Padovese History: Book 4 - How Greed Corrupted

## Part 1: Preparations

Gonfalon Cato, leader of Padova, received unsettling news about the Satriona Plague that had ravaged the Athomo Empire, decimating its population. As someone who had only heard of plagues in stories and legends during his childhood, Cato felt a mix of nervousness and determination as he prepared to face the impending crisis. Urgently, he summoned a diverse group of experts, including doctors, grave diggers, and individuals reputed to possess miraculous abilities, to gather the following day.

Seated among the experts, Cato observed their stunned reactions upon learning about the severity of the fatal Satriona Plague. The discussion primarily focused on prevention strategies. Cato posed the question of how to halt the spread of the plague, eliciting various responses. A grave digger suggested burning the infected bodies deeper into the ground, speculating that the plague might spread through the soil. Another physician proposed dumping the bodies into water, believing it would purify them, but was countered by a colleague who insisted that fire and cinders were the only means of purification. Cato patiently observed, waiting for a solution that resonated with him. Finally, a doctor broke the silence, suggesting the closure of the northern borders with Athomo to prevent the plague from entering their empire.

Cato dismissed the experts, instructing them to return the next day with improved ideas. Recognizing their lack of experience in curing the plague, he sent his men to the temples across the empire, requesting offerings to the gods in the hopes of averting a fate similar to Athomo's.

Following the meeting, Cato convened the Senate to discuss ways to protect the empire from the plague. The "Ten of War" Senate recommended closing the northern borders and employing bows and arrows to shoot anyone approaching the border. The "Six of Law and Order" Senate proposed establishing special hospitals to isolate the infected, allowing them to perish without spreading the disease, or rewarding citizens with Florins for reporting infected individuals to the council. Cato carefully considered both suggestions, finding value in each. Intent on implementing their ideas, he aimed to have them in effect within the next week.

The walls were fortified, the gates sealed shut, and guards vigilantly patrolled the ramparts, ready to face any potential threat. On a foggy morning near the border, a sense of eerie silence hung over the Athomo side, while a few forts were resupplied and farmers tended to their lands and livestock on Padova's side. In the midst of the fog, a figure emerged, but it soon became apparent that it wasn't human. Approaching through the mist was a woman carrying a baby, both visibly infected with black lesions scattered across their skin. Bloodshot eyes and the baby's distress filled the air with cries. The guards stationed on the wall, their nerves on edge, aimed their bows at the approaching figures, anxiously waiting to see their next move. As the woman drew nearer, the baby's cries grew louder. The captain, his voice clear but hesitant, shouted a warning, instructing her not to come closer to the walls, as they had been ordered to shoot anyone who defied the command.

The woman's pace slowed, and eventually, she came to a halt. Collapsing to the ground, she dropped the baby, intensifying its cries. The woman succumbed to death, while the baby lay there, its wails echoing in the tense silence. Some of the men requested permission from the captain to rescue and aid the infant, but the captain, visibly uncomfortable witnessing such a distressing scene, maintained his position and ordered them to refrain from intervening unless instructed otherwise. Thus, the baby continued to cry, until gradually, it fell silent. The men on the walls feared the worst. Throughout the night, they remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement near the border, but nothing untoward occurred.

As dawn broke, the men awoke to a disconcerting discovery. The bodies of the woman and baby were no longer present, replaced by distinct marks indicating that the woman had been dragged into the nearby forests. The unsettling development left the guards on edge, their minds filled with apprehension about the unseen dangers lurking beyond the borders.

## Part 2: Reinforcements

After the distressing incident of the lady being dragged into the forest, the captain of the men stationed on the wall retreated to his board room. There, he diligently composed letters detailing the unsettling events, urgently seeking guidance and assistance from the Capital of the Empire. With a heavy heart, he dispatched the messages and settled into an uneasy wait.

A day later, Settivo Luccia, a prominent member of the senate known as "Ten of War," arrived at the border with a formidable army and additional reinforcements. Settivo had been appointed by Gonfalon Cato to investigate and uncover any malicious activities occurring in the border region. His arrival brought a glimmer of hope amidst the growing darkness, signaling the Empire's commitment to addressing the escalating concerns.

Settivo wasted no time in assuming his role, taking charge of the investigation on behalf of Gonfalon Cato. Recognizing the exhaustion etched on the faces of the Scouter and his team after witnessing the mysterious disappearance of the lady and her baby, Settivo ordered them to seek respite and recuperation at the nearby military forts. It was imperative that they regain their strength and clarity of mind, for the tasks ahead would require their utmost vigilance.

Despite their weariness, sleep proved elusive for the captain and his men. The haunting image of the lady and her vanishing child lingered in their minds, casting a somber shadow over their thoughts. Restlessness plagued them as they contemplated the mysteries concealed within the depths of the foreboding woods. The weight of their duty pressed upon them, leaving little room for peace in their troubled hearts.

