Jofre pressed a hand to his lips.
The rider continued. Madonna Sancha, your uncle, Prince Federico, sends this urgent message: Naples needs the help of all her citizens. It is feared that the approach of the French will encourage an uprising amongst the Angevin barons. The prince has requested that you and your husband bring whatever men and arms Squillace can render.
Why has my uncle, and not my father, the King, sent you? I demanded. I was convinced that my father had not cared enough to keep me informed, that this was yet another slight.
But the messengers answer surprised me. It has been necessary for Prince Federico to be involved in the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom. I am sorry to be the one to tell you, Your Highness. His Majesty is unwell.
Unwell? I rose, surprised by how greatly this news unsettled me, by the fact that I cared. What is wrong with him?
The young man would not meet my gaze. Nothing physical afflicts him, Your Highness. Nothing the doctors can help. Hehe has been deeply shaken by the French threat. He is not himself.
I sank slowly back into my chair, ignoring the poignant glance my husband directed at me. The image of the rider in front of me disappeared: I saw only my fathers face. For the first time, I focused not on the viciousness there, on the mocking expression directed at me. Instead I saw the dark, haunted look in his eyes, and realized I should not have been surprised to hear he was mentally unsound. He was, after all, the son of Ferrante, who had not only killed his enemies, but dressed their tanned hides in glorious costumes and spoke to them like the living.
I should not have been surprised by any of it: I should have realized from the beginning that my father was insane, my father-in-law a traitor. And the French were, despite all of Alfonsos efforts to convince me otherwise, on their way to Naples.
I rose and this time stayed on my feet. You may eat and rest as much as you need, I told the messenger. Then, when you again face Prince Federico, tell him that Sancha of Aragon has heeded his call. I will see him in the flesh not long after your return.
Sancha! Jofre protested. Have you not paid attention? Charles is leading his army to Naples. It is too dangerous! It makes far more sense to remain here in Squillace; the French have little reason to attack us. Even if they do decide to seize our principality, it will be some months
Skirts swirling, I turned on him. Dear husband, I countered, in a voice colder and more unyielding than iron, have you not paid attention? Uncle Federico has asked for help, and I will not deny him. Have you so quickly forgotten that you, by virtue of your marriage to me, are yourself a Prince of Naples? You should not only provide troops, your own sword should be raised in her defence. And if you will not go, I shall take your sword and raise it myself.
For that, Jofre had no reply; he stared at me, pale and somewhat embarrassed to be chided in front of a stranger for his cowardice.
As for myself, I swept from the room, headed back to my chambers to tell my ladies to commence packing at once.
I was going home.
Winter 1495
VI
The carriage that had borne me and my new husband to Squillace was outfitted for the journey back to Naples. This time we rode with a larger contingent of guards, armed for battle, traversing Italy in a north-easterly diagonal from coast to coast. Given the size of our entourage-three wagons bore our attendants and luggage-the trip required several days.
During that time I contemplated with dread the reunion between myself and my father. Deeply shaken, the messenger had said. Unwell. Not himself. He had let the running of the kingdom fall to Federico. Was he yielding to the same madness that had claimed Ferrante? Whatever the situation, I vowed I would put all personal hurt and antipathy aside. My father was the King, and during this time of looming war, required total fealty. If he was in any condition to understand me, I would pledge it to him.
On the final morning of our journey, when we saw Vesuvio towering over the landscape, I caught Donna Esmeraldas hand with excitement. Such gladness it was, to at last draw near the city, and see the great cupola of the Duomo, the dark stone of the Castel Nuovo, the hulking fortress of the Castel dellOvo; such gladness, and at the same time, sorrow, knowing that my beloved city was endangered.
At last our carriage pulled beneath the Triumphal Arch of Alfonso the Magnanimous into the courtyard of the royal palace. Look-outs had reported our arrival, and my brother was waiting as Jofre and I were assisted from the carriage. I smiled broadly: Alfonso was fourteen; the Neapolitan sun glinted off the beginnings of a blond beard upon his cheeks.
Brother! I cried. Look at you; you are a man!
He smiled back, flashing white teeth; we embraced. Sancha, he said, in a voice that had deepened even further, how I have missed you!
We reluctantly let go of one another. Jofre was waiting nearby; Alfonso took his hand. Brother, I am grateful you have come.
We could do no else, Jofre replied graciously-a statement which was true, if only because of my insistence.
