by Mary Hoffman
‘What happened to Anna Maria?’ asked Isabel.
‘She killed herself,’ said Andrea quietly. ‘She filled her pockets with loose cobbles in the harbour and jumped off the pier as soon as she heard I’d been arrested. So I killed her too, in a way. When I heard about it, I wanted to die too. But I was in the Classe jail with no means at hand.’
‘So how come you got away?’ asked Isabel.
‘My mother,’ he said simply. ‘You know she has powers. You and she belong to the same Order. Somehow, and don’t ask me how – I’ve never understood what you do – she put some sort of glamour on the guards, took their keys away and let me out.’
He started pacing up and down the deck.
‘I think she felt responsible, too, for what had happened. She should never have brought Anna Maria anywhere near that monster.’
‘So what did people think had happened?’
‘She locked the cell once she’d let me out and put the keys back on the guard’s belt. They didn’t even remember she’d been there. A rumour sprang up that I’d been spirited away by magic but no one ever associated it with her. Very few people in Classe know she’s a Stravagante.’
‘And what did you do?’
‘I think I went a bit mad for a while,’ said Andrea, ‘because I don’t remember much about the first few months. I knew I could never go back to Classe. At least not to live as my mother’s son. I can get away with the odd day there, especially now I’ve changed my appearance. But my old life was over. Patricide is a terrible crime anywhere but especially in Talia.’
‘But how did you become a pirate?’ asked Isabel.
‘I am a person outside the law,’ said Andrea. ‘Someone who belongs nowhere. Drifting in and out of ports scratching a living, it wasn’t hard to fall in with brigands. And then I found I took to the life.’
‘But why do you steal your mother’s goods?’
‘It would look suspicious if I did her any favours,’ said Andrea. ‘And I always sell them back.’
‘Sell, not give?’ risked Isabel.
‘Yes, well. I know she saved my life but perhaps she was guilty too.’
‘Guilty?’
‘She was right. She was responsible. She was the one who put the only woman I’ve ever loved into the clutches of the man I killed.’
Chapter 18
All at Sea
There was quite a reception committee waiting for Andrea and Isabel at the Ducal Palace in Bellezza. Rodolfo and Dethridge took the pirate away to hear his news while Arianna led Isabel off to meet Princess Beatrice.
‘Don’t you want to know what Andrea has to say too?’ asked Isabel on their way.
‘I know already,’ said Arianna. ‘Flavia has been in touch through her mirrors. We shall be at war within weeks.’
‘But do you know how he knows it?’ asked Isabel.
‘He’s a spy and a pirate,’ said Arianna, surprised. ‘I assume he has his methods.’
‘He is working with the Gate people,’ said Isabel. ‘He’s pretending to help them and then telling us their plans.’
‘So he is risking his life – even more than we thought.’
‘I don’t think he cares what happens to him,’ said Isabel.
She was remembering how Andrea had talked with disgust of having his father’s tainted blood in his veins. He always seemed to act without care for his safety, as if it didn’t matter to him whether he lived or died.
‘You know more than you are saying,’ said Arianna. ‘But I shan’t press you.’
They had arrived at her private apartments by then. She stopped as she reached the door. ‘You know that Georgia came here with the person who used to be Falco?’
‘Yes,’ said Isabel. She couldn’t believe it had been only two nights ago. ‘How is Beatrice? I mean, how did she take seeing him?’
‘She doesn’t understand it, of course. Which of us really does? But she knows that her brother is happy and healthy in another world and that is enough for her.’
It isn’t enough for Vicky Mulholland, thought Isabel, but knew better than to say it.
And then they were in the Duchessa’s parlour and there was a pale-faced young woman who bore a strong family resemblance to Nicholas Duke. The big cat, Rigello, sat at her side, leaning into her silk skirts.
‘This is my friend Isabella,’ said Arianna to the princess. ‘You met her once before. She is another of the same Order as Georgia and your . . . and the young man Nicholas, who came here on Friday.’
