Lantern Across the Sea

<p class=ql-align-justify>In 1279 <span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>thirteen years before Marco Polo returns from China Ponzio Bastone a Genoese crossbowman wrote his will giving a basketful of macaroni to his heirs. A copy of the will was filed in the city archives of Genoa. </span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Lantern Across the Sea</em><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> is the story of Bastone who sets out on a trading expedition across the Mediterranean during the thirteenth century.  He departs Genoa arranged to be married to a woman of the most powerful family in the city but on the voyage becomes enthralled with Esmeray the daughter of a Greek fisherman.  </span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>As he travels across the expansive Genoese trading empire Bastone conceals his prime aim midst the commercial venture. Charles of Anjou King of Sicily is massing his fleets proclaiming he will lead a crusade to free Jerusalem from the Muslims hiding his real goal of attacking Christian Constantinople.  At each port of call Bastone secretly meets with powerful state leaders from Constantinople to Sicily to Spain as a part of the conspiracy to thwart the king's attack. </span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Bastone and Esmeray amid a chaotic and dangerous world of pirates assassins slave traders and hostile family prejudice must together prevent a history-changing catastrophe.  </span></p><p><br></p>