This series, three books so far, is in search of an agent and a publisher. Julian is a Greek subject of the Venetian Empire during the high Renaissance. Hoping to revive his family’s fortunes, he journeys from Crete to Venice, enlists in the Zorzi family mercenary company, and has various adventures around the Mediterranean. Synopses and sample chapters:
Lion on a Field of Red
In the first novel of the series, Julian studies Turkish, Italian, and the art of swordplay in his home town, Xania. At the age of sixteen, his teacher observes–not without misgivings–that he is, “probably the best of the young bravos around town with a blade.” In the year 1519 he journeys from Crete to Venice and becomes a ward of the powerful Zorzi merchant family, which had dealings with his father. After a bout with a champion, he is allowed to enter the family’s mercenary company. At the end of the book, Julian takes part in the battle of Pavia (February 1525), in which the French king is captured.
Illustration: artist unknown, Troops of Emperor Charles V in Germany, 1530. These would have been the same soldiers Julian fights alongside in Italy in 1525.
Julian in North Africa
In this volume, the protagonist is sent with two comrades to Tunis, North Africa, to help the Hafsid ruler repulse an expected attack by Spanish forces. A Venetian lady is married to the prince of the city, the trio together with Venetian marines rescues a stolen caravan of gold from sub-Saharan Africa, and Julian meets the French ambassador’s sister, a young widow.
Illustration: Holbein the Younger, Infantry Battle, about 1530
Soldier of Venice
In 1526, Ottoman Sultan Sulayman sets his sights on Vienna and Western Europe. Julian, now Captain Renier’s assistant, marches with the company to Vienna. The allied forces are defeated in Hungary, however, and the Germans, Austrians, and Italians have to decide what to do next. Is Vienna going to fall?
Illustration: Holbein the Younger, Infantry Battle, about 1530.
Kenneth Meyer 