The Epic [Closed] [Latica]

[Greater Latica]

July 1786- Rome

The attendees dispersed, some back to their temporary lodgings, and others began their own tedious journeys back to their home countries. With the building almost empty Maximillian excitedly led the Cardinal down into the now empty main theatre, and up onto the stage, where Anna stood waiting. Hans was conveniently absent from Maximillian's 'demonstration'.

"As you can see, you aren't the only one with a secret army." stated Maximillian as he walked forwards, "However mine has a slight twist." He rapped on Anna's breast plate with his knuckles, "This here is just for show, the real surprise is underneath."
Placing a hand on either side of her helmet, and raised it slowly, before delicately positioning it on the ground.

"The idea comes from a loophole in our peace treaty with Hungary, placing limits on our numbers of 'Men-at-arms and Armed Men', however Anna, as you can see is not a man and therefore not covered. Though I doubt that this is not a surprise for you, I reckon you know every time I cough." Maximillian continued, a prominent grin sweeping across his face.
"So if you think I already know this, why go through all of this effort to show me?" The Cardinal asked raising his eyebrows.
"To show that I trust you with one of Austria's state secrets, and because this isn't the only reason I asked for your audience."
Cardinal Jacques raised his hand, stroking his beard, "I'm intrigued, please continue."
Maximillian placed his arm around Anna's shoulders, "I could use your help with something. Something that might be a challenge even for you and your abilities."
"Try me, you'll be amazed at what I can accomplish"
"Let us see. As you know I'm a Royal, and Anna is a commoner, and I request your assistance in getting her Declared a Royal."
Anna tilted her head and leant it against Maximillian's, both silently awaited the Cardinal's decision.

[Il Magnifico]

July 1786 – Rome, The Papal States

The Cardinal’s jaw dropped, and for a split second he seemed to lose the Machiavellian veil that always masked his feelings.

“You cannot be serious?” Jacques asked bluntly, sharply exhaling.

Maximillian met his gaze without faltering. The Cardinal composed himself and nodded.

“You are serious…” He paused before continuing. “Well I hope you’re very serious about this. I wouldn’t want the fate of Austria to be negatively affected by a teenage dalliance… That being said, I can help you; but you will owe me.”

“If you will allow me a couple of weeks to come up with something, I might be able to meet you in Vienna with a solution.” Jacques nodded again, more to reassure himself than Maximillian. “Thank you though, for trusting me with this.” He added, the pair said their goodbyes and departed from him, the Cardinal closed his eyes in thought…

August 1786 – Naples, The Kingdom of Naples

The dining room was ornately decorated. It was to be expected; the wealth the Loreti family had created for itself over the past two decades had to be put to some use. The opulence was particularly emphasised this evening, as King Ferdinand IV and his wife Queen Maria Carolina of Austria had come for dinner.

Alvise Loreti, having escaped Venice months ago, sat at the head of the rectangular table, the symbolism of the seating plan wasn’t lost on him, and he revelled in the appearance of having power over the King in his home; indeed Ferdinand, who was only thirty-six looked quite awkward and out of place surrounded by the elder Loretis.

In the place to Alvise’s right sat his wife, Maria, and on his left his brother Jacopo, who was noticeably doing his best to avoid making eye contact with the thirty-four year old Queen. Jacopo, the middle brother of the senior Loretis, was unlike Alvise in that his appearance didn’t naturally assert authority, and unlike their younger brother Giuseppe, still imprisoned in Venice, who had the natural frame of a soldier, Jacopo had the appearance of a scribe, emphasised his spectacles and furrowed brow.

Next to Maria sat Ferdinand and opposite him Jacopo’s wife Lucia Loreti’s bright eyes portrayed a natural spirit that was absent from the eyes of the other Loreti women. Naturally the Queen sat to the King’s right and across from her Francesco, Alvise’s nineteen year old son and heir sat, looking bored and generally disinterested with the family business and completely unimpressed by the presence of the royals.

Right at the end of the table, next to Francesco sat Giuseppe’s wife Clara who had been invited to the royal meal out of sympathy and across from her, next to the Queen sat Helena, her and Giuseppe’s sixteen year old daughter, who was repeatedly pestering the Queen about her beautiful dress.

