Thirteenth Night Read Online Free

filigree shaped in the head of an ass. “When you see him, use the password.”
    â€œFine. Um, if I’m to play the merchant, I’ll need money. More than usual.”
    He reached into his desk and pulled out a small purse. “This will get you as far as Venice. Brother Timothy will give you a letter of credit on our account there.”
    â€œI’m going to Venice? That’s a little out of the way.”
    â€œNot necessarily. Even this late in the year you can probably find a boat to take you across. It’s safer than by land. Word has reached us that the Serbs and the Croats are at it again.”
    â€œWhat’s the Guild position on them?”
    â€œAh, I wish one of them would do the other in so we could stop worrying about it,” he grumbled. “No, I never said that. The Guild takes no position. We’re trying to get them to come to terms. In the meantime, that road is risky, so go to Venice. Check in with Domino while you’re there. He’ll have the gossip on Orsino if there is any.”
    â€œAll right, Father.” I turned to leave, then turned back somewhat guiltily. “I’m afraid I’ll have to miss the Feast.”
    He nodded sadly. “I heard you were going to portray me,” he said. “I was looking forward to that. But there may be nothing to miss.”
    That was disturbing. “What do you mean?” I asked.
    He stared at the fire again, absentmindedly massaging his brows. “Nominally, Rome thinks that it controls the Guild, and we prefer to let it think so. But there’s been an unusual amount of backlash against the Feast, more than just that idiot bishop in Paris. Our Pope Innocent is turning out to be anything but. The Church is under attack because people are finally wondering why they have so little while the wardens of Christ have so much, and His Holiness is becoming very sensitive about ridicule. And that includes the Feast of Fools.”
    â€œBut that’s ludicrous. It’s a harmless ritual.”
    â€œNot a bit of it, Theo. It’s subversive. It undermines the foundations of the edifice even while they pile more gold leaf on the dome. Which is precisely why the Guild developed the Feast. Rome doesn’t know that, but it knows it doesn’t like it. We’re using what influence we can to keep it from issuing an absolute ban. If it merely expresses disapproval, we’ll be all right, but it could get very dicey for us. That’s another reason I wanted to keep you around here. However, I think I can spare you for a little while. When you see Domino, fill him in so he can use his influence in Venice on our behalf.”
    â€œYes, Father.” I turned to go.
    â€œTheo. There is one more thing.”
    I turned back again. He came around the desk to take my hand between his.
    â€œI would like you to come to confession before you go,” he said.
    My heart sank. “I can’t, Father. I have yet to absolve myself. How can I go to you?”
    â€œIt’s not just your life that I worry about, my boy. I have to worry about your immortal soul. And I do care about what happens to you.”
    â€œI’m not ready yet, Father. Maybe when I return.”
    He patted my hand and released it. “Then make sure you do return, Theo.”
    â€œAnd you make sure you’re still alive when I get back.”
    He laughed for the first time. “Go on, lad. It’s a pact.” I turned once more. “Theo,” he called as I left the room.
    â€œYes, Father?” I replied, leaning into the doorway.
    â€œFind Malvolio. Find out what he knows of the Guild, and who he’s working for. Then give him a good Christian burial.”
    â€œYes, Father.” I walked down the hall.
    â€œTheo!” he called.
    â€œYes, Father?”
    â€œIt doesn’t particularly matter to me whether he’s alive or dead when you bury him.”
    â€œYes, Father.” And I