Yesterday I went to the market place to see if I could get supplies for a voyage as far as Napoli, Prospero told Rico and I.

The three of us sat on Prosperos bed in our dormitory, and Prospero spoke softly so nobody could overhear. At a certain point I heard someone laughing, and when I looked up I saw an old woman was pointing at me. It was so dark and misty by the port that I could barely see her face, but motioned me to come to her table.

The old woman seemed to be selling herbs. I stepped up to her table and she looked me up and down. Ragazzo mio, I will tell you your fortune, but I can tell that you have not the money to pay for it, so I will tell you for free, she said to me in a laughing voice.

Before I could react, she told me to choose three herbs. I pointed to three without thinking too much. The woman took those herbs and placed them in the center, then she arranged the other herbs and spices around them. She looked in my eyes and said in a sing-song voice: You will soon receive a grand sum of money, but you will spend it all to leave this island. You will seek your fortune will find misfortune until you return home. There you will be safe and flourish. Act wisely, and Fortune will come hunting for you.

The old woman grinned: Ah, ragazzo mio, you are happy with this news?.

I blushed, and pulled out the few coins I had and put them on her table, but she put them back in my hand. Your friends will be safe if they travel with you, she whispered, but beware! Evil ones there are that capture foolish youths for their own ends. You would be in great danger if Fortune were not looking for you too. She waved me off and I could hear her laughing again as I left the market place to come back to the villa. So here I am!

The message seemed very strange to me. I could see that Rico was confused too. Prospero just smiled and said: Do you see? The old woman said Fortune would hunt for us! Fortune sent Count Algarotti to give money to Rico. If we stick together, good fortune will find us. Good signs! I say that we leave Melioria tomorrow morning.