Read Online The Loved and the Lost by Lory Kaufman - Free Book Online

ear. Later, Guilietta doggedly refused to tell him what was said, maintaining girls had to bear the rude suggestions men made, and that it was to no good purpose to tell their male relatives. This could only cause yet more trouble. The older Hansum could now satisfy his curiosity. He stepped forward, his hands still clenched, to eavesdrop.
    â€œWhen death is all around, it is beauty such as yours that whets my appetite for life,” Feltrino whispered.
    â€˜Nothing so bad there,’ Hansum thought. His fists relaxed.
    Feltrino added, “Maybe later I shall borrow the key to the crypt and you and I can revisit your Father Aaron.” Hansum had to lean in even closer, as the next bit was said even more quietly. “Have you ever made love in a crypt, or on a tomb? I should like to be the shroud covering your pretty body.”
    Hansum’s hands instantly curled into claws, flying to wrap themselves around Feltrino’s neck. “I’LL KILL YOU!” Hansum screamed. “I’LL KILL YOU!”
    Hansum felt Arimus’s hand on his shoulder.
    â€œDetachment has flown, supplanted by hot prejudice.
An adjournment is in order.”
    Arimus snapped his fingers and they site transported away.

    In a flash, Hansum felt a quiet, cool breeze blowing through his still-grasping fingers. He looked around and Arimus was still by his side, clutching his shoulder. Hansum looked out and there, spread beneath him, was the medieval city of Verona. Arimus had transported them to the walkway of the city wall. Hansum recognized where they were, just west of the San Zeno city gate. From this vantage point he could see the Basilica of San Zeno in the distance with people, very tiny now, in front of it.
    â€œYes, that’s our younger selves still there,” Arimus said.
“I thought you needed some physical distance to
enhance your objectivity.”
    Arimus let go of Hansum’s shoulder and reached down, gently touching one of Hansum’s wrists. Hansum looked down and found his hands were still like claws.
    â€œAllow a balm of calm to sooth your mind.
It’s yours to give.”
    Hansum forced his hands to relax and watched as they started shaking.
    â€œWow. I’m . . . I’m surprised how I’m responding,” Hansum said. He frowned. “Maybe I won’t be able to control . . . no. No, I can. I can do this. I must.”
    â€œI believe you can too.”
    â€œArimus, do I . . .”
    â€œDo you what?”
    â€œDo I save Guil? Or if you won’t tell me that, will I at least be able to control myself without blowing up at Feltrino or the Podesta or, or any of the others I know try to sabotage us?”
    Arimus laughed.
    â€œYou’ve had enough lessons about time travel
to know I cannot tell you this.
Come, let us take in this beautiful day.
For although faux-death has placed sadness in the many hearts below,
the joyful sound of songbirds still trills to give us a show.
We shall walk and talk?”
    Arimus began strolling down the raised walkway. Hansum bit his lip and caught up.
    â€œOkay, I understand you can’t tell me exactly what happens in my future. But wouldn’t you be curious if you met yourself? Wouldn’t you want to know things too?”
    â€œOh, but I have met my older self often,
and in the beginning I was the same.
But then I’ve seen too much go awry,
so I don’t ask a future self
who, what, when or why.”
    Hansum’s brow knit in concentration. “So, I haven’t blown it yet? I won’t be disqualified from my apprenticeship because I’m having a hard time controlling my emotions?”
    â€œNot just yet,” Arimus said with a smile.
“Understanding your feelings is part of the course.
So don’t be afraid of feeling worse.”
    They were out of sight of San Zeno when Hansum looked around. The place seemed familiar.
    â€œOkay. So, where will you take me now?”
    Sometimes we move