In a scene that had become far too common to the members of Doge Leonardo Loredan's war council, furniture was flying around the Dogal apartment.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE LOST CREMONA?!?!?!"

One officer looked up timidly. "I... I feel like that statement is fairly self-explanatory sir..." He immediately had to duck to avoid a chair thrown in his general direction.

"Oh, I understand that we lost the city, but my question is more to the point of HOW ON EARTH DID WE ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN?!?!?! I was under the impression that, unlike our farce of a war going on in the Aegean, that idiot Barbarigo has actually agreed to reinforce the garrisons there!"

"Well, we did sir, but there is only so much a contingent of a thousand mercenaries can do..."

If it were possible, Leordan became even more enraged.

"ONE THOUSAND MERCENARIES?!?!?! WE PLEDGE OUR HONOR ON THIS CITY, AND ALL THAT MORONIC FUCKWIT CAN SEND TO DEFEND IT IS ONE THOUSAND MERCENARIES?!?!?!"

"Well sir, we tried to convince him to send more, but he was worried about getting our men killed."

Leordan continued trashing his apartment for a few more minutes, before turning back to his war council. "Well then, let us demonstrate that no matter what out situation may be, we are not weak. We have long desired the valuable lands of Ferrara, yes? Then let us show that regardless of situation, we can still impose our will, as well as force that repugnant Milanese bastard out of Brescia. Send word to the Council of Ten - we are going to war."

To the Esteemed Ercole d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio,

I will be blunt - the peace that was agreed to between yourself and my predecessor was wholly unfair to the republic, not supportive of our stature and might, and an agreement that I now declare to be null and void.

To that extent I give you, personally, the ability to save yourself a significant amount of time, money, and inevitable death. Renounce your claim to the Duchy of Ferrara, and let my armies take control of the region unopposed. Do this, and you may keep your other territories unimpeded, and spend your money and men more wisely elsewhere. Refuse, and the army thirty thousand men strong I am currently raising will sweep aside your pitiful defenses like dust off a table, and you will be deposed by force.

Doge Leonardo Loredan of Venice

The Republic of Venice prepares to move against both the forces of Ludovico in the north, and the Duchy of Ferrara to the south. An army of 34,900 men will be raised, consisting of:

• 8000 Levy Pikemen

• 6000 Levy Footsoldiers

• 4500 Levy Archers

• 3000 Levy Crossbowmen

• 3000 Levy Lancers

• 8000 Condottieri

• 1500 Mercenary Lancers

• 50 Mercenary Siege Engines

• 300 Sappers

• 150 Holy Men