The Queen's Companion

by Maggi Petton

Rosaria looked at her siblings, each with the sad, vacant expression in their eyes that never failed to pierce Catherine’s heart, and nodded.

  “We need to know everything you can tell us about how your father knew the Carfaggis and about the events that led to his arrest and execution. Can you help us?”

  What Catherine saw happen to that fifteen year old girl in a matter of seconds startled her. Rosaria bowed her head after looking at her brothers and sisters. Catherine thought she was about to break down weeping. She witnessed the breakdowns often enough to prepare herself for them…wait them out…know that those who sat crying before her would eventually pull themselves together and tell their story.

  Rosaria Guilia did not cry, and when she did raise her head she looked the Queen directly in the eyes with a fire that matched Catherine’s own fury.

  “Bastards…all of them!” she spat through gritted teeth. “My father was a good man. He ran an honest business. He thought those men were his friends. He treated them with respect they did not deserve…always helped them, even when it was a sacrifice to himself. But when Carfaggi pressed him to make false accusations of heresy against another business associate my father refused.” Rosaria stopped and shook her head.

  “That,” Catherine finished for her, “is when your father found himself on the receiving end of those same accusations of heresy?”

  “Yes. There was nothing we could do. All of them were in on it. Too late my father realized how greedy and cruel his friends were.”

  “How have you survived since then?”

  “Even though my brothers and I are able to raise the crops and tend the farm, we couldn’t find anyone to buy our produce. So we grow enough for ourselves. We are self sufficient with the farm, but that is all. Everyone shuns us.”

  “Out of fear?” Catherine asked.

  “Cowardice would be my answer, Your Majesty.”

  “Rosaria,” Catherine looked at her younger siblings as she spoke. “The wrongs done to you and your family can never be fully righted. I can’t bring your parents back from the dead. But justice will be done in your father’s and mother’s name…and on behalf of you and all who have been so damaged by the cruelty of these men.”

  Rosaria looked at the Queen with a puzzled expression. Catherine was busy writing down the names of those responsible for the family’s tragedy. She laid the paper in front of Rosaria and asked if there was anything or anyone missing.

  “No, Majesty.” Rosaria signed the paper where Catherine indicated. “But what is it that you intend to do?”

  “You will know by day’s end,” Catherine said as she rose and made her way toward the door. “All of Radicondoli will know. Don’t leave your farm today. Wait here. My soldiers will be back to let you know when it is safe to leave.”

  “Yes, Majesty.” Rosaria answered.

  Catherine looked warmly at Rosaria’s younger siblings. “Do you all understand what I am asking?”

  The younger girls nodded, wide eyed, while the older boys both replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  It was the same at each home they visited. They completed rounds of the five homes by four in the morning. The soldiers had their instructions, and directions, to the homes of each of the town leaders and the priest. They split up to make the surprise arrests. Catherine, Robert and Cologero went directly to the prison.

  The two guards were startled out of sleep when they arrived. Both of them were directed to the prisoner cell blocks where they stayed with Robert without question. They were used to following orders.

  Cologero unlocked the cells of those who were casualties of the Carfaggi government.

  “Bring them upstairs and get them food and wine,” Catherine ordered. Cologero took one of the night guards up to the kitchen quarters. The prisoners were escorted upstairs to the guard’s upper room, where they were invited to sit. Catherine sat busily writing and the only desk in the room and did not speak to them at first. Cologero and the guard returned with bread, cheese and wine. The prisoners looked baffled and worried. Catherine had not yet told them who she was.

  Finally, when they each had a plate of food and a cup of wine, she accepted a cup of wine from Cologero. She lifted the wine toward the shattered men and said, “Gentlemen, my apologies for the delay in your rescue. As your queen, I promise you retribution this day. To justice!”

