The Queen's Companion

by Maggi Petton

  “Why can’t Sofi come on the trips?” James whined on the first day they were camped just outside of Radicondoli.

  “We have discussed this many times,” Bella answered patiently. “At first her father missed her too much and wanted her to stay with him. Now, she must attend to her studies.”

  James picked up a handful of rocks and tossed them, one by one, into the nearby stream where he and his mother strolled. “It’s not fair. Why can’t she just learn with me? You’re a good tutor when we travel.”

  “Sofia must learn so much more than I can teach her, darling. She will be queen someday. She is required to learn things that you would hate learning.” She reached and tussled his hair. “Besides, this will be a short trip and you will be back with Sofia soon.”

  “It’s lonesome without her.” He bent down to pick up an unusually shaped rock and turned it in his hands.

  “And your mother is not so entertaining, is she?” Bella asked with a smile.

  “Oh, you are entertaining enough,” he teased, “especially when you try to beat me at chess.”

  He laughed and ran back to camp ahead of her.

  Radicondoli was unlike any of the other towns and villages that Catherine had toured. It was a bustling hive of activity and culture. It did not seem possible that Radicondoli could even be part of the same kingdom as Ribolla and Pienza…at least not the kingdom of Montalcino that had evolved over the past decade. At first glance, one could even imagine the Inquisition did not even exist. The atmosphere was such that Radicondoli seemed untouched, unchanged by the horrors facing the rest of Italy or Europe.

  As had become her custom, Catherine first met with the town officials and priests. The leaders of Radicondoli were cordial, but cool. A welcome meal was served in her honor, after which the parties were to meet and discuss the state of affairs in Radicondoli.

  Radicondoli was about the same size as Ribolla. For this reason Catherine expected to find similar situations and similar numbers with regard to interrogations, imprisonments and executions. So it was with more than a little surprise that Catherine listened to the numbers presented by Radicondoli’s mayor.

  “Those are the total numbers,” Catherine said, “reflecting the Inquisitorial investigations and consequences for the entire past year?”

  “Is there a problem, Your Highness?” Mayor Como asked.

  “You are telling me that there have only been twenty two interrogations…total…in one year?” Compared to Ribolla, this was miniscule. Ribolla had close to two hundred sixty interrogations in the same year.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “How many executions?” Catherine asked.

  “Five executions and twelve imprisonments, Highness.” The Mayor stated again with some exasperation.

  Again, startlingly low numbers compared to Ribolla. Catherine looked around the table at the men seated. Of the seven there, one was the mayor. There was the sheriff, along with one undersheriff, three city council members and the local priest. With the exception of the young undersheriff, all of the men looked her directly in the eyes without flinching. She felt their hostility and suspected she knew the reasons behind it.

  Catherine stood. She saw no reason to prolong this meeting. It was painfully clear she would get no real information from this group. “I want all paperwork on the interrogations…names, investigators, accusers if available. As well, please provide me with the names and dates of all executions.”

  “Excuse me, Your Majesty,” said the priest, Father Emilio, “but that information belongs to the Church. As such, the Church holds authority over the documents and only the Holy See can give permission to release them.” The haughtiness of his response caused the Mayor to smile, although he tried to hide it.

  “Father Emilio,” Catherine responded with equal haughtiness, “I fully understand the authority of the Church in these matters. And the Church’s authority ends when it turns its back on the actual horror it inflicts. That horror is then carried out by secular authorities. That would be everyone else at this table except you. Everyone else here is under my authority and answers to me.” She looked around again. The smile was gone from the Mayor’s face. No one ventured a glance at her…except the Undersheriff. That face told her everything she needed to know.

  “Undersheriff Russo,” she said, “You will bring all the documentation I have requested to my campsite this evening. I will leave several of my guards here to assist and escort you.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “The Undersheriff will require the cooperation of everyone at this table to meet my demand.” Catherine was still standing. She bent over the table as she spoke her final words. “If I do not have the paperwork I have requested by this evening, rest assured, gentlemen, I have the authority to replace every single one of you…and I will not hesitate to do so.” She turned and left the room, allowing the door to slam behind her.

  Robert was waiting outside the door. “I heard raised voices.” “Only mine, dear cousin.” Catherine’s pace did not slow and Robert fell into step next to her.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  Catherine stopped when she was far enough from the building. “I suspect that our Lord Carfaggi has enjoyed playing God in Radicondoli. His rule is near its end. I want you to leave three of your guards here. Send them into the room I just left. Tell them not to let the Undersheriff out of their sight. Given his ability to look me in the eye when the others lost control of the meeting, I suspect he may be the only one from whom we will get any real cooperation.” She turned and started walking toward their horses. “I sensed the Undersheriff was relieved when I confronted the others. He is our man here. I want him protected. He knows what I want. Tell your men to guard him closely and bring him to us this evening.”

  Robert nodded and turned to call three of the five soldiers who had accompanied them to town. He gave them their instructions. Catherine, Robert and the remaining two soldiers made their way back to the campsite to wait.

  Just as the cooks were serving the evening meal, Robert’s soldiers and Undersheriff Russo arrived at the camp. As they dismounted Robert approached the Undersheriff.

