Here's the next chapter guys…sorry it took so long to post ^^ enjoy!
"Lucy is still sleeping." Len's voice stirs me from my sleep.
"The others are here; she needs to be at this meeting as well." Ezio sounds a little annoyed. Is it because of me?
"Yes, I understand that. But, with everything that happened yesterday…"
"I understand it's all a little hard to swallow but we still need her there. She doesn't realize how serious the danger she's in." that sentence right there was more than enough to get me sitting straight up.
"…Ezio…I know with everything that's going on since the alliance of the Beauro and the Templar has put more pressure on you and the brotherhood, but I think it's best for everyone if you don't let it affect your kind demeanor. Five more minutes that's all I ask." There's a brief pause, then
"Alright, five minutes." After I hear the footsteps disappear I head for the door. The door creaks as I open it slowly. You know, I was kinda hoping that all of this was a bad dream. I guess Lady Luck ain't on my side. Looking down stairs I see that the brothel is open once again. Similar scenes from yesterday are taking place again.
"Good morning Lucy." Maria greets me with a kind smile. Swallowing helps to moisten my dry throat.
"Good morning miss Maria. So you opened the brothel this early too?" She laughs.
"No I don't. My daughter, Claudia, runs this business." She has a daughter too? Wait, did she say her daughter runs this place? "Do you find that surprising?"
"Yes-I mean no! I mean it's just-I'm sorry I didn't mean to insult you or your daughter."
"There is nothing to apologize for." She gestures for me to follow her, "Come, the others are waiting."
"Others?" my mouth moves on its own.
"There are many others in the brotherhood. You will be meeting some of the senior members. You could say they form the inner circle of the brotherhood." I feel like I've stepped into a movie or something. "There are quite a few things that have to be discussed, so the sooner the better."
"So I've heard…" I try to keep that comment to myself. A young woman comes to meet us. She's somewhat resembles Maria. With dark brown hair and brown eyes, she's practically the mirror image of Maria.
"Mother! There you are. Oh, you must be Lucy, Len told me about you." she offers a hand "I'm Claudia, Ezio's sister." Wow are all the girls in Ezio's family this nice?
"Claudia shouldn't you be in the meeting room with the others?"
"Yes I know, I came to look for you and Ezio; everyone is growing impatient. Especially Machiavelli." Who is Machiavelli?
"Then let us keep them waiting no more." Ezio was so quiet I jump to the side clinging to the wall.
"I think you startled her, Ezio."
"I'm sorry." I take a breath
"It's cool dude." All three give mean an unusual look. "Sorry. I mean it's ok." I got to be more careful with my manor of speak. We walk into an occupied room. Compared to all the clothes everyone else is wearing I look like a total foreigner. Only one face is familiar out of the bunch, Len.
"Finally, you ask us all to come here then leave us in the dark about the subject. I was beginning to wonder if you would arrive Ezio."
"Yes, not even Len would say anything about it." Someone else in a hood supports the first speaker.
"I am not the leader of the brotherhood so it was not my place to say." Len leaves the comfort of the wall he leaned against. Everyone's eyes stare at me.
"Apparently this is before manners were invented."
"I suppose she is the reason we are all here." This man carries himself with great confidence, and his dark brown hair and eyes only adds to his hauty attitude.
"Yes, Machiavelli. Everyone this is Lucy." Even though all of this is a bit weird, I manage a wave. After Machiavelli, comes the hooded man who supported him earlier. The orange brown hood hides his true eye color and hair but he doesn't seem to be a shady character.
"This is La Volpe. He and his thieves gather information for the Brotherhood." I offer a handshake but instead he kisses my hand.
"Um… nice to meet you." don't say anything; just be nice.
"You as well miss." The next man to greet is quite bold in his strides. With dark brown hair and ember brown eyes, he seems to be the opposite of this Machiavelli guy.
"Bartolameo Dˋalviano, at your service miss Lucy." Again with the hand kissing… I swear if one more guy kisses my hand I'm going to snap.
"Nice to meet you."
"Dˋalviano trains men in fighting and other things." Ezio explains.
