1034. Chapter 1034

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.

"Cardinal Benedetto is an Italian, and as such, he wants to see the Papacy returned to Rome where he feels it belongs. He is therefore opposed to the French, who want the Pope to remain in Avignon. The Cardinal is from a wealthy Genoese family, and has his countrymen's distaste for their rival, Venice. He neither likes nor trusts Vaughn. The Cardinal feels that Vaughn will always sell himself to the highest bidder, but won't stay bought."

"Sounds good so far. "Castle said.

"The Cardinal is honest, as such things are in the Holy See these days."

"What does that mean?" Father Ryan asked belligerently.

"He does not need to sell Church offices or do the sorts of things Vaughn does to raise money as he's already quite rich. He has a lovely palazzo in Rome, he has a wonderful kitchen and a great staff of cooks and he has children. He also sees to it that members of his quite large family advance in the Church." Alexis looked over at Ryan, who was crossing himself and mumbling in Latin.

"And he will help us?" Castle asked.

"He will help us."

When the Castle's awoke and had their breakfast the next morning, they went outside. What they saw, surprised them.

"Huw, "Called Sir Richard, "what are all of these people doing here?" Beyond the encampment of Castle's troops were masses of wagons, carts, pack horses, mules and people on foot.

"They've heard we're crossing the Apennine Mountains to go to Rome and want to travel with us. There are bandits in the mountains."

Castle looked at the masses of vehicles, animals and people. More of each seemed to be arriving every minute.

He shook his head. "We can't take this many people across the mountains. They'll slow us down and we need to get to Rome."

Huw shrugged. "I don't see a way to stop them from following us. Anyone can use the road. It's free to all."

"Richard, "Kate said softly, "Would it take that long for us to reach Rome if we helped these poor people. Look at that family over there." Kate pointed to a young man and woman, weighted down with backpacks, who had five children gathered around them. The largest of the two children had their own heavy packs. "I know what it's like to be alone and to be afraid. To be chased by evil men and…."

"All right. We'll escort them." He turned to Huw. "Take twenty archers on good horses and be our rearguard. If you have trouble, if people can't keep up, send me a rider and we'll handle it. "

"A most noble gesture, Sir Richard." Father Ryan said. "You are truly a good, Christian man to help those less fortunate than you."

"This good deed should not go unnoticed." Lady Alexis murmured. "I have a few minstrels who can turn this into a good song to be sung all over Italy, of the brave English knight who…." She caught Castle glaring at her and stopped speaking, if not planning.

They got slowly under weigh, with much noise and confusion, mainly among the people Castle found that he was escorting: Wagons broke down, mules became uncooperative, poorly packed loads fell off of horses, children got lost, one baby was born, and one husband ran away with another woman. By the time they stopped, two hours before sundown, they had made less than half the distance Castle had hoped.

"A rider from Huw of Llandovery, Sir Richard." One of his mounted archers reported, spotting a rider overtaking them.

"What news from Huw?" Castle asked.

"Sir Richard, Huw says he's a good three miles behind you and moving slowly. And he says he's seen armed men skulking in the woods about. He reckons they're bandits."

Castle cursed under his breath, then saw Kate looking at him. "I'll send Huw another twenty mounted archers. Tell him if he's not in camp by sunset, I'll send a larger force back to help him. Bandits like to attack at night."

The rider nodded. "I'll tell him, Sir Richard." He turned his horse and rode away.

Once Castle had arranged for the additional archers, Kate approached him.

"Dearest, some of these people have very little food. Look at that family over there." She pointed to a husband and wife and their two very small children. One was just learning to walk and the other a newborn. The parents were giving almost all of their food to the children. "There are merchants with us who have lots of food."

"And they'll want gold for their food." Castle retorted.

"We have gold."

Castle shook his head. "Father Ryan, as I doubt any of us can duplicate the miracle of the fish and the loaves, please buy some food for the hungry and distribute it. Make sure that only those in need get our charity. I know that you will err on the side of generosity."

Ryan hurried off and Castle hurried off to his tent to eat before Kate thought of anything new for him to do.

The next morning Castle decided to do what he should have done the first day. He would organize the disorganized rabble trying to stay with him as he would a military convoy that he was escorting through dangerous territory. He argued with merchants who had so overloaded their wagons that they were on the verge of breaking down. Then he had some of his archers give lessons on the finer points of packing a horse. Horses and mules' hooves were examined and shod where needed. Humans were also examined and those who were too old, too young or too sickly to keep up, were put on wagons or carts. Father Ryan performed one baptism, two weddings and prevented the woman whose husband had run off with another woman from killing him when he came back to her penniless and without his shoes. It seemed the other woman was a thief.

By the time all of this was done, it was too late to travel, so the whole group settled down for another night, well rested and, thanks to Sir Richard and his gold, well fed. For his reward, Castle heard several minstrels singing his praises both as a leader of the convoy and as a soldier.

"Odd," He said, listening to one song, "I don't recall besting a giant who was twelve feet tall, nor do I recall ever taking a warship single handed."

