Changing the GuardAnother wave of dispirited ‘huzzahs’ made Roberto smile. It had taken him less than a day after his return to Aurea to find another troupe willing to take him in. Sadly for the Archiari troupe, but in a marvellous stroke of fortune for Roberto, their Scapino had disappeared during the festivities the week before. No sign had been seen of him since. The Archiaris were pleased to take on an experienced Scapino.
Now Roberto stood onstage, bowing to the market day crowd. His own excitement was not mirrored in the faces of the rest of the troupe. Their performance had begun badly, for the chosen canovaccio had simply not been there when they had tried to find it. They had begun the tale of the ambitious seamstress, but the story had failed to unfold. Though most players had b
