CHAPTER 7
I lay on my bed, tossing and turning. No mater what I do, sleep seems to evade me. It's starting to irritate me.
Suddenly I throw back the covers of my bed, giving up on the idea of sleep entirely. I slip on my boots then walk downstairs, the warm air feeling nice on my skin. I end up in Mario's study, facing a bookshelf. It contains mostly non-fictional books, but there are several novels stashed among them. I browse the somewhat lacking supply of fiction until I find a book that looks entertaining. I take it off the shelf and open it, settling down on the carpet to read. Soon I find myself absorbed in the story, feeling as though I am a character myself, and there is someone writing my very soul. Then I hear soft footsteps and with a start, I shut the book quickly. I look up to see a broad figure – shirtless, of course – who enters the study. He doesn't see me at first, but then he looks down.
"Bella, what are you doing?" Ezio asks softly.
"What does it look like?" I ask sarcastically.
"Very funny."
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted to see if Uncle Mario has any books on these 'Assassins' you say my father belonged to."
"Well, he has no shortage. But... I'm confused. You read books?"
"Si, bella."
"I thought the only thing you opened was women's' legs." I say.
Ezio smirks and raises an eyebrow. I stand up and walk over to the bookshelf where he starts to browse the literature. I push in front of him, taking a book off the shelf and pushing it into his chest. Ezio takes the book and lifts my chin with one finger, until we stare each other directly in the eye.
"Goodnight, bella." He whispers, the hand he holds the book in now wrapping around my waist. I stare up into his eyes, standing up on my toes until we're the same height, and I lean in. Ezio closes his eyes and I dodge out of his arms, laughing quietly so I don't wake anyone up. Ezio opens his eyes and finds me halfway across the room, and he makes a face.
"Give up, Ezio." I say with a smile.
"Never." He replies cockily. I swoop down and grab my book, heading out of the room, rolling my eyes.
~!~
The sun shines down on my head, bright and warm. It seems to brighten Monteriggioni, as well as the mood of everyone in it. I look across the training circle at Ezio, giving him a wink as Mario begins to talk.
"You're making fine progress, Ezio! Today I'm going to teach you how to position yourself in battle. Where you stand and how you move makes all the difference."
I pull out my sword, and Ezio stays unarmed. I approach him as Mario speaks again.
"Don't think I haven't seen you picking apart my library. I trust you believe me now?"
"Yes. My father was an Assassin. But why the need for such secrecy?"
"Are you familiar with the Templars?" Mario asks.
Ezio shakes his head and then evades my attack.
"One of several nightly orders formed during the Crusades. History teaches they were disbanded nearly 200 years ago in France. Only they weren't. Merely pushed underground where they continued their nefarious work." Mario rumbles.
Ezio evades several more of my attacks before we stop. Mario nods to me and I jump out of the training circle, sheathing my sword, as Mario jumps in.
Ezio pulls out his sword, as does Mario, and the two run at each other. I have to say, I'm impressed. Ezio has improved dramatically since he first arrived. After several minutes of sparring, the two men start to tire, until Mario calls the battle off.
"Well done, Ezio. You've really come into your own!" Mario compliments proudly.
"Thank you, Uncle, Lia. For all you have given me." Ezio replies, clapping Mario on the shoulder.
"You're family! Such is my duty and desire!" Mario exclaims.
"I'm glad you've had me stay." Ezio thanks.
"Good! You've reconsidered leaving!" Mario says. I shoot him a glare.
"...We sail for Spain in three days." Ezio says.
"But Ezio, I have given you these skills so that you might be better prepared to strike against our enemies..." Mario protests.
"And if they find me, I will." Ezio replies calmly.
"You want to leave, Ezio? To throw away everything your father fought and died for? To deny your heritage? Fine! So be it. Goodbye and good luck!" Mario exclaims angrily, throwing his arms up in the air and storming off angrily.
"Uncle, wait!" Ezio calls. He approaches me. "Why is he so upset?"
