The Royal Pawn of Venice

  XXIII

  It was the _festa_ of San Triphilio, patron-saint of the city ofNikosia; the great church on the bluff beside the castle was filled withthe sickly flames of paltry candles brought by the peasants from far andnear. From the quaint tower on the castle-wall one might see them comingin little processions, winding through the forest that clothed theplains below--pausing on the banks of the stream Pedea, to gatherwater-bloom and rushes to scatter before the shrine of San Triphilio, inmemory of the early days when the city had sprung from the marshes tostand--fair and firm upon the hillside above them, beautiful tobehold--girt about with impregnable walls and gateways, guarded by itsfamous citadel, and fortified within by churches dedicated to manysaints.

  To-day the gates stood hospitably open, to welcome the people who cameand went unchallenged through them, wearing their holiday faces andbearing their burden of bloom and green--lotus flowers for the altars,and rushes to scatter on the steps before them--pausing before theyentered the sacred precincts to lave their hands in the 'Fountain ofAblution.'

  It was truly a _festa_ of the people, and the Cyprian peasants who werea gentle, superstitious, ignorant race, devoutly subject to theirpriests and trained to the letter of their religious rites, came in fromthe mountains and the neighboring villages in numbers but rarely seenin the city: a motley throng--yet no shepherd among them was too poor towear the boot of dark-green leather reaching to the knee--the _bodine_roughly fashioned and tough enough to protect them from the bites of theserpents which infested the island.

  Here and there some shepherd was leading with pardonable pride a sheepwho gave a more than usual promise of fine wool, its extraordinary tail,bushy with soft long fleece, carefully spread out on the tiny cart towhich it was harnessed for its own protection. It came, meek-eyed andwondering, if a little weary, to this _festa_ of San Triphilio, to whomits first shearing would be vowed, as a special tribute to the saint anda talisman to shield the flocks upon the mountains.

  The shepherd might draw himself away, perchance, with a mingling ofcaste-feeling and of superstition, from some poorer villager of the sectof the "Linobambaki"--a dark, unkempt figure, with his scarlet fez, hisstring of undressed poultry hanging from his shoulder, even on this dayof _festa_ when the saints give all good Christians holiday! But he,poor man, was neither Christian nor pagan--a wonder that the good Lordmade him so!--(expressed with devout crossing and genuflexion)--and hewould sell a fowl on a holiday for the asking and the few copper_carcie_ that it would bring him, as though he were quite all Mussulmanand not half Christian, as his contemptuous nickname signified--amixture of royal linen and plebeian cotton! His touch might well defilethe sacred sheep!

  Here was a picturesque peasant-priest from the province of Ormidia, whohad left his work in the fields and was moving among the crowd with aslow dignity of motion and the mien of some antique statue--withsheep-skin garments of no shape, nor fashion, nor color, to mark hisdate--his hair flowing in loose waves to the throat, from under thehigh, conical hat, his full curling beard and moustache obscuring thelines of the face and intensifying its impassiveness--only in the eyes,without curiosity, a mild look of question at the strangeness of theways and sights of cities--such as some shepherd-god mightwear,--reserving judgment.

  To-day, also, some stray brother of the lower order of the KnightsHospitallers might be seen among the throng,--a white star, eightpointed on the breast of the black gown with which in early ages he hadbeen invested by the Patriarch of Jerusalem: and near him some Crusader,with the red cross on his silver mail.

  The burghers, too, were abroad in the arcades of the streets of Nikosia,gathering in groups before the Palazzo Reale which had been theresidence of the kings of the island until Janus had removed his capitalto Famagosta.

  But Nikosia had always been a cradle of loyalty in spite of a floatingpopulation of strangers who came thronging to visit her monuments andpalaces--to see the wonder of her merchandise gathered from the richesof her own fertile land--fruits and wines and silks and jewels,broideries of gold and silver wrought by her peasant women among theirvines--exquisite vessels of beaten copper from the famous mines whichhad baptised this island of Cyprus. But there were carpets also fromPersia, and fabulous Eastern stuffs--linens from Egypt, gossamer-fine;and carvings of ivory and gold, and drugs and spices from Arabia. Therewere slaves too--most fair to look upon--everything that might ministerto the luxury of a great city, as there were churches, of manyreligions, and altars to many saints.

  * * * * *

  Suddenly a troop of horsemen dashed rapidly through the open gates andinto the heart of the city among all the loitering holiday-wanderers,rousing them to instant strenuousness.

  "There is news!" some one cried startled. "They have come to pause atthe palace of the Vice-Roy. The leader is already within--he hath notwaited for his gentlemen to announce him!"

