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Chapter ExcerptS
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CHAPTER 1
Gamble upon Gamble
Lake Maggiore
Duchy of Savoy, Holy Roman Empire
(August 26th, 1515; evening)
Duchy of Savoy, Holy Roman Empire
(August 26th, 1515; evening)
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The embers fell away from the tobacco, the brief orange glow of the cigarillo disappearing with the lazy drift of gray-white smoke. Far below was the massive Lake Maggiore and around it, the countless dots of campfires that struggled to shoot themselves up towards the heavens above, the clear night sky speckled with endless stars that seemed to bow inwards from above to touch the earth below. The moon, unhindered by clouds, reflected itself off the waters of the lake, the gray sphere wavering and morphing with the shifting waters; given the moon’s light, boats could clearly be seen traveling back and forth across the lake and its various islands that held countless more campfires, creating a scene of beautifully frantic activity.
“You asked to see me, captain?” came a voice from behind and Lafontaine Vayssière turned his head back over his shoulder from the view of the lake to address the new arrival.
Turning his head back towards the waters without a word, he took a drag off his cigarillo, allowing the smoke to disappear into the night sky shortly thereafter as effortlessly
“You asked to see me, captain?” came a voice from behind and Lafontaine Vayssière turned his head back over his shoulder from the view of the lake to address the new arrival.
Turning his head back towards the waters without a word, he took a drag off his cigarillo, allowing the smoke to disappear into the night sky shortly thereafter as effortlessly
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as it had before. He spoke with a measured tone of restraint with a not-so-subtle hint of disappointment as he looked out towards the reflection of the moon on the waters, “I did, holy man.”
“How can I be of service to the company?”
The captain held up a well-used piece of weathered paper, its integrity in question with the number of holes where nails were used to hold it up or where tears were forming from rough handling on the edges. On the wanted poster was a crudely drawn picture of a priest with a clear wanted amount any language could understand.
“Franz and Klaus discovered it in Piedmont, while gathering supplies.” 8
Father Edward pushed the knot in his throat down.
The French captain turned around and held the wanted poster out, the priest taking a step forward and collecting the poster and looking at it. The grimace on the priest’s face was evident.
“How can I be of service to the company?”
The captain held up a well-used piece of weathered paper, its integrity in question with the number of holes where nails were used to hold it up or where tears were forming from rough handling on the edges. On the wanted poster was a crudely drawn picture of a priest with a clear wanted amount any language could understand.
“Franz and Klaus discovered it in Piedmont, while gathering supplies.” 8
Father Edward pushed the knot in his throat down.
The French captain turned around and held the wanted poster out, the priest taking a step forward and collecting the poster and looking at it. The grimace on the priest’s face was evident.
8 No Tears (Inheritance), pg. 302. While Giovanni’s wanted poster was to be commissioned sometime after June 20th, 1515, with Margaret’s assistance for Father Saul, Father Edward’s wanted poster was less directly implied (a mistake on my part) on the pages before it, pg. 300-301, to be done by Margaret’s “spies searching every tavern and town for his whereabouts.”
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“It is time we reassess your value in regard to the company.” 9
“Have I not been loyal? Were my services in rescuing Lancaster and Bakker not of value?”
“You have withheld information from me, priest. Information that is both profitable to me and, if handled poorly, a certain death sentence to me and my men if we were discovered protecting you. The price on your head for capture is more than a year’s worth of honest work for this company, let alone for the French king’s depleted treasury on this gamble of his.” 10 11 ii
“So, this is how it ends? You just turn me over and make your coin at my expense?”
“I did not say that. As a member of this company, you are granted a fair account of your value. And your past.”
“My past?”
“Have I not been loyal? Were my services in rescuing Lancaster and Bakker not of value?”
“You have withheld information from me, priest. Information that is both profitable to me and, if handled poorly, a certain death sentence to me and my men if we were discovered protecting you. The price on your head for capture is more than a year’s worth of honest work for this company, let alone for the French king’s depleted treasury on this gamble of his.” 10 11 ii
“So, this is how it ends? You just turn me over and make your coin at my expense?”
“I did not say that. As a member of this company, you are granted a fair account of your value. And your past.”
“My past?”
9 No Tears (Northern Company), pg. 232-235
10 After Francis’ successful military trickery against Swiss forces by using the Col de Larche pass through the Alps (instead of the heavily defended Mont-Cenis or Mont-Genevre passes, which were the traditional routes to war), the papal cavalry’s base camp at Villafranca was crushed, with their commander (Prospero Colonna) captured. Outflanked and without their cavalry, Swiss forces retreated from the mountains and to Lake Maggiore, knowing they could do little against the advancing French army. (pg. 61-62; Frieda, 2018)
11 pg. 63; Frieda, 2018
10 After Francis’ successful military trickery against Swiss forces by using the Col de Larche pass through the Alps (instead of the heavily defended Mont-Cenis or Mont-Genevre passes, which were the traditional routes to war), the papal cavalry’s base camp at Villafranca was crushed, with their commander (Prospero Colonna) captured. Outflanked and without their cavalry, Swiss forces retreated from the mountains and to Lake Maggiore, knowing they could do little against the advancing French army. (pg. 61-62; Frieda, 2018)
11 pg. 63; Frieda, 2018
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“I do not intend for a man that could bring death to my company to be within our ranks, without us first understanding your value to that risk. I, Tau, and Min know every man’s past as the officers of this company. It will be no different with you.”
“And if I refuse? Or the officers do not accept my value because of my past?”
“Your fate will be the same in either circumstance: we will have a payday and you will meet your destiny on that wanted poster.”
“No better than pirates, your lot is!” Edward accused, handing the wanted poster back to the captain.
“We have honor, holy man. Or you would not be getting a fair account of your value. Honor is something that pirates do not have and will never have. The scum of their lot is below that of even hell’s taking.”
Edward shook his head, taking a step forward and around the captain to look out towards the lake. He crossed his arms over his chest, “Now what? You chain me?”
“No,” Lafontaine said, turning to face the lake as the two men spoke, the captain nodding to the endless campfires below, “The remnants of the Swiss army are down there, at least part of it. The French king might have flanked them at Villafranca and crushed their cavalry, but they are not out of this fight yet. At least not until we hear what their
“And if I refuse? Or the officers do not accept my value because of my past?”
“Your fate will be the same in either circumstance: we will have a payday and you will meet your destiny on that wanted poster.”
“No better than pirates, your lot is!” Edward accused, handing the wanted poster back to the captain.
“We have honor, holy man. Or you would not be getting a fair account of your value. Honor is something that pirates do not have and will never have. The scum of their lot is below that of even hell’s taking.”
Edward shook his head, taking a step forward and around the captain to look out towards the lake. He crossed his arms over his chest, “Now what? You chain me?”
“No,” Lafontaine said, turning to face the lake as the two men spoke, the captain nodding to the endless campfires below, “The remnants of the Swiss army are down there, at least part of it. The French king might have flanked them at Villafranca and crushed their cavalry, but they are not out of this fight yet. At least not until we hear what their
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thoughts are on this peace emissary. 12 We are Lord René’s escort and I need every man and their eyes to look out for trouble, sword or not in their hand. After this is over, then we will hear your account.”