"Do you expect him to be happy? Vieri's been harassing us ever since you first arrived, despite my warning. To be expected, I suppose, given his heritage." I reply.
"Wait, what heritage?" Ezio asks.
"Vieri's a Templar. Not a very good one, either." I say.
Ezio raises his eyebrows. "What can I do about my uncle? And why is he so insistent?"
"Ezio, I'm not going to lie to you. We're losing this war. The Templars are all in powerful positions, whereas the Assassins are all mercenaries, courtesans... He hoped you'd join and help us fight. The Assassins are his life, almost like his family. A Templar would be willing to stab their best friend, their lover in the back..." I trail off, a knot forming in my throat. "I won't pressure you to join, but at least go talk to Mario."
"Alright... But why did you join, Lia?" Ezio asks.
"Because the Templars are evil. If I don't fight, people will die because of it. People just like your fathers and brothers. Isn't that enough of a reason?"
Ezio nods, and then something changes. His eyes seem to gleam, and without another thought he runs into the villa. I run after him, bewildered at his sudden nature. He runs into Mario's study.
"Uncle!" He calls. I run in after him and see not Mario, but a mercenary standing in the middle of the room.
"Where is everyone?" Ezio asks him.
"They ride for San Gimignano to slay that bastardo, Vieri." The mercenary replies.
"I wish to join them." Ezio declares, making me smile proudly from ear to ear. I can't help but feel like this is of my making.
"You'll find what you need at the stables." I say quickly, pulling Ezio from the room.
"First, I wish to see my mother." Ezio says once we're outside.
"Alright. I'll meet you at the stables." I reply. We both head off in different directions, Ezio heading upstairs, myself heading down to the stables. I select two horses, leading them both to the main gate of Monteriggioni and mounting one. I wait for Ezio, only a few minutes passing before I see him coming down the main street of Monteriggioni. He mounts the horse next to me and we ride off, my heart fluttering in anticipation of finally being able to do away with Vieri. This should be fun.
~!~
The rolling hills of Tuscany fly past us. The grass is a beautiful green and there are several small buildings dotted around the landscape, often accompanied by tall, dark green trees. In the distance I can see the citadel on top of a large hill, almost like a villain's lair in some fairytale. Ezio and I continue to ride, myself leading him to where I know Mario will be. It's a small clump of buildings on the outskirts of Tuscany which is a small meeting place for Assassins. Ezio and I dismount our horses, heading towards the small group of men. I can see Mario standing with them; he turns around as he hears our footsteps.
"Ezio! Lia! What are you doing here?" He asks incredulously.
"Taking responsibility. Vieri troubles you because of me." Ezio replies.
"Vieri troubles us because he is a Templar and we are Assassins."
"Either way, I wish to help." Ezio says.
Delight momentarily spreads across Mario's face, before he sobers up. "Alright, listen up. First we must find a way inside the city. Though it seems Vieri expects us... He has sealed the gates and sent his men to guard them. Fortunately for us, the city is larger than his host. The southern gate suffers for it. So this is where we will strike. Ready?" Mario asks.
"Si, Uncle." Ezio replies. Mario turns to me and I nod. Mario runs off, as do the rest of the mercenaries. I start to run off, but I feel a hand slap my culo. I turn to the culprit; Ezio.
"Do that again and I'll cut it off." I warn with a wink.
"You'll cut what off?" Ezio asks innocently.
"Anything that goes where it shouldn't." I reply sweetly.
Pure dread enters Ezio's eyes before we both grin and run after Mario.
It's school holidays now! I'm so happy! I'll have a lot more time to write now, but I still won't exactly be updating every day. A few translations:
Bella = beautiful
Si = yes
Culo = bum, ass.
Anyway, I'll be using bella and si alot, as well as grazie (thank you), so remember those ones, but apart from that I probably won't use much Italian. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, follow and favourite if you did, and I'll see you after 5 reviews!
