Their paths led to Occitania - Volume 1 E-Book

Werner Luder

• Herausgeber: novum publishing
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 1306

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Jean-Michel d'Aron, son of Alain d'Aron, owner of the noble inn "Zum Weißen Falken" in Paris, was born in 1769. As a student, he was forced to flee during the night of the fire in Paris in 1793. He stayed in La Rochelle and Marseille before making his way to the Occitan Alps to visit an inn that was up for sale. On the way, he meets Don Luciano Varini, the leader of a criminal empire that controls the smuggling of goods in the Occitan Alps, as well as racketeering and prostitution. The encounter with Don Luciano Varini becomes a threat to Jean-Michel d'Aron and his family.

Leseprobe

Their paths led to Occitania

Volume 1 Don Luciano's Empire

1. The Piedmontese royal family and its court return to Turin

On May 20, 1814, after the downfall of Napoleon, the Piedmontese royal family and its court returned to the capital city of Turin. The residents of Turin were amazed when the court entered the city in pomp and splendor. The figures resembled mummies. The costumes of the Savoys were from the previous century. The new king of Sardinia-Piedmont, Vittorio Emanuele I, restored the old conditions as if the French Revolution had never happened. The first thing the returned Savoys did was to abolish equality before the law and reintroduce feudal rights; no book or newspaper could be printed without the approval of a church commission. Anyone who traveled needed a certificate of good conduct from the responsible police chief. Mail from abroad was strictly controlled, and all officials who used French spelling were dismissed. The Piedmontese were now once again under the protection of the Austrians. The small state became a puppet state. Prince Metternich became the advisor, or rather the administrator, of Piedmont. It was only understandable that trade between the Piedmontese and the French came to a standstill under these conditions. The royal house of Piedmont did everything to ensure that the border with France was under the best control. Travel and trade between Piedmont and France was completely interrupted. The closure of the national border had fatal consequences for the inhabitants of the Occitan mountain valleys. The many wagon drivers, coachmen and muleteers suddenly lost their income. Not only did the foreigners stay away from the inns, but also the locals. The government stopped maintaining the trade routes. This meant that the road builders were out of work. The builders and blacksmiths were also out of work. The Occitans had to sell their works of art in the far-flung towns. Poverty returned to the Occitan mountain valleys. It was not long before emigration began in the mountain valleys. Those who remained behind were once again the old and sick. The agricultural land became overgrown and there were virtually no livestock left on the alpine pastures. The Savoy era with its reactionary style of government lasted until 1859. In the War of Independence in 1859, in a double battle, Solferino and San Martino, on Lake Garda, the Piedmontese and French defeated the Austrians. In 1861 the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed. Vittorio Emanuele of Sardinia-Piedmont became king. Turin became the capital of Italy, but only until 1865, after which Florence became the capital and a short time later Rome.

2. The Occitan trade routes

Over time, the smugglers' paths in the Occitan Alps developed into passable trade routes. In the second half of the 18th century, during the feuds between Habsburg and France, trade and travel on the Occitan trade routes came to a standstill. The trade routes were only used by smugglers. The inhabitants of the Occitan mountain valleys thus lost important sources of income. They had to live solely from the proceeds of agriculture and their handicrafts. Poverty in the Occitan mountain valleys therefore increased rapidly. Many mountain dwellers, especially young men, had to emigrate to earn money abroad. Life was very hard for those who stayed behind. Monsieur Death came into the valley. He marched up and down the valley. He sat at the bedsides of the seriously ill. All people were welcome to him, whether young or old.

In 1798, when Napoleon occupied Piedmont, there was a glimmer of hope for the people along the Occitan trade route. The valley and mountain dwellers worked together to repair the neglected trade route. It only took a few months for the route to be completely repaired. After that, trade and travel soon resumed in full force. The Occitan population was once again able to earn money by offering travellers a wide range of services. The greatest demand was in the area of catering. Those who could offer food and drink as well as overnight accommodation benefited most from the traffic on the trade routes. It was mainly the goods agents and traders who spent the money on food and drink, especially on alcoholic beverages such as wine and brandy. The wagon makers, blacksmiths and saddlers also earned a considerable amount of money. There was always something to repair. Be it repairing a wagon, shoeing a horse or mending a saddle.

Inns, wagon and goods sheds, stables and houses were built along the trade route. As the trade route was again heavily used, damage to the route occurred. The greatest damage to the trade route was caused by storms. And there were plenty of them. A delegation therefore submitted a request to the government in Paris, asking them to co-finance the high costs of the expensive maintenance of the trade route. Half a year later, the royal government agreed to the request. To the surprise of the Occitan population, the government in Paris agreed to cover the entire cost of maintaining the route. This was not done out of love for the Occitan population.

The king was hardly interested in the Occitan population. It was more a matter of calculation. The French troops were stationed in Piedmont. So they were interested in a direct land connection from Turin to Marseille. The supply of weapons for the battles had to be ensured. The decision from Paris pleased the Occitan population. Now they were rid of one of their largest sources of expenditure. It should also be mentioned that the trade route had previously been maintained largely through forced labor.

As a result, new jobs were created thanks to the positive decision from Paris. This somewhat slowed down further emigration by young people. Of course, young people were not only leaving because they could not find work, but also because life in the mountains was barren and desolate. In addition, there were more and more young people who moved to Marseille, where they had the opportunity to continue their education. Or to start studying at the University of Marseille.

