I do not own Assassin's Creed
News passed quickly in Florence, especially where hangings were concerned. Even more especially when one of the 'criminals' had been a young noble, not even a teenager yet.
Running a hand down his face distractedly, Leonardo tried to get back to his experiments, but couldn't concentrate. His mind kept drifting back to the Auditores, two of which had been to see him only the day before.
Before everything had gone to shit. Vincenzo had asked for the day off, to watch the gory display, and had returned spouting nonsense about a cloaked boy escaping his own arrest.
At least Leonardo thought it was nonsense. His mind had quickly changed when one of Paola's courtesan's came with a message, telling him to expect Ezio to pay a visit.
The change was obvious, even though Ezio tried hard to hide it. Gone was the carefree young man, still easily embarrassed by his mother. Any words they exchanged were unimportant, Leonardo's memory preferring to concentrate on what he was being asked to do.
Evidentially worn out from his day, Ezio was soon asleep on a chair in the corner, looking as though the world would have to shift to wake him up.
Pausing over his work, Leonardo's mind wandered to what this meant. There was no question of what this Hidden Blade would be used for (and frankly, the artist felt Alberti deserved what was coming to him) but would the young man be able to deal with the consequences?
If he was caught, Ezio would share his father and brother's fate at the gallows, but if he was not, and escaped any guards... Always looking over your shoulder was no life for anyone, much less a boy who wanted to live life to the full.
Was Ezio truly ready for such a burden on his soul? Reading over the partially decoded Codex, and holding the finished weapon in his hands, Leonardo made a decision.
With a start, Ezio snapped awake, listening to his friend prattle on about the Blade. "Now, unfortunately it will require a sacrifice." Leonardo smiled sadly, holding the cleaver in a very meaningful way.
Conflict darted across his face, proving that he was unsure about this. A missing finger was a sure way to identify him, even years after the crime when missing ring fingers could possibly be the new fashion for nobles. "If it must be done." He said, lying the required finger out straight on the table. Shrugging, Leonardo lifted the cleaver high, watching Ezio brace for impact. As he sent it flying into the table, explaining it was only a joke and such times had passed, he regretted doubting Ezio's dedication to avening his family.
Because as Maria had often said: 'Auditore men are stubborn as pigs. When they get an idea into their head, they stick with it!'