by Gian Bordin
She decided to risk it and go there first. Maybe the news of the murders might already be known, and the tavern was the best place to find out. She covered the quarter league to Rio nell’Elba in a few minutes, asked a farmer just above the little town whether she could let the horse graze in his paddock for a denaro, and then walked to the tavern, where she withdrew into the darkest corner. While eating bread and cheese with a cup of the innkeeper’s best wine, she overheard him and another guest talk about the two fellows found killed along the road. Half an hour later, four men entered, loudly calling for wine. The innkeeper seemed to know them.
"Ah, have you come looking for your friends?" he exclaimed, as he joined them at their table. "I am afraid, there is bad news, really bad news. They were found killed way down the road to the port."
"What?"
"Where?"
"Killed, you say?"
All shouted at the same time.
"Yes, killed. It must have been quite a fight, from what I heard. Blood all over the place. The heavy one —"
"— Gingurra?"
"Yes, I think that’s his name. He had his throat cut; the other is missing his penis."
"What?"
"Who did it?"
"Nobody knows, but there are rumors that maybe it is a revenge because they bothered a woman, you know, the missing penis."
"The men who did this will pay dearly. Gingurra was my mate," cried one who seemed to be the leader of the group. "We’ll find them. There must have been many, or else they would not have overpowered Gingurra. Where are their bodies?"
"I was told they were taken down into Rio Marina."
"Come on, fellows, drink up and let’s find them." As he left, he called over his shoulder: "Add it to my account."
They seemed to have bought the scene that she and Luca had staged. All the better, she thought.
An hour later, she was in the forest above Castello Nisporto, from where she could see the house and most of the garden. She had tied her horse to a tree farther up, out of sight. The garden looked completely neglected, weeds and stray bushes growing everywhere. The roses below the window of her room had been cut down. The only thing still tended was the herb garden in the sunny corner at the far end of the garden. A woman was plucking some leaves from a bush, two big dogs sniffing around behind her. My father’s bloodhounds, Brutto and Catto! They always roamed the garden at night as a protection against intruders. How fortunate! No danger from that part. She had known them as puppies and had played with them almost daily before she fled.
When the woman walked back to the kitchen entrance, she recognized Bettina, who had always prepared special treats for her. Cries of protest, followed by loud laughter, reached her ears. Are they bothering her? After a while, four sailors came into the garden and lounged in the sun along the garden embrasure. One pissed against the stone. It felt like an insult to see these men there, to see them desecrate her home. They gave the impression of being relaxed, feeling safe. That too was to her advantage. She hoped that the death of the two men would not change that.
By mid afternoon, she was back in Simone’s hut, giving the horse another opportunity to graze on the lower slopes, out of vision from the ridges above.
Late afternoon she locked the animal into the hut and set out on foot to Poggio Fortino, the point north of Sant’Anna, opposite the Porto Ferraio peninsula, from where she would have a good view down to the Santa Caterina in the little bay. On the way, she needed to hide twice so as not to be seen by people working in the fields around Nisporto. Once on the hillock, she had to scramble partway down the steep slope in order to see the boat below.
Considerable activity was happening on deck, as if the crew was getting ready for a trip. Water kegs were hauled up from the hidden port side, while a second rowboat, also containing kegs, was waiting near the stern. She recognized Niccolo shouting commands from the deck above the captain’s cabin. That’s where my revenge started. Thinking of it gave her a queasy feeling. The end is close, she tried to reassure herself.
If the ship was really leaving, then at most eight, maybe only six men remained with the steward, making it that much easier to take the castle. But it also meant that Niccolo would get away and on his return she might have to fight him again. He might try several times. She would prefer to take him captive and send him to Piombino to face trial for attempted murder.
She also wondered about the best way to take the ship. Cause a diversion along the beach on the port side, so as to draw the night guards away from starboard? And then have several boats approach under cover of darkness and storm it?
* * *
After the sun had disappeared behind Monte Capanne, she made her way back to the forest above Nisporto, to her planned rendezvous with Luca. She repeated her owl signal three times, pausing twenty or so breaths between each and then waited. A few minutes later, she saw a dark figure leave the house closest to her and slowly walk up. She recognized Luca by his mass of hair. He was carrying something.
When he was at her level, she called softly, and he left the path to join her.
"Lady Chiara, I brought you a bread and some cheese."
"Thank you, Luca. I appreciate it very much. I would have had to go hungry until tomorrow morning without it. And how’s Angela?"
"Last night, she woke up screaming, and I had to tell my wife what happened, but she won’t tell anybody. She told me to thank you again."
"Angela will get over it. She looks like a strong girl. At least, she suffered no more than a scare, even if a bad one… This morning I visited the tavern in Rio, when four Sanguanero men from the castle dropped by and checked about their comrades. I think the story we painted has caught on. The innkeeper told them that it could be a revenge killing for a rape."
"You dared to show your face in Rio?"
"Not my face; only the innocent face of a young priest."
Luca chuckled softly.
