“The Chinese send self-propelled tubes made from bamboo hundreds of yards into the air with it,” said Marco Polo. “It could make a fearsome weapon for war.”

“I see that,” said Othello. “I would not want to fight an enemy who had mastered this powder first.”

“Which is why no other soldiers in the West have yet seen it,” said I.

“And the Genoans did not make you tell them of this?” Othello asked Polo.

“They did not know to ask. Only a few friends in Venice have ever seen it, and then it was only a novelty at a dinner party. The Genoans only wanted to know if my family had money and if they would pay for my return. Anything more I might have told them only Drool heard.”

“It were lovely,” said Drool.

“You were in prison, you nitwit,” said I.

“Aye,” said Drool, a dreamy look in his eye.

Othello went to the table and looked at the lacquer box, with its compartments, fitted the lid on it, then ran his finger around the edges of the box while thinking. “No city could stand under a siege armed with weapons made of this.”

“No,” said I. “Not for long.”

“A general who has this has the lightning hand—if his cause is not just, he would be a devil.”

“Aye,” said I. “A general who wages war for a republic whose cause is not just would make devils of soldiers, and turn honor to evil.”

“I think you are not so much a fool as I thought.”

“And neither are you, milord.”

“I think it’s time for you to return to Venice, Pocket.”

“Aye,” said I.

“I will have a ship readied for you.”

“Signor Polo, will you fetch Jessica and tell her to be ready? Bundle her up if you must. I suspect we’ll sail on the tide. Drool, go to our quarters and ready our gear.”

Othello nodded, exchanged farewells and thanks with Marco Polo, and wished them on their way, while I stayed behind.

“I’ll be along presently,” I called.

“Othello, have I told you about how the bishop of York ordered me hanged when I was only a lad, barely sprouting a beard?”

“No. A bishop, you say? How did you escape?”

“I didn’t. I was hanged. And then freed to follow my fancy, find my fortune, and become a fool and a king.”

“Because you were hanged?”