The dinner group were engaged in discussion and Alvise, sitting back and observing as everyone finished their meals, was simply amazed at how successful Jacopo had been at ensuring the Loretis remained the main voice of influence in Naples whilst he had been off seeing to Venice.

“…Well of course, it all worked in the end and Charlie, as you know, is now heir to the Spanish throne, whilst I outrank him as a King!” Ferdinand finished his little rant about his elder brother and received some polite laughter from Jacopo and the ladies. The Neapolitan ruler took a long drink of wine.

“How interesting. But it is good to know the Naples’s alliance with Spain continues without glitch, you majesty.” Alvise cut in, looking to adjust the topic away from Ferdinand’s royal connections and onto Maria Carolina’s. “The new Austrian ruler, of course, gives me more cause for concern. I had thought Naples the child of unity between Bourbon Spain and Hapsburg Austria, the connector young and old. Yet it’s my understanding you aren’t on the most gracious terms with your nephew your grace?”

Maria Carolina took a delicate bite of her pudding and chewed away for several seconds, giving thought to Alvise’s question. “Signore Loreti, please understand due to recent developments in Austria… Family business feels rather more personal in present times.”

Alvise turned away from her and redirected his gaze for a second and King Ferdinand turned to a footman and asked for more wine. While the King’s eyes were averted, the elder Loreti glanced at Jacopo and the Queen followed his eyes as he spoke. “Ah… We are all more or less related here, please… Tell me the nation’s alliances remain intact?”

“Well signore, you would know full well where are alliances stand if you bothered to stay in the country instead of taking half our army off on some ill-conceived Venetian excursion.” She quipped, her face having reddened at Alvise’s implication.

“Indeed I would, if I wasn’t trying to secure his majesty the crown of a united Italia. A task made ever-more difficult by the rate at which we are losing old friends.” Alvise replied, equally as quickly.

“Now now, you two… Settle down.” Ferdinand interjected, and an awkward silence descended as the pair exchanged a virtual conversation through eye contact.

Maria Carolina refused to avert her eyes from Alvise’s. Does that little Lord think he can blackmail a Queen? She thought to herself.

Alvise licked his upper lip contemptuously. Get into bed with my brother and you’re actually getting into bed with me you Austrian whore! Alvise glared back at her.


Jacopo Loreti, Chief Advisor to King
Ferdinand IV of Naples and secret lover
of Maria Carolina of Austria served as
his brother's agent in the Neapolitan
Court, allowing Alvise to personally
involve himself in business that took
him across Italy.

The exchanged continued until Lucia, Jacopo’s wife interrupted, her question causing both powers to avert their eyes. “What do you mean, Alvise, we are all more or less related? I think it a rather poor remark given the presence of two people from dynasties that stretch back through history, united by their love in the eyes of god.”

Alvise took a drink of wine himself before replying. “Perhaps it was, I apologise your majesties… But Lucia dear, you have highlighted an excellent point, is the union of the dynasties secure? We must know! Is Naples secure in spite of the Hapsburg split?”

“Something bothering you Alvise? You seem incredibly worried about the nation’s security all of a sudden…” Ferdinand chimed in, relaxing back in his chair.

“I simply wish to know whether or not I can continue to do the task I was appointed to do. Events that have dominated the news in Venice, are not to our advantage… If my continued work on the peninsular should antagonise the Venetians further then I would be very worried if we could no longer rely on Austrian support…” Loreti explained, without giving too much away of his role in causing the Venetian crisis, he had until very recently been operating far from the oversight of Ferdinand.

King Ferdinand was quick to reply, sensing the discomfort emanating from his wife. “Well it’s all fine Alvise, if you don’t believe me you are more than welcome to go and ask Emperor Maximillian yourself. In fact, sending a delegation to the young Emperor might be an excellent way to make amends for all the pointless family nonsense that has come between the Queen and her nephew in recent years. I just thought of that on the spot! Haha! Jacopo see to it that plans are set in motion for such a visit. You are my Chief Minister after all!”

Alvise Loreti sank back into his chair, mimicking the relaxed nature of the King’s own position. He sat silently for a minute, contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of leading a diplomatic delegation to Austria. The journey would require him to travel through Rome where he had some business to take care of… Yes, he nodded to Jacopo who was looking at him, cautiously awaiting the orders of his family head before replying to the King. Alvise nodded.

“Very good, your majesty.” Jacopo finally said in response.