  Of the twelve originally imprisoned, only nine were left. Three died during their confinement. The men were confused. They stared at their queen. Slowly, the reality of what was happening began to dawn on them. Understanding seeped through the numbness. Slowly, one by one, they began to weep. Catherine turned to the window to give their emotions some privacy. As she did, she saw the first of the troops returning with their prisoners.

  She turned back to the men, who were mostly dabbing their eyes. “Gentlemen, you are about to witness the beginning of your justice.”

  The door opened and three soldiers hauled in the Mayor, still in his night clothes and chains. He attempted a look of disdain as he said, “You will pay for this!” But there was only fear in his eyes.

  “Take him to the cells,” ordered the queen. “Lock him up. Put each of them in a separate cell and post enough guards to prevent them speaking to one another.”

  “Yes, Majesty.” They disappeared down the stairway leading to the prison cells.

  Before long the others arrived. The former prisoners watched, as those responsible for their unjust incarceration and ruin, paraded before them to the cells. They sat in silence, still disbelieving their own eyes.

  All of the men responsible, with the exception of Domenico Carfaggi, were locked up.

  Catherine turned to Robert. “Send as many as you can to reinforce the others surrounding the Carfaggi home. I’ll return to camp before I begin his interrogation.”

  “Five of my men will escort you back to camp and stay to guard you, Majesty.” Robert turned and signaled his five.

  Catherine turned one last time to the men in the room. “You have all been through much. My soldiers will escort you home. Sheriff Russo will contact you regarding restitution arrangements. Go with God.” She and Robert went outside.

  “We’ll need to leave a good contingent of men here to insure a smooth transition to a new government,” she said to Robert as they walked toward the horses.

  “I already have several in mind. They come from political families and understand the political process.” Robert said.

  “Good. You and Cologero begin organizing a list of men who might be decent candidates for the positions vacated.” She mounted her horse. “I’ll interview them before I leave.” She turned to her horse.

  “What of Carfaggi?” Robert called after her.

  “Let him wait!” she called over her shoulder. “I will attend to him when I am good and ready!”

  The sun was up. Bella and James were playing a game of chess when Catherine returned to camp. When she heard the horses, Bella looked up. A look of relief washed over her face. She looked at James.

  “You haven’t really had your mind on this game, Mother.” James smiled at her. “Go ahead.”

  Bella went around the table and kissed the top of his head. Catherine was already walking toward them.

  “Who is winning?” she smiled at them.

  “Well, it hasn’t been much of a contest,” James rolled his eyes playfully as he nodded toward his mother. “Her mind has definitely been elsewhere. She was going to be mated in three moves.”

  “I was letting him win,” Bella laughed. “He was so worried about you he couldn’t concentrate.”

  Catherine went over and kissed the top of James’ head as well. “Well, thank you both for your concern. Everything is fine.” She started toward her tent. “But I am exhausted and need to sleep for a bit.”

  “You must be hungry, too,” Bella said. “Can I bring you something to eat before you rest?”

  “Thank you, just a light plate. I don’t think I can stay awake long enough to eat more
than a few bites.”

  Catherine was slipping out of the last of her outer garments when Bella entered the tent with a slice of bread and a few berries. “How did everything go?”

  “It could not have gone better.” Catherine plopped herself onto her down mattress and took the plate from Bella. “Thank you, love. The entire Council, Sheriff and priest are in custody. Domenico Carfaggi is surrounded by armed guards. He will be held until I am ready to interrogate him.” She ate a few bites of bread and two of the strawberries. “As if the real Inquisition isn’t bad enough, we have people like the Carfaggi brothers to contend with. Carfaggis and those like them are no different from the rogue groups murdering in Christ’s name.” She stopped, then said, “I take that back. These men are worse. The rogue groups at least believe they are working in the name of Christ, these men know they are motivated by their own greed and power. That is the bigger sin.”

  Bella took Catherine’s plate and lay down beside her. She held her arms open and Catherine curled within them. “Rest, my love. I’ll stay with you.”

  When Catherine woke, Bella was awake still holding her, stroking her head gently.

