Hey hey once again. Yet another chapter. I want to say thank you for the 2 reviews I got ( better than nothing ^^). So thank you and Merci Beaucoup. Pour répondre à ta question, je viens du Canada ^^ I'm skipping little things from the game I know, sometimes I just forget or I just don't feel like writting it. xD
I'm so sorry I wasn't able to write sooner. I had computer problems and lost any inspiration to write. But now it's back and I'm going back into it. Especially since the new Assassin's Creed is coming out in a few months.
So Chapter 3. ENJOY!
Disclaimer: Ubisoft owns the characters and the story line. I just create my own story line based off theirs. I do not intend to own them. I'm just borrowing them. Don't sue.
OO3 - Simply the beginning
It was harder than I expected. Both, Ezio and I, were panting in front of, what I had assumed, was Leonardo da Vinci's workshop. Avoiding the guards and Vieri's man was, hard, to say the least. I was resting both of my hands of my knees, trying to gain my breath back. I took a peek at Ezio, wondering if he was holding up so far, it seems he is. I straightened my back and turned to him.
'' Are you alright ?, '' I asked placing a hand on his shoulder and he turned his head towards me.
He nodded, '' Sì, '' then he knocked on the door and just entered. I followed him silently in the workshop to see a man with his back to us. He then turned around, he had beautiful blue eyes that we like the sea. I stared at them for a few seconds before he spoke to Ezio.
'' Oh! Ezio Auditore. I- I didn't expect to see YOU again. With all that's happened...Ah! Where are my manners, Welcome back!, '' he said hugging Ezio, with the latter returning the hug slightly surprised. While giving Ezio the hug, Leonardo noticed someone else, me. He backed away from the hug.
'' Oh you have a friend with you ? I'm Leonardo da Vinci, a pleasure to meet you...?,'' Leonardo asked while Ezio moved to the side.
I removed my hood to be greeted by surprise, '' It's pleasure to make your acquaintance Messer da Vinci, I'm Aryana D'Angelo di Venezia,'' I answered with a slight smile.
He smiled back and turned to Ezio, '' Now, How can I be of service ?,''
Ezio said, '' I was hoping you could repair something of mine ?,''
Leonardo smiled and happily answered, '' Of course! Come, this way,'' as he made his way over a table, whispering to himself about the mess it had on it. He is certainly entertaining.
'' Alright. Let's see it,'' Leonardo said as Ezio took out his blade and bracer and handed them to Leonardo. He then laid them on the table analyzing them.
'' Fascinating,'' he said while looking at it, '' I don't know, Ezio. Despite its age the construction is rather advanced, I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm afraid there's not much I can do without the original plans...Mi dispiace.'' he finally said while I let out a discouraged sigh. Ezio was moving in to take the blade back but Leonardo stopped him.
'' Wait, wait, wait.'' Leonardo said while removing the blade and bracer, only to discover a page...plans it seems.
Ezio, confused, said, '' What are you doing ?''
I walked closer to see what he was doing, '' Is that a - ?''
Leonardo interrupted me, '' The contents of this page are encrypted. But if my theory is correct...based on the sketches, it may very well..,'' he lingered.
'' It may very well what ?'' asked Ezio, quite confused over the sudden change of mood from Leonardo.
'' Please sit.'' Leonardo says while pointing very fast to a chair in front of him.
'' Leonardo.'' Ezio tries to start again.
But just like before, Leonardo shuts him up, '' Shhhh.''
Ezio finally gives up on trying to get Leonardo to listen to him and ask him questions. He then goes to the chair and sits on it, waiting patiently for Leonardo to finish, as I stay up and observe Leonardo while he works his magic. A few minutes later I turn around to see Ezio, still on the chair, asleep. I laugh slightly and yawn, the growing fatigue coming over my senses slowly. I lay both of my hands on the table and I watch Leonardo. Suddenly I start looking around, analyzing everything in his workshop. That man is quite amazing.
'' Aryana, was it ?'' Leonardo's voice asks suddenly.
I turn my head around to face him, '' Sì ? ''
'' May I ask you how you acquired this injury ?'' he asks while pointing to my left hand, the missing finger.
'' I had it acquired on purpose. I needed to, for the blade,'' I tell him while activating the mechanism to pull out the blade, '' my design is quite old, as it still required the removal of the finger.'' I finish.
He looks down, '' It must have been painful.''
'' Terribly but...not so much anymore. Only when it rains.'' I say while smiling sadly.
'' Why is it you, a-''
I cut him off, '' A woman ? Why am I doing this kind of work ?, '' I ask him, '' It's a very long story, maybe one day we will be able to sit and talk about it.'' I tell him while he smiles, continuing his work on the blade.
'' I would love to.'' he finishes as I let him finish his work.
When his work is done, he goes over to Ezio, blade in hand, and leans in front of him. I stand behind Leonardo.
