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Date Posted: 14:39:09 04/14/12 Sat
Author: Elaine
Subject: Chapters 35, 36 and 37 - Race of Scorpions

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St. Nicholas Cathedral (currently a Mosque in the city of Famagusta)

Chapter 35
The chapter opens with Zacco proclaiming to Nicholas that they will celebrate his feast day (St. Nicholas Day, December 6) at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Famagusta. Nicholas and le Grant devise a plan of attack to finish off Famagusta based upon intelligence which revealed the city’s food and water stores were in low supply. It is late Fall – Advent, in fact. Loppe returns, having increased the sugar profits.

The plan to destroy Famagusta’s arsenal fails, however. Pesaro summons Nicholas to Sigouri where he tells him that only 2,000 citizens of Famagusta are still alive now, but those remaining are determined to fight to the bitter end because they still expect rescue by sea. Pesaro then reveals to Nicholas that, since December 6 is near but Famagusta remains under siege, Zacco will hold December 6 feast day celebrations in his own capital.

Chapter 36
The home of Nicholas and Primaflora is well appointed, and Tobie is frustrated by its opulence. Nicholas joins Tobie after having been gone for 5 weeks on the battlefield. It is the evenof St. Nicholas Day. Nicholas hopes to persuade Zacco to call a Christmas truce.

Primaflora tells Nicholas the sad news from Trebizond – the former emperor, David, has been killed along with most of his children.

A great procession in honor of St. Nicholas leads the town into the cathedral for the liturgy. Also attending the Mass is Ludovico de Severi da Bologna. Afterward, at Zacco’s palace, Nicholas was given a seat of honor next to the king. Two of the three Zorzi brothers were present, leaving only TGWTWL absent. Sor de Naves broke the news to Nicholas that Primaflora is barren, and that it has been common knowledge in Carlotta’s court.

Zacco adamantly refuses to allow for a Christmas truce with Famagusta. Nicholas then suggests that he lead an assault so as to finally bring an end to the siege. Zacco forbids this as well. Nicholas leaves the party with Ludovico.

Chapter 37
Ludovico and Nicholas meet up with Tobie and LeGrant. They arrive at the Dominicans abbey where they encounter Abul Ismail and Markios of Patras (Cropnose’s brother). Together they argue over the surrender of Trebizond, and Nicholas learns that Carlotta’s premature son, an heir to her kingdom, has died.

Markios would prefer that Nicholas lead an assault on Famagusta, clearly sharing his hatred of the people of that city, but he is aware that Zacco would never allow it. Nicholas then informs them all that he has decided to go against Zacco’s wishes and wage an assault anyway.

We learn that Nicholas was prepared for Zacco’s refusal for a truce. The water supply to Famagusta had been restored, and rations were sent over the wall even before Nicholas met with Zacco on St. Nicholas Day. They later learned those rations had been poisoned. Nicholas suspects Tzani-bey is responsible. The only alternative now is to launch an assault on Famagusta.

Q1) Regarding the announcement that Primaflora is barren: ”He hadn’t known. It didn’t matter. Now, it didn’t matter.” Why didn’t it matter now to Nicholas? Did it ever matter to him?

Q2) ”There were times when John le Grant wondered how Tobie managed to be such a very good doctor and yet fail to ask himself primary questions about Nicholas.” Is Tobie really clueless when it comes to Nicholas, or is Tobie simply in denial?

Q3) Was it wise that Nicholas took Famagusta into his own hands even before asking Zacco to consider a truce?

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