“Good. Darling, you’ll have to write to little Maximillian and let him know Alvise will be coming, put some of the hard feelings aside. I mean, it is more important to our immediate prosperity as a family that I become King of Italy than it is that Leopold becomes King of Austria!” Ferdinand laughed. No-one else did, and the silence that filled the room seemed to emphasise the dynamic power struggle that Maria Carolina had just lost to Alvise Loreti.

[Greater Latica]

August 1786- Vienna

"It appears my popularity on the International stage is increasing," Mused Maximillian, "Our favourite Cardinal will soon be indulging us with his presence, the Venetians are planning a state visit and now Naples are offering to send a diplomatic envoy."
""It appears so, you're bordering on being a celebrity!" Hans chuckled, "However the trick is going to be keeping everyone happy."
"How so?"
"Venice and Naples are in opposition to one another, and I'm not entirely sure whose side Cardinal Jacques is on, and more importantly what motivates him."
"I understand your point, however, he has an army now, so it would be best to keep him onside, the same with the Venetians, I wouldn't want to have to fight their navy with those First Rates."
"Indeed. I still don't trust then."
"The Premier of Venice seemed trustworthy to me."
"And if he wasn't, he'd want you to think that he was. I'm just saying that perhaps it might be prudent to ensure we had preparations, should it come to the worst."
"So what do you suggest? I'm certain that he has agents everywhere, all I need to do is sneeze and he'll have someone there with a handkerchief to say 'bless you'."
"There must be other places we can turn. Like Russia, or perhaps the Prussians, King Frederick II died a few days ago, perhaps his successor, King Frederick William II, can be persuaded to be more pro-Austrian."
"I'm not too sure about this."
"I'm not suggesting that we turn our backs on the Cardinal, I feel we should keep our options open, it can't hurt to get our foot in the door, exploit this new ruler, exactly as everyone else does whenever a nations ruler changes."
"I guess, but only if we make it subtle. We'll need all the help we can get if we are to reunite Austria and Hungary."
"Exactly, if Prussia can lend us military support then the Cardinal can keep his work with us hidden away, completely over shadowed."
"If you'd like to put in place the preparations, I'm going to head to my room. Unless there's something else you wish to speak about?"
"There is this one thing...."
"Yes...."
"I've noticed, You and your bodyguard, are getting quite close..."
"What, with Anna? Nothing of the Sort!" Maximillian lied, hoping to god that Hans bought it.
"On first name terms, I see."
"No, it isn't like that at all!" Maximillian exclaimed, "Nothing could ever happen between us. I'm a Royal and she's a Commoner, It'd cause a crisis!"
"It's good that you remember your place, and remember hers."
Maximillian glanced fleetingly about the room, for an excuse to leave, he hated lying and being deceitful, especially to Hans, his most trusted advisor. It was then he noticed Anna in the doorway, for once not wearing her helmet and in that instant he knew that she'd heard every single word. The tears welling in her azure eyes, as she looked at him. Her body trembled, and shakily turned to leave. Hans stood staring at Maximillian, blissfully unaware of Anna behind him. Maximillian knew that he had to go after her.
"It will never happen, and do not insinuate that it will ever again. Now I'm going, I've got to plan several receptions and you've got a diplomatic mission to arrange and organise." stated Maximillian, projecting his frustrations onto Hans.
"As you wish." Hans now knew he'd pushed too far, and decided to leave before things got worse.

Hans swiftly walked out of the room, before Maximillian could vent more onto him. Once he'd left, shutting the door behind him, Maximillian went from standing to breaking out into a full run, he had to find Anna and sort everything out. He headed first for her room, he'd used his authority to secure her one of the main bedrooms in the Hofberg Palace, one conveniently close to his, on the pretence that the closer she was the better able she would be to protect him. Panting he reached her door, he could hear her gentle muffled sobbing. He reached to grasp the door handle, when his hand was batted away. Gabriele placed herself between him and the door, adopting a fighting stance, fists raised.

