talk to you about. Arturo and I aren't ready for this, Maggie. We were barely ready to be married! We want to fake it tonight, but we need your help!” I explained 

“I know my dear. It is a very sudden change for you, and I understand you are not being ready. But  they will check the bed linens in the morning to make sure the deed has been done. How are you going to fake the blood they expect to find?”

“Well I was hoping you might have an idea on that.” I am really, really hoping Maggie has an idea that will save us.

“We keep the cattle on this land, we are about to slaughter a cow for tomorrow evenings dinner. They drain the blood during the slaughter. I think I could get some for you to sprinkle on the sheets.”

“Oh Maggie! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!” Momma exclaimed. “As always I knew I could depend on you.”

“Why of course you can always depend on me.I love you as if you were my own child Giovanna. I will put a vial of the blood under the edge of the bed in the bedroom. Now you get back to your party before you are missed and people come looking for you.” Maggie said.

Momma rushed back to find papa. She was so relieved that their plan was going to be able to work that she nearly ran over her mother. “What has kept you so long? I told you to be quick. You have been gone for far too long. Let's get back to the party,” her mother was agitated with her now.

They hurried back to the party, and momma instantly ran to papa and walked him to the dance floor once again. Once there, she could hardly contain her excitement. “Arturo, Maggie is going to get us what we need to fool everyone. I told you we could trust her. She would never betray me.” Arturo was still slightly skeptical but didn’t want to say anything to his young new bride about his reservations, so he just agreed with her. He knew that if this marriage was going to truly work, he had to trust Giovanna and for now Maggie. And if he could not, then they would have to face the music and do what was expected of them.