Amadeus coughed again allowing the court physician to study the bloody phlegm that he coughed up. Catching his breath he waved his hand weakly, dismissing the physician. He couldn’t even sit up anymore, resting comfortably against a pile of pillows.
He nodded to an aid who move closer, but not too close,
“Tell them to leave me, it will do no good anymore, make sure the letters are ready to depart the court the moment I die, and finally, let me know when the Cardinal gets here.”
The aid bowed and retreated leaving the Count with only a single squire, should he need anything.
Curse this plague, I had never thought I would die in bed.
He smiled wryly in self pity,
I hope my son does well, he is need of all the support he can get, and I hope he will be able to call all the markers left by my sudden disappearance.
His breath was laboured now, and it had been days since he last ate. He nodded to the Squire,
“Tell them to ready the couriers, is the Cardinal here yet?”
The squire shook his head, but left to take another look. He returned moments later followed by the honourable Grace, Thomas Cardinal Clausse, protector of S. Sabina. The Cardinals clothes were stained and dust covered, and he had not even wasted time to change. As he moved into the room in haste small clouds of dust rose from his billowing cape. Undoing it with one hand he handed it to the Squire and ordered him to leave. Then he carefully pulled a stool closer to the bed,
“So, my friend, I made it in time, his Holiness sends his regards.”
The count closed his eyes smiling,
“He’d better, he is family, and I have been naught but a staunch support.”
The cardinal frowned lightly, it was slightly blasphemous, but it would likely have to be forgiven.
“Any thing you wish to say or do before it is to late?”
The Count didn’t open his eyes,
“Just make sure that no one interferes with my son’s ascension to my fiefs, and make sure to guide him like you guided me old friend, he will need help and friends, at least until he learns to control his temper.”
The Cardinal nodded,
“I will guide him.”
He took out the tools of his trade, lit a few candles and said a quiet prayer as he donned the stole for his next burden,
“I will hear your confession now, my son.”
The count smiled,
“I doubt I have done anything in this bed that needs absolution, all past sins I have paid dearly for, and most certainly I have confessed them earlier.”
The Cardinal nodded and quietly did the sign of the cross over the Count’s still body, silently whispering Teo Absolvo. He proceeded to set up his small box and vials of holy water and candles, readying himself for the inevitable procession of the last rites.
Slowly he went through the motions with a dedication and concentration he had not felt in many years, tears slowly streaming down his face as he sprinkled his old friend with the Holy water and said the final prayers. Amadeus whispered his way through the participation without once opening his eyes. As the Cardinal touched the burning hot Count for the last time the eyes opened, and for the first time in many days they seemed clear and ready, the fever seemingly gone from them. The Count struggled to sit up, and with a surprisingly firm voice he called out,
“PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.”
With that the Count collapsed on the bed and closed his eyes again, the Cardinal sighed and slowly said a hail Mary,
“AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.”
The Cardinal slowly leaned closer and listened for a breath, but heard none, slowly he made the sign of the cross and gave the last prayer of the dead.
”Réquiem ætérnam dona ei Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in pace. Amen. ”
He stood slowly and killed the candles before turning for the table and the letters laying ready there. Softly closing the door behind him he went to find the countess, and the Seneschal to send out the message to the son, and assorted others.
The Green Count had died.
