Page 174 - The Grotesque Children's Book

“You flatter me by including me in your relations to the French and English kings, but a
promise is a promise, Sire,” said Zaccario, closing up the miniature cabinet doors which
displayed the unicorn horn.

“Wait, keep that open. Just a few more minutes!” shouted Francesco.
“It is already so late, and I must be up and out early in the morning, your Grace. I must
reach Guelders by tomorrow nightfall.”
“Guelders! That's the Habsburgs! No, no, it won't do. I won't have him seeing my
cabinet! I'll give you twice your livelihood to come to Florence. I'll build a special room just for
you and your cabinet. Twice your livelihood for the rest of your life.”
No more traveling, thought Zaccario, no more hawking. And twice the money. Sold!
“Again, I'm flattered, Sire, honored! But no.” A Medici does not understand the word no, of
course, which is what Zaccario was counting on. “There are drawers in the cabinet which I don't
display, your Grace, and I would be lost without them.”
Francesco's eyes lit up. “Secret drawers!?”
“Yes, your Grace. Powders, mainly, and ground up gems, which only we alchemists
know about. We discuss them in whispers. We mix them in secret. We share their mysteries
with each other only under penalty of death by stealthy assassin. It is a sacred honor among
alchemists to guard these powders and keep their secrets secret.”
The next morning among Francesco's Florence-bound retinue, along with Joanna of
Austria and her entourage, was a special carriage in which resided Chimento Zaccario, Royal
Alchemist to the Count of Francesco de’ Medici Crown Prince of Tuscany, his arms wrapped
tightly around a traveling case, inside of which was a beautiful ornate octagonal cabinet of
curiosities.

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