Another lucrative source of income was the sale of various handicrafts and art works. Because a large proportion of Occitan products could now be sold along the trade route, manufacturers and traders were spared the long journey to the cities. Traffic on the Occitan trade routes increased continuously. A time came when there was a shortage of workers everywhere. The migration of young people who had left the mountain valleys in the past was no longer taking place. There was a particular shortage of wagon drivers and pack animals. Only young, strong men were suitable for this heavy work. These were the men who had left the mountain valleys for economic and other reasons. The wagon drivers had to have a lot of experience driving heavy, multi-horse transport wagons in the mountains. Only a few men met these requirements. And only young men who were very familiar with the mountains were suitable for transporting goods across the mountains. Transporting goods across the mountain passes was associated with a number of dangers. The packhorse driver was used wherever the trade routes were impassable. In addition to transporting goods, men with mountain experience were also needed for passenger transport. The so-called travel companions, whose job was to bring travelers safely over the high mountains. Of course, they were also responsible for the travelers' luggage. To do this, they used one or two mules, depending on the amount of luggage. It was anything but easy for the travel agents to find men for these tasks. Most men who had mountain experience were not very well disposed towards strangers. In addition, Occitan men were generally taciturn and withdrawn people. The men from the Occitan mountains were therefore not particularly suitable as travel companions. Nevertheless, a handful of Occitans were found who were willing to accept instruction for this task. But this was not enough. To make up for the lack of travel guides, the travel agents had to wear out their shoes in the Occitan mountains. Although men came to them in droves. Unfortunately, most of these people were not suitable because they had little or no mountain experience. Quite a few of them came from the large port city of Marseille. The men undertook long, arduous marches to get a job with an Occitan travel or goods agent. But the long journey to the Occitan mountain valley was not in vain for everyone. One or two were lucky to get a job. A lot was demanded of the pack animals and travel companions. They had to be familiar with the dangers of the journey over the high mountain passes. They had to be familiar with the vagaries of the mountain weather. They had to know how quickly the bright blue sky could turn into a grey-black monster. They had to know how quickly a gentle summer wind could turn into a raging storm. They had to know how to behave in bad weather in the mountains. They had to know where there was a risk of avalanches and rockfalls. They also had to know that after a bad storm, rain could turn into snow. The packhorses and travel companions had to find the way when it was buried under snow. The demands placed on the men were indeed many and difficult. It was therefore understandable that the local men were preferred to those from the lowlands. In addition, the Occitan inhabitants were reliable and hardworking people.

For a long time, passenger and travel traffic over the Occitan mountain passes ran smoothly. The goods traders and travel agents earned good money. But the muleteers and travel companions also profited from the increasing travel and goods traffic on the Occitan trade routes. The high demand for them allowed them to charge more money for their difficult and dangerous work. This displeased the greedy agents. So it happened that some of the agents in Marseille and the surrounding area hired men to transport goods and accompany travelers over the mountains. Men who had absolutely no mountain experience. The agents knew that these men were not up to the demanding tasks. For them, only one thing counted: accumulating money. They also trusted that the experienced muleteers and travel companions would take on the inexperienced men. This was not the case. On the contrary. Unpleasant disputes arose between the locals and foreigners. As more and more foreign men were employed on the Occitan trade routes, wages fell. The income of the Occitan muleteers and travel companions decreased from month to month. The inhabitants of the Occitan valleys harbored great resentment towards the foreign men and the agents. Violent clashes broke out, in which people even lost their lives. The violence in the Occitan mountain valleys increased to such an extent that the national police in Marseille had to request reinforcements.

The inhabitants of the Occitan mountain valleys sank into resignation. The dream of a better life faded rapidly. Two thirds of the travel and goods traffic was carried out by men from outside. While in the mountains the inexperience and unreliability of the men from the lowlands led to terrible accidents, their predecessors sat at home or travelled around to find new work. The greedy goods and travel agents realised too late that the use of these inexperienced and sometimes criminally inclined men was their downfall. They realised too late that some of the men in Marseille were part of organised crime. These men were hired for one reason only: they were after the trade goods. As a result, theft of goods increased sharply. The criminal men justified the loss of goods by saying that they had been attacked by bandits in the mountains. And it was a miracle that they were not killed by the criminals.

If the agents had taken the time and effort, they would have quickly discovered that the allegedly stolen goods were being sold on the black market in Piedmont. But these gentlemen did not stoop so low as to undertake the long journey over the mountains. While men were toiling for them in the mountains, they sat in the feudal taverns, where they amused themselves for hours with playing cards. Of course, they also looked after their physical well-being.

Then came the time when the satellites followed suit. They did not spend their time in the feudal taverns, but in the gloomy dives, of which there were several along the Occitan trade routes. These men had no qualms about the goods left lying around or the waiting travellers. The once good reputation of the Occitan trade routes was gone. The much praised reliability of the muleteers and travel companions turned into the opposite. The unreliability and criminal machinations of the muleteers and travel companions became known on both sides of the country's borders. Above all, it was the travellers who spread the unacceptable conditions that prevailed on the Occitan trade routes. As a result, travel on the trade routes almost came to a standstill. The sharp decline in travellers damaged the taverns and many other service providers, such as blacksmiths, hairdressers, clothing stores and many others.

Since the travel agents worked on their own account, they at least did not have to fear reprisals against them. They simply set off for Marseille. There were plenty of opportunities for this type of person to earn money there. Things were a little different for the goods agents. They were subordinates of mostly large goods traders. They worked on a commission basis. The commission was paid to them when the goods had reached their destination. But they were liable for the goods as soon as they were on the Occitan trade routes. Most goods agents were employed by unscrupulous businessmen from Marseille. The goods agents had to expect reprisals if they allowed the goods to be stolen or if they were left lying in the warehouses. And this was often the case. The warehouses were piling up noticeably. The goods agents lost control of the muleteers. They devoted themselves intensively to card games and other entertainment in order to see through the behavior of the muleteers and travel guides. It was only when they received a visit from their employers that their eyes were opened. Two agents paid for their negligence with their lives. Their bodies were discovered just above Guillestre at the bottom of the deep Combe du Queyras. Their shattered bodies lay on a scree bank of the Guil mountain river. When it became known that the two agents had been found with their shattered bodies at the bottom of the Combe du Queyras, the remaining agents fled in the dead of night.

