• 1012
• Merchant
  Is it true that Turkey is coming to attack us with a giant galleon...?

• 1013
• Resident
  ...Yeah, that's what they say.
  The government isn't doing anything yet though.
  Are we gonna be okay...?

• 1014
• Julien
  Why, if it isn't Player.

• 1015
• What do you want to ask?

• 1016
• What are you doing?

• 1017
• Leave

• 1018
• Julien
  The only picture of my mother that I mentioned the other day...
  I am searching for clues of its whereabouts.
  However, none of the Venetian art dealers know anything...

• 1019
• How will you respond?

• 1020
• Can I help?

• 1021
• Isn't Vittoria with you?

• 1022
• Julien
  I thank you for your kind offer, but I am taking this on as a personal task.
  Besides, I have troubled you already just a few days ago, Player.
  I cannot trouble you again.

• 1023
• Julien
  Yes, she did offer to help me find the painting.
  However, I cannot ask my sponsor for help in a private matter.
  On another note, Lady Vittoria said she received a letter from Harun.
  Perhaps you should visit her and take a look at it.

• 1024
• Soldier
  Master Orseolo...
  Please give us a fleet!

• 1025
• Soldier
  That's right! If you do, we'll show those Turkish dogs what for!

• 1026
• Alvise
  Ha! Don't be stupid.
  The enemy forces are ten times our size.
  If we were to go to war, the pepper trade from Egypt would stop again.
  Even if we were to perform well temporarily, it will not turn the tide of the war.
  You are professional soldiers, you should know that.

• 1027
• Soldier
  Of course we don't.
  But...

• 1028
• Alvise
  The Decemviri is already working with surrounding nations to start the war against Turkey.
  Your job starts once that is finished, and the Turks surrounded.
  We will demand much from you.
  Your patience is appreciated.

• 1029
• Soldier
  ...With pleasure, Your Highness.

• 1030
• Alvise
  Player...
  I may have given them the impression that our preparations are perfect, but...
  In fact, our country is at a deadlock in the face of Turkey...

• 1031
• What do you want to ask?

• 1032
• A deadlock?

• 1033
• Don't ask

• 1034
• Alvise
  The support of the surrounding nations is not realistically achievable.
  The French have a mutual non-aggression pact with the Turks, and the Spanish are busy with the Flanders dispute.
  If only we had spent a part of the money wasted on the worthless party on our military...

• 1035
• Vittoria
  Aren't you worrying too much, Alvise?

• 1036
• Vittoria
  Player, Alvise.
  Why not read the letter Harun sent us from Alexandria to cheer up?

• 1037
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  This is no time for cheering up.

• 1038
• I don't know how many months have passed since I became a travelling merchant.
  What I do know is that I'm having a good time with my dad and mum and the other guys in my caravan.
  The only thing that worries us is the Bedouin that seem restless lately.
  Can you get Vittoria to tell that Sheikh guy to calm down?
  Tomorrow, I'm going through Suez to get to Arabia.
  The pepper there should make me a fortune!
  Then, I might move into Venice with my parents.
  Count on me to come back rich!
  Your friend, Harun

• 1039
• Alvise
  ...!
  That's it!

• 1040
• How will you respond?

• 1041
• What "idea"?

• 1042
• Ah yes, that idea.

• 1043
• Vittoria
  Wait, both of you! What are you talking about? What does this letter have to do with anything?

• 1044
• Alvise
  The one we need to partner with is in the desert.

• 1045
• Vittoria
  The desert...?

• 1046
• Alvise
  Sheikh Faisal of the Bedouin.
  He will be our secret ace.
  The Bedouin resorting to pillaging shows that they are economically troubled.
  We will support them secretly and start a revolt in Egypt, which is directly behind Turkey.
  The Turks will be surprised and unable to invade us.

• 1047
• Vittoria
  ...!

• 1048
• Alvise
  And that's not all.
  It may then be possible for us to reclaim our spot as king of the pepper trade from Portugal...

• 1049
• How will you respond?

• 1050
• How can we do that?

• 1051
• I see.
  You're right!

• 1052
• Vittoria
  Huh...? Hey, how are you two going to do that...?

• 1053
• Alvise
  The Suez mentioned in Harun's letter...

• 1054
• Alvise
  The Suez mentioned in Harun's letter...

• 1055
• Alvise
  We can have Faisal occupy this land in between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
  Then we can excavate the canal with our own funding.

• 1056
• Vittoria
  ...!

• 1057
• Alvise
  That way, our country can send fleets directly into India without going around Africa and import pepper at the shortest distance possible.

• 1058
• Vittoria
  That would be incredible...!

• 1059
• Alvise
  Okay! I'm going to present this plan to the Doge and swiftly move to execute it.
  Player, Vittoria, if something happens I may need your help.
  I hope I can count on you.

• 1060
• Vittoria
  I haven't seem my brother look so happy in years.
  I hope his plans work out.
  I wonder if there's anything I can do?
  Player, let us work together to defend our nation.

• 1061
• Vittoria
  I haven't seem my brother look so happy in years.
  I hope his plans work out.
  I wonder if there's anything I can do?
  Player, let us work together to defend our nation.

• 23073
• The town of Venice was in fear due to rumours of an invasion from Turkey.
  The people were worried that the government was doing nothing to stop it.

• 23074
• Arriving at the Orseolo mansion, they found Alvise talking with a group of military men who welcomed war with Turkey.
  If they could receive a fleet, they claimed they would annihilate the enemy.
  However, Alvise stated that Turkey's military was ten times more powerful than Venice's.
  Additionally, because they held the rights to the pepper trade, it was dangerous to engage in a reckless war without knowing the whole situation.
  He explained that the government was preparing for war with Turkey and securing alliances with neighbouring countries, so they would be best served to wait a while longer.

• 23075
• After seeing off the military men, Alvise breathed a sigh of relief.
  In reality, the neighbouring countries that he spoke of such as Spain and France could not be relied on for reinforcements, putting Venice in a difficult position.
  Vittoria smiled at seeing Alvise working so hard.

• 23076
• She had with her a letter from Harun that described how things were going for him.
  Since the desert nomads the Bedouin were active in the desert, he was unable to travel safely.
  Next, they were planning to travel to Arabia via Cairo.
  Reading the letter, a plan began to form in Alvise's head.
  He would join forces with Faisal, the leader of the Bedouin, and strike Turkey from behind.
  It was a way to prevent them from invading Venice.
  Additionally, if they could control the lands of Suez, then Venice could invest in digging canals that could allow them to steal the bulk of the pepper trade away from Portugal.
  Alvise was in high spirits as he set out for the Doge's mansion in order to make his plan a reality.
  Vittoria was pleased as it had been a long while since she had seen her brother be so happy.