Thousands of miles from the troubles of the Vesten and Vendel islands, Adriano Villanova stared off the rail of his ship, Il Serpente towards his home island of Dionna. The spire of Dionna University rose over the island, widely considered the finest medical university in Vodacce, was the pride of the island. The best and brightest young medical minds from across Vodacce came here to study, and the insights and research they developed was sold by the ruthless Merchant Prince, Giovanni Villanova, to any buyers.
Of course, medicine was not exactly his prime interest – Giovanni was said to have spies and interests in nearly every field in which money could be made, not the least of which was politics. The Prince was a born politician – he’d pushed his older brother down a flight of stairs when he was thirteen, so he would succeed their ailing father. Granted, if he had not, it likely would have been knives in the dark for them.
Not many understand the politics of Vodacce, reflected Adriano. Even less, what it is to be a Villanova. The ship drew ever closer to the island, and Adriano returned to his room, buckling on the rapier and maine-gauche he’d worn since he was a teenager, since he’d first become a man.
His journey to the barbaric Vesten had been successful, although it had elicited a few concerns. The Vesten woman – Sigrid, he reminded himself – she’d been fine in the bed, but more vocal a detractor of an alliance with the Vodacce than he’d expected. Some of her points had been surprisingly elegant. Fortunately, it was not his tendency to underestimate a foe, political or martial. Sigrid had been an appetizing bit of both, but fortunately the seed work he’d done – arranging to save Magnus’s life a few years ago, sending a few Vendel-marked vessels his way, laden with booty, ripe for the plunder – had paid off. He could never know that some of his most glorious hauls had been arranged – that was the kind of blow his fragile pride couldn’t recover from.
But the woman – irritatingly enough, she had considerable hold over him, which was surprising. Most of the men thought little more of women than the size and shape of their chest.
Il Serpente pulled alongside the dock. Adriano waited until the gangplank was lowered, waving off the two men with presumption to stride forward as bodyguards. “I’ll be fine,” he said shortly. They nodded, stepping away.
He wanted to walk – his thoughts needed straightening. Dionna, he smiled to himself, as he strode off the ship and towards the palace of Giovanni Villanova, which loomed over Dionna like a crouching spider. It’s architecture was impossibly fragile, held aloft by Sorte magic weaved amidst the work of its architects.
Sigrid had proven a surprise, both in her oratory ability, and her sway with the jarls. Adriano had meticulously fostered Magnus’ career, but now it seemed his efforts to supplant a jarl had not been entirely fruitful. This woman, this ‘Valkyrie’ seemed to possess nearly as much say as Magnus himself. Fortunate she had sworn herself to him – but he could not take it for granted that they would always be so loyal.
This will not suit the Villanova family at all, he thought, as his stride began to lengthen up the long stone road towards Giovanni’s palace. He licked his lips, considering. The trouble lay, not intrinsically with her, but with the threat she, and a cadre of Vesten allies, could pose to the careful balance of power that had to be achieved in Vendel. Too much force on one side, and victory was guaranteed. Instead, power had to be carefully measured between the two – equal amounts, so that both could destroy one another in equal measure. Only then would the two threats of the Vendel and Vesten be neutralized, and only then could Giovanni’s plans come to fruition.
He shook his head. It’s all too likely she’ll be able to find them, and then rally them. She’ll no doubt be able to see through the ruse of the Grumfather we’ll concoct around Magnus, so the Vesten will be loyal to her, and not Magnus. This will most certainly not do.
Something would have to be done.
Adriano stepped through the front doors of Dionna palace. Music was playing – there was a ball, it seemed. He could hear the gay laughter of people enjoying themselves. A bit of surprise crossed his features, then annoyance. He’d not expected this, and he stood in his sea-clothes, preparing to enter a hall full of the Villanova families most powerful nobles.
A page’s eyes widened when they saw him. He rushed to announce the arrival of the dangerous nobleman.
“My Lord Giovanni Villlanova,” shouted the page, over the music and dancing.
As one, the crowd fell to their knees before their scheming Merchant Prince. He barely noticed them, or the frightened eyes of his wife and mistress, as he strode towards his bedroom.
Something would have to be done.
7th Sea copyright Alderac Entertainment Group. Dreamlyrics copyright ASCKEY Ltd.
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