Beatrice got up, the colour rushing to her face.
‘Oh, I am most glad to see you,’ she said. ‘Anything you can tell me will be welcome.’
Isabella bent down to pat Rigello, who was sniffing her hands. She wished she had brought a message from Nick but when she stravagated she hadn’t known she was going to end up in Bellezza.
‘I know that Nick was very pleased to have seen you,’ she said. ‘He and Georgia told us about it.’
‘It was a miracle to see him so healed in body,’ said Beatrice. ‘Tell me something about this other world you live in. Arianna has tried but she has never been there and I cannot understand what Senator Rodolfo has tried to explain to me.’
‘Well,’ Isabel began, wondering how best to explain life in a comprehensive school in twenty-first-century London to an Italian Renaissance princess who had never known anything but luxury and being waited on. ‘You know it is in the future compared with Talia?’
‘So Falco told me,’ said Beatrice. ‘He said hundreds of years have passed.’
‘That is true,’ said Isabel. ‘And the modern world has all sorts of . . . machines and . . . science that it is hard to describe to you. But some things are still the same. Families live together and the children must go to school from the age of five to sixteen.’
‘And how old are you?’ the princess asked.
‘I’m seventeen, but I’m staying on at school another two years and so will Nick, I’m sure. You do that if you want to go to university in our world, or just to get more qualifications.’
‘He told me that he is sixteen now,’ said Beatrice, ‘and yet he was only thirteen when he died a year and a half ago. It is another miracle.’
‘I don’t really understand that bit myself,’ said Isabel truthfully. ‘But I do know that when he came to our world he couldn’t walk without crutches and now he’s a fencing champion.’
Beatrice sighed. ‘He told me that. And I could see with my own eyes how tall and strong he has become.’
‘What else would you like to know?’ asked Isabel.
‘Tell me more about Georgia,’ said Beatrice.
*
Luciano had made up his mind that he would take part in the sea battle whatever Constantin or Rodolfo – or even Arianna – had to say. In the Easter break from university, he went back to Bellezza and straight to the Arsenale to find the Admiral.
Admiral Gambone had his offices overlooking the shipyard, where he could keep an eye on the building of new ships for the fleet. The work was going well but he knew that once April began the invasion would be imminent. It was a relief to be distracted from his calculations by the announcement of a visitor.
‘Good afternoon, Admiral,’ said Luciano, making a bow.
‘Cavaliere,’ said Gambone, putting out a hand to him. ‘It is good to see you. How are the studies going in Padavia?’
Luciano smiled ruefully. ‘I am not the best of students, I’m afraid. At a time like this, I feel too restless to concentrate.’
‘Ah, you are a man of action,’ said the Admiral approvingly. ‘Like myself. All this paperwork . . .’ He gestured at the maps and plans on his desk. ‘It is not my favourite part of the job.’
‘I wanted to ask if you could find room for me on one of your ships,’ said Luciano. ‘I should like to take part in the defence of Classe.’
The Admiral looked thoughtful. He was in a delicate position with regard to the defence of Classe; he must defer to the Adm
iral of their fleet. But he could take on mariners at his own discretion.
‘You are interested in a career in the navy?’ he stalled.
‘Not really, sir,’ admitted Luciano. ‘But you know that I shall be this city’s Duke in May. And I want to learn all I can about defending it. Your fleet is the most important protection we have in the lagoon.’
It was the right thing to say. It didn’t occur to the Admiral to consult the Duchessa or the Regent; he assumed they knew.
‘What experience of ships do you have?’ he asked.
‘None at all of warships,’ said Luciano. ‘I am a strong swimmer and have spent time aboard fishing boats. And of course I scull my own mandola on the canals. But I realise that is very different.’
‘No matter,’ said Gambone. ‘You have your sea legs, which is a good thing. If you are serious about this, you can join the fleet straight away on their manoeuvres. Every ship will have trained fighters as well as the regular sailors who man the ships. The mariners are used to the landsmen. They’ll soon get you into shape.’
