Rafaella

In the rugged valleys of 12th‑century Saluzzo, Berardo della Quercia lives as a humble farmer whose counsel is trusted even by the marquis Manfredo. Though his life is modest—filled with work on the fields and the care of his two surviving children—his integrity and clear‑headedness have earned him a reputation that reaches the noble courts. His wife, Giovanna, shares his grounded spirit, and together they navigate a world where occasional wars threaten the fragile peace of their growing town.

The peace shatters when Villigiso, a powerful baron with a bitter memory of a past confrontation, uncovers a forgotten document suggesting that Berardo descends from a runaway servant of a crusader. The baron brings the claim before the marquis, demanding that Berardo’s family be returned to a claim of ownership that could strip them of their freedom. Manfredo, bound by the law and his sense of justice, summons Berardo to answer the allegations, forcing the farmer to confront the shadow of an unknown lineage.

As the village murmurs about the unfolding dispute, Berardo must decide whether to accept the marquis’s impartial judgment or risk the wrath of a vindictive noble. The story explores the tension between loyalty and law, and how a single piece of parchment can upend a life built on honesty and hard work.