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Marco find Giocomo in his study and knocks on the door before entering. "Brother, what are you going to do?" Marco asks.

Giocomo is seated at his desk, hunched over a stack of papers with a quill in hand and writing furiously. He doesn't look up to Marco when he gives his reply. "What am I going to do? About Blasio and Francesca? The revolts in Florence? Or do you mean the poisoning letter and our father's health? The crumbling Papacy? No, perhaps you ask about the defense of Venice? You are going to have to be rather more specific." He puts his quill back in the inkpot and pinches the bridges of his nose and rubs his eyes.

Marco calls all of his mental reserves to his aid...

"I... guess, what about... hm, Florence? We need them as our shield, right? I'm sure you'll know what to do and I'm sure we will be victorious! We have dealt with Blasio, we have dealt with Rocco - there's nothing to stop Acerbi brothers!"

Only after finishing his speech Marco realized he is probably a little too enthusiastic and careless about the whole ordeal.

Giocomo shifts to put his face in his hands and then sighs heavily with frustration. He looks up to Marco with tired eyes. "The decision hasn't been finalized yet. The council is convening in three days to deliberate on the matter. I'm preparing a recommendation and trying to gather support among the other council members in the meantime. I'll be arguing for Venice to land a portion of our army in each of Cervia* and Rimini. After reaffirming our position there, we move upriver as far as we can before going overland to Florence. We'll put down any remaining revolts negotiate with Florence to either the reinstatement of the Medici or else attempt to make a pact with the new republic. Hopefully we can trap Charles in the Italian peninsula, and through attrition, grind his army down until it is small enough to confront in the field... in a few years time."

He hangs his head in defeat, not meeting Marco's eyes. "I plan to offer the use of our Carrack to the Armada for ongoing resupply."

[*Reminder: This was the city where Marco dreamed he fought the three headed giant.]

"And what do you want me to do? " - Marco scratches his head - "Lucio Monte will take care of our father, Francesca is safe and Blasio won't trouble us..."

Giocomo stands and gives Marco a perplexed look. "You know, as the younger brother, I am supposed to be the one asking you for advice." He walks to Marco and claps a hand on his shoulder. "Coming to the council meeting would show the solidarity of the Acerbi family, even if you don't have anything to say yourself. I've been keeping our father appraised of current events. He might have an idea for something for you to take charge of. I dismissed the guards I had posted outside his room..." He has annoyed look on his face. "Lucio assured me they were unnecessary. If you do speak with our father though, I haven't told him of the poison warning letter. It could be nothing and I didn't want to worry him more was necessary until I knew for sure." He pats Marco on the shoulder again. "So you could try to find out who is responsible for that too, if you would prefer."

Marco nods in agreement and leaves Giacomo to speak with their father. This time he knocks lightly, not to wake up Claudio if he's asleep for some reason.

When Marco knocks he has to strain his hearing Claudio's soft reply. "Come in."

Inside the bedroom the drapes are drawn closed and the air is hot and stuffy. The light from the hallway outside illuminates Claudio sitting himself up in his bed. "Oh, Marco my boy. I thought you were a servant come to wake me up. What hour is it?"

He indicates to the chair nearby his bed. "No, no, now is as good as time as any. If fact, the sooner the better perhaps. What's on your mind Marco? How is Francesca fairing?"

"Blasio you say? He's been working on the resupply agreements to Cervia and Ravenna with Giocomo. But I didn't call you in here tonight to talk about politics." Before Marco has a chance to say anything about his father's mistake, he continues talking. "Id like for you do for me a different job, one more suited to your kind heart. You know the cook Francesca, don't you? Someone attacked her tonight, but thankfully she wasn't too badly hurt. Marco, I'd like you to take charge of helping her. See to it that justice is found. Poor thing, with her brother away fighting with the French, she doesn't have anyone to take up her cause."

Marco breathes in as if he wanted to say something, and then just smiles sadly and answers:
"Of course papa, I will take care of this as if she was my own sister...

Claudio pats Marco on the hand. "Thankyou my boy. It will be good to have you showing more interest in the families affairs. Now, let me get a few more hour rest before morning. I'm exhausted."