Thanks for reading on guys! In this chapter, we find out a little bit more of what happened between Ophelia and La Volpe. It's not very graphic in this chapter, but the events will be revisited later, and they do get graphic. Just a warning.
I don't own AC2 or its characters!
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Enjoy! :)
I woke up the next day feeling more refreshed than I had in a long time. My day of travel wore me out, but my time with Leonardo the night before was enjoyable and that bath was so relaxing. The bed Leonardo had for me had been much more comfortable than the bed at Monteriggioni, which was quite a statement considering the furniture at the villa was expensive and well made.
After dressing myself in my white robes and armor, I walked out into the main living area. I could hear Leonardo speaking to himself from the hallway. I recognized that Leonardo was working on something; he often talked to himself when he was deep in thought. I quietly and cautiously approached the living area but lit up when I saw that Leonardo was painting by the window.
"Good morning, Ophelia! It is a beautiful morning! How did you sleep?" Leonardo asked enthusiastically, removing his brush from his painting to greet me.
"Good morning Leonardo! I slept very well! You are in a good mood this morning!" I replied with a smile.
"Well, I've been inspired! I went out to the market early this morning to get the first pick on meat and grapes. In the distance, I saw the sun rising over a hill. It was the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever beheld!"
I smiled at the artist's enthusiasm. I was amazed at the different things that would bring him inspiration. Leonardo managed to see the beauty in the smallest things. "Well, let me see what you have!" I said, moving to stand next to Leonardo. On the canvas, I saw the Tuscan landscape. Two hills took up most of the painting. A sun was setting behind them. Leonardo managed to blend the colors in the most beautiful of ways, but the shape of the two hills had me curious. I didn't want to accuse Leonardo of being a pervert, because I never really got that vibe from him, but those hills definitely looked like breasts. The painting was still beautiful. "Bravo!"
Leonardo smiled his wonderful, innocent smile.
"Grazie! I've put out some bread, meat, and cheeses on the table for you for breakfast, if you'd like to help yourself," Leonardo motioned over to the eating table.
I smiled at the artist and sat down. I ripped off a small piece of bread and shoved it into my mouth. I was starving.
"So, Leonardo, I am trying to locate a man for my mission. Supposedly he knows the most of the city. I think you know who I am talking about…" I tried to hint to Leonardo La Volpe's name, knowing that it shouldn't be spoken out loud. He was probably around, somewhere. He was so great at hiding.
For some reason, he didn't care for his nickname to be spoken aloud. Even after questioning him on it extensively, I never got an answer.
Leonardo rose his eyebrow at me and sat down his brush. He looked at me quizzically and he moved to kneel in front of me.
"You… are looking for him?" Leonardo asked. "But after—"
"I know, I know. I can't say I'm thrilled about it, but I know he will have the most information on Francesco's whereabouts. He always knows things the rest of us could never find out. I have to work with him, for the Creed."
Leonardo's eyebrows furled. The last time I was in Firenze, I became great friends with Leonardo and he knew more about my life than any other living person—including both Ezio and La Volpe. "Well… I see. I don't feel so good about this Ophelia. After he—"
"I don't want to be reminded of it, Leo. But I appreciate your concern." I sighed, reliving the old memories of La Volpe. I really didn't want to see him, but I pushed some things that happened into the past. I was over them, and I was over him. "So… do you know where a fox may dwell?"
Leonardo thought for a moment after scoffing at me. "By the market. He should be there by mid-day, when the crowds are the heaviest."
I smiled and reached a hand out to touch Leonardo's. "Grazie. You're always such a help," I told him sweetly before biting into my bread.
"Be careful, Ophelia… I don't trust him, and neither should you."
"Don't worry, Leo. I will stay safe. I'm not as weak and feeble as the last time I was with him."
Leonardo couldn't help but smile weakly at my words before standing up from his kneeling position in front of me. He moved to pick up his paintbrush and palette. Quickly, he resumed his work.
"Also, Leonardo, I have some more codex pages for you. When I get back today, could you show me how you decode them? I'd like to learn," I asked before taking a piece of cheese.
Leonardo laughed quietly behind his canvas.
"Si, maddona," Leonardo agreed. If watching Leonardo decipher codex pages taught me anything, it was that deciphering them would be difficult. I knew that him teaching me could take a long time, but if I did begin to understand the language of the codex, I'd be a very valuable asset to the assassins. If something were to happen to Leonardo, I would be the one to take over deciphering the codex.
