Hello readers!
Cookie's sister here, Unicorn Princess, this is my first fan fiction about one of my favourite fictional characters EVER. The epic being that is Ezio Auditore, I mean what's not to love? The handsome and chivalrous Italian womanizer in all of Renaissance era...
Well before I make myself blush here's the story! Thoughts and reviews would be much appreciated.
Enjoy!
Dark Paradise
Chapter 1
Monteriggioni
'Nearly there' cried Claudia, gesturing towards Ezio and Maria, a sigh of relief escaped her throat as if a fresh gust had momentarily passed by and took their problems away.
They started to relax upon seeing Monterigionni in all its glory sitting in the distance, until a familiar figure accompanied by a dozen men in blue and gold insignia blocked their way, suddenly appearing at the turn in the road. One of the guards carried a standard which graced the abhorrent and familiar emblem of golden dolphins and crosses.
'Ezio! What a pleasant surprise!' the figure greeted with a sly smile 'I see you are with your family – or rather what is left of it!' he flicked his head to one side, regarding his men, who in turn surrounded Ezio and his vulnerable mother and sister with swords pointed and ready.
'Vieri!' Ezio spat as if the word he had just uttered had covered his mouth with poison.
'Ezio... I'm hurt, how could you think about leaving Firenze without saying a proper goodbye? You did not think we would notice? Well upon the release of my father from custody he was more than happy to finance this little army for me.' Vieri informed with pride, as Ezio stood in front of Maria and Claudia, staying close with his stance as if ready to launch at any of Vieri's men should they touch his mother and sister.
'What do you want Vieri?' Ezio spoke with malice evident in his coarse voice, 'I would have thought that you would be satisfied with what your father has managed to achieve. Is that not enough?'
'Weeell... no.' Vieri said comically, hands swaying in the air to exaggerate his amusement. 'It's very hard to begin with what I want... There are many things I want, firstly a larger palazzo, a beautiful wife, endless supply of gold and... hmm what else? Ah, yes, your head!' at this exclamation Vieri drew his sword and charged Ezio, his guards alert.
'I'm surprised Vieri, I didn't think you'd have the testicoliof a man brave enough to take me on all alone. But of course you have your pansy thugs to help you' despite the fear seeping into his thoughts Ezio still retorted with the same plucky spirit and humour.
'Shut up you stronzo, you are not worthy of my sword!' Vieri sheathed his sword, annoyed that his dig did not seem to affect Ezio. 'I think I'll just pound your pretty face in with my fists, to finish you once and for all' he looked over at Claudia with a sinister smirk 'I'm sorry if this disturbs you tesora,I will comfort you later and who knows,' he then looked back at Ezio intentionally with a disturbing smile 'maybe even your little mamma as well.'
Anger and disgust brewed quickly within Ezio and within a second his fist had connected with a crack against Vieri's jaw, sending him staggering back as he was taken off guard. He slowly recovered and nodded at his men who charged simultaneously as he pounced with anger onto Ezio, roaring furiously, his fists sending blow after blow. Even as Ezio launched his fists towards Vieri's body he was not able to make meaningful contact, as he worried and kept glancing towards the other men, filled with fear over his mother and sister's welfare.
'Finish them! The women too! I can do better than that scrawny puttanaand his wreck of a mother!' Vieri spat at his men, with this opportune moment, Ezio was able to push Vieri off him with sheer aggression and made his way towards his mother and sister keeping them tight to him.
The men closed in on them and Ezio swung around desperately trying to keep the two women behind him, he grew weary, searching for a way out but things looked bleak for what was left of the Auditore family and Vieri's laugh echoed with triumph.
Suddenly a sharp whistle sliced through the air and two of Vieri's guards fell to their knees and hit the ground with a sickening thud, their weapons fell to the ground with a clatter as the soil beneath the bodies bloomed crimson.
The others drew back in fear as another two were taken down with daggers whose hilts glinted from their necks. Vieri yelped with terror, 'What sorcery is this?' looking around wildly, fear drawn all over his face.
A booming laugh answered his question, deep throated and echoing around them, 'Nothing to do with sorcery boy, just skill!'A large man said appearing from the woods, wearing high leather boots and a breastplate with intricate design, he was accompanied by several others who trailed closely behind wielding various weapons at the ready.
'What are you waiting for?' Vieri's shout was evident with panic, 'Kill them! Kill them all!' he gestured to his men, but not before the large man stepped forward, snatched his sword in the blink of an eye and snapped it on his knee with ease, sheer force which emanated fear across Vieri's army of men. The men still closed in however, unwillingly, the mercenaries charged at them, depleting the army quickly, Vieri upon seeing his men down called off the attack and fled quickly.
'That's right you little girl! Run on home! Little stronzo.' The large man bellowed with a chuckle as he approached Ezio and the two women who were now smiling with relief at this saviour. 'I'm glad we arrived in time to meet you Ezio.'
