Mask of Death - William J. Connell

It's not the story you think you know.

Do you like stories? So do I. If you have time, I have an interesting one to tell. 

Our story begins somewhere in Turin, northwestern Italy. Specifically, Sacra di San Michele, a fortress-like abbey located at the pinnacle of Mount Pirchiriano. The time is the mid-14th century. The black plague, or the great mortality as it is sometimes called, is in full bloom across Western Europe.  

In Sacra di San Michele, we find the three main players. Prince Prospero Malatesta, the acting ruler of this land. Elizabeth Malatesta, his wife. Finally, Clarinda. Like many rulers of his time, the Prince is a man of vanity. Elizabeth is a normal human, as much as you, though unfortunately, neither her marriage nor her body is healthy. And Clarinda is a survivor. Circumstances shall soon force Elizabeth out of the abbey and to near or absolute death. Yet even in death, she finds there is the life of a "flesher." Elizabeth may have died, but she has not forgotten Prince Prospero, sealed in his castle with so many of his friends. Elizabeth seeks revenge. And among the fleshers, she has followers.

You may think you have heard this story, but there is much, much more than has been told. In these pages, you will find the origins of the Masks of Death, A Black Death Tale.