「Northern Italy, the Tuscan Duchy, Mantua」
Henry was in a church in Mantua, keeping a respectful distance before the Statue of the Virgin Mary. There was still some time until vespers, so the interior of the Church was empty.
Vespers symbolized the end of the day, to be followed by rest until the morrow. Henry, however, did not intend to rest. On the contrary, he was about to set out after the service. Mantua was very close to Canossa, and he could arrive there before dawn.
He would go to show his humility and repentance to Hilbrand—the man he utterly despised, the so-called Holy See—hoping to please him.
The darkness of night and the glimmer of dawn would make him appear all the more fragile and pious.
