Facino Cane

Bellarion

Bellarion serves as a trusted subordinate and protégé to the condottiero Facino Cane, with a strong mentor-student dynamic.

Countess of Biandrate

The Countess of Biandrate and Facino Cane share a passionate and politically charged romantic relationship.

Filippo Maria Visconti

Facino Cane and Filippo Maria Visconti are bitter rivals and enemies, constantly vying for power.

Theodore of Montferrat

Facino Cane and Theodore of Montferrat interact as political and military allies, bound by strategic interests.

Valeria of Montferrat

Facino Cane and Valeria interact as political figures, with Facino respecting her intelligence and position.

Ottone Buonterzo

Facino Cane and Ottone Buonterzo are colleagues and allies in military and political affairs.

Bellarion

Bellarion serves as a trusted subordinate and protégé to the condottiero Facino Cane, with a strong mentor-student dynamic.

Bellarion

Bellarion serves as a trusted subordinate and protégé to the condottiero Facino Cane, with a strong mentor-student dynamic.

Countess of Biandrate

The Countess of Biandrate and Facino Cane share a passionate and politically charged romantic relationship.

Filippo Maria Visconti

Facino Cane and Filippo Maria Visconti are bitter rivals and enemies, constantly vying for power.

Valeria of Montferrat

Facino Cane and Valeria interact as political figures, with Facino respecting her intelligence and position.

Ottone Buonterzo

Facino Cane and Ottone Buonterzo are colleagues and allies in military and political affairs.

IX: The Marquis Theodore

Mentioned as Bellarion's claimed adoptive father and a powerful lord in Milan, providing a pretext for Bellarion's access to the palace.

Book II

Takes Bellarion under his wing, recognizing his potential and beginning his rigorous training in military and diplomatic arts.

II: Facino Cane

Facino Cane interrogates Bellarion, is amused by his frankness and courage, and decides to protect him.

III: The Countess of Biandrate

Admires Bellarion's likeness to himself and adopts him; personally supervises his military education.

IV: The Champion

Takes rest at Abbiategrasso, trains Bellarion, decides to return to Milan after receiving news of unrest, sends Bellarion to Genoa, and is acclaimed by the Milanese.

V: The Commune of Milan

Returns to Milan and confronts the Duke and Guelph councillors, asserting his loyalty and power.

VI: The Fruitless Wooing

Facino remains unaware of his wife's advances toward Bellarion; he announces the campaign against Buonterzo and prepares to march.

Manoeuvres

Leads the army from Milan, pensive and bitter about the Duke's neglect; reviews troops and divides his forces; initially dismisses Bellarion's advice but later accepts his strategic input.

VIII: The Battle of Travo

Commands the overall army, executes Bellarion's plan by circling around to attack Buonterzo from the rear; mourns Bellarion's apparent death.

IX: De Mortuis

Returns to Milan victorious but is rebuked by the Duke; he credits Bellarion for the victory and later confronts his wife over her concern for Bellarion.

X: The Knight Bellarion

Bestows the accolade of knighthood upon Bellarion.

XI: The Siege of Alessandria

Leads the siege of Alessandria; dismisses Bellarion's indirect strategy and maintains the blockade.

XII: Visconti Faith

Ailing with a leg injury, shocked by news of the Duke's betrayal and the Malatesta takeover.

XIII: The Victuallers

Presides over a council of war, initially impatient to assault but heeds Bellarion's reasoning.

XIV: The Muleteer

The besieging commander, whose quarters at Pavone are the target of the proposed night attack.

XV: The Camisade

Commands the overall campaign; wounded and confined to a chair but oversees the operation; praises Bellarion's tactical genius and offers him command of the white-shirts.

Severance

Subtly encourages Bellarion to leave, agrees to lend Stoffel and Swiss cavalry, and listens to Bellarion's alliance proposal.

XVIII: The Hostage

Recipient of Bellarion's letter detailing the treaty and the hostage arrangement; not physically present but central to the plot.

Book III

The victorious condottiero, whose influence and training have shaped Bellarion's path.

I: The Lord Bellarion

Suffering from gout, he summons Bellarion and leads the council, initially reluctant to let Theodore gain Genoa but swayed by Bellarion's logic.

II: The Battle of Novi

Brought by Bellarion as a hidden witness; confronts Theodore and denounces his betrayal.

III: Facino's Return

Recovers from illness, negotiates terms with the Duke, returns to Milan as governor, suppresses rebellions, and sacks Pavia.

IV: The Count of Pavia

Absent, campaigning under Bergamo; his honor and intentions are invoked by Bellarion in his warning to the Countess.

V: Justice

Ill with gout, brought to Pavia Castle; unaware of the poisoning plot against him.