The Medici Return – Chapter 45 Summary: Ready for the Palio
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Cotton Malone spends the day before the Palio getting acquainted with his assigned horse, Leone, a chestnut mare. Following the advice of the groomer, he talks to her in Italian and uses her name, helped by his eidetic memory. He reflects on his grandfather’s three types of horses and learns that Leone, though a mare, can be cantankerous and strong. At night he searches for the man from the train but cannot find him; he also tries to contact Cardinal Richter, who leaves a message that he “went to see our guardian angel” and later texts that he is back in Siena.
The next day, Cotton attends the official race meetings inside the Palazzo Pubblico. Camilla Baines announces she is replacing the Sardinian jockey, which shocks most capitanos but not the Porcupines—as if they expected it. The traditional horse blessing takes place at the Golden Oak chapel; Cotton learns that the horse is blessed before the jockey. Afterward he joins a parade through the city and watches a flag-throwing performance at the Duomo. Each jockey receives a nerbo, a riding crop made from dried ox penis, which Cotton finds unusual. Camilla whispers that the nerbo can be used on other jockeys, not on horses, and tells him the rules do not apply to him—she expects him to do whatever it takes.
Inside the campo, the ten lots are drawn in secret to determine the starting order. Camilla warns that a false start is deliberate on the first attempt, allowing jockeys to make deals between starts. She reminds Cotton that loyalty is never guaranteed. Cotton assures her he is committed, and she shakes his hand. He dons his helmet and goes outside to mount Leone. He breathes on the horse to build trust while the groomer gives the horse gummy bears and Skittles. All ten horses enter the campo and line up behind the starting rope as the crowd roars. Cotton thinks about what Stephanie Nelle and Cassiopeia would say about his involvement. Bells ring, silence falls, and the starting order is announced: Golden Oak is sixth, Porcupines eighth, and Dragons are the rincorsa (runner-in). Cotton recalls Camilla’s advice that the middle positions are where trouble happens. He strokes Leone’s neck and notes her ears—signs she is listening. The race is about to begin.
Key Events
- Cotton bonds with the chestnut mare Leone, using Italian and a treat to gain her trust.
- He fails to locate the man from the train; Cardinal Richter sends a cryptic text.
- Camilla Baines replaces the Sardinian jockey, surprising most capitanos except the Porcupines.
- The horse is blessed before the jockey in a special chapel, highlighting the animal’s importance.
- Cotton receives the nerbo and is instructed by Camilla to use it on other jockeys if needed.
- The starting order is drawn: Golden Oak placed sixth, Porcupines eighth, Dragons as rincorsa.
- All ten horses line up behind the starting rope; a hush falls over the crowd in anticipation.
Character Development
- Cotton Malone displays adaptability and resourcefulness: he learns Palio customs quickly, uses his eidetic memory to speak Italian, and mentally prepares to do whatever it takes to succeed. His internal concern for Stephanie and Cassiopeia shows he remains grounded in his relationships despite the high-stakes mission.
- Camilla Baines demonstrates political savvy and ruthlessness by replacing her jockey without warning and telling Cotton to ignore the rules. She understands the cutthroat nature of the Palio alliances.
- Leone, the horse, is portrayed as a challenging but responsive animal; Cotton’s respectful handling reveals his patience and empathy.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Tradition versus modern pragmatism: The ancient Palio rituals—the blessing, the nerbo, the secret lot drawing—contrast with Cotton’s modern sensibility and his mission’s goal (disrupting the Porcupines). The “rules that do not apply” underscore that winning outweighs tradition.
- Loyalty and deception: Camilla’s warning that a jockey’s loyalty is never guaranteed, and the deliberate false start strategy, highlight how trust is fragile in the competitive Palio.
- Horse-and-rider bond: Cotton’s efforts to communicate with Leone through scent, voice, and treats emphasize the partnership necessary for success, paralleling his relationship with his own allies.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter serves as the immediate prelude to the climactic Palio race, which is central to the novel’s plot. Cotton’s preparation and the shifting alliances set the stage for a high-stakes competition where he must sabotage the Porcupines to achieve his goal. The chapter deepens the cultural immersion and reinforces the theme that ancient customs can be twisted for personal gain. It also advances Cotton’s character arc as he takes on a reckless but necessary role.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why is the horse blessed before the jockey in the Palio tradition?
The blessing order emphasizes that the horse is the more important participant. The Vatican grants a special exception for the race, and the chapel is designed to allow horses inside, showing the animal’s central role.
2. What does Camilla mean when she says the rules do not apply to Cotton?
Camilla signals that she expects Cotton to ignore the official prohibition against using the nerbo on other jockeys. She wants him to do whatever is necessary to win, including physically interfering with opponents, because the stakes—getting inside the church of Santa Maria di Castello—justify breaking conventions.
3. How does Cotton use his grandfather’s advice about horses during the chapter?
Cotton recalls his grandfather’s categories of horses (gelding, stallion, mare) and applies it to Leone, a chestnut mare. He also remembers the importance of horse ears as “radar antennas” and uses that knowledge to gauge Leone’s attentiveness. These lessons help him build trust and stay alert as the race begins.