"And you mister Machiavelli, what do you do?" I ask kindly.
"My own business." Is he always so blunt?
"Machiavelli helps out in his own ways with his wisdom." At least Ezio is nice.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, perhaps you can tell us why you are here Lucy." Wow, are you always so direct Machiavelli?
"Honestly, I'm not even sure how I got here." I back off before I continue. Ezio and Len are one thing but are these guys going to even believe me?
"Lucy, go ahead and tell them what you told us last night." Len encourages me. I take a breath.
"The last thing I remember doing before I ended up in a cave is being on a plane heading to Rome for a class field trip for the summer. We landed, we went to the inn and then to a museum…" I look at Len again about even mentioning this part.
"It's alright."
"At the museum they…had the piece of Eden. I got separated from the group ant the piece of Eden…it did something. It's like it broke apart and released some whirl pool of light. Anyway, one minute I was in my Rome and the next I'm here in this Rome."
"What do you mean?" Mr. Bartolameo asks.
"No offense, but have you taken a good look at me? My clothes aren't exactly normal to your standards."
"That still doesn't answer where you come from." Machiavelli places his hands behind him in a stuffy way.
"It's not a question of where; it's when." Len steps forward taking the audience's attention. "I was afraid something like this would happen; I didn't think it would be this degree." Len pauses as if gathering his thoughts. "As I mentioned before the Beauro has possession of an ancient relic that gives its wielder the ability to see into time."
"Yes, but that item, if I recall correctly, you said was not that much of a threat. It only showed images." Ezio confirms.
"By itself it is not threat…but with the piece of Eden it becomes something much more." What are they talking about? Some sort of ancient relic? "The staff of Utopia becomes something much more dangerous." Staff…of Utopia? He points to me, "And she is proof of it." Oh boy… "Combined with the piece of Eden, the staff creates a portal into time. The wielder must only concentrate on a certain date in time ant the two relics do their bidding. Lucy, where you're from, what is the current year?"
"…2012…"
"The year here is 1510."
"If they can control time, there is no telling what they could do to the brotherhood." Machiavelli…does he always state the worst thing?
"If they open a portal to the right time, the Templar could make so they are in control." Now Ezio's doing it too.
"Yes but that day is far now." Like I wasn't confused enough Len… "Read the letter aloud." Ezio takes out the letter and unfolds it.
"During the last session, the host died inexplicably. Everything went accordingly until he opened the portal to the other side. He pulled someone through; we don't know yet who it is. The search is underway for a new host. Regrettably the process will have to start over. Demitri…"
"What does this mean?" La volpe ask the question everyone wanted to.
"The one who was being trained to control the power is no more. It takes a considerable amount of mental energy for someone to use the staff; and an even greater amount when combined with the apple."
"Apple…?" I ask Len.
"It is the piece of Eden we are talking about." Oh… He returns to the current conversation, "It takes months to master the staff and possibly a couple of years when using it with the apple."
"So they'll have to start the process again?" Ezio asks.
"Yes and the selection process itself takes a few weeks."
"Wait a minute…templars, brotherhood, apple of Eden, staff of utopia, bureau… none of you are making any sence. The only thing I do understand is that I got a one way trip into the past." I haven't understood a thing anyone has said, especially Len.
"This gives us a chance to turn things around." Did Ezio totally ignore me, "We need to begin making plans."
"I'll have my men find out about the selection of the new host." La Volpe leaves.
"My men and I will do what we can with finding that traitor Demitri. No doubt it's the same one who wrote that letter." There goes Mr. Bartolameo.
"Machiavelli, can you find the location of the apple and staff?" Ezio asks.
"I will see what I can find."
"Claudia."
"My girls will find out what they can."
"Len, you will protect Lucy." Wait a minute, what? "Most likely the Templar are looking for her. But that doesn't mean you won't get assignments."
"I understand; I can handle it."
"Wait a minute. Don't I get a say in this?" I ask as Ezio makes his way out of the room.
"No, you don't. The Templar will kill you if they find out who you are Lucy."
"But-"
"It's for your own good." He just leaves it at that.
"When did I sign up for this version of the witness protection program?"
