The Papal Assassin: Swordmaster. Schemer. Seducer by Martin S.J

Author:Martin, S.J. [Martin, S.J. ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Moonstorm Books
Published: 2022-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Early the next day, Edvard led Chatillon down to the cells of the Papal guards. It was a maze of cold stone corridors in the bowels of the old Lateran Palace, but eventually, they reached two interconnected rooms lit by torches in the walls. ‘Has he admitted who’s behind this attack yet?’ asked Chatillon, regarding the man hanging and groaning in the ropes. He knew the strappado could only be used for an hour at a time, or the victim would die from the level of pain and strain on his heart. His wrists were tied behind him. He was hung from these so that his shoulders would dislocate as they were wrenched out of their sockets. Now, having been put back in a glowing brazier, hot irons had been applied to various parts of his naked body but to no avail, as they had extracted only basic information. Captain Giovanni explained what they knew.

‘They were recruited in their homeland of Bohemia, two discontented married priests. All he could tell us was that the man hiring them paid them more gold than they thought possible. He also promised them safe passage and escape out of Rome. A German would help them after the deed was carried out.’ Chatillon regarded the poor dribbling creature hanging in the ropes. There had been no safe passage for this priest; the most he could hope for would be a merciful knife to the throat, but even that was not to be. Blood ran from numerous wounds.

‘Lower him and tend to those wounds. He’s to be publicly burnt at the stake in the square tomorrow. The people must see what happens to assassins in Rome, so make sure you keep him alive to be dragged out there on a hurdle.’ He turned to go when Captain Giovanni put a hand on his arm.

‘Monseigneur Chatillon, one more thing, the prisoner gasped out that the warrior who brought the gold was a tall German and wore a badge with an eagle on his chest strap.’

Chatillon’s brows flew together, he knew that badge. He’d seen it before, but where? He thanked the Captain and beckoned Edvard to follow him up the stairs to air that was not rent with the smell of blood and charred flesh.

As they stood in the square, a thought occurred to Chatillon, and he turned and faced his manservant. ‘Just a thought, Edvard, but was Monseigneur Hauser the German they mentioned, the one who would have got the priests away by causing a diversion? We know he’d organised protests in and outside the basilica. Did his untimely death and absence sign the death warrant for these two priests?’

Edvard inclined his head in agreement. ‘It makes sense, Sir. That would possibly explain such a clumsy uncoordinated attack if the guiding hand were missing. Alexander was indeed fortunate that someone had removed this German cleric the night before.’

Chatillon met Edvard’s eyes and smiled. At that point, Edvard knew Chatillon had eliminated Hauser. He mulled that information over in his mind while they stood in the sunshine.

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