第一百零七章 The Lions’ Den
This chapter opens in the grim Saint-Bernard division of La Force prison, nicknamed the “Lions’ Den” by its inmates, and follows the imprisoned Andrea Cavalcanti (also called Benedetto) as he navigates brutal prison life and prepares for a mysterious visit from his former steward, Bertuccio.
The Lions’ Den
The chapter opens with a description of the highest-security division of La Force prison, the court of Saint-Bernard, nicknamed the “Lions’ Den” by prisoners for their constant attempts to gnaw through bars and mistreat guards. The space functions as a prison within a prison, with double-thick walls and heavily inspected iron gratings, overseen by large, cold, highly capable jailers selected specifically for their ability to control the violent inmate population.
The Prison Courtyard
The enclosed paved courtyard of the Lions’ Den is detailed, where the most desperate prisoners pace from morning to night, gaunt and listless, watching the door that only ever opens to call prisoners to execution, the galleys, or solitary confinement. A damp vapor rises from the space, and the few interactions between inmates are brief and tense.
The Visitors’ Apartment
The dedicated visiting space for the court of Saint-Bernard is outlined: a long rectangular room split by two iron gratings placed three feet apart to prevent physical contact or the passing of items between visitors and prisoners. The space is damp, wretched, and considered a rare paradise by inmates who only ever leave the Lions’ Den for far harsher fates.
Andrea’s Appearance
A young prisoner, Andrea Cavalcanti (calling himself Benedetto), is introduced in the courtyard, standing out from other inmates for his once-fine, now-torn clothes that he carefully maintains to keep looking polished, along with his crisp shirt and gleaming varnished boots polished with an embroidered handkerchief. Other prisoners watch him with a mix of mockery and curiosity, referring to him as a “prince” and noting his elegant appearance despite his imprisonment.
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