  "Aye, there is news:--may the Saints have mercy!" one of the burghersanswered to the quick questions of the visitors from the hamlets. "Andit is strange news, I wot--Heaven help us! For that was our ownSeigneur, Pietro Davilla, new created a Knight of St. John, and gone butthis morning, with all the gentlemen and squires of his household, topay his homage--a leal Knight to Her Majesty. It must be some dreadmatter that hath chanced to turn him from such duty and purpose ere hecould reach Famagosta."

  "That was the Seigneur Davilla, on the black champing steed? one of theCouncillors of the Realm?" a stranger asked.

  "Aye, man; thou art in luck to see our Seigneur with all his bravery ofmen and horse! That was he who entered the palace of the Vice-Roy."

  "And that other--all armed, with vizor down--the steed that bore himfoaming with haste, as if his hoof had scarce touched ground?"

  "I know not: but he weareth the colors of the Royal House. He hath thelook of some spent herald. See, they summon him from within! It must bethat he bringeth tidings from Famagosta. Pray Heaven it is well with HerMajesty!"

  "And with our Prince!"

  "_Viva la Regina!_"

  "Heaven save the Queen and the Infant King!"

  A tumult of _vivas_ broke from the excited throng who were on edge withunquiet expectation.

  And while they still waited watching the signs of commotion through thepalace portals, they beguiled their impatience with bits of brokentalk--strange surmises--asseverations of loyalty--distrust of theforeigners who filled important offices in the Government, especially ofthe Council of the Realm, which they looked upon with unconcealeddispleasure. For they of Nikosia were desperately loyal and somewhatsore, withal, that King Janus had seen fit to remove the capital fromtheir splendid city of Nikosia, which from the beginning of the Lusignandynasty, had held this supremacy.

  "For that Janus had captured Famagosta from Genoa, a feat of prowess forhis youth--and so would make his boast on it--keeping it ever in mind,"an elderly citizen explained to the crowd with a singular mingling ofadmiration and disapproval. "And mayhap he might have lived to learnmore wisdom--may God have mercy on his soul!--if it had pleased HisMajesty to dwell in our Palazzo Reale of Nikosia, where one may breathethe air of Heaven, instead of a pestiferous malaria from the marshes ofFamagosta."

  "It would be well that Her Majesty came hither to dwell," said one ofthe burghers eagerly; "and the Prince--because of the noisome air andwater of Famagosta."

  "Aye; and because of other things," interposed a stalwart man who hadjust issued from the palace of the Vice-Roy and joined the waitingthrong. "That she may dwell among a loyal people and away from theCouncil of the Realm _which one may not trust_."

  He spoke in tones of bitter wrath, startling the others by his hint ofdanger.

  "How 'the Council of the Realm'?" another citizen questioned, astonishedand half indignant. "Is not our Seigneur Pietro Davilla one of them?"

  "Aye--he is one--but a noble of Nikosia--our loyal city. And because ofhis loyalty--lest he be thought one with their foul purposes--he hathreturned in haste. I spoke with one of his gentl
emen but now. Nay, bideyour time." For the crowd turned upon him with an avalanche ofejaculations and questions: "it will be proclaimed from the PalazzoReale."

  "But, Stefano--the _Council of the Realm_?" one of his listenerspersisted.

  "There are too many foreigners in the Council: and that black-browedfiend of Naples is the worst of them!"

  "Be not so daring, man! Hast thou no fear?" a stranger in the crowdexclaimed warningly; "we shall all be arrested for rebels."

  "Fear!" a citizen echoed--"_Santa Vergine!_ That was our Stefano!--thouknowest him not."

  But Stefano was one who spoke when it pleased him: he deigned no reply,but fixed an intent gaze on the balcony of the palace, while the crowdfell to talk among themselves, still waiting eagerly for news.

  Stefano Caduna, this man of the people, was, in truth an idol inNikosia: rugged, commanding, with an air and tone of authority, thepeople looked to him for leadership. While they were speaking he movedquickly forward, the crowd making way for him at his quiet gesture--thestrong hand, slightly raised.

  "_Pace!_" he commanded, with a motion toward the palace of the Vice-Roy,and an instant hush fell upon the throng.

  A band of knights, fully armed, came forth and stood before the palaceportal, while their banner-bearers unrolled the standards of the Queenand the Prince--a challenge to the eager cries of loyalty which greetedthem. Mounted messengers were dashing with orders up to the citadel anddown to the city-gates. The Vice-Roy himself had come to the balconyabove the portal and stood watching the messengers anxiously, as if hewould speed them beyond their possible. Then he turned to the crowd ofeager, upturned faces, now quieted once more, by an imperative motionfrom Stefano.

  Mutio di Costanzo, Admiral of Cyprus and Vice-Roy of Nikosia, Lord ofthe city and fortress of Costanza, one of a long line of knights, was agentleman of honor devoted to the Crown and a loyal friend to the Queen:he held the confidence of the people and deserved it well.

