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Letter to Mons. Federico Maria Giovanelli


By Contessa Elena Marina Foscari, 2010-07-22

From the Summer Villa of the Principe Melioria

July Year of our Lord 1779

Vostra Eccellenza Reverendissima, MonsignoreFederico Maria Giovanelli

I trust this letter will find you in good health, and somewhere safe. I am concerned that I have not heard anything from you and hope you recieved my first letter, anouncing our safe arrival at Melioria.


The Children seem to have settled into their new environment.

The Principe has been very kind to the children and has started inviting them to "Dinner". He likes to do so formally, sending his chief Valet to the Port square, where the Children gather most days.

The Valet, who is not atall amused, presents the Children with the formal invitation, along with a formal bow.

The Children are thrilled at the attention, but make a show of noncholance as they accept the invitation and break the Principe's seal.


As evening falls I watch them arrive from my windows. Cece, the Principe's Cook, presents the Children with a feast at a table in the gardens. She grumbles about feeding all the strays and waifs of Christendom, but when she thinks no one is looking she smiles, and I think she is as thrilled to me feeding them as they are to eat.


I still have not heard any news from Bishop Monsignore Gabrieli, nor of the possibility of organising a school. I am hoping that some of the older boys might find aprenticeships with the local fishermen and artisans, while we wait for the waters of Venezia to go down.


With the kindest regards be assured of my sincerest feelings of respect and friendship, I remain your faithful daughter in
CJ

Elena Marina dei Conti di Foscari




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Deary diary (2)


By MarieLouise Harcourt, 2010-07-21

Dear diary,

I had no time to write yesterday because I didnt feel very well. Yesterday was such a weird day because so much has happened.

For example, when I was walking in the gardens I discovered that the marquise du Fiennes has a sister. The poor thing! I walked a bit with her when we saw my dear cousin the comtesse dArtois. We started talking (the marquise du Fiennes for example told me she is always having a gun with her?) and then my cousin started talking. She asked me about what happens in the bedroom between the dauphine and the dauphin! I didnt knew what to say! You know, I usually dont like to talk about.. you know..the great work.

After that humiliating event I went to the dauphine to help her choose one of her new gowns. Should she choose the pink one or the pink and blue one?! It was such a hard choice! But eventually we decided that it would be the best if she would take the pink one. Because she has some gorgeous fans that match with the gown!

Then I must prepare myself for the dinner at 12 pm. I did my hair (with some feathers in it!) and put on my fabulous pink gown! Though it was so hard to stand in I looked fabulous! I walked to the room where everyone was waiting. We were waiting for the king who 48 minutes later apparently was busy. Probably with du Barry

At the dinner I didnt feel well at all! Because I had to look at the duc de Rochefort snorting on the food constantly. He and the duchess are obviously having a lot of relation problems! It was hilarious but also disgusting! I walked (read: run for your life!) away into the gardens for a walk. After my walk I decided not to return and go to my apartments. Where I could sleep a bit earlier, so I have enough energy today!

Bye my diary,

I see you tomorrow.

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Letter to Mons. Federico Maria Giovanelli


By Contessa Elena Marina Foscari, 2010-07-08

From the Summer Villa of the Principe Melioria

July Year of our Lord 1779

Vostra Eccellenza Reverendissima, Monsignore Federico Maria Giovanelli

I trust this letter will find you in good health.

We had a peaceful passage in a beautiful star filled night. Once aboard Santi stopped cryingand fell asleep in a corner. Rosaria onother hand, stayed awake all night watching the sea and the sailors.

I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the steely backbone of the girl. Up till now she had shownherself only interested in fine clothes and sweetmeats, and not too concernedas to how she got them.

She always followed Santi in adoration. This time she made him follow her. They are very much like brother and sister those two. You remember it was Santi whofound Rosaria wondering the Calle. Sheis no foundling, as are Fiorino and Santi. The Nuns calculated that she must have been at least 4 or 5 from hertooth growth, but we have no way of knowing for sure.

We landed at the Port at Dawn. I left the children to be reunited with those that arrived on the previous ship, and went immediately to meet with BishopMons.Gabrieli, who welcomed me most courteously with refreshments, andlemonade. I offered him mycongratulations at his recent installation here as Bishop. We discussed various possibilities foraccommodating the children. He said hewould call upon the Nuns personally of the Monastero and enquire if there areany willing to come and organise the Orphanage and resume teaching thechildren.

