The Papacy - An Alternative History

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Gianluca woke up as the sun filtered through the shutters of the makeshift barracks that was their temporary home. His first reaction was to notice the pain on the left side of his face. His hand went instinctively up but was quickly withdrawn after inciting a further stinging rebuke.

That stupid uncouth German, he thought. Just like those types to catch you unawares. In a proper fight he wouldn't have been able to land a single blow on me

But the wound still hurt like hell. So the guy couldn't take a little light-hearted humour could he? The shame was that Gianluca was going to have to travel around with his face covered now to avoid all the ladies seeing that he had been involved in a brawl.

He rolled over onto the more comfortable side to look at the rest of the Company still fast asleep. Not being able to get back to sleep again he gingerly stepped from the bunk onto the cold stone floor. curled up in front of him lay a body. It was the body of a man but with the head of a goat.

Gianluca let out a shreek to wake up the neiughbourhood. Most of the other occupants grunted and rolled over. The goatman didn't even move. Carlos, though, was woken by the shrill cry and looked up at Gianluca. "Eh! Let Giuseppe and the rest of us get some sleep. There's a long day ahead"

 

[Lord Durham]

July 13 - Rome: Evening

Ippolito Aldobrandini, Pope Clemens VIII, looked on piously as his attendants went about the arduous task of preparing him for evening mass. Every button had to be hooked, and every fold in it's proper place.

Before him paced Ambassador Papillion, a heavy set man bordering on obese. His round face had a permanent red complexion verging on apoplexy. A stained silk handkerchief was clutched in one meaty hand and continually dabbed at his sweat-soaked face. A white shirt and blue jacket threatened to explode from his body.

"Stoppa thata pacing! Youa makin' mea sick!" the Pope whispered in a muted voice.

The French Ambassador stopped. He stared at his feet for a moment, then looked around the room at the host of Cardinals that waited on the Pope's pleasure. He quickly caught the eye of Cardinal Tenaglie, but the man stared through him. Standing in another part of the room was a Cardinal dressed in black. The man was watching Tenaglie. Then his head swung slowly to face Papillion. The Frenchman felt a pack of rats crawl up his spine. Were all these religious types so spooky? He prayed the man he had working with Tenaglie had a better stomach for this.

"What isa this about, Ambassador Papillion?" Again the raspy voice.

The Ambassador gathered himself. "Your Holiness, it's about the Free Company. I insist that..."

"You presumea to lecture me, Ambassador? Thisa notta de time or de placea fora dis. Thea Company is a mya guests." The Pope held out his hand.

The fat man bent to kiss the proffered ring. "My apologies, your Holiness, I shall await your pleasure." He turned to leave the room. For a second he caught the eye of Cardinal Tenaglie. This time the man smiled, a thin humourless line.

Elsewhere, the Cardinal dressed in black watched the exchange with interest.

-----------------

LH: I assume your post takes place on the morning of the 11th? Either that or Jess likes to travel with the goats head

For the new people, and the newly returned, I'd appreciate it if you attach a date to your post to help with the flow of the timeline. Thanks so much...

 

[Storey]

July 13th at night in a small town near Rome

Stroneger tossed and turned on his cot. Yokel was snoring in the corner making it impossible to sleep. He finally gave up and put on his clothes and boots hoping that a little walk would give Yokel time to snore himself out and maybe the exercise would help him fall asleep when he returned. Stroneger noticed that the clouds were increasingly blotting out the moon which didn't bode well for tomorrow's weather. As he walked around the darken town he occasionally would stumble and curse whatever it was that had caused it. Coming near the Tavern that the company was still drinking in a movement in the dark by one of the windows caught his eye. He stared but at that moment the clouds covered that moon and what light he had was gone. He waited a moment but could see nothing and finally decided that he hadn't seen anything and moved on.

The figure that had ducked below the window slowly rose up when he was sure that Stroneger had left. He winced from the pain from his old scars but went back to listening to what was being said in the room.

OOC Just a segment to practice posting a date and time.

 

[Lord Durham]

July 13 - Evening - in that small town near Rome


Mortlock shifted in the chair. His leg ached. Must be rain coming, he thought. He fixed Forster with a glare. "The Pope can do whatever he pleases. We exist on his sufferance, nothing else."

