11 - The Fate of Pasquale Bembo

It is May in the Year of Our Lord 1341. A finely-accoutred gentleman of great height and girth wearing Venetian livery knocks at the door of the House of Crows. He introduces himself as Maffeo Barozzi and enquires for Rocco al Mare. A surly-faced woman answers and bids him wait. After a short while she returns with Rocco who has her let him in.

Maffeo reminds Rocco that Lorenzo Bembo, the Venetian Agent in Rome, is still keen to know more of the fate of his nephew, Pasquale Bembo. Matteo says he was the last person to see Pasquale alive. He explains that in the hot pursuit of a fugitive during the Venetian raid on the Baths of Diocletian last autumn, Pasquale squeezed down a rent in the depths of the ruins. Maffeo explains guiltily that he was unable to follow his master due to the extent of his physique. He said further that when Pasquale did not return they sent down a lad after him. The lad did not return either.

Matteo is keen to show Rocco the spot in the Baths where this occurred to see if more can be determined of Pasquale's fate. Astore and Father Arturo accompany them. On arrival at the ruined edifice, they find it to be in the hands of a new gang led by a fellow called Renzo. His co-operation is easily bought wtih Maffeo's Venetian gold. He lends them a guide called Lino to ensure they are not molested. However, he and his men counsel strongly against descending into the lower levels of the ruins. Nevertheless, Maffeo leads the party through the ruined edifice to a fissure in the corner of what was once plainly a bathing pool. Lino warns them once more then shrugs and leaves them to it.

The way is indeed narrow. However, Rocco bravely strips off his jack and squeezes his frame through the tiny opening into the stygian gloom below with but a basilard and a candle to light his way. He indicates that he has reached the bottom and shouts up "Dead men walking!". Then all is silent. Fearing the worst, Astore follows suit and then Father Arturo. Matteo is left alone crossing himself and voicing nervous prayers above the fissure as he had done once before.

After a long while in which there are no replies to his cries of enquiry, but during which the occasional sound of armed struggle waft up from the depths, he hears Rocco's voice from below. They have dealt with the "Dead that Walk" - Maffeo shudders - no sign of Pasquale - but there is the body of a boy. Between them the dessicated corpse of a boy is passed up through the opening into Maffeo's hands. There is enough left of his clothing to identify him as the lad who was sent down after Pasquale. They say they will explore the room a little further in the hope of finding out more.

So Maffeo waits. He waits some more. Lino returns. He doesn't want to say he told Maffeo so, but he does anyway. As the late spring sun begins to wane in the sky, Maffeo sighs. He gathers up the left-behind belongings of his three comrades and the body of a boy he once knew. Further Venetian specie is spent upon a porter with a handcart.

On the way back to the Venetian Agent's palazzo, Maffeo thinks to call into the House of Crows to return his erstwhile comrades' belongings. There he is astonished to find all three alive and well. They have some tale about a dark passage, a trapdoor, a rubbish chute and a midden. Maffeo's nose can well attest the latter, for all three have an odour about them that is not the odour of sanctity. However, he is delighted when they produce an arming sword, found upon the midden. It is a blade he recognises for he has sharpened and polished it on many occasions. It is the sword of Pasquale Bembo.

After downing a few cups of wine with his new friends, Maffeo takes his leave and the sword and makes his way home. A few days later he returns to convey the gratitude of Lorenzo Bembo in the form of bag of Venetian ducats. There is also a smaller purse containing pearls - a gift from the boy's family in thanks for the return of the body of their son.