"I inspected the castle from the forest above. Nothing seems to have changed, except for the neglect. So I still know my way around there. I also went to Poggio Fortino. Have you heard anything about the Santa Caterina leaving? I saw them replenish their water supply."
"Yes, I was just going to tell you. Several sailors came and took half a dozen sheep, and when the shepherd protested, they beat him up. It looks like they are going on one of their pirating sallies. They are usually away for about ten days."
She pondered this for a moment and then made up her mind. "Luca, the night after the ships has left, I want to take the castle."
"But how can you? They’ve two dogs roaming the yard and garden at night."
"And I discovered that they are Brutto and Catto. I raised both from puppies, so no danger on their account. They will welcome me. I’ll check out the hidden passage to the garden tonight. What I need from you is eight to ten strong men that you can trust absolutely. The smarter they are, the better. Do you remember my father training a group of you some years back in fighting with axes and pikes? Are there still some of them around and young enough to wield a weapon?"
"Yes, half a dozen or so and I know a few others who can fight. I’ll lead them."
"No, Luca, you’ve a large family and they need you. I will lead them."
"But how can you, Lady Chiara? You are a woman."
"Luca, if I hear you say that one more time, I will get really angry. In the last four years, I’ve been in more than half a dozen skirmishes, each time against groups that outnumbered us. Twice even alone against several. The fact that I’m still around proves that I came out on top each time."
"Please, forgive me, Lady Chiara. You sound more like your father than the daughter I knew."
"So, can you get eight to ten men together for tomorrow night? The important thing is that no suspicions are raised. Nobody except these men must know that something is afoot or else we lose our best weapon, surprise." He nodded. "Does Sanguanero have any spies among the tenants? If I were in his shoes, I would."
; "There was this young fellow. When Sanguanero doubled the tithes, some of us hid goods and stock, but his men always found them and beat up the people who did. Then, one day the young man disappeared, and so did the searches for hidden goods."
"All right then, but repeat it to all several times that they are not to talk about it, not to their wives or sweetheart or anybody. They are not even to talk among themselves about it. No outward signs that anything is different. Also tell them that I will insist that they follow my orders strictly, and they might all get out of it safe and victorious. If the ship sails tomorrow, we will do it that night, otherwise the first night after it leaves. We assemble in the ravine above the castle when the moon shines on the keep. That should be about two hours before midnight if it is tomorrow night. They must not go up there as a group, but each one individually, making sure that they are neither seen nor heard, nor are they to talk once there. You got all that?"
"Yes, Lady Chiara. I can hear your father talking."
"Good, then we’re in business."
* * *
When the moon reached its apex, Chiara found herself a stone’s throw from the secret passage up to the garden. Was the key to the iron gate at the top still behind the loose rock where she had hidden it four years ago, she wondered? And what about the dogs? The slightest noise and they would bark. But she had no choice. Her whole plan depended on getting into the garden via that passage, so cleverly hidden by the roots of a tree.
Patiently and painstakingly putting down foot after foot, removing any sticks that might snap, she slowly approached the entrance to the passage. At one point, she lost her balance and only her quick reactions saved her from falling. A low growl told her that the dogs had heard the slight scraping her foot made. She waited, holding perfectly still, whether the dogs would raise the alarm. But for the rushing of her own blood in her ears, she heard nothing. She counted to six hundred and then continued. At the tree she crawled into the passage. It was pitch black at the bottom. Sliding her right hand along the wall, she climbed the four steps to where the passage turned to the right and saw the sharp shadows cast by the moon at the top of the steps. The key was hidden behind a loose stone in the wall, the fourth at knee level from the corner. She found it. As she pried it loose, it slipped from her hand and hit the stone steps with a loud knock. Instantly, the two dogs barked. She could hear them race to the passage. For a split second she wanted to flee and then changed her mind and ran up the stairs to the gate.
Both canines were jumping up on it, snarling viciously when she got there. She softly called their names, holding both hands close to the gate at the same time. Almost instantly, their barking changed into a pleading whine. Both eagerly licked her hand. She rubbed them behind their ears, the way she had always done and continued whispering to them, repeating their names.
A male voice shouted: "Brutto, Catto, here … here!"
The dogs raised their heads and then pressed their noses again through the bars.
"Come here, stupid dogs," an angry voice called. "Come here!"
"Go," she said softly, waving her right in front of her.
Issuing a short whine, the dogs trotted up the few steps to the garden and disappeared.
"Stupid dogs, getting me out of bed for nothing."
She heard the muted yip of Catto, followed by the sound of something hitting a hard surface, another swear word, and then a door being slammed shut. A few seconds later, both dogs were again at the gate. She stroked them for a while longer and then murmured: "Brutto, Catto, quiet, go." Both turned and disappeared at the top of the passage.
She climbed carefully down the dark stairs, retrieved the key, and went out into the forest. There was no need for caution anymore. The dogs would not give the alarm.
* * *
The following morning, when the first rays of the sun reached to tops of Volterraio, she was up there, observing what was going on in the castle and on board the Santa Caterina. Several sailors were raising one of the three sails. It caught the light breeze and stretched the chain of the anchor. She counted the number of sailors. There were sixteen, plus the four at the beach who were holding a row boat in the shallows, ready for a passenger. So it could be possible that up to four might stay behind to boost the number in the castle. But then, they could also be below deck, particularly the cook and one or two assigned to help him.
