Yet after seven years, the Doge inexplicably reappeared at the Shire of Danescombe’s Machiavelli Feast on November 9, XXXVI A.S. Accompanied by his spokesman, Sir Raknar and his protector, Harleigh Dhai, the Doge, his face shrouded with a black coif, attended the feast. His arrival was well-timed; Both the Shire’s armoured warriors, and the devotees of the small sword (rapiers) had completed their impromptu tournaments and all weapons where packed away. It was obvious that the Doge preferred to suffer the murmurs of the politically disenchanted, rather than their steel.

Through his spokesman, the Doge greeted the nobles present, sat alone at the head table with his protector and enjoyed the feast. Throughout the evening, the Doge avoided any direct conversation with anyone other than his two trusted companions, keeping himself out of arms reach of any member of the populous. Yet, during the few moments that his protector left his side while the Doge strolled a dim corridor, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the night. The Doge was dead! Assassinated!

Sir Raknar immediately announced the Doge’s demise and that the corpse had been removed and could not be examined by the shire officials. In angry tones, Sir Raknar demanded that the Seneschal take responsibility for filling the now vacant office. Danescombe’s Seneschal declared that the nobles present would choose the next Doge by secret ballot.

The game was afoot!. Alliances were formed: Treachery, bribes and blackmail were rampant: Hidden agendas slowly surfaced; Betrayal arose everywhere. During the evening, one candidate was assassinated, a kidnapping was foiled, a henchman murdered by a “trusted” friend. The ballot box was stolen and reappeared a number of times. Extra ballots and a container of gold coins were stolen. Even the Doge’s chain of office was slipped from the head table and planted amongst the belongings of one noble in an attempt to frame him.

At long last, three chosen nobles sequestered themselves and “counted” the ballots; Angry voices were heard from the counting table - there were disagreements on the outcome.

At last a new Doge was named; Harleigh Dhai! The Doge’s own protector. As the chain of office was placed around his neck, false smiles were pasted on the faces of those whose thoughts strayed into the future ... to next year’s Machiavelli feast ... where anything can happen.

Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) of Florence, was the first great political philosopher of the Renaissance. In his famous treatise, “The Prince”, Machiavelli proposed that political power must be maintained by any means. His political advice to any Prince was that the “virtues” and lofty ideals so often treasured by great leaders will eventually lead to their downfall. Instead, Machiavelli proposed that a Prince should be practiced in deceit and use it when it suits his purpose, and warned that “vices” will better serve than “virtues” in the political arena.