  “What time is it?” Catherine asked.

  “I don’t know, but I heard the rest of the camp preparing the midday meal some time ago.”

  I could stay here forever,” Catherine said as she buried her face in Bella’s neck.

  “And who would run the kingdom then?” Bella teased.

  “Oh, let it run itself. I deserve a little time off.”

  “That’s something I would like to see…you taking time off!” Bella laughed.

  “Is that a challenge?” Catherine propped herself up on one elbow.

  Bella laughed. “That, my love, is an impossibility!”

  Later that day, the Queen’s guards delivered her sealed orders to Lord Giovanni. When the Privy Council reconvened after the midday meal, Lord Giovanni was absent. King Ambrose expressed a desire to wait for him before beginning.

  “I disagree, King Ambrose,” Lord Carfaggi said. “I see no reason to hold up the entire Council for one man.”

  “Very well, gentlemen, Your Grace,” King Ambrose started. “Have you all had the opportunity to read through the new taxation proposal from Lord Como?”

  Before anyone had an opportunity to answer, the doors to the Council chamber opened. Lord Giovanni stepped through them, but did not close them.

  His face held an unreadable expression as he remained near the doors.

  “Do you plan to keep us waiting forever, Lord Giovanni?” Carfaggi said haughtily.

  Lord Giovanni looked at Carfaggi without hatred, without malice, without annoyance.

  “Gentlemen,” he bowed ever so slightly, “I have received a communication from the Queen.” He held up an official document clearly marked with the Queen’s Seal. He looked at the document and paused before he continued. Then he read, “Lord Carfaggi, you are hereby placed under arrest by order of Queen Catherine for conspiracy to commit crimes of bribery, extortion, false imprisonment, kidnapping and murder of innocent citizens of Radicondoli. You are to await…”

  Carfaggi leapt to his feet and screamed, “This is an outrage. How dare that woman try to arrest me!”

  “…you are to await trial in prison until such time….” Again Lord Giovanni was interrupted by the fuming Carfaggi.

  “I will await nothing!” he said as he made for the open doors, his eyes bulging from their sockets.

  As he neared the doors, six of the Queen’s guards stepped into the doorway, blocking his egress.

  “Get out of my way!’ he shouted as he attempted to push his way out of the room.

  “Take him to the lowest portion of the cells,” Lord Giovanni shouted to the guards who were restraining the screaming Carfaggi. “Keep him chained until the Queen returns and decides how to deal with him!”

  Lord Carfaggi’s screams could be heard fading as he was dragged to the tower keep. When his voice could no longer be heard, Lord Giovanni turned back to the Council, every one of them pale, stunned and speechless.

  “Gentlemen, may I suggest we adjourn for the day?” he said softly.

  The next morning, Robert and Catherine talked over a light breakfast.

  “Things are under control at the prison. Cologero Russo will make a good Sheriff. You read him well,” Robert said.

  “Were you able to construct a list of possible candidates to replace our illustrious council?”

  “Several men were discussed. Cologero will speak with them later today. I asked him to meet us here first thing this morning to join us for the trip to the Carfaggi home.”

  Bella stepped out of the tent and came over to join them. “How are you, Captain?”

  “Never better, Lady Isabella. And you?”

  “Fine, as well, thank you.” She reached for a berry.

  Catherine looked at Bella. “Robert, Cologero and I plan to interrogate Carfaggi. After that I will need to spend some time in town.”

  “How long will you be?”

  “I’ll try to be back by mid afternoon. It’s important for people to see that their Queen has taken back control of Radicondoli. They’ll need to know things will be different, and that we will be keeping a close eye on things for some time to come.”

  “How long do you think we’ll be here?” Bella asked.

  “A few days for us, I should think. A contingent of the guard will stay to insure all goes smoothly until Cologero has a solid base of support to handle things. That could be awhile.”

  As they talked, Cologero arrived. He joined them at the table.

  “Did you get some rest?” Robert asked him.

