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Date Posted: 08:48:26 04/20/12 Fri
Author: Elaine ()
Subject: The Final Three Chapters of 'Race of Scorpions'

Photobucket
Palazzo Zacco

Chapter 45
Fat Father Jordan, having been rescued from the Adorno by Crackbene, was now on Cyprus. Diniz is certain that his grandfather wishes to harm his new friend, Nicholas. Diniz requests an audience with FFJ, and is flatly denied. Even Primaflora cannot seem to change the old man’s mind.

Nicholas and le Grant enter Nicosia along with Ludovico, cloaked from the rain. The priest tells Diniz he can get him in to see FFJ.

Nicholas and Diniz are taken to an audience with Cropnose. Seated next to her are both Primaflora and FFJ. Cropnose explains that Nicholas has been charged with the murder of Diniz’s father and Katelina, and of being Nicholas’ slave-lover.

Cropnose questions Nicholas and Diniz, and the facts are made evident. Cropnose will not punish anyone; FFJ is technically a captive whose ransom has not yet arrived, and has no authority to bring charges against anyone.

All this time, Primaflora sat silently. She was wearing a necklace that Nicholas could not have afforded. She seemed to have a special place next to Cropnose, and this was not lost on Nicholas.

It is then announced by Cropnose that Zacco wishes to produce male heirs with Primaflora. P acknowledges before Nicholas that she has ‘found Apollo in the island of Apollo.’ Nicholas’ marriage to Primaflora will be dissolved by the king.

Chapter 46
Allowed to speak alone together one last time, Primaflora tells Nicholas that, when Zacco tires of her, she will return to him. As they share a passionate final kiss, there is a knock at the door. Nicholas predicts that it will be Loppe. Indeed it is Loppe, who holds an object and an envelope in his hands.

Nicholas asks Loppe to produce the object, the veil which Primaflora had once given to Katelina. The envelope contained the letter he had written on the Feast of St. Nicholas, just prior to his planned assault on Famagusta. Also inside was the small item he wished to give her. She read the letter. The exact wording of the letter is not made known to us, but judging by Primaflora’s response, Nicholas describes his suspicions that she tried to kill Katelina.

Truth be told, Nicholas had been using Primaflora all along in order to manipulate Zacco. And Primaflora had been using Nicholas in order to capture a king. Two skilled schemers at work.

The prize falls out of the envelope. It is the blue and silver emblem of the Order of Cuprus, awarded to him by both Carlotta and Zacco. ‘To remain loyal,’ it read. This is what Primaflora would have received had Nicholas died at Famagusta. It was his most prized possession, probably because it represented the culmination of his efforts in Cyprus, and now it belonged to his former wife.

Next morning Nicholas is awakened by Astorre, who wishes to inquire about the future of Nicholas’ army. The two men consider with regret that much of the world around them is at peace or something like it, offering little need for an army at the moment.

Seeking the advice of his other merry men, they discuss all the opportunities that lay before them, whether it be to remain on Cyprus, return to Bruges, go to Africa or Portugal. Apparently at this moment, the world is their oyster.

In the end, Nicholas decides to go where his bank is located – Venice.

Chapter 47 and Final
Zacco requests the presence of Nicholas at the Palace. He rides from his villa on Chennaa. He is Nicholas again, himself alone. No longer the king’s trusted friend.

Zacco, accompanied by a beautiful man, David de Salmeton, now bestows a silk and sable robe to Nicholas. David is an agent/broker for the Vatachino. He will see to Zacco’s many financial (and personal) interests.

Nicholas asks who the head of the Vatachino might be. David does not answer. (Please make note of this exchange for future reference.)

A clerk comes to the door announcing that Mick Crackbene had rescued FFJ and removed him from Cyprus. There would be no ransom received for de Riberac’s safe return, and Nicholas was wholly responsible for it.

Nicholas had also paid Diniz’s ransom. Both Diniz and his horrid grandfather were safely on their way to Portugal aboard the Doria, the ship Nicholas had once owned, but was now insured … by the Vatachino (under a pseudonym). Diniz was safe, FFJ was off the island and Nicholas would get paid for the Doria by his insurance company.

Nicholas decides to leave Nicosia for Kouklia. At his farewell audience with Cropnose, both accuse each other of ruthlessness. His farewell audience with Zacco was friendly but final.

Once again we have come to the end of another of Nicholas’ excellent adventures. I welcome your thoughts and comments in general on this tale.
Q1) Whom do you feel is the more complex character – Lymond or Niccolo? Why?

Last edited by author: Fri April 20, 2012 08:48:52   Edited 1 time.

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