"I might be one of your guards, but I won't hesitate to knock you down, if you try to come through this door. She isn't just a piece of meat! She has feelings too! You just exploited her social insecurities to prove your superiority!" Gabriele spurted angrilly
"I did nothing of the sort!" Maximillian retorted, "now let me through!"
"Never! Don't you think that you've caused enough damage?"
"You've got it entirely wrong!" He rebuked.
"That's what they all say! Not only is she prepared to give her life for yours, she's completely devoted to you!"
"And I to her!"
"That isn't what it sounded like!"
"Hans would be mad if he found out! I had to lie to him! I love her!"
"That may be the case, but you still aren't getting in." There was a look of rigid determination on her face.
"Fine. If that's how you want to play." Maximillian stormed off down the hallway to his own room, defiantly slamming the door. It took every ounce of his strength and willpower to prevent himself from smashing up his room in anger, but even that level of self control didn't stop the tears from rolling down his own cheeks. He sat on his bed, face in his hands and cried. He'd lost the one person he'd truly loved, all because of a simple misunderstanding. He wracked his brain for any thought of a solution, he had to fix this.

[Il Magnifico]

August 1786 – Vienna, The Austrian Empire

Cardinal Jacques was pacing nervously. It would have been a rare sight to behold, were it not for the fact that he was alone in one of the vast opulent reception rooms of Maximillian’s Imperial Palace.

Suddenly a door at the far end of the room opened and Lilianna walked in daintily and strode across the room towards him, in her hands she carried an envelope, sealed with the ink-splattered crest of the House of Bourbon.

“I was supposed to go through three minutes ago Lilianna, there had better be a good reason for this!?” He berated her as she approached, his voice loud but not quite shouting.

“Vance was behaving….. Awkwardly…” She replied aloof.

“I trust you dealt with him appropriately?” The Cardinal raised an eyebrow.

“I promised him we’d think about rewarding him with a palazzo in Venice for his work. That seemed to work..."

“He’s a petty thief, Lilianna, his reward should be his continued freedom from the eyes of the law...” Jacques replied, stroking his beard.

“In fairness, Cardinal, he did go to great lengths to secure this for us…” She replied, pressing the envelope into the Cardinal’s hands.

“…I hope you are not letting your personal feelings get in the way of clear rational thinking.” Jacques said, locking her eyes in a steely gaze. “Anyway… Is everything what we agreed?...” Jacques asked looking down at the letter.

“It is, Vance informs me that your recent scandal with the Queen, was more than enough to get Louis’s consent to the forging of a birth certificate.”

“Ah, well that will teach her majesty not to play with fire.” The Cardinal chuckled. “I do so hope she manages to avoid causing as much controversy in the future.”

Jacques nodded respectfully to Lilianna, who turned to leave as the Cardinal himself turned and walked over to the door behind him, he threw open the doors to the room in which Emperor Maximillian waited for him…

“Your Imperial Majesty!” The Cardinal boomed, striding authoritatively across the room towards him. “I come bearing good news!” He grinned. He also surveyed the room as he walked, noting the complete absence of advisors. Maximillian stood at the far end, leaning against an armchair and looking distantly out of one of the vast windows that lined the right hand side of the room. “Is everything alright?” Jacques asked as he neared, noticing how the Emperor hadn’t even turned to acknowledge him.

“Cardinal, you’re late.” Maximillian said, turning to face him at last, as Jacques reached his side. “And you forgot to bow.” He added, observantly.

“A bow is trivial compared to the gift I bring you.” Jacques replied, his smile thinning but not fading. He bowed courteously as well. He could tell there was something wrong but couldn’t put his finger on what.

“I hope you’ve been successful Cardinal, there’s more riding on this than I think even you know…” Maximillian replied sighing.

“I bring a letter from you’re aunt’s husband…”

“I have several aunts Cardinal, it’s one of the problems that comes with being a Hapsburg?” Maximillian questioned, a smile flashed across his face for a second, demonstrating his continued sense of humour for a mere moment, before it became disguised by whatever was occupying his mind.

The Cardinal let out a polite laugh before speaking. “I was referring to King Louis XVI of France, who aside from being your uncle-in-law will also soon be your father-in-law, at least in the eyes of the world if not in god’s.” Jacques nodded as he handed Maximillian the envelope.

Maximillian opened it without the aid of a letter-opener and surveyed the birth certificate and accompanying letter from Louis XVI. He smiled to himself, and the Cardinal took the opportunity to look around the room, which to him felt strangely empty…

“May I ask what’s troubling you, sire?” Jacques asked quietly, Maximillian’s eyes remained fixed on the papers.

