Betta turned the problem over and over in her mind as she finished supervising the loading of Lady Lucrezia's gowns in the great wooden chests that would transport them to Naples. The silks and velvets adorned with precious jewels glowed with beauty and her hand had caressed their softness as she wrapped them in linen. She had never been far enough from Rome that she could not see the great towers of the city rising into the sky and the journey south to the city of Naples was an exciting prospect. It was only marred by the nagging problem that could spoil her hard won contentment.
The past weeks had been very happy for Betta, and the memory of her sister's joy when she left their father's house to be married filled her with contentment. When she had visited Ginevra for the last time before departing she had seen that the girl she had loved more like a mother than a sister was adjusting to her new life. Ginevra had taken her aside as she prepared to return to the Vatican and whispered into her ear words that had filled Betta with apprehension. She did not want to bring her newly acquired knowledge to the attention of her mistress, who had enough to deal with at the moment. When Lucrezia's child had been taken from her and her brother had left to be married the lady had withdrawn in a beautiful blonde shell that could not disguise the grief that was apparent to anyone who cared for her.
She finally sought out the assassin, for there was nothing else the man who seemed to radiate deadly purpose could be, as he made ready to ride beside her mistress on their journey to Naples. Betta had immediately recognized his voice when she had met the man who had been sent to watch over her lady. It was only natural that her loyalty had been tested considering the dangerous secret she held, Betta reasoned, and she knew that this man would have disposed of her without a second thought if she would have betrayed her mistress. There were dark tales told about this man who served the Lord Cesare, and when Betta looked into his dark blue eyes she believed every single one of them.
"Sir," she addressed him respectfully in a hushed tone "I would speak to you in private when you have a moment."
He nodded at her and Betta took her place in the wagon that transported Lady Lucrezia's gowns and struck up a conversation with the hairdresser. When the group halted at mid-day to rest the horses Micheletto found her when she returned from the woods that bordered the ancient road.
"Speak, girl." He looked at her from under his shaggy mane of copper hair.
"Sir, I would not trouble my lady with this but I fear that someone in my own family may have dealing with those who move against the Borgias."
"Tell me." She had his full attention now and the subtle menace around him seemed to deepen.
"My father was not pleased that my sister left his home to be married. She did all of the work that my father claimed and sold to buy his drink. When I went to see my sister before we left she said that he suddenly had money for wine and he had been seen talking to one not known to our neighbors." The conclusions she had drawn from her father's behavior might not be as readily apparent to some but she knew what that man was capable of. She had protected her sister from him since their mother had died, and the memory of what she had been subjected to turned her stomach. When Betta had brought the dowry that allowed her sister to marry her father's eyes had burned with anger and the promise of retribution.
"You have no loyalty to your father then?" Micheletto asked her. "You know what this will mean."
"The man who was my father died years ago. This man deserves no less than what will come to him." Betta's voice was low and harsh, very different from her normally quiet tone.
"I would have something from you in return," the man said, "if I am to deal with this man who once was your father."
"I make no bargains that will betray the trust my mistress has placed in me." Betta's hand touched the small knife she had hidden underneath her apron. Micheletto's eyes followed the motion and quick as a snake he grabbed her wrist and wrenched the knife out of her skirts. Amazingly his eyes were slightly warmer when he looked at her.
"Get a better knife girl, with a small hilt that you can stick into your garter. Most men that seek to do you harm will fuck you first. Stick them right here," He brought her hand up and pressed a spot between his ribs "and they will be dead quick enough." He let go of her wrist and moved back. "I would not have you betray your mistress. But if she were to do something that could endanger her I would have you come to me. My master cares tenderly for his sister and has placed her under my protection." There was a subtle emphasis placed on the word "sister" that made Betta's eyes jerk to meet his and a look of perfect understanding passed between them.
"If it is in my power I shall do so." She bowed her head to him in respect and returned to her place in the wagon.
The high stone walls of Naples and the richness of the nobles sent out to greet them could not disguise the wretched poverty of the city. Betta spied children too weak to walk lying in the streets and the sharp bones of hunger seemed to stare at her from every face. The city itself was disturbingly quiet, so different from the raucous noise that permeated every corner of Rome, and the bustle of prosperity seemed entirely absent.
They settled into their new life quickly enough, and Betta watched with sadness as the former gaiety of her mistress was replaced by grief that only deepened as the weeks went by. The loss of her son and Lord Cesare drained all of her vitality away. Lady Lucrezia had a small chest filled with items that had belonged to her baby and Betta had seen her holding them to her face and crying at night. Betta hated this king, a sneering fool who looked at her mistress like a man did a prostitute and kept her from the child that had been a bright spot of warmth in all of their lives. Then her lady had returned from a banquet white with anger and she had spent many hours looking through the collection of books that were well hidden in her rooms.
"Betta," Lady Lucrezia spoke to her the next morning. "I would have your assistance with something."
"Anything, my lady."