Upon receiving Settivo's instructions, a skilled team of scouters was deployed into the dense woods, their mission clear: to uncover the whereabouts of the lady and her baby. Following the trails that led deeper into the forest, they pressed forward, their senses heightened and their determination unwavering.

As the hours passed and nightfall loomed, the team faced the reality of the approaching darkness. They divided themselves into two groups, with one group standing guard while the others sought much-needed rest. Amidst the preparation for their makeshift camp, a member of the lookout team ascended a tree, granting them an elevated vantage point. His keen eyes scanned the surrounding forest, and what he witnessed filled him with a mix of shock and urgency.

In the distance, slightly further into the woods, a colossal bonfire blazed, casting an eerie glow against the night sky. Hastily descending from the tree, the scout rushed to inform the rest of the team. Without hesitation, they extinguished their campfire and swiftly packed their supplies. Their destination was clear—the source of the blazing inferno.

As the scouters arrived at the scene, disbelief settled upon them like a heavy fog. The giant bonfire had been constructed, and individuals clad in protective suits stood around it, preparing to dispose of the infected bodies they had collected. Among the lifeless forms being cast into the flames, one body stood out—the lady they had been searching for. However, the baby was nowhere to be found.

Uncertain of their next course of action, the scouters waited as the knights continued their grim task. They reasoned that if the men in protective suits were disposing of the bodies, it would likely be safer to approach once the process was complete. Observing intently, the scouters noticed a mechanism beneath the bonfire, designed to collect the ashes of the bodies, alongside a system leading to an enigmatic purifying device of sorts—its purpose unclear but intriguing.

As the final body was consigned to the fiery depths, the scouters positioned themselves strategically, ready to ambush and restrain the knights from above. Silently, they descended upon their unsuspecting targets, swiftly immobilizing them. The language spoken by the knights seemed foreign to the scouters, save for a few familiar words borne from their shared border. However, the language barrier posed no significant obstacle, as they knew that capable translators awaited them back at the border, ready to unravel the mysteries concealed within the tongues of the captives.

Under the cover of darkness, the restrained knights were swiftly transported to the border by Settivo's orders. The operation was executed with utmost caution, minimizing any chance of failure or interference. Once the scouters successfully delivered the captives, Settivo expressed his gratitude, shaking their hands in appreciation for their dedication and service. He then allowed them to finally rest, knowing they had carried out their duties admirably.

Settivo wasted no time in formulating the next phase of the investigation. He assembled another group of scouters, instructing them to proceed to the location of the bonfire and conduct a thorough investigation into the enigmatic findings. The scouters, well aware of the gravity of their mission, set off to uncover more clues and shed light on the mysteries surrounding the bonfire and its purpose.

In the meantime, Settivo addressed the military camp, recounting the events that had transpired. He shared the discoveries made by the scouters, detailing the existence of the bonfire, the knights, and their macabre task of disposing of infected bodies. Settivo emphasized the need for caution and vigilance, as the situation held potential implications that extended beyond the immediate borders.

## Part 3: Questions, Oh Questions

As the sun rose, casting its golden light upon the land, the interrogation of the two knights commenced. Settivo, joined by skilled interrogators, sought to extract vital information from the captives. The questioning delved into their motives, their affiliation, and the purpose behind the bonfire and its accompanying mechanisms. It was a crucial stage in unraveling the truth and understanding the depths of the unfolding mystery.

Settivo stood before the knights, their foreign language initially hindering communication. Recognizing the need for a translator, he called for assistance to bridge the linguistic barrier. As the translator entered the room, the knight's speech became comprehensible to the Padovese.

With the translator facilitating understanding, Settivo asked his first question, his voice laced with curiosity and suspicion. "Who are you?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the suited figures before him.

One of the men, devoid of any hint of amusement, replied in the common tongue shared by Settivo and the Padovese. "We are the Knights of Ariandel," he stated with a solemn tone, revealing the name of their enigmatic group.

Perplexed, Settivo pressed further, his tone tinged with skepticism. "What are knights doing in the middle of the woods burning corpses? Aren't you supposed to be saving some maiden in distress?" he remarked, attempting to lighten the mood with a jest. The Padovese chuckled at the remark, but the knights remained stoic, unresponsive to the attempt at humor.

The same knight, now conversing in the common tongue, retorted with a hint of bitterness lingering in his voice. "We used to serve the Emperor," he began, recounting their history. "But after the Emperor's death and the onset of civil war, we were tricked into aligning ourselves with a faction leader. He promised us power and land in exchange for our support, but instead, he used us as pawns to eliminate two rival factions."

A sense of betrayal permeated his words as he continued his tale. "After the elimination of those factions, he sold our lands and enslaved our brethren, using them as a source of profit to sustain his own ambitions. He sought to become a sovereign leader, seizing the power vacuum that emerged in the wake of the war."

Taking a breath, the man paused momentarily before his companion spoke in their native tongue, the words unfamiliar to Settivo and the Padovese. The translator relayed the message to Settivo, conveying the essence of their illicit activities.

