The funerary ritual for Alessandro of Pisa is lengthy and elaborate, like most of the rituals at Badia a Passignano. The ceremony lasts for three hours, and like all of the offices and functions at the Monastery, is chanted by all of the monks. Brother Alessandro was a bit of strange fellow, with his unusual habits and tendencies to disappear unexpectedly if not at the center of attention. He was close to some of the brothers, but his demeanor tended to be slightly off-putting.

“...ab auditione mala non timebit.”

Alessandro had been the librarian for the last thirteen years. Speculation and rumor (mostly out of earshot of the abbot) have been passed about both regarding the unusual circumstances of his death, as well as the competency of Matteo of Pisa to handle the position, who was only appointed assistant last year.

“... Et gratia tua illis succurrente mereantur evadere judicium ultionis.”

As the rites are concluded, some of the more astute notice that Matteo is no longer in the chapel, having slipped out at some time during the ceremony. The abbot, who usually tends to lecture after these sort of things, leaves the chapel quickly, instructing some of the peasants and brothers to take the body out to the graveyard. As he steps quickly from the chapel, a folded piece of paper drops from the inside of his robe, which one of the brothers pockets in a nonchalant fashion.

“Per sepulcra regionum, coget omnes ante solium…”