Isabel stravagated back without knowing that Luciano had returned to Bellezza. She was still full of Andrea’s terrible story and had decided not to tell the others about it. It was his secret. But she resolved she would speak to Flavia about it when she could.
The last two weeks of term yawned ahead of her and she wondered how she could wait for the Easter break. If Andrea was right, the attack from the Gate people would come right in the middle of the holiday, around Easter itself. It wasn’t that she was exactly looking forward to it, more that she wanted to get it over with.
The one thing that might distract her from the coming battle was that Sky really did seem to be showing an interest in her. They now always sat next to each other in Art and the camaraderie that had come from being fellow Stravaganti seemed to be changing into something more personal. That Monday they walked back together from the Art room and Isabel told him about meeting Beatrice.
‘What were you doing in Bellezza again?’ asked Sky.
Damn, thought Isabel. ‘I went there with Andrea, to tell them about the Gate people’s plans,’ she said quickly.
She had meant to keep the information about the attack until they were all together. She also didn’t want Sky asking more about the pirate, but the mention of the Gate people had worked; he was now talking excitedly about whether they would all be in Classe for the attack, the way that the Stravaganti had been called to Giglia.
‘They don’t even need to get us new talismans now,’ he said. ‘We can all just get there with our own.’
‘And you want to?’ asked Isabel. ‘Even after getting wounded at the weddings?’
‘Well, you’re going to be there, aren’t you?’ said Sky. ‘Isn’t that likely to be when you do whatever it is you’re supposed to do?’
‘I guess,’ said Isabel. Was he offering to protect her?
‘I’d like to be there when it happens,’ said Sky seriously. ‘I might not be able to do anything to help – what do I know about ships? But it would be better than being here wondering what was happening to you.’
Duke Germano sent for Filippo Nucci and asked him to accept a diplomatic commission.
‘I am sorry to take you from your artistic studies,’ he said, ‘but Fausto assures me he will be able to manage without you and I need your help.’
Filippo was flattered and honoured to be asked to do anything for the Duke of Classe. As Flavia had guessed, all he wanted was to be useful.
‘Anything you command, Your Grace,’ he said. ‘Just tell me what I can do.’
‘I need someone to act as a go-between for the navies of Classe and Bellezza,’ said Germano. ‘Your first task is to meet my admiral and talk to him about the fleet. Learn everything you can about every nail and plank in every ship, the ordnance on board, the crew, the fighting men – everything. And then go to his opposite number in Bellezza, Admiral Gambone, and talk to him about the proposed tactics. Can you do this?’
‘I can,’ said Filippo. ‘When shall I start?’
‘Today if possible,’ said the Duke. ‘Time is short. We are expecting to be attacked in less than three weeks. The sooner you get on with it the better.’
*
When Isabel next got back to Classe, she was sent off to the harbour too.
‘You’re going to need to find out something about fighting at sea,’ said Flavia.
‘Am I really going to be on one of the ships?’ asked Isabel.
‘I took the talisman to your world because we needed help,’ said Flavia. ‘It chose you. So you must be the one who can save us.’
‘I’m your secret weapon,’ said Isabel wonderingly. ‘But what do you think I’ll have to do?’
‘Our secret weapon,’ said Flavia thoughtfully. ‘That is a good description. Like you, I don’t know what will be required of you. It seems that no Stravagante from your world knows that until the moment it is called for. But don’t worry – we shall not rely on you alone. We have a good fleet of ships and a good force of men, led by an experienced admiral. You must meet him. And you will also meet Filippo Nucci there. He is going to be our link officer between the two navies.’
‘Really?’ said Isabel. ‘Good. He’s a good man.’
‘And he’ll be going to Bellezza,’ said Flavia. ‘Which is what I think he really wants.’
