The Family - Mario Puzo [141]
24
AS CESARE MOVED his army northward up the Rimini-Bologna road toward Bologna itself, Astorre Manfredi rode beside him. Astorre had a pleasant disposition and a willingness to work hard. Each night he dined with Cesare and his commanders, entertaining them with ribald songs of the Faenzan peasants. After the evening meal, he listened to Cesare analyze their situation, and make plans for the following days.
At this point, Cesare faced serious strategic problems. He had almost completed the campaign to establish papal control over the Romagna, but he could not hope to take Bologna, for it was under French protection. Even if he could, he did not wish to antagonize King Louis, and he was certain that the Pope would not approve of such an attack.
The truth was, Cesare’s real objective was not the city of Bologna itself, but Castel Bolognese, a powerful fortress outside the city. And Cesare had a hidden card: the Bentivoglio, who ruled Bologna, knew only that the estimable Cesare Borgia and his troops were headed their way. Even Cesare’s commanders were unaware of his aims, and were worried about his plan to attack Bologna.
After much thought, and with great cunning, Cesare marched his men to within a few miles of the city gates. The ruler of Bologna, Giovanni Bentivoglio, a large man, rode out on a gigantic horse to meet with him. Behind him rode a standard bearer carrying his banner—a red saw on a field of white.
Bentivoglio, a strong leader but a reasonable man, approached Cesare. “Cesare, my friend. Must we battle? It is not likely that you will win—and even if you do, your French friends will destroy you. Is there no way I can induce you to abandon this foolish pursuit?”
After twenty minutes of intense bargaining Cesare agreed not to attack Bologna, and Bentivoglio agreed that in return Castel Bolognese would be given to Cesare. At Cesare’s request, to show good faith, Bologna would also provide troops for future papal campaigns.
The following day, Cesare’s men occupied Castel Bolognese. The powerful walls would help them ward off their enemies, the large underground storage rooms held vast munitions, and the officers’ quarters were unusually comfortable for a military fortress. Cesare and his commanders were pleased.
That night, Cesare entertained them with a sumptuous feast of roast kid swimming in a sauce of figs and peppers, along with dark red radicchio sautéed in olive oil and local herbs. They talked and sang and drank a great deal of red Frascati wine.
All his troops and infantrymen celebrated as well, as Cesare walked among them, thanking them and congratulating them on their victory. His army felt a great affection for him, and was as loyal to him as were the citizens of the towns he conquered.
After the meal, Cesare and his officers undressed and jumped into the castle’s steaming sulfur baths, which were fed from an underground spring. Finally, relaxed, they splashed around in the hot, muddy water, which smelled slightly of rotten eggs.
Later, one by one, Cesare’s commanders left the baths and washed themselves with buckets of clean cool water from a nearby well. Finally only Cesare and Astorre Manfredi remained, floating lazily in the warm sludgy waters.
After a moment or two, Cesare felt a hand on his inner thigh. Quite drunk, he reacted slowly as the fingers moved lightly upward to stroke and arouse him.
Suddenly alert, Cesare gently pushed Astorre’s hand aside. “I’m not that way, Astorre. It’s not you. It’s just not my preference.”
“Cesare, you don’t understand. This isn’t lust I feel for you,” Astorre said, sincerely. “I am truly in love with you and have been for quite some time.”
Cesare sat straight up in the muddy water, trying to collect his thoughts. “Astorre,” Cesare said, “I think of you as my friend. I like and admire you. But that is not all you hope for, is it?”
“No,” Astorre said, with some sadness. “It is not. I am in love with you in the same way Alexander the Great loved his Persian boy. In the way