"Umm... Could you not use your influence to go to Rome and bring backup?" Eulis asked timidly, all the while looking at the cold eyes of Tres.
No one would think that Eulis was the kind of man to lead an army of knights in a heroic battle. But he was clearly not entirely without strength, as he did not shy from an opportunity to save his fellow countrymen.
"They intend to stay here throughout winter. When spring comes, they'll flee their pursuers and head farther north. But by then, they'll have exhausted this town's resources and most of us will have died of starvation. Fathers, will you not go and call reinforcements from Rome?"
"I'm very sorry, Count. But we can't." Abel sounded genuinely sorry as he shook his head.
"As I explained before, we're now considered rebels in Rome. Even if we could call reinforcements, the church's army is already stretched due to the war with the heretics. And if they did come in pursuit of New Vatican, the town would probably already be devastated."
"No." Eulis covered his face with his hands. His townsmen looked at him with concern. A hushed silence, colder than the freezing air outside, shrouded the room.
"Umm, may I? I may have thought of a good plan..." Countess Christa Anhalt broke the cold silence of the room. This was the first time the aristocratic wife, whose husband had joined the forces of New Vatican, had spoken. "New Vatican follow the false leader, Alfonso d'Este, correct? Then why don't we take that old man as a hostage? If we can do that, then they'll have to do as we say."
"Ha ha, what an excellent suggestion, Senora. But it's not possible," Antonio said as he furiously shook his head. He spoke for the rest of the silent group. "He'll be stuck in the back of the castle with three hundred men between us and him. There's no way we could even get near him to take him hostage. We could try sneaking in, but the chances of us getting caught are considerable, and then we'd be killed."
"Oh, I wasn't saying we sneak in." Christa pouted and continued on: "We'll have the townspeople turn the count in. That way, the castle will be opened up and we'll be able to get in."
"WHAT?!"
Everyone in the room thought they must have misheard. They all looked at Christa now. She smiled back, her beauty and astonishing words keeping her audience captivated.
"When the count meets Alfonso, he can overpower that old man. Then, with the doors open, the citizens can enter the castle. We trick the heretics into thinking that we will return Alfonso to them, gather them in one of the gunpowder warehouses, and set fire to it. I often saw the servants burn pests like that."
"Um... well... yes... it's an i-i-idea," Antonio stuttered.
The citizens were fascinated by this dangerous suggestion. But before this dangerous plan was pursued any further, Abel rushed to speak. "I'm really sorry, but I don't think we can use that idea, Christa. There would be far too dangerous for the count. He would have to secure Archbishop d'Este alone. He could hide weapons on his person, but the risk is still far too great."
"Oh? But the count is a brave man. He led an army of knights and battled bravely." Christa tilted her head and smiled naively. "I would have thought taking a hostage would have been easy for him. It would be nothing. Unless he's been telling us tall tales?"
A wave of rage moved through the townspeople. Sergei, the owner of the hotel, stood up in indignation. "Such impertinence!"
"The Count of Estonia comes from a family of heroes! Eulis follows in their footsteps as a brave warrior. Some false religious leader is nothing to him. Isn't that right, Sir Eulis?"
"Oh? Well yes, Sergei." Eulis had been zoned out, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he'd just been called a liar, but he was now back in the conversation. The locals in the room were all furiously nodding their heads and looking at him. "Well, yes, I mean, I'm very interested in the countess' suggestion. Thank you for your concern, Father Nightroad, but I have a fair knowledge of fighting. You do not need to worry."
"Well then, it's decided!" Christa clapped her hands and exclaimed in delight. "Now everyone will get what they want. The count gets his castle back. The priests get Cherubim. And I get my husband... Oh, Rudolph. 'The countess trailed off, lost in thoughts of a reunion with her husband. She pushed her hands to her breast and sighed sadly. "I need to see him. My beloved Rudolph. I wonder what you're doing now?"
While Christa was talking to herself, the townspeople gathered around Eulis, talking excitedly together. Eulis was smiling at all the kind encouragement he was receiving. But there was something false about it.
Abel sighed as he looked at the youth's facade. "Well. Shall we do this?"
It was true that the struggling New Vatican was utterly reliant on Alfonso. If they took him as hostage, it would create disorder within the ranks. However, could Eulis apprehend Alfonso? Would it be too difficult to take the enemy leader while within enemy territory?
"What do you think, Father Tres?" Abel asked his colleague.
"The risk is too great." Father Tres shook his head but his expression was blank, as always. "But if there are no other options, then we have no choice but to follow this course of action... The Department of the Inquisition will be pushing for Duchess of Milan's execution as we speak. There is no time for hesitation."
"You're right." Abel said forlornly. He thought of her in Rome and sighed. Alone in a cold, dark cell. She wasn't a physically strong woman. Abel wondered if she was all right. He hoped that she was looking after herself.
There was no other choice. They had to try Countess Anhalt's plan.