Chapter 1 : Stubborn eagles fall from the sky
Hooves clattering on the paved road was the main sound in her ears, shutting out all other. A young woman, black curls escaping the hold of her black hood, sat bend over a galloping horse's nape, holding on to the reigns, smoothly alleviating the horse's movement with her relaxed frame. A magpie flew high above the rider, screeching from time to time and gaining height with slow flaps of her wings.
The woman was riding away from a large, sunlit Monteriggioni. It's rough circular walls had protected the town and the large villa for several centuries from raids and armies, with Mario Auditore as regal of the walled town. He ruled the mercenaries with a firm, but sincere hand, and was famous for his humor and thunderous laugh.
The woman reigned her stallion sharply to the right, urging him to stop. The horse reared and whinnied loudly, kicking his front legs high in the air. Once he calmed down, the woman softly stroked his shoulder. The magpie, that had been circling above rider and horse, now soared down from the sky and landed softly on the woman's shoulder, screeching.
The woman gazed for a long time at the walled town, and her eyes lingered on its towers and front gate.
'Ego vobis valedico..' She murmured, either to herself, or to someone who was too far away to hear.
Her gaze lingered for another moment, but then she turned her stallion around again, pushed her heels in the horse's flanks and urged him forward. Startled by the sudden sprint, the magpie chattered, annoyed at her companion, and flew back up.
Iola had been on the way for a day and a half when she finally saw the outer walls of Firenze. On the way she encountered many travelers, but most of them were on foot. Only a few traveled by horse, but none of them matched the speed of the black stallion.
As Firenze's walls grew bigger, Iola squinted her eyes against the setting sun. Firenze looked gorgeous, bathing in the orange light, and soon the low buzz of people's conversations reached her ears. When she finally reached the main gate, the sun had fully set, and the last orange glow was departing from the sky.
She parked Baleno, her black stallion, at the stables near the gate. There she threatened the stable-boy, and made him swear on his ancestor's grave that he would take good care of the horse. The boy, a sluggish type with filthy, dark hair and watery eyes, seemed deadly afraid of her and the enormous magpie sitting on her shoulder. After being sure that the boy was sincere, Iola entered the city, holding her head down while blending in with the crowd past the guards of the gate.
Avis, the huge magpie, was still perked on Iola's shoulder, and eyed all the shimmering stuff around her. She let out a soft, longing screech. Iola chuckled softly and calmed the bird with a soft stroke of her fingers.
The guards, dressed with the emblem of Firenze, looked slightly curious at the woman clad in black with the magpie at her shoulder, but backed away, startled, when the bird spread her wings and chattered threateningly at them.
Avis was a full grown magpie, bigger than most, because of her wealthy appetite, and had been Iola's companion from the moment she found her. Her head, neck and breast were a glossy black with a metallic green and pearly shine, the belly and shoulder feathers a pure white; the wings black glossed with green. Her tail shone with a black and almost azure gloss.
Iola chuckled at the bird's reaction to the watchmen, but when they started to pull their weapons out, she quickened her pace and held her head down even more.
Stars popped up at the dark sky, and the last orange glow disappeared. Iola had by then crossed most of the city, and had made her way to the mansion of the Auditore's. She had been there before on several occasions, but the last visit had been a long time ago. Avis chattered happily as she saw a deserted jewelry stand, and Iola shooed her off.
Upon reaching the street where the mansion lay, Iola froze in her tracks. It was too silent. Too deserted. Too looming.
Happy about the fact that she had dismissed the noisy magpie, Iola pulled the black hood of her tunic further over her head, hiding her features in its shadows. There was not a person in this neighborhood, it seemed. Loud footsteps coming from the south contradicted that.
A young man, clad in white and hooded, hastened to the Auditore mansion, his breathing rigid and heavy. His face was, too, hidden by his hood. The outfit he was wearing was fairly familiar, and Iola suddenly realized it was a more complicated version of her own outfit, but then white. It had the same shape and details. Iola's was black with azure markings, the man's white with red. A large belt held everything in place. The man's was decorated with a golden insignia, Iola's with a silver one.
Iola's eyes widened as she saw the symbol of the Order on the man's clothes. Was he part of it? Why had she never met him? She decided to follow him, as he entered the Auditore chambers. What was he doing there anyways?
The youth was anxious, and he checked every corner of the house for intruders. Then he silently ran towards the front door, and closed it behind him. The man was too familiar with his surroundings. Did he.. live here? Was he one of the Auditore?