A few days later, six men met in Guillestre whose faces spoke volumes. The men could only be members of organized crime from Marseille. In addition, the theft of goods was increasing steadily. The national police did not have enough men to protect all the warehouses. The thieves became more and more brazen. They went so far as to steal entire truckloads from the warehouses at night and make their way to the nearest town, where they sold their stolen goods to fences. But they hoarded a large part of the goods in safe hiding places, such as caves in the rocks. There were plenty of these in the mountain valleys. The disaster ultimately led to one or two goods agents receiving death threats. Not only from the people of the mountain valleys, but also from their clients.

Soon, new goods and travel agents arrived in the Occitan mountain valleys. They were mainly hired by the large trading companies in Marseille. These agents brought a breath of fresh air to the valleys. All local men who were still in the mountain valleys were hired by the agents. The agents offered the locals double what their predecessors had paid. With a few exceptions, the locals gratefully accepted the offer. The few who did not accept set conditions for the agents. They demanded that all muleteers and travel companions who did not meet the requirements be fired immediately. The agents agreed to this, as their aim was to fire these men anyway. Life returned to the valleys. The goods warehouses, which had felt like they were bursting at the seams, gradually emptied. Travelers did not have to wait several days in the inns until they found a travel companion. Peace came to the Occitan mountain valleys. Crime decreased. The number of travellers increased from week to week. The increase in travel and trade meant that all kinds of businessmen settled along the Occitan trade routes. Most of them were sellers of all kinds of new knick-knacks. Even brothel owners and pimps ended up in the Occitan mountain valleys. Most of them did not stay long, however, as the locals made it clear to them that they were not welcome. The inhabitants of the Occitan mountain valleys were not particularly happy about the influx of foreigners. On the other hand, the foreigners brought money and created jobs. Thanks to the lively travel, the locals were able to sell a large part of their handicrafts at home. This saved them a long walk to the nearest towns.

Occitan arts and crafts were characterized by great diversity in the Piedmontese and French mountain valleys. There were the blacksmiths who produced the most beautiful ironwork far and wide. The most artistic window grilles and stair railings were created on their anvils. They even forged furniture such as tables, chairs and beds. There were also the iron church tower decorations and the beautiful inn signs.

In addition to iron arts and crafts, there was also clay arts and crafts. Occitan clay crafts were mainly related to the production of the well-known santons. Santons were miniature biblical figures. The term santon comes from the Provençal word santon, which means something like "little saint". Santons were made of fired and painted clay. At that time, they were the soul of the Occitans. These wonderful clay figures were almost always present in every Occitan nativity scene. In addition to the iron and clay works of art, there was also the weaving art of Occitan women. The beautiful, colorful fabrics were woven in the simple rooms of Occitan families. These fabrics became known far beyond France.

Because travellers bought Occitan handicrafts, they became known all over the world. Soon, merchants from Marseille and other cities came to the mountain valleys to buy whole wagon loads. The handicrafts were sent from Marseille by sea to all over the world. In Paris, Occitan art from the mountain valleys was very popular. The popularity of Occitan handicrafts meant that more and more people came to the mountain valleys. In their homeland, travellers raved about the handicrafts of the Occitans. But that was not all. They also talked about the beauty of the mountains and the fascination of crossing them. They described the indescribable feeling that you got when you reached the highest point of the path, from which you could see the vast mountain world if the visibility was good. In a foreign country. In a country where people lived differently. A different culture was cultivated. Of course, they also talked about the adventures they had experienced. Although they often exaggerated a little. Since the storytellers also embellished the adventure stories, this awakened the thirst for adventure in many young people.

Travelers on the Occitan trade routes had a wide variety of destinations and missions. But the most common destinations were the cities of Turin and Marseille. Among the travelers were people who took the hurdle of crossing the passes just because of the fascinating mountain scenery. This was very rewarding for them, because the Occitan trade routes ran through unique landscapes. The Piedmont-Guillestre route was a particularly fascinating route. The journey from Piedmont led through the wild Valle Varaita, up to the high border crossing Col d'Agnel. The climb to the mountain pass where the national border was located was strenuous work. But once at the top, the traveler was rewarded with a wonderful view of the Alps - weather permitting, of course. He could also enjoy the marmots playing. The descent to the small town of Château du Queyras led the travellers through the wide open, peaceful valley of the Aiguille. As soon as the imposing castle of Château du Queyras could be seen deep in the valley, the travellers' hearts warmed. Arriving at Château du Queyras made them forget all their hardships. They could quench their thirst and hunger, freshen up and be happy that they could continue their journey in a horse-drawn carriage. There were also travellers who looked for a place to stay the night in Château du Queyras because the onward journey was too strenuous for them. It depended on what time of day they arrived at Château du Queyras. The weather also played a role. The range of places to stay the night was not overwhelming. Above all, many of the accommodations were unclean. In addition, the bedrooms were usually next to or above the stables. This meant that the rooms were filled with the smell of animal feces. Of course, there were also pleasant bedrooms along the Occitan trade routes. Yes, even feudal bedrooms. But these were reserved for travelers of the upper class. For a while, the inn of the Three Routes below Château du Queyras was a very popular place to stay for noble travelers. Later, however, the inn was avoided by them because the innkeeper's alcoholism led to the inn gradually falling into disrepair. However, there were many travelers who continued their journey to spend the night in the small town of Guillestre. There was a much greater choice of overnight accommodation there than in Château du Queyras and the surrounding area. But there were situations when Château du Queyras was the final stop for travelers. This was particularly the case in the event of severe storms or unexpected snowfall. But also for travelers who only arrived in Château du Queyras before nightfall. The onward journey through the wild Val Guil to Guillestre was too dangerous in the dark. Travellers who continued their journey over the Col d'Izoard were forced to spend the night in Château du Queyras, as the route over the Col d'Izoard to Briançon was very strenuous and long. Travellers to Guillestre faced the most dangerous and at the same time most fascinating stretch of the route. The trade route led below Château du Queyras into the wilderness of the Val Guil. In the lower part of the mountain valley the route climbed, where it then ran at dizzying heights along the rock faces of the Combe du Queyras. The trade route over the Col d'Izoard to Briançon was not as adventurous as the route through the wild Val Guil, but it did lead through beautiful landscapes. From Château du Queyras it ran through the gentle landscape of the Vallée d'Arvieux, up to the Col d'Izoard. The climb to the Col d'Izoard was fascinating due to the view of the snow-white rocky ridges. On the other side of the Col d'Izoard, the trade route led through an imposing, wild landscape down to Briançon. Briançon, the highest town in Europe, is located at the end of the Val Durance. There, where the Durance river begins above the town. On the Château du Queyras–Briançon route, the traffic of goods and passengers was far lower than on the main route Torino–Col d'Agnel–Marseille. The Col d'Agnel was the most important connection to foreign countries. Large quantities of goods were transported along this route every year. The amount of goods transported between Piedmont and France was roughly equal.

