The Oasis flickered by candlelight; it was alive with sound and motion. Don Peppe, Luca, and an assortment of musicians gathered near the stage.
Niccolo straightened his sore and trembling fingers at the bar. "I need something to eat."
Jerome nodded. "Have any money?"
"None."
"This isn't a nobleman's castle to beg from."
Luca stood to his feet and put an arm around Niccolo. "If you're hungry, you'll just have to go back to work." Luca offered his half-full plate. Niccolo took the food in his hands and greedily devoured it. The night passed in conversation and song, like so many others before it. Day and night meant nothing to them. And somehow, those who met within those four walls formed a camaraderie unlike anything found in the world. It was nearly daylight before they rested. . .
The next day's afternoon was unseasonably warm. The sound of Niccolo's cithara emanated from deep inside an orange grove. Niccolo played a new song. He concentrated intensely as he tried to make it all the way through. An orange suddenly whirled past his head.
Niccolo was startled to see an angry farmer leering at him. "Music. Always music."
Niccolo nudged a basket of handpicked oranges with his foot. The farmer's mood cooled. He took the basket and plodded away.
Niccolo waited for him to walk off a little ways and began his song again. Sonja appeared behind him. She held a small scroll. Without looking, Niccolo took the scroll and tore it open.
"Do you enjoy creeping in from the shadows, Sonja?"
"Not as much as you enjoy ruining my surprises."
"Perhaps because most of the people you surprise don't survive the encounter?"
"I strive to be useful."
Niccolo read a moment. The look on his face changed. He sat quietly, expressionless. Slowly, he handed the scroll back. "It's coming."
"Yes. As we planned. And, your money."
Niccolo felt the silver coins fall into his hand. He closed his fist around them. "Late as usual."
Sonja leaned against a tree. "What is Josef planning?"
"I don't know."
"For your sake, find out."
"Bring me the keys to the castle."
"Confident, aren't you?" She reaches for an orange. "You'll have them."
"How did you come by keys to Pallas?"
"You're a spy. Figure it out. Have I amused the great Niccolo?"
Niccolo settled back, looking up at the obscured sun through the canopy of swaying leaves.