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The next month at Monteriggioni was painful for me, both physically and emotionally. Mario put me through more rigorous training which often sore and occasionally cut and bleeding at the end of the day. My hands were becoming more calloused from free running and my skin which was once perfectly smooth and bronzed was now scarred. Mario had told me that he was surprised by my progress and dedication to training. I had been working very hard for the Brotherhood.

Training reminded me of Ophelia. She was the one who I used to train with, more so than Mario. Without her there, I focused more but my enjoyment in the activity declined. Monteriggioni wasn't the same without Ophelia.

I also began thinking of the murder of my father and brothers more. My emotional support was gone and the only people I had to talk to about such things were Claudia and Maria who were both still trying to cope with the event. I took out my pain in the form of writing letters to Ophelia, one every two days. In the letters, I expressed my love for her, my troubles, and told her about the days' events. I occasionally received letters from Ophelia and not nearly as frequently as I would have liked, but few letters were better than no letters. I kept each one in a jar in my room which I placed on my desk. Before going to sleep every night, I would read one over again. Just knowing that her hands touched the piece of paper was enough for me to smile.

I was sitting at my desk, almost finished with a letter to Ophelia, when Mario made his way up the ladder to my room.

"Napote?" Mario asked quietly. I assumed he didn't want to startle me.

"Si, uncle?" I asked, my eyes staying focused on the piece of paper on my desk. I really didn't want to stop writing.

"We have another mission tomorrow," Mario explained, pulling himself up onto the floor from the ladder.

My heart fluttered at the thought of the mission being in Florence. I knew that chance was slim, but I still had some hope.

Or I just missed Ophelia like crazy.

"And where will this mission be?" I asked.

"Tuscany," Mario replied.

My face instantly returned to its dark demeanor from disappointment.

"We will be there fulfilling a few different missions which I'll explain when we arrive, but mainly to assassinate Archbishop Salviati."

I finished the letter to Ophelia and put down my quill. "What time will we be leaving?" I asked.

Mario chuckled, holding onto his belt loop. "Well, you know me… the earlier the better. At sunrise," Mario explained. "So get some rest. We will be in Tuscany for a few days and you may not get much sleep there."

I nodded and stood up to face Mario.

"I will, uncle. Grazie," I thanked before Mario made his way back down the ladder before disappearing into the hallway. Once I saw that Mario had left, I sighed and took out a letter from my jar. I collapsed onto my bed and slowly unfolded the piece of paper.

Tesoro,

Grazie per avermi scritto. Che bello sentirti! Scusami per non averti scritto per cosi tanto tempo. My work has been taking up much of my time, but my time with Leonardo has been great. His endeavors are impressive, so watching him work has been very entertaining. I can't talk of any of the details of my mission… I don't want such information getting out if this letter were to be stolen or lost. All is well for me here in Firenze though, and I wish to hear from you soon. All of your letters make me smile, so please continue to send them! Also, tell Mario that Leo has looked into many more pages. I trust you know what that means… I've gotten into painting. Leonardo has taught me many skills. Someday, I will send a painting to you for your room, if you even have room up there! Aside from painting and my mission, I haven't done much else. I can't watch Leonardo when he studies anatomy. My stomach cannot take it! He likes to work in peace when he has a new invention, so I don't help with them. Leonardo has been helping my reading. His books are very complicated so I occasionally pick one up and try to get through it. He helps me understand words I do not know. When we see each other again, I will teach you some of them. Mi manchi cosi tanto, e il mio amore per te cresce ogni minuto, Ezio. Rispondimi presto, Tesoro. Ti amo.

Con tanto amore,

Ophelia Moretti

I smiled as I read the words on the page, followed by a kiss to her signature. Reading letters from Ophelia made me feel better and worse at the same time. Knowing she had contact with the paper somehow helped shorten the gap between us, yet, knowing a letter was the closest I could get to her overwhelmed me with sadness.

I folded up the piece of paper and put it back into the jar. I sat back down on the bed after removing my armor and robes. I placed my hands on the sides of my head and my elbows on my knees before drifting off into thought. A mission would be great for me. I'd have to clear my head to be successful in the mission which meant that I wouldn't be stuck on my feelings for Ophelia and how we were being pulled at by our distance. I was madly, deeply in love with Ophelia, but I knew that for the sake of many, I would have to push that aside. The Brotherhood had to be my first priority.

Lying back onto the bed, I rested my head on a pillow. I pulled the blanket over my sore and tired body before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

Early that morning, I was awakened by a frantic Mario. I learned from my first mission that Mario was frantic when preparing to go out on a mission much like parents getting ready to embark on a trip with two small children. Mario had to make sure we didn't leave anything behind and that everybody was prepared. I knew that this was a good quality but couldn't help but smile at Mario's actions in amusement.