Pohlmann went to the door and stuck his head out. There was a whistle. Moments later Bill Wallace stalked in, his look belligerent.

"Whadya thin' I am, some sort o' sheep, ta whistle a' me like that, ya no good..." His tirade faded when he saw the serious faces. He suddenly found a knothole very interesting.

Pohlmann said, "I thought he should be here. Lieutenant, doesn't the Company record stand for anything?"

Mortlock nodded. "It does. We have saved the Papacy several times over in our long history, but I'm afraid it could boil down to 'What have you done for us lately'."

Jess and Felipe exchanged looks. They were out of their league. As far as they were concerned, politics meant giving the wine bottle to the biggest son-of-a-bitch that asked for it.

Doctor said, "How accurate is your information, Lieutenant?"

Mortlock reached for the bottle and poured a glass. "Quite accurate. Why?"

"Well, do we know what the Pope hopes to gain by terminating us?"

Mortlock shrugged. "An alliance with France."

"Allow me to speak frankly, sir, but I think you place too much importance on the Free Company. Surely the termination of our contract is but a condition of a series of conditions. The Pope, from what I've heard, is a shrewd man. If he agrees to terminate us, then the French must have something of equal value to offer."

Mortlock raised his glass and stopped. "Of course."

The rest of the men put on their best confused expressions. Only Pohlmann looked reflective.

Mortlock said, "We have to find out what the Pope needs, and what the French have to offer."

Pohlmann nodded. "Ja. We have to make ourselves...what's that English word? Indispensable."

At that moment there was a crash and a curse from outside the window.

Wallace moved quickly and covered the distance in three long strides. He threw open the shutters. Outside it had begun to rain. "There! In a distance. Someone runs!"

Several others joined him. By that time the man had disappeared down a town alleyway.

"We'll never find him in the dark." Forster said. "I wonder who he was?"

"A spy by the looks of it," Jess said. Maria hadn't left his side.

"Aye," said Rictus. "A spy who curses in French."

-------------------

OOC:

Storey posted:
OOC Just a segment to practice posting a date and time.

Is this my lot in life, to be surrounded by sarcastic comedians?

 

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Did you ever make any screen shots?

 

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Alleghri had walked out after evening mass by a door to a more private sacresty, he removed his ring and quickly placed it in his purse, he placed the hood on his head. Alleghri bowed and just another Dominican friar by the looks of it scurried back to the large monastery just within Rome, once there he joined the many monks waiting to begin Vespers.

The ceremony was over but still took to long for him, he waited in the Cloisters, ever watchful. He removed the hood and placed the ring back on his finger, he opened the door to the Abbot's cell, the Abbot promptly dropped to one knee and kissed the proffered hand. Alleghri settled himself in the uncomfortable chair offered, it was unfortunately the only one.

"My most dear brother, you order has served the Inquisition well over many years and sadly we are a depleted force now. The Eternal City is still full of eternal non-stop politics and intrigue. And I just wanted a quiet life."

He paused as the Abbot tried to grasp what he would be asked to do, Alleghri began again.

"I realise you no longer inspire fear in the Curia however I do have one small request of you my child." He leaned to within an inch of the Abbot's ear. "Who is Tenaglie ?"

The Abbot grinned and entered a lengthy description of the Cardinal's whereabouts. Alleghri smiled serenely as he listened.

"Very good then my child that is where you should start looking."

Alleghri walked silently away, his carriage was waiting outside with his indispensible secretary. The secretary was alas French and seemed very self-interested but he could be trusted at least. Alleghri sat himself in the cushioned carriage, Domeville passed him some notes none were of interest and often only required a facial expression.

"Domeville ?"

"Yes your Eminence."

"I wish to hold a dinner, invite all the Cardinals from Italy and be sure to invite Ambassador Papillion."

Alleghri smiled at the thought of the ambassador being able to resist a dinner invitation he leant over and whispered that above all else Papillion and Tenaglie must be invited and must sit together, near to him.

Perhaps these uncouth barbarians on their way have a use outside of bars, brothels and battlefields.

 

[Lord Durham]

Dan: Depends on what kind of screenshots you're asking about. This thread has become an RPG AAR exclusively. I put up screens of locations and cities that tie into the storyline. On the previous page there is a screen of Palermo. A few pages earlier are screens of a battle that the Company fought.

