The Mistress
After visiting Christina he left on the south bank of the Arno, near the Porta San Nicolo, Ezio found a bleak place where bodies were arranged into a huge gaping pit. A couple of sorry looking guards, maybe recruits, patrolled nearby, even dragging their halberds as much as carrying them. Yet the sight of their uniforms aroused anger within Ezio but he stilled his temper and eased his storm, there had been enough death for one night. There was no point in killing country boys who stumbled into this life for better pay to support families back home. Yet his heart caught in his chest at the sight of his father and brothers' bodies lying near the edge of the pit, still with their nooses round their scorched necks. Ezio waited and sure enough one of them fell asleep and he moved in and carried the corpses away to the open boat he had prepared loaded with brushwood.
Around the third hour as the first faint light of dawn was already bleaching on the eastern horizon his task was complete. Ezio stood by himself upon the bank, watching as the boat bearing his beloved kinsmen's bodies caught aflame and drifted slowly with the current towards the sea. Watching until the very light of the fire faded and flickered away into the distance…
Ezio made his way back into the city, his resolve hardened with each step as he overcame his grief. There was too much to do now to just run, he returned to the watchtower to rest that he had found the previous day. Ezio made himself as comfortable as he could. Even a little bit of sleep wouldn't be denied him but even as he got that fragile moment of sleep, Cristina would not leave his taunting thoughts or haunting dreams. Yet Ezio didn't see the person walking on the roof who stopped in the mouth of the guard shack watchtower. The hooded man watched the fatigued sleeping Ezio, vibrant green eyes catching in the light. The eyes of Gabriel Costa…
Ezio woke and got a faint shiver down his spine, he felt as if eyes were upon him in some way, though Gabriel was long gone and hidden away, yet never too far to watch over Ezio or the hiding place of his beloved. Bella was safe because he had made it so, she didn't have the strength for such endeavors to be out right now and he worried that her illness might be something else but at the back of his mind he felt it wasn't something dangerous. Gabriel had seen Ezio defend himself and realized sharply that the life of an Assasino was new to him. "Giovanni…why did you wait too long?" He whispered to himself, shaking his head.
Ezio moved onto the roof to get down to the streets, he knew the general whereabouts of the house of Annetta's sister, but he had never been there, let alone hadn't met her sister Paola, but Annetta had been his wet-nurse, and he knew that if he could trust no one else, he could trust her. He wondered if she knew what had happened to his family, and if so if she had told his mother and sister. Approaching the house with great care and using the indirect route he covered the distance where he could by running or at a crouch over rooftops in order to avoid the busy streets where he was sure Uberto Alberti had men searching for him. He couldn't rid himself of two thoughts, Alberti's treachery and the thought that he was being followed. What faction had his father refereed to on the gallows anyway? What could make Alberti, a trusted family acquaintance; bring about the death of one of his closest allies?
Paola's house lay in a street just north of the cathedral, Ezio knew, yet when he got there he didn't know which one it was. There were only a few signs hanging here and there from the fronts of the buildings to identify them, Ezio couldn't afford to loiter around in case he was recognized. Getting frustrated he was about to depart when he froze, there was Annetta herself, she was coming from the direction of the Piazza San Lorenzo. He pulled his hood down more so that his face was shadowed so no one could see him without directly getting close and looking bent down and up to see inside. It was gratifying to Ezio that she was safe and even more so when he got down to the street that she gave no sign of recognition to him. A few yards on, he doubled back and fell into step just behind her.
"Annetta-"He whispered it; she didn't turn around though she barely flinched from being startled. "Ezio. You're safe." Ezio wanted to laugh at the word safe as he couldn't help but reflect on last night but he didn't say otherwise. "I wouldn't say that. Are my mother and sister…?" Annetta couldn't help but barely smile, "They are protected. Oh, Ezio, your poof father, and Federico. And" – she stifled a sob- "little Petruccio. I have just come from San Lorenzo. I lit a candle to San Antonio for them. They say the Duke will be here soon. Perhaps-"Ezio cut her off, "Does Maria know what happened?" He found himself holding his breath as he awaited the answer. "We thought it best to keep that from them." Ezio felt at least a shimmer of relief.
"That's for the best; I'll tell them when the time is right." Ezio nodded more to himself that to Annetta who couldn't see him. "Will you take me to go see them; I couldn't identify her house from the shops." Annetta looked around for a moment, "I'm going there now, just follow me." Ezio watched her slowing his steps a little so some distance was gained between them but not too much. Ezio hid and hid well but he didn't see the man following him in the same manner. Gabriel had seen him and smiled recognizing Annetta but he didn't relax watching the crowds and people.
The house she entered had the grim, fortress-like façade of so many of the grander Florentine buildings, but once inside it was another story. It was not what he had expected. It was a richly decorated parlour of great size, and high-ceilinged. Dark, and filled with closeness, velvet hangings in dark reds and deep browns covered the walls, interspersed with oriental tapestries that depicted scenes of unequivocal luxury and sexual pleasure, the room itself was illuminated by candlelight. Before he could finish looking around someone touched his shoulder. Turning sharply he stared back into vibrant blue green eyes and his heart skipped a moment. "Gabriel," he breathed.
Gabriel offered a smile taking down his hood and embraced Ezio as he did the same. "Come inside." He led Ezio inside, past women with their plunging neckline dresses and their lavish daybeds. They went up the stairs to the den area, an elegant woman who seemed to be perhaps in her late thirties walked towards them, though she looked ten years younger, she was still elegant and beautiful as any principessa and better dressed then most. She has a veiled sadness to her eyes which somehow increased the sexual charge she transmitted that even Ezio despite himself and his thoughts found himself stirred. She reached out a bejeweled fingered hand to him.
"My sister speaks very highly of you Messer Auditore, now I can see why." She smiled secretively. Ezio blushed though he tried not to, he couldn't help himself. "Ah Gabriel…you are safe, what of your beloved Bella?" He gave her a kind smile, "She is fine, she is no longer ill as well." He turned Ezio sharply that he found himself facing Claudia who was coming for them and he ran to hug her and greet her.
Gabriel watched the reunion and leaned against the stair railing to look at Paola. "He needs to be trained, he knows nothing." He looked back at Ezio. "He wasn't raised with the Creed and the secret died with Giovanni, it needs to be rekindled. I will go to his Uncle and prepare but you must show him how to survive till the time is right." He looked to her and she was watching Ezio, her dark eyes smoldering in calculation. "Oh I will teach him."
*Italian Translation:
1. Assasino: Assassin
2. Principessa: Princess
