Authors: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
"May God bless you for this,” Padre Bartolimieu said and intercepted a critical glance from Père Guibert.
"Naturally,” Cardinal Belroche said. “I would prefer He eliminate the Romans, but God does not always bless us in the way we choose."
Père Guibert stopped the rebuke before he uttered it; he was shocked to hear a Prince of the Church speak with such blatant cynicism. Instead he said, “It is not for us to question God's Will."
"Sadly not,” said the Cardinal. “And in the meantime, there are these demons, or Romans, or other agents of the Devil."
"And we must be rid of them,” Padre Bartolimieu said, the depth of his loathing in his voice. “They are worse than anything. The nuns are lost to all propriety and decency."
"The demons cause them to be wild and lascivious, your message indicates.” Cardinal Belroche sighed.
"That is so,” Père Guibert said, doing his best to keep a properly respectful attitude toward the Cardinal. He was already convinced that their errand had been in vain. “We have seen the distress it causes the nuns and we wish to do all that we may to rid them of this terrible affliction."
"Yes, that's clear enough,” the Cardinal said. “But you must understand my predicament, good Père. You have a few souls to concern you, while we in Avignon have the fate of the world in our laps. If this were a case of Roman intervention, then it might be that we could spare you assistance, but as it is...” He shrugged.
Padre Bartolimieu at last voiced his deepest fears. “But you've warned us that the Romans are the servants and tools of the Devil. So it may be that they have called the Devil and sent his demons and imps to torment worthy and dedicated Christians so that they may lose faith and turn away from God.” He was breathing more unevenly when he finished, but he felt a degree of satisfaction. “God will not permit us to do nothing and then seek the rewards of Paradise."
Cardinal Belroche raised his shaggy eyebrows. “You've had some schooling, haven't you, Padre? And you believe that you may challenge Avignon in this way? You are not very wise, for all your learning."
"I did not ... mean to challenge you, Illustrissimi.” He looked toward the floor, smarting with acute embarrassment.
The Cardinal snorted, then went on. “Still, it may be that you have discovered some new incursion, and it would not be proper for us to ignore it entirely. That way lies defeat."
"Yes, that is what I feared,” Père Guibert seconded him, glad to find an opportunity to take advantage of the Cardinal's good will.
"Not as I have feared it, but in your way, you have some little concept of what threatens us, I suppose.” The Cardinal lifted up the vellum and peered at it. “I cannot spare you much. If it were possible to give you more aid, then it would be done, but you realize that we are cautious men here.” He crossed himself. “God guides our hand, and we are His servants."
The two priests made the sign of the cross, waiting to hear what the Cardinal had decided.
"There is a bishop, recently elevated to his office, whose town was most harshly treated by the heretics not so long ago. He is dedicated to the eradication of the evil Rome has visited on us, and will be able, perhaps, to assist you in dealing with the Sisters.” He cleared his throat. “The man is Évêque Amalrie Tordrer, and I will send my page to him this evening, so that arrangements may be made to begin this ... investigation. If a full Process is warranted, it will be for Évêque Amalrie to decide."
Père Guibert was on his feet before Cardinal Belroche had finished. “Oh, a thousand thanks, Illustrissimi. We are grateful to you, more than you will know, for it is what we had hoped for.” He fell to his knees, crossed himself, and began to pray.
"My page will show you to the chapel, where you may return thanks to God more properly,” Cardinal Belroche said hastily. “It is commendable that you display your humility, but your words are for God."
As he looked up, Père Guibert had tears in his eyes. “You are His instrument, Illustrissimi, and it is fitting that you should know how indebted we are to you."
"It is for the Church that this is being done,” Cardinal Belroche said impatiently. “Both of you are aware of that.” He gestured for them to depart, and endured the ritual of his ring being kissed with ill humor. “Be on guard for men from Rome, good priests. They trouble me far more than a few nuns who scream in the night."
"Yes. Of course,” Padre Bartolimieu promised, adding to Père Guibert as they left the Cardinal's apartments and passed the armed guards, “It may be that he is correct in his assessment. You and I, mon Père, have been so close that we cannot see all that the Church must contend with. We may have permitted ourselves to act precipitously."