12 “Meanwhile, the Swiss, now outflanked and demoralized by the loss of their cavalry, retreated to Lake Maggiore. Francis, scenting capitulation, sent a peace emissary, led by his uncle René, “The Great Bastard of Savoy.” He offered the Swiss money, future military subsidy, and an alliance, as long as they would aid him in his fight against Milanese; in an unenviable situation, they agreed to begin negotiations.” (pg. 62-63; Frieda, 2018)
CHAPTER 2
Chain Reactions
Sacra Di San Michele, Town of Sant’Ambrogio di Torino
Duchy of Savoy, Holy Roman Empire
(August 27th, 1515; early morning)
Duchy of Savoy, Holy Roman Empire
(August 27th, 1515; early morning)
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Giovanni brought the cigarillo to his lips and took a slow drag, the embers glowing hot as they fell away a moment later, the exhalation of gray-white smoke lazily drifting away into the north-west morning sky. The grayish sky had lines of orange that stretched out above and around the massive abbey from the east, shooting out in strained attempts towards the west where Salzano looked (and the grayish sky still held its ground despite the rising sun’s encroach). The town far below still sprinkled the mountainous area with its flickering lamps of life from the night previous. 13 iii
13 The Sacra di San Michele (Saint Michael’s Abbey) sits above the town of Sant’Ambrogio di Torino (founded between 374 and 568 AD) in Italy. The abbey was originally a Roman fort dating back to around 63 AD, while initial construction on the abbey as we know it today was started between 983-987 AD. While the abbey saw expansive construction and its heyday between its beginning and the mid-point of the 1300s, it saw an unrelenting decline from 1381 to about 1622, when it was abandoned all together. In 1835, 213 years later, the abbey was ordered to be repopulated under King Charles Albert (Kingdom of Saradinia).
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Footsteps behind the Venetian caused Giovanni to turn his head over his shoulder, but otherwise the mercenary was not spooked. Despite his complete lack of any of his leather attire, weapons, or even his hat---left with only his boots and essential pants and shirt---the mercenary was still equipped with his boot knife, more than enough to defend himself in his opinion.
“I have been looking for you,” Lancaster said matter-of-factly, “Not easy to do in a place this big.”
“That is the point,” Giovanni responded, turning back to the view ahead of him.
“And in such,” the bowman responded as he took several steps forward and joined the Italian looking out across the mountainous area, “With a view such as this, Giovanni, I do not blame you.”
“Hmmm,” Giovanni responded with a nod, finishing the last of the tobacco with a final drag and then smashing the cigarillo into the below chest-high stone wall before flicking it over the wall and into the forest far below. The Italian glanced at the eye-patched Englishman, seeing the man was fully attired for the day, “We are leaving, I assume?"
“I have been looking for you,” Lancaster said matter-of-factly, “Not easy to do in a place this big.”
“That is the point,” Giovanni responded, turning back to the view ahead of him.
“And in such,” the bowman responded as he took several steps forward and joined the Italian looking out across the mountainous area, “With a view such as this, Giovanni, I do not blame you.”
“Hmmm,” Giovanni responded with a nod, finishing the last of the tobacco with a final drag and then smashing the cigarillo into the below chest-high stone wall before flicking it over the wall and into the forest far below. The Italian glanced at the eye-patched Englishman, seeing the man was fully attired for the day, “We are leaving, I assume?"
Salzano’s view of the town can be found on the abbey’s website (virtual tour) on slide 34 & 35 (of 57).
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“Yes,” Jerry responded, keeping his eye to the beautiful view ahead, “The monks have finished with equipping us with our lost attire including cloaks and bedrolls, replenished our goods, and acquired horses for our future travels. Although,” the bowman glanced at Giovanni with a smirk, before turning back to the mountainous view, “They do not have enough time to replace your walking stick. And the few monks here refuse to provide us with one that cannot be carefully made to your weight and need specifications.”
The Venetian chuckled lightly at the hidden relief in Lancaster’s voice and glanced to the bowman before saying as his eyes settled on the beautiful view ahead, “I do believe Bakker and I were the only comrades in the company that appreciated the fine tool that a walking stick is.”
“Bakker…” Lancaster replied quietly, his voice suddenly lost in memory.
Little more than several days removed from the death of their Netherlands spy, it had been a hard transition for both Jerry and Salzano to not mention the spy, Tau, or Lars as if the three of them were still with them. Salzano grimaced at the lapse of words as he glanced to the Englishman and then looked off to the mountains, suddenly hearing Bakker’s first words that the spy had ever shared with Giovanni---
The Venetian chuckled lightly at the hidden relief in Lancaster’s voice and glanced to the bowman before saying as his eyes settled on the beautiful view ahead, “I do believe Bakker and I were the only comrades in the company that appreciated the fine tool that a walking stick is.”
“Bakker…” Lancaster replied quietly, his voice suddenly lost in memory.
Little more than several days removed from the death of their Netherlands spy, it had been a hard transition for both Jerry and Salzano to not mention the spy, Tau, or Lars as if the three of them were still with them. Salzano grimaced at the lapse of words as he glanced to the Englishman and then looked off to the mountains, suddenly hearing Bakker’s first words that the spy had ever shared with Giovanni---
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“Ah,” the short man said with a joyful voice in English as he neared the trio, “You must be Giovanni Salzano,” the man came to a stop, resting with both arms over his walking stick, “I like your taste in walking sticks. A necessary item in these forests if you ask me! My name is Benjamin Bakker, a local to the Netherlands.” 14
---Giovanni finally sighed after several long moments of silence.
“Scusa.” 15
Lancaster shrugged, “Just part of the job.”
“I guess so.”
“Well, look,” Lancaster said a long moment later, changing the subject as to not dwell on the past too long, “I am going to go get our new cloaks and bedrolls from the monks. You get some food in you. That is an order. Those cigarillos are not food, Italian, however much you think the captain survives off of them.”
Giovanni chuckled, “This whole in-charge business is really going to your head.”
Lancaster put a firm hand on the Italian’s shoulder as he turned to depart, “I am trying to keep you alive, Italian.”
---Giovanni finally sighed after several long moments of silence.
“Scusa.” 15
Lancaster shrugged, “Just part of the job.”
“I guess so.”
“Well, look,” Lancaster said a long moment later, changing the subject as to not dwell on the past too long, “I am going to go get our new cloaks and bedrolls from the monks. You get some food in you. That is an order. Those cigarillos are not food, Italian, however much you think the captain survives off of them.”
Giovanni chuckled, “This whole in-charge business is really going to your head.”
Lancaster put a firm hand on the Italian’s shoulder as he turned to depart, “I am trying to keep you alive, Italian.”