  “Do you have all the documents?” he asked.

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “Come.” Robert said as he directed the young man toward the dining table where the queen waited for them.

  “Majesty,” he knelt before Catherine. “I brought everything I could get my hands on.”

  “Rise, Undersheriff Russo. Please join us for a meal.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty. And, please, call me Cologero.”

  “Very well, then, Cologero,” she said. One of the cooks handed him a plate of roasted game, fresh bread drizzled with olive oil and a small mound of olives and cheese.

  Catherine introduced Cologero to Bella. Robert joined them after he checked in with the soldiers who returned with Cologero.

  Once Robert joined them with his own plate of food, Catherine raised her cup of wine and offered a toast. “To truth…and justice.”

  “Truth and justice,” echoed Robert, Bella and Cologero.

  After a few pleasantries, Catherine said, “Cologero, I sensed some discomfort from you at the meeting today. Your uneasiness did not appear to match the hostility of the rest of the party present. Please correct me if I have misread you.” Catherine said as she tore a piece of bread and dabbed it in oil.

  “You did not misread me, Majesty. I…it is…forgive me. I do not know how to begin.”

  “If I did not misread you, then know you are among friends. You may speak freely, without fear of judgment, or accusations of heresy.” Catherine smiled at him.

  Cologero took a deep breath. “Majesty, I have heard of your sympathy for victims of the Inquisition. Your reputation is one of fairness and justice. I all but lost hope that you would ever visit Radicondoli.”

  “Why? Did you think that I would avoid coming?” Catherine asked.

  “Forgive me, Majesty. I
had begun to believe the lies,” Cologero paused and looked down.

  “What lies?” Catherine asked, leaning forward.

  “We have been told that Lord Carfaggi was in control of all of Montalcino. And given what’s been happening here, it was very easy to believe.”

  Catherine held his gaze. “Lord Carfaggi may have control over Radicondoli. If he has abused his authority in any way he will answer to me.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I need to know as much as you can tell me. Clearly, your town has not suffered the same fate as the rest of Montalcino. I have my suspicions regarding this. But I cannot act on suspicions. I need proof.”

  “I am at your service, Majesty.”

  “Good.” She refilled his wine cup and hers, as well. “First, why so few interrogations? While I am glad to see smaller numbers, I am stunned by the figure.”

  “Do you know Lord Carfaggi’s brother, Domenico, Majesty?” Cologero asked.

  “I have not had the pleasure, no.”

  “I would hesitate to call knowing that man a pleasure, Highness. He is a despicable creature. It is he who makes the majority of decisions for the Mayor, the Council and the local priests.”

  “How?” asked Robert. “Does he pay them to do his bidding?”

  “That, Captain, would be more acceptable, and certainly much kinder.” Cologero took a sip of his wine. “No, he rules through intimidation. He has all of Radicondoli convinced that through his brother, and therefore through the Pope himself, that he can save or accuse anyone via the Inquisitorial process.”

  “No!” Bella exclaimed. “And people believe him?

  “They are afraid not to, Lady Isabella. The first few citizens who defied his position or his business requests found themselves facing the Inquisitor. I believe you will find their execution papers in the documents.”

  “I suppose,” Catherine said as she shook her head, “that Radicondoli thrives because the Carfaggis thrive. I imagine that the kind of power that the Carfaggis wield lends itself to vast profits for their family and businesses.”

  Cologero nodded sadly. “There, too, Majesty, you will find that several former business associates of the Carfaggis have been in prison for some time. Their families are ruined.”

  “Who is it that oversees the interrogations and the Inquisition process for Radicondoli?” Catherine questioned. “I am unaware that Radicondoli has been visited by a Grand Inquisitor?”

  “It has not, Majesty,” the undersheriff answered. “Father Emilio has victims brought before him by order of Carfaggi. Then he and the Sheriff carry out the interrogations and hand down the rulings.”

  “Have any of the victims been unknown to the Carfaggis?”

  “I believe two of them were not associated directly with Carfaggis. However, I have information that indicates that payments were made to the Carfaggi family for accusations made on behalf of a close associate of theirs.”

  Bella left and returned with a bowl of fruit and some sweet wine. As she set them down she asked, “Is every record you brought, in some way connected to the Carfaggis?”

  “I am afraid so.”

  “That explains their attempt at keeping the records from you,” Robert said to Catherine. “You were wise to have our guards present with Cologero as he pulled them.”

  Catherine nodded, then looked at Cologero. “How is it that you came to work for the Sheriff’s office?”

  “My father died saving the Sheriff’s life when he was ambushed by the crazed son of one of the men being interrogated on behalf of Carfaggi. The Sheriff had just left the church when the son jumped him and attacked him with a knife. My father happened to be passing by and went to the aid of the Sheriff. As he pulled the madman off, he wheeled on my father and stabbed him to death, then ran.”

  “I am so sorry, Cologero,” Bella reached out and placed her hand on the young man’s arm.

  “Thank you, Lady Isabella.” Cologero sighed. “With his dying breath my father begged the Sheriff to watch over his family. As the oldest of four, it seemed my place to accept the job when it was offered.”

