Chapter 10
It was now May 3rd, 1476, and the hunt had started more than a year ago. Giovanni finally had time to relieve the guilt he felt at his friend's death. Three of the four remaining Milano conspirators had fallen to Giovanni's blade. All that remained was the Duke's brother. Thinking back, Giovanni wondered how he had gotten here.
He had returned to Florence on the night of April 1st, and Maria had tended his wounds. "You're lucky to alive," she had scolded him, "that blade barely missed your heart." "Do you want to think about all the times I've cheated death," he had responded, "or rejoice that I did and came home to you?" She had grinned and hugged him, gently because of his wounds, but hard enough that he knew she was thankful he was home.
Then a knock had come at the door, Father Maffei with armed guards, and a grim set to his face that betrayed his intentions. "Fredrico" Giovanni called. "Yes Father" he said as he materialized in the doorway. "Wait for a 20 count and then let them in. Nothing will happen once they realize I'm gone." "Father" Fredrico said, sounding uncertain. "Where are you going?" Sighing Giovanni turned to face his son. "When I return, you and I are going to have a long talk, but until then, you must trust me." Fredrico turned and left the room. Sympathy filled Maria's eyes; she knew how much he had dreaded this day. "Go, My Love," she said. "Fredrico's stalling won't do you any good if you're still here when they come investigate." Regret filled both Giovanni and Maria's eyes as the fireplace closed behind him and he vanished out into the night.
He had seen this flight as an opportune time to take care of some unfinished business in Milan, and the conspirators, Visconti, Olgiati, and Montono all fell to Giovanni's sword.
Francesco Sforza had just finished an audience when the man in the white hood walked in. He recognized Giovanni from when the man ha tried to convince his brother to imprison the conspirators.
"Ah Giovanni" he said, "I know who you are and what you came here to do. I only ask that you give me an opportunity to explain before you give my body to the mob, like you did to the others. Five years ago a man came to me and said that my wife and daughter would die if if I didn't replace my brother on the throne. For four years, I heard nothing else. I thought maybe he had been imprisoned or worse and my family was safe. But on Christmas Day, 1474, he returned and told me the plan, and how I was to be the conspirator's puppet on the throne. I told my brother as soon as possible. He told me of you, Giovanni, and how he was sure you would avenge him. This meant that my family would be free and I would rule Milan. I may not be my brother, but I still will make a much better ruler than that dog, Visconti. That is, if you allow me to live."
It was the man's body language that convinced Giovanni of the truth. The way he held himself, even though he knew that Giovanni could end his life, he was resigned to the fact. Sforza would not run, not fight back, and not call his guards. Giovanni was judge, jury, and executioner. Giovanni sheathed his sword.
"Do you have any idea who organized the assassination?" Giovanni asked. "I know that Francesco di Pazzi financed it" the Duke said "and that they were looking for this." He held out a scroll with d detailed drawing of a hidden blade. What Giovanni guessed were instructions to make one were written in code around the drawing. "I must take this scroll back to Florence with me, and with luck Francesco will meet the same fate as the other conspirators," Giovanni headed for the door but before leaving, turned around and said, "Long Live Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan."