Fiamma
Traveling across turtle-forsaken desert for several weeks without adventure[shocking though that might seem to Lierra; she, fortunately, is not with us], Shadya encourages Orlando and Fiamma and even Nasir to tell stories of their pasts. The former and the latter both seem to have had somewhat adventurous lives ... and certainly we should not have such a long time together without learning more about each other.
Fiamma starts off, mentioning that "Pombino del Foppiano is a folk hero of my people. Unlike other characters from epics, he is not famed for his skills with weapons or sorcery. He is not known for a saintly demeanor, and in fact has lots of quirky habits that are entertaining, if not downright disreputable. He is famed for getting into sticky situations and then out of them using a slew of minor talents and his wits."
Pombino del Foppiano and his Amazing Adventures Abroad
Pombino spent the early part of his life in a small town in a Southern province of our land. The start of his adventures is another story entirely, but suffice it to say that the town's ruling lord was rather ugly, his lady rather pretty and restless, and one night the lord's poker game ended earlier than expected.
Pombino's wanderings took him many places throughout our land and others. One of these was a small county governed by Compte Grediosso and his beautiful wife, Comptessa Vanitatia. Our hero arrived in the capital town on a day when there was a grand court occurring. Many people were lined up at the Palace gates, awaiting their chance to present themselves to the Compte and Comptessa and attempt to sell their wares or services. As Pombino's money pouch was now quite light, he decided he'd try his luck. But he figured he'd better freshen up from his travels. As was his habit, he found the finest inn in the town and ordered the best meal and most luxurious bath possible, as well as getting his best outfit cleaned.
Looking and feeling much better, Pombino joined the line. He noticed that those in front of him were having little success. Merchants offered the Comptessa bouquets of flowers and lovely jewelry. Tailors offered her sumptuous gowns of silk and velvet. Warriors offered the Compte the heads and pelts of strange and fierce beasts and made offers to slay other creatures at Grediosso's behest. Scholars offered the Compte the readings of the knowledge of the ages. Peddlers offered both royalty bowls of exotic fruits and vials of perfume. All of these offers were scoffed and the supplicants turned away, often rudely. Sometimes people were turned away without their wares.
Despite the odds, Pombino approached the thrones without trepidation. He offered the Compte tales of his travels and his services as a messenger. He offered the Comptessa songs and poetry of love and beauty. But he, too, was thrown out.
In an inn much less fine than the previous one, over a meal much less delectable, Pombino pondered his now penniless state. He had nothing to his name other than his lute, his second best tabard and shirt and hose, his blanket and his kit of toiletries. In thinking about the last item, he realized that, from what he'd seen in the palace and in the expensive inn where he'd bathed, that this country did not possess proper mirrors. Polished metal seemed the best approximation they had. Perhaps he could sell the fickle royalty his looking glass. But, then, he thought, that might not be a good idea. They'd likely just take his mirror and kick him out again. Even if they did reimburse him, well, how could he travel in style without a mirror?
He thought about the mirror, the Compte and the Comptessa. Then he was struck with a flash of inspiration. He tore up his second best tabard, wrapping his mirror in the cloth. He wrapped his blanket about him like a robe. Leaving his lute and remaining few possessions with the barkeep, he set off for the palace.
The line was much shorter now, and Pombino, swathed in the voluminous folds of his blanket, drew some stares. By the time he made it through the line, the Compte and Comptessa seemed to be in even a more foul mood than before. "What do you have to offer?" sneered the Comptessa.
"My Lady, I am a sorcerer and have brought an espelled device for you," intoned Pombino in a disguised voice. "This wondrous creation of mine will help you to answer any questions you wish to know. For instance, you are a beautiful woman, my Lady, but perhaps you wish to know who in your land might be the fairer, if such were possible. Simply present your question to the magical portal, and it would show you who is the most beautiful lady of the land."
Intrigued, the Comptessa puffed up, "Then show me who the most beautiful lady of the land is, how." Pombino positioned himself before her, lifted the bundle to her face and unwrapped the mirror so that only she could see it.
Upon hearing the delighted squeals of his wife, the Compte's interest perked up somewhat. "I have more important things on my mind than the beauty of my subjects," he scoffed, but he eyed Pombino somewhat eagerly.
"Certainly you do, my lord," said Pombino, who wrapped up the mirror and pocketed the large pouch of coins the Comptessa had given him. "Ruling such a land as yours must be filled with rigors and troubles. You are no doubt worried about traitors and who is attempting to do harm to your fair country. My device could, for instance, show you the face of who will try to do the most harm to the land, even before he has lifted an evil digit to do so."
Eyes agleam, the Compte hissed, "Yes, show me who is the worst enemy of this land."
Pombino held the bundle to the Compte and unwrapped the mirror so that only the Compte could see it. Suddenly the ruler froze. Then he looked to either side of him. On one side his advisors were looking up at the tableau with interest and on the other the Comptessa was staring at the bundle with a wide smile on her face. He growled to Pombino, "What do you want for this device?"
"Oh, I cannot sell it, but I would be happy to stay in your court and answer all your questions for a modest sum," exclaimed Pombino. "But if I have answered all your questions that you have need of answering, a small bag of gold will send me on my way to the next land."
"Then go and take your reward, for you have answered all of our questions," ordered the Compte, handing Pombino a bag of coins. Pombino left quickly, despite the pleas from the Comptessa to show everyone what the device had shown her. When he left the palace he bought the fastest horse with a portion of his gold and rode out of town swiftly, never to return.
Back at the Palace, people were struck by the change in the Compte. He seemed to frown a lot more. But he was nicer to his supplicants, so people didn't complain at all. A few weeks later, the Comtessa was overjoyed to find a peddler who had one of those magical portals. She then showed off the mystical powers of her purchase to her ladies in waiting. The shrieks of outrage carried quite far through the marble halls.....
"Pombino" copyright 1996 S.Swinehart. The contents of this site are copyright 2004 Sheryl A. Knowles unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.