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Date Posted: 11:44:53 03/09/12 Fri
Author: Denise
Subject: Race of Scorpions, Chapters 7 and 8.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/SOAOTO_-_Ferdinand_Ier_de_Naples.jpg/250px-SOAOTO_-_Ferdinand_Ier_de_Naples.jpg"> src="http://www.kleio.org/images/large/sforza/329.jpg">
Ferrante, King of Naples (Ferdinand I)


Chapter 7

Thomas has spent far too long ferrying Primaflora about Italy, waiting for her to find a suitable protector, and the money Nicholas provided is half gone. In Rome he is finally able to rid himself of the woman and itching to fight again, makes his way to Astorre (and Skanderbeg) and the mercenary army. Neither Astorre nor Thomas are proponents of the Pope, Ferrante or Skanderbeg but both enjoy the fight against Piccinino, the mercenary leader on the side of John of Calabria. They assume there will be no help from Urbino, who is too far away and busy with his own battles (with Malatesta).

News reaches Astorre that Nicholas, Tobie and Urbino’s troops are on their way. Astorre is pleased as punch, though Thomas wishes Nicholas would stay far away and out of his life!

The army of John of Calabria seems larger, stronger, but Ferrante’s army still wins the battle. In the aftermath, Astorre and Tobie search for Nicholas, but he is nowhere to be found. Their only conclusion is that he has been captured, though by whom.

Chapter 8

Nicholas wakes up, weakened from fever and disoriented. Slowly memories come back to him regarding the battle, and he recognizes that he is imprisoned aboard a ship. When brought for questioning, Nicholas confronts and unknown man and Primaflora. He thinks that he is sailing to Cyprus, with the expectation of working for Carlotta, but he is wrong, and it is the usurper, James the half-brother of Carlotta, who has abducted him. Nicholas has previously refused to work for both Carlotta and James, and wants no part of their fight for Cyprus, but he has no control over the present situation.

Thoughts of refusing James are complicated by Primaflora. Who is she working for? Is she manipulating Nicholas, on the side of James, Carlotta, or in some sort of trouble? Nicholas is dismissed and sent to share the cabin of Primaflora, and unexpectedly runs into Master Crackbene, the captain of the Doria. He realizes that he’s on the Doria, which has been hijacked by James’ men, and knows the ship’s crew which may later prove advantageous. He hopes Tobie and Astorre are looking for him and may connect the missing round ship with his disappearance.

After a rest and nourishment, Primaflora and Nicholas talk about their options – jump ship? Beautiful Primaflora uses her talents as a courtesan and plays the lute for Nicholas, then offers him release from his tensions for a time.

1. Tobie and Astorre discuss how Nicholas is proficient at coercion and only tells partial truths to get what he wants. Is that true? If so, why do these fellows stay with Nicholas if they think so little of him?

2. t seemed that Tobie was the most worried and insistent that Nicholas be located after the battle. This relates to the last question – he seems to have contradictory feelings towards Nicholas – or does he? What do you think?

3. Playing the flute, playing for time, playing one person against another, Primaflora seems to be playing a game all the time. What were your initial impressions of the beautiful courtesan?

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