1 Italia

Sleeping peacefully, an old wolf and his wife lay in bed, the cool summer air keeps their stone home comfortable. The Italian wolves enjoy the easy life the king allows them, in exchange that Fabrizio De Luca pledges his swords to fight the ever present enemy to the north of the peninsula. The moon wanes overhead, casting little light on the villa they reside over. The fields of wheat, barley, and corn provide little nourishment to the citizens, but the beating heart of the villa is in the livestock. The cattle allow the small community to thrive off of the dying masses across western Europe. Allevatori trek to Venice with livestock in tow, they are paid for their previous work and return home. A cycle with flaws, but this is the only way to make money for this small villa. A small market lies just inside the boundaries, a place where merchants sell their wares and customers browse to make their lives more comfortable.

The small villa slowly wakes as the moon sets beyond the horizon. The citizens begin their lives, the old collie blacksmith opens his doors. Life begins in this quaint villa. Fabrizio rises from his bed, kisses his wife, and puts on his town clothes and red cloak. The grey wolf places his longsword on his hip, exits through the door of his home, and wanders the street with his head held high. Many of his citizens wave and greet the old wolf.

"Buongiorno, signor Fabrizio." The innkeeper, a black bear in a green tunic, greets warmly, "How are the grandchildren doing? Wanting to be like grandpa?"

Chuckling whole heartedly, the old wolf replies to the bear with a smile, "My daughter wants them to be business wolves."

The two men share a laugh as Fabrizio departs to mingle with his citizens, his people. The fox bakers wave the wolf down, with a warm smile the old man approaches calmly. The male fox has a worried expression as his wife sits in the streets holding her swollen belly. Quickly, Fabrizio kneels beside her and holds her hand. His golden eyes calm her and she speaks with anger and fear.

"The urchins shoved me, and stole our money!" she cries out cradling herself, begging for the urchins to be dealt with before they hurt someone else.

Sighing, Fabrizio stands and walks to the hideout the children use. Many have came to him complaining about this group of children, but they are normally roughhousing or getting to loud. This is the first time they've stolen from someone, and this time they have hurt Clara, the baker's wife, and her baby. Rounding the corner of a white two story house, he hears the group laughing and celebrating along with crying of a girl. Five boys, two collie twins, one bear, a deer, and his grandson, all around ten years old are jumping around excitedly holding the coin purse that was stolen from bakers. Looking closer he sees a fox girl in the dirt, her bright blue dress ruined; her fur matted. Fabrizio is furious, but stifles a growl in his throat for the moment.

"And where did this money come from?" the old wolf says deeply, but still not growling, "Why is this girl crying?"

The children turn quickly and instantly fall silent at the villa owner, the great Knight Fabrizio; his eyes linger over the brown wolf because in his paws is a coin purse. The older wolf approaches the fox girl and carries her gently in his arms. Fabrizio motions for the group to follow him, the children do as told and follow silently and guiltily.

The expectant Clara is now up and holding her husband tightly. They do not see the group of miscreants following the knight in his red cloak and carried girl. He stops just short of the foxes, and forces the children in front of him. Marco, the husband, glares at the children as they approach sullenly, his wife shows compassion to them for getting caught by the knight.

"Return the coins and scusati." Fabrizio demands.

His grandson gives the coin purse to Marco, and mutters his apologies. The four say the same apology without heart.

"You could have killed Clara's baby." Fabrizio scolds before he finally growls at the children, "Your parents will hear about it."

"Mamma, they hurt me." The girl cries jumping out of Fabrizio's arms and into Clara's embrace.

Fabrizio makes the children follow him to each of their homes. The parents are furious at the stupidity and cruelty their children have accomplished. His grandson is the last one left to punish.

"Your madre won't have a say this time." The old wolf yells grabbing two sparring swords, "You will have to beat me or I give up! Capire?"

The brown wolf lets the wooden sword fall to the ground, tears welling in his eyes. He is terrified of fighting his grandfather, a trained knight. The boy kneels and sobs, realizing his misdeed. He could've taken a life, hurt a woman, and he let the others hurt that little girl. He should be better than this, he should be training to become like his grandfather, a strong; brave knight.

"You are right, nonno, I want to correct my wrong." The pup says on his knees, "I want to be like you."

Kneeling to his grandpup, Fabrizio looks in his blue eyes. His paw dries away tears, and with a stern warning, the knight carries the boy into his home.

The wife, Elena, sits in the study with a book in her lap. It is uncommon for a woman to be well versed in written studies, but with patience, Fabrizio has taught her as a noblewoman. Her grey and brown fur, are as smooth as the silk she wears, her blue eyes hold a soft kindness, and her smile eases the tensest of situations. She has the grace of a feline, and the warmth of a loving fire in its place within a home. She oversees many expenses and advice for when her husband is away.

"Our grandson will be taught as my squire." Fabrizio announces with the nervous squire by his side.

Both mother and grandmother look shocked, and attempt to argue. They say 'he could get hurt' and 'he is just a child.' Fabrizio does not listen, this is the final decision for this matter.

"Dragons have razed Roma to the ground!" an elk yells running through the villa in hysterics, "Il Papa is dead!"

Dragons. Stories told of these legendary beasts, but many assumed they were tales of old to frighten children. Roma had been razed, Papa Francesco is now dead. The papal power is no more, the church has no leader.

"Grandson, stay with your mother." Fabrizio leaves his family, mounts his white steed and rides to Francia.

Under his breath, his heavy heart speaks of his love, "Arrivederci, la mia famiglia."