14 No Tears (Northern Company), pg. 53
15 “Sorry.” (Italian)
15 “Sorry.” (Italian)
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**
Giovanni slid his cutlass sword into the scabbard and went to repeat the process with his knife when the sound of a person clearing their throat gained his attention. Turning his head from the simple round table opposite the bed in the small guest chamber, he noticed the young monk standing there with a fresh plate of food. The man was no younger than Salzano, if a little older in fact. Rich black hair was closely maintained, while the little stubble on his face matched his youthful experience and brown eyes. Like the rest of the monks here, his attire was all black.
“Your food, Master Mercenary.”
Giovanni raised an eyebrow before reaching for the knife on the table and securing it into the scabbard across his shoulder, completing his attire minus the cloak and bedroll, “We speak English now?”
The monk lowered his head, his eyes racing back and forth in shame, “Forgive my transgression! I did not mean offense.”
Giovanni chuckled as he reached for his mug on the table, “None taken,” he took a sip of the fresh mountain water in the mug, before taking a step forward to accept the plate
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and saying in Italian, “Grazie.” 16 The monk nodded, but kept his head low as he backed up with his hands cupped together; he remained at the door, however, and as Giovanni sat down on the lone chair at the table, after adjusting his sword out of the way, he noticed the monk still standing there in the simple doorway that was opposite the lone windowless opening with open shutters on the far side of the bed. Giovanni asked, “Why do you keep your head lowered? I said there was no offense.”
“I have a question. But I am troubled it may offend your person and I dread such a misstep a second time already this morning.”
“Well,” Giovanni said as he dug into his food with a crude iron fork 17 iv , his mouth full as he spoke a moment later, “You cannot ask a question with your head lowered to the ground like that. I may take offense to that.”
The monk rose his head and he spoke after a brief uncertainty, “I recognized your last name of Salzano when your comrades spoke of you yesterday. When I heard
“I have a question. But I am troubled it may offend your person and I dread such a misstep a second time already this morning.”
“Well,” Giovanni said as he dug into his food with a crude iron fork 17 iv , his mouth full as he spoke a moment later, “You cannot ask a question with your head lowered to the ground like that. I may take offense to that.”
The monk rose his head and he spoke after a brief uncertainty, “I recognized your last name of Salzano when your comrades spoke of you yesterday. When I heard
16 “Thank you.”
17 Bone forks appeared as early as the Bronze Age in the Qijia culture (2400-1900 BC), while early precursors to the modern fork started to appear in the Roman Empire through bronze and silver forks. What we would consider modern forks, in steel & iron makeup, began appearing in 15th & 16th century Italy, Spain, and France; silver forks by then were reserved for the wealthy classes.
17 Bone forks appeared as early as the Bronze Age in the Qijia culture (2400-1900 BC), while early precursors to the modern fork started to appear in the Roman Empire through bronze and silver forks. What we would consider modern forks, in steel & iron makeup, began appearing in 15th & 16th century Italy, Spain, and France; silver forks by then were reserved for the wealthy classes.
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Giovanni, it all came together. My name before becoming a monk was Danilo Orazio.” 18 v
Giovanni nodded as he continued eating away, pointing the fork towards the man, “Ah. The Orazio family!” Salzano finally swallowed the food in his mouth with a forced effort and followed it up by washing it down with a gulp of water. Putting the mug down, he said, “You will have to forgive me; I feel like I have not eaten in days!”
“If the stories of you and your comrades are true, then yes, it has been days since you last ate a proper meal.”
Giovanni nodded, a mixed look of contentment and eating too fast all over his face, “It was true alright. All of it,” he took a moment for his stomach to register the onslaught it had just endured, taking his hat off and putting it on the table. He leaned back in the wooden chair and looked at the monk, “Danilo, you said? The two brothers, right?”
“Three,” Danilo corrected, “My younger brother Paolo died young and most everyone remembers my older brother, Hugo. He inherited the family store in town, well, at least will when father gives it to him.”
Giovanni nodded as he continued eating away, pointing the fork towards the man, “Ah. The Orazio family!” Salzano finally swallowed the food in his mouth with a forced effort and followed it up by washing it down with a gulp of water. Putting the mug down, he said, “You will have to forgive me; I feel like I have not eaten in days!”
“If the stories of you and your comrades are true, then yes, it has been days since you last ate a proper meal.”
Giovanni nodded, a mixed look of contentment and eating too fast all over his face, “It was true alright. All of it,” he took a moment for his stomach to register the onslaught it had just endured, taking his hat off and putting it on the table. He leaned back in the wooden chair and looked at the monk, “Danilo, you said? The two brothers, right?”
“Three,” Danilo corrected, “My younger brother Paolo died young and most everyone remembers my older brother, Hugo. He inherited the family store in town, well, at least will when father gives it to him.”
18 The name “Orazio” was first mentioned in A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition), pg. 59
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Giovanni smiled, “I never thought I would meet anyone from town again!” 19 vi
The monk smiled sheepishly, “Me too. It is nice to see a familiar face,” the man’s face grew concerned, before he asked rather bluntly and without notice, “Why do you kill people?”
Giovanni’s relaxed demeanor quickly disappeared across his face, “Why does it matter?”
“We are a monastery, and you are men of the sword. Coin for death nonetheless! If not for our vows to help without judgement or delay for the needy and wounded, surely, we would not have helped. For such violence is of the Evil One! You know what Father Saul preached about every Sunday morning. This, Giovanni, this is not it.”
Giovanni’s face hardened as his eyes shot lasers through Danilo, “Father Saul is a gutless, unholy monster! A murderer of the lowest standard and a man, I assure you
The monk smiled sheepishly, “Me too. It is nice to see a familiar face,” the man’s face grew concerned, before he asked rather bluntly and without notice, “Why do you kill people?”
Giovanni’s relaxed demeanor quickly disappeared across his face, “Why does it matter?”
“We are a monastery, and you are men of the sword. Coin for death nonetheless! If not for our vows to help without judgement or delay for the needy and wounded, surely, we would not have helped. For such violence is of the Evil One! You know what Father Saul preached about every Sunday morning. This, Giovanni, this is not it.”
Giovanni’s face hardened as his eyes shot lasers through Danilo, “Father Saul is a gutless, unholy monster! A murderer of the lowest standard and a man, I assure you
19 The Town of Salzano is Giovanni’s hometown in A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition); the town is first briefly introduced in No Tears (Northern Company) and is generally the central location for half the book of A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition).
Despite its moniker, the town is real and is named Salzano. The real town of Salzano was founded sometime before or on 1283, as online accounts are not clear on the date or the founders of the original settlement.
Despite its moniker, the town is real and is named Salzano. The real town of Salzano was founded sometime before or on 1283, as online accounts are not clear on the date or the founders of the original settlement.
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Brother Danilo, will be dead by my hands before my body is laid to rest from this evil world.” 20
Danilo shook his head, tears forming in his eyes at the insult to the religion and the priest he held so dear, “These words---”
Salzano cut the man off with a stern snap of his words, “Are the truth! Father Saul murdered my family and tried to kill me as well! What is left of the Salzano villa is a pile of burned debris, townsfolk that ransacked my family legacy even before their bodies became cold 21 , and a trail of blood leading straight to Father Saul. Do not believe me? Go to the town and see for yourself,” Salzano dug into a pouch and put a handful of coins on the table, “The trip is on me. You see Father Saul, you tell him that Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary is looking for him.”
