Skirmish in the Campagna District

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

―Bartolomeo d'Alviano, regarding the French.

In 1503, subsequently following the death of Juan Borgia the Elder, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze intended to assassinate Octavian de Valois to weaken Cesare's influential control over Rome, and to lower the morale of guards positioned at the Castel Sant'Angelo. Ezio visited the military barracks to check on his old friend Bartolomeo d'Alviano, who was battling the French forces of Cesare Borgia, led by Octavian de Valois.

Hostility

Bartolomeo: "It's only a matter of time before I have Valois by the throat. We have them in retreat [...] The situation is under control."

Mercenary: "Close the gates!"

Bartolomeo: "Bene (Good). So maybe I could use a little help."

—Bartolomeo and his men, moments before the French arrive.

Arriving at the barracks, Ezio was greeted by a paranoid Bartolomeo, however hen he saw that it was only Ezio, his paranoia subsided, and segued into a more cheerful side. He told Ezio that he was expecting his wife, which does not surprise him. Ezio then asked who was this Baron de Valois. Bartolomeo informs him that Cesare persuaded King Louis to lend him an army to combat against Bartolomeo, a fact that flatters him.

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Bartolomeo and Ezio, conversing at the Barracks.

Ezio asked how the battle against the Baron was going, Bartolomeo assured him that the French are in retreat. As they conversed, however, a French arquebusier shot at the two from a distance, but missed. Despite this, Bartolomeo still assured that the fight was going well, until a mercenary loudly announced that French troops were moving in for a direct assault. Bartolomeo then admitted he may need some help containing the situation.

Ezio, Bartolomeo and the mercenaries fought against the French forces, sucessfully drived back the first wave of French soldiers; however, more reinforcements attacked the barracks and overwhelmed the mercenaries. Ezio and the mercenaries then had all three of the gates leading directly into the barracks closed, to prevent any reinforcements from entering. Although the barracks was safely defended, The Baron, Octavian de Valois and his troops called for Bartolomeo's attention. Octavian then told him that he must learn to speak French, in order to mask the condotteiro's barbaric sensibilities. Bartolomeo mockingly agrees, asking the Baron to teach him in French, while he instructs the Baron in fighting, since he appeared to take so little action in battle.

After exchanging insults, Octavian requested for Bartolomeo's unconditional surrender before sunrise. Bartolomeo, finding such a request amusing warned the Baron that his "lady, Bianca" will whisper to the Baron's ear. Octavian then revealed that his troops had managed to capture Pantasilea Baglioni, Bartolomeo's wife, and promised to release Pantasilea, should Bartolomeo come into his camp unarmed and alone.

Enraged, Bartolomeo and Ezio rode on horseback to the French camp for a rescue attempt, however they discovered that the camp was impenetrable. After Bartolomeo shouted and angrily barked insults at the gates of the camp, Ezio told him that it is best to regroup and order a direct assault. Bartolomeo told him that the camp is thicker with Frenchmen than the streets of Paris. Ezio then suggested that they scale the walls, but Bartolomeo told him that they cannot be scaled. Bartolomeo, devoid of any tactic due to his wife's absence, was ready to surrender unarmed, bearing gifts for the Baron, hoping that Valois will spare Pantasilea. Hearing this, Ezio thought of a plan, ordering Bartolomeo to call off the attacks and return to the barracks. After Bartolomeo ordered his men to fall back, Ezio returned to the Barracks to explain his plan.

Clothes make the Man

Bartolomeo: "You speak French?"

Ezio: "There were a few French girls in Firenze."

—Ezio and Bartolomeo after their safe access to the French camp.

Returning to the barracks Ezio explained his plan to Bartolomeo. Ezio asked if the mercenaries were capable of overpowering the French guard patrols if initiating a surprise assault inside the camp. Bartolomeo confirmed this, however questioned how they would penetrate it. Ezio explained he would kill several French guards throughout the district, leaving their bodies for the mercenaries to strip. By dawn to would march directly into the camp.

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Bartolomeo was overjoyed with Ezio's cleverly devised plan. He then told Ezio that he will order his men to gather the armor from the dead soldiers, and also adds that they will proceed to the camp from the north. Before Ezio left, Bartolomeo warned the assassin to keep the fight brief in order to cause less damage to the armor, for a clean disguise will keep them from arousing suspicion. Subsequently after the meeting Ezio scouted the district, killing off the French soldiers station at nearby military camps. After the twentieth soldier fell, the mercenaries claimd their temporary armor. Gathering at the north, the mercenaries were clad in the French's armor, ready to proceed to the enemy camp.

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A "captured" Bartolomeo.

Bartolomeo ordered for his own suit of "preverted" armor, however Ezio quicky dismisses this, reminding Bartolomeo that their plan requires for him to act as the prisoner. Agreeing, Bartolomeo joins his men, with his hand tied, allowing suspicious French soldier to be immediately convinced. Ezio, after donning the French captain guard armor, prepares to proceed with Bartolomeo and his mercenaries. As they marched on, Ezio noticed some of the Baron's soldiers from afar, who may potentially ruin their plan. Wasting no time, Ezio eliminated them before the mercenaries arrive at the vicinity, and as the they continued their path, Ezio killed off all the foot soldiers, not to arouse suspicion.

Arriving at French camp. A guard posted at a watch tower asked Ezio, in French, what was his business there. Ezio replies in French, stating that Bartolomeo has surrendered to the Baron and wished for his wife to be free. The guard, doubting Ezio's accent, asked what part of France he is from. He replies that he is from Montreal. After this, he grants access to Ezio and his men. When Bartolomeo asked where Ezio learned how to speak French, he replied that there were a few French girls in Florence during his time there.

A ruffian's nobility

Once inside, Octavian greeted Bartolomeo, however, he drew his rifle and intended to kill Pantasilea regardless of Bartolomeo's "surrender." Realizing the danger on her life, Ezio then fired his own pistol into the air, startling the Baron and signaling the mercenaries to begin the attack. Octavian fled deeper into the camp with Pantasilea as his hostage, sending several of his men to intercept the mercenaries. Ezio pursued him, killing French captains and Papal guards along the way.

Locating the Baron in a small courtyard, Ezio stealthily killed off his arquebusiers, and assassinated Octavian from above to free Pantasilea.

Aftermath

After Octavian's death, the French troops abandoned their stations in Rome and returned to France, weakening Cesare's balance of power. The mercenaries guild continued to further the Assassins' cause, without annoyance from the French army.