1040. Chapter 1040

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.

"If de'Braquenne is caught with half his army on the other side of the river…." Pietro began.

"And the river rises to cut them off. We can crush him." Rodrigo finished.

"They're forming up into conrois. Someone said.

"What are conrois?" Kate asked.

"A French term. "Castle replied. "It's a group of ten to twelve knights that train to fight together. They're far more dangerous than a dozen knights fighting singly would be."

"De' Braquenne seems to have a lot of conrois." She said, scanning the battlefield.

"That they do, Kate. That they do."

The next three hours were torture for Sir Richard Castle. He was a soldier, and his place was in the front lines, fighting his enemies. But Duke Rodrigo had ordered him and his company to remain as a reserve, to be used only at the duke's command.

And so, Sir Richard sat on his horse and watched as de'Braquenne's mounted troops formed up outside of bow range, and then charged. But the ground was not only muddy and slick from the rain, it was covered with dead men and dead horses. The enemy never managed to mount the hell for leather galloping charge that might have smashed through the Istrian lines.

The Venetian soldiers headed for the dismounted knights and men at arms in the Istrian center. Being mostly French, they felt that it was their duty to attack their enemy's noblemen and leave peasant archers and spearmen for later. That was a mistake. The archers on the flanks poured thousands of arrows into the ranks of the Venetians. While the men were often well armored, most of the horses were not. And many of the needle like bodkin points of the arrows, designed to penetrate chain mail or armor, did slow but steady damage to the Venetians. But there were many thousands of Venetian knights.

Castle kept a close eye on the newly wealthy Ned of Oldham as he, and his assistants, brought fresh baskets of arrows to both the archers and crossbowmen. There seemed to be enough. Now.

Three times the Venetians charged and three times they were eventually thrown back. And while the Venetians suffered many casualties, so did the Istrians. And the Istrians had far fewer men to lose.

As the Venetians formed up, well out of bow range, for the next charge, Sir James Walden noticed activity at the river.

"De'Braquenne has finally decided to bring his crossbowmen across the river. He'll have the bastards soften us up before be tries another charge. How are we for arrows. I see some of our fellows going out to retrieve arrows from the battlefield. Castle, find Ned and find out what we have."

Castle rode quickly to the supply train where be found Ned of Oldham flat on his back from a head wound. A woman was tending to him.

"How is he?" Castle demanded.

"He has a good, thick head all right. He couldn't stand not putting a few arrows into that lot and got this as his reward, the fool."

"We need arrows brought up to the archers. Where are the people who are supposed to supply them?"

The women pointed to various men, women and children who were standing around doing not much.

"All of you! Grab a basket of arrows. Better yet grab two baskets if you can. Those of you to my left, go to the left flank archers and those to the right to the right flank."

Castle himself grabbed four baskets of arrows and headed back to the battle.

"What's happened?" He asked Kate after dropping the arrows off.

"They've been moving the crossbowmen over. They have their pavises with them. Once they set up those shields, we'll be in deep trouble. Then he can bring the rest of his cavalry over."

"Kate, will you…?" He began.

"No." She quickly interrupted. "I'll stay with you, no matter what."

"What's that noise?" Someone asked, hearing a dull roar.

"Oh my God!" Cried Kate.

A surging wall of brown water at least six feet tall swept down the small river that separated the two halves of the Venetian army. In seconds, columns of armored knights on horseback and crossbowmen were swept away as if they had never been. And the newly risen river kept surging towards the sea.

For long moments both armies just stood where they were, completely stunned by the turn of events. Finally, Duke Rodrigo spoke.

"You know, I believe we now outnumber those fellows. On this side of the river, at least."

Sir James Walden nodded. "I believe you're correct, Your Grace. What do you desire us to do?"

The Duke thought for a moment. "Why don't we wait for a bit and see how they react?"

Finally, the Venetians reacted. At least some of them did. A dozen or so stratiotes rode to the river and began stripping. As light cavalrymen they did not wear armor and soon were naked. One at a time they rode their horses into the swirling river. One or two were swept away, but the rest made it safely to the opposite shore and safety. That began a slow, but then increasingly rapid movement towards the riverbank by the horsemen.

"It looks like their officers are having trouble keeping their men facing us." The Duke said lightly.

"Perhaps if we wait just a bit…?" Sir James added with a smile.

Within a few minutes all was chaos in the Venetian army.

Smiling at the sight, Duke Rodrigo rode out in front of his army. "I will grant quarter to any man who surrenders to us, even if they can pay no ransom. Who knows, some of those fellows might end up serving me." He stood in his stirrups and called out to Castle. "Sir Richard? Will you kindly lead my army towards the enemy?"

Castle led his men through the Istrian lines, and with Duke Rodrigo beside him, rode slowly towards the chaotic mass of Venetians, now trying to cross the river. A few fought but most, upon learning they could surrender, did so.

