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This novel won THE NATIONAL REWARD IBISKOS ‘95 and was republished in 1997 by Hobby & Work.
Historical thriller by B. Zolezzi - E. De Pieri.
Hobby & Work, Milano - July 1997
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AVOGADOR*
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This novel won THE NATIONAL REWARD IBISKOS ‘95 and was republished in 1997 by Hobby & Work.
Historical thriller by B. Zolezzi - E. De Pieri.
Hobby & Work, Milano - July 1997
|
P. n° 14-15
A giggle from a corner of the room made
him turn round.
- What manners, Your Excellency! Pouncing into a lady’s bedroom at this
time of the night!
Tiziana came out from behind the heavy curtains hiding the mullioned
window and went smiling towards him. When she smiled a delightful dimple
appeared on her right cheek.
Paul hugged her tightly.
- Forgive me, darling; I needed to talk to you urgently. My life, my
family, my honour are at the stake ...
Forgive me, please. I am being exceedingly rude today. I haven’t woken
you up, have I?
- No, you haven’t. I couldn't sleep. I left the party very early, it
was so boring... I can't stand the Venetian noblewomen any more... Caterina
Venier in the first place... But let’s forget about it...
Tell me, did something dangerous happen? I saw you rushing here in a
gondola as if you were being chased by a hundred devils ...
- That is more or less what is going to happen, Tiziana. Now listen to
me carefully.
The Avogador told her
everything in a soft voice while holding her hands. Tiziana was listening with
trepidation. When Paul ended his monologue she didn’t speak but went to a
cabinet, took out a precious flagon and poured a golden liquid into an amethyst
coloured goblet.
- Have a drink, you need it. Then take my advice: apply to the Doge. Go
to him immediately and inform him about the events. If the situation is what I
believe and you imagine, you must waste no time. Someone else might go before
you, and... Should that corpse be found in your palace... You are well aware of
what would happen.
There has been too much gossip about you lately. If I am not mistaken you
are already working at the “stridar di ladri” * for the first Lent Sunday. A couple
of noblemen with whom we are well acquainted have started worrying about that.
I am afraid the list of swindlers and those who stole St.
Mark’s money will be long, and the sentences very severe. You are well
aware of the anguish of the families who are going to see their relatives’
crimes made public knowledge... According to custom, the Doge, The Signoria
and the Major Council will all be present at the hearing. As you know very
well, misusing public money is a grave criminal offence, and the sentences are
quite heavy. Someone is already considering of taking a harsh revenge on you. If
you give me time, however, I’ll get more detailed information. - Here Tiziana
wisely paused to take breath, then resolutely raised her hand to silence Paolo
who was going to intervene. - No, please don’t speak; I know but too well what
you would say. That it would be easier to lay an ambush and kill you? No,
darling, you don’t kill an Avogador of the Serenissima. You discredit him in
the eyes of public opinion, you bring charges against him, which is much
worse. You leave it to the Republic to sentence him to death. That is the much
subtler play of a clever and wicked mind. Just consider... Had they found Sir
Zeno’s corpse at the door of your palace ... In view of your rather strained
relationship... Don’t you think the Doge would have been compelled to order an
official inquiry into your responsibilities? In that case you would be
immediately suspended from your office and quite easily replaced maybe by your
rival, Pietro Todesco... Don’t you think so?
Mocenigo cannot act too freely. Some members of the Council are opposed
to him: having one of his protégés sentenced, would be a capital opportunity to
put him in an untenable position.
Several Casade** are lobbying in order to enter the Council of Ten,
noblemen suddenly enriched after the war against Turkey.
You would be a first-rate weapon for blackmail. Go to the Doge at once;
he will be able to advise you. There is something more I have to tell you. I
know Zeno very well, despite the honours lavished on him, he has been widely
talked about, always in very unfavourable ways. He came home from Alexandria
with a treasure in jewels and silks. Rumour has it that he was in a plot with
the Genoese...
* Solemn hearing where the
names of the accused were made public.
** Outstanding families.