Chapter 9

At the Oasis, Niccolo, Don Peppe, and Luca played together deep into the night. A rhythmic combination of cithara, lute, and drums clamored to an end. Moments later, they burst out through the doors. Winds flared over the desert hills. Niccolo pulled his cloak tight.

Together they barreled down the road, pushed into an uneven shuffle by the winds. Down the hill and ever closer to the ocean they roamed. Reaching the sand, they bellowed a cheerful cry as they ran through the beach grass. A downed tree blocked the path ahead.

Luca crouched, pulling the massive trunk from the ground. Don Peppe and Niccolo marveled at Luca's display of strength. Luca threw the trunk off to the side and swept the sand from his hands as he walked back to them. Niccolo threw his arm around Luca and the three pushed forward through the storm.

They reached the ocean's edge, bearing the winds and breathing in the salt-scented air. Luca found a place for himself, lying down against driftwood embedded in the sand. He was soon meditating alone.

Niccolo and Don Peppe made a place for themselves close by. There they stayed, in silence, until the wind died and early light revealed the morning waves quietly breaking. A frigid air bit the end of their noses. Don Peppe reflected, "Season's changing, I can feel it in the air."

Niccolo stirred the sand with his fingers. "Have you ever been in love?"

Don Peppe overcame his surprise at the question. "Wandering men like me don't fall in love, not really."

"Never? You've survived all this time and you haven't been in love?" Niccolo prodded.

"I've wanted someone very much. Such that I'd give this world and all that's in it to be with her."

"Yet you say you've never loved."

"Yet I do."

"You've secretly thought about this, haven't you?"

"I've had the time."

Both laughed together before standing to their feet. Niccolo brushed the sand from his legs. "What do you think of me?"

"Ahh."

"No really," Niccolo pressed, "tell me what you think of me."

Don Peppe straightened himself. "Do you hope for things that most likely won't come true?"

Niccolo stepped back. "You're a good man, Don Peppe." The waves rolled in. "No matter what they say about you," he concluded.

Don Peppe smirked. "It's all true."

Niccolo leaned on Don Peppe's shoulder. Luca stared into the ocean, and the lazy purple waves appeared in his eyes.