His Serenity, Doge Agostino Barbarigo, leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, commander of the Venetian Armada, and foremost merchant of the Mediterranean, was old. He was approaching his 81st birthday, and had been finding it increasingly difficult to move about his residence within the Palado Dogale. While at one point he had found his home much like a prison - forced to stay within its walls at all times excepting diplomatic journeys - he now found comfort that he did not have to move his joints all that much to summon servants who could attend to his every need. Never married, he thanked God that he did not need to look after a woman in his final years, he simply did not have the energy.

But work never stopped for the Doge, especially not now. With the Ottoman Turks firmly at the heels of the Republic, more must be done to safeguard the people who had pledged their loyalty to La Serenissima. What had once been an amicable relationship with Bayezid II had quickly deteriorated into all-out war, and so much death had followed. Hundreds of sailors had died in Navarino, Lepanto was lost, and after winning a hard-fought siege, the Ottomans had marched into Modone and massacred the population without mercy. Should this violence continue, Agostino could see no way in which this war ended without the death of thousands more.

But end it must, one way or another, for if La Serenissima was focused on the tides of war, it could not be focused on the tides of trade, the guiding light by which it had made its fortunes and provided for its people. Agostino knew that only two paths could put an end to the bloodshed, and so endeavored to work on both, strengthening the long arm of the Republic both through pen and sword. Slowly rising from the oh so comfortable chair in which he has spent more and more of his time recently, he strode towards his gold-embellished mahogany desk, each step taking a painful toll on his aging joints. Settling down at his workstation, he began on two letters, the first of which was addressed to the leader of the Ottoman Empire.

To His Imperial Magesty Bayezid bin Mehmed, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire,

Truly, despite our present circumstances, I hope this letter finds you well. As far as we have fallen I remember a time not so long ago when we could call ourselves partners on the world stage, working to the best of our abilities to make the lives of our citizens as safe and productive as can be. While we may differ in faiths, I know that we share the same faith in the power we have to improve the conditions for every single person in our nations. Through trade and cooperation, we found ways to bridge old divides and disagreements, to put aside our differences and forge a new path forward.

I truly hope we can do so again.

You know as well as I the toll that war takes on a populace. To subject our people to such pain and misery for simple matters of honor cannot be a standard, a way of life. As I have learned in my old age, there is a point where we must simply accept who we are and where we stand, because we only have so much time on this mortal Earth.

To that end, I make you an offer - Lepanto and Modone have fallen, and I doubt you will let them go without more bloodshed. Keep them, but leave Corone - the people there have suffered enough. If we agree on this, then I will withdraw our ships, and we can return to a point of cooperation and trade.

But know this - further instigation and destruction of my people will not be tolerated. I have taken a solemn oath to protect the rights, freedoms, and property of my citizens, and that is an oath I take as seriously as any promise to my God. I will feel no qualms unleashing the wrath of Hell upon you if anything as sickening as what took place at Modone happens again, a crime I have no doubt will be answered for wherever you find yourself after you pass.

I truly hope it does not come to that. Take Lepanto, take Modone, and let us make peace. Show the world that there is still hope in cooperation between our two sides, and let us be a beacon of progress for the years ahead.

Yours,

Agostino Barbarigo, Serenissimo Principe de Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta

The second letter was sent with far less flourish, and to much closer recipients:

To the Consejo de i Diexe,

I hereby request that the Arsenal begin construction of 75 galleys, 30 galleons, and 15 carracks immediately for the defense of the Republic. Consider this my signature on any procurement documents necessary.

Doge Agostino

A messenger was summoned and the letters were sent. Agostino took a few labored breaths, rose to his feet, and slowly made his way back over to his bed. It was time for an early night - the next few would surely last far longer.