The Cybersybils present Sons of the Dew

The Jackal, gaze lowered, at last spoke in a sober tone. "Darling Olivia, do you think we shall ever make people listen to other revelations as well, revelations that men such as Nostradamus were frauds and that the Renaissance was born from the very soul of Paganism? I mean, anybody worth their esoteric salt knows that Catherine de Médicis' favorite adviser and official astrologer, Roger l'Ancien, was the real mover and shaker of 16th century divination."

"You know about the family Roger - the Ruggieri?" Olivia trilled, enthralled by the mention of her favorite family in history, unaware that she had whispered the name to Juan Carlos on the night of her rescue from the dungeon. "Roger was Cosimo Ruggiero and Catherine spent most of her evenings in his tower at Château Chaumont, accessed by a secret passage from her own boudoir. The pair would stargaze and discuss the future of France, Western Europe..."

"And love, Olivia?" the assassin interrupted with a tender smile and a rather direct wink.

The Peyton girl laughed and then dropped playfully to her knees onto the floor in front of the Jackal, who continued:

Lonely Life by Riviere

"The truest heroine of the 16th century is unequivocally Catherine de Médicis, Queen of France. Over the years, pathetic and small minds have and continue to paint her in an unattractive light. I believe that you know full well that she was an exceptional leader and a strong woman."

Juan Carlos stood and went to the bar to mix a tall scotch and water for Olivia, still seated on the carpet.

Miss O soon took a sip of her drink and replied, "That's true. Her cool cunning gave her an individuality such as few women ever possess."

"Two words summarize this queen: dominion and astrology. Catherine was excessively ambitious, it is true; she had no passion but for power. Superstitious and fatalistic, her only sincere belief was in the occult sciences. Giving the first place to her faith in astrology, a light will be thrown on the two philosophical figures of our conversation...your heroes, I do believe, Lorenzo and Cosimo Ruggieri."