twenty years hence, that you didn't tell us all you knew . . . then your kin can join the Polish peasants on your lands.'
'The peasantry will kill them,' whimpered Von Stublau. 'They'll tear them apart.'
'Maybe you should advise them to start some reforms immediately,' said Von Stemitz dryly.
Erik gestured at the door. 'Time for this later, Manfred. There are a lot of knights out there, and Sachs too.'
Manfred nodded. 'True. De Grinchy. Lutz. Take charge of this one. Bring him with us.'
They marched out, with Manfred at the head of the column of knights. Erik, watching his back, reflected that power was a strange thing. Sachs, and the knight-proctors involved, would have chosen their adherents for this squad. Yet when Francesca had shifted their balance, the reins had ended up firmly in Manfred's hands. Even the two zealots--
Erik's lips twisted in a smile that was as bitter as it was wry. The worst of Sachs's camp followers would be the quickest to strike off any head from anyone who dared to dissent. And yet, really, in actual fact, they were still completely at the mercy of their former foes.
'How did you know to come now?' he whispered to Francesca. 'And where did you get the jewelry?'
'I wouldn't like this jewelry examined in broad daylight or by a skilled jeweler,' said Francesca quietly. 'I've taken my task seriously, Erik. I've had my watchers keeping an eye on Manfred too, you know. He's a very valuable client, to say the least.'
Erik's eyes narrowed. 'Besides, you know Von Stemitz.'
Francesca dimpled at him. 'Indeed. You are too observant, Erik. Hendrik has been a regular, ah, friend. But I really don't think Manfred needs to know that petty detail.'
Mutely, Erik shook his head.
Francesca's dimples were now quite dazzling. 'Ah, what would you do without me?'
Mutely, Erik shook his head.
Chapter 86 ==========
Benito was a little edgy. For starters, the old man couldn't move very fast. For a second thing, the town felt like a powder keg. There was a tension in the air you could almost taste. He and Lord Montescue had gotten to the gondola landing to find several anxious-looking people with brass-bound staves waiting to take their vessel. There'd been someone running back across there. . . .
Then they'd entered the narrow winding calle which led to Marco's digs--and found a cluster of people in front of them, in the middle of what was obviously a tense confrontation.
And then he heard Maria shout: 'I'll shoot at least one of you others!'
He left Lodovico and ran forward.
'Benito!' Maria nearly dropped the pistol. 'You idiot! I almost shot you.'
Lopez stared at Benito. 'You!' Then, incongruously, he burst into laughter. 'It needed only this!'
Benito noticed that Kat was pushing the muzzle of her own pistol into the Spaniard's belly. 'Er. Kat. Why are you doing that?'
'He's maybe the one behind all the magical murders!' snapped Kat. 'And he probably killed the bishop, too-- that you nearly got executed for killing. He's certainly the driving force behind Venice's woes!' The lightning progression--maybe; probably; certainly--didn't seem to perturb Kat in the least. The youthful inquisitor, in full fury.
Benito took a deep breath. 'He's also a Legate of the Grand Metropolitan in Rome. And--well, he's helped me.'
Lopez bowed his head and smiled wryly. The fact that a cocked pistol was pressed into his midriff didn't seem to worry the man in the least.
'Here at the request of Metropolitan Michael to investigate the activities of the Servants of the Holy Trinity,' he elaborated, in quite a calm tone of voice. 'Particularly with reference to their persecution of magic-users. Since then I have been seconded to try to find out who was committing these magical murders, as well as how they were being achieved. And to determine--and thwart, it at all possible--the purpose behind them.'
