Toys of War

The Brutal \Execution\ Of The Patriot Woman Of Faenza Diamante In Violation Of The Laws Of Sanctuary Creates A Division Between Cesare Borgia And His Sinister Condottieri. Maestro Leonardo Da Vinci Quietly Attempting To Reconcile His New Profession As Engineer To Cesare Borgia With His Philosophy Of Non Violence Is Caught Between The Factions. When A Sentry Is Strangled By A \Man With Strong Hands\ And Two Of The Condottieri Are Murdered With LeonardoS Own \Toys Of War\ A Wedge Is Driven Between The Artist/Engineer And His Patron An Alienation That Could Prove Fatal To Leonardo.Placed Under Guard By Cesare The Maestro Manages To Send Word Of His Plight To Niccolo Of Pavia Now A Bergamini Courtier. Niccolo Enlists The Services Of The Traveling Commedia DellArte Players Known As I Comici Buffoni And Together They Gather The Information And Evidence That Could Prove LeonardoS Innocence And Expose The Plot Behind The Murders.What They Learn Brings Leonardo And Niccolo To The Little Adriatic Port Of Sinigaglia Where A Trap Is Sprung A Trap That Paolo Giovio Called \Il Bellissimo Inganno\The \Magnificent Deceit.\ Here Too Leonardo Comes To Realize That The Real \Toys Of War\ Are Not The Battle Weapons He Designs For Cesare But Something Much More Repugnant And Horrifying!