The hours that followed the recess were the longest of Alessandro's life. Back in their assigned quarters, the oppressive silence was broken only by the sound of Bastiano's quiet, fervent prayers. Enzo sharpened his knife with grim determination, a practical man preparing for the worst, while Giacomo sat hunched in a corner, convinced his testimony had doomed them all.
Alessandro, projecting a calm he was far from feeling, moved between them, offering words of reassurance. "We presented the truth," he told them. "We made a logical case. The Bishop is a man of reason. He must see the justice in our position."
But internally, he knew it was not that simple. The Bishop was not a philosopher weighing abstract truths. He was a prince, and a prince's first concern was power. The verdict would not be based on justice alone, but on what course of action best served the interests of the Bishop of Veroli. The sight of Rinaldo leaving the Bishop's private chambers was a clear sign that the scales of justice were being tampered with behind the scenes.
The next morning, they were summoned back to the great hall. The court assembled to hear the judgment. Baron Valli and the Baron of Monte San Giovanni appeared confident in the outcome. The Bishop of Veroli took his seat, and a quiet fell over the court. He looked directly at Alessandro.
"This court has considered the matter at length," the Bishop began, his voice resonating through the hall. "The charge is a serious one. The bonds of fealty and the rights of inherited land are the foundations of the order that God has willed for this world."
He first turned his gaze to Baron Valli. "The court finds that you, Baron Valli, have failed in your sacred duty. You did not protect the people sworn to you. You allowed the Bishop's peace to be broken and chaos to fester. For this failure of duty, you have earned a formal admonishment."
A moment of optimism passed through Alessandro.
"However," the Bishop continued, turning his attention to Alessandro, "the points raised by the Baron of Monte San Giovanni are also valid. A lord cannot act as the sole judge in his own case. To take the lands of another, even a failed lord, without sanction from a higher authority, is to invite anarchy. It is a dangerous precedent."
The hope in Alessandro's chest turned to ice.
"Therefore, the court renders this judgment." The Bishop's voice became hard and final.
"First, in the interest of stability and recognizing their freely given oath, the village and lands of Pietra Secca will henceforth remain under the lordship and protection of House Falchi."
A collective gasp went through the hall. Alessandro had won. It was an astonishing victory. Baron Valli looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
"Second," the Bishop continued, raising a hand to quell the murmurs, "for the crime of disturbing the peace and acting without sanction, Lord Alessandro de' Falchi will pay a fine of two hundred silver florins to the treasury of this diocese."
The sum was staggering, more money than Rocca Falcone had seen in a century.
"Third, though he has failed in his duties, the ancestral rights of Baron Valli cannot be wholly ignored. Lord de' Falchi will therefore pay a compensation of one hundred silver florins directly to Baron Valli for the loss of his lands."
"And finally," the Bishop concluded, his eyes locking with Alessandro's, "the court formally recognizes and reaffirms Lord de' Falchi's pledge of a double tithe from the coming harvest, a tithe that shall be assessed from all the lands now under his domain. This judgment is final."
Alessandro stood, stunned into silence. He had kept the land, the primary strategic objective. The ruling had several outcomes. Alessandro would make a new monetary contribution, in addition to the tithe he had already promised. The Bishop acknowledged what Alessandro had done, including the results of his efforts and the way he went about them. The conclusion of the matter was advantageous for the diocese and consistent with the Bishop's role in the region. The issue was resolved.
The Baron of Monte San Giovanni was seething, his plan to have Alessandro crushed completely thwarted. Baron Valli, on the other hand, suddenly looked much happier at the prospect of a hundred florins.
With the court dismissed, a cleric approached Alessandro. "His Grace, the Bishop, requests your presence in his study. Alone."
Minutes later, Alessandro stood once more before the powerful man. The air of the courtroom was gone, replaced by a candid, almost collegial atmosphere.
"You are a surprising young man, Lord Alessandro," the Bishop said, a hint of a smile on his face. "You presented an excellent case. But you must understand, I cannot allow my vassals to simply start conquering each other. It is bad for business."
He gestured for Alessandro to sit. "I have saddled you with a heavy debt, I know. Consider it a lesson in protocol. But I am also a practical man. The fines can be… paid in installments… provided you continue to be a productive member of my flock."
Here it came. The true price.
"The Baron of Monte San Giovanni," the Bishop continued, his voice becoming a conspiratorial whisper, "is a proud man. A powerful man. Frankly, his influence in the south has become… troublesome. He builds coalitions. He questions my authority in secular matters. He creates instability."
He looked at Alessandro, his meaning perfectly clear.
"You have proven yourself to be a formidable administrator and a clever strategist. A man of your talents could be a very useful instrument in… balancing… the Baron's ambitions. See to it that his influence wanes. See to it that his power is checked. Do this, and you will find me to be a very understanding creditor and a very powerful patron."
Alessandro finally understood. He had survived his trial. His reward was to be conscripted. The Bishop had not just judged him; he had aimed him like a weapon at the heart of his strongest rival. He had walked into the Bishop's court a defendant. He was walking out as the Bishop's chosen champion in a shadow war he had not asked for.