Looking back to the castle, she saw a group of riders getting ready to leave. One horse was still riderless, held by a stable hand. A man whose dress differed distinctly from the rest, came out of the mansion, and was helped to mount it — Niccolo. The group took off. A short time later, they cantered out of the forest below down to the beach. Niccolo was carried into the waiting boat by two men, while the other two steadied it. Then they all got in and rowed the small craft to the Santa Caterina. After a short wait, Niccolo’s escort rode away from the beach, back in the direction of the castle. She waited for the anchor to be raised. The ship began to drift slowly toward the open waters. Once past the head of Poggio Fortino, the other two sails were raised and the ship sailed north.
Chiara now left also and rode to Rio nell’Elba for a second breakfast. Before crossing the ridge, she looked once more for the Santa Caterina. The ship had turned and was rapidly sailing west, all three sails blown full.
In the tavern, she asked about the progress on the two murders.
"None, Padre, it’s a mystery." The innkeeper lowered his voice: "But the authorities strongly believe that it’s a revenge killing, you know, they bothered someone’s woman. Both had quite a reputation on that account. And you, Padre, what’s your business here. I remember you from yesterday."
"Just enjoying the beautiful countryside. I’m visiting a brother who is with the garrison at Porto Longone."
"Is he with the Governor?"
She decided to distract him. "Yes. Tell me, is there a riding path to the northernmost tip of Elba?" And it worked. He gave her detailed instructions. By then she had finished her meal and rode off in the direction he had described. Its first part was the one she would have taken anyway, namely back to the ridge from where she would descend to Simone’s hut for another rest in anticipation of the night to come.
* * *
Chiara was in the ravine before the moon reached the keep of the castle below. For ease of movement, she did not wear the cassock, but only Alda’s long pants and a woollen top. Her short hair was gathered in a pony tail. Stuck under her belt were her four knives, on her back the quiver with six arrows. In her pocket was the key and a small flask of oil for the gate. She held the bow in her hand, waiting. All seemed quiet in the castle; no lights in any windows. She saw Brutto and Catto roam in the garden.
Luca arrived first, a heavy axe swung over his shoulder. He held up both hands, showing nine fingers. One by one other men, she guessed mostly in their thirties and early forties, appeared out of the dark. She nodded to them, aware of their curious glances. When one started to murmur, she touched him with her bow, shaking her head. After the ninth arrived, she signaled them to come close.
"Thank you for coming," she whispered. "This is my plan. There’s a tunnel from the bottom of the wall up to the garden. It’s locked by an iron gate. I have the key. I’ll go first, alone, and open the gate —"
"— the dogs," somebody cut in.
"Please, listen without interrupting. The dogs know me and I’ve already met them last night. They won’t bark. You will see me when I come into the garden. If I wave with one hand only, then wait here. If I wave with both, you follow Luca — you know where the entrance is?" He nodded. "Luca will lead you to the tunnel and up into the garden. The passage turns right after four steps. Its very dark, so place your right hand on the wall to guide you. It is crucial that you make no noise or dislodge any stones. That also goes while you approach the entrance through the forest. I’ll be at the top of the stairs and let the dogs sniff each of you. Hold out a hand, like this. Then you go to the positions I assign you. I’ll make
the dogs bark. When the guard opens the door, I’ll take him out —"
"How?" questioned Luca.
"With a knife. Then you follow me inside, without any noise. Luca, you take six people to the sleeping quarters behind the hall. I’ll take the other two upstairs. If any of Sanguanero’s men resist, kill them, but do not harm the servants. Now, for this to work, it’s absolutely essential that you follow my orders. And that goes also in the unlikely case if something goes wrong. I repeat: follow my orders strictly. You got that?"
She looked around the circle of heads and they all nodded.
"All right. I’m going."
She carefully went to the bottom of the ravine and then over to the tunnel. As she got closer, she heard a muted growl of the dogs. They were waiting for her at the gate. She briefly patted them, then applied oil to the hinges and the key. It took a considerable strength to open the lock and the gate only budged with a short squeak after she gave it a forceful push with her shoulders. Both dogs stood up on her, licking her face. If she had not been leaning against the wall, they would have pushed her over.
"Brutto, Catto, heel," she said and both followed her obediently to the top of the stairs. She briefly checked that everything was as expected and then waved vigorously with both arms. While she waited, she stroked the dogs. They could not get enough of her.
After a while, Catto growled. She crouched next to both and said softly "quiet" and waited for the men to appear. As each issued into the light of the moon, she murmured "quiet" and let the dogs sniff the top of the hand held out to them. She assigned seven of the men, including Luca into the shaded corner to the left of the kitchen entrance and told the other two to stay behind the slender cypress on its right. It was mostly done with hand signs.
Then she retreated four steps into the shade of another cypress, such that when the kitchen door was opened, she would have a clear view of the person. The dogs were at her side.