Ezio could feel his eyes burning as he sipped upon his warm, bitter beverage. A strange concoction imported by the Turks. It was an acquired taste, one Ezio wasn't too fond of but he needed it. This drink seemed to give him that extra spur of energy that helped him to get through the morning. He needed it today more than usual. He hadn't slept well last night. His dreams were plagued by the face of the dead monk. He couldn't help but feel responsible for his death and to make matters worse, the alleged, foolproof plan had failed. They were back to square one. Where do we hit the Borgia next?
"Somebody looks ragged."
La Volpe had waltzed his way into the room. He was clearly taking the loss better than Ezio.
He continued in his merry tone, "There is no point fretting over this my friend. We must begin afresh."
La Volpe's laid back attitude was one of the things Ezio relied on in these frustrating times. He noticed Volpe's son, Paulo, was obscured in his father's shadow. The boy was nervous to be in Ezio's presence. Ezio greeted him graciously.
"Buongiorno Paulo, I hear you're leaving for Firenze soon."
"Today.. Now actually.. I just came to apologise. I'm ashamed of what I've done. If I could take it back I would... But I know that is impossible.."
Paulo wiped his sweaty palms anxiously, his eyes firmly on the ground.
"Your apology is accepted."
Ezio tried his very best to conjure a smile. La Volpe intervened with some useful Borgia related information.
"Paulo has gave us some additional knowledge on his captor. It has come to my attention that Cesare has found himself a new dog to accompany Micheletto and this one is a real bitch.. Roma De Foria, an ex-apprentice of mine. When I first found her, she was a scavenging orphan, getting into all sorts of trouble. I took her in as my own. I taught her everything I know, she was a natural. Such an ambiguous young girl, full of rage. She fled Florence during Savonarola's reign. I should have known she would turn on me."
"She's just lost!" The room was shaken by Paulo's sudden outburst. "Deep down, she is still my dear friend.."
Ezio was shocked by the timid boy's new found voice. La Volpe, on the other hand, was outraged.
"Friend!? Paulo, she massacred our guild! She tortured you! She cut off your fucking finger, for Christ's sake! Your Friend!? I'd love to see what you consider an enemy."
"But she spared my life! She was always there for me when you weren't! When I was being bullied, you told me to fight back. I did, for all the good it did me, I still never managed to stay off the floor for more than thirty seconds. If it wasn't for Roma rescuing me countless times, I would have been dead a long time ago."
Ezio did not recognize this young man that was standing tall against his father. The craven that had entered the room just a few moments ago had morphed into this courageous fighter. Paulo had left his father speechless. It was up to Ezio to smooth things over.
"My friends, you must not fight. Who knows when you will see each other again. You mustn't part on bad terms. As for this Roma, where will we find her?"
"Ezio is right, my son. I am aware I was not the best father to you, all I can do now is make up for lost time. As for that harlot, the best place to look for her would be down at the gypsy encampment. We pass there on the way to Paulo's pick up, would you like to join us Ezio?"
Ezio did not want to intrude on such an intimate Father-Son farewell but this murderous gypsy had piqued his curiosity.
"Perhaps some fresh air will do me good."
Roma was graced with a day free from killing. Cesare was still immersing in their recent victory over the Assassins and had no assignments lined up for her as of yet. She decided to spend her day in her favourite part of the city, the Gypsy encampment. Although it was situated in the seedy part of town, the gypsies managed to bring their own splendour to the camp. The colourful caravans, the fearsome fire-dancers and the style of the gypsy women, were all wondrous. They dressed in an array of dazzling colours; greens, purples, reds, blues. The dresses were often made of cotton, embroidered with various patterns. Some even added luxurious silk scarves and ribbons. She made her way to her favourite place in the city, a neglected roof-garden that towered over the gypsy quarters. Every now and then she would salvage a small bundle of roses and hand them out to the gypsy children. Not today.
