Withdrawn Masks (Cantarella, Cesare/Michelotto)

There was something comforting about being on the road with Cesare. The cities were nice – comfortable beds, good food and better wine, and the occasional pretty girl, but Michelotto far preferred the countryside. Or, more accurately, he preferred Cesare when it was just the two of them and there was no one else watching. That was when Cesare seemed to drop his masks and become human again, no longer the politician and schemer, or the devil in man’s clothing. When they were out in the countryside he could pretend that Cesare was just another man – a young man, but a man nonetheless.

Cesare dressed simpler while they were traveling – there was no one to impress with his finery besides Michelotto and the goats they passed. The goats probably cared more about fine clothing than Michelotto did.

“Let’s stop.” Cesare turned his horse off the road without waiting for Michelotto.

Wherever Cesare wanted to stop, it wasn’t immediately apparent since their horses didn’t stop for several paces. Cesare led them into a thin thicket of trees, their horses moving slowly over an old game trail. The sound of running water could be faintly heard over the stamping of hooves and Michelotto had to smile. Trust Cesare to find a secluded stream in any part of the country.