The Villa is very beautiful and peaceful and I am very grateful to the Principe for his hospitality.

With the kindest regards be assured of my sincerest feelings of respect and friendship, I remain your faithful daughter in CJ

Elena Marina dei Conti di Foscari

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Mysterious morning conversations


By Fiorino Pera, 2010-07-07
This morning I went to the docks early, hoping to see evidence of the ships and the men that I heard arguing in my dreams. The docks were very quiet but I did see one person. It was not a pirate and not a sea captain. It was my friend Louis-Charles, who is about my age.

Louis seemed to jump in at my side out of nowhere. I was so surprised by his sudden appearance, but I was also very happy to see him. I did not know that he had come to Melioria.

Louis- Charles seemed to arrive out of thin air

It had never been clear to me how Louis-Charles, a boy my age, could come to Venezia at sunrise and have dinner in Paris, afternoon tea at Versailles, and come back to Venezia to explore the canals with me as the sun was setting. Well, I say I did not understand. In the first days of our friendship when we would chat or explore together, he would surprise me suddenly and say: I must go to Versailles now, and trot off across the Rialto. Sometimes I would run after him because he had forgotten something, but I would never find him. It seemed strange. But the word Versailles meant nothing to me. I thought it was a section of the city that I had never visited. It was only when Louis-Charles spoke about sailing the Seven Seas with pirates that I finally asked the Contessa Foscari about Versailles. She told me that it was far away, across the mountains, across the plains in Paris -- the court of the French king.

It seemed like we were standing right in the presence of the Czarina

Louis-Charles told me how the Czarina is very warm to children and that she always asks him if there are more children in the court. I found it hard to believe, but Louis-Charles insisted it was what she had said. I could almost see the empress speaking with him and even joking. I even thought she said to him, Lou-Lou, call me Lulu but that was an impossible statement. I tried to focus my mind.

The fact was, the empress was inviting Louis-Charles and me to join a group of children at the court. She did not speak of Versailles or St Petersburg, but of Antiquity She said that we should grow to uphold the virtues of the ancients, and that we could help one another to do so.

We want you to meet a girl who is your age and who is organizing all this. Her name is Abigail. If she were here she would explain everything to you. As soon as she said this, the empress looked up to the ceiling, and waved her hand. A bright light seemed to pierce through the ceiling and fill the room. I became aware that a girl about our age appeared in front of us then - it seemed to me that she came out of nowhere.

Here is my dear Abigail now. Please, darling, explain your plans for the Antiquity Children to these two boys. You do a better job than we do, the Czarina said. Louis-Charles became very attentive, and I imitated him in my posture and attitude. What did Abigail have to say?

A young girl seemed to appear out of nowhere

The girl, I mean Abigail, was very quiet at first. She just stared at us as the Czarina continued to talk to us. Louis-Charles continued to respond to the Empress, but he also whispered to me very quietly: The girl is watching us, but she is not as cordial as is the empress. She is like many at the court.

Just at that point Abigail blurted out: Can you two tell me how old you are?

Twelve, we both responded at the same time.

Abigail seemed to sigh, and said. So am I. I am very surprised that you are twelve. You French boys are very puny compared to Russian lads. At 12 they are already big and muscular and ready for combat. The two of you do not look like you are ready for breakfast.

Louis-Charles responded: Russian boys eat very differently than we do. Perhaps that is why they grow sooner. We will catch up someday.

Abigail snorted and then looked straight at me and said. And you do not even dress elegantly. I thought the French loved fashion and style.

To this I bowed slightly and said: Very possibly that is true, Your Excellency, but I am no Frenchman. I am a Venetian and an apprentice gondolier: I dress by another style.

Abigail gave her bored sigh again and said, Well, I much prefer Russian boys. I remember wondering to myself what Russian boys looked like. Just then I heard someone calling my name, and the scene in front of me seemed to dissolve.

Louis-Charles and I met the Contessa Foscari at the gates of the walled city

For a moment I was dazed, then I realized that we were back at Port Melioria. Had Louis-Charles really transported me to the court of the Empress of Russia? Or was he such a good storyteller that I could see what he was describing to me? Everything was so vivid until I heard another voice that woke me from my reverie. That was the Contessa Elena Foscari, who always used to spend time with us in the Orphanage.

Have you plans to stay at the port all morning, dear boys? she said to us. It will soon be time for breakfast: please do not delay. Come up to the villa now. You do not want to be late.

