Marco’s Journal : Striking Back

Now I must scribble these thoughts in haste, for we are hiding in the enemy camp, with a desperate fight to come.

But I should start at the beginning.

Saint Christopher had seen us safely to the Deliziosa with the Jews we rescued from murder in the dark alleys of Rome, to find Bettina and her news that we were homeless. While we settled them in, Rocco went out onto the streets again and returned with Marisa and news that the Bardoni gang had restored the Sorceror and his minions to the House of Crows. Donna Giulia sent word to the Jewish Quarter, and the next day some Pierlione surcoats arrived with a horse-litter to collect the old man [one Simione Zacuto] and his wounded nephew and escort their precious cargo to safety. He gave us a small bag of florins, his thanks, and an address we would always be welcome to visit.

The six golden florins were very welcome, as we all had hardly any money in our pockets once more. The rest of our goods we had to think were already plundered. A year’s work - gone. Our most valuable asset was now Giovanni’s metal foot. Father Arturo prayed for the safe return of his newly-inked copy of Galen, which it seems was very precious to him. Indeed we might all lament the loss of our savings, and how we might have squandered it all on wine, women and song instead and be better off than we now were. Certainly Astore did. Brother Giovanni told us to take heart as poverty is good for the soul, but that did not lighten my spirits much; instead I kept myself warm with dreams of revenge.

More hope arrived later that day, when we heard that Cola was calling a council of war at the Black Cat in two days time, at noon. Welcome news indeed, so straightway we said our farewells at the Deliziosa and made our way down to the river to catch a boat back to that end of town. Bettina and Marisa would throw their lot in with us and come too. The boat and river toll was painful to our drained purses, but the streets did not seem safe to travel on after all the rioting. So we made our way swiftly to the Black Cat, and all made ourselves useful as it now housed many refugees from violence and looting. Like us they were homeless and looked to Cola for help.

By noon the next day Matteo and Noni had arrived, along with Renzo, Lino and Father Michele from the Baths of Diocletion, and our old friend Pino, who was growing up fast. Cola had the bar cleared with guards at the door as we held our council of war. Cola told all that the Bardoni gang had taken over the House of Crows by force-of-arms, and so slighted our familia.  That same night the Sorceror Aristofane Caltagirone was back, with the hunchback and deformed hulk he had as his servants. Like me, Cola felt the recent kidnapping of nuns was no coincidence. They had been taken into the depths of the Suburra, the haunt of the Bardoni gang. We know for certain the Sorceror murdered poor virgins to summon and bind the flying monkeys from hell [the good father says they are Scimioni Volanti] , and their return would darken the credit we received for their elimination from the streets of Rome.

Renzo said that both he and Lino hated the Bardoni for once they had been enslaved urchins of The Sweeper - those spigolatori who must glean the endless darkness beneath the streets and return with items of value if they wished to be fed. They had suffered captivity and starvation for many years until they found an escape to the surface. When we described the modern entrance we had found once in our questing below the streets, he agreed that was the point they came from. Above was an old Palazzo, which the Bardoni brothers shared with their aunt as a fortified base for their crimes. Geppetto was the brains, Carlo was the enforcer, and The Sweeper ran her own affairs as tyrant of the urchins and a fence for stolen goods. She wielded a broomstick, and kept a black cat, so all the urchins named her a Witch.

Matteo said he had not settled his account with the Sorceror, and would join in any action to scotch his plans.

After much discussion we made a plan to prove again the route from Renzo’s exit to the Bardoni basement, before launching an attack from below. The attack would involve a Magician’s ruse, a feigned assault on the House of Crows and an ambush of the Bardoni gang sent to clear that away. We would need hour-candles to time our attack from beneath with the action in the streets above. Everyone had a part, and we would make common cause for revenge. A fine plan, but in war few of these thrive in the real world. The Will of Providence is often otherwise - for good or ill - and so it was for us.

To prove the old route still sound, Renzo and Lino took Rocco, Astore, Father Arturo, Brother Giovanni and I across to the Calean Hill. Our new housemate Lorenzo would not be left behind, and was determined to use his magic arts to aid us in the darkness below. The old exit was hard to find in the overgrown ruins on the slopes of the hill, and there we came across two monks arguing with an angry mule. Their progress was not helped by the jeering of many novices from the walls of a small monastery close by. So I took a hand, and as they slipped and stumbled I calmed the poor beast and led it quietly inside the gate. We were thanked by a senior monk, who soon re-ordered the novices as well as any sergeant-at-arms. He offered us water and some shade to drink it in as we had saved the day. When Renzo enquired about the shrine of Santa Barbara he lent us a guide to show it to us.

Soon we found the shrine further down the hill, well worn but still bearing a faded painting of the saint. She is a patron saint for miners, I am told, so Father Arturo made a small mass for us to ask for her protection in the tunnels below, for surely they are as dark as any mine.

