KNIGHTS BANE

s shall build a long lasting empire in the world of men ”,

Those were the words of the Duke of Devonshire, so the Dons Sicilian mind could recall from the fragility of his ageing memory.

Nero was a fine boy with a charming laugh and perfect teeth. Littered all around the room, those shattered teeth as Nero had panted for air, drenched in blood.

The Don remembered his boys last words, ”I don want to go, father. ” The innocent lad, his hands were clean! So the Don had cried 20 years ago and sought revenge on the rivaling crime family that had taken his precious boy.

And eventually, the Don had quenched his bloodthirstiness in full by erasing a whole legacy, from grandfather to granddaughter.

Until then, had the pain eased but not completely. He knew Isadora missed her lover too. They had both outgrown the shock of Neros death ever since, yet they could never outgrow the hollowness of his absence.

”Its been a while…say ten years? ” Don Montovani croaked, his unforgiving Italian accent obvious and pronounced.

”Indeed, Godfather, ” she replied almost sacredly, letting out a rigid Southwestern English accent.

”And yet you remember me after all these years. My fragile old mind pains me to bother…if you are here for the courtesy visit of an old man…or…there is something your heart desires of this old Sicilian? ” the Don stressed on his letter
(s).

”It pains me to say it, Godfather, but I didn come all the way to London for a courtesy visit. ”

”So you haven come to mourn your lover? ”

”I miss Nero. May he continue to rest in perfect peace.

He was not like us, he was not full of sin. He was a saint, properly carved by the Lord. ”

”And yet, somehow, he died. We may never accept it but good men don have durable lifespans. ”

”Thats because this world isn for the good. ”

Don Montovani sighed, he delved deep into the abyssal eyes of Isadora, reading her thoughts, sharing her pain, becoming one with her.

”You
e here for an alliance, I perceive? ”

”Don Di Mercurio, our adversaries rise against us as a sea of troubles.

We must stand together now more than ever if we wish to exist. ”

”Pulling me into your problems will bring you no good this time, Primadonna. ”

”I am not your enemy, Di Mercurio. Believe me. You have the resources, I have the perfect family name and genius plan. Let us unite as one like we were meant to be back in the days. We
e family. ”

”Hmm. And your fathers opinion on this? ”

”Lets just say the old man is hindered. ”

Another gross silence invaded the garden, such that the fluttering wings of butterflies could be heard.

The Don felt a burning reluctance roaring within him. But Isadora was family, he wouldn deny her his love. But the risk was high, the consequences were fatal.

And just then, as though to answer him, the random movement of a purple butterfly caught the attention of his swift eyes as it dilly dallied its way down to a blue rose and sipped of its nectar. It dawned on the Don.

”I consent, ” he whined, like a wounded puppy.

And the uproar of chants, of choruses and applause rang the garden as the fanatics from both parties heralded this great alliance.

The joy that blossomed in Isadoras heart knew no bounds. She walked majestically to the Don and kissed his left cheek gently,

the Dons young bride peeped through the crowd, nervously envious. The joint survival of the butterfly and flower, their co existence.

One cannot live without the other. The butterfly must kiss the roses nectar to live, and pollinate its grains for it to live. And so it happened, the Nectars kiss.