1033. Chapter 1033

After Much Ado About Murder

Part Three

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: The game's afoot. Follow your spirit and upon this fanfic, cry," God for Istria, England and Lady Katherine." Rating: K Time: Immediately following After Much Ado About Murder, Part Two.

"Who is this man?" Lord Pietro asked, having followed Sir Richard.

"An assassin." Spat Kate. "He's murdered my father."

"This is sacrilege!" Boomed the voice of Bishop Vaughn. "That's Father John from my entourage. You've murdered him. Arrest these two at once. The murder of a priest is an ecclesiastical matter. They'll face a Church court for their crimes."

"That they may do." Said a much quieter voice. "But the investigation, and any further proceedings will be done under my jurisdiction, as canon law provides." That was Bishop d'Alencon.

"Father John was one of my people. I demand the right to punish the guilty." Vaughn roared.

"Demand all you want, Bishop Vaughn. This crime falls under the jurisdiction of the Bishop in whose See the alleged crime occurs."

While Vaughn objected, Bishop d'Alencon knelt by the body of the killer.

"What are you doing?" Vaughn demanded.

"When I was a young priest, I worked in a hospital in a monastery. I studied quite of bit of the medical art, before leaving the monastery. I intend to examine the deceased." D'Alencon looked up at Kate. "Perhaps Lady Katherine would prefer to leave and spare herself the sight of what I'm about to do?"

"Lady Katherine will stay." Kate said sharply.

D'Alencon took a small knife out and cut away the killer's robe.

"How odd. It seems Father John has a scabbard for a knife tied around his neck." D'Alencon picked up the knife that had fallen to the floor. It fit the scabbard perfectly.

"Perhaps James Beckett attacked him and Father John defended himself and killed him." Vaughn said.

D'Alencon laughed. "And then took the time to tie the scabbard around his own neck? Did anyone see Sir James with this weapon? It is rather large. It would be noticeable."

"He could have had it secreted here." Vaughn replied.

Bishop d'Alencon continued examining the corpse.

"This is odd. This fellow was branded on his shoulder. The brand indicates he was once a French galley slave."

"The Church accepts sinners who have truly repented." Vaughn replied.

"Those sent to the galleys are considered too evil to be executed. A slow death chained to an oar is what they get. You did check this fellows bona fides, did you not, Bishop Vaughn."

Vaughn didn't say a word for a long minute. "He came to me claiming to be a mendicant priest. He was strong and I needed someone like that for my journey here."

"Dear me. You may have been taken in by a rogue, my dear bishop. I shall send to Rome to find out. Our Holy Father may be in France, but the records of the Church and the bureaucracy remain in Rome. In the meantime, I believe Sir Richard and Lady Katherine can go about their business while I investigate."

"But they have killed a priest in my entourage."

"Did they?" D'Alencon said, with a slight smile. "I haven't established that he's an actual priest." The bishop turned to Duke Rodrigo. "Could you have the corpse of this man sent to the Church hospital? I wish to examine him more closely. Oh, and we can release Sir James Beckett's remains to his family for burial."

Over the next two days, Kate worked very hard getting ready for her father's funeral. The day dawned bright and sunny, in opposition to Kate's feelings. She, and her whole household, dressed in black, attended the funeral mass presided over by Bishop d'Alencon. Both Rick and Kate were surprised at how many people attended the funeral. Sir James Beckett was obviously loved and respected by many people in Pola. Even the owners of the wine shops that he patronized after the loss of his wife attended, although Kate had trouble accepting their condolences.

After the funeral, Kate returned to their palazzo and spent the afternoon sobbing in Rick's arms.

The next day a page arrived from Duke Rodrigo, asking if the Castles could come to see the duke. Although still in pain from her loss, Kate agreed.

When they arrived at the Ducal palazzo , Duke Rodrigo rose and bowed to Kate. Don Pietro Dandalo, Bishop d'Alencon and Don Federico Podesta, the half-brother of the Duke, were also present and stood as well.

"Dona Katherine, you have my sympathy for your loss. Your father was a great man and an asset to all of Istria."

The others also added their condolences.

Kate nodded. "Do you have something you wish from us?"

"If you are up to it."

"If it has to do with destroying Bishop Vaughn and d'Braquenne, I am up for anything. Even if he didn't directly order it, I know d'Braquenne is ultimately responsible for my father's death."

"We need to know more about who supports Vaughn in Rome."

"And who opposes him." Added Lord Pietro.

"The politics of the Vatican are complex and tangled. "Bishop d'Alencon added. "However, I have a friend, Angelo Cardinal Benedetto, who can unravel the mysteries of the Vatican for you. As I have said, although the Pope now resides in France, the bureaucracy remains in Rome."

Castle frowned. "That sounds more like a task for a diplomat, not a soldier."

"Ah, "Said the Duke, "but we are talking peace here. The departure of a diplomat would cause questions to be asked. But, if a valiant soldier should take his new bride to see the glories of the Eternal City, Rome, who would complain?" Rodrigo looked about, as if looking for hidden listeners. "No one must know that you are seeing Cardinal Benedetto. Both Bishop d'Alencon and I will give you letters of introduction, but show them to no one but the Cardinal himself."

