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, 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 the French 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. Responding, 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 his spouse would be killed.

Enraged, Bartolomeo immediately pursued the Frenchmen on horseback with Ezio. Arriving at the French encampment, Bartolomeo shouted more 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.

Clothes make the Man

The Plan

Ezio: "Once inside, your men can overpower the camp's patrols, correct?"

Bartolomeo: "Yes, but..."

Ezio: "Especially if the patrols are taken completely by surprise?"

—Ezio revealing to Bartolomeo his plans.

Bartolomeo and Ezio, discussing Ezio's plan.

At the barracks, Ezio asked Bartolomeo if the mercenaries were capable of overpowering the French guard patrols if they managed to initiate a surprise assault inside the camp. Bartolomeo confirmed this without a doubt. Ezio then told Bartolomeo his plan, which was to liberate several suits of French armor for the mercenaries to use. Once in the captured gear, Ezio and the mercenaries would bring Bartolomeo to the French camp, as if the condotteiro had surrendered to the them. Once inside the camp, Ezio would give the signal to launch a surprise attack.

Bartolomeo was overjoyed with Ezio's cleverly devised plan. He then told Ezio that he would order his men to gather the armor from the dead soldiers, and also added that they would proceed to the camp from the north, so as not to arouse suspicion. Before Ezio left, Bartolomeo warned the Assassin to keep the fight brief, in order to cause less damage to the armor, and allow the mercenaries to have clean disguises.

Ezio and his recruits killing the French soldiers.

After the meeting, Ezio scouted the district, killing the French soldiers stationed at nearby military camps and doing so without being seen. After the twentieth soldier fell, the mercenaries took the armor from the corpses littered around the area. Gathering to the north, the mercenaries clad themselves in the French armor, as they readied themselves to proceed into the enemy camp.

Infiltrating the French base

Bartolomeo: "You speak French?"

Ezio: "There were a couple of French girls in Firenze."

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

Bartolomeo ordered his men to give him his own suit of armor, however, Ezio quickly dismissed this, reminding Bartolomeo that their plan required him to act as the prisoner. Agreeing, Bartolomeo joined his men with his hand tied. Ezio, after donning the armor of a French Captain, prepared to proceed through the district with Bartolomeo and his mercenaries, carefully following the path that a French patrol would take so as not to arouse any suspicion. As they marched on, Ezio noticed some of the Baron's soldiers from afar, who could potentially ruin their plan. Wasting no time, Ezio eliminated them before the mercenaries arrived, and did the same for any other soldiers along the path.

Subsequently, as they marched, Ezio and Bartolomeo discussed what the Baron thought of Cesare's promise to allow the French to rule Italy. Bartolomeo spoke of the Baron's pride in his bloodline, how it affected his capability in battle, and that no matter what he thought, Cesare intended to be king. He also told Ezio his opinion on the plan, thinking it brilliant, though rather cowardly. He said that he believed in fair fighting, to which Ezio cynically commented that the Baron and Cesare thought otherwise. Bartolomeo then quoted something Ezio's father had once written, "There will come a day in which men no longer cheat each other; and on that day we will see what mankind is truly capable of."

Ezio escorting Bartolomeo and the "French soldiers."

As they arrived at the entrance of the French camp, a guard posted on a watch tower asked Ezio, in French, what his business was there. Ezio replied in French, stating that Bartolomeo had surrendered to the Baron and wished for his wife to be freed. The guard, suspecting Ezio's demeanor and accent, asked what part of France he was from. Ezio, after a moment's thought, replied that he was from Montreal. After this, the guard granted access to Ezio and his men. When Bartolomeo asked where Ezio had learned to speak French, he replied that there had been a few French girls in Firenze during his time there.

Nobility among Brutes and Barons

Brawl in the base

The Baron and Bartolomeo meet at the French camp.

"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.

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)