The monk took a step back as Giovanni stood up, the mercenary collecting his hat and mug. As the Italian strode past the monk---kicking up dust on the wooden floors---and into the hallway, Danilo called out, “The Traveling Mercenary?”
Danilo shook his head, tears forming in his eyes at the insult to the religion and the priest he held so dear, “These words---”
Salzano cut the man off with a stern snap of his words, “Are the truth! Father Saul murdered my family and tried to kill me as well! What is left of the Salzano villa is a pile of burned debris, townsfolk that ransacked my family legacy even before their bodies became cold 21 , and a trail of blood leading straight to Father Saul. Do not believe me? Go to the town and see for yourself,” Salzano dug into a pouch and put a handful of coins on the table, “The trip is on me. You see Father Saul, you tell him that Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary is looking for him.”
The monk took a step back as Giovanni stood up, the mercenary collecting his hat and mug. As the Italian strode past the monk---kicking up dust on the wooden floors---and into the hallway, Danilo called out, “The Traveling Mercenary?”
20 See footnotes 85-89 (pg. 106), A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition), and footnote #182 (pg. 230), No Tears (Northern Company). These two selections of footnotes clarify the author’s position on avoiding disparaging the Roman Catholic Church.
21 The ransacking of the Salzano family villa can be found in A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition), Chapter 11 (Origin).
21 The ransacking of the Salzano family villa can be found in A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition), Chapter 11 (Origin).
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Giovanni stopped and turned around, putting his hat on his head as he did so. He looked at the monk a long moment before answering, “For Romano Tantillo.” 22
**
“Looking to not be so flamboyantly French, I see,” Lancaster poked at the French knight, whose Les Yeux Du Roi 23 attire was stored in both saddlebags to either side of
**
“Looking to not be so flamboyantly French, I see,” Lancaster poked at the French knight, whose Les Yeux Du Roi 23 attire was stored in both saddlebags to either side of
22 Romano was the best-friend of Giovanni Salzano; his relationship with Giovanni is highlighted throughout A Story of the Beginning (2016) and further detailed in A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition) (2022). Despite being childhood friends growing up together along with Giovanni’s cousin (Deangelo), both the Salzano cousins (each 4 years Romano’s senior) regarded the younger Romano as someone to be protected, like a little brother, and often disregarded his desires and choices as childish for his younger age. This disregard for Romano’s feelings and attachment to his friends and subsequent fallout is detailed in the Revised Edition, pg. 80-91.
23 The King’s Eyes (Les Yeux Du Roi); these soldiers are fictional and first appeared in No Tears (Inheritance) as elite bodyguards and as a special operations troop detachment under Francis I’s (King of France) direct control. While they are first mentioned on pg. ix and in Chapter 1 (Destiny), they are more properly introduced in Chapter 8 (Fog of War) and later expanded upon in Chapter 14 (Surreptitious) & Chapter 17 (Audacious).
23 The King’s Eyes (Les Yeux Du Roi); these soldiers are fictional and first appeared in No Tears (Inheritance) as elite bodyguards and as a special operations troop detachment under Francis I’s (King of France) direct control. While they are first mentioned on pg. ix and in Chapter 1 (Destiny), they are more properly introduced in Chapter 8 (Fog of War) and later expanded upon in Chapter 14 (Surreptitious) & Chapter 17 (Audacious).
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the saddle as to protect him in these lands from identification through Swiss spies and agents---save for his edged weapons---and were replaced with generic traveling attire as the monks had acquired.
“Nothing can stop a Frenchman from looking better than an Englishman!” Fulgence Bassot replied with a self-assured smirk from atop the horse as he looked down on the two Northern Company mercenaries as the trio was waiting with their horses outside the front entrance of the abbey, “Although with the quality of these horses, my ego may have to take a notch down out of necessity, so I do not shame myself as a blowhard.”
Giovanni smirked, “With the poor condition of this place? These horses are probably all they could afford, and we should feel lucky we were able to give them some coin in return for helping us and keeping us hidden from Imperial loyalists.”
Lancaster added, “If not for our arrival at daylight yesterday, we may be forgiven to not know if this place was still inhabited by monks or if rogues had taken it over.”
Fulgence nodded towards the rising sun in the east ahead of them as it warmed the trio against the exterior stone of the abbey, “The sun brings new beginnings, mercenaries, and a new journey away from this old abbey and the bloody mountain to our rear,” 24 a flash of regret, of loss, washed across his face for a moment before he looked down to the
“Nothing can stop a Frenchman from looking better than an Englishman!” Fulgence Bassot replied with a self-assured smirk from atop the horse as he looked down on the two Northern Company mercenaries as the trio was waiting with their horses outside the front entrance of the abbey, “Although with the quality of these horses, my ego may have to take a notch down out of necessity, so I do not shame myself as a blowhard.”
Giovanni smirked, “With the poor condition of this place? These horses are probably all they could afford, and we should feel lucky we were able to give them some coin in return for helping us and keeping us hidden from Imperial loyalists.”
Lancaster added, “If not for our arrival at daylight yesterday, we may be forgiven to not know if this place was still inhabited by monks or if rogues had taken it over.”
Fulgence nodded towards the rising sun in the east ahead of them as it warmed the trio against the exterior stone of the abbey, “The sun brings new beginnings, mercenaries, and a new journey away from this old abbey and the bloody mountain to our rear,” 24 a flash of regret, of loss, washed across his face for a moment before he looked down to the
24 No Tears (Inheritance), Part III (pg. 333-550)
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two men, “I will miss you, mercenaries. Although my report will be of high praise of both your actions, so when you rejoin the army, you will do so as heroes of France! The honor and seal of my word will make it so. To the death of me, I swear this,” the knight brought a fisted hand across his chest and bowed his head.
Jerry noted, “We will follow the reports of this peace emissary to Lake Maggiore, save only for we also hear reports from French army stragglers of a special mercenary bodyguard detached with the emissary. If our search is in vain for our company, we will follow the plan to the army at once. You may tell your king this is to our honor, and we will do it as we have said it.”
“Your honor knows no bounds, mercenaries, and I will have been honored to serve alongside of you, both then and hopefully in the future. God’s speed and protection!” With an urging of motivation to the horse, Fulgence was off without another word, taking the stone steps and path down the mountain side.
After the knight disappeared, Jerry looked towards the Italian as the two men topped their horses.
“What?” Giovanni asked, already sensing the bowman’s question.
“You were rattled earlier. And it has not left your face. What happened inside?”
Giovanni urged the horse forward without answering right away, Lancaster following along without interruption to that silence; the Italian finally spoke as the horses began the
Jerry noted, “We will follow the reports of this peace emissary to Lake Maggiore, save only for we also hear reports from French army stragglers of a special mercenary bodyguard detached with the emissary. If our search is in vain for our company, we will follow the plan to the army at once. You may tell your king this is to our honor, and we will do it as we have said it.”
