Pip Vaughan-Hughes - The Vault of bones

'Thank you, Giustiniano’ Tiepolo told the man in the black robe, who nodded and left the room.

'Giustiniano Zeno is one of our most trusted captains’ said the Doge, when the door had closed. 'A man whose discretion matches his capability. I trust you were not inconvenienced in any way’

'Not at all’ I said hurriedly. It was clear that, to Doge Tiepolo and to Giustiniano Zeno, being abducted by archers on the Grand Canal did not count as an inconvenience.

The Doge leaned forward. 'I regret that you were not shown more politesse, Signor Auneford’ he said. His voice was low but distinct, commanding, the French word a hiss: the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.

At that moment a pair of servants entered with trays of food and drink. Tiepolo insisted I eat, which given the state of my nerves was a particular refinement of cruelty. But, eager to give no offence, I picked at some unpleasant little fish smothered in raisins and vinegar. The wine, however, was an excellent Monemvasia, and I allowed myself a good draught or two. Finally the Doge spoke again, wiping the remains of a minced-meat cake from his chin.

Young man, it grieves me to hear that Messer de Montalhac will not be returning to our city. Your master, despite what you heard out there, was known to us, as was the nature of his business. Rest assured, that does not concern us’ He leaned back in his chair and slowly folded his arms across his chest. ‘I doubt you will be surprised to learn that we have had you under observation, Signor, since your arrival this morning, for we have been watching the Palazzo Centranico, your master’s residence on the Rio Morto. You may find it helpful to learn that your master fascinates – fascinated – us, and that he ought to have been flattered by our attentions, for we in turn were flattered that he chose our Republic as his home. Rest assured’ the Doge continued, 'that if his company chooses to return, our attention will not prove to be, in this case…' he raised a jewelled finger to his cheek and rubbed it gently, distractedly,'… malign.'

'The company of the Cormaran will return to Venice’ I said, 'and with its captain. For Michel de Montalhac is not dead, he is merely in Ravenna, although that is not necessarily, preferable.'

'But Querini assured us…' said the Doge, looking genuinely surprised. I pressed home.

'Querini, perhaps in his great love for the Serene Republic, has withheld certain truths, I believe’ I said. 'My master was abducted from Constantinople and taken to Querini's island of Stampalia, where he was woefully ill-used. I was able to rescue him, and at this moment he is recovering from his many hurts. But he is not a young man, and it will be a matter of sometime before he is well again. Querini told you that he had done away with him?' The Doge nodded, slit-eyed. 'As he tried to do away with me.'

'This is nonsense’ snapped Tiepolo, beginning to rise from his chair. You have postponed the moment of your judgement, I see, with slanders and…'

'I will tell you why Querini has misled the Republic’ I cried, 'and why he has murdered and plotted. Nay, I will show you!' And I held out Gregory's decree. The Doge snatched it from me, but sank back into his cushion. He cast a hawkish eye over the letters, and suddenly his shoulders dropped and his brow crumpled into a deep frown.

'This is an absolution from simony’ he muttered, and glanced up at me. I nodded. 'Given to Captain de Montalhac so that he might accomplish Gregory's fervent wish: that Louis of France bestow upon Baldwin of Constantinople some part of his great wealth, as gratitude for a certain gift that was to be made to him – that gift being the holy Crown of Thorns.'

'But you say Querini has the Crown,' said Tiepolo, head cocked in puzzlement. 'And… if that is so, he has every right to it. And moreover, he does great honour to our city by bringing it here, and by arranging the loan to…'

'Querini did not loan his own money, though, did he?' I asked quickly.

'No: it was a consortium, although Querini put up perhaps the greater part.'

'Thirteen thousand livres of gold,' I said. 'A colossal sum. That such a strange, plain thing as a plaited ring of thorns could be worth so much. But who can put worth on such a thing? That is simony.' Young man…' snapped Tiepolo.

What would the Crown of Thorns be worth to the highest bidder?' I asked him. 'Such a question is blasphemy!' he protested.

'And yet that is what Querini wishes to find out,' I said. The Doge stiffened again, but I went on: 'He has it. Querini has the Crown. It is here in Venice. I saw him take it from the Pharos Chapel with my own eyes. He abducted Captain de Montalhac and tortured him, for he believed he had this letter. Querini has need of the decree of absolution, for he intends to negotiate with Louis himself.'

What of it?' said the Doge. 'He will recoup the thirteen thousand for the consortium. The Querinis are the richest family in Venice: they are very sharp in matters of business.'

'Ah. The thing of it is, that Querini does not know what the highest bidder is willing to pay, and I do,' I said. I picked up the pope's letter from the table. 'Louis of France has already decided what he wishes to pay for the Crown, and it is not thirteen thousand livres of gold’ I leaned forward over the low table. Reluctantly, Tiepolo did the same. I found myself very close to his dark, diamond-hard eyes. Well?' he muttered.

'Louis will pay one hundred and thirty-five thousand gold livres,' I said.

There was utter silence in the room, save for the pounding of my own blood. A bloated winter fly alighted on the sweet fish, and I heard the skitter of its claws. Impossible.. ‘ breathed the Doge at last.

'No. Two Dominican friars – one of them is the Andrew of Longjumeau who wrote this letter – wait with my master at Ravenna. They have the authority to treat with the holder of the relic, and will authorise any payment up to that sum. I swear it. And I, young as I am, and a poor substitute for Captain de Montalhac, have the power, invested in me by the pope, to agree to and legalise the transaction’

What… what exactly are you saying?' asked Tiepolo, groping for his wine cup.

'That the Crown of Thorns is here in Venice, in the illegal possession of a possibly, but not certainly, treasonous citizen. I am sure it would be much more to King Louis' taste to deal with the Most Serene Republic of Venice than with Messer Nicholas – do you not agree?'

'Undoubtedly. But he has a right to hold the Crown. And treason… we have no proof, no proof at all.' ‘Your Honour, I can supply the proof, today.' 'I doubt that,' barked Tiepolo, haughtily. Where is Baldwin de Courtenay?' I asked him. 'Rome,' he said. 'Or France?' 'The Republic is not a party to Baldwin of Constantinople's plans and whims’ rasped Tiepolo. We have another emperor to concern ourselves with, a far more dangerous one’ 'And if he were here?' 'Here, he would be a revered guest’ said the Doge.

Well, he is here. Querini is holding him captive. He was taken from Rome last summer, by force. One of his companions, a Fulk de Grez, was killed – this I know for certain. Doubtless the other companion also died.' 'He would not dare…'

'For half the treasury of France? What man alive would not dare? The pope's decree does not specify one transaction. It has no limit. Do you know, Your Honour, what lies in the Pharos Chapel? Treasures beyond the world's dreams. Querini will sell it all. He will buy the poor Latin Empire – dear God, he can probably afford it already. And then he will buy Venice.'

I regretted those last words the moment they left my tongue, for I had overstepped, I was sure. But to my utter amazement, Doge Tiepolo had risen to his feet and was pulling open the door.