Too much had happened in the past few days. She tortured an old friend, assisted in a massacre, forced a monk to commit suicide and even managed to acquire herself a new lover. It was a lot to take in. All she wanted to do today was wallow in her thoughts. Thoughts of the past, a time when her world was.. What the hell is all that bloody noise!? She peered over the edge to inspect the cause of the commotion that interrupted her hour of leisure.
This was Ezio's first time venturing into the gypsy quarter of the city and he must have made this apparent. The residents greeted the three men with cold glares.
"Romani aren't very welcoming to outsiders," whispered La Volpe.
They were welcomed by a much friendlier gentleman once they had reached the main piazza.
"Welcome strangers, I am Jacobo. The leader of this tribe. How may I help you? Searching for your future? Or perhaps you are looking for a vibrant, gypsy bride?" The gypsy nudged Paulo playfully.
Ezio, being the man with the most courtesy explained their purpose.
"Buongiorno Signore, I am looking for a young woman named Roma De Foria. I've heard she frequently visits this camp. Have you any information that could help us find her?"
"Roma, you say? I don't think I know anyone of that name. Sorry, I can't help you."
"LIES!" La Volpe couldn't contain himself. "All lies! I should have known we would get nothing from these vermin. They will always protect their "people" no matter how heinous a crime they commit."
An air of tension befell on the encampment. Many men began to rise to their feet, women listened intently and the children's games had come to an abrupt stop. Ezio immediately apologised in an attempt to appease the gypsies.
"I am deeply sorry my friend has offended you all but he is very upset, as am I. Our comrades were brutally murdered at the hands on this woman and we seek justice."
The gypsy leader, Jacobo, was an aged man but it would be disrespectful to call him frail. He was rightfully insulted but his demeanour showed no sign of threat. He let out a weary sigh before answering Ezio.
"I have no information for you and I think it best you remove your friend before he offends my people further."
"Grazie Signore." Ezio bowed before turning to leave.
Suddenly the air was filled with Paulo's roaring voice.
"EZIO, WATCH OUT!"
Ezio was not given a chance to react as Paulo pushed him to the ground. A frenzy had broke out. The gypsies were gathering their children and rushing to safety. Paulo had taken an arrow to the arm. Ezio glanced in the direction of the attacker. He squinted against the sun but he knew what he saw.
A Black Shadow...Roma De Foria.
He jolted towards the building and effortless scaled the wall to the top. Once upon the roof, he spotted the perpetrator leaping across the rooftops. He pursued her intently, slates falling to the ground below. She was fast but so was he. Her leaps were becoming more hesitant which allowed him to catch up to her. She was losing her nerve. She slipped! She tried to steady herself but it was too late. He had her.
Her emerald eyes glared up at him from under her black hood. For a moment he thought he could see a tear in her eye.
"You have caused so much carnage, Roma De Foria."
She sniggered at his remark.
"If you are going to kill me then do me a kindness and spare me the lecture."
She hid behind a devilish grin but Ezio saw it in her eyes, she feared death. She resided into a crossed-leg seating position before quipping, "Would you prefer me to stand or sit while you put your blade through my heart."
"I wasn't aware you had one." Ezio did not understand why he was participating in this parody.
She made a mocking gasp and placed her hand on her heart.
"Ouch! That hurt my... No wait, you're right, I don't feel anything."
Ezio sniggered at her little farce. She wasn't finished toying with him just yet.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're having second thoughts about killing me."
Ezio immediately became serious.
"I'm sorry, Madonna... But you must pay for your crimes."
He withdrew his hidden blade and edged towards her. She raised her hand in defence before uttering her soon to be last words.
"Whoa! Look behind you!"
He tried to ignore her childish trick. Suddenly, a bullet shot through his shoulder. He turned to face the dozen guards that had crept up behind him.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," were her last words before she dove into the cart of hay down below. Ezio sliced through each guard like a knife through butter. He defeated the guards but he did not get away without punishment. His shoulder was aching and he let her get away. He thought it best to stop by the Medico before returning to the headquarters. I should buy an extra bottle for Paulo. He did save my life.
** Any reviews or comments would be very appreciated :)