The Conte Foscari was reading a surprisingly recent copy of the Journal de Paris that Donna Leena Fandango had just left in the coffee house on Rocca Sorrentina, when he looked up to see the approach a familiar figure, dressed like himself, all in black.

Greetings Sior Aldo. said the Conte. Please join me.

Grazie, Singor Conte. thank you

How are you? It has been a while since we had the opportunity to chat.

Don Aldo sighed. I am afraid I have some unfortunate news from my friend, Abu bin Malachi, the ottoman envoy to Tripoli.

Oh? How unfortunate? I trust he is in good health?

He is not unwell...but he is gravely disappointed. The noble lady we were seeking to ransom from the Barbary Corsairs with his help...and the payment of all those newly cast bronze cannon...

The Conte nodded and waited for his friend to continue.

The Professore frowned and went on, A plague is sweeping the cities of North Africa in recent months...and the lady in question...sadly she has succumbed to the pestilence

Aahhhhh...I see. The Conte frowned slightly as well. That is most unfortunate, and rather changes things ....Hmmmm.

Yes it does, indeed. Bin Malachi himself has come with this news...but Achille remains at Tripoli. He is working to secure the poor woman's remains to return to her family.

The Conte looked thoughtful for a moment. I see...by the way...not to change the subject, but I must talk to you about Achille.

Oh?'

Yes, if you please, may we set aside the matter of the lady...and the cannon for now?

As you wish, agreed Don Aldo.

I don't know if you are aware, the Conte began, but Achille seems to have formed an attachment with my ward, Devi, the young Romani girl you may have seen around. They travelled together from Ravenna...

Yes. I know of Devi. An interesting young woman...I can understand how they might have formed a mutual attachment..that is, assuming it is in fact, mutual?

Well, replied the Conte, I have not spoken to Achille since they arrived, and only know her side of things...and yes, she is indeed an interesting young woman. And very stubborn when she gets an idea into her head, he laughed.

Ah..so she does have a fondness for him as he does for her?

Oh yes, very much so. Normally it would be my duty to send her back north to her family...but she is adamant that she will not leave until her guitar-playing knight returns from his quest.

The Professore coughed. Then she may have a long wait. Achille's task is of a most delicate nature and may take some time for him to complete...that is, if he is in fact able to complete it and safely return. He is in a land swept with contagion and pestilence...it is entirely possible that Providence will not permit him to come back to us

The Conte seemed lost in thought. You know, I have no idea what his intentions are towards her, or what kind of man he is...well, other than you are his padrone, and you always speak well of him and trust him with the most sensitive of tasks...that is, on many levels, good enough for me. But as you say, he runs great risks...not just in this mission but in everything he does for you and your friends. Perhaps it is simply best not to speak with her of these considerations for now. We shall let the matter rest, and meanwhile, I shall think about whether it is prudent to send her off elsewhere and keep her occupied with tasks of her own...

Don Aldo nodded and sipped his coffee. He picked up the Journal de Paris that the Conte had been reading and noted it was very recent, with a publication date from late April, 1784. His thoughts were interrupted when the Conte suddnely began to speak again.

Going back to the cannon for a moment, as the two situations seem to be intertwined. The cannon that have been delivered here...if you do not have another buyer,I can take them off your hands. I am planning a visit to Prussia in the near future, and along the way I can call upon some potential customers. Cannon are not so hard to get rid off.

Or we could save on delivery expenses and I could purchase them, Signor Conte, said Don Aldo in a pleasant tone.

Oh? You have a buyer?

Actually, the Professore shrugged a bit, the possible buyer would be the island of Rocca Sorrentina

Ahhhhh...so you would be interested in keeping them? Are you afraid of aggression?

oh...I have my purposes.

I am intrigued...it would certainly save on transport...hehe...are you concerned about the Neapolitan authorities?

Not particularly...and if I had a half dozen large guns here, that would not make that much difference in the long run, if I did have an issue with the authorities.

Pirates, then?

Don Aldo laughed. My dear Conte usually you are not so inquisitive...do you fear I will put to them to wicked uses?

No, I do not fear you will put the cannon to wicked use, I have total faith in your good use of them...I was just curious to what threat you are concerned with...

Threats and opportunities are two sides of the same coin, replied Don Aldo quietly.

That is quite true. Well, my friend, I am happy to sell you the cannon at cost price, given that I do not need to concern myself with any transportation...

Just then, another man materialized by the table. They had heard no footsteps, and it struck the Conte it was as if a large cat in the form of a man had silently entered the coffee house. The man had dark skin, a short grey beard, and was dressed in the garments of an Ottoman desert merchant.

Don Aldo's face lit up in a genuine show of pleasure at the arrival of the newcomer.

The man bowed in a simple dignified manner, which the Conte noted was strikingly similar to the way that Don Aldo customarily bowed.

As-Salaam Alaikum, to you my friend, Ustath Aldo...and to you as well, good gentleman.

Ah my dear friend! Alaikum Salaam! replied Don Aldo

Alaikum Salaam, repeated the Conte as he rose and bowed in return.

Conte Foscari, may I present the Ottoman envoy to Tripoli, Abu bin Malachi, he who is like a brother to me, who has saved my life more times than I can count, wise counselor to the great Sultan, and advisor to the Princes of North Africa...

~*~