If you mean EU screens I haven't posted one for some time. It might not be a bad idea if I can locate one for the present time period, though.

Oh hell, now that you mention it, here's one of Rome... (courtesy Sgt.B)

Sheilbh: A dinner! Shades of the Cromwell spinoff threads! Don't tell Bloomfield or Lionheart, they'll race right over



The Eternal City

 

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Originally posted by Lord Durham
OOC:
Is this my lot in life, to be surrounded by sarcastic comedians?

July 13, late at night. In a small town near Rome...

Yes.

 

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Vatican. July 14th. A little after Dawn.

Without looking up from his desk Cardinal Tenaglie asked, "where are they now?"

"They will probably reach Sezze tonight. Then it will be three more days to Rome, unless they tarry."

"Mmmh." Tenaglie put his quill down. "That does not give us much time.... What did our man in Palermo report?"

"Well," replied Sparafucile, taking a piece of paper from his pocket, "frankly it makes you wonder. It is hard to tell why our French friend is so insanely frightened of them. By this report they seem more like an inbred lot of careless brutes. True, they have some impressive military achievements, but apparently they shave each other completely for weddings. I mean completely. They spend more time in a local tavern with a strange name than in the parade grounds and even the ranks are admitted and mingle with the officers. There were some unclear reports of baths in pig's blood, but our man must have misunderstood something there.

"Anyway, here are the details, your Eminence:

"The Free Company delegation to Rome is being led by a Lieutenant Rictus, an Englishman of mysterious antecedents who goes missing for days. But he did lead the front rank at Roncesvalles, and in his youth apparently held some positions against Turkish elite cavalry with just a handful of men in some Bosnian hell-hole. On the other hand, he wears a studded dog collar."

Card. Tenaglie raised an eyebrow.

"Their cavalry," continued Sparafucile, "is commanded by a recently promoted Lieutenant, Froster, I think, a taciturn fellow, but a fierce fighter, I think. Our French friend hates him in particular.

"Sergeants and corporals are apparently mostly made up of sons of officers. There are German Lieutenants, a whole modern German mounted infrantry unit, in fact. There is a Scottish officer, surely a damned Protestant. And there is a strange group of heathen warriors from the East, from a country called Ippon. They were there at Roncesvalles. There is a young Muslim artillery commander, who doubles as a doctor, no doubt putting the hellish fire of Satan in the men's bellies. This damned heathen is printing heathen pamphlets in Arabic in Palermo, your Eminence. There is a Jew who is allowed into the officers mess, one Herzbluth. Perhaps a connection to the Herzbluths of Prague who supply His Holiness' ermine furs? But as if that were not enough Godlessness, there is a German doctor who is well-known as a heretic. He wrote a tract denying the operation of divine force in the movement of corporeal bodies, called The Use of Gravity in the Pursuit of the Ultimate Application of Force. Men have burned at the stake for lesser heresies, your Eminence."

Cardinal Tenaglie waived impatiently for Sparafucile to continue.

"Although I doubt that it was a coincidence that the Devil appeared in Palermo while the Company was there, it can't be said that the whole Free Company is heretic your Eminence. There are, for instance, some Irish members. And the Irish are devout supporters of His Holiness. Strangely enough, the Company apparently writes everything down. They have a scribe of sorts, half-witted by all accounts, and their own printing house. And they brought a librarian, a son of the senior Lieutenant, with them. A military company with a librarian!"

"So this Rictus leads the Company?" interposed Tenaglie.

"No. There is a Captain in Palermo, a drunken sod who is fond of tarts and probably too syphilitic to travel. He was severely wounded at Roncesvalles, and is the worst of the lot. Constantly carries around a huge sabre, probably to make up for the fact that he is one of the few Company men who never distinguished themselves in battle. Apparently he had sense enough to wait out his predecessor's retirement. His name is Bloomfield, and he is feared in Palermo: He once tied a naked drunk man to the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (Sparafucile crossed himself) "and tried to tell Bishop Orvieto some story about vampyric bats."

Sparafucile sighed. "Our task might have been much easier if Bloomfield had come himself..."

Cardinal Tenaglie looked pensive.