The situation was different with passenger traffic. Significantly more Piedmontese travelled to Marseille than French to Turin. This was undoubtedly due to the port of Marseille. Marseille, the cosmopolitan city. Marseille, the gateway to the world. In Marseille you could board ships and travel out into the world. But it was by no means the case that all the travellers from Piedmont had the intention of boarding a ship in Marseille. Since the port of Marseille was a major trading hub, it attracted traders and other business people from all directions. The Piedmontese were no exception.

Of course, not all Piedmontese travelled to Marseille for trade. After all, the cosmopolitan city offered all kinds of pleasures. Marseille, for example, was known for its luxurious brothels. This fact alone was a reason for many wealthy Piedmontese to travel to the faraway city, although there were more than enough brothels in Turin. But Marseille offered a lot more in this regard. As for the prices for sex services, these varied depending on the establishment. On the whole, sex services in Marseille were significantly cheaper than in Turin. In addition, the feudal brothels of Marseille offered very young, exotic women, or rather girls. Since some of the upper class gentlemen could not find prostitutes young enough, they preferred brothels that offered children. Be they girls or boys. Another part of the upper class preferred exotic women and girls. Women and girls who were kidnapped by brutal human traffickers in their homeland to be brought to Marseille in the holds of ships. In Marseille, the black market not only flourished in goods, but also in people. It was all the more tragic that the brothel owners made the most money from the exotic women and girls. This situation led to more and more women and girls from the Far East being kidnapped to Marseille. Since the nobility, consisting of judges, politicians and high-ranking police officers, frequented the feudal brothels, the brothel owners did not have to worry about reprisals. Imagine how the women and girls felt when they had to give themselves over to the old, fat, sweaty men for the first time. Of course, there were not only brothels for the nobility in Marseille. There were also brothels for men who had to work hard for their money. Such as craftsmen and sailors. In addition to the cheap brothels, the love services were also offered on the streets, in the dark alleys and in the seedy bars. For the pimps, the area in and around the port was the most lucrative. Where ships drop anchor, it is usually sailors who disembark. Men who had to fight against their abstinence during the long voyage across the oceans. These men were not picky when it came to women. They usually paid the first prostitute that came their way. Since they could only spend a little money on their ships, they had enough to let off steam with several prostitutes.

Another form of entertainment in Marseille was illegal card games and illegal betting. Here, too, the authorities were heavily involved. The card games and betting took place in the back rooms of dubious bars and private apartments. Huge sums of money were wagered.

But it was not the case that people travelled to Marseille just for pleasure. Marseille was known for its excellent cuisine. There were many exclusive restaurants whose names were known far and wide. Many a wealthy Piedmontese travelled to the cosmopolitan city with his wife or friends just for the good food. The Piedmontese enjoyed eating in the restaurants where the French nobility stayed. In the excellent restaurants you could mainly find people from the first and second estates of the nobility (nobility and clergy).

In addition to the culinary delights, Marseille had a wealth of art to offer. Be it the architecture of imposing buildings or the wide range of beautiful paintings. There was no lack of history either.

In addition, visitors had access to an impressive opera house and a considerable number of theatres and concert halls. Marseille's university and high schools were another attraction for foreigners. Surprisingly, a considerable number of Piedmontese studied at the University of Marseille. Although the University of Turin enjoyed an excellent reputation, young men were drawn to Marseille to study there. The thirst for adventure and the longing for the great sea probably played an important role. These young men also travelled to Marseille via the Col d'Agnel.

Marseille was worth a trip either way. Marseille, which lay on the Gulf of Lyon, in a bay of the Mediterranean, was the most important trading city in France. Nowhere was the turnover of goods greater than in the port of Marseille. But in no port in France, if not in the whole world, was the black market as large as in Marseille. In the bellies of the ships were large quantities of goods destined for the black marketeers. The illegal cargo consisted of exotic animals, plants, brandy, opium and other goods. This included the cargo of the human traffickers, which consisted of abducted women, girls and boys. A cargo that was mainly destined for the feudal brothels. Anyone who did not meet the brothel owners' demands was sold to the authorities as a slave. Of course, criminal organizations from Piedmont were also involved in the black market and human trafficking. The Piedmontese were welcome customers on the Marseille black market. They were solvent and reliable. The Piedmontese belonged to the elite of European smugglers at the time. For the slaves, who mainly came from southern countries, the march over the Col d'Agnel, especially at night, was a terrible ordeal.

