Johann wondered whether the Habsburgs also believed in the fairy tale that he could turn something worthless into gold. It looked as though he had become a pawn in the hands of the powerful, a victim of his own bragging and of a pope obsessed by a ludicrous idea—an idea the French king shared. It was utter nonsense and yet logical, a consequence of his countless claims and tricks over the years.
Doctor Johann Georg Faustus, the greatest magician and alchemist on earth.
Johann cleared his throat.
“Your Majesty. I am sorry to spoil your plans, but I’m not the one you take me for. I am not a bad astrologer—if you need a horoscope, I’m your man. And I know a fair bit about medicine and alchemy. But the philosopher’s stone—”
“Taisez-vous!” hissed Francis. He gave an impatient wave. “My spies overheard several conversations in the papal chambers, so there’s no need to tell lies. You are no simple charlatan but the great Doctor Johann Georg Faustus. Your deeds are known even here in France.”
“But they’re just stories, tales—lies and exaggerations.”
“And why, then, did you visit Leonardo da Vinci? What reason could there be for the most famous sorcerer of the empire to seek out the most famous inventor of our time if it isn’t to learn about a secret?” Francis’s eyes were narrow slits now. “Doctor Faustus knows the secret—those were Leonardo’s last words. Are you telling me he was lying? Don’t play me for a fool, Doctor. I am no dumb peasant but the king of France!”
Johann said nothing. He didn’t want to tell the king the real reason for his journey. Evidently Francis hadn’t noticed yet that his left side was paralyzed. He probably ascribed Johann’s crouched posture and the pain in his face to the fetters and the long ride. And Johann had no idea what Leonardo da Vinci had meant with his last words.
What damned secret was he supposed to know?
“Chinon Castle has a long history, by the way,” said King Francis, changing the subject. “It used to belong to the king of England, who had many possessions in France. You could say that this castle is the starting point of the long, unhappy war between our two countries. The famous Richard the Lionheart came and went here, and it was here that Jeanne d’Arc met Charles VII, dauphin of France. The maiden persuaded him to take up the fight against the Englishmen once more. Chinon is considered impregnable.” Francis spread his arms. “This truly is a formidable place steeped in history. But it is also a sinister place. Here in Coudray Tower the Knights Templar were incarcerated with their grand master Jacques de Molay before they were taken to Paris for their execution. Did you know that? I hope it won’t come to that for you, Doctor. I will give you time in this dungeon to think about what Leonardo might have meant about the secret. Oh, and before I forget . . .” Francis smiled. “For one of you there is a little surprise waiting behind this door.” He walked to the door and knocked three times. “Mettez-les au cachot!”
The door opened and several guards stepped into the room. Now that Johann’s eye had adjusted to the light, he could make out their uniforms. They were green like the robe of the king. The uniformed guard at the front was of athletic build though not particularly tall, and he avoided Johann’s gaze. But Johann recognized him anyway.
The man’s hair was bright red.
“John!”
Greta jumped up despite her tied ankles, tripped, and fell hard on her knee. She realized immediately what John’s appearance meant but didn’t want to accept it. She felt like she was falling into an endlessly deep hole, and as if she suddenly stood naked before the whole world. Maybe there was some sort of convincing explanation—there had to be an explanation!
When she scrambled back to her feet, John was standing in front of her. He looked at her with sad eyes.
“Tell me this isn’t true!” shouted Greta. “You . . . you . . .”
“I know—Jean can be very charming when he wants to,” said the king from behind John Reed, smirking. “One of the reasons I made him the leader of my household guard at Amboise, in spite of his youth. Quite apart from that, he is a capable combatant who would fight to the death for his king. Like everyone else here.” He gestured at the heavily armed men in the room. “All of them Scotsmen like Jean. The Scottish have always been our close friends, and they hate the English as much as we do.”
Greta stared at John. It was as if she’d been slapped in the face. Everything she had felt for him, for the only man she’d ever really loved, suddenly crumbled to dust.
Before her stood a traitor.
At first she was overwhelmed by grief, but then an even more powerful emotion took over: anger. Anger and hatred. How could she have been so blind?
“I’m sorry, Greta,” muttered John. “Believe me, I didn’t want this to happen. But my assignment—”
“I spit on your assignment,” snapped Greta. “So that’s what I was to you—an assignment! How could I have been so dumb? I feel like whipping myself for my stupidity!”
Beside her, Karl sighed quietly. “Your father was right after all. We never should have trusted him.”
“That is my first and foremost rule,” said the king, giving Greta an almost pitying look. “I never trust anyone, and I fare quite well with that rule. Take it as a lesson, girl. Life is often nothing but deception and trickery—something you ought to know as a juggler.” He gave a little laugh. “You see, Jean told me about you. When my spies alerted me that the legendary Doctor Faustus resides in France, I immediately sent my best man after you.”
Greta now recognized some of the soldiers behind John.
