by Aidan Harte
‘A fondness for pirates?’
‘You mock me.’ The Moor sighed wistfully. ‘I have been many things, but never a diplomatic gift. That heartless bitch had me trussed up like a pig and sent across the water for the Doge’s delectation.’ His sudden anger cleared. ‘But in all her calculations, Catrina never suspected that her counterpart would be awaiting execution. The new Consiglio saw my activities in a more tolerant light.’ He saluted the Basilica reverently. ‘Instead of a noose, they awarded me an admiral’s baton.’
‘If Queen Catrina is as dispassionate as you say she won’t give a damn, because what I said in there is true: a Concordian navy will ultimately aim at her throne. The Oltremarines don’t know it yet, but they’re going to be involved in our war, like it or not. This is an opportunity. If we make the case to them, they’ll help – I’m sure of it.’
‘Rasenneisi were ever dreamers, and alas, Levi, you’ve gone native. Politics tire me. Come! Let’s watch the battaglia in the glassworkers’ ward – it’ll be great betting. No?’ The Moor bowed. ‘Then I will pray that you recover your wits. Farewell’
After the first day’s negotiation, Count Grimani invited some of the other ambassadors to dine on the Veian flagship. The Rasenneisi were not invited.
The Veian was dismissive of the whole venture. ‘You believe this navy business? I don’t.’
‘The Rasenneisi are just trying to scare the Ariminumese. Can’t blame them. For them war’s unavoidable, for us it’s optional. I tell you candidly that if I signed up to this league, my job wouldn’t be the only thing I’d lose when I got back. I presume you are under similar pressure?’
‘For form’s sake I’m allowed to offer a few troops, nothing more. Look at it from their position – a few years ago Concord could march to our door unopposed, unless we bankrupted ourselves with condottieri. We were the ones agitating for the league then.’
‘Who’s that?’ Pedro whispered. ‘Is that the old fellow from Salerno?’
‘Ferruccio, yes. Shhh!’
‘That’s history. Should we just ignore the fact of Rasenna’s resurgence? They are effectively a wall between us and Concord: in the unlikely event that Concord ever gets strong enough again to march south, the Rasenneisi will dull the force of the blow.’
‘Lucky for us that the Rasenneisi are too pig-headed to think about making peace.’
‘The Ariminumese, on the other hand …’
‘I don’t trust them. How much did they pay you—?’
Pedro took off his earpiece. ‘We’re not hearing anything we didn’t already know.’
‘We’re on our own with Ariminum unless Salerno joins us,’ said Levi.
‘Ferruccio would if he could,’ Sofia said.
‘I’m more interested in what our hosts are planning. If Rasenna and Ariminum agree, the southerners will fall in. Can you get the annunciator up to the sixth floor?’
‘Should be enough power,’ said Pedro, ‘though we won’t be able listen for long.’
Sofia was looking out of the window at the Veian galley in the harbour. As Pedro operated the controls like a puppeteer, the little golden cone rose from its porthole perch and dropped silently towards the sea, falling in an arc, a chink of sunlight lost in the reflected evening ripples. They heard an argument of sounds: wind, water lapping, boatmen calling, gulls’ screams, horns and bells from the dock, and then different voices as the annunciator rose up the basilica’s many storeys.
‘The sixth floor’s where the Consilium Sapientium meets,’ said Levi, whispering, even though the annunciator broadcast only one way, ‘if I can trust my Ariminumese informants.’
‘If you can’t trust an informant,’ said Pedro, ‘who—?’
‘Stop!’ Sofia said. ‘Did you catch that? Drop it back to the third floor.’
Pedro checked the annunciator’s ascent and expertly brought it to rest on a windowsill, where it was helpfully concealed by a lace curtain rippling in the wind.
A familiar deep voice: ‘Are you offering me a contract?’
‘I could use someone like you.’ The voice of a much younger man, level, serious.
‘You couldn’t afford me, boy. Ariminum’s larder is well stocked. I intend to stay here and eat my fill.’
‘You’re working for Ariminum. Work for me and I’ll give you Ariminum.’
‘Work for Concord, you mean.’
‘The army won’t be subordinate for ever. The Guild isn’t the power it was.’
‘What of the Apprentices?’
