27 June, 1500

The warm summer breeze rolled through the city of Siena. For Pandolfo, the breeze carried the smell of war. France and the Borgia were on the march, and the realms of Italy would soon have to choose whether they would be dominated by foreign influences or retain their traditional independence. Yet, war brought with it the chance for fortunes to rise and fall. Siena's own fortunes had risen in war many centuries ago, and perhaps now was the chance to have them rise again. Bologna, Ferrara and Florence stood against the Borgia. This made the most sense for Ferrara, Ercole I d'Este could not sit too comfortably with Ferrara and Reggio being a Papal fief.

And yet, another thought occurred to him as he tapped the letter from Bologna against the desk mindlessly. If that letter fell into the hands of the Borgia, that might be a valuable thing indeed, one that might be traded for some favor.

He would wait, for now. If the Florentines would put aside their war with Pisa to defend against Cesare, all the better. He had one more thing to accomplish at home before he was free to act abroad.