Once Mario, and a few missionaries, and myself had packed up our horses at the stable, we set out to Tuscany. The trip took about a day, Tuscany not being too far from Monteriggioni. We arrived at a small farm house where we dismounted and tied up our horses. Mario had the men, including me, form a group in front of him so he could explain the missions of the day.

"Our first mission of the day will be to assassinate Stefano de Bagnone in the abbey. He will be disguised as a monk. Hopefully he will give us information as to where Jacopo is. Ezio, it will be up to you to find de Bagnone but mercenaries will be around if you need them. Next, we will find Francesco Salviati. He, too, should know about Jacopo's location," Mario announced to the group. The men all nodded and armed themselves accordingly. Mario turned to me and pointed in the direction of the abbey. No other words were exchanged; I knew what I had to do.

I mounted my horse and rode unassumingly to the abbey. There, I took a quick survey of my surroundings using that special vision. I still didn't know why I had it, and didn't know if I ever would, but it definitely came in hand. I noticed that the area was heavily guarded, probably restricted. Many guards were disguised as monks. Clever, on their parts.

"Psst!" I heard a voice coming from a nearby wall. There I saw a mercenary, not one of Mario's, waving for me to come over. "Come! Quickly!"

I quickly dismounted my horse and went cautiously to the mercenary. "Who are you?" I asked suspiciously, looking around to see if guards were nearby.

"I've been in contact with Mario's mercenaries. I can help you find Stefano de Bagnone. He's inside the abbey. The last time I saw him, he was surrounded by two guards, also dressed as monks. You'll need to make a hasty escape. Here, take these," the man said, holding out three bombs.

I carefully took the bombs and hooked them onto my belt. "Grazie. Are the doors blocked?" I asked the mercenary.

The mercenary nodded and pointed to the rooftop. "Come in from above. You'll have no chance through the entrances," the man suggested.

I nodded my head in thanks and quickly moved toward the building. I didn't have time to spare. I looked up to a tall tower, tracing out a path to the rooftops. Many guards were on the ground, so I'd need to be quick. With stealth and dexterity, I scaled the wall of the tower and quickly positioned myself in a crouch to avoid being seen from the ground. Slowly, I made my way toward the edge of the roof to look into the center of the abbey. I watched the many cloaks below and finally saw my target glowing gold. I grinned and watched de Bagnone's patterns. He made a rectangular trip around the abbey, looking behind him every thirty paces or so. I carefully determined when I should strike. I'd have to take down de Bagnone first if I had any chance of getting to him. If I were to target the guards first, Stefano would be long gone into safety.

After formulating my plan of action, I jumped to the top of a fountain at the abbey's center. Stefano was about to cross in front of me. I waited for Stefano to walk just past before I jumped onto de Bagnone, driving my hidden blade through the man's back. I held Stefano's head as I crouched over him, laying his body gently on the ground.

"Where is Jacopo?" I asked, being careful not to treat this body as I did Vieri's. After our return from San Gimignano, Mario taught me much about respecting the dead, even if they were the enemy.

Stefano coughed and held his wound. He managed to shrug his shoulders before looking up to me. "I guess there is no danger now… He will be meeting with the Gods…" Stefano took his last breath before his eyes glazed over.

I wondered what the man meant by 'meeting with the Gods.' I would have to ask Mario later.

"May death bring you the peace you seek… Requiescat in Pace," I shut de Bagnone's eyes before my focus settled on the sea of guards around me. I pulled one of the smoke bombs I received from the unknown mercenary from my belt, and quickly threw it on the ground around the guards' feet. I made a run for the countryside. A few guards managed to follow me. Instead of running further, I assessed that they were far enough from the abbey for me not to be in danger of more guards showing up. I took out my sword and quickly killed the three guards. In an attempt to keep awareness low, I took the bodies and hid them in a bale of hay nearby.

Afterward, I ran toward my horse which stood next to the mercenary that give me the leads on de Bagnone. I quickly mounted it and rode back to the farmhouse to relay the information to Mario.

Mario saw me coming and held his hands up high. "What news do you have for me, napote?" Mario asked, helping me off my horse though I didn't need it.

"Stefano de Bagnone has been silenced. After his last breath, he told me that Jacopo would be meeting with the Gods. I'm not sure what that means," I explained, shrugging my shoulders at the vagueness in the information I was given by de Bagnone.

Mario scratched his chin in thought. He turned to a mercenary. "Try and figure more out about this. Ask the towns people if there is a religious spot around here that isn't catholic. Look for other places of worship. Come back when you are finished," Mario requested. The mercenary nodded, got on his horse, and rode off to the other farm houses of Tuscany.

"In the meantime, Ezio, you will take the other men and find Archbishop Salviati. He is in the walls of the villa," Mario pointed over to the villa of interest. "He has many men on guard, so you'll need all the help you can get. Make it quick as we are here for Jacopo more than Salviati," Mario put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a stern look. Something about Mario's face told me that finding Salviati was of utmost importance.

