Viper's Blood

by David Gilman

  ‘Liar. Did you open your legs for him on the way here?’

  ‘I did not. I served only the Princess,’ Aelis lied.

  Bernabò grunted. ‘Get the wine.’

  She poured a full goblet and he swallowed half of what she offered. There was a knock on the bedchamber door. ‘What?’ Bernabò shouted.

  The door opened and the chamberlain stood aside to reveal Galeazzo standing in the vast room that lay beyond. Bernabò’s face creased.

  ‘What drags you from the celebrations?’ he said, wiping an arm across his mouth as he joined his brother. ‘You’ll drink?’

  Galeazzo shook his head and kept his voice calm. ‘I need to speak to you about the Englishman.’

  ‘Now? I’m humping,’ said Bernabò.

  Galeazzo glanced at the woman who stood near the bed, her open gown revealing her breasts and her old scars. ‘She’s marked,’ he said.

  Bernabò shrugged. ‘I don’t care. She has good hips and tits and she enjoys me.’ He grinned. ‘You want her?’

  ‘The Englishman,’ said Galeazzo, ignoring the invitation. ‘You took him.’

  ‘He bleeds like the rest of us.’

  ‘Let him go.’

  Bernabò snorted. ‘He’s for the quaresima. I want to see how long he lasts when we break his bones. I want to hear him beg for mercy.’

  Galeazzo pulled the King’s safe conduct from his glove. ‘He’s protected.’

  Bernabò ignored the proffered document and slumped into a chair. ‘So what?’ he said, choosing not to mention that he had already burnt Blackstone’s other safe-conduct pass. He yawned and rubbed his eyes. The wine and the sex must be tiring him, he thought, as he looked blearily at his brother.

  ‘The King of England gave him safe conduct. The Princess knows about this, and if she knows, others know. The King of England is important to me. To us. I do not wish to antagonize him. This pass must be honoured,’ insisted Galeazzo.

  ‘No. He’s mine. I want the flesh taken from his bones. He came to kill Antonio.’

  ‘Because Antonio sent the assassin to kill his family – which we were party to. Blackstone would kill us all given half the chance, but now that you have him you must appease the English King and give Blackstone the chance for revenge. Let Antonio face him. He’s skilled enough to kill a wounded Blackstone.’

  ‘No,’ said Bernabò.

  ‘Listen to me. To make certain our hands remain clean we must ambush and kill him only once he’s outside the walls,’ Galeazzo said, carefully withholding the fact that he knew Antonio had plotted to have the Princess murdered. There was no evidence that Bernabò was involved, but the thought nagged: how could he not be? ‘Let him go and we can deal with Blackstone in our own way,’ he said in a final appeal.

  ‘He’s beaten. He failed!’ said Bernabò. His voice slurred. He shook his head to clear it and drained the wine. ‘No. I won’t send Antonio beyond these walls. Go back to your wedding celebrations, Galeazzo. There’s nothing for you here.’

  ‘Listen to me, Bernabò,’ Galeazzo said evenly, restraining his impatience. His brother looked the worse for drink and danger would be lurking beneath the surface. The desire to tell Bernabò that he had witnesses who could testify that Bernabò’s bastard son had tried to have the Princess murdered and that Bernabò’s name was linked to mercenaries who had tried to ambush her was almost overwhelming, but he resisted it. Galeazzo’s fifty men scattered between the room and the downstairs entrance would hold for a while but if Bernabò called for his soldiers then it would be a bloodbath. This moment when Galeazzo’s family were strengthening their position by marriage could prove an ideal time for an enraged Bernabò to assassinate them all. He could wipe them out in one fell swoop. ‘Release Blackstone,’ Galeazzo repeated. ‘Send him and his men beyond the walls. You have brigands enough in your pay. Then we rid ourselves of our enemy but cannot be accused of violating the English King’s bill of safe conduct for him.’

  Bernabò got to his feet. He staggered, and then steadied himself. ‘I kill him here! And then I feed his remains to my dogs.’

  Galeazzo knew he could not convince Antonio to venture beyond the safety of Milan without Bernabò’s agreement. He would have to find another way. He was about to leave when Bernabò slumped to the floor. It looked as though he was in a drunken stupor. Galeazzo was about to beckon servants to take their master back to his bedchamber when he saw the woman, who had stayed sitting on the edge of the bed, slip onto the floor too. Uncertainty gripped him. Drunkenness was no stranger to this palace, which was infamous as a place of debauchery, but the explanation here might not be so simple. The woman was still conscious. Galeazzo went to her and bent down on one knee, ignoring her exposed breasts.