‘There’s just one left and he’s … I’m a patriot. As long as the triple-headed beast provided stability, I was content. That’s changed. Consul Corvis has taken charge.’
A tutting sound. ‘One defeat and you act like Heaven’s falling.’
‘I’m negotiating with my enemy in a city I should be dictating terms to. A government that let that happen does not command my loyalty. If I’m going to change things, I need strong men behind me. I need you, Admiral.’
Levi stared at the annunciator as he waited to hear the Moor’s answer. Finally it came: ‘It’s uncanny how closely patriotism resembles ambition. Although it is a sin, I’ve grown inordinately fond of the local wine. Why should I gamble that for your advancement? Good day, Spinther.’
The sound of footsteps and a door slamming was followed by silence and the duplicated cries of the gulls.
‘I’m glad the Moor didn’t go for it. I don’t care to bet against him again.’
‘Should we leak it?’ Pedro asked. ‘Let the Collegio dei Consoli know their best general’s plotting a coup?’
‘So they can make plans against it?’ Levi was smiling. ‘Spinther’s just one boy. If we get him executed, the legions remain. But if he rebels, it’ll split the army. No matter who comes out on top, Concord will be weaker. The only thing to do with news as good as this, Pedro my boy, is to sit on it.’
At the beginning of the next day’s meeting, General Spinther was invited to address the delegates. Sofia took him in: a rather dark southern complexion for a Concordian, tall and clear-eyed – just a boy, but his youth, like everything else, was deceptive. They picked them for intelligence and trained them in the art of war, so they had all the vim of youth but none of its rashness; all the wisdom of age and none of its doubt.
‘My Lords, I will not speak long. You know me as a soldier, but today I’m a dove. We have spies in your cities; you, in ours. Your spies’ work has never been easier, for Concord’s problems are no secret. I assure you we do not want peace, but we need it. The Collegio dei Consoli respectfully invites the Contessa of Rasenna to Concord to discuss terms.’
The general paused while the southern ambassadors whispered to each other, directing sceptical glances at Sofia, until the procurator rang a bell. ‘Enough! This isn’t a music hall. General Spinther is obviously under the misapprehension that our league – putative as it is – is bound to be led by Rasenneisi. I assure you—’
‘Not at all, Procurator. Any viable Southern League would rely on Ariminumese money. That’s why we’re here today in your exquisite city, instead of Montaperti’s killing fields. If war comes, Ariminum will be dragged into it, but the fact remains that it will not be your war.’ The Concordian looked suddenly and with unexpected tenderness at Sofia. ‘It is ours, Contessa.’
Sofia’s hand went instinctively to her side and grabbed – nothing. Levi was right to say it would be undiplomatic to go armed to a negotiation, but without her flag, she felt naked.
General Spinther looked around the room. ‘Doctor Ferruccio, you were alive to see it, but the rest of us learned from our grandfathers of the terrible war Concord and Rasenna fought, how it eventually involved the whole peninsula. We’re on the brink of another such cataclysm. Peace doesn’t interest me, but a period of stability does. Ask your spies: they’ll confirm that Concord has been plagued by schismatics since the siege of Rasenna.’
The procurator smiled. ‘On the northern frontiers, you’ve had reverse
s too—’
The general took this jibe personally. ‘The Europan war does not concern anyone here! The war you’ve been discussing these last few days concerns all Etruria – for make no mistake, that war is what you mean when you say league. Today, I have placed my person in your hands. I only ask the same gesture of trust of you. Thus are bridges built. Leap the chasm, Contessa, and the day may come when our grandchildren look on each other as friends and not enemies. Peace is worth the risk.’
Not waiting for an answer, he bowed and strode out, spurs ringing, heels smartly snapping on the marble floor. The ambassadors were silent until he left, though Sofia felt their eyes on her.
Doctor Ferruccio spoke before the procurator could. ‘Now, everyone take a breath and don’t get hung up on details. If Concord wants to talk, we should talk. The boy’s right. I was at Montaperti. Anything’s preferable to that. Even at our most optimistic, no one expects a war to end in anything better than stalemate. What do we have to lose by talk? ’Tis fitting that they ask the Contessa. Her grandfather fought the first war – so how magnificent if she could stop this one. Friends don’t make peace; enemies do. The Scaligeri and Bernoulli broods have been—’
Stunned at Ferruccio’s matter-of-fact betrayal, Sofia blurted, ‘I’m not Contessa any more. I’ve given up my title.’
