ONCE THEIR FIVE COMPANIONS had disappeared, Amaury and Hélène made directly for église Saint-Martin. Père Étienne was waiting just inside the door, breathing heavily as if he had run to get there, although Amaury knew it was simply fear. The priest gestured quickly for Amaury and Hélène to follow him through the nave to the door that led to a vestry, glancing about the church as if phantom inquisitors had seeped in through the cracks.
Inside the room was Cardinal d’Aubuisson. He seemed near tears. No dimples now.
“I have been told. I am embarrassed to be a member of the same Church as that murderer. I will do all I can to help you. I cannot believe that the word of God can remain perverted by such men as Ory for much longer.”
Amaury was certain that the word of God could remain perverted as long as there was a word of God, but there was no reason to add to d’Aubuisson’s despair. “He will denounce you for trying to interfere,” he said instead.
D’Aubuisson dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. “He will find that his brand of piety does not sit nearly as well in Rome as he assumes. Some in the Curia are, like me, seeking reform, to move the Church to a more enlightened, modern incarnation. Others, quite the other way, do not wish their own earthly pleasures to come under question. In either case, such zealotry is anathema. As for the king . . . he cannot very well court the Holy Father’s support against Charles by persecuting princes of the Church. No, my son, I will survive very nicely.” He gestured for Hélène to move closer, then held out his hands for her to take. “But you, my dear, are under great threat. I encourage Faverges here to undertake his mission to Poland, but could I not prevail on you to eschew such a dangerous journey?”
“No, uncle. After . . . this . . . how can I stop now? If Amaury should fail, what point would there be to continue living?”
“But a woman, chasing after assassins? Is this what you wish, Faverges?”
“I have learned in these past days, Your Eminence, that attempting to make decisions for your niece is a fruitless exercise. But what assassins do you mean?”
“Ory has dispatched a team of killers to Poland. He did so with great concealment but, as I said, there are no secrets in the Louvre. They have, I have been told, already left the city for Calais. From there they will charter a galley. I suspect they will disembark in Hamburg, rather than traverse the Danish peninsula. Then overland to Lübeck, where they will likely charter another boat.”
“Did you learn anything of the assassins’ identities, Your Eminence?”
The cardinal shook his head. “There are four. That’s all I know.”
“I believe I know the men.”
“You? How?”
“That’s unimportant, Your Eminence. But the knowledge will give us at least one small advantage. Still, we cannot hope to overtake them if we merely mimic their route. We must travel overland.”
“But land travel is slower still.”
“Perhaps. But we will need some luck in any event, and March is a stormy month. Their progress on the water might be slower than they imagine.”
“Then they will put in and travel by land.”
“No. If I’m correct about the identity of their leader, they will stay on the boat, where he can remain belowdecks during the day.”
“I don’t understand.”
“This man will not travel by daylight in an open coach. And a closed one would attract too much attention, especially as he moves through the German states. No, he will stay on the boat.”
D’Aubuisson shrugged. “If you say so. I don’t know very much of such things, I’m afraid. In any event, it is no longer safe for you to leave the city openly, even under my auspices. We will have to smuggle you out. It should be a simple matter, however. We will secret you in the back of the cart. Père Étienne will drive. I’ve already arranged horses and provisions to be waiting for you outside the city. You’ll find the clothing suitable for a journey north. I have written a letter that will ensure you safe passage through France. It might have benefit with Church authorities in Poland as well, although Poles are notoriously clannish. They might resent interference by a French cardinal. You’ll have to judge for yourself when you arrive there.
“I’ve assigned servants to travel with you and a guard to see you across France. Two men whose skill and discretion I can personally vouch for. Père Étienne has volunteered to go as well.”
Amaury shook his head. “The guards will be welcome. But no servants. And as much as we value Père Étienne and are flattered by his offer, he should remain with you in this perilous time.”
The priest made to protest, but his relief was apparent.
“Impossible,” the cardinal snapped. “You cannot travel alone with my niece on such a journey. Out of the question. Germany is not France, you know. It’s a land of barbarians. I can do nothing. They will murder you for a shoe.”
But Amaury would not be moved. “I’m sorry, Your Eminence, but we must go alone. This is not an adventure to be shared with even trusted lips. We will see to our own needs. And as we will be passing through territory where Lutheranism abounds, Père Étienne’s presence could prove more bane than advantage. I am as cognizant of the dangers of the journey as are you. I won’t expose Hélène where it can be helped. I intend to engage mercenaries at each stage of the journey for protection.”
“Mercenaries can be as dangerous as bandits.”
“True. But in such a case, servants would be of little assistance. And Père Étienne is a man of peace. No, Your Eminence. We will travel alone. We would welcome your prayers, however. If this journey is to have a successful end, we will need the blessings of God.”
The cardinal began to protest further, but then his shoulders sagged. He was in no position to insist. “I shall pray that you have them, then.”
“Thank you, Your Eminence. I will return Hélène safely. You have my word. One more thing. A girl brought the material to Ory. Escorted by six soldiers. Do you know what became of her?”
“Yes. She was immediately escorted to a set of rooms with guards posted outside. Only Ory himself spoke with her. After a bit, she was sent to Rouen. To a convent.”
Amaury smiled. “I’m pleased to hear that.”
“An odd reaction to the person who betrayed you.”
“She was completely innocent of spirit. I can’t wish her ill, no matter what she’s done. She will find peace in the convent.”
“More peace than those four she denounced.”
Hélène moved forward and placed her hand on the cardinal’s cheek. “Thank you, Uncle. For everything. Don’t fear for me. I have never felt more that my life had meaning.”
D’Aubuisson nodded sadly. “It is unfortunate that so often giving life meaning involves taking an inordinate risk of ending it.”