  ‘Do you wish him dead?’ she asked as if nothing were affecting her.

  ‘What?’ he asked foolishly as though he did not understand the question. Bernabò dead? He stepped away from her and looked at his brother’s body. Bernabò dead gave him complete control over Milan. It removed a constant thorn in the Pope’s side. It allowed Galeazzo to build his libraries, create places of learning. Bernabò dead gave Galeazzo everything. What it did not give him was a brother who led troops into battle, who fought and took cities, who ran Milan successfully, was feared by the Milanese but kept the city prosperous and the streets safe. Bernabò’s death would point the finger of murder at Galeazzo. Unrest and uncertainty would sweep through the city like the plague.

  ‘No,’ he answered. ‘I do not wish him dead.’

  ‘Then release Thomas Blackstone and his men,’ said Aelis, ‘and do it quickly before I die or your brother will not receive the antidote.’

  Galeazzo crossed himself. ‘Merciful Christ in heaven, you have poisoned yourself as well.’

  ‘If I hadn’t he would not have drunk the wine. He’ll soon be dead. Act quickly, my lord.’

  Galeazzo half stumbled away. His brother lay unmoving but Galeazzo could see that he still breathed. Here was the opportunity to seize complete control but Galeazzo’s wisdom denied him the temptation. Galeazzo was many things that others found to be cruel and calculating but one thing he was not was stupid.

  The Viper of Milan regained his composure and like the lord he was barked out commands to soldier and servant alike. ‘Fetch the Englishman. Clothe him and bring me his weapons. Release his men. Have their horses saddled and escort them to the Porta Tosa.’

  Galeazzo looked back at the dying woman. She seemed to be in no pain. He turned and beckoned anxious-looking servants.

  ‘Pick him up,’ he said, pointing to Bernabò and then indicating an ornate, upholstered bench broad enough for a man to lie on. The servants struggled to lift the big unconscious figure onto the bench but once they had done so he gestured towards Aelis. ‘Put her on the bed and cover her.’

  The servants lifted Aelis onto the bed and draped the sheets over her. ‘Raise me up,’ she said, her voice weakening. ‘So that I can see him when he comes.’

  They half propped her on the pillows as Galeazzo strode back and forth in the larger room. His mind was working quickly. Bernabò needed to be saved and the Englishman released but there was still a benefit to be had from the situation. He beckoned the old chamberlain to him.

  ‘Fetch Antonio Lorenz.’

  ‘I don’t know where he is, my lord.’

  ‘If he is not in any of the palace rooms then he will be with his swordmaster. I want him here. Fetch him quickly or you will be beaten.’

  Father Torellini’s informant needed no further threat. He turned and scurried away.

  Galeazzo stared at his dying brother and went to Aelis. ‘How long before he dies?’

  ‘Within the hour.’

  ‘Where is the antidote?’

  ‘In my satchel,’ she said and looked to where the bag lay next to her discarded clothes. Galeazzo quickly took up the bag and opened it. An array of small bottles and containers nestled next to each other. ‘Which one?’ he said, unable to keep the urgency
from his voice.

  Aelis smiled. ‘Only when Blackstone is freed.’

  Galeazzo was about to threaten her with retribution for what she had done but knew it served no purpose. To do so might mean she refused to reveal which bottle contained the cure. He left her and called the captain of his guard. His mind raced. He had to plan ahead. Who knew the routes in and around Milan and could find them in darkness if necessary? ‘Find the Tau knight who is with the Princess Isabelle. Have him wait at my palace. Treat him with respect. Tell him I have information that will benefit Sir Thomas Blackstone.’ He waved the captain away.

  He unconsciously reached for the carafe of wine to pour a drink, and then caught himself. A careless slip in the next few hours was all it would take for his plan to fail.

  *

  Blackstone was brought into the marbled room. He was dressed as he had first arrived in the city but his jupon was blood-splattered. Guards flanked him and his weapons were put on a table. Galeazzo stared at the tall, scar-faced knight. The Englishman looked bedraggled and the worse for wear. He limped from a bandaged wound on his leg, and dirt ingrained his skin. Galeazzo stared at the Visconti’s enemy for a moment and then spoke brusquely. There was business to be done.