Until the Contessina spoke to us, I did not realize what time it was, but now I suddenly felt hungry No! I felt very hungry! I was grateful for her call, and Louis-Charles and I walked with her up the road to the villa. As we climbed the hill, I wondered how we had managed to visit the Czarina of Russia in Versailles. But I did have one consolation. Abigail was wrong! Louis-Charles and I were ready for breakfast! Let the boys of Russia beware!!
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Sounds in the night


By Fiorino Pera, 2010-07-06
By now I should be used to things in Melioria, but I am still finding everything strange, and this includes during the night. Almost every night I dream strange dreams and I hear strange sounds.

Night after night I can hear the ships passing the port. I can hear men talking, laughing, arguing, planning things. Their voices are always just far enough away that I cannot hear what they are saying, but I hear the inflections of their voices. It all seems so real and so close. Yet, in the morning there is no evidence of anyone coming around, not sign of ships that passed.

Night after night Fiorino hears strange sounds

one of the other boys that share the bedroom with me ever hear these things. No one else wakes up. Santi laughs at me. Rico says that I just dream too much.

Last night the sounds of the passing ships and men arguing woke me up with a start. I sat up in bed and realized that I was sweating and that my heart was pounding. Since this has happened a few times, I decided I would get up to investigate. Yet, as soon as I set my feet on the floor, I heard no voices and no sounds at all. I quickly dressed and crept out of the villa very, very carefully so as not to wake up the others.

Once outside I walked carefully down the hill, listening for any sound and looking through the night to detect any sight that might give me a clue to the origin of the sounds that I had been hearing every night. I made my way down the long road from the villa to the gate. Strange to say, it was unlocked. I carefully made my way to the wharf. All was quiet, but there was a ship docked there that had not been at the port at sunset.

A ship had docked during the night

The air had a strange chill about it for a summer's night, but then suddenly the wind changed. A soft, warm breeze blew gently on my shoulders and neck. It was like a consoling breeze. I became aware of the sound of footsteps coming toward me, but they were not frightening. They were like the footsteps of a friend. I looked up, but there was no one there.

The wind changed again: I could hear the voices of men laughing and arguing and a sudden chill came over me when I realized that I saw no ship in the dock. And then I jumped with a start and found myself on top of my bed in the dormitory.

Had I really heard those voices? Was it only a dream? Everything seemed so real, but here I was in my bed, with my companions sleeping soundly around me. At this point I could only sit on my bed and wonder what this strange dream could mean. Then I noticed something that startled me: the soles of my feet were black as if I had been walking barefoot on the docks. Strange!

Often the sounds of ships and men wake Fiorino during the night

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Ancient ruins discovered


By Fiorino Pera, 2010-07-05
The prince has been dropping hints to me to explore the estate, but this morning he told Rico and I that his builders had uncovered some ancient ruins near the seaside.

Rico and I did not know what to make of the prince's conversation with us. When the adults are around, the Prince warns us to be careful because there are many dangers at the port, in the hills, in the forest. When there are no adults around, he tells us about fantastic places that we should explore. Rico figures that the prince says what the grownups want to hear when they are near, but that he really wants us to go and explore.

So this morning he was very enthusiastic in giving every detail about the ancient ruins. There is a new science called 'archaeology' that looks for ruins as evidence of life in the past. How exciting that we have ruins right on our own estate. These could point to the presence of something bigger.

Early this morning, when we met some other friends at the docks, Rico and I decided to explore. Stella was there and Santi and Rosaria. Yes! Santi and Rosaria finally arrived from Venezia!! I was so glad to see them - and wanted to take them all over the estate. We went through the gardens and then through the woods and that is when Rico saw them: the ancient ruins!

Rico cheers as he discovers the ancient ruins

As exciting as the ruins seemed to be, we could only ask one another: what are they? what do they mean? Our friends were not shy about jumping up on the ancient stone floor to examine this find. Stella, who had made friends with a parrot since coming to Melioria, was the least shy of us. She touched every pillar, and traced her fingers over the inscriptions on the center column. The images seem to be of a god, she mused, but I cannot tell which one.

Santi snorted. That just looks like some man getting out of a bath. It does not seem to be a god to me. That's when I stepped closer. I did not know what to think. The sculpture seemed to be of a man that was standing among huge serpents. Who was that man? What could it mean?

