The song of hope
The year is now 1510.
10 years have passed by in Florence.
Many new artist have become famous and renowned and those who were already known, have gotten even more praise and fame.
The same can also be said for Toby and Ambrosius.
The two once apprentices are now known among the likes of Da Vinci and Michelangelo, but Toby and Ambrosius are still living within the Speranza, the two boys just don't want to leave Blaise, they will however never admit it.
Many artist have actually gone to the Speranza in the hopes of learning wisdom from Toby and Ambrosius, even the likes of Da Vinci and Michelangelo have sought the boys wisdom.
But just so that we are clear.
Just because I refer to Toby and Ambrosius as boys, that does not make them boys, for after 10 years, the two once boys are now men, handsome men, so handsome that Blaise has to keep lusty women away with a stick, figuratively and literally.
Even Tyche, from within Toby, has eyes of love whenever Toby looks into a mirror, but Tyche always gets embarrassed when Hecate catches her in the act, and all Hecate does is smile.
Our story now begins within the Speranza.
" Blaise, I have finished my painting, so I am going for a walk " said Toby with a smile that could make Nuns forget their vows.
" Okay, just make sure that you are back before nightfall " said Blaise.
" You are well aware that we are no longer little kids " said Ambrosius while working on his sculpture.
" You two will always be kids in my eyes " said Blaise with a old mans smile.
Toby now walked out of the workshop with his best friend, the squirrel Ratatoskr on his shoulder.
" Toby, look! " said Ratatoskr.
Toby looked and saw a crying little girl by the sculpture he and Ambrosius had made in the middle of the town square.
Toby walked over to the crying little girl.
" Hello there dear ragazza, what is the matter? " said Toby concerned.
" I have no friends to play with.... " said the crying little girl.
Toby felt that the girl had lost all hope, so Toby decided to sing a song of hope to her.
Hecate made a guitar appear from thin air.
Toby grabbed hold of the guitar and then he started to sing, or more like he started to sing a prayer
" Lord, I be a unworthy servant this day, but you lord, are forgiving and kind, abounding in love to all who call to you, so lord, I ask, that you answer all who call, especially this little girl, with all the love and care you have showed and will show, oh lord, send one of your beloved angels to all those who are in need, and we, your grateful servants, will in return, sing all you praises "
(Note: this song is inspired by Psalm 86:5)
The little girl looked at the man that could be mistaken for one of God's angels, well, little did the girl know, that Toby was the son of one of God's archangels.
The little girl stopped crying and was now filled with hope.
The little girl thanked Toby and then she walked over to a group of kids, in the hopes of making new friends, which she did.
Toby just said by his and Ambrosius sculpture, enjoying the Italian weather.
But that was when a man walked up to Toby.
" I have a letter for you "
The man gave Toby the letter and then walked away.
" That was weird..... " said Ratatoskr.
Toby opened the letter and saw that he was invited to the castle of the Spider-Napoleon.
" What will you do now, dear Toby " said Tyche.
" I will take him up on his offer " said Toby with a smile.
After walking to the heart of Florence, Toby had finally reached the castle.
The castle did not look like the kind of castle one would be scared of, in fact, the castle had a welcoming auro to it, almost as if you would feel safe inside, but Toby knew better.
Toby now walked inside the castle, and I would like to take this moment to say, that Toby and Moriarty/Anansi have never met, but Blaise has told Toby about the Spider-Napoleon, so Toby does know that he can not let his guard down, not even for a second.
Toby finally reached the throne room where 'they' sat on 'their' throne.
Toby looked at the old man wearing black and red, the colours of the Spider-Napoleon.
" Is that evil itself.... " said Ratatoskr while his whole fur was on edge.
Toby noticed that there was an empty chair in the middle of the room.
Toby went and sat down in the chair.
Moriarty/Anansi smiled.
" Welcome, son of Archangel Raphael "
Toby was quiet.
" Oh, you don't seemed surprised that we know who you truly are " said Moriarty/Anansi.
" Should I be surprised? " said Toby with a smile.
" Ah, we see now, you are assuming that we know everything "
" Don't you know everything? "
Moriarty/Anansi just smiled.
" Now, what I don't know is why you have summoned me "
" We simply want to talk "
" Talk? Talk about what? " said Toby not unconvinced.
" About the future " said Moriarty/Anansi with a grin.
Toby's blood now froze and even Ratatoskr hide himself inside Toby's clothes.
" What about the future? " said Toby nervously.
" It is rather simple, we will send a demon to fight you or you do one thing for us "
" I choose to fight the demon " said Toby rather fast.
" Oh, and did we fail to mention that the mere presence of this demon can bring all of Italy to ruin "
said Moriarty/Anansi with a smile.
" He is toying with you.... " said Hecate.
Toby gridded his teeth.
" What do you want from me? "
" That is also rather simple, we wish for you to read our stories " said Moriarty/Anansi with a serious look.
Toby's mind stopped working for a couple of seconds, even Ratatoskr had a confused look.
" Let me get this straight. All you want for me is to read your stories? " said Toby.
" Indeed " said Moriarty/Anansi without anything hidden.
" But why? " said Toby not knowing what to make of the situation.
" Dear child, we already have the whole world within our web, and as we said earlier, we could summon a demon that could destroy all of Italy, and even the whole world if we wished it, but what would come from destruction, other then fewer people to toy with " said Moriarty/Anansi with a sincere smile.
Toby still felt that he could not trust what was being said.
" How do I know that you are not lying to me? "
" You don't, and perhaps you never will, our plans change depending on our mood, but for now, we our in the mood for writing stories, and what does every author want, he wants an audience " said Moriarty/Anansi with yet another sincere smile.
" Then why don't you just publish your stories? "
" We fully intend to, but we wish for you to read them first, so you can tell us if we have made an error of some kind "
Toby still could not believe what was being said.
Toby looked at the nearby table, and saw a stack of manuscripts.
Toby walked over and took all of the manuscripts.
Toby then said " Give me three days "
He then walked out of the castle.
Back at the Speranza.
Toby had looked himself in his room.
For three days straight, Toby did not eat, bath or sleep, well, that was until Blaise lost his temper and forced Toby to eat, bath and sleep.
But after three days, Toby returned to the castle of
Moriarty/Anansi.
The two yet again sat before each other.
" So, what do you think? " said Moriarty/Anansi.
Toby at first did not smile.
Toby then smiled and said
" They are good, buuuuut, you could do better "
Moriarty/Anansi smiled and then said
" Do enlighten us "
Afterwards.
The stories of the Spider-Napoleon were published and immediately sold out.
While painting, Toby would also from time to time go and read Moriarty/Anansi new stories and then tell "them" what they could do better, and that is what is going on within Florence...... for now....