"Sir Richard?" Called Captain Huw of Llandovery, riding up to Castle. "The fellow with the flag of truce in front of the crossbowmen wishes to speak to you."

Castle and Huw, with others, rode over to see what the man wanted.

Castle stopped his horse in front of a man in highly polished armor, chased with gold. He had taken his bejeweled and plumed helmet off, showing himself to be heavily bearded, but quite young, "May I ask who you are?" The man asked politely.

"Sir Richard Castle, knight of Istria, and commander of St. Katherine's Company of England. And you, sir?"

The man bowed. "I am Lord Ludovico Visconti. My uncle is the Duke of Milan. The men with me are Milanese crossbowmen. My uncle will pay well for their safe return to Milan."

Castle looked over the men arrayed behind Lord Visconti. They were well armed and armored and appeared to be ready to fight if need be. "How many men do you have and how much are you offering, on behalf of your uncle?"

"I have a bit over a thousand men and my uncle will pay one hundred golden ducats apiece for each man. An excellent sum, Sir Richard." Visconti smiled. "You are well known for your sense of honor."

Castle smiled back. "I also have crossbowmen in my company. I believe it would cost your uncle a good 250 ducats to replace such finely equipped veteran soldiers. Shall we say 250 ducats apiece?"

Visconti nodded. "Done, Sir Richard."

"I'll have Captain Huw of Llandovery escort you and your men to our camp. I'm sure Duke Rodrigo will wish to talk with you."

As he rode away, Castle noticed Lady Alexis was riding beside him. "I could have gotten you more money, Sir Richard."

"Possibly, but Milan is a powerful state and we don't need to antagonize their Duke. 250,000 ducats are sufficient."

"Look!" Kate cried, spurring her horse forward.

She rode up to Bishop Vaughn, who was sitting calmly on his horse, dressed in his full bishop's robes, his mitre, and crosier. He also had a chain mail shirt on. Kate drew her sword as she approached him.

Vaughn smiled at her. "Lady Katherine. I hope you don't intend to offer violence to me. To harm a bishop of the Church would see your immortal soul burn in Hell for all eternity. You don't want that do you?"

Kate stopped her horse and lowered her sword. "You deserve to die for what you've done. You lured my father to his death."

Vaughn nodded. "If you have any proof of any wrongdoing on my part, you should bring it before a canonical court." When Kate made no reply, Vaughn laughed.

Castle rode up beside Kate and took the reins of her horse. "Come away with me, Kate. You can do nothing."

Kate glared at her husband but allowed him to lead her away.

Vaughn began to ride away, but found his way blocked by Lady Alexis who held her hand gonne on him.

"That applies to you as well, whore." Vaughn said dismissively. "Out of my way."

"Do you know, Bishop Vaughn, that a person can purchase an indulgence forgiving any sin? Any sin at all. You just need to find the right churchman."

"You would not find a churchman who would sell you such an indulgence should you harm me, slut. Now go away."

Alexis aimed her hand gonne at Bishop Vaughn and pulled the trigger. There was a loud bang, a flash of light and a cloud of smoke. Vaughn pitched forward off his horse, dead.

Alexis turned to Richard and Kate. "There's a painter in Florence named di Tomasso. He's supposed to be quite good." Getting no reply from the Castles, she continued. "Bishop d'Alencon wishes to have a fresco painted in the Cathedral of Pola. Di Tomasso wants fifty thousand ducats for the fresco. I've already paid Bishop d'Alencon twenty five thousand ducats."

"You arranged this beforehand?" Castle asked, somewhat shocked.

Lady Alexis nodded. "Both the good bishop and I thought it would be a fitting manner for Vaughn to end his days."

The Istrian army pushed its way through the chaotic, collapsing Venetian army. Duke Rodrigo took off his helmet so that everyone could see him. He announced very loudly who he was and that anyone who surrendered would be granted quarter. There was, however, one exception.

"I shall grant quarter to all except for your leader, de Braquenne. The man who brings him to me shall receive a thousand gold ducats. If that man's ransom is more than a thousand ducats, I shall set him free with a thousand ducats."

That attracted a great deal of attention. Too much attention in some ways. More than a dozen men were dragged before Duke Rodrigo who were not de Braquenne. Finally, de Braquenne, trying to hide himself under a tattered blue cloak, was finally brought before Rodrigo.

"I have vast estates in France and a great deal of coin in Italy, as well as some fine lands." De Braquenne tried, but failed, to sound confident.

"You are not my prisoner, but that of Lady Katherine Castle, once known to you as Lady Katherine Beckett."

De Braquenne turned deathly pale when he saw Lady Kate riding toward him, her sword drawn. He began to offer her all the wealth that he had, and more. He dropped to his knees, begging for his life.

