Mazzare had seen all kinds of faith in his years as a priest, throughout his career in the hierarchy. Some outstanding, in both scales as such things are measured. Most, the workaday belief of those whose faith is part of who they are and their family history. That was the reliable sort, Mazzare felt. A man whose trust in God fell with the dew, that he soaked up in warm spring sunshine and the mists of autumn was a man you could depend on.
The mask in front of Mazzare was nodding. “I would be honored, Monsignor.”
“That is good to hear, ” Mazzare said. Mike Stearns had told him that listening was better than talking in these sorts of situations, something Mazzare had already known. He allowed himself a silent snort at politicians everywhere, for thinking they had a monopoly on the stratagems by which people could be induced to open their hearts to others. And for thinking that the only reason to use those stratagems was in conflict.
Mazarini had the advantage, since behind the mask his thoughts were inviolate. Of course, with Mazarini, that was something of a moot point. His genial, ever-smiling face was the carefully controlled instrument of a trained negotiator and card-player, as much a mask as the painted thing he wore. He knew it, too, and the apologetic tone sounded sincere. “I should take off the mask, Monsignor, save that I am not here.”
Mazzare confined himself to raising an eyebrow.
“Yes. Not here at all. The doge has not invited me and it is strictly forbidden to speak with me.”
“Forbidden?”
“Forbidden. Perhaps this should be your first pointer from a professional? If, that is, Don Francisco did not instruct you.”
Nasi had, but Mazzare let Mazarini go on, since doubtless he meant to pass on some other information.
“The doge is merely the mouthpiece of the Republic. Messer Erizzo is, perhaps, more effective than most such. He seems to have the Senate firmly in hand for all that he is no Foscari reborn. But he must still respect the formalities of the thing. My mission, you see, is a matter of etiquette and protocol. His Holiness sees the dignities of cardinals as an issue of the highest importance.”
Mazzare nodded understanding. There was a joke about it, he had heard, that the three bees of the Barberini coat of arms had once been horseflies, a joke prompted by the numbers of Barberini and Barberini placemen that were now in Rome, taking their share of the Church’s revenue. There were no less than three cardinals Barberini, and the pope himself was another; he was yet to have the famous repentance of his nepotism. Between the current situation and that repentance in the old timeline was a near war over a failure to show the proper respect and to employ the correct etiquette in dealing with one of the Barberini cardinals. Part of that etiquette was the new title of “Eminence” for all cardinals, and their rank in protocol as princes. Both were Barberini innovations under Urban VIII, and part of Mazzare’s briefing had been about Venice’s refusal to acknowledge either.
“Venice,” said Mazarini, “is—as it always has been—unwilling to knock its head on the floor at Rome’s bidding. This is a city that has laughed off Interdicts in its time. On the other hand, Venice wants Rome’s support in the matter of Cyprus. Let the pope declare in favor of Venice, the doge has said, and the pope may have his cardinals addressed however he pleases. That may affect you, incidentally.”
“How does that affect me?” Mazzare asked.
“Because, Monsignor, Cyprus is part of the mercantile party’s holdings at sea. The sway of the island represents a powerful symbol for the merchants. With Cyprus in Venetian hands, and the doge of The Most Serene Republic able to number ‘King of Cyprus’ among his titles, the merchant party can maintain their claim that the Terrafirma is of less importance than the seagoing trade.”
“And so we deduce that those merchants are strong enough in Venice to procure that the doge defies the pope’s own nuncio extraordinary?”
“Just so,” said Mazarini. “Quod erat demonstrandum.”
“Ah,” Mazzare smiled. “You have picked up some of our scientific jargon as well—”