Fiorino examines the ancient sculpture

Unlike Stella, I was careful not to touch it. It was a good thing, for just then I heard a woman clear her throat. Do not touch that, Fiorino, she said. I turned around to discover that the Contessa Rezzonico was standing at the edge of the stone floor. I jumped to my feet.

The Contessa Faustina Savorgnan ved. Rezzonico often visits the orphanage where I was brought up. Her palace is almost connected to it. That is why she knows us all by name. But I did not realize she was in Melioria, much less that she had been watching us.

The Contessa Rezzonico had been watching the young friends and approached

What have you discovered? Is it safe to touch this, do you suppose?, she asked us with a certain tone in her voice, as if to say beware, there is danger here and you must be prudent .

Santi spoke up first: Good day, Contessa! It seems to be very solid. There is no danger here.

It is not physical danger that concerns me, the Contessa said in that very even tone that we knew meant she did not approve. The ancients did not expect children to be climbing on their altars. There are things here that are not for you.

Altar?, Stella echoed. Is this a church? It is a strange kind of an altar if it is, she said, turning around to survey the stone circle again. But the Contessa repeated her warning. It is better not to touch these sorts of places.

Contessa Rezzonico warns of moral danger.

Within a few moments, Stella followed the Contessa up the hill and into the village. Santi, Rico and I waited until they were out of sight before venturing back on to the stone platform. A soft sea breeze rustled through the trees, whispering to us to ignore the warnings we had received. This will make a perfect headquarters for us, Santi exclaimed. We can call all the boys to meet here and make our plans while we are away from Venice. This could be our headquarters!.

Rico looked at Santi but did not say anything. Really, they barely knew each other. No matter, Santi went on with plans to organize all the exiled kids and prepare to defend the group. I did not know what he was trying to say. I kept looking at Rico, who kept looking at the ancient, pagan altar. A cold wind blew over us and I saw Rico shiver. Santi did not notice. Maybe the contessa is right, my friends, Rico said. We should be careful about this place.

Rico's statement was accompanied by another cold blast of wind from the sea. We knew it was time to leave, and walked back through the woods and into the village.

The boys make their plans to make the ruins their headquarters
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Letter to Mons. Federico Maria Giovanelli


By Docteur Panacek, 2010-07-05
Tourraine, 5th of July 1768.

Letter to Mons. Federico Maria Giovanelli
From: Dr. P. Panacek

Monseigneur,

let me start by kneeling before you and kiss your ring as a sign of my respect for you and Our Holy Church.
First of all i do want to offer my condolences to the family of Soeur Maria Sofia and let them know i have said some prayers in rescue to her immortal soul. "Requiem ternam dona eis, Domine et lux perpetua luceat eis."

But the reason i write you this letter is from another dimension. With astonishment i have read your Bull "Communication to the Faithful following invasion of the convent in Dorsoduro and the murder of Suor Maria Sofia". Especially the following sentence has raised my eyebrow: "Reports that bodies of victims have been removed by curious and malicious foreigners have further upset His Excellency Most Reverend". Your excellency, i do have to object to these accusations. Yes indeed, i am the one who examined the body of the poor lady in question, and brought to light the foul circumstances of her death. But i did it on the explicit demand of Madame M. T. Milneaux - Vendramin. She is a noble Venetian woman, who's parents also have been murdered under awful circumstances, long time ago.

Monseigneur... This lady has been poisoned. Without my intervention, and that of my friends and co-workers, the awful truth would never have been discovered. I don't have to remind you that manslaughter is still a deathly sin. Without the techniques of modern science nobody would ever have known what happened to this poor woman. Her true identity is still unknown and nobody besides us has mourned or prayed for this unfortunate lady. Not like Soeur Maria Sofia, who had a caring family and the support of our Holy Church. Without our intervention she would have been buried in some anonymous mass grave. At least now she is buried in Holy Ground at the Duchy, with the support of our dear friend friar Wasar.

It makes me very sad you place me and my co-workers at the same level with the fearless criminal who brought an end to this womans life. Furthermore i have to explicitly declare that we have NO intention at all to desacrate the resting place of Sister Maria Sofia. The merely thought only is enough to make my stomach turn around. Monseigneur, i am a man of science, with a high personal feeling of honor, responsibility and duty, and certainly no ordinary grave robber. I never had, and will never have any evil intentions. So help me God.