Alexis just smiled.

The little convoy moved better the next day, however, at the end of the day, they found themselves leaving the coastal plains and heading into the mountains. That began slowing them down. The next day, the road became steeper and the winds from the mountains began to blow cold. They pressed on.

At midday, a rider from Don Federico, who was scouting ahead, rode up to Castle.

"Sir Richard. Don Federico wishes me to report to you that there are armed men ahead." Said the rider.

"How many?" Castle demanded.

"Just four that we can see. But they are well armed, well armored and ride good warhorses. Plus, the countryside around them could hold an army."

"I'll go see what they want. Kate, stay here with the…." But before Richard could finish, Kate had begun walking her horse forward, followed by Lady Alexis and then by Father Ryan.

Castle grabbed Ryan's reins. "Father Ryan, you stay here. Keep the convoy from going any further." Then he rode on after the two women.

Castle stopped by Don Federico, who was with a dozen or so men at arms, staring at the four men sitting on their horses in the middle of the road. They were as described, but Castle noticed that one man carried a banner of some sort and that two were better armed and horsed than the other two.

"I imagine they wish to talk. I'll see what they want."

"We'll see what they want." Kate corrected.

As they three rode forward, Castle grumped, "Kate, you'll be the death of me yet."

"Or your savior, my love."

They stopped in front of the four men.

"I'm Sir Richard Castle, in the service of His Grace, Rodrigo, Duke of Istria. And whom do I have the honor of addressing?"

The older man, a large, heavily bearded fellow spat. "Whom do you have the honor of addressing?" He spat again." You don't know who I am?"

"He's a bloody thief." Spoke a voice from behind.

Castle turned in his saddle. In spite of his orders to Father Ryan, a good dozen merchants on horseback had come forward and were just behind Sir Richard and the ladies.

"A thief, am I, Gregorio Montebello? And what do you call yourself? The prices you charge honest men is plain thievery." The man roared. He turned to Castle. "I am Rollo, the Lord of the Mountains. This is my son," He pointed to a younger version of himself to his right, "Cosmo, who will take over as lord of these mountains after me."

"You wish to speak to me, Lord Rollo?" Castle said as politely as he could.

"I require a toll to pass through my mountains. But your armed men have chased my tax collectors away."

"Tax collectors? "Shouted another merchant. "Thieves! Brigands! Robbers!"

"Robbers?" Roared Rollo. "Who keeps you safe from that sort in these mountains? I do. My men take a fair portion of your wealth, no more, but certainly no less. Do we leave anyone with nothing?"

"Bastico of Padua last year." Cried a merchant.

"He tried to cheat me. And when I demanded my fair payment, he insulted my son, casting aspersions on his parenthood. Any man would have done the same. And who has ever had their wife or daughter molested by me and mine? Can any man say that their women have suffered?"

"You took my daughter's new dress two summers ago." Someone shouted.

'That dress, Contino? You should have been ashamed to have given your beautiful daughter such a cheap and ugly dress. Look at me and my men? Do we live in luxury, wenching and drinking in low taverns? NO!" He roared. "We take care of our clients. When the road past the Three Sisters was washed out by the rains last winter, who repaired it? Who I ask?"

"You did. But only because everyone would have to have avoided your territory."

"And everyone would have to have traveled fifty leagues out of their way, over narrow and dangerous paths, better used by goats!" Rollo screamed.

"I believe that you have a request of us?" Lady Alexis spoke.

"Ah! Someone in this party has sense." He ran his eye over Alexis. "And beauty as well."

"Do you have an amount in mind?" Alexis asked.

"Fifty gold coins." Rollo said.

Alexis slapped the side of her head. "I'm sorry, my hearing must be damaged. I thought you said fifty gold coins. That would be a reasonable sum for a caravan bringing costly silks and spices from the lands of the Chin and the Hind. Hardly appropriate for this group. Ten gold pieces and you'll guide us through the mountains."

"Ten?" Shrieked Rollo. "Do you wish my children to starve?"

And so the bargaining began.

Two hours and eighteen gold coins later, they were on their way. Cosmo, who seemed quite taken with Lady Alexis, was their guide. Both Sir Richard and Lady Kate listened as Cosmo tried to impress Alexis.

"…and whatever you do, never stop and the Monastery of Saint Jerome. Oh, I know, monasteries are supposed to show charity to those weary travelers who arrive at their doors, but unless you donate well, you'll get moldy bread that's mostly sawdust and wine that's closer to vinegar. And if you do pay well, the bread isn't moldy, but it's still mostly sawdust and the wine tastes just a bit like vinegar. But there's a farm ahead where we can pass the night. They're gentlefolk, at least. They have little food, but their vineyards produce an excellent wine. I remember one time…."

Cosmo continued until they reached that farm. Sir Richard and Lady Kate did not see Lady Alexis or Cosmo from the end of dinner until they all rose at dawn the next day. Cosmo looked rather tired, but Lady Alexis seemed in fine fettle.