The Palace by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Read Free Book Online Page B

meet with i Priori this afternoon, I
must change, Agnolo. It is hardly fitting to walk in as if I had just come from
the fields." He went to his horse and pulled the reins from the scaffold. Only
Ragoczy saw how cramped his hands were and how badly his fingers trembled.
    "Up to your old tricks, Magnifico?" Agnolo reached for his reins as well.
"Very well. By all means, let us be off."
    "Ragoczy." Laurenzo had already pulled himself into the saddle, and he looked
down at the black-clad foreigner. "I would hate to see you leave Fiorenza in the
near future. Let us hope that it is not necessary."
    With a covert, compassionate smile Ragoczy acknowledged the significance of
Laurenzo's remark. "I assure you, my friend, that it will not be."
    But Laurenzo was not yet satisfied. "I would be most displeased to learn
otherwise." He paused before making the threat. "Believe me, I would pursue the
matter with all the resources at my command."
    "Oh, San Michele! is Ragoczy involved in intrigue?" Poliziano held his horse
ready, and his bored words broke the spell.
    "No," Laurenzo said shortly to mask his concern. He clenched his free hand,
and his swollen knuckles turned white. Though Ragoczy saw this, he said nothing,
nor did he, by so much as the flicker of his eyebrow, draw attention to what he
saw. In a gentler tone Laurenzo added, "And I do not think he is likely to be."
His eyes met Ragoczy's for a moment arid there was a plea and a beginning of
trust in them. Then he pulled the big roan's head around and planted his heels
so smartly that the stallion bounded through the unfinished gate of Palazzo San
Germano.
    Ragoczy walked through the gate and watched them go, Laurenzo setting a brisk
pace and Poliziano behind him, a resentful angle to his shoulder. Even after
they were out of sight he remained in the gate for some little time. At last he
turned to lead his horse off to the temporary stables behind the courtyard. His
striking, irregular face was troubled, and as he walked, the trouble deepened.
***
    Text of a letter from Gian-Carlo Casimir di Alerico Circando to Francesco
Ragoczy da San Germano:
     
To his revered friend and excellent instructor, Francesco Ragoczy in Fiorenza,
Gian-Carlo sends his profoundest respects:
    This will come with Joacim Branco, and should arrive, as you stipulated in
your letter of July 24, by the middle of September, barring misfortune, arrest,
and brigands. Both Magister Branco and Baldassare Secco carry a complete and
accurate list of the herbs, spices and medicinals for your verification upon
their arrivals. The metals and ores you requested will be sent later, as Paolo
Benedetto's ship has been delayed by foul weather and will not arrive in Venezia
for some weeks yet. I have had word that he has laid over at Cyprus and will not
be able to leave for some days. When the ores arrive in Venezia, I will send
them on to you by the hand of Guido Frescamare and Fra Bonifacio.
    Niklos Aulirios has sent word that the water wheel you made for him some time
ago, the one that ran on the power of the tides, has been burned down. He
indicated that he will flee into Egypt soon, and will contact you through Olivia
when he is able.
    Here your home is safe and all goes as it should. Il Doge is anxious for your
return, as he wants more of your gold. But I have told him it will be some
considerable time yet until you return. I have, in your absence, authorized the
making of enough gold to fill one Venezian wine cask and will present it to il
Doge on the Feast of Advent on your behalf. This undoubtedly will delight him,
and add much to your credit here in Venezia.
    Your own gondola has been completed to your specification. It is quite large,
your arms are blazoned on it, and the ballast is of the earth you entrusted to
me. You have only to send word, and it and your gondoliere will be waiting to
bring you home.
    The price of pepper has again risen outlandishly. Do you want me to