Iola gave the man a minute inside, but then her curiosity kicked in. She didn't have the spirit to wait any longer, and she silently lurked to the inside plaza. Halfway she slowed and walked on her beams towards the door. The door was slightly hanging in its joints, having been jostling pretty much, so she slowly pulled it up a bit, so it wouldn't crack when opened. Iola managed to open the door without any sound.
There was the soft sound of someone searching for something, moving things aside. She slowly moved into the main room, and up to a study, where the noises came from.
Iola was now in Giovanni Auditore's study, and she curiously scanned the room, realizing this was property of Mario Auditore's brother. She was still on her beams, and she stalked around the corner of the fireplace, which lead to a smaller, hidden room. The young man was standing with his back towards the entrance, bowed over the large chest with Giovanni Auditore's possessions. He hadn't noticed the lurking woman yet.
Iola slowly rose from her crouch, hoping she could leave once again without making a sound. Her heart skipped a beat as she stepped on a loose wooden shelf, making an ear deafening screech in the silent room.
Before she could react, the youth had already turned and thrown himself across the room, pinning Iola to the wall.
'Come osi? What are you doing here?' He yelled. His hands were tightly gripping the front of her leather clothes, while he kept her against the wall.
Iola, startled by the sudden charge, grabbed his hands, hoping to loose his grip. Her feet were dangling just above the ground, and she had to stand on her toes to support her weight.
The man tightened his grip as he tried to make out the woman's features, and slightly pressed on her windpipe. Iola whimpered softly as her amount of air seemed to slip away, and she scratched the man's hands, to no avail. Alarmed by the sudden yelp, the youth seemed to replace his blind rage with confusion. He softened his grip, clearing her airway, but still kept Iola pinned to the wall.
'A femme..?' He muttered softly, his eyes flashing back and forth over her hidden face. He lowered his arms some more, but waited for a reply.
'Surprised much?' Iola sneered at him, immediately getting defensive, and she tried to break the man's grasp by suddenly struggling against his hold. The youth was somewhat prepared though, and held her firmly in place.
'Who are you? What are you doing here?' The man repeated, letting go of Iola's tunic with one hand to pull down his white hood. Iola ceased her struggling at the moment she saw the youth's eyes, for they stood fierce and passionate in his charming face. His chin was smoothly shaven, and a small scar framed one part of his lips. His face was framed by smooth strands of dark brown, almost black hair. She recognized Mario's eyes in the youth's; this was no intruder, this was a family member visiting his family heirloom.
Iola didn't remain frozen for long, and used his loosened grip to bring her fingers to her mouth and to release a sharp, hard whistle. Startled, the man recovered his grip on Iola's shirt.
'What- ?' The youth started, but a sharp beak pecking at his head cut his sentence short. The man threw up his arms to protect his head from the unknown threat in a reflex, and Iola seized the opportunity to work her way past him, and to pull out one of her broadsword from her back. The pecking ceased, and Avis landed smoothly on Iola's shoulder. The man stopped his moving, and slightly froze when he felt cold steel against his throat.
Avis chattered happily at seeing the result of her actions.
The man's eyes, so similar to Mario's, flashed from angry to confused.
'What's your name?' Iola spoke, her voice icy, tensing the broadsword at his throat. The man tensed too, stubborn, reluctant.
'I don't see how that's any of your business-' He replied, but he was cut off when he felt the sword tighten, close to drawing blood.
'What is your name?' Iola repeated, slow, cold, and demanding.
'I'm Ezio Auditore.'
Iola's eyes widened. 'Giovanni's son?'
'Yes.' The youth said, slightly rolling his eyes.
Iola immediately pulled away the sword, turned around and strapped it back to her back. Avis chattered again, confused. Ezio slowly rubbed his throat, making sure no damage had been done, and eyed the woman with caution.
'What happened here? Where is Giovanni? Your family?' Iola hissed, dismissing Avis from her shoulder while turning back to the newly met Ezio.
'Gone.'
'There is more to it than that. Tell me.'
Ezio ignored her demand, eyed Avis, who sat screeching in the corner, then took a step closer.
'First you are going to tell me who you are.'
Iola looked at him from the shadows of her hood and snorted. 'You are not really in the position to set conditions, messere, and it would be better if you didn't know me.'
