In the novel Don Quixote, a country gentleman became obsessed with tales of chivalry. He took up weapons, donned armor, and set out to travel the world, uphold justice and fairness, and restore the long-lost spirit of chivalry through his own efforts.
Knights in the Middle Ages were often trained from childhood. Legend said that when Demeter cared for the little prince, she fed him porridge made of wheat flour and mint from a spoon, whereas knights would use the tips of their swords to pick up food and feed it to children.
Once they reached around twelve, they began military training and were divided into "weapon bearers" and "shield bearers." Before that, they served as pages or attendants in a lord's household, sometimes even accompanying ladies to church.
"Twelve!" Georgiana repeated Luigi's words.
"That's what I heard," Luigi said as he inspected the horses' hooves in the stable.
No matter how one looked at him, François Zabini did not resemble a twelve-year-old boy...
"When we first arrived in Milan, they picked among us too, at La Scala Opera House," Luigi continued. "If you were chosen, you could accompany them out in a two-wheeled carriage or go to their homes, where they would observe us through those little opera glasses."
"Were you ever chosen?" Georgiana asked teasingly.
"To go out, we needed a permit issued by the colonel. Otherwise, we would be demoted."
"Even as a relative of the commander-in-chief, you couldn't get one?" Georgiana asked.
Luigi picked up a red-hot horseshoe with tongs and plunged it into water to temper it. It let out a sharp hiss.
"Before we came, nearly every noblewoman had an attendant knight. Can you imagine what would happen?" Luigi asked.
"Duels?" Georgiana asked.
"The French found this custom difficult to understand." Luigi set the