Nearby was Renzo’s exit, a tiny cave hidden in a mass of bushes. Crawling within, you can reach stone stairs leading down into an ancient tunnel, although it is a tight spot indeed. Once we had all squeezed through, even Rocco, we descended to an ancient water-way with a walkway on each side, like many we had seen before. The air was fresh and clean compared to many of the lower passages. Renzo led us down, past openings, across a small ford, and eventually to a passage covered in hanging gauze, light as air and strangely sticky. Spider-silk writ very large in the darkness, for this was no common web. All gripped their weapons and prayed to Saint Barbara as we pressed on. Rocco’s prayer must have been heard, for when a huge spider dropped upon him from ceiling, he skipped forward without harm as it landed just behind. Its legs were longer than a man’s, and it scuttled right quick about the walls and web above, despite its great size.

Both Rocco and Renzo had struck it hard, so it swarmed back into its lair above, leaving the tips of two legs behind to the delight of Lorenzo, who stuffed them into his bag for later examination. Above we could see a crack in the roof, or another small tunnel, where must be its lair. The way up was hard, and any fight would be one alone with a dagger in a small space against the fangs and venom of the great spider. We had other business more pressing, and so we passed on and left that danger behind us.

Renzo led us on until we reached the smell of the sewars, and still recognised the passages despite nearly ten years passing since he had trod these ways before. We were close to the stairs we sought, so Rocco and Renzo crept ahead to spy on them while the rest stayed quiet. When we heard a cry and the clash of arms, I ran forward towards the faint light ahead.

I found Renzo and Rocco struggling against four goat-headed men who bore crude shields and iron weapons – heavy falcione or maces. Astore and I rushed in to even the odds, and then Lino arrived with his great axe to tip the scales in our favour. Soon their harsh bleating was silenced when we cut the last down just as Lorenzo, Father Arturo and Brother Giovanni arrived. At that moment the door at the top of the stair was thrown open, and a woman with a broomstick stood forth brazenly.

So we had found our witch, and she was indeed amazed. For in a trice Rocco threw his sword at her, Renzo and Astore stormed up the stairs, Father Arturo appealed for God to Smite the Witch, and Lorenzo cast a bolt of fire at her. I hardly had time to reach the foot of the stairs before she had burst into flames, been hacked by Astore’s falcione, and stabbed in the vitals by Renzo’s baselard. Her time was up before she could utter a word, and she pitched off the top of the stairs down to the stone floor below. Just to make sure, as there are many stories of dead wizards walking before they are turned to ashes, I lopped off a leg and then her head for good measure. It fitted into a small bag nicely, so I took it with me to prevent any reunion whilst we were busy inside.

Within we found a small chamber with a ledger recording the return of each urchin and what they had gleaned. Beyond that was a room with two caged pens of urchins; some twenty-or-so unfortunate spigolatori pleaded for food and their release. While Lino reassured them we would get them food and take them to safety, Father Arturo and Brother Giovanni treated Rocco’s wounds.

Renzo, Astore and I went up the stairs and cleared each room seeking her retainers or other guards. In a closet we found Rosa, the Sweeper’s maid, who gave no trouble and talked with hardly any questions. She explained she was the last servant left – all the rest had been replaced by the goat-men. Apparently the Sorceror had moved in a year or more ago, and things had changed after that. The Sweeper now made many plans with Geppeto and Carlo when before they rarely spoke. Some deal had clearly been done, and we guessed it involved the flying monkeys - for control of a few of them would greatly aid the Bardoni gang. Rosa had seen the missing nuns herded into the palazzo a few days ago, although where they were being held she did not know.

So now we knew we were right. Although we had struck the Bardoni hard, and Renzo was revenged, we were not done if we were to scotch these plans and hopefully kill the Sorceror too.

Although we still had the element of surprise, we had only 5 soldiers, two priests and a magician against an unknown number of Bardoni thugs - still behind many secure doors as the palazzo was divided into three sets of quarters. We held a little council of war and agreed that Renzo and Lino would lead the urchins back to the old exit and the monastery above before bringing news to Cola and our friends. We would try and hold here until they could make a new plan of attack for tomorrow. If all failed, we could retreat into the tunnels beneath and flee, but if we could hold out we might make the defence of the palazzo much more difficult.

First we needed to find some money and food to persuade the monks to take in twenty new mouths to feed, or they might be back on the streets instead. So Renzo, Astore and I crept up the stairs once more and opened the door which lead out to the covered porch and cloister with led around the courtyard one floor below. We could see the courtyard was divided into two parts by hurdles with four large guard-dogs penned into one half. No guards. We crept along and entered a door leading to many rooms. In one we found a scribe hiding out; like Rosa he came quietly and gave no trouble. Umberto showed us to a strongroom with many bags of coins; we took a few to oil the wheels of the monastery and some more full of ducats. If we live, perhaps our fortunes might be repaired. All around, the shelves were full of artifacts from the ancient world – a huge collection. If Cola could see this, he would have a fit. But there was no way of carrying even a tiny part of all of this, so I would have content myself with a box of jewellery looted from the Sweeper’s rooms.

