All roads lead to Rome - in the case of Rainulf de Conteville, it was a hideously long road. The most favoured knight of Mortain's household had ridden hard, covering many miles in the first weeks, but the band had delayed when de Conteville had fallen ill, at the feet of the Alps.

Three weeks it had taken for Rainulf to regain his feet and to reach the northern lands of Italy, ruled by the Emperor of the Romans. More weeks had followed as the men moved south, into a warmer climate and towards the Eternal City. Towards Rome.

The knight known as Rainulf had been given very clear instructions - he was here to renew Papal support for crossing over to England, and to hopefully be granted a new Papal standard to carry to war.

As such, upon arrival at the Vatican, Rainulf requested an audience with His Holiness, the Pope.