But a word of warning is in order. Please don't forget monseigneur, there is still a killer on the loose. a disciple of Satan himself. Already two victims are counted, how many more must follow before the TRUE criminal is caught and brought to justice?
Let me quote Franois-Marie Arouet who's work i admire very much: "What is faith? Is it to believe that which is evident? No. It is perfectly evident to my mind that there exists a necessary, eternal, supreme, and intelligent being. This is no matter of faith, but of reason."
Monseigneur, let us focus ourselves on the very essence of this enigma. Let not only God be your guide, but also Reason, because it is God Himself who has gifted us with this precious ability to think and analyze. The real murderer must be brought to justice.

Please forgive me my argumentation, but with all do respect, i wanted this matter cleared out as soon as possible.

Again i kneel before you as a sign of respect for you and the Wisdom of Our Holy Church.


Your servant, Dr. P. Panacek, Chirurgien de Guerre.
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Homesick kitchen helper


By Fiorino Pera, 2010-07-04
When we were in Venezia it felt like everything was easier. I knew everyone in our area of Dorsoduro, rich and poor. Every day I would go to the fish market where I knew the fishermen; I knew all the gondoliers and I knew every short-cut in the area of the Rialto bridge. I could greet everyone and know whether I was to give them the highest respect or whether I could tease and joke with them. I knew most of the orphans, most of the street boys, and most of the officers in the Guardia. Most were my friends and I have to say that I liked them all and enjoyed to be with them.

Fiorino is homesick for Venezia

Now, I do not wish to complain about Melioria. It is incredibly beautiful. The gardens are open to all of us, and the air that flows in from the sea is fresh and pure. I love to watch the dock workers and the Prince himself has almost made me his special helper, for he gives me many jobs, big and little, to fulfill for him. If I did not have so much nostalgia for Venice, the villa and the village of Melioria would be perfect.

Nostalgia How i miss my Venice!

That is why when I see someone from the city that I knew before, I am always happy, overjoyed, festive! I go crazy with happiness. And today I saw two people that I did not expect to see: the Contessa Elena Foscari and Ambassador Count Loredan.

The Contessina Foscari was sitting quietly in Villa Vesuviana when I came inside with some supplies for the Signorina Cece, who cooks for the count. Signorina Cece is a wonderful cook, but she is not so gentle. She yelled at me for being late. I said it was not my fault that Nella the Asinella refused to climb the hill and I had to carry the supplies up on my back. My excuses did not impress the Signorina Cece who said she would have slapped me for my insolence if she had time, and told me to empty the beans from the sack into three bowls. This I did, and more, for I did not want to displease Cece.

Cece meets Fiorino as he comes up the stairs into the kitchen

The Prince has often told me: Never displease the cook!. I was afraid that it was too late. As diligently as I tried to do everything that Cece told me, I only continued to make a mess. This, of course, only displeased the cook more. What is troubling you, child?, Cece demanded: Why are you in such a tizzy today? But I only fumbled the bowl that I was stirring and risked spilling the contents all over the floor.


Santo Cielo!, Cece exclaimed. I keep telling the Prince to send me girls to work in this kitchen and not these thoughtless, awkward boys! They only learn how to work when you hit them into place. Thats when they learn.


Just as Cece pulled out her rolling pin, the Contessa Foscari came into the kitchen. In the sweetest of voices, the Contessina told the cook that I was needed outside .

Never displease the cook, the Prince has told Fiorino

Cece gave her permission, and the Contessina brought me on to the steps that lead out to the garden. I was very glad to see the Contessa Foscari and wanted to give her a hug, but I knew this was not proper. Still, I wasted no time and immediately asked her if she knew whether the other orphans were going to leave Venezia or stay behind. The Contessa told me that they were all on their way, for Monsignore the Patriarca has secured passage for every one of them .

This was very good news, and I was going to ask more questions about my friends, but just then Count Loredan came walking towards the villa with his own sister, the Contessa Selina. I have known the Conte di Loredan ever since I could remember. Sometimes he even asked me to groom his horse and he allowed me to go with him when he brought out his falcon for hunting at times. He is very intelligent and wise about the world, and has always been very interested in us orphans. In fact, his palace was just across the lane from the orphanage.

The Conte di Loredan and his sister the Contessa approached the villa and greeted the Contessa Foscari

Instead, his sister the Contessa Selina is someone that I have heard about but never seen. They say that she speaks many languages like her Ambassador brother, and that she has visited many countries. I thought it would be good to talk with her like I do with her brother, but when I greeted her, she seemed very curt. I did not know what to do or say, but her brother the Count made a sign to me to be patient and not worry.