"You raped me and drove me from my home. You raped and murdered my mother and sent an assassin after me and my husband, and caused my father to be murdered. You have brought death and destruction to Istria." Kate's sword flew in a glittering arc, severing de Braquenne's head with one blow.

Kate remounted her horse and rode to Castle. "I have again killed an unarmed man. I need to make my confession to Father Ryan."

"You killed a vicious criminal, Kate. He deserved what he got."

"I know, but it was still a sin."

The Istrian army moved slowly back to Pola, much encumbered with loot and prisoners. Upon arriving, the army marched through cheering crowds to the main plaza, where Duke Rodrigo gave a short speech.

The next day, a solemn Te Deum, a Mass of Thanksgiving, was celebrated at the Cathedral of Pola. After that, Duke Rodrigo invited his officers, the Polan Senate, the wealthy merchants and the clergy to his palazzo to celebrate.

In the midst of the celebration, Lady Katherine noticed that her husband seemed a bit sad.

"Is something wrong?" She asked softly.

He slowly shook his head. "Not exactly wrong. Just different. Nearly twenty years ago I set out to serve my king as an archer." Castle smiled at the memory. "I had Will Fox with me and five other archers who'd decided to follow me. Only Will and I had horses. And we had Old Henry and his two sons with us. They took care of our bows, arrows, horses, tack and our meals. I rose to become a captain of a company of archers and served King Edward III well. When our war in France ended, I left with Sir James Walden and served Duke Rodrigo, a good man. I became a knight, the leader of a small army of my own, and, "He smiled, "was lucky enough to marry the most wonderful woman in all of Christendom."

"But why does this make you sad?"

"There will now be peace and I must look to sell my services to someone. I will, for the first time, become a real mercenary, fighting solely for pay."

"There you are, Sir Richard." Boomed a familiar voice.

Richard and Kate turned to greet their friend. "Peter! How are you?"

"I fear I am Hamid the Turk once more. I do find your Christian faith interesting. You see that we Muslims, you Christians and the Jews are all People of the Book. We worship the same God and we venerate many of each other's prophets. We should be able to live in harmony, one would think."

"One would think." Castle affirmed.

"But, my friend, I am off to serve my master, the Sultan. However, we shall always be friends and never enemies, no matter what our respective nations may do." Hamid held out his hand and Castle shook it as did Kate.

"Come with me now. I need to see Duke Rodrigo." Hamid led them away.

"Ah! There you are, Sir Richard. And Lady Katherine." Rodrigo said, clapping Castle on the back. "We were just taking about you."

"About me, Your Grace?" Castle was sure that the Duke was about to tell him his services were no longer required. "It has been an honor to serve you, Your Grace, and now that peace is upon is…."

"Wish that it was." Rodrigo growled. "The Venetians have made no move to end hostilities. Of course, they've just had de Braquenne's army badly beaten and they have other enemies who'll see in Venetian weakness a chance for their own gain. But they may try to gain at my expense. In fact they almost certainly will/"

"I see." Castle said carefully.

"I've decided to move my capital and my court to the north, to Trieste. I can keep a better eye on the damned Venetians from there. However, I'll need someone I can trust here in Pola. So, will you please kneel, Sir Richard?"

"Kneel?" Castle said, not quite believing what was happening.

"Yes. One puts one's knees on the floor."

Castle quickly knelt.

"As you kneel Sir Richard Castle, Knight of Istria, arise Lord Richard Castle, Lord of Pola, Governor of my dominions in the south, commander of my army and navy facing the Adriatic pirates, and my good and trusty liege. Arise Lord Richard."

Castle arose, somewhat stunned and found Kate was kissing him soundly. At some point he noticed that he was being cheered.

"I did not expect that." He whispered in her ear.

"Nor did I." She whispered back.

"Given the beating we gave the pirates and the Venetians, I think we'll have some peace for a year or two."

Lord Richard Castle would have occasion to remember those words before long.

So Endeth Part Three

Author's note: As you can tell from the last line, I do expect to write more about Lord and Lady Castle. However, for now, I've started on Captain Kate and the Dragon, which will take our pirate queen and her family to Asia and beyond. I also have an idea for a mystery in the 12thPrecinct which will reunite Captain Kate Beckett with some old friends.

I do try to be historically accurate in these three stories, but I don't let that get in the way of my story. A minor point, Milan did not become a dukedom until some thirty years after Sir Richard's arrival in Italy. A greater historical untruth was that when Pope Clement V left Rome for Avignon, France in 1305 he took the whole College of Cardinals, Curia and Papal bureaucracy. Rome became something of a ghost town until the Popes returned in 1376. But, I didn't want Sir Richard and Lady Kate to have to go all the way to Avignon to meet Cardinal Benedetto, so I left everyone but the Pope in Rome. Any other historical errors you may find are mine alone.