A Clandestine Meeting at Buonconsiglio Castle, Trent

**O'Ciarain** · August 11, 2012, 06:05 PM

The massive tower of Buonconsiglio Castle was currently home to the ruling Count, Bojan I, Count of Aquileia, Trent, and Krain. Only Radivoj, his steward, and ten of his guards had accompanied the Count from their seat at Strmol Castle. The kitchen staff had been recruited from the local citizens that were not in the best of positions or had fallen on hard times. Bojan liked to help the peasantry, especially when times were tough. They were his people and they looked to him for help. Sure, it was his God-given right to rule them, but God also trusted him to take care of them, and Bojan tried to do just that.

Bojan had moved some of his men here partially to be closer to some of his Italian subjects who knew more about Venice than he did, but also because there was a possibility that he would be meeting with a man who lived in Venice, and could possibly provide him with more information about the "Most Serene Republic." It was for this man, that the Count now waited.

**Pinkerton** · August 11, 2012, 06:17 PM

Vlad and Simone arrive to the castle,

**O'Ciarain** · August 11, 2012, 06:54 PM

A guard wearing the coat of arms of the House of Kulinić brings the two of them through the halls and up the stairs into a large, circular room about halfway up the tower. Inside, Count Bojan and Radivoj, both dressed in simple clothes of royal blue and black, were leaned over a table that held a map of the lands of Venice, the provinces of Treviso, Istria, and Venezio. Along the borders of Istria and Treviso are placed little colored blocks, meant to indicate the forces of the Count. They had been purposefully placed in incorrect positions, because a runner had been sent to the Count as soon as Simone and Vlad had passed through the city's gates.

As the guard reaches the door, he knocks loudly. "Enter." The guard opens the door and walks into the room, announcing the two men, "Agent Vlad and Simone Di'Giovanni of Venice." The Count nods, and thanks the guard. "Thank you, friend. Grab some food on your way back to your post if you have not yet eaten." The guard left them alone and went straight to the kitchens, for not only had he not eaten yet, but one of the kitchen maids had caught his fancy. Returning his attention to his guests, Bojan smiles and welcomes them. "Thank you, Vlad. If he were here, my father would thank you as well, but seeing as how is with God, mine will have to do. I will not forget your loyalty nor everything you have done for my family. See my steward, so that he may feed you and have quarters prepared for you." Vlad smiled, thanked the Count and went in search of the steward. "Now, the man of the hour. It is a pleasure to meet you, Simone. Officially, I am Count Bojan Kulinić I of Aquileia, Trent, and Krain, but please, simply refer to me as Bojan. I have asked you here for several reasons. First and foremost, I want for you to send for your family. As I understand it, you have a wife and a young child, and I want for no harm to come to them. Under my leadership, an alliance of several Counts of the Holy Roman Empire will be invading and taking Venice. A large reason is personal, but it is also simply politics and trade."

Bojan wanted Simone to know that he would not be razing the ground and killing the townfolk. It was simply a matter of killing the soldiers and taking control of the government. "One of my men came across your work while doing some reconnoitering in Venice, and alerted me to it. I am impressed and did not want you to get caught up in what might ensue. If you wish, I would like you to help us, so that there will be as little bloodshed as possible. Should you refuse, however, your wife and child will be taken and brought here to reside with you until the war is over. Then I will let you return to Venice with the hope that we will have more dealings in the future, since I will hopefully be your new ruler at that point. Should you not wish to return to Venice, for any reason, you will be offered a place in my court, and paid for your services."

**Pinkerton** · August 11, 2012, 07:42 PM

He suspected that the Holy Empire was planning an Invasion, but confirming his fears was shocking,
He nodded, There was no way that the Serene Republic would be able to fight off the Empire
Yes, my count, I'll help you, , He took a deep breath
I'll provide all the help I can give, including numbers, maps and which nobles will support the invasion and which ones will fight till the deat He sighed,
But I want something in change, He paused
I want to be in a more important position in the city's goverment, In the council of the Ten, as a councillor of justice

**O'Ciarain** · August 11, 2012, 09:36 PM

Bojan smiled and nodded. This man would be able to provide even more information than he had expected. The Count found Simone's request smaller than expected though. "What if I did you one better, my friend... Instead of being just a more important person within the city, why not a considerably more important person in the whole County? Which, should we succeed in this invasion, will more than likely be upgraded to a Duchy or Margraviate, whichever title mein Kaiser decides upon." While waiting for his answer, Bojan reached out for a bottle of wine from the province that they were currently in and filled three goblets with the red nectar, in preparation for sealing the deal.

**Pinkerton** · August 11, 2012, 10:27 PM

He, Duxe of Venezia?!
The tought of being the ruler of the city was overwhelming
I'll be the ruler of the city?, or the ruler of the whole duchy? He asked, trying to hide his surprize

**O'Ciarain** · August 12, 2012, 03:50 PM

The Count laughed slightly. "You mistake the structure of such things, my friend. Venezio would simply be another province within my control. Now, at that point, I would more than likely be granted the title of Duke, but it remains to be seen which allies will join me, for one thing. If you wish to simply rule the city, I can do that. However, I would like to offer you a new position, within my court. How would you like to oversee the justice of all of my lands? You would be second only to me and charged with delivering honest and unbiased justice to all citizens under my rule. You would also be tasked with uncovering any plots against myself and with dealing justice there as well, but only after delivering solid proof and discussing it with myself. Does this position interest you?" His mind was racing, creating this new position. Radivoj had sort of filled in that position, but he was getting older and Bojan had decided that he would do better as simply a protector and strategist. There had also been unsettling rumors and Bojan knew that he still had many enemies in his homelands, who would surely send men to take his head when they found out who Count Bojan I really was.

**Pinkerton** · August 12, 2012, 04:17 PM

I'll serve in your court, My Duke
Simone bowed,
God had smiled at him

**O'Ciarain** · August 12, 2012, 08:02 PM

Bojan grinned and offered a goblet of the wine. "Rise, friend. Let us drink this wine and toast to a new friendship and the fall of the Most Serene Republic!"

**Pinkerton** · August 12, 2012, 08:07 PM

Yes, let the wine flow,
He smiled,
Oh, my lord, please send someone to look for my child and my wife,
I don't want them to be in Venice when this happens

**O'Ciarain** · August 12, 2012, 08:31 PM

The Count smirked again. After several appreciative sips of his wine, he replied. "It has already been done, my friend. They should be here within a couple of days. I took the liberty of sending someone for them after I heard that you were at the city gates." Looking over to Radivoj, he nodded slightly. "Alright, Rad, let us rearrange the map to it's correct position." With that said, the two began placing the little blocks that represented their forces onto the correct places on the map.