3. Luciano Varini, Don Edoardo Varini’s legacy

The Piedmontese Don Edoardo Varini (December 24, 1720 - August 25, 1766) created a far-reaching criminal empire together with the Occitan Messieurs Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé. The empire ruled Piedmont and Occitania, up to and including Paris. His business partners, the Messieurs Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé, together owned a third of the empire. After Don Edoardo's violent death, his son Luciano, born on August 15, 1746, inherited his property. In the spring of 1767, Luciano Varini decided to emigrate to the Occitan port city of Marseille, although neither his father nor the Messieurs Meunier and Delavallé considered him suitable. His father considered him a failure and a weakling. Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé knew this. Young Luciano knew that the two would never accept him as their supreme leader. It was not just because of his young age, but because he lacked any knowledge to lead such a large criminal empire. He would never have thought of taking over the legacy of his father, the feared Don Edoardo Varini, had he not found countless documents incriminating the Messieurs Meunier and Delavallé in his father's estate. He had discovered these documents in a secret room in the basement of the town house. The documents and documents would have brought Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé to the guillotine. Above all, there was a large notebook in which his father had listed hundreds of names of high-ranking police officers, politicians, prosecutors, judges, owners of trading companies and arms dealers, human traffickers and so on. From the documents, he learned with astonishment that the headquarters of the empire was in Marseille, although they lived on an estate in Piedmont. The seat of the empire was in Sébastien Meunier's villa. His father's two business partners had no choice but to accept him as the successor to the brutal Don Edoardo Varini, despite his inexperience and youth. Luciano Varini had told them about the notebook at his father's funeral on his country estate. He read them some passages from it that were highly incriminating for them. He told them that the business documents had been found. He pointed out to them that the incriminating notebook was deposited with a lawyer. If anything were to happen to him, the notebook would be sent to the judicial authorities in Marseille.

Taking over the empire was not Luciano Varini's most pressing concern in emigrating to Marseille. He needed to escape the great pain caused by the violent death of his lover Victor. He also longed for the sea and the blond youths in Marseille, even though he harbored hatred for straw-blond youths.

Luciano Varini was not unprepared when it came to the criminal empire when he went to Marseille. He spent nights studying his father's business documents, which made him aware of the huge criminal structure that was operating in Occitania and Piedmont. The smuggling of goods across the borders of France and Piedmont was the main focus, along with human trafficking, prostitution, extortion and the trade in opium and other narcotics. The patience he had in reading through the documents strengthened his resolve to lead the empire. He now knew the structures of the powerful empire. He knew the names of the leaders within the empire and their roles. He knew that Bastien Delavallé, owner of the largest shipping company in France, smuggled goods such as rum and opium, as well as people from Africa to France in the bellies of his ships. But knowledge alone was not enough. It required contact with the leaders within the empire. From the notebook he learned that the leaders met regularly in an underground room in Meunier's villa. This alone required him to live in Marseille. As a child he enjoyed it when his father was in Marseille to carry out his criminal activities. He could then go to bed at night without fearing that his father would come to bed with him. As for his father's business partners, Monsieur Sébastien Meunier and Monsieur Bastien Delavallé, he had to speak to them when they came to the estate. He did not like the two as a child, although they showered him with gifts. They traveled from Marseille two or three times a year to talk to his father about the criminal empire. There were big meals and drinking parties. He had a strong dislike for Sébastien Meunier in particular. Meunier was a tall, slim man with evil eyes. In contrast to Meunier, Bastien Delavallé was a short, stocky man with a pleasant look. He only found Delavallé pleasant sometimes. Of the two, Sébastien Meunier was the dominant one. He noticed this as a child. It was especially evident at his father's funeral.

***

On May 21, 1767, Luciano Varini emigrated to Marseille at the age of twenty-one. On May 26, 1767, he and his six companions arrived at the magnificent residence of Sébastien Meunier. He was impressed by the imposing property, which was majestically situated high above the port of Marseille. The villa included a horse stable with a pasture. The architectural style of the stables matched the villa. The view of the Mediterranean was something completely new for him. He had longed for the sea since early childhood. Sébastien Meunier received him with a warm embrace and greeted his companions, who were standing a little way away from the entrance to the house. Monsieur Meunier insisted that he and his men should be his guests. "Luciano, your apartment in the Inn at the Krug on Rue Lafayette is furnished. The attic rooms for your men are also furnished." Bastien Delavallé also attended the dinner. After dinner, they discussed business over an ancient cognac. Luciano and his men spent the night in Sébastien Meunier's villa.

The following day, Sébastien Meunier accompanied them to the Zum Krug inn on Rue Lafayette, which Sébastien Meunier had bought and renovated on his behalf. Before the big move to Marseille took place, Luciano Varini traveled to Marseille accompanied by two men to meet with Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé. He learned from them about the criminal empire that his father, Don Edoardo Varini, had led until his death. He and his men looked around the city in which he wanted to spend his new life. On a walk through the city, he came across the Zum Krug inn. An old, neglected house on Rue Lafayette, in the center of Marseille. The house consisted of the ground floor and four floors above. One of these was the attic, as could be seen from the many dormer windows. In the back courtyard there was a stable for twelve horses. He liked the inn. It was the right place to cover up his criminal activities. Because he came to Marseille to take his father's place. To become the supreme leader of the empire. Which would not be easy given his young age. He commissioned Sébastien Meunier to buy the inn and renovate it. There was no doubt that the owner would sell. Because if Meunier wanted something, he got it. Even if it meant blood.

