21 - Beneath the Baths Once More

It is a stronger party that this time heads out of the Palazzo Trivio and heads once more to the Baths of Diocletian. It comprises Father Arturo, Brother Giovanni, Marco, Astore, Rocco and a new confrere, a Neapolitan by the name of Gino Infantino. Once more they agree with Renzo and Lino that they be permitted to explore beneath the Baths.

They wriggle down the narrow passage between the roots of an old olive tree that gives access to the passages below. They are below for but an hour before they reappear, showing the signs of some conflict below. Arturo is being carried and Rocco is limping badly. Lino scowls at Marco's talk of the "Legions of Hell". He and Renzo might trust that what lies below the surface of Rome usually stays there. However, he reminds them that there are folk who live here in the Baths and it would be best not to put them in fear of their lives with loose talk.

They head back to the Palazzo Trivio to lick their wounds and think on theyr next move.

20 - Beneath the Baths of Diocletian

Father Arturo, Rocco and Astore, venture out one morning in the September of the Year of our Lord 1342. They notice that they are being tailed by a pair of urchins. They turn up towards the Baths of Diocletian but stop in a tavern on that street where they are well known. Rocco has the bartender to offer the urchins, lounging innocently on the other side of the alley, a jug of wine. Realising that they have been made, they scamper off, though not before snatching the jug from the bartender.

At the Baths they are welcomed by Renzo and Lino. They are less than enthusiastic about the prospect of people poking around in their basement. However, out of friendship and a respect for Cola, who they know is keen on this venture, they allow it.

The party descend via a fissure in the corner of one of the great depressions in the ground they take once to have been pools. Rocco descends first and appears to encounter some difficulty. However, Father Arturo prays for his soul and he soon rallies to call up that the coast is clear. They descend into the darkness.

They reappear a scant hour later, bruised and in the case of Arturo, somewhat bloodied. They tell of the dead that walk but say that all is now quiet. They carry an ancient casket, a few handfuls of old coins wrought of base metal, and a bag of what appear to be bronze collars of dubious value.

After some hours rest, they declare themselves fit once more and return to the deeps. This time they remain down there for several hours, before emerging once more. They appear mostly uninjured, although Rocco has sustained some nasty scrapes from the final ascent. They return to the Palazzo Trivio to report.

19 - Masters of the Palazzo Trivio

In a secluded corner of the Three-Way House its new masters discuss the future. It seems they are now the de facto owners of the palazzo that once belonged to the Famiglia Bardone. Their old haunt of the House of Crows is wrecked and ruined after the assault by Cardinal Albornoz. The Conti and the Frangipani are leaving them to it. Aside from themselves (Marco, Rocco, Astore, Father Arturo, Brother Giovanni and Lorenzo) there are only their two faithful door guards, Marisa and Bettina, Pino and his gang of urchins and Scolisi, once a Bardoni man, but now it seems, proffering himself as their consigliere.

At least they are in funds. A foray the previous evening to allowed most of them to recoup whatever treasures they had left hidden in the gardens behind and Cola had conjured up a chest of silver. He seemed keen that they try to fill whatever power vacuum the Bardoni have left in the Suburra. Somewhat reluctantly they agree amongst themselves to try.

They seek Scolisi's advice on how to proceed. He points out that they are in a moment of opportunity if they wish to replace the Bardoni as a force to be reckoned with in the Suburra. It will be assumed that they still have the support of the Conti and the Frangipani; the Church has blessed them with the direct attention of Cardinal Albornoz; and they have a rumoured association with the Cola Di Rienzo, the Notary of the Aventine, whose star is said to be rising in the city. Of course, the Conti and the Frangipani are departing; the Cardinal is said even now to be embarking on a journey back to Avignon; and while Cola's name is to be reckoned with, he is a talker not a fighter. Nevertheless, in this moment, Scolisi believes that none of the rival gangs of the Suburra will be brave enough to risk challenging them - at least overtly. They have ready cash. They should use this to recruit some muscle and then set about securing the loyalty of the Bardoni clienti and their rents for themselves. After some discussion, the group agree that this is the way to go.

Some days later, a Dominican friar arrives at the Palazzo Trivio, with a strong guard. He has a package for them from Cardinal Albornoz. There is a brief letter from the Cardinal wishing them God speed and hoping that they can do the Lord's work with the contents of the package. The package is a finely tooled leather case. Within the case is a stout box and within the box is a portable altar of gilded wood. the altar panels fold out to reveal a reliquary. Within the reliquary, according to the letter, are fingerbones of St. Pantaleone. Arturo and Giovanni say this is a very holy object. Upon the altar is pyx wrought of gold and enamel, containing twenty wafers, that according to Albornoz have been blessed by the Holy Father himself.