“Your honor knows no bounds, mercenaries, and I will have been honored to serve alongside of you, both then and hopefully in the future. God’s speed and protection!” With an urging of motivation to the horse, Fulgence was off without another word, taking the stone steps and path down the mountain side.
After the knight disappeared, Jerry looked towards the Italian as the two men topped their horses.
“What?” Giovanni asked, already sensing the bowman’s question.
“You were rattled earlier. And it has not left your face. What happened inside?”
Giovanni urged the horse forward without answering right away, Lancaster following along without interruption to that silence; the Italian finally spoke as the horses began the
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descent down the mountain, “A monk who grew up in the same town that I did. Let us just say, we had different opinions.”
Jerry nodded, remembering the pair’s conversation on the cliffside several days ago 25 , “Anything connected to your family?”
“It seems like everything is these days,” Giovanni responded in a rough, deep voice, the two mercenaries soon falling into silence as they continued.
Jerry nodded, remembering the pair’s conversation on the cliffside several days ago 25 , “Anything connected to your family?”
“It seems like everything is these days,” Giovanni responded in a rough, deep voice, the two mercenaries soon falling into silence as they continued.
25 No Tears (Inheritance), pg. 493-495
Chapter 10
Daggers in the Dark
City of Novara
Duchy of Milan
(August 28th, 1515; evening)
Duchy of Milan
(August 28th, 1515; evening)
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Jannik Arzt adjusted the Swiss attire as he came up alongside the large rock formation. He peaked over the boulder, spying on the crumbling remains of the defensive structure and the flickering glow of a fire reflecting off its inner walls. He could clearly see the silhouette of a man atop what remained of the tower, his bodily form with crossbow an almost eerie sight against the night sky.
Another man with a crossbow was further up, near the edge of the hill, while earlier scouting pinned two more soldiers down on the abandoned road below the hill. While he was not able to get close enough to be sure beyond a shadow of a doubt, Jannik was certain there had to be at least the same number of soldiers inside the tower as soldiers outside the tower. This numbering situation was to give an adequate rotation throughout the night of sentries, at least that is what Jannik would do if given the manpower (and manpower should not be an issue considering an entire army was camped just beyond these ruins).
Beyond what his eyes could see and what he assumed to be inside the tower, he saw two more soldiers outside: one
Another man with a crossbow was further up, near the edge of the hill, while earlier scouting pinned two more soldiers down on the abandoned road below the hill. While he was not able to get close enough to be sure beyond a shadow of a doubt, Jannik was certain there had to be at least the same number of soldiers inside the tower as soldiers outside the tower. This numbering situation was to give an adequate rotation throughout the night of sentries, at least that is what Jannik would do if given the manpower (and manpower should not be an issue considering an entire army was camped just beyond these ruins).
Beyond what his eyes could see and what he assumed to be inside the tower, he saw two more soldiers outside: one
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soldier had a stationary position guarding the rear of the tower, while the other overlooked the edge of the hill opposite the road. The soldier overlooking the edge of the hill was the nearest man to Jannik and his forces, the soldier overseeing the depression of boulders and odd shaped trees, the land quickly rising from that depression several yards later to another collection of larger boulders and trees where Jannik and his men were waiting. Despite having an almost unobstructed view to the men about to attack, the soldier overseeing the depression and the land thereafter was clearly more interested in his food and drink than he was in doing his duty. The man lazily sat atop the large rocks, the occasional look into the darkness giving him a faint amount of creditability, although his oil glass lamp stayed stationary on the rocks and as such, essentially defeated his brief efforts at creditable work.
The two additional soldiers guarding the rear of the tower and the edge of the hill, unlike Jannik’s earlier scouting of the road below, had not been identified in the initial assessment; the Red Hat simply concluded that the two additional soldiers were only deployed for nighttime security after the aid of sunlight had disappeared in its entirety (a commonsense approach to keep eyes and legs fresh for the long stretches of darkness ahead). Despite the presence of the two extra soldiers, their positioning was some distance from the edge of the hilltop where the tower was and henceforth, their resulting quick and silent termination in the coming battle would only be hindered by the look-out on top of the tower’s crumbling structure. The soldier tasked with keeping a ranged look-out from the roof of the tower was keeping to a rigid routine of checking all
The two additional soldiers guarding the rear of the tower and the edge of the hill, unlike Jannik’s earlier scouting of the road below, had not been identified in the initial assessment; the Red Hat simply concluded that the two additional soldiers were only deployed for nighttime security after the aid of sunlight had disappeared in its entirety (a commonsense approach to keep eyes and legs fresh for the long stretches of darkness ahead). Despite the presence of the two extra soldiers, their positioning was some distance from the edge of the hilltop where the tower was and henceforth, their resulting quick and silent termination in the coming battle would only be hindered by the look-out on top of the tower’s crumbling structure. The soldier tasked with keeping a ranged look-out from the roof of the tower was keeping to a rigid routine of checking all
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approaches to the tower at a set pace, his eyes unlikely to miss anything unusual with light from the moon out in full force. Timing, then, would be everything.
Looking back to the seven other assembled men, one of those men being a fellow Red Hat like himself (and the others being the bought-for traitors), the seasoned soldier of Karl von Egmond’s employ signaled for everyone to move in closer. Once gathered, Jannik started pointing fingers as he spoke quietly, “Alois will wait for us near the dried riverbed opposite our position now,” the other Red Hat nodded to his orders (the man still dressed in his own attire, not the Swiss attire like everyone else), “As luck would have it, we are even in number to the exterior guards. Each man takes a sentry with their crossbow or other weapon in a silent and quick manner,” the Red Hat paused briefly as he put a hand on the shoulder of the lone bowman in the group, “Except for you, André. You have the tower look-out.”
The French bowman smiled, responding in rough English, “Only the best.”
The other mercenaries in the group groaned and rolled their eyes at the Frenchman’s excessive self-importance, but Jannik quickly got everyone to focus again, “Timing will be everything: watch the tower guard on the roof, attack when he turns away from your position. André will take him out as soon as he can but know that the look-out could fall into the tower and our element of surprise will be lost. Once you see the tower look-out go down, advance towards the tower once your sentry is taken care of; we will rush the
Looking back to the seven other assembled men, one of those men being a fellow Red Hat like himself (and the others being the bought-for traitors), the seasoned soldier of Karl von Egmond’s employ signaled for everyone to move in closer. Once gathered, Jannik started pointing fingers as he spoke quietly, “Alois will wait for us near the dried riverbed opposite our position now,” the other Red Hat nodded to his orders (the man still dressed in his own attire, not the Swiss attire like everyone else), “As luck would have it, we are even in number to the exterior guards. Each man takes a sentry with their crossbow or other weapon in a silent and quick manner,” the Red Hat paused briefly as he put a hand on the shoulder of the lone bowman in the group, “Except for you, André. You have the tower look-out.”
