Philip of Spain at the same time. But cleverness is not wisdom, as you are wont to say.”
So far the letter contained nothing more than references to Philippe’s political machinations.
“As for the other matter,” Godfrey continued,“I have found Benjamin Ben-Gabriel
as the Jews call him, or Benjamin Fuchs as the emperor knows him, or Benjamin the
Blessed as he prefers. He is in the east as you feared, moving between the emperor’s
court, the Báthory, the Dr?cule?ti, and His Imperial Majesty in Constantinople. There are
worrying tales of Benjamin’s relationship with Countess Erzsébet, which, if circulated
more widely, will result in Congregation inquiries detrimental to the family and those we
hold dear.
“Matthew’s term on the Congregation is near an end, as he will have served his half
century. If you will not involve him in business that so directly concerns him and his
bloodline, then I beg you to see to it yourself or to send some trusted person to Hungary
with all speed.
“In addition to the tales of excess and murder with Countess Erzsébet, the Jews of
Prague similarly speak of the terror Benjamin caused in their district, when he
threatened their beloved rabbi and a witch from Chelm. Now there are impossible tales of
an enchanted creature made of clay who roams the streets protecting the Jews from those
who would feast on their blood. The Jews say Benjamin seeks another witch as well, an
Englishwoman who they claim was last seen with Ysabeau’s son. But this cannot be true,
for Matthew is in England and would never lower himself to associate with a witch.”
Matthew’s breath hissed from between tight lips.
“Perhaps they confuse the English witch with the English daemon Edward Kelley,
whom Benjamin visited in the emperor’s palace in May. According to your friend Joris
Hoefnagel, Kelley was placed in Benjamin’s custody a few weeks later after he was
accused of murdering one of the emperor’s servants. Benjamin took him to a castle in
K?ivoklát, where Kelley tried to escape and nearly died. “There is one more piece of
intelligence I must share with you, father, though I hesitate to do so, for it may
be nothing more than the stuff of fantasy and fear. According to my informants,
Gerbert was in Hungary with the countess and Benjamin. The witches of Pozsony have
complained formally to the Congregation about women who have been taken and tortured
by these three infamous creatures. One witch escaped and before death took her was
able only to say these words: ‘They search within us for the Book of Life.’”
Matthew remembered the horrifying image of Diana’s parents, split open from throat to groin.
“These dark matters put the family in too much danger. Gerbert cannot be allowed
to fascinate Benjamin with the power that witches have, as he has been. Matthew’s son
must be kept away from Erzsébet Báthory, lest your mate’s secret be discovered. And we
must not let the witches pursue the Book of Life any further. You will know how best to
achieve these ends, whether by seeing to them yourself or by summoning the brotherhood.