'You have my thanks, I owe you, whoever you are.' The man simply laughed at this statement. 'Do I know you?' Inquired Ezio curiously.
'It's a me! Mario!'
'Uncle?' Smiled Ezio with relief knowing that they were finally in safe company, Mario stepped towards Ezio and took him gruffly into his arms in a tight embrace. He then glanced at the two women and was clouded with worry as he saw his sister-in-law, he conversed with Claudia who seemed in a much better condition and assured her, informing her that he will be sending his men to fetch them with a horse and carriage to take them back to the villa. She thanked him with a gentle smile and he turned back to Ezio.
'Come nipotewe will ride ahead,' Mario gestured towards Ezio 'a friend from Florence sent a message ahead of you, informing me of...' he paused as if not able to get the words out 'informing me of Giovanni...' he continued, as if it was too painful to even mention out loud 'Frederico and... Petruccio. But their execution was all I heard. Why? Who has done this?' Anger grew, evident in Mario's deep voice.
'I was hoping you would be able to give me answers Uncle.'
'I know of your father's business, but first we must make sure that your mother and sister are properly provided for. I will tell you all back in Monteriggioni.'
As they approached the entrance, the thumping of hooves grew loud from behind them and both men turned around. A hooded figure rode beside Mario and conversed quietly while a curious Ezio looked on. The figure looked towards Ezio, and a gentle voice interrupted the momentary silence, 'Signore you are bleeding'
'Ah,' Mario regarded to the figure who rode in front of Ezio, graced in a dark tunic and pants, his eyes travelled up and traced the outline of curvaceous hips and a bow strapped behind the person's back. Ezio's brows arched in surprise seeing the poised and elegant outline of a woman in front of him, the hood of their apparel was now pulled down revealing the full lips and gentle features which contrasted the battle gear and violent crimson staining her fists.
'I don't think the wound is too deep, although it is bleeding quite heavily.' Mario disrupted Ezio's trailing thoughts while he examined the wound, 'Will you please take Ezio to the dottore Letizia, so that he may seize the bleeding, probably with those slimy leeches, oh God forbid those things are just vile!' Mario chuckled heartily seemingly amused as well as disgusted by the medical practices of the local doctor and the now named figure nodded in response as Mario noticed his nephew's staring.
'Well here we are, Monterigionni, I will trust you with Letizia Ezio,' Mario arched his eyebrow and smirked at his nephew, 'you are in good hands, and Letizia?' he inclined towards her, 'please take him to the villa as soon as he is bandaged up, and do get those delicate hands treated, a woman's hand is meant to be graced by many suitor's lips, not bashed against them.'
'Don't worry Mario, I'm not searching for a man.' Letizia replied with a smirk as Mario laughed knowingly, as if he had asked or implied the same subject many times before and received a similar reply. Mario walked off towards the villa, leaving the two in town to search for the doctor.
'Maybe you don't have to search dolcezza?' Ezio said playfully with a smirk, clutching his wound 'I believe you have met him already, I am Ezio Auditore.' he took her hand and bowed to place a kiss upon it, but before doing so she retracted her arm leaving him rejected.
'Please Messere Ezio, don't make me draw my bow, it has sustained some damage already after knocking those dumb Pazzi heads. Running out of arrows is not at all convenient; you'd think the first arrow through their comrade's neck was a clear sign to scatter.' Letizia laughed, replying casually as Ezio raised his eyebrows.
'That was you who brought them down with the arrows?'
'Please Messere do not sound so surprised that a woman was capable of doing so.'
'Ezio, please, you may call me Ezio, and no I did not mean to doubt you.'
'Is that so?' She questioned smirking.
'Well it's just I have not met a woman of... violence before. Apart from one occasion in which a woman has inflicted some damage on me, but the violence was purely pleasurable, upon my-' Ezio's smirking continued but his sentence quickly interrupted.
'Oh Ezio,' she stepped closer to him, her lips inches from his and her warm breath tickling his skin, 'the only activity I want to be pursuing upon your nether regions is for purpose of target practise, perhaps rid of that cocky smirk of yours and debunk that ego a few paces.' She smirked now, 'And I assure that it will not be as pleasurable as your past experience.' Ezio was slightly taken aback by her retort, but composed himself quickly and inched even closer towards her, dangerously close.
'Well... they say anger is the last refuge of the sexually frustrated.' Ezio whispered, his hot breath trailing across her cheek as he uttered the last few words into her ear. He then straightened back up, a smirk still plastered across his face while watching her reaction.
'Mio dio, I hope the dottore does not only mend that wound but that damaged brain as well.' Letizia replied, the heat threatening to spread across her face creating a sudden blush she did not expect to grace her cheeks.