"Oh, and there is this," continued Sparafucile, "a dinner invitation from Cardinal Alleghri. Papillion, the French Ambassador will be there."

"Cardinal who?" asked Tenaglie, taking the invitation from Sparafucile, "I thought I knew the Curia..."

 

[Derek Pullem]

Late evening 13 July

Eric Pohlman called his closest comrades together after the meeting with Lieutenants Rictus and Mortlock. Otto, Spiros and young Jordi gathered round the table.

"We need to take this threat seriously" Eric frowned. "The French won't forgive or forget the Company's efforts in the war and the Papacy has not had call of the Company's services for some time. So what do we know?"

"There's a Frenchie spy around" answered Spiros

"Someone in the Vatican doesn't like us" added Otto.

"Right, but that tells us more - if the French were confident of ridding themselves of the Company, why would they need spies? And if they are not confident of the outcome that means we have friends somewhere - or at least the french have enemies. This is what we'll do."

"Jordi and I will try to spot and trail the spy. I'm sure we'll get some help from Jess and Felipe and a few of the other young bucks. Otto, I want you to go on ahead to Rome with Spiros. If there is politicking in the Vatican then there will be parties and banquets. And where there are banquets there are cooks who need spices. And Venetians still control the spice trade in Italy, nicht wahr? Spiros, you know some of the Venetian trade houses. See if you can find out what's going on in Rome. And this time we make sure everyone knows what is going on. Daily reports at least, please. Use runners if you must. Be careful"

 

[Forster]

Somebody hates me? Poor little me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

 

[Sgt. Bloomfield]

Originally posted by Forster
Somebody hates me? Poor little me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

Kick French Arse???

 

[Lord Durham]

The Web Page has been updated with the map of Palermo. I'll update the Cast of Characters in the OOB section once we reach Rome.

A scathing indictment, Tenaglie! Besides Barkdreg, Bloomfield, Rictus, De Lyon, Forster, Misha, Mortlock, Doctor, Ijiro, Pohlmann, Ristard and Stroneger, is the Company really that bad?

 

[Lord Durham]

Ambassdor Alvarez Del Grande fumed. He was tall for a Spaniard, but dark and thin with a black goatee and hair drawn in a fashionable braid. He stood with hands on hips and glared at his servant, Miguel.

"Another insult! I tell you, Miguel, we are in danger of being cast aside by this Pope and his new found French lap-dogs! Does he not remember the years of service we have provided the Papacy as close allies? Fetch me wine!"

The Spanish Ambassador barely paid attention as the young boy scurried to see after his master's request.

"And now this!" Del Grande continued. "A party! A party thrown by Cardinal Alleghri, who has the audacity to invite that fat pig Papillion and not me! Does he not know that French side of beef will eat up all his stores?"

The boy cautiously approached the Spaniard. He feared the man when he was in a rage. He offered up the glass. "Perhaps it is an oversight, senor Del Grande. I could always ask..."

The Spaniard snarled and snatched the glass, spilling part of it's contents. "Alvarez Del Grande begs from no man! Clean that mess up!" He downed the contents and went to refill the glass himself.

A notion struck him. "Cardinal Almeida," Del Grande whispered. "Of course. He and this Alleghri have something in common. The Inquisition. I'll have the good Cardinal jog this man Alleghri's memory. I'm sure my friend Almeida wouldn't mind discussing 'the good old days' with Cardinal Alleghri. Miguel! Boy! I have an errand for you!"

 

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Alleghri watched the food being brought to his expansive home for preparation of the dinner that would in a few days time happen. He had already received three notices from irate ambassadors about them not being invited even though Papillion was. Alleghri was quick to write as post addendum on Papillion's invitation that he was one of very few ambassadors being invited, Alleghri had decided that the French ambassador shared the qualities of the French King, particularly egotism and arrogance.

A cardinal's coach was approaching, Alleghri so prayed it was Tenaglie, his trustworthy Abbot had yet to provide any information. It was not Tanaglie, a Spaniard, at least the heraldry suggested that. Alleghri searched his brain quickly for the name as the Cardinal reached his door. Almeida or so Alleghri hoped, he rang the bell for a servant, the well uniformed middle-aged man bowed deeply. "Open the door for Cardinal Almeida, I'll be in my study."

