Painter's Diary

Written by Jacopo da Rimini, this diary longs for paints and canvas to capture Vale Sangora —

its dusk skies, meadows, and the looming mountain he sees as a resting wolf watching him,

as if considering pouncing. He admires the valley's nature but finds its people devoid of artistic flair;

even Svartrau, the valley's biggest city, struck him as far from Lombardy's glory.

He cannot return home, for the Malatestas have a long reach and longer memories,

so he expects to live out his days dreaming of paintings never made — unless the wolf comes alive first.