Skirmish in the Campagna District

"Cesare persuaded King Louis to lend him an entire army to defeat me. I'm flattered."

―Bartolomeo d'Alviano, regarding the French.

The skirmish in the Campagna District was a military conflict fought between the forces of Bartolomeo d'Alviano and Octavian de Valois in 1503 within the Campagna District of Rome.

Attack on Bartolomeo's barracks

Bartolomeo: "It's only a matter of time before I have Valois by the throat. We have them in retreat."

Ezio: "They seem to be getting closer."

—Bartolomeo and Ezio discuss the French advances.

Following the assassination of Cardinal Juan Borgia, the Assassin, Ezio Auditore, made his way to the Campagna District in Rome. A fellow Assassin and leader of the mercenaries in Rome, Bartolomeo d'Alviano had his barracks stationed in the district.

Upon reaching the barracks, Ezio was greeted by Bartolomeo. Bartolomeo had become paranoid from the frequent combat with the French forces commanded by Octavian de Valois and supported by the Borgia, and nearly attacked Ezio as a result.

Recognizing Ezio, Bartolomeo let his guard down, and the two had a brief discussion, with Bartolomeo informing Ezio of the battle and the French commander, the Baron Octavian de Valois. Before they could continue their deliberation, however, a mercenary caught sight of the French approaching, and shouted for the gates to be closed.

Becoming aware that he required aid, Bartolomeo ordered Ezio to shut the gates while his men fought with the French soldiers. Maneuvering around the battle, Ezio was able to shut the various gates of the barracks, preventing additional French soldiers from entering the mercenaries' quarters. Having closed the gates, Ezio then assisted Bartolomeo and his men in vanquishing the remaining French troops.

The Baron approaching the barracks with his men.

Although the barracks had been secured, the Baron and his troops made advances towards the barracks, calling for Bartolomeo's attention. As Bartolomeo listened attentively, Octavian solicited for Bartolomeo's unconditional surrender. Vexed, Bartolomeo refused the Baron's request irritably.

At Bartolomeo's refusal of surrender, the Baron had one of his men bring Bartolomeo's spouse, Pantasilea Baglioni, forward. In response, Bartolomeo threatened the Baron, though the Baron swiftly gave him an ultimatum in which Bartolomeo would have to enter the French camp unarmed at dawn, or have his spouse killed.

Enraged, Bartolomeo pursued the Frenchmen on horseback with Ezio. Arriving at the French encampment, Bartolomeo further shouted threats and jeers at the French, though Ezio devised a plan, and told Bartolomeo to recall his men to the barracks. Acquiescing in Ezio's proposal, Bartolomeo briskly departed for the quarters with his men.

Infiltration of the French encampment

Procuring armor and entrance

"[...] We need to liberate several suits of French armor. At dawn, we are going to walk right in."

―Ezio explains his plan to Bartolomeo.

Once at the barracks, Ezio described his plan to Bartolomeo, informing him that they would need to eliminate French soldiers and procure their armor. Ezio went on to explain they would utilize it to enter the French camp inconspicuously. Bartolomeo agreed, and volunteered his men to claim the armor from the fallen French troops.

Traversing the district, Ezio stealthily eliminated twenty French soliders, managing to keep the armor unsoiled for Bartolomeo's men. He then made his way to Bartolomeo, where Ezio and the mercenaries outfitted themselves with the French soldiers' attire. After dressing themselves in the French garb, Ezio led the mercenaries and Bartolomeo as they made their way to the French camp.

Ezio and the mercenaries proceed with Bartolomeo.

Along the way, Ezio encountered two French checkpoints. Comprehending that they would be identified, Bartolomeo told Ezio to eliminate the soldiers at each checkpoint. Stealthily slaying the troops on patrol, Ezio cleared the paths, enabling Bartolomeo to be brought safely to the French camp.

Arriving at the French camp, Ezio was briskly confronted by a French soldier who questioned him dubiously. Informing the soldier that he was escorting Bartolomeo to the Baron, Ezio managed to pass by, utilizing his knowledge of the French language. After leading Bartolomeo to the inner section of the camp, the Baron emerged with Pantasilea.

Observing his spouse with the Baron, Bartolomeo engaged in a heated argument with the Baron. Eventually, the Baron brandished his armament and directed it at Pantasilea, at which Ezio signaled for the mercenaries to commence their attack. Discerning Bartolomeo's strategy, the Baron retreated into the inner fortress with Pantasilea as his detainee.