Now Luciano Varini and his men were standing in front of a wonderfully renovated inn, with the word Gasthaus zum Krug written in large letters above the entrance. The name was painted on the yellow facade. Sébastien Meunier pointed to the inn. "Do you like the house, Luciano? You'll be amazed at how luxurious it is inside." "I really like it, Sébastien. Thank you very much. It can't be compared to the country estate in Piedmont. But it will be my new home." "You'll miss the country estate, Luciano." First they took the horses to the stables. Then Sébastien Meunier showed them around the whole house. The restaurant on the ground floor had been restored with great skill. There was a modern kitchen and an oak bar. The guest rooms above, from the first to the fourth floor, had also been renovated. When they reached the fifth floor, Sébastien Meunier led them into his apartment. Luciano Varini was enchanted by the wonderfully renovated and furnished apartment. "Sébastien, I must praise you. The apartment is fantastic." He went to a window. The view of the harbor and the Mediterranean made him long for the wide world. "Sébastien, the view of the harbor makes me long for faraway places. Did you have any problems buying the house?" Sébastien sighed. "None that couldn't be solved. The owner refused at first. But when I raised the offer and made a threat, Mr. Baudin offered me a handshake." "Sébastien, I am grateful to you for everything." Luciano Varini crossed the large living room and went out onto the balcony, from where he could look down into the busy street. Sébastien Meunier followed him. "The balcony needed to be renovated." "Sébastien, let's look at the bedrooms. How many rooms are there in the apartment?" "In addition to the large and small living rooms, there are six more rooms. Shall we look at the attic now? The home for your men.” They climbed up to the top floor. There were eight attic rooms there. Luciano Varini turned to his men. “Men, this is your home.” Of the six men, only his four bodyguards spoke French. The two assistants who accompanied him on the trip only spoke Piedmontese. The assistants would return to Piedmont to his estate, where his mother and sister Luna lived. The men were visibly pleased with their new accommodation. Sébastien Meunier pointed to the four attic rooms, the windows of which faced the sea. “The servants of the inn, which is still run by Clément Baudin, live in the four rooms. The stable boy is housed in the very back room.” Luciano Varini was surprised that Sébastien had specifically mentioned the stable boy. Sébastien pointed to the stairwell. "Let's go to the bar to greet the innkeeper Clément Baudin and his wife." It was agreed that Clément Baudin would continue to run the inn with his wife. But that he, Luciano Varini, would act as innkeeper and owner. This was a disguise. Clément Baudin was a tall, slim man who exuded strength. Luciano Varini liked him straight away. His wife was short and a little plump. A pleasant person. Clément Baudin had pushed two tables together and set them with the best crockery he owned. The food was excellent. The wine too. After dinner, his men returned to Meunier's villa to drive the transport wagon containing Luciano Varini's fortune and personal effects to the Rue Lafayette. The wagon had to be unloaded. Of his six companions, only his four bodyguards, Livio Dalmasso, Baco Pellegrino, Bassiano Abenzio and Danilo Bosco, knew that there was a secret compartment under the wagon bridge. In it was part of his father, Don Edoardo's, fortune. The majority was on his estate, in an underground room. Under the wagon bridge was a walnut chest with iron fittings. He had commissioned Meunier to build a secret room with a heavy iron door in the cellar of the inn. The transport wagon was unloaded in the back yard of the inn, down to the chest. He and his bodyguard brought this into the secret room at midnight.

The next day, after breakfast, Luciano Varini went to the stables to see the stable boy that Sébastien had specifically mentioned. The day before, he had only met the stable master, an old, bent man. Now he met the stable boy in front of the stables. He was immediately smitten by the boy with his long blond hair and blue eyes. The boy resembled his deceased lover Viktor. He estimated him to be twenty-five years old. Luciano Varini had a strong desire for blond boys and young men. As a Piedmontese, he had jet-black hair. Which he hated deeply. He found it difficult to look away from the stable boy. Luciano Varini walked up to the blond boy and offered him his hand. "My name is Luciano Varini. The owner of the inn. You can call me Luciano. What is your name?" The young man seemed shy. His voice was quiet. "My name is Jeanpier, Monsieur Varini. I am in charge of your horse. Which is your horse? I'll saddle it right away." "I told you that you can call me Luciano. You don't have to get my horse from the stable. I came to greet you. After all, you work for me."

From that moment on, Luciano Varini was constantly looking for reasons to meet the beautiful stable boy. A month later, Jeanpier was in his bed. Thanks to their close relationship, the gloom that had been weighing on him since Viktor's death was lifted. But this did not last long. Jeanpier found a new lover. At least he thought so. He killed Jeanpier's alleged lover. From then on, he fell back into gloom. He saw no meaning in life. In addition, the atrocities he committed in his native Piedmont weighed heavily on him. He knew that he was mentally ill. Only a mentally ill person could do such cruel things as he did. He loved and hated blond boys and young men at the same time. His father was to blame for this.

Luciano was bored in Marseille. He was only a pseudo-innkeeper. The Baudins did the work in the inn. He longed for blond young men. He found them in the port of Marseille. At night he made a detour to the port to be satisfied by boys for sale. This rekindled his hatred of blond young men. The origin of the hatred lay in his childhood. His father Don Edoardo abused him from the age of three to fourteen. He went through hell until he was twelve. But the day came when he began to accept it and even more. He began to enjoy it. Everything went well until the day when his father no longer wanted him. And he told him bluntly that he now preferred blond boys and that he would no longer come to bed with him. That was the worst thing his father could do to him. Night after night he stayed awake half the night in the hope that his father would come to bed with him. At first it filled him with anger. Then came hatred. Hatred against the blond boys and young men. But also against his father. To take revenge on his father, he committed terrible crimes by killing blond boys and young men in a cruel manner. These crimes continued from his early youth through to his student years. It was only when he met Viktor Gamba in the lecture hall at the University of Turin that his life changed. He fell in love with Viktor. Viktor returned his love. They had to be very careful so that no one, especially his father, found out. Viktor was his first and most intimate love. He had never loved anyone more than Viktor. His father took Viktor away from him by having him killed. The relationship with Jeanpier was short-lived. Loneliness set in. The longing for a lover drove him to the harbor at night, where boys and young men were for sale. At his first meeting with a blond youth, his hatred against blond boys and young men returned. So he started killing again. He killed several blond youths in the port of Marseille. The trail led to him. It was only thanks to Sébastien Meunier's connections with the Ministry of Justice and the police leadership that he was not put in chains. But the police chief of Marseille threatened Sébastien Meunier. The bribed officers were no longer willing to make the bodies of the young men disappear.

***

At the beginning of 1772, Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé persuaded Luciano Varini until he agreed to leave Marseille. Sébastien Meunier suggested that he should head his father's trading and transport company in the Occitan Alps, at Château du Queyras. The fact that he was the supreme leader of the empire was not to change. In Château du Queyras, his father, Don Edoardo Varini, had a large warehouse built. The warehouse housed the legal goods that were transported from Piedmont to France and back by mule drivers over the Col d'Agnel. Beneath the warehouse was a large labyrinth of caves in which the contraband was temporarily stored. The warehouse and the labyrinth of caves were run by the Spaniard José Gonzalez under the supervision of a merchant belonging to the empire.

