It is 1348, the vicinity of Genoa, a mighty merchant republic at the time. After taking over his shipment from Asia, a prominent patrician Enrico Ampelio was on his way to his village. He hired a local man, Gaspare Emidio to escort him and his entourage through the countryside. Half-way on the road, Enrico collapsed from an unknown cause. One of his companions, a priest known as Brother Giacomo suggested that they rest until Enrico could continue the journey. Gaspare remembered that there is a hunting lodge nearby, which at the time was usually empty. After settling…