There were buildings that stood three stories in height. They were eclipsed by smaller buildings. Their windows were thin, narrow, tall, and the color of pale yellow. Dirt had taken root in the corners of the windows. Bits of the sun reflected off the few clean speckles of the windows. Antonio glanced around and saw the horror which Matteo spoke of. About forty feet ahead of him sat a cart of cadavers, all laid in the same fashion. Their bodies lie beside each other, and their feet dangle over the cart's edge. A tan linen sheet covered the cadavers, but it was not large enough to cover the feet of these people.

Their toes were black, and their nails had begun to lift from the flesh. Antonio's throat felt tight, and he blinked a few times. Their feet glistened against the pale rays of the sun, and the drizzle had now become rain. The linen sheet which draped over them was stained red and puss yellow. Beneath the cart were small patches of red. A result of the corpses at the bottom spilling their contents. Antonio removed his attention from the macabre scene before him and searched for the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: the heart and jewel of Siena.

The cathedral stood as a testament to Italian craftsmanship. Antonio marveled before its splendor. Spires reached high, and the structure itself stretched onward. A single stained-glass window sat above a vast wooden door. There were two other doors beside the main door, and they were embossed by intricate archways. The gothic nature of the cathedral still left Antonio gasping before its beauty. Antonio approached the middle doorway and proceeded into the cathedral.

Vaulted ceilings reached higher than man or myth could ever hope to reach. If a burning bush were present, it would burn with excitement at the cathedral's splendor. Antonio stood for a moment and observed the ornate details of the cathedral. There were paintings, and stained-glass windows which colored the light. The soft sound of a chorus sung to his left, and before him stood the Siena priest. In front of him were pews, and there were people sitting in them. Many people had their heads slumped in prayer. Others listened to the beautiful melodies of the chorus.

Antonio approached the priest, who was speaking to his deacons. The priest wore a black hooded robe, and white rope cinch at his waist. He was a thin man, and he stood tall. Antonio approached them. As he drew closer, the priest of Siena turned his attention to Antonio. The priest's blue eyes were large, and parts of the whites therein were yellow. He removed his hood and exposed his bald head. His cheeks were gaunt, and his face was too. He, too, felt the punishment of famine.

The priest said, "God bless you, sir. I am Giovanni Priore. How may I aide you?"

Antonio felt the world around him swirl, but he remained upright. Fortunately for him, he was soaked because of the rain. The priest assumed the sweat upon Antonio's body was rain, and he was partly correct.

Antonio said, "Pietro took my daughter and placed her into a lazaretto. The purple mark upon her forearm was no more than a bruise she suffered during the excavation of her mother's grave. I ask for yours and god's permission to allow me to remove my daughter from her confines so that we may travel north to Ferrara. I have family awaiting our arrival, and it is urgent we leave at once."

Giovanni turned toward the deacon on his left and whispered into his ear. The deacon left swiftly, and then Giovanni returned his attention to Antonio.

Giovanni said, "ah, I believe I saw you tilling the fields last season, and I also believe you are the same pitiless fool who spoke heresy to Pietro. He had come to me at that late hour of the day and confided that a farmer had said fleas were to blame for this pestilence. Insignificant insects that do not warrant a second glance upon death were to be accountable for the buboes upon people's bodies." Giovanni turned away from Antonio and began to walk away.

Antonio said, "the bubo upon my wife's body appeared at the same location the flea bit her! That is no coincidence! I only ask that you release my daughter so that we may leave at once. We will rid this city of ourselves and depart at once!"

Giovanni turned around and slunk his head down. He rushed to Antonio and then proceeded to wrap his fingers around Antonio's jaw.

Giovanni said, "you are in Italy. You are one man in this country, and it does not matter where you go, you will spill this plague upon all who await you. Heed my warning: if you leave this city, I will give Pietro supreme authority over your life. Rather than try to escape, repent for your heresy, and may God forgive you for such a sin." Giovanni released Antonio's jaw and backed away. He continued, "God will spare those who walk his righteous path; you should consider walking it." He turned from Antonio and said as he walked away, "also, your skin is warm to the touch."

Antonio bit his bottom lip and his fingertips tingled. He could not recall a time when any priest grabbed him like that, and he wondered what they know that he does not. He left the cathedral, and the smell and sight of death invaded his senses once again. At the base of the cathedral stood a man, and before him was a crowd. Antonio could not remember walking past this man earlier. Therefore, he assumed he had just now arrived. Antonio was correct in his assumption.

The man was balding, and wore a brown robe cinched by a black frayed belt. He held his hands high and his cheeks shook as he spoke. He said, "citizens of Siena, cast your faith to the church and do not abandon her! Matteo Ferro, master of the forge and father of few had tried to abandon us!" The crowd booed.

The man continued, "he and his family have been dragged to the dungeons where they await their sentencing! What fate should await them? Should it be hanging? Banishment? Should they be reduced to serfdom?"

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