Père Guibert frowned at the other man. “It hardly matters now, does it, since it will be for Évêque Amalrie to determine if there is a demon.” He walked a little faster, annoyed at himself for being irritated by the Cardinal. It was impossible for him to believe that Belroche was truly indifferent, no matter how he had behaved. “Whatever problems beset the Church,” he said, hoping to convince himself, “they must be grave; otherwise our message would have been given more attention."
Behind him, Padre Bartolimieu shuddered. “Be grateful for our insignificance, mon Père. It has saved us as surely as la Virge died chaste."
Évêque Amalrie was younger than Père Guibert had expected him to be—hardly more than thirty, with a smooth, moon face that was marred by high, disdainful eyebrows and an arch of his small lips that hinted at unsatisfied appetites. He met Père Guibert and Padre Bartolimieu the day after they had spoken to Cardinal Belroche, in the ambulatory of la Eglise de Saunt Antoine not far from the Papal palace.
"I will bring a page with me, and Frère Renaut to record what we learn. There will be a wagon ready to take my suite the day after tomorrow, if that is soon enough for you?” The brows rose even higher.
"We will accommodate you as we may, mon Évêque,” Padre Bartolimieu assured him without looking at Père Guibert. “It is an honor that a man of your high rank should condescend to aid us in your travail. The Sisters, I know, will extend grateful prayers upon arrival."
The Bishop pouted. “I had hoped to aid Avignon here, where there is so much intrigue and turmoil. But Cardinal Belroche and Pope Clement have ruled otherwise and I am obedient to their wishes.” He paused for a moment. “I have read the message you sent to the Cardinal concerning the troubles at the convent."
"We are sad to have caused you any distress,” Padre Bartolimieu said, wishing there were a way he could stop his tongue from such betrayal; he did not like the young Bishop, but he still deferred to him.
"Any fall from the grace of God must cause me distress,” he said, and turned to Père Guibert. “You are silent, mon Père. Is there anything you wish to tell me, or have you fallen into reverie, as the heroes of old were said to do?"
Père Guibert shook his head. “Your forgiveness, mon Évêque. I was concerned for the nuns. We have been gone several days and it troubles me that they should be left alone for so long when they have endured so much already."
"Very wise. Women are subject to visitations of the spirit more than men, and they are not strong in reason. You have doubtless encountered much difficulty because of their natures. You must not forget that when in sin, they are subtle and sly, indulging their vices because they delight in repeating the errors of Mother Eve.” He folded his hands in front of him. “The wise man remembers this when dealing with women."
"These are sincere nuns, most of them,” Père Guibert said, wanting to defend them without contradicting Évêque Amalrie.
"It is for the shame of their sex that they become religious. We must be very careful not to deter them from their devotions, for it is the only way a woman may bring her soul to bliss. They must cast off their sex for the sake of Christ and Paradise.” He walked on in silence, letting the two priests trail behind him. “Young as I am, I have learned something of the nature of woman, and I am prepared to counter any wrongs I find."
"They wish to live in accord with their Order,” Père Guibert said, watching Padre Bartolimieu and waiting to hear the Swiss priest attempt to curry favor with Évêque Amalrie.
"We will encourage them in this and we will root out the Devil, if Devil there is.” The Bishop was satisfied at that pronouncement, and turned back to the priests. “I will want to consult with you every evening, so that we may compare all we have heard and seen, and know that we are not being caught in the wiles of the Devil through enchantment and glamour."
"As you wish,” Père Guibert said at his most neutral.
"It will be great instruction to hear you, mon Évêque,” Padre Bartolimieu said with an emotion similar to fervor. “I know your learning and piety will guide us in our investigations, and for that we are truly and humbly thankful that God has seen fit to send you to us.” He came a step closer. “There are those who think we are too apprehensive and too severe on the women of Le Tres Saunt Annunciacion, but you will see when we arrive how much has occurred and what it has done to the Sisters. They are unfortunates and we have not the vision to cast out the Devil and reprimand the sinner as you will do."