'' There, it's finished.'' he tells Ezio happily while he wakes up slowly.
He shakes his head, '' Hmm? What's finished?'' I roll my eyes when he asks that. The blade of course, imbecile.
'' The blade. I managed to decode that parchment of yours. It showed me exactly what to do.'' He told Ezio, who extended his hand to take the blade but Leonardo pulled it back, '' Now all that's left is to remove your ring finger.'' I stare at Leonardo with wide eyes while he takes out a butcher knife. I laugh quietly in the back. Ezio finally sees me.
'' Really ?'' Ezio asks Leonardo, slightly scared. I feel Ezio's eyes on me, asking me if it was true. I just nodded.
Leonardo goes on saying, '' I'm sorry, but this is how it must be done. The blade is designed to ensure the 'commitment' of whoever wields it.''
Ezio takes a deep breath, his faces serious all of a sudden, taking in the information. I was wondering, was he committed enough, to the point to remove a finger so he could get a weapon to seek revenge on his father and brothers. That was well thought from Leonardo's part, he wanted to see if Ezio was sure of what he was about to jump into. And he wasn't the only one curious. My gaze met with Ezio's as he turned to Leonardo, laying his left hand on the table, the ring finger sticking out.
'' Bene. Do it quickly.'' he says while shutting his eyes for a mere second.
The sound of the butcher's knife colliding with wood was heard a few seconds after. Ezio opened his eyes, to see his ring finger still attached to his hand, relief written all over his face.
Leonardo's voice was heard, '' I was only having fun, Ezio. Though the blade once required a sacrifice, it's been modified. You can keep your finger.''
Ezio's face fell on the blade given to him by Leonardo. He stopped for a second while his gaze fell once again on the blade, not his but mine. He had connected two pieces of the puzzle together. Now he knew how I acquired it. Leonardo too. Now up on his feet, Ezio activated the mechanism of the blade, admiring the fine work Leonardo had performed.
'' Incredible.'' was the only word Ezio said.
He reminded me of myself when I first saw the blade. As my first word about it was 'Incredible' too. His eyes traveled up and down the magnificent and clean design of the blade, revealing its beauty. I could see hope in his eyes, hope he gained from seeing the blade.
'' Yes it is. Tell me, do you have other pages like this ?'' Leonardo asks.
Ezio smiled sadly, '' I'm sorry, only the one.'' he says.
'' But if we find any we could bring them to you.'' I said, finally speaking.
'' I'd appreciate that. Grazie.'' Leonardo smiles.
'' We sure will do. And thank you for fixing this. It-'' Ezio started saying before knocks on the door interrupted him.
'' By order of the florentine guard. Open this door!'' a guard's voice screams.
'' Merda.'' I say.
'' Eh- Just a moment.'' Leonardo screams back while handing the parchment to Ezio, telling us to stay there. Leonardo goes to the door, opens it and soon goes out, with the guard. I had a bad feeling about this.
'' I don't think that the guard came here to ask Leonardo to paint something for him.'' I say while looking at the still open door.
'' Me neither. Should we go see ?'' Ezio turns to me.
'' Go ahead. I'll stay here and keep company to..eh..whoever I'll keep company to.'' I say while I sit down.
He laughs, '' And I thought you were couragous.'' he says.
'' I am. I just, I'm not very appreciated by guards, I tend to avoid them as much as I can.'' I tell him. He shakes his head while walking towards the door.
'' I'll be back.'' he tells me while I nod.
Somehow, I was not in the mood to kill and to fight. The fatigue was really getting to me and I couldn't do anything about it. I get up and walk around the work shop. I see a small closed space in the back, on my right. I go towards it, as I get closer a stench meets my nose. Blood. Dead bodies. Dio mio, what is he doing with those ? I hear steps coming into the workshop. It's Ezio carrying a body. I walk towards Ezio.
'' I need to put him wi-'' he starts.
'' The others are over there.'' I tell him, pointing towards the small space I was in just a few seconds ago. Ezio goes and puts the body down on the ground. He comes back towards me.
'' See ? Like it never happened.'' Leonardo says coming towards us.
'' Thank you Leonardo, for everything.'' Ezio thanks him.
'' Yes, thank you.'' I tell him while I bow. He smiles.
'' Anytime, my friends.'' he says while guiding us out, reminding us to bring him pages of parchment when we find one. We salute him one last time and we leave.
We started walking down the street, both of us using the blending technics. At on point during our trip, we couldn't anymore, now in need to use the rooftops. We halted for a second in yet another small back street.
'' We need to use the rooftops.'' Ezio tells me.
I sigh, '' Alright. Let's do it.'' I say but before I could even move, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
'' Are you sure ? Your shoulder is still injured.'' he asks me, worry seen in his eyes.
