"His Holiness, Pope Pius the Seventh." The camerlengo stepped aside as the Pope entered the room. Assembled were cardinals from all across Europe, all anxiously awaiting news of the so-called "crusade". He stepped up to a podium in front of them all, and looked at them. Nothing was said, he just looked. Then, after a long silence, "The muslim nations of Europe and North Africa claim that we are embarking on a crusade. I know this is not so, all I plan to do is bring Christianity to that one part of North Africa, to Beylik, that is all. Algieria and Fez appear to be considering opening hostilities. We must respond. We cannot sit and allow them to disrupt our campaign, our mission." There was complete silence as Pius paused, seeming much older, more stressed. "I suspect this will be the end of me, and perhaps of my nation. I implore you to return to your nations and ask for support, for soldiers. This is no crusade, I am not bound for the Holy Land. We want Beylik, nothing more. If we are attacked, we WILL fight back, and nothing will stand in our way. Cardinals, this will possibly be the last time you see me. Please, do my bidding, and you will be rewarded."
Several hours later...
"The Cardinals are gone, my lord." The camerlengo was suspiscious, he didn't like the way this was going, a new crusade? Surely Pius wasn't so stupid.
"Camerlengo, how badly are we going to lose this war?" Pius looked worried, and he was shaking.
"Holiness...I do not know. We may yet win, it depends now on the Catholic world, perhaps the Cardinals will manage to do as you ask." Outside the window, the semi-completed University of Rome rose, a hulking building that was a testament to the Pope's eagerness to educate his people.
"How long until EarthSea is finished?" Pius was shuffling through papers, looking for something.
"We don't know, Holiness. At this rate, 4 or 5 years, maybe 6."
"6 YEARS? We don't have that much time. We need it sped up..." Pius paused, "Have we tried negotiating with Beylik?"
"Negotiating? For what?" Now the Camerlengo was confused.
"For peace. Maybe we can end the war, and still have a Catholic territory in Africa. Maybe they'll give us land in exchange for peace." Pius knew now was the time to strike, "Camerlengo, write letters to Spain, Portugal and the Two Sicilies. Let them know we need their help. See if you can get a meeting between me and the Queen of the Two Sicilies, I have some information which may change their mind. Oh, and read this." Pius handed the report he had been clutching to his chamberlain.
"Of course, Holiness." The Camerlengo took the report and glanced at the title, "Pius...are you sure? This isn't something that we want publicised, or even revealed to any other nations...this could prove most deadly to reveal..."
"Show it ONLY to the monarchs of Spain and Portugal. I'll take a copy to the Sicilies myself. You may go."
" Of course, Holiness." The Camerlengo KNEW this was going to go bad...
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NK and I had many PM discussions about this. Where'd you get a 20-sided die?
