Page 133 of The Robber Knight
“Yes,” he sighed. “I've come all this waybecause I heard of the splendors of the Emperor's court, and ifthere is a tournament, I should like nothing better than tocompete. I have waited too long to measure myself against a worthyopponent.”
“Measure yourself... you are a knight,then?”
“Indeed I am. Sir Reuben von Limburg, at yourservice.”
The old man peered up at him curiously. “Andyou haven't heard?”
“Heard what?”
The old man smiled. “The big news, of course,young sir,” the old man explained, changing his address as he lethis eyes roam over the crest of the crowned red lion on Reuben'ssurcoat. “The Emperor is not present at Palermo at the moment, forhe is passing his time at the Castel del Monte. Yet he is to returnin a few days, and a big tournament is to be held in honor of hisarrival. You came at a most opportune time.”
“Is it true?” Reuben exclaimed. “Howwonderful! Thank you, good sir. Do you, by any chance, know where Icould find a good inn to stay in till the tournament begins?”
“Certainly.” The old man nodded happily andpointed. “Just go down this road, the Via Roma, and you will cometo the market in La Kasa, the old Arab quarter. There are severalgood inns at the marketplace, and the innkeepers all speak yourtongue. They've had people from all over the Christian world andbeyond as their guests.”
“Thank you again... and just one thingmore.”
“Yes?”
“When I asked a number of other people forthe date of the next tournament, they said something to me, maybein Sicilian, I do not know—‘Annarisinni,càmula!’ Do you know what it means?”
Suddenly, the old man was seized by acoughing fit and concealed his mouth behind his hand. Reuben leanedforward in concern. “Are you all right? Shall I fetch ahealer?”
“N-no, thank you, young sir.” Clearing histhroat, the old man straightened. “I am perfectly well. The...um... expression is an old Sicilian greeting.”
“I see. Thank you, you have been mosthelpful.”
With a bow to the old man, Reuben turned andstrode off towards the marketplace.
Behind him, he heard the old man startcoughing again. Or maybe it sounded a little bit like laughter. Butwhy on earth would he be laughing?
*~*~**~*~*
Reuben found the marketplace shortly after,and immediately his eye fell on an inn with the words “Il LeoneRuggente” above the door. Even with his limited knowledge ofItalian, Reuben could imagine what “Leone” meant, and had he notbeen able to deduce as much, the wooden sign with the figure of alion that hung next to the inscription would have made everythingclear.
A fitting place forme, Reuben thought to himself and marched straight tothe door. He knocked, politely, and after only a short while theknock was answered by a plump man in a colorful tunic.
“A knight?” he said, his face breaking into abright smile at the sight of Reuben's magnificent surcoat withgolden embroidery. “Say no more,suaEccellenza, say no more. I, Signore Franceso Accorsowelcome you to my establishment! You have come to the perfectplace, say no more.”
“I wish to dwell here for a while,” Reubenstated what, in spite of the repeated insistence, he feltnecessary.
“Of course you do,suaEccellenza, of course you do. Where else would you wantto stay but at The Roaring Lion?”
“At one of the six other inns on the square?”Reuben suggested.
Thissuggestion didn't seem to please the innkeeper. “Bah!” he said,shaking his head. “Rat holes and plague dens, the lot of them! No,sua Eccellenza, if you want to stayanywhere in Palermo, you have to stay at The Roaring Lion. It's theonly decent inn in the entire city. Decent? What am I saying? It isbetter than the Royal Palace itself! Come in! Come in and convinceyourself. Not even Emperor Frederico[53]himself couldask for better!”
Indeed, Reuben found he was pleased with theinn. Its ceiling was a bit too low for his liking, but that was thecase in almost any house he entered, and the main reason hepreferred castles to houses. It was built of solid stone, whichprovided a coolness in the parlor that was very welcome after theheat outside. Yet it was not cold or damp either: light filtered inthrough narrow windows and gave the room a welcoming atmosphere,aided by the flowers and hunting trophies hanging on the wall. Alarge wooden cross completed the decoration. Right next to it, abroad staircase led to the first floor.
There weren't any people present, but Reubendidn't think it strange. With such wonderful weather, and such abig event on the horizon, people were bound to be out in thecity.
“Come, I will show you your room.” The littleman eagerly pointed to the staircase. “You will be delighted,sua Eccellenza, I guarantee! Come,come!”
Reuben followed the innkeeper upstairs. Hecame, saw, and indeed was delighted. The room was not too small,with bright tapestries on the walls, a comfortable chair and table,and a bed that looked even large enough for him. Plus, the roomlooked out over the market, with a good view of the Royal Palace inthe distance. Reuben liked having his aim in sight.
“I'll take the room,” he decided on the spot.“Please have my things brought up and my horse looked after. I meanto explore the city for a little bit.”
“Of course,suaEccellenza, of course, everything will be done just asyou wish.” The innkeeper hopped delightedly. “If you would justcome down to finalize things, we can have your luggage brought in.”He scurried off down the stairs.
