"Where have you been, Ezio?" Mario Auditore demanded.

"I told you where I was going, zio," Ezio reminded him. "I went to dinner."

"Con i Conti, sí," he remembered, "but I did not expect you to take so long."

"Forgive me," Ezio answered. "I … I lost track of the time. Mi dispiace."

"I do know that you have a weakness for pretty girls," Mario told him, "but there are more important things to focus on right now. Like your training. You say that you want to get out of here, and yet you spend your free time-"

"I know what I need to do, uncle," Ezio interrupted him. "It's not that late, there is still plenty of time for training right now."

"So now I operate on your schedule?" Mario asked. "Do you not care about-"

"You know exactly what I care about," Ezio assured him. "Do not pretend that you are speaking to a child that knows nothing."

"I know what you should care about," Mario told him. "But maybe you need a little help setting your priorities straight."

"You want me to train, fine let's do it right now," Ezio suggested testily.

"Not if you want to act like a child," Mario answered. Ezio scoffed and leaned against the wall.

"Is that what you think I'm doing?" he asked. "Acting like a child?"

"You're certainly not acting like a man," Mario answered as he crossed the room and stood directly in front of his nephew. "Are you ready, now?"

)0()0()0()0()0()0(

"You asked to come with me," Ambra reminded her sister, "if you don't stop complaining, I am going to leave you behind."

"I just don't see the point of getting up at this ungodly hour just to a buy a few things that you could easily purchase later on in the day," Allegra stated.

"I'm not sure if you understood what I just said," Ambra thought out loud.

"Little sisters never listen," said a familiar voice. Ambra looked behind her with a huge smile on her face, only to find that Ezio was not standing behind her. She chose another direction, but he wasn't there, either. "Look up." She followed the direction and looked up, and saw Ezio standing on top of a building.

"What are you doing up there?" Ambra asked him as she shielded her eyes against the morning sun with her hand. She couldn't really see his face, but she heard his laugh.

"Just enjoying the beautiful morning," he answered. "And the view."

"The view would be better from down here!" Allegra exclaimed.

"Allegra!" Ambra scolded. Ezio laughed at Allegra's bold statement.

"It is fine," he said to Ambra. "When you're right, you're right." He backed away from the ledge and out of sight of the girls on the ground.

"Dove vai?" Ambra demanded, wondering where Ezio was going.

"He's going to climb down," Allegra responded. They were waiting to see Ezio come from around the corner, but instead, they saw a large blur catapult from the roof of the building he had just been standing on. He landed on his feet behind them, a wide grin on his generous mouth.

"Well, well, the view is better from down here," he observed. "Good morning, Ambra. What are you looking for today?"

To be quite honest, the only thing Ambra had been looking for was Ezio. Of course, it wouldn't have been acceptable to actually say that, so she chose to say nothing. Instead, she just looked up at him with a half smile on her face, hoping that Ezio would receive the message she was trying to convey.

He did. And, being a male who was accustomed to going after what it was he wanted, he knew that he was going to have to be the one to do something about it. He turned to Allegra.

"Do you still plan on calling on my sister today?" he asked. "I told her that you would be coming. She'll be very upset if you don't."

"Of course!" Allegra answered. "I'm sure that I have been looking forward to it just as much as she has, if not more."

"Bene," Ezio responded, and then looked over Allegra's shoulder. "I think there is someone over on the other side of the piazza calling for you, Allegra." Allegra turned around and didn't see anyone calling her. Then she looked back at Ezio, who was looking at her meaningfully. "But I will go over there and look a little harder."

"That is a good idea," Ezio stated. "We'll be right here." Allegra wandered off to the other side of the piazza, leaving Ezio and Ambra alone for a few moments.

"What was that about?" Ambra asked.

"Do you plan on coming with her?" Ezio asked as he bent his head towards hers so that he didn't have to speak too loudly, and as he bent over, he got a good whiff of her sent. He knew that she would smell good. She didn't smell like most girls; there was no overwhelmingly sweet smell of flowers. No, she was … earthy, and a little spicy. Her voice snapped him out of his olfactory reflections.

"I did, why?" Ambra asked. "Would you rather that I didn't?"

"Don't be silly," he answered. "Of course I want you come. Just … don't arrive with your sister. We'll never get a moment alone."

"Alone?" Ambra asked. "You want to be alone with me?"

"Is that so hard to believe?" Ezio asked.

"What kind of girl do you think I am, Ezio?" Ambra demanded, which threw Ezio off. He was not used to being responded to in such a way, especially by females. "Don't look so surprised, Ezio."

"I'm sorry if I have offended-" he began.

"I know that you are from the city," Ambra began, becoming angry. Normally soft-spoken, when she felt insulted, she became very defensive, "and that the girls there would probably be flattered by these advances, but I am mostly just insulted by them. Did you think that I would just-"

"Slow down, slow down," Ezio said calmly as he took her hands, trying to salvage the situation. "I think that you might have misunderstood me." He squeezed her hands a little tighter. "As much as I would like to get to know you on a more … physical level, that is not what I was talking about when I said I would like to spend some time alone with you."

"What did you mean, then?"