"Kate and I can be ready in a day. Can we take the small scout ship to cross the Adriatic?"

"I think several galleys would be in order." The Duke said. The others nodded in agreement.

"Several?" Kate asked.

"You and your husband were the target of an assassination plot. We must assume your enemies will try again. I would want you to be protected by a company of a hundred mounted archers, although a hundred and fifty would be better. And a hundred knights and men at arms. Word of your successful campaigns has spread. We have newly recruited well over two hundred English archers, and a hundred fine knights. Plus many crossbowmen and spearmen. You can take your pick."

Castle thought for a moment. "I'd prefer to take men I know. I can add the new recruits to my existing companies, and then form a new company. I think that Huw of Llandovery is ready to command his own company."

Don Federico shot to his feet. "Sir Richard, may I have the honor of leading your men at arms?"

"If your brother, the Duke, has no need for you here, of course."

Duke Rodrigo nodded. "Of course, you may go, Federico."

"And may I take Father Ryan with me? His knowledge of the Church will be useful." Castle asked.

Duke Rodrigo nodded again.

It took longer for the party to get under weigh than Castle had imagined. Virtually his entire army volunteered for his escort and choosing one hundred and fifty archers and a hundred men at arms, was difficult. They also found that they had no means of transporting enough horses across the Adriatic to mainland Italy. A fast ship was quickly sent to locate and purchase suitable horses in Italy.

Many other problems, large and small arose, but all were eventually resolved and half the Istrian navy headed across the sea for Ravenna with Sir Richard, Lady Katherine, Father Ryan and Lady Alexis. Castle wondered if Lady Alexis would be hit by a bolt of lightning once in Rome, but decided Alexis could take care of herself.

They landed in Ravenna and found, as sometimes happens, that all of the horses contracted for were not there, some of those that were there, were not what was requested, and, if the horse was a proper mount, there was no saddle or other tack. Castle decided to let Huw and Don Federico see to the horses, while he, Kate and Father Ryan looked for inns to accommodate his entourage.

"This was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire, you know." Father Ryan said, pointing out a damaged Roman villa.

"I thought Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire. "Castle said. "Seems logical."

Ryan shook his head. "Rome was the capital for many years. But, later, the Emperor was whichever general had the troops necessary to seize the throne. Since the emperors depended on their armies, the Emperors stayed close to their troops, so the capital went with the emperor, mostly near the German frontier. Most of the Empire's enemies where there, so that's where the army was. The Emperor Honorius moved the capital to Ravenna in 401 Anno Domini because the marshes surrounding the city make it easier to defend and Ravenna had strong fortifications. The capital remained here until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 Anno Domini."

"I suppose there's a lesson there, but I'm not sure what it is." Castle remarked.

Kate, who spoke excellent Italian asked several people where they might find an inn where a very large group could be accommodated. Finally, one man told them of a large inn on the outskirts of Ravenna that had a large open space around it where Castle's soldiers could stay. They walked back to the docks where they found that Huw and Don Federico had all of the horses, and gear needed.

"Did you have any problems?" Castle asked.

"Not once we explained that a large number of heavily armed soldiers would have to stay here if all the horses weren't provided. A large number of angry, heavily armed soldiers, who knew the horse sellers faces and names. It all went well. "Don Federico said with a smile.

"Good. I think we have a place to stay, if you don't mind sleeping out of doors."

Both Huw and Don Federico laughed.

"We've been sleeping out of doors since we were children, Sir Richard. But you and your lady will need an inn. And Lady Alexis."

"And Father Ryan." The priest added. "I slept in the wild many years ago in Ireland, but not now."

The inn was as advertised: Large, comfortable and with room outside for both man and horse. Huw and Don Federico, although officers, chose to stay with their men.

While the Castles and Father Ryan were eating, they were joined by Lady Alexis.

"I've been looking into this Cardinal Benedetto we're going to meet." She said, sitting by Lady Katherine.

"You've been spying on a Prince of the Church?" Ryan gasped.

"You know about our mission?" Castle said in a hushed tone.

Alexis rolled her eyes in a very Kate-like way. "Of course I spy, and of course I know." She shook her head. "What would you do without me?"

Kate suppressed a grin, then spoke. "Lady Alexis has served our cause well. We should he glad that she continues to do so. Please continue Lady Alexis."

"One thing." Rick interrupted. "How did you know about our mission?"

Lady Alexis sighed. "You do know that great noblemen and high churchmen don't write their own letters. They tell scribes what to write. And what do scribes have in common?"

"Ink stained fingers?" Castle ventured.

"They're men." Alexis said, then smiled. "Sir Richard, have you ever noticed that your correspondence is written in a rather feminine hand lately?"

"You write my letters?"

"I assist Lady Katherine. Now, if we can continue?"

"Please do." Kate said, before her husband could say anything else.