The Rabito Knights and the Dukes of Palermo

@2009 – Rexino Mondo


     Gætano wanted to know everything. In Italian, he asked his papa, "How did kingdoms become kingdoms and kings become kings? Where did sail ships begin and why do frigates need slaves? Does freedom exist? Is religion a game? Do the stars have meaning that mathematics can prove? If only I could read all, I would know how to move." Papa saw that Gætano's thirst for knowledge was more than he could give. He made arrangements with the priest to privately tutor his son.

     Each day Gætano's Mama would send him to the pumice mine to take a good lunch to his papa, the Duke, where he would tell him more stories of their ancestors, the Rabito Knights and the Dukes of Palermo. After they both finished their meal, Gætano left to meet with the priest for his lessons. Gætano was quick to learn and the priest was pleased with his progress and never ending inquires. The priest was also pleased with Gætano Senior and Anna's deep love for each other that brought new babies to him every two years to be baptized.

     This growing close-knit Italian family enjoyed journeys to Lyon, France and Italy's Naples, Florence, and Rome when Gætano II, the Duke, was secretly there on official business as Knight of the Royal Court of Italy. More often they visited Palermo and the surrounding Lipari Islands; especially Salina Island where the Traina family lived. The Mirabito family and Traina family were close friends for generations through many wars and invasions.

     Gætano III and his brothers enjoyed playing near the ancient fortress on the hill overlooking the sea. They pretended that they were the Rabito Knights and were saving their people from the Etruscan Pirates. Gætano told of the many stories that he learned from the priest. Giacomo wasn't too interested and wanted to play but Francisco, his younger brother, gave him a good ear. Anna believed that Gætano was maybe getting too concerned of the past and it worried her that he might not have the proper balance in his thinking. Consequently she more readily gave into Gætano's many requests to go out on the fishing boats with the men. How strange things work, for the fishermen also had their stories to tell. One in particular that fascinated Gætano was that of Atlantis. He could hardly wait to ask the priest about the lost continent.

     When he returned home there was the cleaning of the fish, the following day helping his father at the pumice mine and other chores, such as watching his younger brothers and sisters when his mother, Anna, was ill. Luisa also helped with the washing and the cooking. But finally when Gætano did gain audience with the priest, he first had to learn more of the fundamentals. When this was accomplished, then Atlantis would be his dessert. Needless to say it was easily earned. The priest continued telling of the beginning and end of Atlantis... ‘The tenseness in the world will become so great, that for a person to say one word without the proper politeness of inflection in his voice could mean the signing of his death warrant. An old woman will be imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread while murders will go free, with the excuse, 'It is not my fault. The devil made me do it!' or having a Duel Personality, “I didn’t do it. The other one did it.” There will be groups of learned men to testify that this is so. For as many fingers that point, there will be a different set of rules and laws for each one. A conviction will only need one pointing finger the victim will become guilty by accusation before he even goes to trial.’

     Gætano was silent and very sober after that and never asked of the ancient times again. At the age of fourteen, Gætano started to spend less time with the priest and more time next to his papa, working in the pumice mines. Gætano was ready to take on his inherited responsibility, but at the same time his mind drifted in other directions. He also worked on the fishing boats and heard more stories of the sea and other lands. He wanted to break free from tradition and rule his own destiny. After a deep sigh, he looked far out to sea and asked himself, "I wonder ... how far is it to America?"

     Gætano's papa, Gætano mi Rabito II, the Duke and the Royal Knight protecting the Mi Rabtos, for years, had secretly planned on taking his family to America to start a new life, away from the land of volcanoes and the gods of wind and fire. He would take the oldest child first, get settled in America and then come for the rest of his family. Gætano being the oldest boy believed that he soon would be going to America. He was disappointed when he found that Luisa, his older sister, would be going to America with papa not him.

     Papa took Gætano aside, closed the door behind them and then explained. "There's much to know and little time. You know we are the descendants of the Rabito knights and the Duke and Duchess of Palermo ... The Duchess of Palermo, your great grandmother, was the overseer of the midwives and the Chamber of Ladies in Waiting at the Royal Court of Italy. Two weeks after my father, Gætano I, was born, the Duchess departed Palermo with her new born to assist her brother's wife in the delivering of her baby here on this Island. Just one week after the Duchess, your great grandmother, arrived on Lipari Island, she died of pneumonia at the age of forty-three. Gætano I, my papa, nursed at the left breast of the Duchess' sister and his cousin nursed at the right breast of the Duchess' sister until she also fell ill and died of pneumonia."