Don Edoardo Varini purchased the land under which the labyrinth of caves was located with calculation. The caves were avoided by the population because a terrible crime had taken place there in 1732. Since then, otherworldly beings had been seen on the property at midnight.

Don Edoardo had a huge stable built next to the warehouse. He also had the land cleared and seeded to create pasture for the horses.

Don Edoardo Varini secretly converted the rock caverns beneath the warehouse into warehouses. He brought the men with him from Marseille. Luciano Varini, who was now known as Don Luciano within the empire, knew about the secret warehouses. He had everything from his father's documents, which were kept in a secret room in the town hall in Torino. He also knew that his father considered José Gonzalez to be one of the best men for smuggling goods in the Occitan Alps. His father's notebook stated that José Gonzalez was responsible for the disappearance of corpses. Don Luciano imposed on Sébastien Meunier and Bastien Delavallé the condition that they be allowed to build a large, feudal inn in the Occitan Alps, right on the famous trade route, which would serve as a cover for him. Don Luciano basically had no choice. He had to leave Marseille. The police knew about his murderous activities at night in the port of Marseille. The inn was not about making a lot of money. He wanted the inn to have company. Company was important to him. As trade and travel on the Occitan trade route increased from year to year, he would not lack company. The trade route was the most important link between Marseille and Piedmont. He would buy a piece of land from Guillestre and have a large inn built on it. He obtained maps of the Occitan Alps. And the town of Guillestre sent him plans of plots of land suitable for development. It was only when he looked at a map that he realized that he would spend his new life in isolation, far from Marseille. This would require him to travel to Marseille many times for the regular meetings of the top leaders in Meunier's villa. As top leader, his presence was mandatory. The great distance between Marseille and Guillestre would undoubtedly be a disadvantage. If he had not fallen back into his old, cruel life, he would not have to bear this burden. His relocation to the Occitan Alps meant nothing less than exile. Meunier and Delavallé considered his move to Guillestre valuable for the Empire. The constant increase in the smuggling of goods between France and the Kingdom of Piedmont overwhelmed the organization that the Empire created in the Occitan Alps during his father's time. It lacked control. It lacked new contacts with politicians and officials in the Alps. It required a man who could reach out to the population to create connections. One who had the power to buy important men. Meunier grunted. "Don Luciano, we need you in the Occitan Alps if we are to continue to be successful in smuggling goods. Luca Capra, who heads the organization, is not the man who can buy politicians and officials. Capra's job is not to establish relationships with officials and politicians. He is responsible for the sixteen smuggling group leaders. He has no diplomatic skills.” Sébastien Meunier told him about Luca Capra. “He is a brutal fellow. Suitable for controlling the leaders of the smuggling groups. He is a man who can take merciless action thanks to his brutality. Very valuable for the smooth transport of contraband.” Delavallé thought that the best thing would be for him to get involved in politics in Guillestre. Don Luciano was determined to leave Marseille. He had to get away from the city. The nightly patrols of the port, during which he killed blond, purchasable youths out of pure hatred, had to come to an end. And he would not leave if he were put in chains. What he would miss was being with his friends Pauline and Jean Chevalier. He became friends with the two of them when Jeanpier was his lover. They ran the bistro Chez Jean in Marseille. They were the only ones who knew about his relationship with Jeanpier. Their friendship deepened when he invited them to his estate in the summer of 1769, where his mother and sister Luna lived. He saw the two of them in amazement as they drove through the gate to the estate. His mother and sister Luna welcomed Pauline and Jean warmly. On the return journey over the Col d'Agnel, down to Château du Queyras, Pauline repeatedly mentioned how much she would like to live in Château du Queyras. Since he visited his family every year until 1772, he knew the villages and the countryside very well.

***

On Monday, May 4, 1773, Luciano Varini and his friend Bastiano set out at daybreak for Guillestre to buy the building land for the new inn. Since he recognized from the plan of the land division of Guillestre that all the land along the trade route belonged to the commune, he contacted the mayor on his arrival. He introduced himself to Luciano Varini and told him that he was looking for a piece of land. "Monsieur Varini, I knew Edoardo Varini, who ran a goods store up in Château du Queyras and here. Unfortunately, he has died. Are you his son? "Yes, I am." The mayor laughed. "How nice that you are continuing your father's trading company." He personally accompanied them in their search for a suitable piece of land. When the mayor learned that he wanted to build a large, feudal inn, he was delighted. "Monsieur Varini, I am delighted with your plan. I never thought that Don Edoardo's son would build an inn here. Monsieur Varini, do you already have a man who will run the inn?" "Monsieur Mayor, I run the inn myself." "You want to move here, Monsieur Varini? Are we not too far from Marseille for your business, you know what I mean?" "I find your landscape lovely. Living in the Alps is good for your health." The mayor was accompanied by two men carrying stakes and a heavy hammer. "Monsieur Varini, there is no decent inn on the Occitan Trade Route. The only one where people spend the night is the Inn of the Three Routes up in Château du Queyras." "Monsieur Mayor, I know the inn. I spent a few nights there. The inn was old and unkempt. I would say it was dirty. But I had no choice. It is the only inn with half-decent bedrooms. The owner was old. Is he still alive?" The mayor shook his head. "No, the man died. The inn was bought by a woman from Marseille." Luciano Varini immediately thought of his girlfriend Pauline. He laughed. "Her dream came true." The mayor was surprised. "Monsieur Varini, do you know Pauline?" "Yes, of course I do! I was friends with her and her husband. Her husband died quite young of a treacherous disease." "What a coincidence. You won't take away any guests from Pauline with your planned inn. She is frequented by ordinary people." They reached the trade route. "Monsieur Varini, you must now look carefully. The land on the right side of the trade route belongs to the municipality of Guillestre." Luciano Varini recognized the suitable plot of land straight away. The proximity to the town and the ravine behind it, from which the rushing of the Guil mountain stream could be heard, were decisive for his choice. Since he had dimensioned sketches of the planned inn with him, he knew how big the plot of land had to be. He was fascinated by the location of the property. The mayor asked his companions to drive the stakes in as he had instructed. But now a disadvantage became apparent. The stakes could only be driven about ten inches into the ground. The mayor bowed his head. "Monsieur Varini, I forgot that you're about to come across rocks here. You'll have to excuse me." "Monsieur Mayor, I'm buying the land. The rock for the basement will have to be blasted. Anything is possible." The topography of the property was ideal for his plan. There were enough flat areas to create a magnificent garden. He imagined ornamental fountains with round basins carved out of granite. Fountains with naked youths carved out of white marble standing at their basins. Luciano Varini had images of the feudal inn and its park in his mind. He looked at the small stream that ran in a curved course rippling towards the ravine. The stream would run alongside the inn. The water could be used to supply the fountains. He sat down on a stone. His friend Bastiano and the mayor also looked for somewhere to sit. "Mr. Mayor, the plot is perfect for my project." The mayor's joy was evident. He turned to him. "Mr. Varini, this will get people talking in our little town. By the way, my name is Durand. Léon Durand. I am pleased that you have found the right plot. Mr. Varini, the surveyor will go to the plot right away to measure it. Then I can tell you the price. The plot will not be expensive as it is outside the town. My wife and I would be delighted if you were our guests. We have enough rooms. My wife is an excellent cook. She will cook an Occitan speciality for dinner."