Levi was shocked at Sofia’s public admission, but the Tarantine ambassador waved her announcement away dismissively. ‘Then why are you here? Gonfaloniere Bombelli’s no fool. Whatever you call yourself, you’re a Scaligeri. It’s in your blood.’
Levi interrupted with exasperation, ‘You’re all taking this seriously? The Concordians mean to trick us. The Contessa escaped the belly of the beast – would you ask her to return? Whoever goes will never come back.’
‘Yes!’ cried Count Grimani in exasperation. ‘A thousand times yes. Would you ask us to go to war for you? We are each of us representing our people; thousands of lives depend on our decisions. For peace,’ he said portentously, ‘no risk is foolhardy!’
The procurator stifled a giggle into a handkerchief and hammered his gavel. ‘On that we can agree. Let’s adjourn. We all have some considering to do in light of this offer.’
Sofia was first out of her chair.
‘Tranquillo,’ said Levi. ‘We’re not at war yet. Are you all right?’
Sofia stepped back from the table, knocking her chair. Her feet didn’t work any more. She was f a l l i n g
CHAPTER 55
Levi carried Sofia back to their apartments and laid her down. In whispers he told Pedro the Concordian offer, and finished, ‘It’s a trap, a damn good trap. Spinther knows full well Sofia won’t go, and that if she doesn’t, this league will collapse before it’s even begun.’
‘You’re being irrational – what would they get from killing one girl? Call their bluff and go. I know it’s not easy to trust them, but maybe it is worth the risk. Giovanni was Concordian. They’re not all bad.’
‘If Sofia goes, they’ll just keep her till they’re strong again. The war’s opening salvo will be her execution.’
‘Water …’
They both looked down at Sofia. Levi poured a glass and handed it to her. She took a long drink, placed the glass on the locker by the bed and looked at them. Her face was wan, but she spoke with certainty. ‘Pedro, Levi’s right. War’s coming, no matter how we dull our ears to the thunder. And Giovanni wasn’t a Concordian.’
‘He may have died for Rasenna but that doesn’t change his nationality.’ Pedro gathered his courage and said, ‘And he wasn’t just any Concordian. Sofia, you need to know: Giovanni was Girolamo Bernoulli’s grandson.’
Pedro expected a furious denial, but she didn’t blink. ‘I know who he was.’
‘I don’t understand – since when?’
She took his hand and placed it on her belly. ‘Pedro, this all I have of Giovanni.’
Pedro pulled his hand away. ‘I’m an engineer, not a doctor, but even I know that’s impossible. Giovanni died two years ago. I miss him too, Sofia, but—’
‘No. Listen to me: the person we called Giovanni wasn’t human. He was a buio.’
‘… impossible …’
‘—but true. The Reverend Mother knew it, and died for it. It wasn’t an accident that brought Giovanni to me. Whatever Girolamo Bernoulli ripped apart in Nature is trying to heal itself, and I’m part of it now. The child I carry can restore things to their right track, and that’s why I can’t go to Concord. This isn’t some stratagem, it’s bigger than that. We burned the Molè, but not the beast incubating in the pit below it, and it’s getting stronger as I get weaker. Whatever makes the Irenicon flow, that power is in me now.’ She pulled herself to her feet. ‘If my baby dies, it’ll be for nothing. I have to run!’
Pedro looked at Levi. ‘She’s delirious.’
‘I’ve seen Sofia do things I can’t explain.’
‘Don’t ask me to believe that. Giovanni, whatever he was, made me an engineer.’
Sofia held him, her eyes full of pain. ‘Stand back then. I haven’t done this lately—’
She took the glass of water, turned it over in a fast, fluid motion, and – slowly – pulled the glass away from the water. Pedro stared dumbly, a child once more, and Levi tensed, though he’d seen this sorcery before.
Inside the mound of water, bubbles appeared and swirled, getting faster until they were boiling as Sofia spoke. ‘Giovanni Bernoulli died a decade before you met him, in the killing fields of Gubbio. The man we knew was a buio cursed to live in his place.’
