In 1346, in an England devastated by war and corruption, Brother Elara receives a secret assignment from Cardinal Stapledon. Through the dark alleys of Southwark, he will find himself investigating a network of hidden crimes, between poverty, conspiracies and religious intrigues. In a world where even faith must walk in silence, Elara will have to test her courage to reveal the truth. An intense and immersive tale in the heart of the English Middle Ages.
In 1346, amidst war, corruption, and clandestine trafficking, Brother Elara delves into the alleys of Southwark to uncover a hidden network of crimes
by Marco Arezio
The Cardinal’s Mandate. London, Summer of 1346.
Following a private audience in the opulent halls of the episcopal palace, Cardinal Walter de Stapledon entrusted Brother Elara with a mission of extreme delicacy: to investigate and unmask a human trafficking network that, exploiting the social disintegration brought about by war, deported young women and children to clandestine markets.
"Southwark, beyond the Thames," warned the Cardinal, "there lie the roots of evil. Proceed with discretion: even faith, down there, must walk in silence."
Crossing London Bridge, Brother Elara entered Southwark, a district plagued by vice and despair. The air was mephitic, saturated with putrefaction, humidity, and sweat. Narrow, dark alleys snaked between dilapidated houses, while ulcerated beggars dragged themselves through the mud-choked streets.
The taverns, once sanctuaries for pious travelers, were now domains of brigands and prostitutes. The flickering light of lanterns cast deformed shadows over gaunt faces, painting a scene of decay and abandonment.
To obtain reliable information, Elara relied on a network of minor friars, discreet emissaries among the marginalized classes. In exchange for bread and comfort, he collected fragmented confessions: stories of night-time disappearances and bodies sold as commodities.
Brother Peter, an elderly cleric with a broken voice, pointed to a feared name: Malcolm the Black, ruler of dark dealings at the Broken Star tavern. However, Peter warned him: "He is protected by forces far greater than his henchmen."
Elara understood the need for caution and refined subterfuge.
Disgussed as a ruined merchant, Elara crossed the threshold of the Broken Star.
A dense cloud of peat smoke and the acrid stench of rancid wine filled the air. Men with hardened faces bartered poison and misery under the hesitant glow of blackened candles.Identifying Malcolm—a hulking brute with icy eyes—Elara feigned interest in "high-value merchandise." With a suspicious glance, Malcolm hissed: "Come back tonight. The storehouse behind Ambrose’s shop awaits."
Shrouded in darkness, Elara stationed himself near the depot. From beneath covered carts emerged muffled cries: small bodies, cloaked in filthy cloths. Indignation boiled in the monk’s veins.
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