[b]June 6th, 1899[/b]

Marino Bonzi looked out over the sprawling expanse of Lazi. His manor house sat along the crest of one of the rolling hills that surrounded the city, and offered almost unrivalled views across the bay and out over the sea, glowing in the early afternoon light. The roar of the bustling city was little more than a whisper, and Marino allowed himself a smile. This was his land, his kingdom. The two Dante-Class Light Cruisers that skulked in the docks, did so under his flag. The hardened soldiers that patrolled the streets, keeping order over the passions and wildness of the city, were under his command. For too long his family had had to fight for it's place. The very house he stood in had once been the sole possession of his grandfather, a man who's family name was little more than a footnote in the rich history of the Free States. Marino's father had made sure people had at least heard of the name, expanding the family's holdings and forcing his place in the grand councils of the great families, but he had not held any real power. But Marino, he had ensured that the name Bonzi would never be forgotten. With his father's wealth, Marino had bribed all the other families of Lavi, and found other ways to handle those who refused the money. And that was just the start. 

 There was a brief knock on the door, and Marino turned in time to see his son push it open, nodding quickly in greeting to his father, who smiled as he held his arms open in greeting. 

[b][i]"Sandro, it is good to see you."

"And you, father."

"You have news?"[/i][/b]

Sandro allowed himself a smile as he nodded. He had the same dark hair and bright eyes as his father, his lean figure dressed in the latest fashions from the continent, a long, thin rapier sheathed at his hip. 

[b][i]"I do. Liame is ours."

"And the Alboresi family..."

"They didn't know what was happening till it was too late. We already controlled most of the city, it was almost too easy to sway their soldiers to the winning side. No shots were even fired. Most of the family agreed to join us, those that wouldn't, I dealt with."[/i][/b]

Marino's eyes flicked to the hilt of Sandro's sword for an instant.

[b][i]"How many?"

"Just three. Luco, as you said. But also his wife, Marietta, and their eldest son, Alesso. Gabriello, their second eldest, was far more accommodating, I left him in charge of the remains of the family, under our management of course."

"Excellent news, Sandro."[/i][/b]

The father and son embraced warmly for a moment before Marino pulled back, walking over to the heavy oak table that dominated much of the room, Sandro following after him. A detailed map of the surrounding area was spread out over the table, and it was to this that Marino gestured towards. 

[b][i]"I've heard reports from the east and the west, Ethica and Voskia. The more united that the Free States become, the more wary our neighbours become. I'm sure they'll soon hear about our taking over of Liame, so we need to make sure they don't do anything rash. Send men we can trust to both nations, under the flag of truce. It's been too long since I last met with the King and the Emperor, and I want to gauge how much we can rely on them."

"Of course, father. I'll also arrange a meeting of the other great families, here in Lazi. We need to make sure that none of those serpents are planning anything."[/i][/b]

Marino smiled as he turned to look at his son. He placed a hand warmly on his shoulder.

[b][i]"I'm proud of you, Sandro. Your mother would be as well. Now go, there is no time to lose."[/i][/b]