"If you come around to my uncle's villa, perhaps you will find out," Ezio answered. "Just don't come with your sister. I do want you to myself." As he was speaking to Ambra, he looked over her shoulder and saw just who he wanted to see. Francesco De Luca was staring at him, so he thought that he would give him a show.

He reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind Ambra's ear.

"I'm sorry if I offended you, signorina," Ezio assured her as he kissed her hand. "It was not my intent. I look forward to seeing you later." Smiling, he turned around and walked away, but he didn't get too far before he scaled a building and came back so that he could watch the aftermath of his little scene.

He wasn't disappointed.

"So now you're a common whore, hm, Ambra?" Francesco asked as he approached her. Ezio flinched as he said this, and he was tempted to jump down again … and land right on top of Francesco, but he fought the urge.

"What makes you say that?" Ambra asked, completely unperturbed.

"I'm not exactly the only one who saw that," Francesco stated. "I know the brothel madame, if you like, I could put in a good word for you." This time, he did get a reaction out of Ambra.

"I don't think that you know who to whom you are speaking," Ambra informed him, "but if you like, I'm sure that I could have someone teach you."

"Do you mean our friend Ezio?" he asked. "Because I'm pretty sure that he thinks the same thing I do. Una mignotta sporca." Ezio narrowed his eyes, and for the second time thought of leaving his vantage point, but then Ambra seemed to be able to handle it well enough on her own.

"I'm not sure why you say these things to me when you're trying to get me to marry you," Ambra stated. "With any other girl, sure, but you know that my father is not going to force me into marrying you just because you are Francesco De Luca."

"You think so?" he asked.

"I know so," Ambra assured him, "especially after you call me names like dirty whore."

"I only say what I see, Ambra," Francesco stated. "You just met him yesterday, and now you're holding hands and letting him touch you in public. Your father would be ashamed."

"I don't think so," Ambra answered. "My father quite likes Ezio."

"And he doesn't like me?" Francesco asked sweetly.

"In a word, no," Ambra answered. "Not that it would stop you from trying."

"I don't have to try," Francesco stated. "When no other man will have you, you won't have a choice." Ambra breathed loudly through her nose, signaling her impatience. Ezio had certainly picked a great time to leave her. Now she was most likely going to have to deal with Francesco until she decided to go home.

Luckily, Allegra chose this moment to rejoin her sister, seeing that Ezio was gone and Francesco had arrived.

"Are you all done here, Ambra?" she asked, and then saw the look on her sister's face. She was obviously distressed; Ambra was not very good at hiding her emotions. Papa always called her his figlia con una faccia di vetro. His daughter with a glass face.

"I would like to be, yes," she answered. "Am I allowed to leave, now, Francesco?"

"Far be it from to keep you from doing what you want to," he answered. "Until later, Signorina Conti." Francesco grabbed one of her hands and kissed it before turning around and walking away.

A little angrier than reason called for, Ezio decided that he would follow him. He did not have to be back at the villa for training for a little while; he figured that he might as well do something useful with his time. He stayed high, watching Francesco as he walked down below. Once he was far enough away from witnesses, Ezio jumped down, landing behind him, frightening Francesco so that he jumped and turned around.

"Did I scare you?" Ezio asked.

"No," Francesco answered as he drew himself to his full height.

"Good," Ezio said mildly as he pushed Francesco against the wall behind him, pinning him there by his shoulders. "How about now?"

"Let go of me!" Francesco demanded as he struggled against Ezio, but the two were not evenly matched; Ezio was much stronger.

"Listen," said Ezio calmly. "I'm not sure how boys are raised here, but in Firenze, we learned that ladies are to be addressed in a certain manner. I don't think I need to tell you that you failed in that respect."

"What are you talking about?" Francesco asked, feigning innocence.

"Don't try that with me," Ezio suggested, sounding like he was bored. "Now, when I was younger and said things I shouldn't have, my parents would put soap in my mouth. Seeing as I don't have any soap …" Francesco didn't even see his hand move, but he sure felt it make a solid connection with his mouth. Ezio let go so that Francesco could crumple to the ground.

Ezio crouched down so that he was leaning over Francesco, who seemed to be having a bit of trouble getting up. Smiling, Ezio hoped that his jaw was broken. He decided to leave him with a few words. "I understand that you desire Ambra. You can't be blamed; she's beautiful. If you insist on pursuing her, I insist that you do so without insulting her. Capisce?" Of course there was no answer. "Good. I'm glad that we had this talk." He patted Francesco on the cheek, which caused him to groan. Then he stood up and walked towards home.

He wanted to be ready when Ambra arrived.

)0()0()0()0()0()0(

"I thought that you said you were going to come with me?" Allegra said to Ambra as the two sisters parted ways on their way to la villa Auditore.

"I was, but I remembered that Mamma asked me to run an errand for her," Ambra answered. "Please tell Claudia that I'm sorry that I could not make it this time, and that perhaps she can join us for dinner tomorrow."

"Va bene," Allegra answered, shrugging. She was a little disappointed; she liked doing things with her older sister. "A piu tardi." They parted ways, and Ambra waited until she was sure that her sister would not see her before she continued in the direction of the villa.

