“What about the Ritter?” Simon asked him.

“He is the Ritter,” Barry laughed nervously and shrugged and rubbed his left hand against his cheek, betraying his discomfiture. “He is what he is... Brother? Is there something else you want to ask or say to me? Has something happened?” Barry wondered if someone might not have told him what had occurred at Lucio’s apartment. If perhaps Armand de Bleu might have confessed their near treason in a fit of contrition.

“No,” Simon answered and stood up. He would get no where like this. If they had doubts about the Master and were planning a coup or some other action, he was the last one they would discuss it with. “I was just concerned about what the girls were saying about the sacrifice. As far as my father’s intentions where Sir Ramsay is concerned, I do not know. Tomorrow, we are supposed to start a search for him. I suppose that will ultimately tell the tale. The girls must be confused. Perhaps I should speak more with them on the matter.”

“Perhaps you should,” Barry agreed and went to open the door for him.

Simon stepped onto the walkway in front of the Knight’s quarters and his cell phone chirped in his pocket. He walked away from Barry’s door before answering it softly. Lucio’s most recent ‘pen name’ appeared on the tiny screen: Serafino Saviero. Ardent Angel of the New House. Hmmm, Simon mused and frowned. A name chosen for him by his beloved Jasmine and known only to Jasmine, himself, Lucio’s apprentice and possibly Ruth Carlotti.

“Oui?”

“Brother?” It was Ramsay, not Lucio. He could hear loud voices in the background.

“Oui.” Simon hurried away to his quarters and let himself inside.

“How soon can you come to Naples?”

“Now, I suppose. What is wrong? Is Lucio all right? What is all that noise?”