Book of JUDAS

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Vatican City, Rome

Cardinal Camerlengo Fiore clicked shut the door to Pope Paul’s residential quarters and stood there for a few moments quietly contemplating the decisions they had reached together. Since the earlier meeting in the Sala Regia with Cardinal Giacoma and Cardinal Alphonso it was his third audience with His Holiness on the subject of Sir Lawrence Trenchard and the Book of Judas. The Pope himself was entirely familiar with the book’s history. He had sat on the same General Ecumenical Council as Cardinal Alphonso thirty years ago when they had debated how to deal with Trenchard and his startling discovery.

It was seven o’clock in the evening as Cardinal Fiore turned and set off in the direction of the Sala Consistoriale, and the gentlemen he knew would be waiting for him there. Each step echoed on the stone floor of the great hall as he walked towards the rendezvous. He replayed the words of the Pope over in his mind and smiled with satisfaction to himself.

I’ve got what I want, he thought.

Cardinal Fiore had specially chosen the Sala Consistoriale, or Consistorial Hall, for the meeting. It was used specifically for secret gatherings, occasionally official, when headed by the Presidency of the Pope. Fiore, striding purposefully, entered the Sala Clementina, which served as a waiting room for the Great Hall. Opening the large wooden door he walked down the high but narrow chamber to where they were gathered, sitting on wooden stalls that lined the room. The light in the hall was poor and the dimness was exaggerated by the enormous dark red tapestries that clung to the walls.

As the tall, imposing figure of Fiore strode towards them, they rose as one to their feet. As before, Cardinal Alphonso and Cardinal Giacoma were in attendance but this time they were not alone. Colonel Renauld, the commanding officer of the Swiss Guards took two steps forward. Behind him in the gloom stood a sinister man in black civilian clothes. In the abstract darkness, only the random shadows cast by the flickering candlelight made his menacing form fleetingly visible. Standing completely motionless, his demeanour was typical of someone used to being in control.

On the other side of the two scarlet-robed Cardinals were two more clergy from the top echelons of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Alphonso, standing with the aid of a walking stick, was resentfully cognisant of the fact that the circle of those privy to the secret knowledge was ever widening. He had made his views felt and Fiore had noted his disdain for the decision when their inclusion in the secret conclave had first been proposed. Unsurprisingly however, his condemnation of the appointments fell on deaf ears. The new members, Cardinal Deacon Weiss and Cardinal Bishop Lefebvre were known loyal and dedicated supporters of Fiore. Besides, considered Cardinal Alphonso, Fiore had delivered their submission as a ‘fait accompli’. He had approached His Holiness and made sure he had his approval before breaking the news to himself and Giacoma.

As the noise of Fiore’s footsteps came to a halt, Cardinal Alphonso spoke first.

“How is His Holiness?” he asked with concern.

“I am afraid his condition is still showing little signs of improvement, Brother Alphonso, we must pray for his recovery.”

Cardinal Alphonso nodded his agreement.

The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Paul XII, was in his eighty-sixth year and the passage of time was catching up with him. Over the past six years he had been intermittently and increasingly bedridden as he suffered from the gradual failure of his vital organs. The deterioration of his kidneys and the increased requirement for dialysis took their toll and although occasionally the medication made it seem as though his health was improving, the setbacks would always follow shortly afterwards.

The on-going condition of His Holiness brought a new dimension to their dealings and it was a situation that the elderly Alphonso was acutely aware of, namely “succession”. It was widely known within the Vatican Walls that Cardinal Fiore coveted the role of heir to the Supreme Pontiff. The determination of the successor was a complex and highly secretive affair. In the unhappy event that Pope Paul VII died, all the Cardinals from around the world would convene in Rome to vote in secret and determine who would step into his shoes. Although there were just over one hundred and fifty Cardinals, only those below the age of eighty could vote, reducing the total of those eligible to one hundred and twenty-four.

In the unofficial whisperings that resonated through the Vatican’s dark corridors, it was widely accepted that there were only three Cardinals capable of attaining the number of votes required. Firstly, Cardinal Fiore, who as the Pope’s incumbent Chamberlain would automatically hold the supreme position in the transitory period before the votes were cast and the result of the ballot known. Secondly, there was Cardinal Gregory whose credentials for the role were outstanding. He commanded a tremendous amount of respect amongst his peers and despite being the oldest, he was seen as the safe option for those opposed to change even if he was not a long-term appointment. In the previous election twelve years ago, he had come second to Pope Paul in the concluding vote. Finally, there was the frail Cardinal Alphonso himself. His wisdom and influence over the General Council was as strong as ever although he knew, especially given Pope Paul’s predicament, that there could be a consensus for a younger, healthier successor.

Cardinal Alphonso eyed Fiore with suspicion. He knew it was imperative that decisions taken at this meeting must put the future of their religious faith and church before any gain to themselves as individuals. How this matter was handled would set the stage for any future vote on succession, and with Fiore’s new appointments, he had guaranteed that his own decisions would be undertaken by this forum.

“I welcome Brothers Lefebvre and Weiss…” continued Fiore, who nodded their acknowledgements before turning to Colonel Renauld. “…And thank you, Colonel, for making the arrangements so quickly. We are indeed indebted to your loyalty at this time.”

It was the Colonel’s job to protect the Vatican and that included all security matters pertaining to the Roman Catholic religion. During the ages since 1506, the Swiss Guards had been responsible for preserving the religious integrity of the Catholic faith and this included conducting undercover operations when necessary. In fact, Cardinal Fiore was referring to such undercover arrangements when commending the Colonel’s actions.