"I need you to locate a woman skilled in… healing and herbs that would be willing to share her knowledge." Lucrezia's gray eyes had dark circles underneath them and Betta could see cold anger in their depths.
Betta nodded and thought furiously for a second. "If I could make a suggestion?"
"Yes?"
"This city starves, my lady, and half the people are lately dead of the plague. If you would allow me to bring food and alms to those in need for a time I believe I could accomplish what you need that much sooner."
"An excellent suggestion and the plight of these people is a weight on my heart. I will see that you are provided with what is necessary." Lucrezia had smiled at her, not the carefree smile of the girl that she had been in Vanozza's house, but it was the first warmth she had shown in weeks.
That night Betta sought out Micheletto, who was, as ever, watching her mistress from the shadows. She said nothing to him, but merely smiled and flicked her eyes to the beautiful woman who sat beneath them. Micheletto nodded at her and resumed his vigil.
The basket that was delivered to Betta the next day was enormous, stuffed with loaves of bread that had not been consumed at the evening meal and several precious dried sausages. She was swarmed by children as soon as she walked through the gates of the wall that surrounded the palace. "From the Lady Lucrezia," she murmured as she pressed loaves into the dirty hands of urchins who looked like they would not survive the day. She saved the sausages until she reached the well that provided water to the city. Betta located the oldest women she could find, almost toothless crones who gathered like a small flock of cows where they could watch the younger women with their children, and distributed the dried meat among them. "For your families, from my lady Lucrezia."
She asked nothing of them that day, nor in the days that followed. Her arrival was greeted with eager anticipation by the dozens of children who trailed after her on the way to the well, and Betta began to bring small cakes bursting with almonds and honey that her mistress requested from the kitchen servants at her suggestion. The children brought her small tokens of thanks, wilted flowers that must have been gathered outside the city gates and perfect shells that glowed like pearls. When the oldest woman that Betta had ever seen inquired after the health of her mistress Betta mentally smiled in triumph.
"My mistress is well, and the soul of Christian generosity and virtue, but…" she trailed off delicately, and looked down as though overcome by embarrassment.
The woman, as expected, pressed her for details. She was most eager to help the one who had filled the bellies of her grandchildren and pressed coins into her hand to be saved for the winter.
"It is a delicate matter, you see, and must be handled with discretion." Betta looked at her earnestly. "My mistress fears that she will be sent back to Rome soon if she does not quicken with child but her husband.." Betta brought her finger up to point at the sky and then brought it down in a motion that mimicked the wilting of a flower. "He lacks vigor, you see." She smirked conspiratorially as the old woman who dissolved into cackles of laughter.
"I know just the one you need," the woman wheezed. "Lives outside the city gates. Some say that her family were Jews that were expelled from the city but she can help your lady, if anyone can. I will have my grandson show you were to find her."
"I thank you, and my lady thanks you." She found a cavallo that she had tucked in a leather purse and gave it to the woman, whose eyes widened. She motioned her grandson over and whispered into his ear. The urchin was one of the children who followed Betta every day and he gave her a wide and mischievous grin as he took her hand and led her outside of the walls.
When Betta returned to the palace that afternoon she was covered in dust and her brown hair was escaping from its customarily neat braid. She found her mistress being readied for yet another feast. Something in her expression must have alerted Lucrezia to the news she brought for the other servants were sent from the room with a word.
"I have found the person you wanted, my lady, and I have spoken with her. I am to bring you to her cottage this very night if it pleases you."
Lucrezia's eyes were lit with fire once again and she grabbed Betta's hands. "It pleases me." She smiled, and for the first time Betta saw a resemblance to Lord Cesare in her fierce expression. I hope that little king knows what he has unleashed, Betta thought, and she returned the smile. When the lady had left Betta once again sought out Micheletto and motioned him to follow her into a darkened room.
"My lady and I will go outside the city this night." She told him after the man had made certain they were alone.
"On what business?" Micheletto's posture was negligent as ever but there was coiled strength in his lean muscles and his dark eyes were probing.
"My lady seeks one skilled in healing."
Micheletto snorted. "A witch, you mean."
"Some might call her that. But I would not have the Lady Lucrezia journey outside the gates of the palace with only me to protect her."
Micheletto studied her in silence for a second, taking in the bright eyes that held no trace of slyness or seduction and the neatness of her person despite the dust that still clung to her. "You are a smart girl. Did you get a better knife?" Betta nodded and brought out the blade she had slipped into her garter. He took it from her and fingered the edge. He noted with approval that Betta had subtly shifted her posture so that she could flee in a second if needed. "Come to me soon and I will show you how to sharpen it. This would not cut warm butter." He turned and began to walk out of the room. "I had a message from Rome. Seems your father was broken hearted when his older girl died from the pestilence in Naples and fell off a bridge. His only surviving daughter had him buried. "
Betta froze and allowed Micheletto to leave the room in front of her. She searched her heart for a trace of remorse and found none, only relief that she was free. It seems I have found the right family to serve, she thought, and left the room to prepare for the journey that night.