“It’s just the… the realm.” Maximillian answered when the silence became unbearable. Jacques wasn’t so convinced, as he finally realised why the room felt so empty. Anna wasn’t present. In either the function of guard or bride-to-be. Jacques stoked his beard thoughtfully, he hoped he hadn’t had this all stirred up for nothing. “How did you manage this Cardinal?” Maximillian asked, finally meeting the Cardinal’s gaze.

Jacques leaned closer to him as he began to speak. “Well… I’m guessing I can trust you.” He paused, Maximillian nodded. “Over the last couple of months, a scandal has swept across France, you might have heard about it… The Affair of the Diamond Necklace... The press are calling it. Well your aunt, Marie Antoinette, bless her, didn’t appreciate the influence my organisation held over her husband during the American conflict... She tried to run us out of Paris… A friend of mine from Rome, the good Cardinal de Rohan helped me orchestrate the scandal and discredit her actions. The scandal so unnerved Louis however, that he was more than willing to approve the construction of the false identity for Anna; as soon as he knew that I was the one requesting it, and you can always trust a Bourbon to keep his mouth shut, I think their naturally predisposed towards the covering up of the truth.” Jacques grinned and Maximillian also smiled once again, happy with the Cardinal’s jibe towards the rival house.

Jacques really had outdone himself, now it was Maximillian who owed him…

[Greater Latica]

August 1786- Vienna

Maximillian pressed the roughly opened envelope, and its contents, firmly against his chest, covering his heart.
"I cannot thank you enough for what you have done here for me, if you need me or my country to do anything, anything, all you need to do is ask. Now I must apologise, I have an important matter, that I really must attend to." He waved the envelope in the air.
Cardinal Jacques gave a knowing nod. Maximillian appeared to have cheered up, as he moved across the room, his dress boots clacking on the floor with every step.
"I'm sure Hans is around here somewhere, he always is. He'll be with you in a moment!" Maximillian called out as he left the room, leaving the Cardinal standing alone.

He strode down the corridors and hallways of the palace, and once again found himself outside Anna's door. He paused for a moment, gathering the confidence he needed to do what he was about to do. He knocked gently on the door with his knuckles.
"Who is it?" Anna called from inside
"It's me, Maximillian."
"Leave me alone, I don't want to speak to you!"
"Please let me in, I have something I need to show you!" Maximillian leant against the door, tilting his ear close to it.

Inside the room, Anna stood up from he bed and pressed herself against the door, unknowingly mirroring Maximillian's position on the other side.
"What is it?"
"Let me in and you'll find out!"
"Gabriele said that I shouldn't just let you come crawling back to me."
"But I'm not crawling back! I only said what I said to throw Hans off the scent! If he knew even a tenth of what we've done together, he'd have you thrown out of the palace guard and then I could never see you again!"
"Really? Do you mean that?"
"Yes! Yes! Of course I do! Anna, I love you!"

There was a click and the sound of scraping metal as Anna slid back the bolt locking her door, and eased it open.
Maximillian timidly walked into the room, his typical self confidence deserting him. He ran his finger around the edge of his collar and swallowed. Taking her hands in his, he stepped forwards, placing his left knee on the ground and looking up into her bright blue eyes.

"Anna, will you do me the honour of marrying me?"
"But I can't, I'm a commoner...." she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
Maximillian interrupted her, pulling the letter and falsified birth certificate from his pocket and placing them in her hands.
"What is this?" She asked
"Just read them."

Tears began rolling down her cheeks as she read.
"Let me rephrase the question. Princess Anastasia Rosetta Bourbon, will you marry me?"
Tears of happiness were flowing thick and fast, now.
"Y-Y-Yes" she stammered through her sobs, she wiped her eyes, but the tears continued, "Yes I will!"
Maximillian stood up, and she wrapped her arms around him, "Yes I will" she repeated in his ear.
She kept a tight hold of the documents, these two humble sheets of parchment had completely changed her life, and she wasn't going to let that go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, back downstairs Hans had been brought into the room with the Cardinal, after Maximillian's hurried exit.
"I have no idea why he would have to rush off quite like that, most unusual" Hans mused, "But he should be back later."
"I'm certain he has his reasons."
"He usually does. Though he has been acting differently recently. I don't know if the stress is getting to him."
"Stress? I wouldn't have expected that from someone so young."
"He's proven to be quite a popular leader, in between you, the Venetians, Naples and our olive branch to the Prussians, he's been working hard."
"Naples?"
"Yes, they're planning to send a diplomatic envoy, I can't quite remember his name, it was someone Loreti. Adriano, or Alonzo, something beginning with an A."
"Alvise?" The Cardinal suggested helpfully.
"Yes! That's it! Shame Maximillian's aunt couldn't make the trip herself, but according to her letter she's be very busy as of late."

