Dorma shrugged. 'Very well. Leave it scheduled. It may help our case. Just try to stay out of trouble this time, Benito. We have scheduled the case for nine tomorrow morning, with a full bench of Justices. I'm afraid that will include Capuletti. I can't influence or be perceived to have influenced the case at all.'
Benito snorted. 'I did what I thought had to be done, Petro. If they want to be petty about the matter—well, so be it.'
The Patriarch shook his head. 'The church will certainly appeal strongly for clemency. Magical contacts have been made—considering the gravity of the situation and the involvement of the Ancient Enemy, the expenditure of magical power was reckoned worthwhile. The Hypatians in Messina give you a glowing character reference. And you have alerted the mother church to a terrible evil. Our sacred magicians are gathering to take the war to the enemy.'
'Anyway,' said Petro, 'that is for tomorrow. Today we just want to extract as much information from you as possible. Wring you out so that a court-case will seem a minor thing.' He sighed. 'It will take time to relieve the Citadel. I wish we had a fleet at hand, but this attack was carefully planned to catch us when our ships were away.'
'I have a feeling they've made plans to keep our fleets away,' said Benito. 'This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment attack, Petro.'
'No,' the Doge agreed grimly. 'It wasn't.'
Chapter 62
The court hearing was somewhat different from Benito's previous appearances. For starters, there were many more people there. For a second, Benito's sword was not even in the same building.
Petro had insisted on that. He'd also insisted that Benito swear out a charge against Justice Capuletti for treason.
'I'm sure it was just pettiness,' demurred Benito, uncomfortable at the idea. 'Revenge on the Valdosta.'
Petro Dorma shook his head. 'You're probably right. We probably won't make the charges themselves stick. But—and this is the point of it, Benito; you're still a political innocent—the
* * *
Petro Dorma's own legal counsel stood for Benito. He started by reading the synopsis of Benito's travels as told to the clerk. 'Your Honors, it was necessary to have someone who could travel disguised as a commoner, yet whose testimony would be accepted at the highest level. Someone who was also skilled with weapons and subterfuge. With respect, your honors, there wasn't much of a choice. I think you will grant that he plays the part of a scruffy common sailor to perfection, and his skills with weapons and—ah—subterfuge cannot be gainsaid.'
The Justices laughed; so did the audience. Benito tried not to squirm in his seat.
'He's a troublesome young blade,' confessed the counsel. 'And yet, to those of us who know him, he is utterly reliable. So reliable that Prince Manfred of Brittany chose to make him his personal messenger—and that Eneko Lopez, a churchman whose moral integrity is a byword, also trusted him to bring further vital information to the Hypatians, and thus, the Grand Metropolitan.'
The chief Justice nodded. 'You have made your point. Continue, signor.'
Counsel turned to Benito. 'We have now read the synopsis of your journey as transcribed by the Clerk, Michael Di Coulo. Benito Valdosta, you have had an opportunity to hear it. Is this a faithful and accurate account of your travels and your efforts to bring word to Venice?'
Benito nodded. 'Pretty much.'
'You do not mention your dealings with the Hypatian church in Messina, other than to say you overnighted there.'
Benito shrugged. 'I accidentally recovered their property and returned it to them. It didn't seem to have much bearing on either Corfu or Venice.'
Rather dramatically, the counsel brandished a sheet of paper. 'Nonetheless I have here a letter from the Patriarch, thanking you for your efforts for the Church, and stating that the Church would be glad to provide witnesses proving you were of great service to them.' He paused. 'Your Honors, we have here a young man who has served the Republic well, and the Church also. His banishment was for acts not of treason, but simply youthful folly. The banishment was due to be considered by the Senate on this very day. It seems likely that it will be rescinded, in any event. This case, with respect, must be considered on its merits. I appeal to you to consider any transgression in the light of the service performed.'
The chief Justice steepled his fingers. 'Does the prisoner have anything to add to this?'
Benito shook his head. 'Except to say that if there had been anyone available who could have done what I did, or have done it better, they'd have been sent. We didn't have much time to make up our minds before the cannon were emplaced. And it is my intention to return to Corfu as soon as I can. I may not be able to get back into the Citadel, but I can join the irregular forces who are harrying King Emeric's rear. I've only stayed on here to show my respect for the law of the Republic and for the Doge. I came to give warning. I'll leave as soon as I am permitted to go. Unless there is need to warn or need to stand by the Republic I won't be back.'
He allowed a trace of hurt to enter his voice. 'I know when my presence is unwelcome. But the Valdosta honor their responsibilities, their promises, and their debts. We owe a great deal to Doge Dorma and to Venice.'
The chief Justice scratched his chin. 'Benito Valdosta, it is not that this court is unaware that the Republic owes the
