Because he wanted to make sure he got back to the hideout faster, Ezio took the risk of leaving the safety of the tunnels so he could take a horse. He whistled for his horse, and a white mare stopped not too far away. He got La Volpe on and climbed up behind him. With a crack of the reins, the horse was running down the road.

Although, he should have considered the fact that the guards would recognize either one of them. The minute a group of guards recognized La Volpe, they were after them. A couple even tore some civilians off their own steeds to join the pursuit.

As some swung their swords to strike, Ezio was going through his options at least five times in that moment. He'd be close to the Tiber soon, maybe then he could jump with Volpe into the river to escape the guards. Or maybe find some mercenaries to help him. When he had decided what to do, it was already too late.

A loud smack came to his ears as the horse fell forward from a guard's spear. Thrown forward, Ezio was quick to correct himself so he wouldn't land on his injured friend. His horse got up in a panic, and before anyone could grasp the reins, it rushed away from the fight. Ezio hadn't had the time to go after it, and stood his ground so he could lose the guards now.

Of course, five guards wasn't a problem, the extra fifteen he picked up in the chase could be one. He quickly signalled for his recruits before taking Volpe by the arm and hauling him to his feet so he could carry the man on his back. The sound of the fight rang in his ears as he rushed to his horse. However, still frightened it ran away once more and he had to chase it down. Another minute was wasted in that small matter, then he was moving again.

He could feel warm liquid seeping through his robes, and, again, he cursed to himself. If Volpe kept bleeding like this, then there was no chance. "Come on, stay with me."

No response came.

"Volpe?" Ezio jolstered his friend on his back, hoping to get a reaction, but none came. I'm running out of time, he realized. Correction, La Volpe was running out of time.

Although he wanted to get to Tiber Island to see a doctor, Ezio came to terms with the fact that there was no way he could reach it in time. And so he settled with the closest one, which was settled at a stand around the corner. Right away, he approached.

"My friend was hurt, can you help him," Ezio asked.

The doctor, staring through his beaked mask, nodded. "Si, lay him down on the table and I'll have a look."

Carefully, he laid Volpe down, where he was able to see him now. Volpe's skin, though usually pale to begin with, was practically gray, and blood had completely stained his clothes. He had shut his eyes, and seemed like he was just sleeping. Ezio stood practically stiff before lightly nudging at him, hoping to rouse the older, but nothing at all.

Without hesitation, the doctor was going over everything; each wound, and searching for a sign of life in what seemed like a corpse. By now, Ezio had sunken to the ground in shock. His mind a torrent before coming to the after thought of they still weren't safe from the guards yet, he needed to be ready and not beating himself up.

Forcing himself not to shake, he turned from the stand and stood ready for the guards to come at them. It was all he could do. It seemed a challenge not to choke on his words, "Is he... is it too late?"

For a moment, he wasn't sure what the doctor's silence meant. Was he too focused on his work, or was he letting him figure it out on his own? Was it the answer in itself? When the doctor did speak, it was in that usual professional tone, "There's little I can do here. Your friend is in shock, and, obviously, you seem to be in a hurry as well. It would take a while to stabilize his condition and-."

"I don't care how long it takes," Ezio interrupted, "if there's anything at all you can do, then do it!" He didn't check to see if the doctor nodded. He just tried to keep his mind focused. Volpe needs me to protect him. There's no questioning that. I CAN'T let him down.

His hand was held tight on the hilt of his sword, tight enough for his knuckles to turn white. His breathing came in slowed, forceful, deep breaths in his attempt to quell his panicked thoughts.

What if I'm too late? Will he die? Ezio shook his head. Volpe couldn't die. This was the Master Thief he had known for many years. The man who aided him so long ago, and again a few years back. He couldn't die so easily, right?

Minutes turned to hours. But no guards came. None dared show their faces.

Finally the doctor spoke. It had gone from midday to late night. In the light of the lanterns hanging in the streets, Ezio could see the blood glisten on the doctor's gloves, and the flames cast a glow in the lens of his mask. "I think it's time you calm yourself down."

Ezio knitted his eyebrows, confused. "I am calm."

"No, you're not," the doctor said, shaking his beaked face, "the entire time you've been standing here, you look like you're ready to fly into a panic. Just take a moment to ease yourself."

Ignoring the advice, Ezio asked, "Will my friend be okay?"

The doctor looked down, "I've done all I can, Messere. The wounds were infected, and I've clean them out as best I can, but I will not close them until I'm certain that the infection is gone. But I cannot stay at my stand all night, and I need some more supplies to handle the rest."

"What do you propose then?" Ezio wondered.

"I'll write a report on your friend's condition and what I advise to treat it. If you can take him to another doctor, then he might be able to handle the rest."

To this, Ezio wanted to curse under his breath. He had busted his ass just to get La Volpe here in the first place. And now he needed to find another doctor? Maybe this time he could take his friend to the hideout. "Did you at least bandage the wounds?"

"Of course, he would have bled to death otherwise." The doctor answered. "You know, he's very lucky. Normally a man would have died by now. I don't know why he's still breathing."

Ezio looked down and mumbled to himself, "Sometimes I wonder that myself..."

"Be quick with taking your friend to a doctor, and don't forget to hand him this," the doctor held a folded parchment between his fingers and held it out to Ezio. He took it and placed it in one of his pouches. After that, he called his horse carefully slung Volpe over the saddle, and guided the animal as he walked along side it.

For a moment all was quiet, then a brief murmur from Volpe; "why is it so cold...?"

It was actually a warm late summer night. But Ezio still stopped for a moment and slipped the blanket out from underneath the horse's saddle, and wrapped the thick cloth over the thief before continuing on. After that, all was silent.

Okay I know it took me a while to update this. And I'm sorry for that. But I was busy with other stories. I still am. I also have school work and all to take care of and my own original story I'm writing. So yeah. Thanks to the couple of people who cared to comment. I know the beginning was bad, I reread it an hour ago and kept shaking my head, but I hope to complete this story without anymore choppy chapters.