[h3][u]ʀᴏᴅʀɪɢᴏ ɴᴀɴᴛᴜᴀ[/u][/h3]

Seated right in the front was the large Rodrigo Nantua, wrapped in a cape and taking up more space than anyone could deem necessary. The duke's seizure had brought a fury upon the residents of the Villa Nantua like none before it, and Rodrigo fanned their flame by declaring that he would return with an army at his back.

The Nantuas had never been friends of the church, hell, they were perhaps the most obvious evidence of the church's draining power, were it not for the duke, Rodrigo and his kin would have been burned as heretics before they could muster a defense. The duke's seizure was incredibly dangerous for the prestigious (and infamous) banker clan.

Rodrigo knew his presence would bring protest, but as the city's preeminent military mind, he was a shoe-in for the title of Master-of-Arms, though he'd still have to give a speech to convince those who still doubted him. Standing from his seat to a near-silent room, Rodrigo noticed a few clergymen in the audience whose collective glares were enough to bring a slight pallor to the banker's face. Looking over a few of the other eminent figures in the room, he nodded slightly, all men of coin or talk, no-one quite like him.

[color=Lavender]"As we've all been introduced, I'll spare you the long greetings. As all of us know, this council is against the law of our holy father,"[/color] he said, giving a condescending snort. [color=Lavender]"If we are to survive in this world with our city intact, we can no longer rely on the protection of our religious leaders. My kinsmen in Trato may be looking down on our weak defenses like vultures looking down on a dying stag, those from across the sea may be looking at our city as a gold mine to pad their pockets.[/color]

[color=Lavender]"It is clear to anyone with half a brain in their skull that our position requires a change, if we do not change, then we will die, whether at the hands of our holy father or some opportunist. We need an army, not a ramshackle force of mercenaries and pirates, a real standing army. Whether of the Traton model or of some other. I will be the change that this city needs, to defend our homes, our coffers, our families. Do not consider this a power grab by a grasping fool like my father would have been. I am here to protect my interests, and yours. Whether you believe me or not is up to opinion, and frankly, I care for your opinion as much as an ocean cares for a lake. Veranth needs this, [i]you[/i] need this. We fly, or we fall, and I hope to make damn sure that we don't fall. Thank you chairman,"[/color] Rodrigo finished, standing a moment and staring at the chairman before sitting once more, pleased with his speech.

Again looking over the room, he tried to see how many were convinced, and how many still doubted him, he was sure the first camp would have to be getting smaller by the moment.