I nodded to Mario, understanding the importance of the swiftness of my mission. "Si, uncle. It is done," I promised before motioning the men to follow me to the villa.

We walked over to the building and stopped so I could assess our way in. There was a farm house ahead that a group of guards stood at. This would be a problem. I ordered the mercenaries to fight the guards, which they did. In the meantime, I heard Salviati begin to yell to me, much to my surprise. I didn't know that he knew who I was. My time in the Brotherhood had been short and I was for from notorious.

"I see you assassin! You will not get through these walls! All that awaits you here is death!" Salviati called from inside the walls of the villa.

I rolled my eyes at the man's comments. If he had any experience and knowledge of the order of assassins, then he'd know that the contrary was true. The assassins did fail, though rarely, but they definitely always managed to at least get in.

Salviati quieted for a bit. I ran to the rooftops of the farm house and spotted the archers waiting for me and my men. I launched a throwing knife at each archer before I approached the villa by means of the rooftops.

I looked back to my men fighting on the ground. They would need a different way in; not all of them could climb like me. I looked to the lever that controlled the main gate. If I could open up that gate, I would be able to let the men in.

I quickly moved across the main rooftop of the villa and over to the main gate. Guards were down below. I had no safe lien to the lever. I jumped down from the rooftop and quickly ran over to the lever, pulling it before fighting the guards that were then chasing me. The mercenaries quickly swarmed in and diverted the guards' focus onto them and away from me.

I started hearing Salviati's voice again, this time closer. I quickly began scouting out the man who was yelling insults to me. I spotted him by the gate, hiding behind a crate. What a coward…

I quickly went in and drove my blade through Salviati's chest. I kneeled down next to the man, holding his head up.

"Where is Jacopo?" I asked, looking down at Salviati.

"He knows that you're coming… He's meeting with the others in the darkness…" Salviati heaved, holding to his chest.

"Yes, that answers when he's meeting with them. Tell me where!" I demanded. I tried not to be disrespectful, especially since the man was being compliant.

Salviati let out his last breath. I closed the man's eyes before saying my parting words, "Requiescat in Pace."

It was the least I could offer the dead.

I quickly fled the scene of the battle. The mercenaries were finishing off the few guards that remained. I was confident that the mercenaries would succeed; the guards were greatly outnumbered by them. That, and Mario trained them all so well.

I made my way back to the farm house where Mario waited. Once there, I noticed a delighted look on Mario's face.

"What is the good news?" I asked my uncle.

Mario clapped his hands together. "We were able to find Bernardo Baroncelli! I was able to track him down and kill him. Before he passed, he confessed to us that the Templars meet at the church when a meeting is called," Mario told me happily.

I smiled. The news truly was good. "Fantastic, uncle! When is this meeting to be held?" I asked.

Mario shrugged. "I do not believe it is tonight. We sent men to the church Bernardo spoke of, and they have not seen anybody. Tomorrow night, perhaps. For tonight, we will stay at a tavern in San Gimignano. We'll scout out the church tomorrow for any signs of Jacopo and the other Templars."

Mario, the mercenaries, and I mounted our horses once more and made for San Gimignano. Luckily, the small city was not too far away from the farm house. The ride took only twenty minutes.

Once inside the tavern, I joined the mercenaries for a drink. The men insisted they all celebrate the achievements of the day by treating themselves. I felt obligated to say yes, though I was not in much of a mood to drink and celebrate. Ever since Ophelia left, I didn't find enjoyment in being social. I liked to drink, but alone and in my room as of late. It was depressing.

I took a drink of wine after sitting at the end of the bar. I looked around the tavern and saw many mercenaries with drinks and women at their sides. I couldn't help but chuckle; I too, would once have been carrying on in such a way. But I was stuck on Ophelia. When I wasn't engaged in a mission or training, my mind was on her.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Mario. "Why are you so glum, Ezio? We've accomplished a lot today!" Mario pried.

I let out a small smile. "I'm just tired is all," I lied, taking another drink of wine. Mario, of course, could see right through me. I really was a terrible liar, too. It was lucky for me that I was an assassin and not a templar. Those sons of bitches lied constantly.

"Please, tell me what is bothering you," Mario asked, sitting down next to me.

I shrugged and shook my head. "It's nothing, uncle. I'll be okay."

Mario knew that I was thinking about Ophelia; I wasn't stupid, and I knew he wasn't, either. "Ezio… you have to let it go. I know you miss her, but he can't let that get in the way of your happiness. That's not what she would want you to do. She would want you to enjoy yourself and to be happy. Cheer up, napote! Remember, you'll see her again and that's better than the alternative!"

