Act of Faith (Kelly Gardiner) by Kelly Gardiner

Author:Kelly Gardiner
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2011-10-21T11:00:00+00:00

‘If only there were a map,’ I said.

‘There isn’t, and there never will be such a thing!’ Willem snapped.

We reached Verona at last, just before the city gates closed at dark.

Master de Aquila drew his horse to a halt below the city walls. ‘Here in the Italian States,’ he told us quietly, ‘things are a little different. I cannot stay at an inn, as I can in other places. We must find lodgings in a particular area — more to the point, I must do so, as must all Jews. Since you travel with me, you must, for a few weeks, consider yourselves to be honorary Jews.’

‘What?’ Willem almost shouted it.

Master de Aquila glared at him. ‘You do not like the idea?’

Willem blushed. ‘I — I don’t understand, that’s all.’

‘Hmm.’ Our master raised his eyebrows; just a fraction, but enough to prepare me for a burst of anger. ‘The rulers of Venice have decreed that all Jews must live in one area — they call it the Ghetto, apparently, after an old foundry that was originally built there. It has walls around it, and good Catholic men as gatekeepers, although I cannot say whether they are there to keep the Jews in or the Christians out.’

‘Ghetto?’ asked Willem.

‘An innovative idea. Jews were banned from living in the city altogether until a few decades ago. They — or, I should say, we — were readmitted only on condition we live all together in one quarter, well away from the Catholic citizens. It is the same here in Verona, and in Padua, which is a little further along our road, and indeed elsewhere.’

‘Isabella and I won’t be allowed in, then.’

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