The Family - Mario Puzo [177]
The infantry was another story. Comprised mostly of local peasants reporting periodically for military service, they were willing enough, but ill equipped and apparantly ill trained. When trouble came, he would have to count on the cavalry and artillery to do the job.
The next few weeks passed peacefully. Strangely, they were the happiest times Cesare could remember, other than perhaps his time with Charlotte and the days at Silverlake. For once, his life was not in danger. There was no need to scheme against anyone, and no one was scheming against him.
King Jean was a charming companion, who seemed grateful for Cesare’s company. He was kind, and Cesare had no fear of betrayal. They spent virtually every day together, riding and hunting, and he felt about Jean as he would have liked to about his brothers. Evenings, after supper, they sat by the fire discussing books they had read, the methods of good government, and the responsibilities of leadership. They even had a wrestling match. But though Cesare won, it wasn’t a true victory, for he was certain that the muscular, chivalrous king had surrendered out of fondness for him.
Cesare felt secure for the first time in years. And so he told the king, “I believe it is finally time to send for my wife and child. For since we have parted I have written Lottie, and sent gifts for her and the child; but more than once I have planned to send for them, only to face some new crisis, some new peril that would put them at too great a risk.”
Jean, Charlotte’s brother and now Cesare’s as well, agreed with great enthusiasm. They toasted the time when she would arrive.
At midnight, in his quarters, Cesare picked up a quill and wrote to his wife at the Château de la Motte Feuilly in the Dauphine.
My dearest Lottie,
At last the news I’ve wanted to send you for so long. I believe that it is time for you to join me here in Navarre—with la petite Louise. Of course Jean has been a staunch friend, and the situation here permits all of us to be together—finally. I know the trip will be long and arduous, but once you are here we will never be parted again.
Yours in Love,
C.
Cesare sent the letter by royal courier the following day. He knew it would be months before Charlotte and the child could join him, but his heart filled with joy at the thought.
A few days later, as Cesare joined the king at supper, Jean’s mood was sullen and he was quiet with rage.
“What is it that troubles you, brother?” Cesare asked.
The King was so angry he could barely speak, but when he began he could hardly stop. “Count Louis de Beaumonte has been causing me trouble for months. His men steal the cattle and grain from our villages, which is a disaster for the people. His bishop pretends to be on a mission for the church but instead contacts my officers, offering them lands and money to betray me. Now he has gone further still. And now it is too far. Today his soldiers burned a village to the ground, slaughtered every man, and of course raped every woman. This was not some random escapade by an unknown drunk, Cesare. Beaumonte has designs on a significant portion of my lands. And his tactic is terror. He will terrorize the villagers until they desert me and support him, in order to save their own lives and homes.”
Again treachery, like a dragon from the depths, had reared its head. Cesare recognized it, and was afraid for Jean.
The king slammed his fist on the table, spilling his wine. “I will stop him! At once! As ruler of Navarre, I owe my subjects protection. They should not have to live in fear. Tomorrow I will lead a raid on his castle at Viana. There, I will drive him out or kill him.”
Cesare said, “You are a true king. You should order such a raid, Jean. But you must not lead it yourself. For it is too dangerous a battle, and you are much too important to your people to risk your person.