Now we crept back to the basement, where Lorenzo took on the likeness of Rosa and went out into the courtyard on his own. Back and forth he strolled with food from the kitchen – a large pot of pottage, bags of grain, and even two sides of bacon. Whilst some of us held our breath, he blithely collected what we needed with casual steps and cool glances.

Soon we had all we needed, and fed the urchins before readying them all to leave with their little cloaks and candles. Rosa pleaded to go with them, saying she had had enough of the Sorceror and guessed her mistress was no more. Renzo took her along – it was his call. He seems kind-hearted even after such a hard life, for his first thought was ever for the urchins. I hope they make it out unharmed.

Umberto confessed that he lived alone, and had no wife or children to miss him. We told him he need have no fear if he waited quietly in the basement and took no part in our fight with the Bardoni. He knew they were evil men, and that his employment was over, for they had no interest in the antiquities hoarded by their aunt.

So now we wait in hiding within the Bardoni palazzo, for a challenge from outside. We shall need some stratagem to throw them off, or take a chance with silence. If that fails, it will be cold steel once more, although maybe Lorenzo’s arts may aid us again.

13 - Search for Marisa

In the morning, Rocco and Bettina go in search of Marisa, who they believe is trying to keep a watch on the House of Crows. As they approach their destination, Rocco is made by some ruffians in one of the local taverns. He and Bettina split up - Bettina to search out Marisa; Rocco to go the Baths of Diocletian to seek out Fra Michele and let him know the news and talk to Renzo. They meet up later, Bettina with Marisa in tow, and return to the Deliziosa.

12 - Gardening and Good Samaritans

Rocco is troubled by his dreams rreminding him of his promise to the Graces. However, today is a work day. He and Marco, Astore, Fra. Giovanni and Father Arturo make their way over to the Black Cat, in a group for safety. They proceed without incident, the streets being somewhat quieter than before, the battle for the Colliseo being over - or at least suspended for now. However, Rocco has a suspicion that the house was watched and that their movements dogged. At the Black Cat they meet Trucco and agree that at least for now they might as well be the liaison for Fra Michele at the Baths of Diocletian.

On their return to the Hose of Crows they receive a visitor. A dapper fellow who gives his name as Gepetto Bardone, knocks politely at the door. He is flanked by a couple of bruisers. Although he is courteous in his demeanour, it soon becomes clear that he is here to demand protection money. They decline. He leaves suggesting that it might have been better had they listened to his reasonable demands.

The following morning they leave by a clandestine route, nipping over the garden wall and make their way to the rendezvous for Fra Michele. Rocco negotiates his way inside with the aid of Venetian gold. He and Renzo have a wary conversation where each hints at a greater knowledge but neither come clean, though Renzo does voice his admiration for Cola and his ideas for a better Rome. He also knows of the Bardoni - a Suburra gang - and has nothing good to say of them. His henchman, Lino guides Rocco to the rent in the ground that they use as a midden. Rocco wields away with his pruning hook at the foliage around the hole.

Gerdening done, the group make their way to the Black Cat once more. Traversing the city is difficult today, there appears to be widespread disorder in the area around the half-built Colonna Palazzo. When they finally make it to the Black Cat, it is quite late in the afternoon. Trucco has heard of the Bardoni and says more or less the same of them as Renzo. They are a Suburra gang and comprise two brothers of whom Gepetto is the elder and the brains of the outfit. His brother Carlo has an evil reputation for violence and breeds savage dogs. There is an aunt, known as Signora Scopatora, who is a well-known fence. They must be going up in the world if they are now trying to collect rents on the Viminale.

Returning to the House of the Crows proves difficult, for the situation around the Palazzo Colonna resembles a pitched battle. The most direct route would take them through the Suburra, but they are reluctant to risk that. They eventually take a very circuitous route up the Quirinale, where they run into a street robbery in progress. They rescue what proves to be a couple of Jews and their donkey from a bunch of street toughs. One of the Jews is badly injured. They realise that the Deliziosa is nearby so they seek shelter there and succour for the wounded man.

They are flabbergasted to find Bettina there. She has bad news. A band of ruffians came to the House of Crows that afternoon with a battering ram. She and Marisa shot a few crossbow bolts and skipped out the back. Marisa is hanging around to see what she can find out about their attackers. She came to the only place she knew in Rome - the Deliziosa, in the hope that they could get a message to the Black Cat. It was a miracle that they showed up here too.