Much Ado About Nothing at Dalton

Dalton Villa and the Anderson family

Dalton is a beautiful village in Messina, Italy. There live the Ardersons, a rich and close-knit family, friends with the good and just Don David, the prince of Aragon.

The green fields that surround the property are covered with vines responsible for producing grapes of the finest wines, pride of Leonard Anderson and his brother Antony.

Allem of the two Anderson brothers, live in Dalton: Blaine and Cooper (Leonard's children); Nick (Antony's son); Wes (tutor and friend of Blaine and Nick) in addition to the employees of the vineyards.

Life went in perfect harmony across the fields, and young people used the Italian summer to enjoy a delicious picnic high in the mountains under the shadows of the beautiful trees, together with their parents and friends, during work break.

"I heard that the battles are coming to an end, and it looks like Don David will be victorious again!" said young Blaine Anderson, looking at the horizon, under the curious eyes of Leonard and Antony Anderson, who were talking to each other further away from the group of young people.

Nick, his cousin who was lying on the floor, next to Blaine replied without hesitation: "And could it be any different?" Don David has the bravest and best prepared army in all of Europe, I would not be surprised that he has already won this battle! "With a definite tone in his voice, he ends" I would love to be part of his army and go to battle. "

"It looks like Uncle Antony would let you go, Nick!" said Blaine, "... your father is tired of saying that you were made to help look after the vineyards." he ended with a sigh as he straightened up, as he sat against the big tree.

Nick, upset by his cousin's response, was already preparing to respond when a voice invaded the quiet of his cousins' picnic.

"Message to Don Leonard! Message to Don Leonard "announced the young messenger who had just arrived in Dalton, fervently waving a letter in his hands.

Everyone who was scattered around the picnic area soon turned their attention to the messenger. Don Leonard addressed the boy, who delivered the letter with a gracious greeting. "I see it is a letter from Don David of Aragon, and it says here that he and his companions must arrive in Messina tonight," he announced excitedly.

"It is certainly not far, my lord." Replied the messenger, drawing some cheers from the young people present. "And the entourage had few casualties, my lord. Just a few more distant officers, none of the closest friends. "

The news narrated by the messenger, was received with enthusiasm and relief. "Victory is double when the commander resumes with his troops. From the terms of the letter, I note that Dom David conferred many distinctions on a certain courageous and distinguished young man named Kurt. " Don Leonard said maliciously, looking discreetly from the corner of his eye at his son Blaine, who was trying to hide his red face.

Without noticing the tone of malice in Don Leonard's speech, the messenger continues with his explanation: "In fact, deserved by you and with justice recognized by Dom David. Mr. Kurt did more than expected at his young age. Achievements that exceeded expectations so much that I believe his name will be known throughout Europe. "

"I am very happy with this news." Don Leonard continued to slightly tease his son with his innuendo

"I know that Mr. Kurt received letters, which I myself delivered to him, that made him so happy, that I believe they were the reason for such bravery in the face of the adversities of the battles!" the messenger continued excitedly, not realizing the young man's shyness, who did not know what else to do in front of everyone who had already joined the game initiated by Don Leonard and encouraged by Antony, his uncle.

Speaking with a wide smile on his face, Uncle Antony asks "Were you so moved by such letters?" trying to hold a malicious laugh behind the hands. "Too much! It was your bravery fuel! " replied the messenger, with such determination that he burst out laughing with both lords.

Interrupting the talk about Mr. Kurt, as a measure of relief for the poor and embarrassed Blaine, Nick addresses the messenger with his ironic air.

That question, which, with a frown in doubt, the messenger replied: "I do not know who you are referring to, sir; there was no officer in the army by that name. Only brave and serious gentlemen, my young sir "

Blaine, already in his normal color and briefly recovered from all the embarrassment generated by his father's joke, clarifies this doubt of the young messenger and the others present: "My cousin refers to Mr. Jeff, Don David's friend".

"Ah! He has returned, yes, and more excited than ever. " The messenger replied, now knowing who was being talked about. "He's a brave fellow!"

With a malicious laugh, Nick continues to ask Jeff the messenger about Jeff. "And please, could you tell me how many enemies did the brave Jeff annihilate with his sharp tongue? Because I made a commitment to eat everyone he killed. "

With a surprised look and a certain uncertainty in his voice, the messenger replies, "He has rendered Don David relevant services, and has been recognized for such acts!"

"Don't worry, my boy, my nephew is relentless with Mr. Jeff; but I have no doubt that he will know how to deal with such poison and disaffection! " Don Leonard laughed as he addressed his nephew, who was rolling his eyes when he heard of the disaffection.

"You are a valiant soldier, my young lord! He is a gentleman who seems to me to have all the honorable qualities necessary for a good man. Sir Jeff speaks like a worthy soldier! " said the messenger.

And continuing to distill it gave disaffection for the young Jeff, Nick says waving his hands in front of the messenger "That's what I imagined, it is just an individual of appearances. And he speaks like a worthy man, but is he one? Or just imitate being! " Tsc tsc tsc spoke Nick and nodded his head denying any good say about Jeff ...

"My dear boy, don't take my nephew's words seriously; between him and Mr. Jeff there is a kind of psychological war of disaffection; there is no way to meet without exchanging barbs and disagreements. " Don Leonard soothed the messengers who were already trying to think of something to answer the boy.

With a bit of a melancholy air, Nick ends his bravado about his disaffection: "Unfortunately he doesn't gain anything from it. In our last match, he went down with no chance of defense or intelligent reply to what he heard. Anyway, if you have enough challenging and thinking spirit, it will be of all convenience that you keep it well, to be able to differentiate yourself from your horse, as you have nothing else to make you pass as a rational creature. " And he continues to distill his verbal poison against Jeff. "Who is your companion in arms and battles now? Who is the poor man who is obliged to deal with such an unbearable and fickle creature in loyalty as the moon is in the sky?

"As far as I can see, young gentleman, that kind man is not inscribed in your book of friendships." The messenger smiled when he received Nick's reply, "No ... not at all. Even if, if it were, I would burn the book. But tell me, please; who is the poor fellow who was destined to keep this fret? For that will deserve several days of rest and the guaranteed place in Édem as payment for his suffering while living with the Devil's own puppy! " insisted Nick, ironically.

"He is always seen in the company of the very noble and kind Mr. Kurt!" said the messenger with a defiant smile on his face.

"Oh Lord! Poor Kurt! You will be contaminated with the plague of arrogance and pride. It takes more than the plague, making the victim immediately mad. God protect the noble Kurt! If he is infected with Jeffinite, he cannot be cured by millions. " Nick shouted, raising his hands to the skies, turning to his cousin, who could not bear to laugh at the scene that unfolded in front of him.

Waving his head, with a slight smile on his face, the messenger surrenders in defeat in the conversation "I wish to establish friendship with you, my young lord. Never in my most distant nightmares do I want to be on your list of dislikes! "

"Of course not, my friend! Of course not!" Nick replied and patted the messenger on the shoulder.

With the end of the rhetorical clash between the messenger and Nick, the family decides to enter to prepare to receive Don David's entourage and the victorious soldiers who were approaching.