unflinching. He would not give the Pope the benefit of turning away. Clement blamed Cormac for what was happening. The Cardinal Vicar kept his silence. He knew voicing his anger would do nothing for his future plans and put him at risk for further lamentation by his peers.
“I wish to speak to the knight,” Clement barked. “Now.”
“He is just outside, Your Grace,” Cardinal Tucci said.
“Well, show him in. I would hear this from his own lips.”
Cardinal Tucci did as he was commanded, opening the door leading into the catacombs. Ennio Rossi entered, his gait smooth, his eyes dark pools of youth. He was young, younger than any Cardinal by decades, but Cormac had seen him age over the last week in ways a twenty-year-old shouldn’t. Ennio too had looked upon the Cardinal Seer as a mentor and he too grieved. In place of innocence, a perceivable weight hung. Only hardship in life could reduce one in such a way—like the death of loved ones—and it was apparent Ennio now suffered life’s vicissitudes.
Ennio Rossi knelt before Clement and kissed the Ring of the Fisherman.
“Ennio Rossi, Knight of the Seven,” Clement announced formally, allowing Ennio to rise. “What I hear is disconcerting. A massive army the likes the Vatican has never seen marches against us. The Vigilo would hear what you know. Let nothing keep you from telling me all.”
“It comes, Your Grace,” Ennio started nervously, the crackling of the hearth the only other sound. “As I explained to Cardinal Vicar O’Connor, I was called before the other knights mere hours ago by Richard McAllister. All Seven came, including the new knight of Seattle, Bran Ardall. Richard informed us of the impending invasion of the Vatican. Plantagenet has built an army of incredible size, one of Templar Knights and savage halfbreeds. Richard almost died twice while he fought to learn more. The army marches toward the portal leading here. Richard believes Philip intends to bring that army through and begin some kind of new world order.”
“But that is not all, is it?” Cardinal Tucci asked.
“No. Richard says Philip commands the Holy Grail.”
Grumbling once more broke out among the Cardinals.
Like those around him, Cormac could not believe the Grail had been found let alone had fallen into the hands of a man like Philip. It explained much about Annwn and how Philip had been able to quell that land while remaining alive for centuries.
And McAllister had become the Heliwr, the power now beyond Cormac. It grated on him like salt in a wound.
“Do you believe McAllister, Rossi?” Clement asked.
Ennio Rossi looked down at his feet, his features pale.
“Well?” the pontiff growled. “The answer isn’t down there!”
“Richard McAllister was quite clear,” Ennio stuttered. “And yes, I believe he speaks truly. He has seen with his own eyes the army and the Grail. He saw the effects of the Cup of Christ on several soldiers. No matter how he beat them down with the Dark Thorn they rose to fight again. The Grail makes each of their soldiers like dozens.”
“McAllister,” the Pope whispered. “The Holy Grail.”
“It matches up with the death of the Cardinal Seer,” Cormac admitted. “Philip would not want the Vatican peering into Annwn while he moves an army toward the Rome gateway. Maintaining his element of surprise would be one of his foremost strategies.”
“It almost worked,” Cardinal Smith-Johnson said. “If McAllister had not abdicated his duty in Seattle to enter Annwn, we may still not have known of this threat.”
The other Cardinals nodded their agreement.
“What of the other knights, Ennio?” Cardinal Tucci said. “Will they aid the Vatican?”
“They lack the time to travel to Rome,” Ennio replied. “And each of their portals are too far away to join Richard and the Tuatha de Dannan at the portal in the Forest of Dean.”
“So knowing has not improved our situation much,” Clement said.
“Ennio will be prepared,” Cormac said. “Swiss Guard too.”
“You mentioned the Tuatha de Dannan,” Cardinal Villenza interrupted. “What role are the fey folk playing in this?”
“The Queen of the Seelie Court has brought together her lords and a massive army of her own. They are poised near the portal, waiting. The Queen apparently knows if Philip enters this world, the destruction of Annwn will be assured. The ultimate plunder at the expense of the fey. The Seelie Court desires the defeat of Philip as much as the Church does.”
“Two armies then,” the Pope pondered. “All too near.”
Ennio shifted his gaze away from the Pope. Cormac was proud of the boy. The scrutiny