The Prince’s eyes shifted to the largest council member, a great, bearlike man with long hair, a full beard, and piercing blue eyes.
“Maximilian, see to it the dead patrol unit is replaced and work with Ibarra to recruit new talent for the patrols.”
“Yes, my lord.” The large man bowed, his Italian heavy with a Prussian accent.
“Now we must discuss our response to the incursion.”
The Consilium members exchanged glances.
The Prince continued. “We were attacked, unprovoked. They wiped out a patrol and crossed into our territory, possibly having bought the schematics for our security systems. Then they attempted to assassinate me. Each of these acts warrants a strong response.
“We must prepare for war.”
Once again, the Consilium members murmured amongst themselves.
The Prince fixed his eyes on Niccolò.
“Send word to Venice through one of our spies that the mission was successful. Have the spy deliver one of the swords and say that the message is from Vincenzo, which is the name of one of the invaders I killed. Leave the true nature of the mission unstated, even to the spy.”
Aoibhe reacted immediately. “With respect, my lord, you’ll be informing our enemy that you’re dead.”
“Precisely.” The Prince seemed unperturbed.
Maximilian was the only council member who responded to the order with a smile.
Niccolò’s face was grave.
“My lord, even if the Venetians weren’t behind the attack, at the news of your death they’ll move to annex our territories.”
The Prince leaned forward from the throne.
“If our spy doesn’t know the nature of the mission, he won’t be able to offer it up under torture. The Venetians will only believe I’m dead if they ordered the assassination.
“If they didn’t, the intelligence network needs to identify those behind the attack before there’s another incursion.” The Prince gave Niccolò a significant look.
Niccolò’s body tightened and his gaze flickered in the direction of the place where his colleague had lost his head.
The Prince surveyed the council members.
“There is a foreigner hiding in our city. It’s possible he’s already discovered his brethren failed in their mission and informed Marcus of that fact. Let us hope that is not the case.”
Niccolò’s expression grew even more troubled.
“My lord, if the Venetians suspect your death, such news is bound to spread. We’ll be inundated with incursions from neighboring principalities.”
“Not if they think you have taken control of the principality and amassed a great army.”
Niccolò bowed very low, trying desperately to contain his enthusiasm. “It is too great an honor, even in jest. What about Lorenzo?”
“I have other plans for Lorenzo.” The Prince placed his hands on the armrests of his throne. “But be warned, Niccolò. You will be prince in name only. Any attempt to seize power and you’ll find your head rolling across my floor. Do you understand?”
Niccolò appeared duly chastened. “Yes, my prince. I am humbled by your confidence.”
“I’ve always admired your intelligence, even when you were human. Our rivals know you by name and will fear you. But I know you are prudent enough to play your role until it is finished without delusions of grandeur. I’d be sorry to be mistaken.”
“I swear continued allegiance to the principality and to its prince.”
“Excellent.” The Prince nodded, dismissing him.
“Until we find the remaining foreigner, no one must know I survived the assassination attempt. No one beyond the Consilium.” At this, he gave the other council members a significant look.
“I’ll go into hiding while you, Niccolò, appear to take control of the principality. Spread the news far and wide that your army is at the ready should anyone decide to attack us.”
Niccolò hesitated.
“What of the Roman, my lord? We’d incur his wrath by instigating armed conflict in the region. And he won’t look on our deception kindly.”
“I shall send Lorenzo to the Roman immediately so that he may reveal our strategy. It’s possible the Roman will choose to intervene but I doubt it. He’s content to let the principalities in his kingdom defend themselves. That’s precisely what I’m doing.”
The Prince turned his attention to the entire Consilium.
“While we wait to see how the Venetians respond to our spy, we shall begin preparations for war.”
“What about allies, my lord?” Aoibhe rose to speak, bowing first.
“What need have we of allies?” Maximilian interrupted, standing.