The French bowman smiled, responding in rough English, “Only the best.”
The other mercenaries in the group groaned and rolled their eyes at the Frenchman’s excessive self-importance, but Jannik quickly got everyone to focus again, “Timing will be everything: watch the tower guard on the roof, attack when he turns away from your position. André will take him out as soon as he can but know that the look-out could fall into the tower and our element of surprise will be lost. Once you see the tower look-out go down, advance towards the tower once your sentry is taken care of; we will rush the
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front entrance to the tower with as many of us as possible, waiting on my signal to do so. Questions?”
Everyone shook their heads; the plan was straight forward.
“Good,” Jannik looked up to the moon in the night sky, then back to the men, “To your positions. Attack on your own will.”
**
Jannik scurried to the gathering of greenery that barely concealed his presence, his partner-in-crime doing the same by a boulder several feet back. The depression into the ground created by the long-abandoned road running between two higher elevations of land caused dark shadows to envelop the land, as the moon’s light had a difficult time pinpointing its rays of gloomy light. Two oil glass lamps, one static and without attendance as it sat on one of the two remaining stone anchors and another lamp mobile as it was carried around by a soldier, were the only rays of light in an otherwise darkened valley.
Everyone shook their heads; the plan was straight forward.
“Good,” Jannik looked up to the moon in the night sky, then back to the men, “To your positions. Attack on your own will.”
**
Jannik scurried to the gathering of greenery that barely concealed his presence, his partner-in-crime doing the same by a boulder several feet back. The depression into the ground created by the long-abandoned road running between two higher elevations of land caused dark shadows to envelop the land, as the moon’s light had a difficult time pinpointing its rays of gloomy light. Two oil glass lamps, one static and without attendance as it sat on one of the two remaining stone anchors and another lamp mobile as it was carried around by a soldier, were the only rays of light in an otherwise darkened valley.
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The Red Hat was close enough to hear that the two Français Troupes royales 162 were passing the time by small talk, something about women back home and their cooking. Although Jannik could not make out if the conversation was in regard to wives, mothers, or grandmothers the pair discussed, as the one doing most of the talking kept walking in and out of hearing range as he paced back and forth with the other lamp in hand between the spiked log across the road and several yards beyond it towards the city. The other soldier, standing up against the stone anchor opposite the static lamp on the other stone anchor, was clearly more interested in passing the time as quietly as possible with nods and short replies to the other soldier.
Seeing that the pair of Frenchmen were less than interested in what happened behind them with both their gazes fixed towards the distant city, Jannik looked back and whistled softly for the mercenary behind him to approach. As the soldier came alongside him, the Red Hat nodded towards the man’s readied crossbow and whispered, “You take the patrolling man. I will take the other man. I want some information.”
The mercenary nodded and readied his crossbow to take aim as Jannik withdrew a small boot knife and quietly disappeared into the darkness. It was clear that the bought-for-traitor was skilled to some degree, as the Red Hat was easily into position and behind the stone anchor before the
Seeing that the pair of Frenchmen were less than interested in what happened behind them with both their gazes fixed towards the distant city, Jannik looked back and whistled softly for the mercenary behind him to approach. As the soldier came alongside him, the Red Hat nodded towards the man’s readied crossbow and whispered, “You take the patrolling man. I will take the other man. I want some information.”
The mercenary nodded and readied his crossbow to take aim as Jannik withdrew a small boot knife and quietly disappeared into the darkness. It was clear that the bought-for-traitor was skilled to some degree, as the Red Hat was easily into position and behind the stone anchor before the
162 French Royal Troops
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mercenary released his bolt, the projectile zipping through the air and impaling the patrolling man in the back! Even before the impaled soldier had finished falling face first to the ground after a brief pause of shock and a muted cry for help, Jannik was up and had his boot knife against the other startled soldier’s neck!
“Tranquille!” 163 the Red Hat ordered in French, adding, “Ou vous mourez!” 164
The French soldier had his hands away from his weapons and slightly raised, his breathing and heart rate increased, “D’accord! D’accord!” 165
“Anglais?” 166
The Frenchman was silent a moment, then nodded, answering in rough English, “Yes.”
“Good,” Jannik replied, reaffirming his grip on the blade and its position against the soldier’s neck, “How many in the tower?” When the soldier did not respond, the Red Hat dug the blade into the man’s neck causing the French soldier to wince in pain and emit a startled muted yelp of surprise, “I said, how many?”
“Tranquille!” 163 the Red Hat ordered in French, adding, “Ou vous mourez!” 164
The French soldier had his hands away from his weapons and slightly raised, his breathing and heart rate increased, “D’accord! D’accord!” 165
“Anglais?” 166
The Frenchman was silent a moment, then nodded, answering in rough English, “Yes.”
“Good,” Jannik replied, reaffirming his grip on the blade and its position against the soldier’s neck, “How many in the tower?” When the soldier did not respond, the Red Hat dug the blade into the man’s neck causing the French soldier to wince in pain and emit a startled muted yelp of surprise, “I said, how many?”
163 Quiet!
164 “Or you die!”
165 “Okay! Okay!”
166 “English?”
164 “Or you die!”
165 “Okay! Okay!”
166 “English?”
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The Frenchman swallowed a knot in his throat and said with a slight stutter, “Six.”
“Is Northern Company with them?”
“Yes. Two of them.”
“Good---” Jannik started, ready to kill the man, but instead he found himself stumbling backwards with a feeling of warm blood flowing from his nose! The Frenchman was willing to take the possibility of death verses the certainty of death as he stumbled away with a hand to his bloodied throat, the soldier taking the wound from the knife as he snapped his head back to headbutt the man behind him. For now, the maneuver seemed to pay off.
Seemed, however, was all too short. The other mercenary with Jannik stepped into his field of view and released a bolt to the man’s retreating form as he started to gurgle a yell for help. The Frenchman stumbled forward with the impact to his back after a brief pause of muscular shock at the initial strike, but after several more quick-fire failed attempts to alert his comrades that matched his slowing steps forwards, he collapsed to the ground. Blood oozed from the man’s mouth and throat as he tried, in vain, one more time to get up, but moments later collapsed onto his side and rolled over to look up at the night sky, his eyes frozen open to the stars.
Jannik glanced at the mercenary and nodded his thanks, then motioned for the man to check on the other motionless soldier he had shot first. As the crossbowman went to do that, Jannik picked up his own crossbow from the ground
“Is Northern Company with them?”
“Yes. Two of them.”
“Good---” Jannik started, ready to kill the man, but instead he found himself stumbling backwards with a feeling of warm blood flowing from his nose! The Frenchman was willing to take the possibility of death verses the certainty of death as he stumbled away with a hand to his bloodied throat, the soldier taking the wound from the knife as he snapped his head back to headbutt the man behind him. For now, the maneuver seemed to pay off.