While the servants dealt with the luggage and our other effects, Alfonso led us toward the palace. As the joy of reunion slowly faded, I noted the tension in my brothers face, his manner, his step. Something evil had just occurred, something so terrible that Alfonso was waiting for the proper moment to tell us. We have prepared chambers for both of you, he said. You will want to refresh yourselves before you greet Prince Federico.
But what of Father? I asked. Should I not go first to him? Despite his troubles, he is still the King.
Alfonso hesitated; a ripple of emotion crossed his features before he could suppress it. Father is not here. He faced me and my husband, his tone as sombre as I had ever heard it. He fled during the night. Apparently he had been planning this for some time; he took most of his clothing and possessions, and many jewels. He lowered his face and flushed, mortified. We had not deemed him capable of this. He had taken to his bed. We discovered this only a few hours ago, Sancha. I think you can understand why all of the brothers, especially Federico, are preoccupied at the moment.
Fled? I was aghast, bitterly ashamed. Up to that moment, I had considered the most treacherous man in Christendom to be the Pope, who had deserted Naples in her hour of greatest need-but my own father had proven capable of even greater betrayal.
One of his attendants is missing, my brother added sadly. We assume he was part of the plan. We are not certain where Father has headed. They are conducting an investigation at this moment.
An agonizing hour passed, during which time I paced the elegant guest bedchamber; Giovanna now resided in the one that had once been my own. I walked out onto the balcony; now my view faced east towards Vesuvio and the armoury. I paused to stare out at the water. I remembered how, a very long time ago, I had stood upon my old balcony and hurled Onoratos ruby into the sea. I wished that I could reverse my childish action now; such a gem could purchase rations for countless soldiers, or dozens of cannons from Spain.
At last Alfonso came for me, with Jofre flanking him. Together, we went to the Kings office, where Uncle Federico sat dejectedly at the dark wooden desk. He had aged since I had last seen him; his black hair had begun to silver, and the shadows I had seen upon my fathers face were now beginning to gather beneath Federicos brown eyes. His features were round and not as handsome, his demeanour stern as old Ferrantes, yet somehow still kindly. Across from him sat his younger brother, Francesco, and his even younger half-sister, Giovanna.
At the sight of us, they rose. Federico had clearly taken charge; he stepped forward first, and embraced Jofre, then me. You have your mothers loyal heart, Sancha, he told me. And Jofre, you are a true knight of the realm, to have come to Naples aid. As Protonotary and Prince, we welcome you.
I have told them the news regarding His Majesty, my brother explained.
Federico nodded. I wont soften the truth. Naples is threatened as never before. The barons are in revolt-frankly, with good reason. Against all advice, the King taxed them beyond conscience, appropriated lands unfairly for his own use, then publicly tortured and executed those who dared protest. Now that they know the French are on their way, the barons are heartened. They will fight with Charles to defeat us.
But Ferrandino is coming, with our army, I said.
Prince Federico eyed me wearily. Yes, Ferrandino is comingwith the French on his heels. Charles has four times the men we have; without the papal army, we are doomed. This he said without apology, despite the fact that Jofre shifted uneasily at the words. That is one reason I sent for you, Jofre. We need your assistance as never before; you must make good on your ties to our kingdom, and convince His Holiness to send military aid as quickly as possible. I realize the safety of your brother Cesare is compromised, but perhaps a solution can be found. He paused. We have sent for help from Spain-but there is no way such assistance, even if it is granted, can arrive in time. He let go a gusting sigh. And now we are without a king.
You have a king, my brother countered swiftly. Alfonso II has clearly abdicated his throne in favour of his son, Ferrandino. That is what the barons and the people must be told.
Federico gazed at him with admiration. Shrewd. Very shrewd. They have no cause to hate Ferrandino. He is far more liked than your father ever was. He began to nod with the first stirrings of enthusiasm. The hell with Alfonso. Youre right, we should consider this disappearance an abdication. Of course, it will be difficult. The barons dont trust usthey might still fight if they believe this is political manoeuvring on our part. But with Ferrandino, we have a better chance of winning popular support.
My Uncle Francesco spoke at last. Ferrandino, and mercenaries. We simply have no choice but to hire help, and quickly, before the French arrive. Its all very well for Prince Jofre to convince Alexander to send papal troops, but we dont have time for such diplomacy. Besides, theyre too far north to get here in time.