The ride to Squillace was long and tiring, and all Cesare Borgia desired was to be inside the carriage he rode beside. Not only would the carriage be much more pleasant within compared to the dusty road he travelled, but he also craved the company of its occupants more than ever recently. Lucrezia believed his only loves in this life were the primal urges experienced by a renaissance man; lust, war, honour. But she underestimated him. Cesare loved his family. He loved politics and sword fighting, and he had a soft spot for wine. And Cesare loved God, but only when it suited him. But he didn't love these things half as much as he loved Lucrezia.
A sudden commotion on the path ahead drew Cesare's attention. Several men were approaching their front guards and Cesare could sense the aggression in their advance. They probably think we carry gold in this carriage. Best not let them see that what we transport is much more valuable.
"Move aside men, let us be on our way." He called out to them.
"And who would we be moving for?" A large, ugly looking man with a hook nose and two narrowed eyes called back. He was probably this bands leader, comparing him to the other two unsightly bandits who were currently eyeing off the carriage and guards in turn. The smallest one was alarmingly skinny and his hair was falling out in patches. Cesare would have said that his greatest feature was his hair, which said a lot about his face. The third man was of an average build, average weight and had exceptionally average features. The only thing that distinguished him at all was the pox that covered the right side of his face and continued all the way down his neck to his wrist. Cesare noticed that the scabs looked fresh by his insistent scratching and the yellow pus that followed, and decided to make an effort to stay away from this man. Cesare considered his next words carefully. Though a fight with these men would be purely sport, an easy win, there was the added consideration of any chance of harm falling upon his dear sister.
"We are just papal escorts on our way out of Rome, let us past, we mean no harm." The three men looked at each other unimpressed. They had set out today with one purpose in mind, and no simple words would persuade them from their course.
"It looks like you got something worth our while in that carriage of yours." The Hooked nose man called back. The small man sniggered and took a cautious step forward. Cesare purposefully brushed his hand across the sword at his hip, sending a silent message. The man smiled gently, though Cesare could see the malice in his eyes, "we only want a look is all." Cesare could see from the corner of his eye that Juan's hand had also gone to his weapon. Cesare had half expected his craven brother to have turned and retreated for Rome by now as he had before, but Juan had held his ground though silent within the exchange. These men seemed to be unconcerned about the possibility of a struggle, and took no notice of their clear disadvantage. Cesare had one more man than them, and doubted the bandits were of any skill with a blade.
"Why don't you run along now before you get yourself in some trouble you can't get out of…with your life." Juan had finally spoken up. Cesare just hoped the words did not inflame the men's spirits. Juan was smirking now, clearly confident of their position if things were to come to a head. Cesare began to formulate a battle plan in his head, mapping a clear course of action of the most effective way to protect the carriage should they make a sudden decision to act. While this was happening the pox ridden man had begun a slow movement around and closer to the carriage, he was about 4 metres away now, too close for Cesare's comfort.
"Stay yourself bandit if you value your head." Cesare had indicated for one of the two guards with them to notch an arrow on his bow, which was currently being aimed at his head.
"Looks like we found ourselves something real precious boys." The bandit laughed. Cesare could agree with them on that. He was getting sick of this exchange and fluently drew his sword from its scabbard. If this was to come to a fight, let it happen already. The hooked nose man saw his action and drew his own weapon in response, his other companions close behind him.
"Pity, I had just cleaned by blade today."