"We now burn the corpses of the infected to create a drug called 'Silver Ash,'" the knight explained, the weight of their actions evident in his voice. "We employ a distillation method to produce this drug, which soothes the pain of the Infected. It is highly addictive, ensuring substantial profits even in the face of competition."

The revelation sent shockwaves through the Padovese contingent. Settivo, his voice filled with concern and disbelief, posed another question. "Why do people use this 'Silver Ash'?" he inquired, his mind struggling to comprehend the depths of desperation and suffering.

The knight's response was filled with a somber truth. "The plague has ravaged lives, leaving only ruin in its wake," he explained. "For those infected, it consumes their existence. Some spend their remaining resources to obtain the drug, seeking solace from the pain or using it as a temporary respite."

A heavy silence descended upon the room as Settivo absorbed the weight of their words. The other knight interjected in their native tongue, his voice carrying a sense of bitterness and resentment. Though the words were foreign, the translator conveyed the message to Settivo.

"We were meant to be noble and humble," the knight expressed, his tone tinged with anger. "But now, all we care about is money. We want the world to witness our plight and understand the way life has unfolded for us. We despise how the gods have forsaken us, despite our unwavering devotion. And you, people of Padova, do you pity us? The plague will spread its tendrils, reaching even your lands. It is an insidious force, seeking new hosts when it has exhausted its current ones. We have yet to find a cure, and its grip tightens with each passing day."

Settivo remained silent, his thoughts consumed by the gravity of the situation. The revelation had unraveled a web of deceit, desperation, and suffering. The enormity of the task ahead weighed heavily upon him as he contemplated the challenges they would face in combating the plague and rectifying the injustices committed by the Knights of Ariandel.

As tension thickened in the room, an unbearable air hung heavy, suffocating all within its grasp. The sound of approaching footsteps amplified the palpable unease. The second batch of scouts had returned, their hurried steps signaling the urgency of their information. They had discovered the whereabouts of the baby, found amidst a disturbing scene.

The scouts relayed their findings, their voices laced with a mix of horror and disbelief. The baby had been spotted in a cauldron, submerged in an unsettling concoction that included vegetables. The knights, it seemed, had interrupted their sinister activities to prepare their own dinner.

A suffocating silence settled upon the room, broken only by the weight of the realization. The sheer notion that the knights had intended to consume the innocent child sent waves of revulsion coursing through Settivo. His eyes burned with a mix of anger and determination as he absorbed the gravity of the situation.

Expressing his gratitude to the scouts for their invaluable information, Settivo issued a firm command. They were to return to the capital immediately, carrying the news of the baby's location with them. Simultaneously, Settivo ordered the military forces to set ablaze the shack housing the bonfire and to prepare for the execution of the knights.

To Settivo's surprise, the knights remained stoic, their expressions unchanged. Their lack of reaction perplexed the Padovese, leaving him questioning the depth of their apathy or the extent of their conviction. The room, now filled with a tense silence, brimmed with anticipation for what lay ahead—the impending confrontation with the Knights of Ariandel and the justice that awaited them.

The military camp stood witness to the grim spectacle of the execution. Settivo and his men, their faces etched with a mixture of solemnity and resolve, gathered to ensure the justice they deemed necessary was carried out. Among the condemned, a stark contrast in demeanor emerged.

One of the knights, his features contorted with fear, betrayed the trepidation that accompanies the approach of death. His eyes darted around the gathering, seeking solace or perhaps a final glimmer of hope. The weight of his impending fate settled upon him, casting a shadow of despair.

In stark contrast, the other knight wore an eerie grin. His countenance twisted into a disturbing caricature of amusement, evoking a sense of discomfort among those present. The unsettling sound of his laughter, tinged with madness, echoed through the air.

As was customary, Settivo granted the condemned men the opportunity to make their last requests. However, the fearful knight remained silent, his voice drowned in the sea of his own apprehension. The swift release from suffering came for him as a volley of arrows found their mark, their deadly flight piercing his body.

The laughter of the other knight persisted, a haunting soundtrack to the somber scene. Settivo, his patience tested, demanded an explanation for the man's macabre amusement. Echoing through the camp, the man's voice cut through the air, spoken in the language of the Padovese.

"I have been infected," he declared, his tone laced with a blend of twisted satisfaction and malevolence. "A few hours before you captured me, the same people you sent back to your precious capital unwittingly carried the plague with them. You are all doomed—" Before he could finish his sentence, Settivo swiftly silenced him, an arrow finding its mark in the man's neck.

Now, amidst the aftermath of the execution, Settivo found himself at a crossroads. Uncertainty gripped his thoughts as he pondered the implications of the infected man's revelation. The knowledge that the plague may have been unknowingly transported to the capital by his own men weighed heavily upon him. Settivo stood there, grappling with the weight of his decision, unsure of his next course of action in the face of an uncertain and potentially dire future.

Database:

* Ancient Kingdom of Athomo
* Knights of Ariandel
* Settivo Lucca
* Silver Ash
* Six of Law and Order Senate
* Ten of War Senate