Battle

"You think commanding an army grants you nobility? Nobility comes from fighting beside your soldiers, not kidnapping a woman so you can cheat your way out of battle! Why don't you grow a pair, and release my wife?!"

―Bartolomeo, to Octavian de Valois.

The Baron and Bartolomeo meet at the French camp.

While walking inside the camp, Bartolomeo was insulted and taunted by the soldiers stationed there, which continued until Bartolomeo faced Octavian directly. The Baron, with Pantasilea beside him, greeted Bartolomeo with mock courtesy. Bartolomeo, enraged with the Baron's tactics, demanded that his wife be released. The Baron then tried to press on with his insults, telling Bartolomeo that his entitlements were too much for a man of his low caliber. Bartolomeo then claimed that his name was worth its currency, unlike the Baron's, which he stated was counterfeit. The Baron was deeply offended, but Bartolomeo continued, saying that one gained nobility by battling beside one's men, and not through kidnapping women in order to cheat out of battle. He once again demanded his wife be released.

Octavian threatens Pantasilea.

The Baron, his rifle in hand, pointed it to Pantasilea's head in response to the taunts. Seeing the danger, Ezio fired his hidden gun into the air, signaling the mercenaries to initiate the attack. Sensing danger, the Baron quickly fled with Pantasilea in tow, while several of the talented and physically imposing Papal guards defended his retreat. Ezio, Bartolomeo, and the mercenaries engaged in a skirmish with the Baron's French soldiers .

After disposing of the guards, Bartolomeo demanded that Ezio follow Octavian, and save Pantasilea. Agreeing to do so, Ezio quickly left the vicinity, climbing the nearest rooftop and making his way through the camp from there. Though stopped by several French Guard Captains stationed at the gate to the Baron's personal barracks, Ezio engaged the men in combat and eventually routed them. Opening the gate, Ezio proceeded forward. As he set foot in the courtyard, Ezio was nearly shot by the Baron, who was effortlessly dragging Pantasilea with him. Inside the safety of the barracks, he angrily threatened to kill Pantasilea should he notice the slightest hint that Ezio was near.

Rescue mission

Octavian: "I only wanted respect."

Ezio: "Respect is earned, not inherited or purchased."

Octavian: "Perhaps you are right... I need more time..."

—Octavian to Ezio at death.

Treading carefully, Ezio quietly made his way onto the walls of the barracks, avoiding the guards until he saw the Baron with his rifle still pointed to Pantasilea's head. Seeing an opportunity, Ezio leapt and killed the Baron before he could execute Pantasilea. As he died, the Baron told Ezio that he had only wanted respect. Ezio then told him that it was something earned, not inherited or purchased. The Baron then realized his mistake as he closed his eyes, He asked for another chance to redeem himself, but it was too late. The deed was done, and Ezio spoke his customary words of respect over the body. After finishing this, he left to check on the newly rescued Pantasilea.

Pantasilea and Bartolomeo hug each other intimately.

Bartolomeo arrived soon after to attend to Pantasilea. The two hugged each other warmly, as Bartolomeo revealed that he had been lost without her. Pantasilea then told him that what he had planned was brilliant, but he corrected her that it was not his plan, but Ezio's. Ezio then countered this himself, telling Pantasilea that it had all been Bartolomeo's doing. A puzzled Bartolomeo was then hugged by Pantasilea, who told him that he was her prince.

After this, and thanking Ezio for his assistance, Pantasilea left the camp. Bartolomeo followed her, patting Ezio on the shoulder and signifying a job well done. Ezio simply watched Bartolomeo and Pantasilea leave before departing himself.

Aftermath

Pantasilea: "You are my prince."

Bartolomeo: "Now I better earn that title."

Pantasilea: "You will."

—Bartolomeo and Pantasilea after her rescue.

After Octavian's death, the leaderless French troops abandoned their stations in Rome and returned to France, weakening Cesare's balance of power and crippling his army significantly. The mercenary guild continued to further the Assassins' cause, though without the added disturbance that came from fighting the French army. This marked another step forward for the Assassins, and a step backward for the Templars. This event would soon aid Ezio in re-acquiring the Apple from Cesare, aiding the citizens with the Liberation of Rome from Borgia influence. With the event brought to a close, the Assassins began to plan their infiltration into the Colosseum Passion Play, where they would attempt to assassinate Micheletto Corella and retrieve a key to the Castel Sant'Angelo from the actor Pietro Rossi.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)