  “How long ago was that?” Robert asked.

  “About a year.”

  “How is it for you?” Catherine wanted to know.

  “It is not so bad, I suppose. I actually like the work, when it is honest. I think I would be quite good at it, given a chance. But having to deal with the greed and abuse of power is hard. For now, it is an income and supports my mother and my siblings. I cannot ask for more than that. I am grateful for the work.”

  Catherine stood. “It’s getting late. We need to review the records immediately. I will have questions as I go through them. Cologero, are you up to the task of remaining here to answer questions?”

  “Yes, Majesty.”

  “Good.” She turned to Robert. “Set up torches in the large tent, along with a table and four chairs. Bella?”

  “Of course, I will help.”

  The task of pouring over all of the documents was tedious, but necessary. Cologero’s presence was essential. He was able to answer questions about connections to the Carfaggi family in almost every case. Hours later Catherine threw the last of the files on the heap. She stood and stretched her arms up, arching her back, and walked toward the tent opening.

  “It is late, perhaps eleven?” she asked.

  “About that,” Robert guessed.

  “We must act quickly. The element of surprise will give us an advantage. It is time to bring the Carfaggi family to justice.”

  “Tell me what you want.” Robert stood, ready to spring into action.

  Catherine turned to Cologero, “In spite of the hour, I wish to visit with the families of the executed victims. Can you lead me to them now, tonight?”

  “I am at your service, Your Highness. I can take you to all five families.”

  “Here is my plan. Tonight we get the information we need from the families of those murdered. Once those connections to the Carfaggi’s are made we will proceed to the prison. I assume,” she turned again to Cologero, “that you have access to the prison cells.”

  “I do,” he nodded.

  “How well is it guarded at night?”

  “Two guards only, Majesty. One in the upper office of the tower keep, one in the hall at the end of the cell block.”

  “When does the guard change?” she asked.

  “Not until dawn.”

  “Good. We will be finished by then.”

  Bella, who was quiet throughout Catherine’s questions asked, “What, exactly are you planning?”

  “Just this; first we gather proof that the Carfaggis have abused the Inquisitorial system to benefit themselves. We will have all we need by dawn. We have fifty soldiers with us this trip. Five of those soldiers will be waiting at the Carfaggi home at dawn to arrest all family members. They will remain sequestered there until we determine which of them were involved.” Catherine moved back over to the table but did not sit.

  “The two guards at the prison will need to be kept with us to prevent them from alerting the rest of the Council and other town leaders, including the priest. We will have the Undersheriff with us, and you, Robert. How many others do we need to secure the prison and the two guards safely?”

  “How many entrances to the prison keep, Cologero?” Robert asked.

  “Just the one, sir.”

  “Will the guards submit to your demands?”

  “They should, unless they fear that they will be punished for acting against the Carfaggi family.”

  Catherine looked at Robert, then back at Cologero. “I want as many of our soldiers free to arrest the entire Council, the Sheriff, the Mayor and the priest in as short a time frame as possible.” Catherine paused and paced a bit.

  “If our soldiers,” she said, “simultaneously arrest the town leaders, we can put them in individual cells. That should be no problem since we will be emptying cells before they arrive.” She smiled.

  “Robert, I want you and Cologero to
determine the number of soldiers needed to make each of the arrests. I don’t want our men in any more jeopardy than necessary. But I want this done swiftly.”

  Yes, Majesty.” Both Robert and Cologero said in unison.

  “Cologero, you have just been promoted.” She smiled at him. “With a considerable increase in salary, Sheriff.”

  He smiled at Catherine and bowed. “I am grateful…and proud to serve you, Highness.”

  Again she turned to Robert. “One more thing before you assign your company. Send two of them back to Montalcino Castle immediately.” She wrote orders and sealed them with wax. As she pressed the wax with her seal, she said, “I want our own Lord Carfaggi behind bars before word of any of this reaches him.” She handed him the orders. He thumped his chest and bowed.

  Robert and Cologero left the tent to make the necessary assignments. When they were gone Catherine walked over to where Bella sat. She walked around behind Bella, bent and slipped her arms around her love and whispered in her ear, “Do not worry. I will be back tomorrow.”

  Bella smiled and turned her head to Catherine’s while reaching her own arms up to encircle her neck. “I always worry,” she said. “Tomorrows don’t always hold what we expect them to.”

  If the five families of the executed were filled with fear at being awakened in the middle of the night by the Queen’s Guard, they were even more surprised to find the Queen, herself, at their doors.

  It was not difficult, or time consuming to gather the evidence needed to arrest those involved in the executions. The family members had already lost so much to the Carfaggi “empire” that signing affidavits quickly handwritten by their own queen was an easy task.

  One of the families, the Guilias, had been so broken by the events leading to the execution of their father, that their mother committed suicide.

  The Guilias were now a family of five children. The oldest was a girl of fifteen…with the eyes of a sixty year old.

  “Rosaria,” the Queen said when they arrived, “my only intention is to bring the people who did this to your family to justice…and quickly.”