In 17th c. Italian fencing, contratempo meant an attack whereby the tempo for offensive action was the opponent’s own attack. It is a sophisticated technique of timing so that offensive action happens precisely when the opponent thinks they have an opening, thus turning their own tempo against them. ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ "Halte!” M. Beauchamps, the King’s young … Continue reading Chapter Sixty-Three, Contratempo, by Mordaunt
Chapter Sixty-Two, Memento Vivere, by Corso
....remember to live He wakes, one hand automatically reaching for her, even as he knows she has been gone for hours. The tap on the door was quiet, and she slid quickly from the bed and was gone in minutes to attend to a need for Alessandra. After one incident, Sophia had made it very … Continue reading Chapter Sixty-Two, Memento Vivere, by Corso
Chapter Sixty, Lines Drawn, by Mordaunt
In the library, they are recounting all those events which must determine their future. “I cannot stay,” Athos declares after a few restless moments. “Lucien knows what has transpired, how we found Alessandra, and will speak in my stead. I trust your decisions about what must be done next.” It is his heart that moves … Continue reading Chapter Sixty, Lines Drawn, by Mordaunt
Chapter Fifty-Eight, Light that Remains, by Mordaunt
“Agreed. You drive the carriage. But I will be riding right beside you.” Lucien’s patronizing tone should have annoyed Athos once, but he is no longer bothered about such things. There is planning involved in their escape, but besides insisting he drives the carriage, Athos is content that Lucien has taken charge. All Athos cares … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-Eight, Light that Remains, by Mordaunt
‘Mid-Season’ Break, by Mordaunt and Corso
Dear Readers, Thank you for following our story so far. We take a “mid-season” break for the summer months. We will return in September to continue our story. The blog will be active. During the summer months we will be adding background stories, discussing books, music, historical characters, and events pertinent to our story. We … Continue reading ‘Mid-Season’ Break, by Mordaunt and Corso
Chapter Fifty-Seven, The House that Richelieu Built, by Corso
The stable is in shadows, they have only one lantern set on a pile of crates. ‘Can you saddle a horse in the dark?’ Lucien asks. ‘I am happy to saddle yours if you find it difficult,’ Athos replies. Lucien smiles. His brother is tense, anxious to get on the road, but not without humor. … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-Seven, The House that Richelieu Built, by Corso
Chapter Fifty-Six, The Brothers d’ Aiguillon, by Mordaunt
Swords drawn, they turn to face each other, surrounded by their hapless attackers now dead or wounded. Even in the darkness, Athos knows the man. He fought against him and almost killed him. He fought against him and was almost killed. He has fought beside him more times than he ever expected. Athos lowers his … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-Six, The Brothers d’ Aiguillon, by Mordaunt
Chapter Fifty-five, Le Limier, by Corso
‘Putain d'enfer!’ The beach is empty. Loup, Ver and Poilu exchange an uneasy look as Lucien Grimaud paces angrily in front of them. ‘Why would they take him?’ he whirls to confront his own crew with this question. They shrug and shake their heads. They do not want to speak aloud their own conclusions – … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-five, Le Limier, by Corso
Chapter Fifty-Four, Le Sourcier, by Mordaunt
It bothers him. In the mornings, long before Petite wakes, Athos rides with Balignant down to the sandy cove. Even after a week he refuses to walk there using the shortcut through the back of the garden. From the old pier he watches the dawn, every dawn a different array of colors, and the low … Continue reading Chapter Fifty-Four, Le Sourcier, by Mordaunt
Le Sourcier- The Dowser
Dowsing is a form of divination to locate water (as well as metals, ores, etc.) usually conducted using a Y-shaped twig or two L-shaped rods (“dowsing or divining rods”). The practice was banned by the Catholic church. Even Luther agreed with the ban. He saw dowsing as a form of occultism (1568). An epigram by … Continue reading Le Sourcier- The Dowser
Twelve Years After 