In moments the water had dispersed into wreaths of vapour. ‘I will never get the same water back into the glass, but it hasn’t died. Water never dies.’
Sofia fell back exhausted and waited for Pedro’s decision.
‘What are we hanging around for?’ Pedro said. ‘We’re not captives – not yet. Our horses can be saddled in an instant—’
‘Where can I go? When I leave, Concord will withdraw the truce offer and all Etruria will blame me for destroying the peace. There’ll be no welcome for me in any city south of here, not even Salerno – you heard Ferruccio.’
‘Home, then.’
‘No! If I return to Rasenna, disaster will come, not just to me and my baby, but to everyone around me.’
Levi swore. ‘There must be somewhere.’
‘Not in Etruria,’ said Sofia.
Pedro looked about as a flashing green on the side of the annunciator caught his eye. ‘Hold on. There’s someone still in the basilica.’ He adjusted the control boxes and the shriek of feedback turned into something recognisable: the procurator’s smooth voice.
‘Of course we know you tried to bribe the Moor.’
‘Can’t blame a chap for trying.’
‘Not at all, General. We believe in the Free Market.’
‘Then you don’t object to a Concordian harbour?’
‘Ha ha, you’re pushy. What does Concord need a navy for, to sail its rivers? Come, we both know that the sea-corridor was just a ruse to scare us. Our spies tell us it was barely begun when work stopped.’
‘Many things have been disrupted of late. If it were a ruse, I would hardly admit it, would I?’
‘That true. It’s also the main reason we’re hosting this summit. We have no long-term interests in petty Etrurian quarrels. Without Ariminum, the Southern League’s no danger to you. So how’s this? We’ll give you the land if you leave us the sea.’
‘Divide the world? You ask a lot. The Tyrrhenian is large.’
‘And the cost of war is high.’ A pause. ‘Your offer to the Rasenneisi, you realise they won’t accept it.’
‘I know that. If you can convince the other delegates to go home, Concord will give you anything that you want. What is that, Procurator? The corno?’
‘Bah, none but a fool would wear that cap. We’ll let you have your way with Etruria if you help us invade southern Oltremare.’
‘That would isolate Byzant, but as you pointed
out, we’re not a seafaring people.’
‘No, but when it comes to siege-craft, you have no equal. No point sailing all that way unless we can take Catrina’s coastal cities. Akka especially will be a tough nut to crack …’
Darkness was falling in the harbour, and the pale lights of the boats were briefly an adequate mirror for the stars. They reached the end of the dock and found the old sailor sitting there, still reading, as if he hadn’t stirred since yesterday.
‘Ezra, you said you’re close to the Tancred’s captain,’ Sofia started. ‘I need passage to Oltremare. How much?’
‘You once boasted of being a good cook if memory serves – that’ll do. But I hope you’re not expecting to go anywhere soon. We’re locked down.’
‘We need to go tonight.’
‘Forget it. Captain Khoril isn’t authorised to start a war.’
‘Too late for that,’ said Pedro. ‘The Ariminumese mean to ally with Concord.’
Ezra didn’t look very surprised. ‘The Tancred’s fast, but one galley can’t outrun several. You’d want at least a day’s start to be sure. And that’s not the real obstacle.’
‘So what is?’ Levi asked.
Pedro answered before Ezra: ‘The chain. It’s designed to keep enemies out of the harbour, but serves as well to keep us in.’
‘Ram it,’ Sofia said.
‘The arsenalotti know their trade,’ said Pedro. ‘Even if it was possible, there are a hundred eyes on the harbour. We’d be boarded before we even got close.’
‘Then we’re trapped,’ Sofia said, a black knot in her stomach.
‘Not necessarily,’ Ezra said. ‘See that white line creeping up from that east? Feel that moisture in the air? By Vespers, there’ll be a fog so thick you won’t be able to see the colour of your own flag.’
‘Unless a wind comes.’
‘It won’t. I know a thing or two about winds.’
‘That still leaves the chain,’ said Levi flatly.
‘It’s suspended from towers either side of the bay,’ said Pedro. ‘Which is the control-tower?’