“Thank you, Your Eminence,” returned Renauld humbly, bowing his head in acceptance of the compliment.

Cardinal Alphonso resumed his seat on the wooden bench and, resting his hands on his upright cane in front of him, looked up at Fiore to continue his briefing.

“As you know, I’ve come straight from an audience with His Holiness. He’s deeply troubled by these developments. He fears that the death of the British Knight will have unimaginable consequences for our Church unless we can obtain the scrolls and destroy any path that lies ahead to the Book of Judas… His Holiness has asked me to impart the following instructions − our agent must travel to England immediately to recover the scrolls and any knowledge supporting their existence. Colonel Renauld, you have our authority to use whatever action is required to achieve this objective… Is this understood?”

Behind the Colonel, the tall sinister figure in black answered the question.

“I understand fully,” he said in a deep, low growl from the shadows. The Cardinals turned to look at the source but still could not make out his face. His foreboding, motionless presence, however, was almost tangible.

Cardinals Alphonso and Giacoma closed their eyes. They knew this decision had been likely but it didn’t relieve them of the guilt. The man in the shadows was infamous amongst the clergy in the Vatican. It was difficult to conceive that he was truly a part of them, a part of their darker heritage. He represented everything that was bad about their work and they detested his deeds – nevertheless this man was a necessary evil.

“You will report everything you find to Colonel Renauld immediately!” replied Fiore. “Any change in our instructions will be communicated through him and he will make sure that all your requirements are at your disposal.”

There was a pause before the deep voice came back.

“Your Eminences,” he replied brusquely.

Stepping out of the shadows, he walked back down the stone path of the Sala Consistoriale to make his exit through the double doors. The gathering remained silent until the large wooden doors echoed shut behind him.

“I think we all knew what was required, brothers − if there any that would cast doubt on the decision we’ve taken…” Fiore challenged, “… let them speak now.”

His voice reverberated in the silence that followed. Cardinal Alphonso kept his eyes shut.

“In which case I accept your reticence to speak as confirmation of your unanimous support and I will report accordingly to His Holiness,” concluded Fiore. “Are there any questions?”

Again there was a momentary silence, although this time it was broken by Cardinal Alphonso, who looked up from his seat.

“Yes, Brother Fiore, I have one question.”

Cardinals Alphonso was held in tremendous respect by his peers and they waited eagerly for his wise words.

“Are we not ignoring what we fear the most? We must be prepared and ready for the truth.”

All of those present knew to what Alphonso was alluding. Their histories were entwined and well catalogued since the exorcism attempted by Monsignor Montella had failed and the demon purportedly entered his spirit.

“If the ‘Satanica’ find out about the scrolls and the existence of the Book of Judas, we face our greatest battle. It won’t be sufficient merely to secure the scrolls; we must follow this through to the conclusion and locate the book itself.”

Cardinal Fiore bristled at the mention of the evil “Satanica” and Cardinal Weiss crossed himself.

“How can they know anything?” replied Fiore sharply.

“In the same way they’ve surprised us in the past,” retorted Alphonso, with equal abruptness. “Say what you will, Brother Fiore, but they have their tentacles in the Vatican… They’ve infiltrated this church in the past.”

“I think maybe you’re overreacting, Brother Alphonso − am I not right in saying there’s been no mention of their evil cult for many years now,” responded Fiore.

“Do you really think they’ve gone away? Just because we were successful in burying the truth from them when the discovery was made, it doesn’t mean we can do it so easily again.”

“Brother Alphonso makes a good point,” said Cardinal Lefebvre, turning to gauge the reaction of his fellow Cardinals.

Colonel Renauld. Cardinal’s Weiss and Giacoma nodded their agreement.

“What are you proposing, Brother Alphonso?” asked Fiore irritably.

A little too irritably, thought Alphonso. Why does he want to avoid this issue?

“We must be prepared… If it’s God’s will, we’ll never have to face the ‘Satanica’ but if they find out we must be prepared to do all in our power to defeat their quest for the prize they so openly crave.”

“Brother Alphonso speaks wisely,” said Cardinal Weiss.

“Am I right in saying that only those at this meeting and His Holiness are aware of our decision to take possession of the scrolls?” questioned Alphonso rhetorically, clearly addressing Cardinal Fiore.

“Let all speak,” he replied and thrust his hand in an arc towards the others.

Colonel Renauld went first. He stepped forward and looked straight into the face of Cardinal Fiore. In front of him and the forum, he confirmed out loud that he had not spoken to anyone about the scrolls or the Book of Judas.

“Your Eminence,” he concluded and leant down to kiss the papal sapphire ring on Fiore’s hand.

One by one they followed Renauld’s lead. Cardinal Alphonso went last and like the others he testified to the sanctity of their inner knowledge and he swore his holy oath of obedience to keep the knowledge sacred. Finally, Cardinal Fiore lowered his head as sign of reverence and began reciting his own allegiance to their sworn code of secrecy.

“Then so be it,” Fiore concluded, raising his head, and surveying those in front of him. “The truth resides with us… We must now see this through to its conclusion.”

Giacoma approached Cardinal Alphonso and helped him to his feet.

“Let us pray that your agent meets with quick success, Colonel Renauld,” said Fiore.

“Yes, Your Eminence,” he responded.

Cardinal Fiore made his farewells. He lowered his head but levelled his piercing gaze at Cardinals Alphonso and Giacoma before walking briskly down the hall’s main aisle. Cardinals Weiss and Lefebvre followed on his heels, their scarlet robes flowing behind them as they rushed to keep up.