This Rough Magic

'Brother Ancetti!' Marco called, recognition and welcome in his voice, forestalling the guards who were going to shove the Sibling back outside again.

The Sibling bowed, in a curt manner. 'Marco Valdosta, I have that word from Venice that you asked me for, and your instincts were correct,' he said grimly. 'Only this morning I have news from Sibling Mascoli, and from the Grand Metropolitan as well, and I believe it is something that everyone at this council needs to hear.'

The Sibling proceeded to relate a tale that, had it not been vouched for by the most powerful Christian magician in Verona and, by his word, verified by the Grand Metropolitan's own magicians in Rome, would have sounded more incredible than any of the tales of Manfred of Brittany's supposed treachery.

Stunned silence greeted most of it, until the priest came to the end—and the fact that Benito Valdosta was at that very moment on trial for treason, and possibly worse.

Three men rose from the table at an instant, all three roaring the same incredulous word.

'What?'

It was Marco who recovered first. 'Horses,' he said decisively, looking at Petro. 'Fast ones.'

'Can't you—'

Marco shook his head. 'The Lion's powers only hold within the boundaries of Venice. Once I reach the boundaries—then I can call on him, but not before.'

Petro nodded, though it was clear to Kat that the Old Fox was utterly baffled. 'Right, then. You and that hideous bodyguard of yours, on my bay and Giovanni's roan. We'll come behind you as fast as our horses can manage.'

Marco didn't waste a word, and spared not more than a glance at Kat—not that she was going to complain, not when Benito might find himself facing execution before the sun set! He ran out the door, calling to his scarred shadow, Bespi, that strange, silent man with the haunted eyes.

And it was left to Petro and her to explain, as well as they could, what that abbreviated conversation had been about.

But they did it on the trot, because it was altogether possible that even Marco and the Lion would not be enough to do more than delay things until the Doge himself arrived.

* * *

Having his identity known did move Benito's case up the slate to head the morning list. Which was something positive . . . Benito thought. For the first moment. Until he saw the facial expression of the Justice assigned to the case. It would have curdled vinegar, never mind milk.

'What are the charges?'

'It's a misunderstanding,' said Benito.

The Justice turned grimly to look at him. 'Speak when you're permitted to. The clerk will now read the charges.'

The clerk did so. Benito had in the meantime been struggling to place the sour face in front of him. When he did, he realized that his troubles almost certainly weren't over. The man was a Capuletti. A cousin of the man he was supposed to have murdered. A house that had fallen from grace along with Ricardo Brunelli. A man, by the looks of him, who held grudges.

The Justice turned to stare at Benito. 'Are you Benito Valdosta?'

Benito nodded. 'Yes.'

The Justice looked at his clerk. 'You may prefix that list with the breaking of exile. It is a charge which carries the maximum penalty.'

'But I came to bring warning . . .'

'Silence!' thundered the Justice. He beckoned to the two Schiopettieri. 'If the prisoner speaks without my express orders again, you will silence him. And Valdosta, if you speak out of turn again, I'll have you gagged. Is that clear?'

Benito said nothing. He knew if he did he'd explode. Fury was building up in him. And, because the jailors had been convinced by now that this was all a mistake . . . they hadn't shackled him when they'd sent him up.

'I said: Is that clear?'

Benito said nothing.

'The prisoner will answer or be held in contempt of the court. Is this clear?'

Benito leaned forward, gauging the distance to the door. 'If I say something you'll gag me. If I don't say anything you'll hold me in contempt. This is a farce.'

'Add contempt of court to the charge list. Now. We have the prisoner's own admission that he is Benito Valdosta, a person proscribed from the city and environs of Venice. The second charge relates to an attempt to carry a concealed weapon into the Doge's palace. Is that the weapon in question?'

'It is, Your Honor,' said the reedy-voiced clerk. He drew the rapier from the scabbard and placed it on the desk. 'It was hidden inside a roll of cowhide, your honor.'

'Doubtless he wanted to avenge himself for being banished. And now to the assault charges. Call the first witne—'

Benito jumped up onto the rails of the dock that held him, and then feinted as if to leap for the doorway. Instead he sprang out into the room, knocked aside the little clerk and seized the rapier.

And Justice Capuletti. The man gave a terrified squeak as the blade touched his throat.

'Back off or I'll kill him,' said Benito to the two Schiopettieri assigned to the court.