"It is time for us to get off this island and get back to the mainland," Prospero was saying. Prospero is older than Rico and I. Rico has just 12 years and I have almost 13, and both of us are apprentices. Prospero is older, maybe by four years (I am not sure).

Oh yes! I remember when I first met Prospero. He arrived from Parma with skills he learned in his family for producing cheese and prosciutto. Prosperos father sent him to Venezia to learn baking and cooking so that the family could open an Inn.

Prospero Pastorelli learns to bake

Rico was so small when he came to Venezia from Monselice. His father sent him to apprentice with the Bragadin family at their printing company. Soon Rico was running the printing presses and learning the crafts of making paper, carving characters, running and maintaing the printing press, and even book-binding. He was quick to learn, and quick to grow. He soon was as tall as me.

Rico Millefiori meets Fiorino Pera the first day he arrives in Venezia

For me, I had no family to direct me, but the gondoliers liked me, and Cristiano made me his apprentice. I was learning how to manage the gondola well, but then the floods came and we had to leave Venezia.

Cristiano il Gondoliere takes Fiorino Pera as an apprentice

Prospero, Rico and I came to Melioria with many others after the floods nearly a year ago. The Principe di Melioria offered to help us complete our apprenticeships. It has been difficult for us, since, unlike Venezia, there are few artisans in Melioria. Now with the prince missing, there is little hope.

Fiorino Pera and Rico Millefiori on their arrival in Melioria after the floods of Venezia

Rico looked up: "Do you have a plan, Prospero?"

The older boy nodded. "You both have contacts here on the island. So do I. Let us find out from these people if we can get passage to the mainland. That is the first thing. Once we are there, we can look for craftmasters who will school us."

Prospero tells us that we need a plan

We agreed. In the pit of my stomach I feel pain. Melioria has been wonderful, but I know I need to build a future. Prospero and Rico both have families. If anything goes wrong they can return to their homes. I had the help of the Patriarch of Venezia. I wonder if I can return to his household? But there is time for those thoughts afterwards. We have people we must contact if we are to leave this island.

The skies of Melioria darken at Prince's disappearance

*Baker's table that Prospero uses was designed byMadonna Nowles.