"I know this isn't how you expected to spend your time in Rome." Len appears by my side.
"Obviously…"
"If you're still wanting to see Rome, I'd be more than happy to show you around. But you should try to make the best out of the situation." He's right…my god how did I end up in this situation?
. . .
"So the Templar Are a group of people looking for control." After Claudia helped me find a suitable dress to wear to fit into the crowd, Len is now answering my questions that weren't answered at the so called meeting.
"Yes, they want control of everything. We of the brotherhood fight to protect the world from the Templars."
"And the bureau you mentioned earlier…what do they have to do with all of this?"
"Like the Templar, they want control of everything, human and vampire alike. They call themselves the Bureau of Pure Ones. They are an inner circle of pure bloods that believe they are above all others. I wouldn't be surprised if they destroyed the Templars after they used them." he stops in his tracks and turns to me, "They are the ones who found the staff of utopia."
"And the piece of Eden…by itself it can control people or even kill them?"
"Yes."
"Yeesh…how did they get ahold of both? The staff I understand but the piece of Eden" Len's eyes narrow and grow cold.
"Unfortunately there was a traitor among us only a few months ago. He revealed the location where we were hiding the relic." Hey, Bartolameo said something about a traitor, "His name was Demitri. I hope Dˋalviano is able to find him but personally I hope it's me who kills him." Wow, that's a bit harsh. The kind Len returns from his momentary trip, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to say that aloud."
"It's fine."
"So you said you were visiting Rome. What would you like to see?"
"Dude the better question would be: what don't I want to see?"
"Dude?" oops I did it again…
"Sorry force of habit. Where I'm from 'dude' is a kind of nickname friends use."
"Understandable, but it would be best if you try not to sound so unusual." Tell me about it. ok no slang, nicknames, and no mentioning the non existant creatures; Len probably let me off the hook for that one… this is gonna be tougher than I thought.
"Yes sir Len. I shall be on my best behavior." I give a slight curtsy and bat my eyelashes innocently.
"Very convincing…" I can't help but feel like that was sarcastic.
. . .
Wow, like oh my God, it's the Roman Coliseum!
"EEEK! I can't believe it! Look at this place; it's so big! They performed plays and other things in this big place?"
"Yes, although the Templars Control it so it isn't open to everyone."
"What, seriously?"
"See for yourself." He gestures to an opening. A man clearly in the lower ranks of the commoners walks towards the entrance. A guard standing in the way pushes the man aside and gestures him to go away.
"That's terrible. It should be open to everyone." I was really wanting to get a good look at the place too. This bites! H-hey! Who just bumped into me? A man that looks like he'd be a pick pocket gives Len something. After he whispers something in ear, he leaves. What's going on? Len reveals the item he received to be a folded piece of paper. He reads what's on it.
"What is it Len?" He folds the paper again and gives me a smile.
"It's nothing important. Do you want to get a better look inside?"
"Yes but the guards are watching." He takes hold of my hand and pulls me along.
"I didn't say anything about using the front door." We stop near a way in, out of sight from the guards. Ok…now what? He slings my arm over his shoulder so I can hold onto the front of his clothes and I hold onto my wrist with my other hand. "Hold on tight."
"What do you got- PLAaaaANED?" as the ground quickly leaves my feet I curl my legs up in surprise. The ground becomes more distant at a fast pace. How is he moving so fast carrying me? Oh, that's right, he's not human. We finally reach the top. Releasing him I get a better look at how large this place actually is. Down below there are a few people talking.
"Down there…"
"What did you say Len?"
"We can get a better look down there." What's up with him? He's acting a little off. Oh well must be whatever he read on that letter. What did it say anyway? Before I can even ask, Len picks me up and jumps into the air, sending us flying towards a lower piece of ledge. That was so scary my grip around his neck tightens. There are close by ledges that make a pathway down and takes us closer to the group at the center. I can hear their voices but still can't make out what they are talking about. We finally make it to the ground where some of the buildings broken off ledges hide us. He sets me down.
"Stay here; I'll be back."
"Wait, where are you going? I thought we were here to look around." He pauses for a moment before he turns to smile.