  ‘A bargain has been struck. Your life for that of my brother.’

  ‘How so?’ asked Blackstone, glancing at Bernabò’s outstretched body.

  ‘Does a drowning man ask who throws him a rope?’

  ‘I make no bargains with the Vipers of Milan.’

  Galeazzo had kept his distance from Blackstone but his presence still sent a chill of fear into him. Face-to-face this man had the air of a relentless killer and it was not hard to imagine him leaping forward and striking him dead before the dozen guards could stop him. Galeazzo banished the fright from his mind. He took out the King’s safe conduct. Blackstone suddenly realized that if the Visconti had that then they must also hold his son.

  He kept the panic from his voice. ‘Where did you get that?’

  ‘It was given to the Princess Isabelle by a Knight of the Tau.’

  Blackstone knew if Fra Foresti was in Milan then it meant that, for whatever reason, Henry might be with him. Yet Galeazzo had made no mention of him so perhaps the boy was not in the city or his presence was unknown to the Visconti. ‘And what has happened to him?’

  ‘Nothing. He is safe and will remain so.’ Galeazzo handed the document to the captain of his guard and gestured that it be given to Blackstone. ‘I honour your King’s desire to see that no harm befall you. And I wish him to know it. What has happened here was not of my doing. You came here to seek vengeance. I offer you your freedom and I will give you the man you seek. It was Antonio Lorenz who sent the assassin to the heart of your home.’

  ‘With your blessing,’ said Blackstone.

  Galeazzo hesitated. To deny it completely would be too obvious an untruth. ‘No,’ he lied. He glanced at the prostrate Bernabò. ‘I did not consent. It was my brother and his bastard son. I will give you Antonio but you cannot have him,’ he said, meaning Bernabò. ‘You have already inflicted pain on the Lord of Milan by killing the assassin who was also his son. Now I give you the opportunity to settle your desire for revenge and cause him yet more grief. I will give you Antonio. It serves me as well as you. It weakens my brother if the bastard is killed. I cannot do it myself without causing a blood feud that would destroy us both. Milan is too important to be squandered in such a way. Strike the bargain, Sir Thomas, before it is too late, because if my brother dies then so do you. And then the matter is ended.’

  ‘Lorenz tried to kill Isabelle.’

  ‘So I have been told. Which is why I offer him up to you. He means nothing to me.’

  ‘Your brother was involved.’

  ‘There is no proof,’ said Galeazzo.

  ‘But you know it to be true,’ said Blackstone.

  Galeazzo ignored him. ‘Make your decision and make it now.’

  ‘My men?’

  ‘Already at the entrance to the city.’

  ‘Then give me Antonio Lorenz.’

  Galeazzo turned and pointed to the bedchamber. ‘Once you get me the antidote for the poison inflicted on my brother.’

  Servants opened the great doors and Blackstone stepped uncertainly into the room. Then he saw Aelis lying propped on the bed. She seemed barely conscious but her eyes were half-open. He instantly realized that she had poisoned Bernabò to trade his life. He went quickly to her and eased his arms around her, holding her close. ‘Aelis, it’s Thomas.’

  She nodded and raised her hand to touch his scarred face. ‘This was the only way. I told you I knew how this would end. This is what I saw, Thomas. This.’

  ‘Tell me where the antidote is and I’ll give it to you.’

  She shook her head. ‘There is not enough. I took some before I drank the wine to make sure I would live long enough… but… but now… you must give it to him. You must,’ she whispered. ‘Otherwise my death means nothing.’

  ‘I’ll fight my way clear of this city. Take the antidote. I’ll get us both out.’

  ‘You cannot change what’s meant to be, Thomas,’ she said, her voice weakening.

  ‘Mother of Christ, Aelis, you can live. Together we can free ourselves of this place.’

  ‘No. Only you can do that. Thomas… I beg you … there’s little time…’

  He fought for words that wouldn’t come. Nothing could be said to draw her back from the tide that would soon sweep her away from him.

  They both knew there was nothing he could do to help her.