The room was expansive and the walls were lined with books, from Herodotus to St. Mark and everything in between. Being read at the moment was of course the Bible, as a general rule of thumb when a religious guest was visiting that was the book put out, when secular it would be some Inquisition transcript to unnerve them slightly.

"Your Eminence, His Eminence Cardinal Almeida to see you."

"Thank you," Alleghri stood, walked to the Cardinal and in traditional fashion kissed his cheek. "My brother in Christ it is an honour to see you, please take a seat. Shall you stay for lunch ?"

"No, thank you I do however wish to discuss your dinner." Almeida was unimpressive, although he was once deemed higly influential in the Inquisition and the Church generally. That was once, now the French were in favour.

"Yes I do apoligise but I am catering only for the Cardinals of Italy, it is in honour of our Primate, the Vicar of Christ. I am however sure you understand my most dear friend." He smiled politely to Almeida, his mind flashing to the fact that he was well connected to Del Grande, so that was why he was here. Alleghri quickly moved to neutral ground and entered a lengthy discussion on the state of the Church and the Inquisition. This conversation soon petered out.

"You know certain people, influential people are annoyed at the fact that you invite one ambassador but not the another."

"Yes, although as you know my most dear brother I have always been a friend and ally to Spain in the Papal court, and I will continue to be. Unfortunately Spain is out of favour and one must know ones enemy or opponent to defeat them, and God-willing I will. Papillion is a pig waiting to be roasted." Alleghri could tell the answer had somewhat satisfied Almeida, of course Vincenzo was nowhere near an ally of Spain, although an enemy of your enemy is your friend and Papillion's interests and influence were to much. Tenaglie on the other hand was to enigmatic and Alleghri would know what was happening.

As Cardinal Almeida left Alleghri seriously considered inviting the leaders of the Free Company and sitting them on a table with other secular guests - namely Papillion. However cruel albeit amusing this would be Alleghri would learn nothing of Tenaglie or Paillion, "Maybe another time." He thought to himself.

 

[Derek Pullem]

July 14 Midday - Rome

“So how do we approach the Venetians?” asked Otto as he and Spiros entered the gates of the Holy City.

“Leave that to me!” Spiros answered. “My second cousin’s husband is a clerk with one of the big Trading Houses. He will know what’s going on.”

“How do you get to know all of these people, Spiros? I thought Venice was run by Italians?”

“Venice may be run by Italians, Otto, but you can’t run a business without clerks and sailors and guards and servants. An educated Greek can make a good living greasing the wheels of Venetian trade.”

“And what about you?” asked Otto

“Never said I was educated did I” replied Spiros “Besides, I would rather return home to Spartillas on the beautiful island of Korfu on my horse in my best uniform than shuffle in carrying a pile of books. Always goes down well with the ladies!” he grinned.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“Spiros, how long as it been? Three, four years?” The clerk greeted Spiros warmly.

“Too long, Yannis, too long. And how is Christina and little Taki?” enquired Spiros.

“Well, both well. Taki is not so small now ! What can I do for you?” asked Yannis.

“I have some friends, Yannis, who may be in some difficulties with the Papal princes. I need to know if anyone has been spending money entertaining the cardinals recently”

“Well, that’s strange. It was only yesterday that we received a large order for some expensive foodstuffs and perfumes from Cardinal Alleghri. He’s one of the old school Inquisitors. Not one to throw a party normally. Rumour has it that all the cardinals in Italy are going. It’s to be held in a couple of days time.

Also the fat French pig of an ambassador, Papillion, has been a regular customer over the last few weeks. Not just ordinary requests either – very costly items. Gold and silver crucifixes, “unusual” books (if you knoew what I mean!) and specific requests for “comely” men- and maidservants. If you ask me he’s worse than the lot of them”

“Hmmm….this party. Could you arrange for some friends of mine to be delivery men? No questions asked.” Spiros jingled the coins in a heavy purse.

“I’m sure that can be arranged, Spiros” smiled Yannis. “Now lets have a glass of wine and you can tell me tales of the Spanish war.”

“That sounds good. But first let me speak to my friend. He needs to arrange a few things for the party”

 

[Storey]

Re: Vatican. July 14th. A little after Dawn.