She wasn't exactly sure about what she was supposed to do or where she was supposed to meet Ezio. He hadn't given her any instructions besides not to arrive with her sister. That she had accomplished, but now she was at a loss.

She approached the villa from behind. It had once been a beautiful building, but was not falling into disrepair. It wasn't as obvious from the back as it was from the front, but she still found herself thinking that it was such a shame. As she was thinking about this, she did not realize Ezio approaching her from the side, and when he put a hand on her shoulder, she jumped.

"Mi dispiace," said Ezio. "I did not mean to scare you."

"Va bene," Ambra responded as she put her hand on her heart. "I suppose that I should have been paying more attention."

"Perhaps," Ezio agreed.

"Now, why is it that you wanted me all to yourself?" Ambra asked flirtatiously.

"Why wouldn't I?" Ezio asked. Ambra didn't have an answer for that. "I thought I would show you something. And I have something to tell you."

"Which first?"

"I'll show, first," he answered. "Are you afraid of heights?"

"Not particularly," she told him.

"Good. Follow me." Then, he started walking towards the wall of the villa. "Are you any good at climbing?"

"I can't say I've ever really tried it," Ambra answered. "Climbing is not really considered a suitable occupation for a lady."

"It's all right. Luckily I am here. You're going to have to do exactly as I say."

"Following directions is something I am good at," Ambra assured him.

"Bene." Without saying anything else, Ezio jumped up and grabbed onto a ledge, pulling himself up. Once he had a firm footing, he turned, got on his knees, and hung his arms over the edge. "Grab my hands."

"Are you serious?" she demanded.

"Come, you're a tall girl. You'll only have to jump a little."

"I don't know about this," Ambra answered.

"If you're worried that I might let you fall, you needn't," Ezio assured her. "I won't drop you." Ambra raised an eyebrow. "Andiamo!" Ambra sighed and walked over to the wall. As she put her hands up, she saw that Ezio was right. She barely had to jump before he caught her hands in his. He easily pulled her up, and helped her steady herself. "All right?"

"Yes," Ambra answered as she looked up. "Where are we going?" Ezio turned and pointed to the very top of the villa. Ambra's eyes widened considerably.

"Che?" she asked, trying to remain calm.

"It won't be difficult until we start getting higher up," Ezio assured her. "And then I'll help you."

"If you had told me that this was what we would be doing," Ambra began, "I would have suggested an alternative."

"Come now," Ezio said as he made his way to the next climbing point, "I never would have thought that you lacked a sense of adventure. It will be worth it." He jumped once more and pulled himself up, then hung his arms over the ledge once more. Ambra groaned as she glared at him. "Don't look at me like that! I'm doing all the work, here." Ambra trudged over and put her hands up.

They repeated this pattern for a while, until they had only one more story to go.

"Here is where it gets difficult," Ezio stated. "I'm going to have to go behind you, now. You need to put your hands and feet exactly where I tell you, all right? We'll go slowly, take your time."

"Don't worry, I don't want to fall," Ambra assured him as Ezio pointed out a hold where she needed to place her hands. So began the rather arduous process of completing the last part of the climb. It took some time, but eventually both parties reached the very top of the villa.

Ambra's breath was taken away, and not because of the effort it had taken to climb. She had never seen Monteriggioni from this particular view, and it was positively stunning. The hills rolled for what seemed like forever, with doll-sized buildings dotting them occasionally.

"Bellisima," Ambra sighed.

"It is rather spectacular," Ezio agreed. "Here, sit. But carefully, there is a bit of a tilt to the roof." Ezio held Ambra's hands while she situated herself in a seated position, and then sat next to her. "You can see a lot from here." He pointed north, which was the way they were facing. "That way is Firenze."

"Do you miss it?" Ambra asked.

"I do," Ezio answered. "I have to go back, that is what I wanted to tell you."

"You're leaving so soon?" Ambra asked him.

"Only briefly, mia cara," Ezio answered. "I plan on coming back. I'm not quite done here."

"What are you leaving for?" Ambra inquired.

"I have a little bit of business to attend to in the city," he answered. "Hopefully it will not take me too long, and then I will come back." Ambra pouted, and Ezio ran his thumb across her full lower lip. "Don't look at me like that, it will only upset me, it won't make me stay."

"I can't help it!" Ambra exclaimed. "With you gone, I'll be at the mercy of Francesco."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about him, as long as he doesn't know that I am gone," Ezio stated. "And no one but you and my family will know that I am."

"Is this a secret?" Ambra asked.

"Only a little one," Ezio assured her. His hand was still on her face, and now he used his thumb to stroke her cheek.

"I'm honored that you told me," Ambra said softly. Their faces were getting closer and closer, and now her voice was barely louder than a whisper. She leaned the last few inches needed to make her lips touch Ezio's. She surprised him, and he almost lost his balance, but used his free hand to stead himself before bringing that one to her face as well, caressing the soft skin of her cheeks with both hands. The two separated, but just barely, and Ambra's lips grazed Ezio's as she told him, "Il tuo segretto é sicuro con me."