[Il Magnifico]

August 1786 – Vienna, The Austrian Empire

The Cardinal’s face visually sunk at the confirmation. His usually steely, mysterious political poker-face reduced to an open-mouthed portrait of astonishment.

“Alvise Loreti is coming here?!” Jacques asked rhetorically. Hans looked at him oddly, about to speak before the Cardinal cut him off. “Where’s the Emperor gone? I must speak to him immediately!”

“I can send a man to find him if you’d like to wait?” Hans asked, curiously observing the Cardinal’s sudden transformation.

“Nonsense! I’ll go and find him myself, I’m sure he won’t mind given the growing closeness of our relationship.” Jacques replied, collecting his thoughts and casting Hans a steely gaze. The Austrian diplomat seemed likely to protest but the Cardinal didn’t care. If Jacques’s arch-nemesis was coming to Vienna, he would have to use the opportunity to act. Eliminating Loreti was, in Cardinal Jacques’s mind, like removing an infection that had corrupted the heart of Italy.

The Cardinal knew that Maximillian would not respond very positively to what he was about to request. But Maximillian owed him… And if Jacques could make it look like an accident… It wouldn’t stain Austria’s honour. Jacques turned and walked from the room with great speed. If Alvise Loreti was going to come out of hiding so soon after Venice, then this was the time to strike. How convenient, the Cardinal noted, that it had happened now, just as the Cardinal has gained the Austrian Emperor’s trust…

August 1786 – Venice, The Most Serene Republic

“I don’t think you understand sir….” Augusto Severino sat across the desk from Olivero in the plush office of the Premier in the Palazzo Republica, the office that had once belonged to the Doge.

“I understand perfectly my friend, but four years was the agreed deadline, it’s in the statute books.” The Premier replied, reclining in his comfy armchair.

“Well, I apologise Olivero, but the Committee are… uncomfortable with the notion of military rule lasting too long. They think it’s unjustified given the relative peace in Venezia. They’re even considering forming an electoral college as soon as next year… Although I doubt it’s more than just minor theorising at present.” The Secretary of State replied, sighing heavily.

“Listen Augusto; you worry about the Committee and the shaping of the constitution, I’ll worry about legitimising military rule. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to address the growing pile of letters you see before you.” The Premier replied, adding a chuckle and gesturing to the desk on which sat a bundle of letters deemed worthy of his attention.

Augusto stood, nodded respectfully to the head of state, and left without another word. Olivero leaned forward and picked up the first letter. Opening it with an ornate letter opener, he read the message within.

Noble Premier

It has come to my attention that our enemy has unwisely decided to show his hand once more. The notable Alvise Loreti will be travelling to Vienna at the start of October for an audience with Emperor Maximillian, our new friend. Having explained the villainy of Loreti to the Hapsburg Emperor, he has approved my plan to remove him as an obstacle to progress in Italy. It is vital to the success of this objective, however, that you write at once to the ill-reputed Vance de Valencia who is currently residing in Venice and urge him to hire a team of willing individuals to carry out the deed, whom I would request you equip and compensate for their services.

To secure the approval of the Emperor, I promised to ensure that Austria’s international reputation would suffer no harm as a result of this endeavour. Therefore, in order to maintain this ruse, it is vital that the assailants arrive in Vienna before Loreti, and that Loreti is eliminated before he can meet with the Emperor. Therefore, on the 10th of October (allowing a time-gap to pass for the effect of plausibility), you must have your ambassador in Naples deliver news of Loreti’s fate to King Ferdinand IV, informing the King that his man was killed by bandits on the Venetian border.

This plan is destined to succeed, and perhaps when Alvise Loreti lies slain, and Naples is free of his influence; a new consensus will emerge across Italy, backed up by the military protection of a sympathetic Hapsburg Emperor!

