They finished their breakfast and stood to go.
Today would have to be the day.
This is your world
They departed the basilica, Leonard taking just one moment to admire the colored window, flower shaped, high above the door, through which entered the most brilliant blue light, and another moment, in the courtyard, to gaze at the gold-backed mosaics — more men wearing gowns — on the church’s facade. He was about to point Sally’s attention to the tower they’d seen the night before — in daylight he could see that its top was gilded with silver and gold — but Sally sighed. Her expression was downcast, her demeanor despondent.
You feeling any better? Leonard asked.
I’m fine. Why do you ask? Do I seem not fine? I feel fine.
Leonard didn’t want to argue with her, so he said, You didn’t seem fine last night. Last night you seemed kind of blue.
Sally was about to deny it but didn’t. Instead she leaned against one of the fountain’s red columns and looked intently at her leather slippers.
This is your world, she said. Not mine. I like things to be clear; I don’t like signs and wonders. I don’t like being in a world where I don’t know the rules, where you have visions I can’t see, and some invisible guy named Isaac tells us what to do. Back home, I know how things work: give me a task, and I’ll find the best way to do it. Here I do my best and nearly get us killed!
But you’ve forgotten, Leonard said, standing in front of her and draping his arms over her shoulders.
Forgotten what?
Sally wouldn’t look at Leonard: she was still staring at her slippers.
What Isaac said.
What did Isaac say?
That you’ll be the one to convince Abulafia to wait …
For the birthday of the world …
Before visiting the pope!
That’s going to be me, isn’t it? Sally said, looking up. I had forgotten.
Which doesn’t mean you can’t figure out what fish have to do with Felix, he said, playing with her unbeaded hair.
What are we waiting for? she said. Let’s get to the river!
Soon or someday very soon
Are you getting signs and wonders about which way to go? Sally asked when they reached the river. Around them dank, watery smells hung heavy in the thick summer air.
Abulafia said we should stay away from the church. Something about the Orsini, whatever that is.
The pope is an Orsini, that’s his family name. What? she said, smiling. I asked the Brazen Head back in the future. Born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, pope from 1277 to 1280, died in Soriano, Italy.
He dies?
Sally gave him a look.
It’s 1280 right now! Leonard said. Remember? August 1280. Bobolo told us.
He dies this year, then, sometime in the next few months, Sally said.
And we’re the only ones who know this, Leonard said.
You don’t suppose that …
He couldn’t, Leonard said. Abulafia? Kill the pope? It’s not possible.
We don’t know anything about him. Maybe he’s a murderer! Maybe your Isaac, whoever he is, sent us to stop a murderer! Leonard, the man has Felix!
Felix has to be okay. Isaac said Abulafia was a good man.
And you trust this Isaac who’s been dead forty-five years why?
Because my grandfather trusts him.
Your grandfather who’s also dead.
Yes.
And I have to trust them because I trust you?
I guess so.
But you don’t trust me enough to tell me about Isaac, or how you talk to people who aren’t there.
I’ll tell you everything soon.
Soon, really?
Soon. I promise, or if not soon, someday. Someday very soon.
Sally shook her head.
Promise, Leonard said.
The ghastly ghost
They crossed the bridge, again making their way through pilgrims and touts, and began walking along the riverbank in the direction of the island.
What are those things? Sally asked, pointing at the strange floating structures they’d seen the night before.
They walked another twenty cubits toward the nearest, which was made of wood and affixed to a floating dock; on one side, in and above the water, an enormous wheel turned with the current. A loud and unpleasant grinding sound issued from within.
Can’t be a fishing station, Sally said, turning her head sideways to get a better view of the wheel. There are no fisherpeople. Or nets, or explosive devices. Do you suppose it’s for the amusement of children?
There are too many of them. Must have something to do with Custom and Commerce, Leonard said, and wished Milione were there: assuredly he’d seen perplexities such as these on his travels. It would be nearly twenty years before Mill was back from his travels. Right now, he’d be in the court of Kubilai Khan, or some such place.
I’m going to make sure these aren’t fishing stations, Sally said.
What?
I’m going to see!
Careful! Leonard shouted as Sally tripped down the stone path.
Hallooo! she cried, standing at the gangplank that led to the structure. Hallooo! Mr. Fisherperson! I’m looking for some fish! Is Felix here?
A ghostly man stepped out of the first miniature cottage, his face and arms powdered white.
Sally screamed, and ran.
The fisherpersons
Wait, Leonard said, grabbing her as she tore past and pulling her to him. It’s okay.
Run! she screamed too close to his ear, struggling to get away.
Sally! It’s okay. Look! He’s not a ghost. He’s a grain smasher.
Ridiculous, Sally said, peeking over Leonard’s shoulder at the baffled grain smasher. There are no camels here to rotate the powdering stone.
It’s the wheel, he whispered, holding her even tighter. The powdering stone is water powered.
Sally stopped her struggling, but she was shaking and her health meter vibrated. The white-covered man had not uttered a word, was just looking at Leonard and Sally.
I’m afraid of ghosts, she whispered into Leonard’s ear. I maybe forgot to tell you.
Leonard had never seen Sally afraid before; she had never needed his comfort. As he stroked her shoulder blades, and smelled the good scent of her hair, and listened to her breath, he thought again of Milione. Everyone fears something, Milione had said. It may not be what you think. The brave person pursues that thing, or at least manages to stand in its midst.
Sally broke away and smoothed her hair.
The grain smasher was still staring.
We’re looking for a boy named Felix! Leonard shouted, but the man remained dumb.
We’re both tired, Leonard said, leading Sally some cubits away. Shall I check your health meter?
Sally put her hands protectively against her chest.
I’m fine, she said. Absolutely fine. There’s nothing wrong with me.
Did you have a bad experience with a ghost once?
It’s nothing. Let’s go, she said, and started walking ahead. Keep looking for ghosts and wonders, she shouted back at him.
Signs and wonders.
That’s what I said, Sally said.
Signs and wonders, yes, Leonard thought. Observe, pay attention, listen. You’ll find Abulafia through unmistakable signs.
Wonders were all around, of course. Brick towers; a strange white column taller than any building, against which the sun, barely risen, shone with exotic brightness; the river itself.
Maybe there were too many wonders in this particular world, Leonard thought. Milione never tired of them, but they might flummox a sensitive sort like Sally.