The Ducal Banquet
Duke Edward, having audaciously claimed three earldoms in a single stroke, had incited the wrath of the Marquesses of Milan and Rolf, as well as the Duchy of Savoy.
United in their enmity, they perceived an unmistakable threat in Edward, subsequently forging a military encirclement against him.
At least for the short term, this alliance restrained Edward from waging another war.
Moreover, should he be declared war upon, these three states could justify their aggression as punitive measures against him.
Five or six days later, Edward had thoroughly consolidated his hold over Florence.
His rule was now unchallenged, the streets were swept clean, and the would-be bandits, hoping to profit from the chaos, had been vanquished.
Merchant caravans, once again, nervously set forth from Florence, guarded by the ever-efficient cavalry of the Valuva family, always ready at Edward's command.
In terms of governance, Edward was ahead of Howard.