Despite the acceptance of Montenegro into the Venetian Republic, Doge Leonardo Loredan was anxious. The Ottoman threat still loomed large over the Aegean. With the islands of Naxos still under siege by the perfidious turks, something had to be done to protect the rest of the Aegean from the forceful spread of Islam. While troops had already been sent to secure the rest of Venice's island territories, there remained two areas still at clear risk - the Genovese Aegean territories, and the lands of the Knights Hospitaller. Neither would be able to handle a direct invasion from an Ottoman menace able to raise one hundred thousand troops, but Venice could. To this end, two letter were sent in an attempt help better defend all Christians in the Aegean from a militant Turkish threat.

To The Most Superb Doge of Genoa, Andrea Doria,

Despite our longstanding rivalry in the world of Mediterranean commerce, I write to you today as a friend and ally. As we are both so unfortunately aware, the Ottoman threat to the freedom of trade, navigation, and worship of God in the Aegean has never been more evident. And to be direct, I do not believe either of us are under the delusion that you alone could hold off their full might should they look to take what they have said time and time again was "their rightful territory". I am sure I do not need to explain to you the danger that Ottoman rule would mean for your people and their way of life on those islands.

To that end, I will make you an offer. Let Venice take the island in, and protect them. Their way of life will be unimpeded, your traders will maintain all the rights they have had to the island, and you do not have to worry about a possible Ottoman attack on the territory. If you agree to this option, giving your people a more secure future than they have had in decades, we will be happy to compensate you to a tune of One Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Florins, which you can undoubtedly use to improve the beautiful city of Genoa, its harbor, or whatever else you so desire.

Think on it. Security for your people and money for your treasury. A true win-win.

Yours in faith,

Leonardo Barbarigo, Serenissimo Principe de Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta

To the most Honorable Grand Master Pierre of the Knights Hospitaller,

I write to your most holy order today as a brother in faith facing one of our greatest mortal enemies - militant Islam headed by the menace of the Ottoman Empire. A nation with a standing force one hundred thousand men strong, it will take every ounce of willpower and faith we can muster to overpower them in direct combat.

While I have the utmost respect and admiration for your brave knights, I unfortunately cannot delude myself into believing that a force just seven thousand strong would be able to hold off that massive Ottoman force, should it attempt to take your Aegean territories. And it is my strong and fear-fraught belief that such an action is something they fully intend to do at some point in the near future. The fall of Rhodes and your fair nights would strike unyielding sorrow into my pious heart, and is something I hope to never see.

To that end, I approach you today with an offer of protection. I will provide you immediately with Fifty Thousand Florins and a number of my finest engineers to bolster the defenses around your cities and harbors to protect your people from those that would seek to dominate you, as well as a contingent of one thousand of my men, dispersed across your territories as you wish, to help improve the strength of your garrisons. Additionally, the entirety of the Venetian Navy and Military is pledged to your defense in times of conflict. In return, a voluntary vassalage with the Serene Republic of Venice would leave you with full sovereignty over your internal workings and an increased influence over the majority of the Aegean. In order to abide by your establishing Papal Bull Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, all vassal payments would be voluntary, and the Consejo de i Diexe would have absolutely zero authority or influence over your internal workings, while protecting them from any incursion from outside forces.

We eagerly await your response, and hope that together we can build a safer Aegean for all Catholics.

Yours in faith,

Leonardo Barbarigo, Serenissimo Principe de Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta