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in reply to a message by La Reina
Prince: Michele Rinieri Lorenzo (d.)
Princess: Caterina Maria Annunziata
DS: Pietro Cristofano [Tancredi] "Perotto"
DD: Giovanna Maria Elisabetta "Vanozza"
DS: Leonardo Giancarlo Luca
DD/DS: Lucrezia Ilaria Gabriella / Ferrante Ludovic Cesare
Of the illustrious Royal House of: Manco
In the City-State of: Salvi
Tellino attacked. It took them two more years to get there, but when they finally mounted their attack, they spared no expenses and waged a full-scale war against Salvi. Fortunately, the people had had plenty of time to prepare against an assault, and with Vico's extensive network of mercenaries to aid their side, the city withstood their brunt of the attack.
The war was, more or less, evenly fought. This proved to be a problem more than anything, because this meant that neither side achieved decisive victory over the other, and both sides continually attempted to one-up the other. The war raged on for a year and a half, escalating with every battle and every bout. With the war taking most of his attention, Michele relegated the city's more civil matters to his wife; Caterina was hesitant at first, but Michele reassured her regarding her ability in the matter, citing her shrewdness and acuity of mind to be the reason she first caught his eye, those many years ago, and she eventually agreed.
At last, it all came down to one final siege, as the forces of Salvi managed to corner Tellino until their opponents fled into the safety of their city walls. Michele called for his war council--consisting of himself; his brother Vico; condottieri Giacomo Grazia, Arrigo Ratti, and Marco di'Marchesi; and advisor and former Tellino citizeness, Elisabetta Scierra. As is habitual, Perotto listened in to the council, remaining at the sidelines to observe and learn. But what he never expected to observe was how his father rasped and trembled as he spoke, every breath a shudder and a thin film of perspiration coating his brow. After only the shortest of meetings, Michele abruptly retired to his tent, barring everyone save his brother and his son from entering.
Three hours later, Michele Manco, Prince of Salvi, died of a fever.
The war council met again to discuss their next move. Perotto sat at his usual stool, his gaze blank and glassy, and for the first time since he started attending these meetings, he did not hear a word that was spoken until his Uncle Vico gently took his shoulder and told him that they were going to break through the city's defenses that night.
The battle was swift, and for once it was decisive. The people of Tellino fought bravely, but they had been exhausted by the siege, and were sorely overwhelmed. The night was baleful, a late summer thunderstorm darkening the skies, the flashes of lightning synchronising with Giacomo's cannon blasts while Arrigo and Vico led the forces in through the breach to attack up close.
Victory was gained, and yet it felt hollow. The end of war meant not peace, but a strange limbo of uncertainty as the people of Salvi counted their losses. Of especial concern was the principality's empty chair. Many were convinced that Vico Manco will return to take what rightfully was his all along, now that his brother had died, but Vico insisted otherwise. Even Perotto had no appetite for the politics and refused to be groomed for the position. Eventually, it was decreed that young Leonardo Manco will gain the title of Prince as soon as he is of age; until then, his mother, Caterina, will manage the city. It is a difficult life for Caterina, hiding her devastation and loss behind a queenly mask to assuage her people and prevent total chaos from rensing her city apart, but she persevered, taking it one day at a time.
Mutatis mutandis. Si non confectus, non reficiat.
Princess: Caterina Maria Annunziata
DS: Pietro Cristofano [Tancredi] "Perotto"
DD: Giovanna Maria Elisabetta "Vanozza"
DS: Leonardo Giancarlo Luca
DD/DS: Lucrezia Ilaria Gabriella / Ferrante Ludovic Cesare
Of the illustrious Royal House of: Manco
In the City-State of: Salvi
Tellino attacked. It took them two more years to get there, but when they finally mounted their attack, they spared no expenses and waged a full-scale war against Salvi. Fortunately, the people had had plenty of time to prepare against an assault, and with Vico's extensive network of mercenaries to aid their side, the city withstood their brunt of the attack.
The war was, more or less, evenly fought. This proved to be a problem more than anything, because this meant that neither side achieved decisive victory over the other, and both sides continually attempted to one-up the other. The war raged on for a year and a half, escalating with every battle and every bout. With the war taking most of his attention, Michele relegated the city's more civil matters to his wife; Caterina was hesitant at first, but Michele reassured her regarding her ability in the matter, citing her shrewdness and acuity of mind to be the reason she first caught his eye, those many years ago, and she eventually agreed.
At last, it all came down to one final siege, as the forces of Salvi managed to corner Tellino until their opponents fled into the safety of their city walls. Michele called for his war council--consisting of himself; his brother Vico; condottieri Giacomo Grazia, Arrigo Ratti, and Marco di'Marchesi; and advisor and former Tellino citizeness, Elisabetta Scierra. As is habitual, Perotto listened in to the council, remaining at the sidelines to observe and learn. But what he never expected to observe was how his father rasped and trembled as he spoke, every breath a shudder and a thin film of perspiration coating his brow. After only the shortest of meetings, Michele abruptly retired to his tent, barring everyone save his brother and his son from entering.
Three hours later, Michele Manco, Prince of Salvi, died of a fever.
The war council met again to discuss their next move. Perotto sat at his usual stool, his gaze blank and glassy, and for the first time since he started attending these meetings, he did not hear a word that was spoken until his Uncle Vico gently took his shoulder and told him that they were going to break through the city's defenses that night.
The battle was swift, and for once it was decisive. The people of Tellino fought bravely, but they had been exhausted by the siege, and were sorely overwhelmed. The night was baleful, a late summer thunderstorm darkening the skies, the flashes of lightning synchronising with Giacomo's cannon blasts while Arrigo and Vico led the forces in through the breach to attack up close.
Victory was gained, and yet it felt hollow. The end of war meant not peace, but a strange limbo of uncertainty as the people of Salvi counted their losses. Of especial concern was the principality's empty chair. Many were convinced that Vico Manco will return to take what rightfully was his all along, now that his brother had died, but Vico insisted otherwise. Even Perotto had no appetite for the politics and refused to be groomed for the position. Eventually, it was decreed that young Leonardo Manco will gain the title of Prince as soon as he is of age; until then, his mother, Caterina, will manage the city. It is a difficult life for Caterina, hiding her devastation and loss behind a queenly mask to assuage her people and prevent total chaos from rensing her city apart, but she persevered, taking it one day at a time.
Mutatis mutandis. Si non confectus, non reficiat.
This message was edited 9/10/2015, 9:57 PM
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