Yours in Eternal Pursuit of Progress

Cardinal Jacques

Olivero had to read the letter a few times to make sense of it. He had no idea that Alvise Loreti, aside from being the cause of Venice’s problems, was a nemesis of the Cardinal's. A shiver ran down his spine as he considered just how far-reaching Alvise’s ambition actually must have been to have angered Jacques in such a manner.

There was no doubt in Olivero’s mind however, he knew what Loreti was like and there was no doubt that if the region was to undergo any substantial reforms, Alvise Loreti would be one of the loudest voices shouting against them. Not to mention that Loreti was a hated man in Venice, sympathetic reports that he had been brought to justice might aid Olivero in his bureaucratic debate with the Committee of the Republic. Yes he thought… He would follow the Cardinal’s instructions immediately.

[Greater Latica]

12th October 1786

The leaves had turned an autumnal red-orange, but had yet to fall from the trees. Maximillian could see his breath hanging in clouds in front of his face. Maximillian's horse tramped down the gravel path, Anna following close behind him on her own horse. Anna had only begun learning to ride relatively recently, but had proven herself to be a fair rider, but even then she wasn't as capable as Maximillian, who had been tutored on how to ride from a young age by various cavalry officers.

It was Maximillian’s eighteenth Birthday, a marker showing how fast time had passed. It was nearly three years since he’d received the news that his adopted father had been shot, and that certain elements of the Austrian government had decided the he would make a better heir than his Uncle. Now he realised how fortunate those circumstances had been, and occasionally he’d wondered if someone had an influence on what happened on that fateful evening. Everything was so different now, not only was he an Emperor, he had his feet under the table of Europe’s most influential organisations, managed to turn some of Austria’s historic enemies, Russia and Prussia, into friends, and topping it all off, he was now engaged to a beautiful young woman.

Anna’s horse drew up alongside Maximillian’s and the two stopped on the edge of the path, looking out at the Austrian countryside.
“It’s funny to think that in about three months this is going to be completely covered in snow.” Maximillian remarked, turning to face his fiancée and taking her hand in his own, “But I know that isn’t what you’re thinking about. Your face tells me all I need to know.”
She looked out into the distance, as if she was avoiding having to reply.
“The world will have to find out about us somehow and tonight is as good as any. Just think, it won’t be that long until you’ll be my queen. You have to stop thinking like my bodyguard, and start thinking like a Princess, and a Bourbon one at that. I hope you’ve been practising your French!”

Maximillian knew she had, sometimes he could hear her in her room, practising late at night and into the early morning. She so desperately wanted to please him, and be accepted by everyone, that she practised everything religiously; anybody looking at her now would have never guessed that she’d grown up in an Orphanarium, and was more capable with a sabre than a make-up kit.

Evening 12th October 1786

Maximillian’s party had been in full swing for two hours, and Maximillian decided that now was the time to unveil his news to the guests. Gabriele had taken over Anna’s normal role as protector, so that Anna had time to prepare herself for her grand public debut as a Princess. Maximillian was nervous, not about the announcement, but about Anna, despite everything that has happened; she was still as shy as that day in the gardens when they first properly spoke with one another.

He edged his way around the room, taking up his place at the foot of the stairs, awaiting his fiancée. Gently she walked down the staircase, Maximillian noticed how she’d also been practising walking in those shoes. She wore a long flowing light satin blue dress, one that complemented Maximillian’s own royal blue dress uniform; he had it specially made by one of the finest tailor dressmakers in Prague. Placed daintily on the top of her head was a small silver tiara, elegantly studded with a handful of small diamonds, and her hair was still up in her characteristic ponytail and still tied with a bow, a pale blue ribbon identical in colour to her dress.

“You look wonderful.” Maximillian observed as he carefully took her gloved hand, and led her onto the raised dais alongside the edge of the room, on which the assorted royal musicians were playing.

She leant over and whispered in his ear, “Maxim, I’m scared.”
He turned and whispered back, “Don’t be. It’ll be fine.”

He tapped one of the footmen on the shoulder, “Could you get everyone’s attention please, I wish to make an announcement.”

[Il Magnifico]

September 1786 – Venice, The Most Serene Republic

Vance de Valencia was one of those rare individuals without a country of origin. He had been born on a ship that had sailed from Istanbul for Valencia to a Venetian mother who had died bringing him into the world. He had never known his father, instead the Captain of the merchant vessel had taken him in and raised him until he was old enough to fend for himself.

