Lantern Across the Sea: The Genoese Arbalester
$3.11
“Follow Ponzio Bastone, a Genoese crossbowman, as he navigates love, intrigue, and a dangerous conspiracy that could change the course of history. Join him and the enchanting Esmeray in their quest to prevent a devastating attack on Constantinople while overcoming personal obstacles. Immerse yourself in a world of pirates, assassins, and powerful alliances, and experience a story that will sweep you away. This thrilling novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and epic love stories.”
In 1279, thirteen years before Marco Polo returns from China, a will bestowing a basketful of macaroni is written by Ponzio Bastone, a Genoese crossbowman, and recorded in the city archives of Genoa.
Lantern Across the Sea tells the story of Bastone 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.
As he travels across the expansive Genoese trading empire, Bastone conceals his prime objective 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 to attack 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 avert the king’s attack.
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.