Seemed, however, was all too short. The other mercenary with Jannik stepped into his field of view and released a bolt to the man’s retreating form as he started to gurgle a yell for help. The Frenchman stumbled forward with the impact to his back after a brief pause of muscular shock at the initial strike, but after several more quick-fire failed attempts to alert his comrades that matched his slowing steps forwards, he collapsed to the ground. Blood oozed from the man’s mouth and throat as he tried, in vain, one more time to get up, but moments later collapsed onto his side and rolled over to look up at the night sky, his eyes frozen open to the stars.
Jannik glanced at the mercenary and nodded his thanks, then motioned for the man to check on the other motionless soldier he had shot first. As the crossbowman went to do that, Jannik picked up his own crossbow from the ground
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and started the trek up the incline and to the castle debris at the top.
**
Min had long ago learned to take control of his racing mind: the memories of his time as an Embroidered Uniform Guard xxxiii 167 , or known more simply as the
**
Min had long ago learned to take control of his racing mind: the memories of his time as an Embroidered Uniform Guard xxxiii 167 , or known more simply as the
167 The Embroidered Uniform Guard, or Jinyiwei, were the imperial secret police of the Ming Dynasty in China (1368-1644). Founded by Zhu Yuanzhang (also known as the Emperor Hongwu), the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the Jinyiwei would serve the entirety of the Ming’s rule for 276 years. Zhang Min was first introduced as a former member of the Jinyiwei in No Tears (Northern Company), pg. x.
Formed initially to be Zhu’s personal bodyguards, the Jinyiwei would grow into a military organization to enforce the power of the Chinese state at large through the “…full power to conduct arrests, interrogate suspected criminals, and administer punishment to anyone they found guilty of a crime. This wrath was not limited…the nobles and the emperor’s relatives also suffered it….the Jinyiwei were granted full autonomy to prosecute enemies of the state without trial.” (Yelang, 2022).
Beyond judicial powers, the Jinyiwei were also used as political commissars to eliminate corrupted government officials and “…political opponents through assassinations and biased legal prosecutions.” (Yelang, 2022) In addition, the Jinyiwei also performed
Formed initially to be Zhu’s personal bodyguards, the Jinyiwei would grow into a military organization to enforce the power of the Chinese state at large through the “…full power to conduct arrests, interrogate suspected criminals, and administer punishment to anyone they found guilty of a crime. This wrath was not limited…the nobles and the emperor’s relatives also suffered it….the Jinyiwei were granted full autonomy to prosecute enemies of the state without trial.” (Yelang, 2022).
Beyond judicial powers, the Jinyiwei were also used as political commissars to eliminate corrupted government officials and “…political opponents through assassinations and biased legal prosecutions.” (Yelang, 2022) In addition, the Jinyiwei also performed
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Jinyiwei, consumed his resting moments. Without such control, his mind would be destroyed by what was necessary all those years ago. To forget the lessons of ill fortune would only serve to repeat them, yet to let the regrets of the past to consume oneself was to invite disaster. Balance, henceforth, between the two extremes was necessary and was what Min trained his mind to do every night that the memories came: to embrace the lesson and let go of the regret.
Or so he told himself---
Min scaled the stone wall as quietly and effortlessly as any other wall in his tenure with the imperial guard, his feet landing on the ground as lightly as a feather. Using the clouds that masked the moonlight above, he moved in between buildings quickly, never staying in one place for long. Those guards that he came across shared quick fates of introduction as he quickly dispatched them in various manners.
Within minutes the fortress estate had been encircled and cleared in silence by the dozen Jinyiwei guards in their golden-yellow uniforms ablaze with delicate patterns and dragons of black, white, and blue. Each soldier carried a single Changdao sword, a two-handed specially crafted long sword with a slight curve at the tip. Other weaponry
Or so he told himself---
Min scaled the stone wall as quietly and effortlessly as any other wall in his tenure with the imperial guard, his feet landing on the ground as lightly as a feather. Using the clouds that masked the moonlight above, he moved in between buildings quickly, never staying in one place for long. Those guards that he came across shared quick fates of introduction as he quickly dispatched them in various manners.
Within minutes the fortress estate had been encircled and cleared in silence by the dozen Jinyiwei guards in their golden-yellow uniforms ablaze with delicate patterns and dragons of black, white, and blue. Each soldier carried a single Changdao sword, a two-handed specially crafted long sword with a slight curve at the tip. Other weaponry
duties in military intelligence during war and spying on government officials to ensure their loyalty to the emperor.
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included a dagger along the back of the belt (which featured several pouches) for some and a boot knife in the boot for others; still others kept only to the sword as their only bladed weapon. Regardless, the swords were only an extension of the masterful skill of death that their hands and feet could do all by themselves.
Silently dispatching the last unaware guard with a swift slice of his sword, Min watched as the headless body dropped to the ground, the guard next to this unlucky man falling just as quickly and in a similar fashion as his comrade. As both headless bodies lay motionless, Min looked to his equal in the group for this night’s attack. Beyond the two wooden doors in front of the two men would be the government administrator’s private bedroom, along with him would be his wife. Quick muffled yelps of surprise echoed down the hallway as the family’s other nine children were quickly dispatched in their rooms; a startled bark of surprise said that a servant was doing rounds and was not caught up in the ambush at the servant’s barracks. The orders were simple enough for tonight: no survivors.
“kuài. ānjìng,” 168 spoke the imperial guard across Min.
Min only nodded and slowly opened the door. Like the rest of the house, the room was dark, a breeze coming in from the open balcony. Slowly, he raised his sword as he approached the two still bodies under the sheets, his fellow
Silently dispatching the last unaware guard with a swift slice of his sword, Min watched as the headless body dropped to the ground, the guard next to this unlucky man falling just as quickly and in a similar fashion as his comrade. As both headless bodies lay motionless, Min looked to his equal in the group for this night’s attack. Beyond the two wooden doors in front of the two men would be the government administrator’s private bedroom, along with him would be his wife. Quick muffled yelps of surprise echoed down the hallway as the family’s other nine children were quickly dispatched in their rooms; a startled bark of surprise said that a servant was doing rounds and was not caught up in the ambush at the servant’s barracks. The orders were simple enough for tonight: no survivors.
“kuài. ānjìng,” 168 spoke the imperial guard across Min.
Min only nodded and slowly opened the door. Like the rest of the house, the room was dark, a breeze coming in from the open balcony. Slowly, he raised his sword as he approached the two still bodies under the sheets, his fellow
168 “Quick. Quiet.”
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guard doing the same as their feet matched each other’s pace.
Suddenly, a cry from behind in the corner of the room!
---Min’s eyes snapped open and as one hand reached up for the man’s wrist, his other hand was already swinging his Dao sword from beside his blanket and hidden under it. The curved blade sliced through the man’s ankles effortlessly and the soldier collapsed to the ground with startled screaming.
Rolling away from the attack and using his feet to push himself up all in one fluid motion, Min landed on his feet in a backflip, his Jian sword already secured to his hip. The Swiss intruders were everywhere! The Swiss were ready to attack the sleeping masses from around the dying campfire inside the castle walls; the half dozen Swiss, however, were as startled to see him up and awake as he was to see them inside of the tower! That moment of pause, among the other man’s screaming at his feet being sliced clean off, allowed the French soldiers and Franz to start moving, giving them the moment needed to avoid a death blow in their sleep. However, one such French soldier was not so lucky, being killed within moments of awaking to the startled bloody yelling!