'' I'll be fine. If it hurts I'll stop you.'' I tell him while he shakes his head and starts climbing up a window, me following him closely. No pain felt in my shoulder so far, I'll just have to wait and see. It seems it was very well taken care of. I didn't feel a thing. We had to be even more careful than before, as there were more archers on the rooftops then before.
'' Which way is it again ?'' I ask, while jumping off a rooftop onto another.
He joins me, '' North of the Duomo.'' he tells me.
'' I'll meet you over there, I need to buy something.'' I tell him while I jump down into a back street. I look up to see Ezio.
'' Aryana, we should go together.'' he tells me taking a look behind him.
I look around to make sure no one sees me, '' I'll hurry. I need to buy medecine. I'll meet you over there. Very soon.'' I tell him.
'' Come back soon. If your not there in twenty minutes, at exactly,'' he looks at a clock tower, '' four o'clock I will come and get you.'' he says.
'' No worry, you won't have to worry about moving to come and get me.'' I tell him while pulling my hood down.
He sighs but doesn't argue, '' Va bene. But be quick about it.'' he tells me while I smile at him.
'' You'll never know I was gone.'' I tell him while walking away onto the city streets, the busy working ones. North of the Duomo. Better remember that. I start walking in the still busy streets of Florence. Not to long after I begin my walk I spot a doctor close to the Duomo. I walk towards him and ask for medecine, which he gives me very fast asking for the money. He bows to me while I start walking to the North of the Duomo. Arriving to the brothel, I met with Ezio outside, unsure if he already met Paola or if he had gotten out. I run towards him.
'' See, I'm safe. Where are you going ?'' I ask him.
'' To Kill Uberto Alberti,'' he says, making his way, me closely following him, through the crowd, '' he will be at the Santa Croche.'' he finishes as he starts climbing the wall.
'' Do you have a plan ?'' I ask him while we take a very quick stop.
He says, '' I'll see when I get there. And you ?''
'' I'll adapt to whatever plan you will choose.'' I tell him as we continue our way towards the Santa Crocher.
We arrive soon to a roof, from where we can see everything. I take a good look and notice the guards in front of the entrance. Courtesans. There should be courtesans close by. For Ezio's first real kill of revenge, I sure hope there is.
'' What do you want me to do ?'' I ask him while we take a look over the Piazza in front of us.
'' I thought you said you would adapt.'' he tells me, smirking.
I smirk back, '' I will but it's your kill not mine. I'm only here to help if anything goes wrong.'' I tell him.
He nods, '' Why don't you go on top of the cloister of the Santa Croche, so when I need a way out, I'll have you to point me in the right direction.'' he tells me.
I nod, '' Will do, '' I say while he goes on the ledge of a wooden beam,'' Ezio ?'' I call his name out.
He turns around, facing me, '' Yes ?''
'' Be careful and Good Luck.'' I tell him while I quickly leave.
Even though it wasn't the first time I teamed up with someone for a mission but this was definitely the first time I was nervous. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would go through the skin and come out of my chest. I went to a rooftop close to the cloister. There were archers on the side where I was getting ready to jump on. One of the archer turned his back to me as I jumped onto the roof of the cloister to get behind him. I silently got closer and activated the hidden blade and struck him in the neck. He dropped down. Lucky for me, there were no more archers standing on that part of the rooftop. Only on the lower part. I walked close to the ledge of the higher part of the roof on the inside of the cloister. I stood there, waiting for Ezio.
I kept a eye on the entrance I thought Ezio would come in from. I saw the brutes moving away from their post, going towards the left. That's when I knew Ezio had achieved the first part of the mission. Seconds later I saw a white tunic coming through the entrance, Ezio. I looked at his movement, slow and clean. As if he had been doing this for more than a year. I let a long sigh out. He walked behind Uberto and the latter turned around to come face to face with Ezio. I couldn't hear what they were saying but seconds later I saw Ezio strike. He had killed Uberto Alberti, the Gonfaloniere. My heart almost gave out, weirdly. He turned around and screamed his lungs out.
'' The Auditore are not dead. I'm still here. Ezio. Ezio Auditore!''
He kept looking around and then locked eyes with me. In the middle of outbursts of 'Assassino' or 'Murderer', he started running on a box and went up. He climbed up and reached the ledge where I was, I offered my hand which he took and pulled him up.
'' Where to ?'' I ask.
'' Paola.'' he says. I just nod and follow him. Trying to avoid any guards or archers.
My gazed fell on Ezio as we ran from roof to roof. One thought came into my head.
He'll never be the same.
Mi dispiace - I'm sorry
Dio mio - Oh my god/ Dear god
Arrivederci - Goodbye
Grazie - Thank you
Bene - Fine
So here it is. It's done. And I'm not fully happy but I guess it keeps the story going. I'll try to write tonight and tomorrow for the next chapter. I'm trying to figure out how to make progress with the relationship that Ezio and Aryana have. But it'll come together soon =) Sorry for any mistakes. I'll try to correct. ^^