  An inarticulate murmur of devotion stirred the crowd as he stood for amoment quite silent before them, too overcome by emotion to trusthimself to speech. When he spoke, his voice was calm, far-reaching andauthoritative.

  "Citizens of Nikosia," he said, "I bring you black news of perfidy toour Queen and infant King."

  He was interrupted by deafening cries of anger and alarm; but Stefanocommanded silence.

  "I know," the Admiral continued, his noble face a shade less stern,"that every heart and arm in Nikosia is hot for her defense."

  And now Stefano let the passion of loyalty have sway. But the Admiralhad more to say.

  "The gates of the city will be instantly closed and closely guarded; noman will be allowed to enter who doth not declare for the Queen--_who iscaptive_ in the _Fortress of Famagosta_."

  The shock of the news held them dumb while they listened. "The Councilof Nikosia will sit at once to discuss measures for her release; theforces of Nikosia and of the citadel will immediately report, fullyarmed. The traitors are _Rizzo di Marin and others of the Council of theRealm who have insolently proclaimed Alfonso of Naples as Prince ofGalilee and Heir to the Crown of Cyprus_."

  But now their voices came back to them, sputtering, uncontrolled; ababel of sounds arose, cries of loyalty--of fear--of indignation andwrath and fervor of affection--of hatred for the Council. Questionings,denunciations, curses that made one's hair stand on end--

  Only for a moment.

  Then the voice of the Admiral was heard again, stilling the chaos as bymagic.

  "Every man to his post. Let order prevail, for love of our Queen! Wehave stern work before us."

  And below, among the people, Stefano Caduna boiling with suppressedanger, which deepened his voice to an ominous calm--as of the lullbefore an earthquake--saw that the orders of the Vice-Roy were instantlyobeyed.

  * * * * *

  Stefano was in the very heart of the action in Nikosia during the daysthat followed; the people furious at the outrage to their Queen, sworethat it should be people against nobles, if there were need, in herdefense; and assembling in great numbers, at the house of Stefano, theychose a 'Council of the People' and made him its chief.

  And well it was for the peace of Nikosia that Stefano was gifted withthat rare power which marks some men for mediators in time of storm. Hestood between the nobles and the people, trusted by both parties--a manof force and judgment--reticent, comprehending, swift to see his way andscorning subterfuge.

  He it was who headed a delegation of the people to urge their petitionthat the Queen should be rescued with all speed and brought for safetywithin their walled and loyal city, and who rested not until theVice-Roy with all his knights and all the forces that could be sparedfrom the defense of Nikosia and of the citadel which they were holdingfor Her Majesty, had ridden forth to Famagosta.

  Stefano commanded the guard at the gates of Nikosia--as also the forceof the entire city, during the absence of the Vice-Roy: and he could beswerved nor fooled by no entreaties nor orders from any noble in theland. "No man entereth," he explained in that terrible cold iron voiceof his, "save only he who sweareth to live and die in defense of HerMajesty."

  He it was, also, who, waiting for no parleying, thundered a refusal tosurrender the city to those who brought the demand from the Fortress ofFamagosta, signed in trembling letters by the Queen's own hand,"_Caterina Regina_."

  "Nay, but Her Majesty shall write the letters from her ownpalace--freely--that we, her loyal, servitors may know her will,--orever we surrender her city of Nikosia." And so, sent back the envoys ofRizzo--foiled.

  And when some days later, yet others came--a company of mountednoblemen, demanding entrance in the Queen's name to deliver her answerto the letter sent by the Council of the People from Nikosia and to taketheir oath of loyalty--Stefano, still unbelieving, not knowing how itfared in Famagosta, gave his unvarying answer:

  "No man entereth, save only he who sweareth to live and die in theQueen's defense."

  "We are content to swear," they answered him.

  But still he gave no order to open the gates, but rode forth himselfwith the captains of the Council of the People, fully armed, to meetthem, dismounting as they approached and offering all courteoussalutations of the time--yet with reluctant speech--fearing to grantunwise credence, lest this should be some new perfidy.

  "Think not to deceive us with fair words," said Stefano, "who hold thiscity for our Queen; but if with most solemn oath ye swear to live anddie in her defense, we make you welcome."

  "On most fair honor of a Knight," they answered him, "in the name of SanGiovanni!"

  "Call hither the Chaplain with the Holy Book!" said Stefano.

  And so without the city, Stefano Caduna, man of the people, received themost solemn oath of these knights and nobles, envoys of the Queen,bareheaded and on bended knee before him, ere he would consent to unbarthe gates of Nikosia to receive Her Majesty's own messengers.