Author's Note: for Davenportee
Dawn breaking over the skies of Roma, was the only time in the day, when he could forget his problems and his pending missions. Perched on top of the Palazzo, gave him an excellent view of the city below. Behind him, he could hear the desperate cries of the guards that had been chasing him all over the rooftops, before he was finally able to evade them. At this age he was still faster and the envy of the thieves who had always prided themselves for being more agile.
He smiled when he heard footsteps on the roof tiles. He turned slowly and smiled at the guard who was raising his gun to shoot him. In one fluid moment, he leapt from his position and let himself fall towards the haystack below him. Just before he hit the cart, he flipped in the air and landed easily on his back.
A sense of pure exhilaration engulfed him and for a few seconds he laughed inwardly at the guards. He peeked through the straws, saw no guards in his view, and jumped out. This was going to be a good day for…
Before he could complete his thought, he landed awkwardly on his left foot. He grunted and steadied himself on a bench. Limping towards the Rosa in Fiore, he cursed himself for letting his pride get in the way.
*\*\*\*\*
"Must your visits always consist of me taking care of your injuries?" Claudia scolded. "You're an older man now."
"Claudia!" Ezio interjected and then hissed when his sister put a cool ointment on his tender ankle. "I am not that old."
Claudia smiled cheekily at him. "Ah! It's about your ego. Ezio, it's time for you to let others help you. I was under the impression that you were recruiting Assassins to our order."
Ezio scowled at her. "It's taking longer than I had hoped. No one seems to have the discipline and aptitude to take on this huge task."
Claudia crossed her arms. "And you believe you were born with these skills?"
Ezio got up gently from the chair. "Skills can be taught. But a person must have the patience and determination to learn them."
Claudia shrugged. "Where are you off to now?"
Ezio put on his armor, making sure his weapons were still intact. "The Banker. We need to find him quick. With him out of the way, Cesare will be cut off from his finances and we would have averted a war."
Claudia nodded. "I'll see if my girls can find out more. Ezio?"
Ezio turned to look at his sister. "Be careful and keep your eyes open. A lot of people in Roma would be valuable to our cause."
Ezio gave her a brief nod and walked out of the brothel. His mind reeled with her words, but he pushed them away.
He could take of himself. He didn't need novices hindering his mission.
Just then a cry erupted from near the bridge. With a hand on his sword he headed towards it to see four guards surrounding a lone woman.
He smiled and headed towards them.