Min easily adjusted to the Swiss beside him, the Northern Company’s third-in-command snapping his body around in a confined space to roundhouse kick the soldier to the head with his right foot! As Min came down to the ground, he
Suddenly, a cry from behind in the corner of the room!
---Min’s eyes snapped open and as one hand reached up for the man’s wrist, his other hand was already swinging his Dao sword from beside his blanket and hidden under it. The curved blade sliced through the man’s ankles effortlessly and the soldier collapsed to the ground with startled screaming.
Rolling away from the attack and using his feet to push himself up all in one fluid motion, Min landed on his feet in a backflip, his Jian sword already secured to his hip. The Swiss intruders were everywhere! The Swiss were ready to attack the sleeping masses from around the dying campfire inside the castle walls; the half dozen Swiss, however, were as startled to see him up and awake as he was to see them inside of the tower! That moment of pause, among the other man’s screaming at his feet being sliced clean off, allowed the French soldiers and Franz to start moving, giving them the moment needed to avoid a death blow in their sleep. However, one such French soldier was not so lucky, being killed within moments of awaking to the startled bloody yelling!
Min easily adjusted to the Swiss beside him, the Northern Company’s third-in-command snapping his body around in a confined space to roundhouse kick the soldier to the head with his right foot! As Min came down to the ground, he
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brought his sword down onto the bent over and reeling man, the Swiss man’s head becoming detached from his shoulders! Franz, meanwhile, did not waste the defense of his life by Min as the German rolled away from the headless Swiss man dropping to the ground and towards Min! Elsewhere in the tower, another French soldier was killed before he had much of a chance to properly defend himself, while another of the Swiss soldiers fell to the element of surprise lost and another Swiss soldier found himself trapped up against the wall by a Frenchman twice his size! The larger Frenchman who pressed the unfortunate Swiss up against the castle wall repeatedly pounded the man’s midsection with his free fist!
With two Swiss dead, one trapped against the wall as he was pounded to near death, and the fourth man still screaming over his missing feet, the other two Swiss soldiers quickly filed out of the castle ruins in retreat and into the dark!
“After them!” Min commanded with a bark as a Frenchman somewhat dressed in his attire and at least sporting a sword in hand proceeded both Min and Franz out the castle ruins! As the Chinaman cleared the ruins and proceeded down the hill after the Frenchman, a crossbow bolt rang out from the dark and caught the leading haphazardly dressed French Royal Trooper square in the chest, throwing him backwards at the point of impact! Quickly realizing that the two retreating forms ahead of them could not have issued that bolt with such accuracy, Min barked as he went to the ground, “Ambush!”
With two Swiss dead, one trapped against the wall as he was pounded to near death, and the fourth man still screaming over his missing feet, the other two Swiss soldiers quickly filed out of the castle ruins in retreat and into the dark!
“After them!” Min commanded with a bark as a Frenchman somewhat dressed in his attire and at least sporting a sword in hand proceeded both Min and Franz out the castle ruins! As the Chinaman cleared the ruins and proceeded down the hill after the Frenchman, a crossbow bolt rang out from the dark and caught the leading haphazardly dressed French Royal Trooper square in the chest, throwing him backwards at the point of impact! Quickly realizing that the two retreating forms ahead of them could not have issued that bolt with such accuracy, Min barked as he went to the ground, “Ambush!”
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As Franz’s body fell in line with Min’s on the ground just feet from the dead Frenchman, the German looked at the Chinaman, “Those Swiss are retreating towards the French army!”
Min nodded as he collected his breathing and calmed his heartrate, “Which also means those men were no Swiss.”
“Inside job. The French king?”
Min shook his head, “No. Francis is too young and naive to use the death of his own troops as proper cover. And the Les Yeux Du Roi 169 would not dare cross their master.”
“Then one of the bodies will have clues.”
“Or if that French brute has not killed our prisoner yet against that wall.”
Min nodded as he collected his breathing and calmed his heartrate, “Which also means those men were no Swiss.”
“Inside job. The French king?”
Min shook his head, “No. Francis is too young and naive to use the death of his own troops as proper cover. And the Les Yeux Du Roi 169 would not dare cross their master.”
“Then one of the bodies will have clues.”
“Or if that French brute has not killed our prisoner yet against that wall.”
169 The King’s Eyes
END OF CHAPTER EXCERPTS
REFERENCES
ii (10, 11; pg. 11) Information sourced from Francis I: The Maker of Modern France (Leonie Frieda, 2018)
iii (13; pg. 14) Information sourced from:
• https://sacradisanmichele.com/
(Retrieved 04-16-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacra_di_San_Michele
(Retrieved 04-16-2023)
• https://www.comune.santambrogioditorino.to.it/Default.aspx
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• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant%27Ambrogio_di_Torino
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iv (17; pg. 19) Information sourced from:
• https://www.silive.com/homegarden/2013/08/behold_the_fork_and_its_place.html
(Retrieved 05-14-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork
(Retrieved 05-14-2023)
v (18; pg. 20) Information sourced from Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition) (Jason Joseph Albano, 2022)
vi (19; pg. 21) Information sourced from:
• http://www.museosanpiox.it/salzano/storiasalzano.html
(Retrieved 04-25-2021)
xxxiii (167; pg. 141) Information sourced from:
• https://sonofchina.com/jinyiwei-embroidered-uniform-guard/
(Retrieved 07-13-2023)
• https://sonofchina.com/who-was-the-first-emperor-of-the-ming-dynasty/
(Retrieved 07-13-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_dynasty
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iii (13; pg. 14) Information sourced from:
• https://sacradisanmichele.com/
(Retrieved 04-16-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacra_di_San_Michele
(Retrieved 04-16-2023)
• https://www.comune.santambrogioditorino.to.it/Default.aspx
(Retrieved 04-16-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant%27Ambrogio_di_Torino
(Retrieved 04-16-2023)
iv (17; pg. 19) Information sourced from:
• https://www.silive.com/homegarden/2013/08/behold_the_fork_and_its_place.html
(Retrieved 05-14-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork
(Retrieved 05-14-2023)
v (18; pg. 20) Information sourced from Giovanni Salzano the Traveling Mercenary: A Story of the Beginning (Revised Edition) (Jason Joseph Albano, 2022)
vi (19; pg. 21) Information sourced from:
• http://www.museosanpiox.it/salzano/storiasalzano.html
(Retrieved 04-25-2021)
xxxiii (167; pg. 141) Information sourced from:
• https://sonofchina.com/jinyiwei-embroidered-uniform-guard/
(Retrieved 07-13-2023)
• https://sonofchina.com/who-was-the-first-emperor-of-the-ming-dynasty/
(Retrieved 07-13-2023)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_dynasty
(Retrieved 07-13-2023)
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