Now he was scum. Lower than that, if you believed some people. Disillusioned with the honest sea-farers life, first he turned to piracy, then after a near-fatal incident with the Spanish Navy he had given up piracy to become a thief, although his skills also included sabotage, assassination and kidnapping.

It was on an assignment for a wealthy individual in the Spanish court, who wanted some Cardinal in Rome assassinated, that Vance had met Lilianna who had prevented him from finishing his mission; and had given him a scar across his left eye to remember her by. Following that incident, the pair became ‘consorts’ of a kind and Lilianna regularly came to him with work of a dubious nature, having realised he was good at being more than just a general miscreant.

Now he paced in a dimly lit room in the back of a tavern in Venice. Noise and light drifted in from the main room however, Vance paced in total silence. Looking at the line of men who stood against the wall in front of him. After several minutes he spoke.

“You have all been chosen, because you have the skillset needed for this job and you all have nothing to lose.” He said, his Italian coming through naturally despite Spanish being his native tongue. “I understand that; I’ve been there. The question is, could you kill a man on demand? Would you have the conviction to actually do what I’m asking you to?” Vance asked, closely examining the faces of the men, there were eight in total.

“I’d do it and for half of what you’re paying!” One of the men replied. Vance turned to look at him.

“I’m happy to accept your proposal. Good. Can anyone else match this man’s confidence?”

There was another long silence, before a man on the end of the line stepped forward. From his clothes he looked like a drunkard or a beggar, an unkempt beard hid his face. “I’ll do it. The Loreti’s had a role in ruining my life! I’d be honoured to have a chance at justice…. But I want the full cut!” He wheezed.

Vance turned to look at him. He was quite a young man, and his composure matched that of a soldier not a vagabond. “This isn’t a damned crusade man, this will be your vengeance not your justice… In my experience there is quite a difference.” Vance quipped, before continuing to pace…

…Rigi Monti stepped back against the wall once more. He would kill, literally, for a chance to get even with the Loretis, Olivero Selvo and Gianni di Venezia were also on his hit-list, but he had to take things one step at a time. He would enjoy making them all pay for upsetting the stability of Venetia one day though, that he swore.

October 1786 – Vienna, The Austrian Empire

Alvise Loreti had arrived in Vienna in the early hours of the morning. He had gone straight to the royal apartment provided for him by Emperor Maximillian, located across from the palace. Having briefed himself on all then news out of Austria, including the news of Maximillian’s engagement; he had gone to bed.

He spent the night reflecting on his journey from Naples; his visit to Rome had been highly successful and he was certain King Ferdinand could count the Pope as one of his strongest allies now. Indeed Pius VI had been so impressed with Loreti’s efforts fighting off the radicals in Venice he had gifted him a Papal relic, said to be the finger-bone of St. Peter, although in truth Loreti doubted the bone’s origins.

In the morning Alvise had his audience with Maximillian, he threw on a set of stunning white finery and wore a red cape, a look he often chose when dealing with sovereigns.

He ate his breakfast quickly and left with two of his guards flanking him as escorts…

Outside

“Vance, we’re going to have to re-think this. Out here is too public!” Rigi Monti, now shaved and wearing clean clothes, whispered to the leader of the group as they spotted Loreti emerging from the building that housed the royal apartments.


Rigi Monti, given a chance at life again
thanks to the mysterious rogue Vance de
Valencia.

“I know… I’ll forever curse the bastard for turning up later than planned…” Vance began tapping his foot as he thought to himself, trying to think of a way around this slight dilemma. “…We’ll have to take him out inside the palace…” He concluded. “Rigi… Tell the others to regroup, go in through a servant’s entrance and catch him in one of the reception rooms. I’m going to inform Lilianna of the change of plan!” Vance commanded, before turning and sprinting off down the street.

Monti looked at Alvise as he walked unsuspectingly down the street towards him. Rigi knew it wasn’t really the Loretis fault that Olivero Selvo had done what he’d done. However thanks to the late Admiral Vincenzo, Monti was one of the few people who knew just how manipulative Loreti had been, that in itself had given Olivero the excuse he needed, and it was for that reason Loreti had to die. He only hoped this late change of plan wouldn’t allow Alvise to slip through the net…