"Yes,” Évêque Amalrie said, beaming at Padre Bartolimieu. “Doubtless that is why Cardinal Belroche and Pope Clement selected me for this work. Not every man in Orders is capable of an investigation. Some of us are gifted in these matters, and the burden of such inquiries falls upon them.” He lowered his head. “Be sure, good Fathers, that I will be vigilant and stern, for all my youth. There is no one at the convent who will escape my notice, and no vice that will go undiscovered. For that, God be blessed and praised, for He gives the victory to those who are His most humble servants and devoted children."
"Amen,” Padre Bartolimieu said, crossing himself along with the Bishop.
Père Guibert made the sign of the cross in silence.
Seur Odile was warder Sister when the priests with the young Bishop and his two attendants returned from Avignon. She watched them approach the convent with curiosity and doubt, fearing that she might be wrong in what she saw. Her mind was weary from lack of sleep, and there had been another disturbance when the nuns had gathered in the refectory to break their fasts.
"God be with you, ma Fille,” Père Guibert said as he left the wagon and came to the grille.
"And with your spirit, mon Père,” she said in a rush. “I will tell Mère Léonie that you are here. She will be grateful that you have returned.” She caught a sob and attempted to turn it into a cough.
"What troubles you, ma Fille? Is there more difficulty?” He knew this woman and was certain she would not invent problems where they did not exist.
"Yes, mon Père,” she whispered. “Since you left, it has been worse.” She paused, aware she had exceeded her authority in saying so much, but not willing to keep silent. “I will pray for an end to my sins, mon Père."
"May God grant your prayers, ma Fille. Inform Mère Léonie that we have brought aid. Évêque Amalrie, from Flanders, has been sent by Cardinal Belroche and Pope Clement to help us.” He was able to say this without much feeling, though the time he had passed with Évêque Amalrie had convinced him that the young man was more committed to his political ambitions within the Church than to the well being of a small convent and its nuns.
"God shows us grace at last,” Seur Odile exclaimed. “A Bishop to help us. Mère Léonie will be filled with joy to learn this."
"Excellent,” Padre Bartolimieu exclaimed. “It is well when nuns accommodate the superior understanding of men in Orders.” He turned toward Père Guibert. “Is that not so, mon Père?"
Padre Bartolimieu's sycophancy toward Évêque Amalrie had become increasingly irritating to Père Guibert, so that it was difficult for him to give the briefest of answers without being uncivil. “It is the teaching of the Church,” he said in an emotionless voice.
"And for that we must thank God,” Padre Bartolimieu said, growing more enthusiastic, “for it was God and the Savior who founded the Church and gave authority to the Popes to rule in Their Holy Names.” He had not looked at the Bishop, but now he could not contain himself. He smiled at the round-faced young man. “God has shown wonders in His works, has He not?"
"And so has the Devil,” was Évêque Amalrie's answer. “That is why we are here, and we must be on guard against all the lies and subterfuge that the Devil has given to his servants to use against the servants of God.” He stood in the wagon, the curtains pulled aside, and he glared at the doors of Le Tres Saunt Annunciacion. “It is for us to determine what evil has been done here, and to bring it to an end, so that the nuns will no longer be troubled and God will be served as He wishes to be."
The two priests nodded, but not with the same motive. Père Guibert wanted only to be left alone with the Sisters he had been given charge of and was now in danger of losing. “I will be pleased when this is resolved,” he remarked.
"As will we all,” Évêque Amalrie said, his mouth turning down, making him look like a baby about to have a tantrum. “And we will determine who is responsible for this outrage. That is essential. For then the Holy Father in Avignon will know how it is that the Devil works against him, and who has given the Enemy of God aid and refuge.” His eyes raked over the two priests. “And if nothing has occurred that warrants this attention, then those who have distracted the Church from its duties will feel the wrath of the Church: be sure of that."
He had been making such grim pronouncements since they left Avignon, and Père Guibert had stopped listening to them. Padre Bartolimieu, however, had taken to echoing them, as he did now. “Yes; when Père Guibert came to me, I did not wish to have this known, for it would take men from the Church who would better be serving her in her battle against Rome. My concern was that this, too, might be linked to Rome, and so I consented to aid him."
"So you have said,” Évêque Amalrie responded in quelling tones.
Padre Bartolimieu might have gone on, but there was the sound of the bolt being lifted, and the huge doors swung open.