Page 411 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Chapter 77.
The doctor hires his counsel

From prison, Valerius sent for his barrister, the distinguished Clemenzo di Fesa. To
Valerius’s surprise, di Fesa sent an underling in his place with a note written in a shaky hand
which read: “My dear and respected Ludovico: It grieves me to hear of the legal issues now
before you and nothing would please me more than to be able to defend you and obtain your
freedom post-haste! Unfortunately, as I have been recently appointed to the court as a royal
advisor, you understand the indelicacy of my accepting your case against my own most
honorable Francesco I de’ Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany long may he rein in nomine domini
amen amen. However, I cannot in good conscience simply ignore the loyalty and respect we
have had for each other lo these many years and will not recklessly abandon you to some random
barrister appointed by some public clerk, and I am therefore sending to you with my heartiest
professional and personal recommendation the bearer of this note, a worthy and erudite colleague
of mine, Pandolfo Pelece.”

Valerius looked up from the note to see a swarthy fellow. Dark. Southern Italian skin,
with a thick forest of a beard. Pandolfo Pelece grinned a lopsided grin and thrust out his hand.
“Let’s get started, shall we?”

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