Originally posted by Card. Tenaglie


But as if that were not enough Godlessness, there is a German doctor who is well-known as a heretic. He wrote a tract denying the operation of divine force in the movement of corporeal bodies, called The Use of Gravity in the Pursuit of the Ultimate Application of Force. Men have burned at the stake for lesser heresies, your Eminence."

(OOC)
Oops The devil made me do it! I think I had better go read my bible which I always carry with me when I travel. Great post.



Joe

 

[Lord Durham]

July 14 - Morning to Evening

While Otto and Spiros had left the previous evening to enter Rome undetected, and Sergeant Pohlmann was out hunting the spy, Lieutenant Mortlock decided to make an official appearance in advance of the main Company body.

On the morning of July 14 he rode off with Yokel, Stroneger and a cavalry escort that included a young Gianluca De Lyon, who did his best to stay as far away from the German scholar as possible. On a last minutes whim, Mortlock invited Wallace and the Irishman Ristard along.

"Ever been to Rome, Billy?" Mortlock asked the huge Scot.

The man raised a bushy red eyebrow. "A soona be call William than Billy, Lieutenant, ifn' ya don' mind."

"Of course not."

"An the ansa i' no. I havna been to Rome."

They spent the day in travel, chased by a light drizzle of rain. By late afternoon the Eternal City was in sight.

Wallace stopped. "Will ya look o' the size o' the place."

Mortlock smiled. "You ain't seen nothing yet."

Ristard, who was equally impressed, but didn't show it, cracked, "Come along Willie. I'll protect ye. After all, one look at that skirt and..."

A withering glare shut the Irishman up.

They edged their horses on and soon passed through the Porta Appia and into the city.

Mortlock, Yokel and Stroneger had been to Rome before, but the rest of the men were slack-jawed in awe.

Yokel said, "There's a tavern by the Tiber called the 'Seventh Legion'..."

Stroneger broke in, "I know the place."

"Good. If you would be so kind to lead the good Lieutenant and his men there, I will meet up with you later. I have people to meet. Oh, ah, could someone take care of my room for me? It's my funds, see..." Mortlock waved the man away, and Yokel veered right, to be lost among the throngs of people.

Mortlock said, "We'll get settled in and announce ourselves tomorrow. Lieutenant Rictus should be here in two days."

As they walked their horses down the ancient roadway, the Coliseum rising majestically to their right, a lone figure stepped from the shadows of a stall and followed discreetly after.

 

[Storey]

July 14 Late afternoon

Stroneger had made excuses about going to see old friends and had left the 'Seventh Legion' soon after arriving. He had business to attend to and didn't see where the Company needed to know about it. He moved at a brisk pace toward the Vatican.

Stroneger approached the Vatican by the Scala Pia. He would have liked to enter by the covered way which leads from the Cortile di Belvedere to the Cortile della Sentinella and thence to the exit door situated at the back of the palace because it was a shorter route but that way was used only for official purposes and this certainly wasn't an official visit. He continued to the rear of the Cortile del Forno which was the entrance to the Nicchione and the museum buildings. He showed the guard his pass and was waved through. On entering he saw before him the great loggia Nicchione. It had been a few years since his last visit but he still knew the way. This place was the Giardino della Pigna and he now needed to turn left to reach his goal. He passed through two large courts before coming to the third one. The third huge court, Cortile di Belvedere, lay on a much lower level but was in an exact line with the other two. At the rear and to the left was the library, his goal! There was a small door off to the side which he approached and knocked on. The door opened and there before him stood Giovanni. Stroneger hadn't seen his friend for over a year and a half and he noticed little if any changes. Giovanni's smile was as wide as ever and his bald head still showed the scar from a battle in his youth. A wound that Stroneger had dressed himself that had saved Giovanni's life. Giovanni embraced Stroneger and the two entered the large room.

"My friend it is good to see you again. I hope your wife and children are doing well."

"They are well and will insist that you come for dinner when I tell them that Stroneger has come to Rome once again. But although I know you want to hear all about my family we have some business to attend to first and given it's nature we should do it quickly. I have a manuscript that you will find fascinating to put it mildly and it is in perfect condition."

Giovanni went to the back of the desk that dominated the room and pulled open a large drawer to reveal a leather bound manuscript that he lifted out and placed on the desk.

"It was destined to be expurgated last month but I managed to liberate it and knew that you would be interested."