"I know but there might be guards patrolling inside. I'm just making sure they aren't around." What is going on? He's acting so strange. "Just stay here; I promise I'll be back." The smile seems somewhat forced. He leaves me, climbing up and away. Ok… this isn't exactly how I planned this part but I guess I can sit and wait.
. . .
O.k. it's been about fifteen minutes; the sun is beginning to go down; and I can't hear those voices anymore from the group. Maybe I should…no Len said he would be back. I curl up into a comfortable ball. It's getting cold…when did the temperature drop? Footsteps…they sound close.
"Len?" I stand to walk and greet him, but it's not Len. A man Dressed in fancy, white robes comes around the corner. His robes are stained with blood and the source is a gash cutting across his throat. As he falls he takes what air he can and reaches out to me. Finally, he goes still. Oh god, oh god! I let out an uncontrollable scream. What is this? Len drops from above making me release another short scream. What the-are those blood drops on his face? And his hands, they're drenched in blood!
"Are you alright?"
"A man just dropped dead in front of me! I guess you had something to do with it!" a guard shows himself and swings his sword at Len. Len Pulls out a dagger and drives the blade into the area under his chin and most likely his brain. Distain and hatred shows in his posture as he pulls the dagger out. Blood glistens on the blade as the body falls into a small pool of blood. Why is it that he always has to kill someone when I'm around? There are distant voices shouting; Len turns to leave. No! Not again! I take hold of him from behind.
"Don't, please no more killing!" he looks back at me "I don't want to watch anymore people die!" the voices are getting closer.
"I didn't realize how delicate this situation was…" What? He looks back at the dead man in the robes before he picks me up and jumps high and fast until we reach the top. "Hold on tight." He jumps sending us traveling fast to the ground, although the impact doesn't seem to phase him. He continues to run heading for an area that looks like it used to be something.
"Len stop! Put me down! What happened back there?" he doesn't answer, "Len STOP!"
"I can't we're not safe yet." Why did he kill them? What did they do to deserve? Wait a minute…
"It was the letter wasn't it?" he throws me up into the air and I land on the back of a horse; after, Len Jumps on and we're off. As the horse trots on and the rest of the day fades, it remains silent between us. I finally decide to break the silence.
"The letter told you to kill that guy didn't it?" a sigh escapes him.
"Yes, it told me who the target was; it just so happened that the thief knew he was at the colosseum. "
"But…why?"
"He was making deals to give weapons to the Templars. Killing him stifled that profit. The guards would have put up a fight either way so they had to die."
"You made be used to it but I'M not. I would appreciate it if next time you leave me out of it!" my mind begins to replay the images again. "And tell me the truth next time too!"
"You're right about one thing…I should have told you my true intentions after they changed. I should have told you that it had turned into an assassination mission, for that I am sorry. Killing them, however, is a different story…" I'm just now noticing my hands clutching his shirt and the grip only tightens. "This may sound harsh but I'm an assassin; that means I kill people. I kill them to fight for the freedom of man. There is no other way. For me, there is no other outcome for the Templars but death and the same said for the bureau. Now although I'd rather leave your eyes untouched by such sights, they are unavoidable. I'll admit I really didn't understand how naïve you were when it came to this sort of thing."
"Naïve…what am I a child?"
"No but Lucy, I've been given the task to protect you. That means I'm going to have to kill; and many of those deaths will be in front of you." The last sentence sends chills down my spine. "I'm sorry but it is what it is..." I don't answer just stare at the passing scenery.
"Lucerina?" Did he just…I look up at him.
"Why did you use my real name?"
"Well, for one it got your attention and two it's a beautiful name; you shouldn't hide it."
"No one has ever really called me by that ; I'm so used to being called 'Lucy'."
"Well, Lucerina you should start getting used to me calling you that."
"First you give me a scolding lecture and now you're back to being nice…you shift quickly."
"I wasn't scolding I was explaining." He says frantically.
"Of course not…you're just preparing me for the next fight." He continues to defend himself as I poke fun. It amazes me that I can relax so quickly around him after watching him do something like that, human or not…