They had walked to the far end of the harbour, where the war fleet was moored. Isabel could see men swarming over the rigging and bustling about the decks of the ships. But they turned away from the water and into the Duke’s Arsenale. It was very like the one in Bellezza, with its dry docks, sailmakers and cannon foundries. Just as bustling, with people shouting orders and going about their business. Isabel found it thrilling even though she was not looking forward to taking part in any kind of battle.
Admiral Borca was in his office talking to Filippo. The young Nucci still had a cane to walk with but he looked much more alert and alive than the last time Isabel had seen him. He looked up and greeted her with a very sweet smile.
He’s still good-looking, thought Isabel, in spite of the scar.
After the introductions, during which the Admiral completely accepted that Isabel would be needed on board one of his ships, Filippo took her back down to the war fleet.
‘The lead ship, which the Admiral will be on, is that one,’ he said, pointing. ‘The Tiger. He will direct operations from there.’
‘But how?’ asked Isabel, realising suddenly how hard it must be to coordinate a battle at sea without radio or mobile phones or any modern technology.
‘He’ll have meetings with all the ships’ captains and pilots before the Gate people get here,’ said Filippo. ‘They’ll have a battle plan that they think will take care of anything the Gate people throw at us. If there is any change of plan while we’re at sea, the ships always stay within sight of the lead ship and there’s a flagman on board who will run up a new standard. It’s a sort of code.’
It was the longest speech Isabel had ever heard Filippo make; she could see that he was enjoying his new role.
‘And where shall I be?’ she asked, feeling worried that she would be in the way on board a ship where everyone knew what they were supposed to be doing.
‘I think you’ll be on the Tiger,’ said Filippo thoughtfully.
‘And you?’
‘Either with you or perhaps with the Bellezzan fleet,’ said Filippo, ‘depending on whether there’s time to get back here before the fighting begins.’
It’s really going to happen, thought Isabel. Those cannons in the foundry are going to fire real iron balls into the Gate people’s ships. Wood and people are going to be shattered.
And then she remembered that Andrea’s ship would be right in the front of the attack.
The next two weeks passed in a blur for Isabel. The weight of accumulated sleep loss kept her walking through the school like a zombie. Only Sky could get her attention and he was clearly worried about he
r. All the Barnsbury Stravaganti knew how tiring it was to live two days for every one and Isabel had told them how busy she had become in Talia.
Every day she went out with one of the warships, being shown where everything went and meeting more sailors, gunners and halberdiers than she could remember. She had really got her sea legs now and could keep her footing on deck even when a galley was running at full speed.
But when she was back on land, even in her own world, the ground often seemed to tilt and sway underneath her. She was lucky enough not to suffer from seasickness but she felt permanently just slightly nauseated as well as tired.
And she was keeping up her swimming lessons, going after school every day. Charlie just thought she was seeing Nick and the gang but in fact Isabel hardly had time to talk to them at all. Only on Sundays, after a good night’s sleep, did she feel awake enough to go round to the Mulholland house and meet her friends, who were also supporting her through homework and coursework so that she didn’t get behind at school.
Towards the end of the second week, when they had reached the Thursday before the Easter holiday began, Isabel felt herself beginning to relax. Once she didn’t have to go to school, she could sleep most of the day and just put up with some flak from her parents.
And that night her talisman disappeared.
While Isabel had been sleepwalking through the end of term, she had neglected her twin even more. Charlie had been carrying out his own investigations into what had happened to his sister.
He had talked to Laura, who had been thrilled by his attention, though Charlie didn’t notice. And he had talked to Alice Greaves, who had been quite forceful on the subject of Isabel.
‘So she hasn’t told you?’ Alice had said. ‘I’m not surprised. She and the others are all living in la-la land.’
‘What do you mean?’ Charlie asked.
‘I can’t explain it to you,’ said Alice. ‘All I understand is that they mean more to each other than anyone outside the group does. Sky was quite willing to give me up rather than leave them. And now I know he prefers your sister to me.’