  “Enough,” he answered as he held up his hand to refuse an offering of fruit. “Majesty, what is your plan?”

  “After a good night of rest we will head to the home of Domenico Carfaggi and present him with a list of the charges against him. He will be arrested and you will take him back. Lock him up with the others.” At this she called Marie to bring her paper, pen, ink and royal seal. “How did your prisoners spend their night?” she asked.

  “Mostly whining that it was all Carfaggi, of course.” He shook his head. “The Mayor cried openly and offered up both Carfaggi brothers in exchange for his release. He claims that the Carfaggis threatened him and his family if he did not go along with them.”

  “Do you believe him?” asked Bella

  “To some extent I suppose I do, Lady. And if we were merely talking about some dishonest business dealings I would be inclined to feel sorry for them.” Cologero shook his head again and his face did not mask his emotion as he said, “But they murdered innocent people for the Carfaggis. I don’t understand how they could live with what they have done.” He fought allowing his tears to fall. “Forgive me, you must think me weak.”

  Robert came to his rescue. “You do not know them well enough, Cologero,” he laughed, “but you are in the company of two of the strongest women in all of Europe and I can tell you from experience that they find the tears of men like you and me to be a sign of strength.”

  “And honesty!” added Bella.

  “We don’t have time for too much of a show of strength,” Catherine smiled. “Tell me about the men you are considering for the new government. I want to meet with them tomorrow.”

  When Catherine, Robert and Cologero arrived at the home of Domenico Carfaggi they were apprised of the situation. Carfaggi was so belligerent and combative when the Queen’s guard arrived that they finally tied him to a chair and gagged him. Most of the servants continued to perform their duties. Several tried to leave but were prevented from doing so. Carfaggi’s wife and daughters, he had no sons, had been in a near constant state of weeping and wailing in their rooms since the soldiers arrived.

  Catherine thanked the guard and asked to be led to Carfaggi. He was still tied to a chair in his study. When the Queen entered he looked at her with a fury that made her glad he was bound and gagged.

  “Brin
g his family!” she demanded of the guard.

  Catherine walked around the room, observing the details, the luxury, the opulence with which Carfaggi had surrounded himself. She spotted a locked box on his desk. It was rather large.

  “Sheriff,” she called Cologero over to her. “Open this box.”

  He looked in the desk for a key, but found none. He walked over to Carfaggi and searched him. He found a key tied on a thin rope around the man’s neck. It fit. He opened the box.

  Catherine stared at the contents. “There must be enough gold in here to purchase a small country!” she exclaimed.

  At that time the crying Carfaggi women were brought into the room.

  “Silence!” the Queen demanded.

  They stopped crying, although their sniveling continued.

  Catherine held out her hand as she stood before Carfaggi, staring him down. Robert placed the role of charges against him into her outstretched hand. She continued looking into Carfaggi’s eyes with a cold and a fire that, for a time, he matched. She did not look away. Eventually, he did.

  “Domenico Carfaggi,” she announced as she unrolled the document in her hands, “You are charged with assault, bribery, extortion, kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment and murder.” She read the long list of the victim’s names. “You will be escorted to the prison and held there until such time as a new government is in place in Radicondoli. You will be tried and most likely executed for these atrocities.”

  “No, Your Majesty,” Lady Carfaggi threw herself at the queen’s feet and started weeping even louder than before.

  Catherine ignored her. Robert pulled the woman up and returned her to her seat where her daughters put their arms around her and they all started weeping again.

  “Your brother is already under arrest at Montalcino Castle,” Catherine continued. “He will be brought back to Radicondoli to face trial once all is in order.”

  She walked over to the large box of gold on the desk. “Your assets will be used to recompense the victims of your crimes,” she added without emotion. “Meanwhile, this gold will go a long way to helping them get back on their feet.” She looked at the Sheriff. “Please take this box of gold back to your office, Sheriff. We will call upon the families of the victims and begin dispensing it today.”