The Ship

The newlysettled city of Venice in the Sixth Century AD A wandering people struggle to establish Christian Theocracy Basiliola Faledro an exotic dancer wicked and cunning arrives from faraway lands seeking to avenge her pagan lineage Her father and brothers blinded and humilated by frenzied zealots Her primary targets are the brothers Gràtico both newlyelected to positions of power One Marco an arbiter and tribune the other Sergio a bishop The title refers to a bold pronouncement made by Deaconess Ema Gràtico to her subjects the Venetians a seafaring and desperate tribe That their native homeland is aboard a ship