Luciano Varini was surprised by the size of the house in which the mayor lived with his family. It seemed to be the most lavish house in the region. For a mayor of such a small town as Guillestre, the house was too big and too luxurious. He was not surprised. For the name Léon Durand was written in his father's notebook. There were other names from the region in the notebook. For example, Judge Morin, from the court in Sisteron. The house was indirectly financed by the empire. Léon Durand was friends with his father, Don Edoardo. His father had a great skill in bribing politicians and officials. He had diplomatic skills and a lot of money. Léon Durand led them into the house. Bastiano whistled in amazement. The interior of the house was excellent. The furniture was worth a fortune. But it was not ostentatious. Durand introduced them to his wife. At the dinner, which was excellent, Luciano Varini described to those present, using sketches, how the noble inn and the associated park were to be built. The audience was enthusiastic. Especially Léon Durand. He pointed out again that there was no decent inn in Guillestre and the surrounding area. "Sénher Varini, may I recommend our master builder René Bertrand to you for the construction of the inn? René Bertrand does an excellent job. He is extremely reliable. I would put my hands in the fire for him. Sénher Varini, the people of Guillestre will welcome you."

The next day, after a sumptuous breakfast, Luciano Varini and Bastiano Lopez set off for Marseille. They stopped in Sisteron to visit the architect Gavin Roux, a friend of Sébastien Meunier. Gavin Roux worked for the empire, but was not a member. The collaboration was initiated by Sébastien Meunier. Architect Roux designed his villa. Among other things, he specialized in designing guest houses. Since architect Roux knew that Luciano was Don Edoardo's son, they received an exuberant welcome. Gavin Roux was a tall man, with jet-black hair combed into a middle parting. His body did not contain an ounce of fat. His eyes were almost black. His clothing was elegant. Gavin Roux's house was large. Luciano Varini recognized immediately upon looking at the house that Gavin Roux was an excellent architect. He already knew this from looking at Sébastien Meunier's villa. He was certain that Gavin Roux was the man who would plan his inn. He presented his visions to Gavin Roux using many sketches. "Monsieur Varini, you have done my work for me. Based on these perfect sketches, I can plan the inn without us having to sit together all the time. That makes planning much easier." Architect Roux offered them a place to stay with him. "As you know, my house is big. It would be best if you stayed with me for a week. That way we can discuss everything we need to know." Luciano Varini shook his head. "Monsieur Roux, we don't want to be a burden to you." "Burden what? It would be an honor for me to have the son of the famous Don Edoardo as a guest." Luciano Varini agreed. "But only for a week. The mayor insists that we stay with him for at least a week."

In mid-May 1773, surveying work was carried out on the property for planning purposes. This was complex, as the topography of the property had various heights and depths. The architect was not happy about the rocky subsoil. Thanks to his sketches, the construction plans progressed quickly. Now the implementation plans for the master builder and the carpenter had to be drawn up. At the end of May, architect Roux appeared before the mayor with a stack of construction plans. The mayor called a meeting of the city council. The councilors were enthusiastic about the construction plans. The morning before their departure, the mayor's wife served a sumptuous breakfast. The mayor asked Luciano if he had a name for the new inn. He replied in the affirmative. "It will be called the Inn Zum Krug." They thanked the Durand family. The day before, the construction work was handed over to René Bertrand. The construction would be supervised by architect Roux's men. He trusted Gavin Roux. The inn could be built without his being there, apart from the interior furnishings.

As they rode through the Durance Valley, Luciano remembered Sébastien Meunier's statement at a meeting. Meunier planned to take possession of the Three Routes Inn for strategic reasons. He had not known at the time that the inn belonged to Pauline Chevalier. Sébastien Meunier attached great importance to the purchase of the inn. It was to become a lodging house for smugglers. The fact that Meunier included the inn in his plans now worried him. But Meunier must have known that Pauline was the new owner. The two knew each other well. The Bistro Jean belonged to Sébastien Meunier. Meunier knew that he was friends with Pauline. And yet he wanted to drive her away. He could not allow that. He knew how Pauline longed to have an inn in the Occitan Alps. It would not be easy to stop Meunier from buying it. When Meunier set his mind on something, it was difficult to change his mind. He was the supreme leader of the empire. There were rules in the empire. Important business was voted on. Sébastien considered the purchase of the inn to be important.

***