The Family - Mario Puzo [13]
Gio was a good student, but not imposing physically. He was also witty, but careful of his wit with his two friends. Even at seventeen, Cesare’s resolve provoked awe in his friends. Tila Baglioni, on the other hand, was too much of a bully, given to cruel rages when he perceived an offense.
The three celebrated that night at a Medici family villa just outside of Pisa. In consideration of Cesare’s newly announced red hat, it was a discreet affair, a small feast with only six courtesans. They had a moderate dinner with mutton, wine, a few sweetmeats, and light and charming conversation.
They went to bed early, for it had been decided that the next day, before returning to their homes—Gio Medici to Florence, and Cesare Borgia to Rome—they would all go to Perugia with Tila Baglioni for a great festive occasion. Tila’s first cousin was to be married, and his aunt, the Duchess Atalanta Baglioni, had sent him a special request to attend. Sensing a certain tension in her request, Tila agreed to go.
The next morning, the three set off for Perugia. Cesare rode his finest horse, a gift from Alfonso, the duke of Ferrara. Gio rode a white mule, for he was not a good horseman. Tila, in his bullying way, rode a battle charger whose ears had been trimmed to give it a ferocious appearance. Together, horse and rider were overwhelming. None of them wore armor, though all three were armed with swords and daggers. They were attended by a company of thirty armed and lightly armored men employed by Cesare, wearing his personal colors of yellow and scarlet.
The town of Perugia was on the way from Pisa to Rome, only a leg inward from the sea. The Baglioni family and Perugia itself were fiercely independent, in spite of the fact that the papacy had claimed it as one of its states. Cesare had faith in his own craftiness and physical gifts, but still he would never have dared to visit it except under the protection of Tila. Now he looked forward to enjoying the gaiety of a wedding before he took up his duties in Rome.
Perugia was an awesome and beautiful site. Its fortress, which rested on an enormous hill, was almost impregnable.
As the three young men entered the city, they could see that the churches and palaces were decorated for the wedding, the statues draped with cloths of gold. Cesare chatted happily, even joking with his friends; he carefully made note of the fortifications, and amused himself with plans on how to storm the city.
The ruler of Perugia was the widow, Duchess Atalanta Baglioni. Still a beautiful woman, she was noted for the ferocity with which she ruled, using her son, Netto, as her military captain. It was her dearest wish to see her nephew, Torino, be married to Lavina, one of her favorite ladies of the court. Torino, she felt, could be counted on to support the reign of the Baglioni family.
All the different branches of the physically powerful Baglioni clan assembled on the castle grounds. Musicians played and couples danced at the great feast. There was wrestling and jousting. Cesare, who prided himself on his strength, took on all challengers and won his matches.
When night fell the Baglioni clan retired to the fortress, while Gio, Cesare, and Tila gathered in Tila’s apartments for a final bout of drinking.
It was near midnight, and they were drowsy from the wine, when they heard screams and shouting ring throughout the castle. Startled, Tila immediately jumped up and tried to rush out of the apartment, sword in hand, but Cesare restrained him. “Let me see what is happening. You may be in danger. I’ll return quickly.”
As soon as Cesare heard the screams, he knew by instinct that some great treachery had occurred. As he left Tila’s apartment, he held his sword down at his side. Though the Baglioni clan had a reputation for murder, he knew they would not dare kill the son of a Pope. Cesare walked calmly through the corridors of the castle toward the screams, which continued. He found himself outside the bridal chamber.
There was blood everywhere. The statues of the Virgin Mary, the portrait of the