Giovanni paused and the read the title

"Thalia".

Stroneger couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"The Thalia? Written by Arius?"

Giovanni rubbing his hands in glee responded.

"Yes it's the only copy that I have ever seen in the hands of the church. I don't have the complete history of this particular copy but the story that was told to me by the priest that brought it in was that he had been tracking the manuscript for over twenty years in the name of the church. He first heard about it when he was told of an old trader that worked the bazaars along the coast of Egypt who stumbled on the book and knew at once what he was looking at. He managed to procure it and disappeared from sight. The priest managed to track him to the island of Crete where the trader was murdered by those who were going to buy it from him. I guess they didn't like his asking price. From there it was taken to Anthens but never arrived because pirates captured the ship putting the crew and passengers to the sword. Who knows what would have happed to the manuscript if it hadn't been for a Venetian fleet that captured the pirate ship before they could do anything destructive to the book. This is where it passed into the hands of the Venetian admiral who had a fondness for antiquities. It was this happenstance that caused the priest to lose track of the manuscript for over ten years. It stayed in the Venetian admiral's care until his death last year. When his family sold off his possessions they had no idea what they had and then the strangest of events happened. The same priest who had lost the trail so many years before was traveling through Venice and happened to see the manuscript and bought it from them. He quickly brought it to the Vatican where upon delivering it he collapsed and was treated by me for over a week. He told me the story as I tended to his needs until he unfortunately died. I had hoped that the church would in it's wisdom realize that the manuscript was no longer a danger to the church but unfortunately the fools here chose to burn it even though the Codex expurgatorius can't possibly be concerned with this manuscript."

Stroneger just stared at the book in awe.

"This is almost too much to believe. The original was written over a thousand years ago. Rumor has it that it was one of the first books banned by the First Ecumenical Council of Nicæa in 325. And I don't know of another copy to be found anywhere. Giovanni you have out done yourself! I assume that the usual finders fee and percentage of the profits when I sale it are agreeable to you?"

"Of course Stroneger I trust you completely. You know where to deposit the money. Now take the book and leave quickly. The sooner it is out of the Vatican the better."

Going to the door Giovanni let Stroneger out and shaking hands the two men parted company. Stroneger's feet hardly touched the ground as he made his way back to the 'Seventh Legion'

 

[Lord Durham]

July 14 - Late Afternoon

Otto and Spiros were leading their horses south from Yannis' shop, walking parallel to the Tiber River. The bustle of people and the smell dissuaded the men from carrying on any conversation. They wanted to get out of the city as quickly as possible, before light faded.

Spiros stopped and nudged Otto. "Look."

Otto saw hundreds of people going about their business. "Where? What am I looking for? Not another one of your overweight wenches I hope."

"No! There." He pointed. "Follow my arm. See? Isn't that the German scholar... Stronganger, Strangler... what ever his name is?"

Otto was becoming exasperated, until, "Yeah. I see him. And it's Stroneger! Good German name. If he's here, then the Comapny must be here."

"Already? Not even they can march that fast."

"No, stupid. I can't believe you people invented logic. Some of the Company must have ridden ahead. Let's follow him. It'll save us a trip back to the main force."

They set out and followed the elderly man, who walked like a demon possessed. Eventually he disappeared inside a tavern.

Otto and Spiros led their horses to a stable next door and dropped the boy a copper. They entered the tavern.

"Did you catch the name of the place?"

"Can't read."

"Oh. Over there. I see Lieutenant Mortlock, Ristard and Wallace."

As they worked their way to the table, they ended up in the middle of a group of ladies. The ladies were standing together and sneaking peeks at the Company table. Otto and Spiros studied the ladies, looked at the table, at each other, then shrugged.

Suddenly Spiros pointed. "I think I know what this is about. Look."

Otto looked. "Good God. Let's go."

They walked over to the large oaken table and sat down.

Mortlock was surprised. "How'd you find us?"

"Easy. We followed Stroneger."

The Lieutenant frowned. "What was he doing out and about?"

Ristard cut in, "See? The girls are watching us again. I think they like us."

Otto leaned over to Mortlock. "I think it's Wallace that has their attention. Look."

Mortlock looked down, then rolled his eyes. "Wallace! Will you kindly close your legs!"