Lantern across the Sea: The Genoese Arbalester (Lover of the Sea Book 1)

Description

In 1277, Genoese sailor and crossbowman Ponzio Bastone sets out on a trading expedition across the Mediterranean. 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.

He travels across the expansive Genoese trading empire, using the commercial venture to conceal his prime mission.

Charles of Anjou is massing his fleets, proclaiming he will lead a crusade to free Jerusalem from the Muslims, hiding his actual goal of attacking Christian Constantinople. At each port of call, Bastone secretly meets with state leaders from Constantinople to Sicily to Spain, as a part of the conspiracy to thwart the king’s attack.