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by George Adam Herman (Author)
At this time in history Pope Alexander VI is aging, the power in the Catholic Church changes and with it the political and social climate in Italy is turned upside down.A mysterious necromancer / "holy man" known as Il Prete is conducting mystical "summonings" in the Roman Coliseum for Vatican cardinals. After a ritual that includes wine and chanting, demons appear in the stands surrounded by smoke who then call for the life of an "evil" man as payment for supplying answers to questions by the attendees. Soon after cardinals who were named by the demons are found dead under mysterious circumstances. Pope Alexander and the Vatican cardinals are unsettled. The Pope becomes ill and Cesare Borgia, Duke of Valentinois, decides to discover what is terrifying his father. Leonardo has returned to Florence after spending a year as artist / engineer to Cesare (Toys of War). He is allowed to return home with the stipulation that he can be called upon at any time to return to Cesare's service. The time is now - and Leonardo is commanded to investigate this necromancer in exchange for his release from his contract to the Duke. In the meantime, while on a diplomatic mission from the Bergamini Court, Niccolo da Pavia, friend and Latin tutor to Leonardo, attends one of the necromancer's summonings. Confused and needing answers to this strange experience he sends a detailed account to his friend which brings them together in another adventure. With help from a dealer of antiquities and a community of beggars who reside in the bowels of the Forum, Leonardo and Niccolo begin to uncover the power behind this "holy man". Is this Il Prete a genuine priest or a charlatan? How does he turn lead into gold? Make demons appear out of smoke? Heal some people and yet bring about the deaths of others? Find the answers to these and other mysteries in this fifth adventure of Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo da Pavia.