With a swift motion, the woman pulled back her dark hood and shook her hair out of her face. Ezio's sharp eyes widened as he beheld the young woman in front of him. She appeared no older than himself, but she had a certain confidence that was hard to waver. A fine carved face with high cheekbones looked at him; long, smooth black curls framed her face and two pale emerald eyes analyzed his reaction. Her eyes appeared so pale, he would have noted her as blind, but the pupils stood dark and clear, far from sightless.
'All you need to know is that I traveled here from Monteriggioni.' She spoke in a slightly sneering voice.
Ezio cocked one eyebrow, intrigued. 'You must know my uncle then. He's-'
'Mario Auditore, yes I know him.' Iola replied, rolling her eyes in their sockets.
Ezio shot her an indignant look, but then his face turned grave again. He turned away from the woman, and with dismay eyed the ruined house.
'Tell me what happened.' Iola's voice was soft, but demanding once more.
Ezio was silent for a bit, and leaned on his father's desk. He was about to launch a sharp remark at her, telling her that it was none of her business, but then he lowered his head. He felt the need to talk someone, even if it was a female, rude intruder. He was reluctant, though.
'I may be able to help.'
After another hesitation, he told her what had occurred. He told Iola of how big the fight with de Pazzi's had become, but she urged him onward, for de Pazzi's were also bothering Monteriggioni, and she knew their reputation. He told her about how he found out his father and brothers were taken away to the Pallazo della Signoria, how his father was betrayed and how he was send back to the mansion to retrieve the contents of his father's chest.
'And what is ser Auditore going to do now?' Iola asked, her remark sneering, one eyebrow raised.
He turned around again and showed her a handful of documents. 'I am going to get these to Uberto Alberti. He'll have the proof to release my family.' He tried to work his way past Iola, but she put her shoulder in his way, stubbornly.
'Have you even considered that he might be the traitor?' She had to use all of her strength to keep him from walking away.
'My father trusted Uberto, and so do I if that will provide the chance for their release! Why are you condemning him, while you don't even know him?' His sharp eyes pierced hers, and she had to keep her face contained.
'Let's just call it a hunch. And let me point out that my hunches are most of the time correct!' Iola spoke, then added sputtering; 'You wouldn't even last a day out there alone. So, stay here.'
'And leave them to die? I have to deliver these, so they'll go free!' Ezio's voice started to get more out of control, he was on the verge of breaking free from Iola's obstruction in the doorway.
'Ezio!'
But Ezio was already running down the stairs, down the hall, towards the front door. Iola quickly ran after him, and jumped down from the first floor to the hall below. She was too late, however, for Ezio had already left through the front entrance.
As she stormed outside she heard more voices than just Ezio's. Iola ran to the inside plaza and saw two guards, charging at Ezio, swords drawn.
She crunched her teeth together when she saw one of the guards stabbing at Ezio, who could not raise his sword fast enough. The guard slightly cut the flesh of his right shoulder. Iola's anger flared and she pulled out a small dagger from her belt. With their attention at Ezio, the closest guard never saw her coming.
Before she knew it, Iola's knife had cut through the soft flesh of the guards throat. Before the limp body hit the ground, Ezio had already taken down the second guard, countering his attack.
When he was fully stretched again, he looked at Iola curiously.
'How did you do tha - ?' He started, but she cut him off.
'Surprised a femme can do that?' She shot back, but then motioned to the two dead guards at their feet, 'These mean that they are still looking for you. Back-up can arrive every moment.'
'I will go bring these letters to Alberti, even if you don't want me to. It is my only chance to free my brothers and father.' His head was lined with determination. He turned and stormed off.
'Ezio, don't!' Iola yelled after him. In her hurry to get away, she stumbled over the dead guard. It bought Ezio some time, and soon he was out of sight. Iola realized she wouldn't be able to overtake him.
'Fine! Go out and die! Not like I care...' She yelled after him in frustration, but her voice betrayed a soft edge. She slapped her head and cursed herself for not stopping him. Giovanni Auditore and his sons had just been condemned to death.
As the night slumbered on, Iola watched the streets from the Auditore roof and waited for Ezio's return. He didn't, however, and must have found sanctuary somewhere else. Avis flew up to her, screeching softly. Iola eyed the animal with anxiety, and stroked the magpie's head softly.
'It looks like Mario got us unintentionally in a great mess, Avis.. A mess that won't resolve itself.' She muttered, looking into the animal's black, beady eyes.
'And I'm afraid the Auditores are going to pay a terrible price for it..'