  She smiled. ‘Take the satchel and use what I showed you to heal your wounds… give the Visconti the dark blue bottle.’ Her breath faltered. ‘Hurry,’ she said. ‘Thomas… my debt is almost repaid.’

  Blackstone held her hand to his lips and then leaned forward and kissed her.

  Her eyes closed, her breath sighed and her features softened as death claimed her.

  Blackstone held her a moment longer and then turned away.

  He never looked back.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

  The bastard horse had been too dangerous for the stable-boys to saddle and when Blackstone entered the stall it snorted and reared its head, baring its yellow teeth. Yet for some reason it did not attempt to bite or kick the injured Blackstone, as if sensing that its rider would be unable to tolerate its belligerence. Blackstone rode slowly through the city as shopkeepers closed their shutters and others ushered away chickens and pigs into safekeeping for the night. The evening streets were slowly clearing. The low sun cast deep shadows from the high walls that slithered with movement as men scurried to reach home before curfew. Galeazzo had sent six men as escort and they guided him towards the eastern gate of the city, the same he had entered through. As lamps were lit the city’s eyes watched him leave. The soldiers remained silent and when they passed across the portal they returned Wolf Sword, his archer’s knife and fighting axe. The massive gates closed behind him and as he urged his horse forward he saw in the distance a group of men waiting in the fading light. It was Killbere and those who had entered the city with him. As he got nearer he could see that they were all wounded and some were slumped in the saddle.

  ‘They said you would be released,’ said Killbere. ‘If they hadn’t done so we were going to ride to Will Longdon and bring the men and archers here to spoil their damned wedding tomorrow.’

  ‘Is Henry or Foresti with you?’

  ‘No. We’ve not seen them.’

  ‘Then they’re still in the city,’ said Blackstone.

  ‘Not Florence?’ said John Jacob.

  ‘No, for some reason they followed us. There’s no knowing where they are now, but once this matter is settled we’ll find them. I was told no harm would come to Foresti, so if Henry is with him then we can only pray they remain unscathed.’

  ‘They threw Gaillard to the dogs,’ said Perinne and spat in disgust. ‘We were chained but we fought the guards. We had no chance agains
t so many and we bear more wounds to prove it.’

  ‘I saw him die,’ Blackstone told them. The hurt of the brave man’s death still burned. ‘He had a knife hidden in his boot. He killed a few dogs before they took him.’

  ‘He died unshriven,’ said John Jacob. ‘That’s hard for men such as us.’

  ‘The Almighty will forgive Gaillard’s sins,’ said Blackstone. ‘The manner of his death will stand him in good stead with God and his angels.’ He looked around at his determined men who made no complaint despite their wounds. He saw that one horse was being led without its rider. ‘Where’s Meulon?’

  ‘He’s stayed behind to avenge Gaillard. He said he’ll escape on foot at dawn,’ said Killbere.

  Meulon’s plan was only to be expected. The two stalwart Normans had served together before they accompanied Blackstone on his first fight against brigands in Normandy a lifetime ago. Those two bears of men had been at his side ever since. ‘Aelis is also dead,’ he told his injured followers. ‘She gave her life so we could be given our freedom. We have safe passage and the man we want will be outside the walls tomorrow. We are to ride south where he’ll be delivered to us and then we will finish this.’

  ‘The bastards will ambush us, Thomas,’ said Killbere. ‘We won’t have time to get help from Will and the others.’

  ‘Galeazzo Visconti made a bargain,’ Blackstone told them. ‘He’s more cunning than his brother and he wants Antonio Lorenz dead. But for all I know he could be offering us to him. If we die outside the walls then no blame can be laid at the Visconti’s door.’ Blackstone looked around him at the flat landscape. It offered little in the way of ambush sites but men riding hard could sweep down on their small band, and wounded men would not be able to ride hard for long in any effort to escape. There were no defensive positions to be seen. What Blackstone wanted was some rising ground, a vineyard perhaps, anything that would make a cavalry charge disadvantageous to the horsemen. They had seen woodlands on their flank when they rode into Milan, and if they were forced to defend themselves such a place would be preferable to being out in the open. He gazed at the sky. It would be a cold night and mist would rise from the rivers and blanket the land. ‘We’ll ride until we can no longer see the road. Another hour, perhaps, and then we camp. I have balm to help our wounds. A night’s sleep and we’ll be ready for whatever awaits us.’