[IC] The Great Meeting

Via Grande

Alessandro struggled to understand the badly spoken Sartorian. These people were definitely not highlanders: upon closer examination, their clothes were far too thick for the equatorial weather, while their Sartorian was mispronounced and difficult to understand, quite different from the easy flow that characterised a native speaker. Still, he understood enough to figure out that they were foreigners and that they wanted to speak with the Privy Council. Who exactly they were? That he did not catch, and he didn't need to know anyway. He could already see his backup coming from down the highway, so he relaxed.

"Signore, per favore aspettate. Vi porterò alla stazione di polizia."

Palazzo Malzo

Advisor Andrea Malene was waiting to speak with the Council President. He was standing against one of the walls in the reception area, where visitors would usually wait for the Secretary of the President to inform him that someone was there to speak with him. Contrary to its seemingly mundane nature, many landmark moments had taken place there. Most notably, it was here where Prince Giovanni had been shot, so many years ago. In fact, he was standing right next to a portrait depicting that very scene: Giovanni trying to cover himself, as his attacker aimed at him. A reminder that even in Sartoria, civility was not guaranteed.

He was mulling over that scene when his name was called, and he went to meet the Council President.

"Mr President." He said, shaking hands with him "Thank you for meeting me in such short notice."

"What do you have for me?"

"You will be happy to know Mekselia Police has detained what seem to be our Procellian infiltrators. They appear to be military, and they speak at least some Sartorian, though I hear it's difficult to understand." He let that sink in for a second, as the President leaned back on his chair "I already got in touch with the Office of Internal Security, and they have sent agents to keep watch on them until we decide what to do."

Valerio was astonished at how fast this had moved. He knew agents were trying to locate the infiltrators, but this was so much faster than he expected. "Do you know what they want?"

"Apparently they wish to speak with you."

"Me? I have been communicating with their government. Why would they send covert agents to speak with me?"

"I can't answer that, sir."

Valerio considered his options. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes" Malene said, producing an envelope from inside his coat "This has just arrived. It's from Sylon."

As he read the letter, Valerio found himself nodding a few times, until he finished reading, and then he put down the letter.

"Alright. I want to see the infiltrators. Then I'll decide what to do about this letter."