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One of the barge iondola; his energetic invectives carried across the water to the Ca&039; Fosian, where it rose a the elaborate new palaces on the south side of the Pont&039; Rialto; worke May had turned warh the lass- on San Marco to strike the prosperous
From his second-floor study , Orso Fosian watched the workers and wiped his face with his sleeve, then turned to his visitor "If May is this hot, ill July be?" He expected no answer, and went on, "I wish I could tell you that any ofthe corsairs, but they have not" He was alh he walked slowly due to a painful back, and his face was the texture of old leather froaline-and-doublet were as fine as any in the city, of a dull-plum intertwined-leaf damask lined in a very conservative shade of pewter; the lace edging on his sleeves and collar was froe, and the points were accented with seed-pearls "I have had to spend a fortune to get my sailors back, as have my brothers; the oarsmen must be considered lost to the Turks, may God punish them for their temerity" As one of the six lio, he found his loss particularly galling He reached for the shutter and sla out the cla, "No oczy di Santo-Ger to put armed aline-and-doublet of black silk edged in a narrow band of silver lace and lined in deep-red satin, over a cas and shoes were black, ornaarters with diamond clips, at once restrained and luxurious
"I haven&039;t made upsuch guards on the ships, and most soldiers don&039;t like duty at sea, but if they save the cargo and the crew, they are worth every ducat"
"Indeed," said di Santo-Germano
"I have heard you have hired a company of armed men for your ships," Fosian said, a speculative lift to his thick, white eyebrows
"For those ships traversing Ottoement, then I may put the their hunts everyto accept the notion of having soldiers aboard" Di Santo-Gere here, at the docks and wharves?"
"It is a constant, as you must know for yourself," said Fosian "A terrible situation, but what can anyone do?"
"Hire guards for the cargos once they&039;re off-loaded," said di Santo-Ger to do ashore beyond whoring and drinking"
"They&039;re apt to be the ered of all," said Fosian uarded, and es h "All of which costs money"
"That it does," said di Santo-Germano, and reached into the tooled black-leather wallet that hung froht this with led "My contribution to the protection of all docks, wharves, and es, then turned out the contents onto his work-table; he stifled a gasp at what fell out "Fiorini d&039;or," he olden Florentine coins poured onto the wood "So much! How ering a old in his own athanor in his private laboratory, and used genuine Florentine molds and stamps to cast the precioushi trove and slip it into a small drawer in the chest under the table "I will, naturally, inform I Savii of your contribution"
"And I thank you for that consideration," said di Santo-Ger"
"So it is," said Fosian "I can see the trouble everywhere"
The city was flourishing, and Venezia was rich beyond i, but di Santo-Geret as an example to other ports "The jealousy of rivals is the price of achievement"
Fosian held up one palm to shoas helpless to stop such envy "This will help us; I know the Minor Consiglio will be grateful" He coughed gently "Your taxes will not be lessened"
"I realize that," said di Santo-Germano "That would be possible only if I were a citizen of La Serenissiested
"It is iht, self-effacing bow "As an exile, I fear I would not be able to sustain ations to Venezia-"
"-If your exile should end," Fosian finished for him "I do understand you And I see your point Ah, well If you should change your mind, I would be pleased to speak on your behalf"
Di Santo-Gerlier Fosian"
Fosian waved this away "You have no reason for such obligation, not after so lavish a gift as you have provided I would be a fool not to sponsor such a ed to you," said di Santo-Geruest to touch cheeks with hiracious fellow, Conte, and I thank you on behalf of the Doge and his Consiglii, and Savii"
Di Santo-Ger, "I will do ht I would like to present you with a copy of my press&039; latest books"
"Generous and perspicacious," approved Fosian "For if I have copies of the books, how can I protest your publications?" He laughed, and started toward the door "I am sorry you cannot join us for prandium, but as you have other business to attend to-"
"I thank you for your invitation; I alad companions, and a pleasant repose when thehis host through the door "I have been told you keep an excellent table"
"As any man in my position must, as he must dress and equip himself," said Fosian "Well, do not trouble yourself We will dine together another time"
"When it is appropriate," said di Santo-Ger another invitation
"As you say" They descended the broad staircase to the ondola is here"
"Yes," said di Santo-Gerondola of your own It is safer to do so," said Fosian as he signaled for the boat to approach the loading step
"Yes; it is," said di Santo-Gerht of the shallow keel he had had built into the gondola, along with certain other n He stepped into the craft and bowed slightly to Fosian "Grazie per tutti, Consiglier Fosian"
"San Marco show you favor," Fosian replied, and waved as the gondola pulled away frole of other gondolas, boats, and barges, the rear oar plying the waters expertly As they reached the a, spoke up, taking care not to be overheard by any other boat you"
Di Santo-Gerlint of sky and water "Are you certain?"
"I am I have observed him for the last three days I believe he is a nephew of one of the Savii, or so foppish sort, a bit too good-looking and eager; you know the breed" Milano skillfully avoided a small rowboat filled with loaves of new bread, then swerved around another boat drawn up at the side entrance to a small palazzo
"Tell me more," said di Santo-Germano
"I first noticed hie at San Barnaba, trying to appear disinterested, but I saw him try to keep up with us as ent toward the Bacino di San Marco Had he not started running, I would have paid no attention to hi more, di Santo-Germano asked, "Is that all?"
"No I observed hi I saw hielo"
"Venezia is a small place," said di Santo-Ger in places that I ht be about any number of duties for the to do harm" Milano steered toward the smaller canal that would lead to the side of di Santo-Gerant house
"I have no doubt you do," said di Santo-Gerainst the marble steps "You must not think I doubt you, but it may not be as bad as you suspect" He tossed Milano a pair of silver coins "Keep watch for him, but do not follow him yourself, only notice when you see him about, and in two days tell me what you find"
Milano snatched the coins out of the air "That I will, Conte"
Di Santo-Gerondola, and stepped into the s, a sealed letter in his hand and a worried expression on his young face as he thrust the envelope forward "Conte! Conte! This caondola to the ia steps, di Santo-Ger it had an i it "When did this arrive?"
"Not two hours ago A servant froht it," said Niccola, iood," said di Santo-Germano "I&039;ll have a look at it shortly"
Disappointed, Niccola took a step back "Of course, Signor&039; Conte But it&039;s important"
"All the more reason to open it in private," said di Santo-Gerh his house to the stairs, which he climbed two at a time As soon as he reached his study, he broke the seal on the letter and read the contents, his frown deepening as he read:
To the oczy di Santo-Gerio, io
I ans you have subio for the improvement of our warships is under review You will be asked to wait upon the Savii of the Collegio within the next ten days Being that you hold no allegiance to any sovereign or any position that would compromise your situation in Venezia, your Word of Surety is all that is required of you at this time You are asked to hold yourself in readiness, and to infor within the next year, along with sworn statements of purpose and destinations of such travel I am certain you understand the necessity of this
San Marco and the Adriatic preserve Venezia,