A small smile pushed from my lips as he took another drink. "You're right, Mario. I need to lighten up a bit," I agreed.

Mario laughed and patted me on the back. "Good! Now talk to people! Mingle!" Mario insisted. A prostitute walked by, giving me a flirtatious wave. Mario nudged me in the side, pointing at her. "Go talk to her Ezio! She's interested! You don't have to do anything, you know, but just talk!"

I sighed. "Why with that puttana? Why not with a man or a woman who doesn't sell herself?" I asked frustrated. Why would Mario suggest I "just talk" to a prostitute? I had never "just talked" with a prostitute before.

Mario shook his head. "You forget, Ezio, that she is a human being too. Her profession is just one part of her life! Get to know her! Just because you speak with her doesn't mean you'll be getting to know her fessa!"

I couldn't help but laugh. Mario was always right.

I stood up with my drink in hand. "Okay, uncle, I'll go speak with her," I agreed before walking across the tavern to the girl. Her face immediately lit up when she saw me approach. She began acting flirtatiously toward me and trying to discreetly show me what was down her dress. I held a hand up to her and smiled. "Please, you don't have to try and sell anything to me. I just want to talk."

The girl's face instantly became frustrated. That was clearly not what she had in mind. That and I wouldn't be a paying customer which meant less money in her pocket. I understood. "Oh… I see," she said disappointed.

I sighed and shook my head. "I mean no disrespect to you, madonna, I would just prefer to talk right now is all."

The girl took immediately perked up, and I wasn't sure why. I didn't really say anything I already hadn't, or at least hadn't implied. "Very well then. My name is Contessa."

"A pleasure, Contessa. My name is Ezio," I replied, lifting up the woman's hand to kiss the back of it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't turn off my charm. It really was the only way I knew how to be social.

"Ezio!" the woman repeated with a gasp. "What a handsome name! And what is it that you do, Ezio?"

I thought for a moment. I hadn't had to use an alibi yet.

"I train mercenaries."It wasn't a complete lie. I did help Mario with training the brand new mercenaries. The older mercenaries were still training me.

Contessa looked over my garb and rose an eyebrow. "Your robes are very interesting…" Contessa questioned.

I immediately became irritated. "I have a unique sense of personal style," I countered.

Contessa seemed to buy the story as she shrugged her shoulders and carried on. "So, are you recruiting mercenaries here in San Gimignano? I haven't seen you around before?"

"Si. I met with some men earlier who were interested in learning to fight," I explained. Evidently, I was a better liar than I had thought previously. At least I was to women.

"So you must have a lot of money, Ezio…" Contessa pried again, moving closer to me. She moved to lean her back against my chest. "I know of a way to put that money to good use…" Contessa began to wiggle her bottom against me. I frowned and gently put a hand on the woman's shoulder and pushed her away.

"I'll be leaving, Contessa. It was a pleasure," I stated before walking quickly away to Mario's direction.

Mario rose an eyebrow at me, surely wondering why the conversation between me and the prostitute was so short. "What happened, Ezio?" Mario asked.

I shrugged his shoulders. "She didn't want to talk, if you know what I mean," I explained, wiggling my eyebrows.

Mario's eyebrow went back down as he understood. "Sorry about that, nephew."

I shrugged, putting my drink down on the bar. "I'll be upstairs if you need me," I said shortly before heading up to my room.

I quickly became aggravated with the events going on in the bar. The mercenaries were being loud, women were hanging over the men, and Contessa had touched a boundary that I did not want her touching. What made me most aggravated of all, though, was that there was a time when I would have loved what had happened downstairs. I would have loved the attention Contessa gave me and the drunken stupor I would eventually be in.

I reached my room and quickly shut the door behind me. I removed his armor, weapons, and robes, putting them in a neat pile on the floor. I took out a small piece of paper from one of the pockets in my pants. It was a letter from Ophelia. I looked at it in confusion for the first time.

Should I had been feeling that way? Was it good to feel that way? Was loving Ophelia hindering me from being happy? Before, I would have talked to the woman and drank the drinks, but they annoyed me then… Was it good or bad? But, we all seek love and if that is what love felt like, then not wanting to drink and buy prostitutes should have been a good thing… Ophelia, please come to me. I don't want to have these thoughts anymore…

I opened up the letter from Ophelia and sighed as I began reading it. It was the same letter that I read the night before. I continued to read one line over and over again:

Mi manchi cosi tanto, e il mio amore per te cresce ogni minute. (I miss you so much, and my love for you grows by every minute.)

Was Ophelia feeling the same things as me? Was she as sad as me? A part of me wanted her to be sad like me because I'd know that she was just as crazy in love with me as I was with her. But I also didn't want her to feel such sadness. I wanted her to be happy and I knew that there was a way to be happy and in love at the same time. I just didn't know how. Perhaps Ophelia knew how. I hoped she did.