The Family - Mario Puzo [32]
It was in his role as the statesman rather than the cruel warrior that King Ferrante considered the alliance with the Pope. But to make certain there were no surprises, and to insure that he would have the help he needed in his conquest, he dispatched another letter to his cousin, King Ferdinand of Spain. “If the Pope offers nothing to my satisfaction,” he announced, “and refuses to assist us, we will ready our troops, and on the way to Milan we will also take Rome.”
King Ferdinand of Spain, aware of the tension between Rome, Milan, and Naples, knew he must intervene. He needed the help of this Pope to keep peace, which was for him always better than war. If everything went well, he would also inform Alexander of a significant deception that had come to his attention by way of his cousin Ferrante.
Ferdinand was a tall, imperious man who took his position as monarch of Spain quite seriously. He was a Christian king, with no uncertainty about his God, and bowed to the infallibility of the Pope without question. But his belief did not rise to the level of evangelistic fervor that his wife, Queen Isabella’s, did; he had no need to prosecute those who didn’t believe. In essence he was a reasonable man, and held to doctrine only inasmuch as it served the Aragonese empire. He and Alexander respected each other, thought each other worthy of trust—as much as any mortal man could be trusted.
King Ferdinand, dressed in a simple cloak of dark blue satin with fur trim, looked elegant as he sat across from the Pope in the huge sitting room. He sipped his wine. “In a gesture of goodwill,” he said, “King Ferrante has asked me to inform you of a circumstance he has recently been made aware of which may be of help to you, Your Holiness. As he is certain the church is an ally—not only to Spain but to Naples as well.”
Alexander smiled, but his eyes were filled with wariness as he said, “Heaven always rewards its faithful.”
Ferdinand spoke softly. “Shortly after the conclave, Ferrante’s commander general, Virginio Orsini, met with Cardinal Cibo to execute the purchase of three castles Cibo inherited from his father, Pope Innocent.”
Pope Alexander now frowned but sat silent for several moments before speaking. “This transaction took place without my knowledge? Without the authority of the Holy See? This treachery committed by a prince of the Holy Catholic Church?”
In truth, Alexander was more puzzled at the betrayal by Orsini than by Cardinal Cibo; for Commander Orsini was not only Adriana’s brother-in-law; the Pope had always considered him a friend. And even in the most wicked times, there are some men who inspire confidence. Virginio Orsini was one of those men.
That evening over dinner, King Ferdinand supplied the missing piece. “The agreement for the purchase of the castles took place in Ostia, at the Palace of Giuliano della Rovere.”
Ah, now Alexander understood. It was della Rovere who stood behind this unholy deed! Whoever owned those castles—all impregnable fortresses north of Rome—held the safety of Rome in his hands.
“This is a difficulty that must be overcome,” Alexander said.
King Ferdinand agreed. “I will travel to Naples to speak to Ferrante on your behalf, to see what can be done.”
The king kissed the Pope’s ring before he left, assuring Alexander that he would use all his influence to resolve the matter. Then, almost as an afterthought, Ferdinand said, “There is one more problem, Your Holiness. The New World is in dispute. Both Portugal and Spain claim the new territories. Your mediation would be greatly appreciated by the queen and myself, for the necessity of divine guidance is apparent in this situation.”
King Ferdinand of Spain traveled to Naples and spoke to his cousin, Ferrante. Almost immediately upon his arrival dispatches began to be sent back and forth between Rome and Naples. Messengers rode day and night. Finally,