Garden Entrance to Villa Vesuviana

Then I realized that I did look like a mess. I was all sweaty from working since early morning, and my face was still flushed from the half-hour I had just spent in Ceces hot kitchen. Perhaps I smelled of garlic and onions, or even smelled like my partner Nella the donkey after hours of hauling supplies to and from the village. It was becoming very uncomfortable for me to stand there. As beautiful as the evening was, the atmosphere in that moment was not clear and calm. I found myself ready to go back to the kitchen. Cece is a tough lady, but after all is said and done, Cecce the Cook accepts each of us, especially us orphans, the way we are and then challenges us, encourages us, teaches us to become better .

Cece the Prince's cook helps the orphans


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Dear diary (1)


By MarieLouise Harcourt, 2010-07-04

Dear diary,

Today was such a lovely day at Versailles. First I had lots of tea with my dear sister-in-law, the duchess de Chartres. I am so happy for her, she is getting a baby! I am a bit jealous of her, I would love to have a baby. They are so adorable! I wish my husband didnt die so early, we could have made such gorgeous children together.

After my tea with my sister I went to the dauphine. She was talking to count Mercy. He is nice and I think he likes me as well, but I mostly dont know what hes talking about. Because he uses such difficult words! After count Mercy left I had some time alone with the dauphine. Apparently she wants to go to some kind of ball or opera! Those events are always ending so late! I would rather go to bed early, but the dauphine just loves the night.

But, theres another reason I couldnt join her to the ball. I wanted to give my condolences to the prince de Carpegne. Who recently lost his wife. Honestly, I never knew her, but it made me so sad I couldnt stop crying after I got back to my apartments. I am now a calmed down and writing this diary page.

Oh, before I forget, tomorrow I will visit some of the poor in Paris. I have some bread I want to give to them. Because they are suffering so much lately.

Bye my diary,

I see you tomorrow.

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Faithful friends and fierce pirates


By Fiorino Pera, 2010-07-03
All these days since our arrival in Melioria, Rico and and had wondered what had happened to the other children of Venezia, especially the orphans and apprentices that we knew so well. Where was Lodovico? and Rosaria? and Stella? Did Santi come to Melioria? He had told me many times that he never wanted to leave Venezia. Did he get his wish?

These were my worries until this morning when I suddenly ran into Lodovico at the port. What a surprise! I had gone down there to try to see if I could go with the fishermen, and there was Lodo (that's what I call Lodovico for short) who had the same idea. But we never went fishing! We were so excited to see each other that we forgot all else.

Then, another friend showed up: Stellina! She is so funny. She chatters and then twirls like a dancer when she begins to think of a new idea. I love to be with her, because she makes me laugh so much. Both Lodo and I were glad to see that she made it safely to Porto Melioria too.

Stellina has made it safely to Porto Melioria

Just as we were talking, we saw a strangely dressed man -- or maybe I should say undressed man. He wore no shirt and had a small, silly little hat on his head. and some horrible markings on his body. I was staring at him until Lodo poked me and hissed: He is a pirate. Don't stare!. We did not ask his name, but he saw us staring, so he called us over to the pier where there were some canon balls stacked up. He told us to try and shoot a canon ball, if we dared.

Lodo looked at Stellina and me, and then went forward. He followed the instructions of the pirate and loaded the canon. The pirate told us to move away and cover our ears - and then he set off a blast.

The pirate set off a canon blast

The noise was horrific. Worse, the whole port shook. I thought that everybody from the town would come running out, but no one did. Only the pirate ran down the pier, and on to a little skiff that took him out to sea.

I never spoke to pirates in Venezia, Lodo said, as we watched the pirate row out to sea, but they were certainly there. Maybe we will get to know some pirates this summer while we are in Melioria.

Oh, that would be very sweet!, exclaimed Stellina, much to our surprise. With that, the girl giggled (as she often does) and skipped and danced away, past the docks and into the village. Lodo looked after her, and then said to me: Pirates or no pirates, I am very glad to be here, Fiorino, and I am glad to see you again.

This was good to hear, and I told him that I thought the summer holiday was becoming very wonderful and that I hoped he would join all the rest of us at breakfast every morning at the Prince's villa. Lodo nodded and said that he would. After all, it is best to meet pirates on a full stomach.


Lodovico and Fiorino look forward to many adventures in Melioria

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