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“Esmeralda’s breath caught, a vision flashed: Mack jumping in front of Prince Peter, his face set and determined, men scattering and shouting. “It’s nice to meet you. Welcome to Peccioli, Esmeralda.” Esmeralda tried to control her expression as the vision changed. She saw Mack bursting into a room, finding young Prince Peter contorted in pain, suspended above his bed. Mack bellowed a Scripture, and the black smoke departed, but the stench of sulfur lingered. Her eyes grew huge as she whispered, “The black smoke… you fought it…you saved the Prince from it.” Mack jerked his hand away. The vision cleared and Esmeralda looked at him in horror. “I’m so sorry. I should not have said that.” Mack, turning to Thaddeus, drawled, “Well, she is a surprise. You brought me a seer?” —Esmeralda ben Claude and Mack ben Robert” — Staci Morrison