"When will you be leaving today?"
I looked out the window. The sun was almost all the way up. I had slept longer than what I thought. "Soon. It's almost mid-day and I need to go hunt," I told Leonardo, giving him a small wink for my slyness in words.
Leonardo rolled his eyes when I winked but his face soon turned to one of discomfort.
"That is probably best. When should I expect you back for dinner?" Leonardo asked.
I thought for a moment. I had no idea how long it would take to find La Volpe and to speak with him. The secretive man could end up being a chatter box—we potentially had a lot to talk about it—and I didn't want to inconvenience or worry Leonardo by being gone longer than what I would tell him. I knew Leonardo was very quick to worry.
"As soon as the sun fully sets," I answered. That would give me plenty of time to get the information I needed from La Volpe, and hopefully nothing more.
Leonardo nodded and continued to paint. "Then dinner will be ready when you get back!"
I stood up from the table and wiped off the bread crumbs from her robes. "Goodbye, Leonardo. I will see you later!" I waved the artist goodbye with a smile and left the workshop.
To my pleasure, Leonardo's workshop was only a few streets away from the market. The location made sense; he was always needing supplies for his studies. I was sure I would see him out during the day buying more supplies or delivering his beautiful works of art.
I looked around the market, making sure to stay blended in with the crowds. Despite not having been in Florence for months, I knew that the Templars were here and I knew that they knew who I was. They were looking for me.
I made her way over to the fish stall and peered over the top. As I stood there, I felt a tug at my belt. Someone had taken my coin pouch. I turned and spotted a thief holding up the pouch. "Looking for this, carina donna?" the thief taunted, swaying the pouch back and forth in his hand.
I glared at the thief and immediately bolted after him. The thief made his way up a stack of crates resting on the side of a building. He then made his way to the rooftops. Unfortunately for the thief, I was a very fast free runner, even faster than Ezio. My light weight was my advantage when I needed to be dexterous and nimble while running from structure to structure. Ezio, though lean, was very muscular; the extra mass weighed him down.
I quickly caught up to the thief but my smile of satisfaction disappeared when I saw a hooded man standing before me—La Volpe.
"Ophelia, so glad you could make it," la Volpe greeted from under his hood.
My stomach turned at the sight of him. How did I ever fall for this guy? His nose was long and terrible. "Hello," I greeted shortly, making sure to keep my hood down over my face. I really didn't even feel comfortable with him looking at me.
"Oh, you seem so sour to see me, madonna," he snarled, reaching out for my hand. He kissed the back gently before I pulled my hand away. He had an evil sneer planted on his face. I wanted to kick him where it hurt the most.
"Am I that easy to read?" I replied in seriousness. "I was told to come to you for information about Francesco de Pazzi…"
La Volpe laughed with that evil sneer of his. "I've been at the market for a few days now seeking you," La Volpe told me with that terrible, lustful glimmer in his eye.
"I suppose I should have taken a few more days…" I replied with a small laugh.
La Volpe crossed his arms and gave me a stern look. "Say what you want to me."
His boldness shocked me, causing me to cross my own arms across my chest. "I don't think I have to say anything," I replied.
His shoulders shrugged from underneath his cape. "You are very tense to see me."
"Why wouldn't I be after what you did?"
"Ophelia, I think that it was a big misunderstanding…" La Volpe countered calmly, taking a step toward me. I immediately stepped backward.
"How the hell could it have been a misunderstanding?" I asked angrily. After what he did to me…
"I didn't know I was crossing a line."
I rose an eyebrow at him, taking a few steps forward to peer underneath his hood and get a really good look at him. "Excuse me, what?" I asked, pulling down my hood.
I held onto the collar of my robes and immediately shifted them to the side to reveal my collarbone and neck. He would be able to see my scar clearly. "You didn't think THIS was crossing a line?!" I yelled while still being quiet. I was enraged, but didn't want to draw attention to us.
La Volpe's face contorted when he saw the mark he had left on her. "I thought you were into it. You said you liked me being a little rough."
"Yes, a little, La Volpe. I didn't ask you to make me bleed."
His hand reached out to touch the scarred skin on my neck. I immediately pushed his hand away and covered it back up. "I screamed for you to stop, and you didn't. You had to take me to the dottore because I bled so much… And you LEFT ME THERE! Who the hell is into being cut when they have sex?!"
La Volpe rubbed the back of his neck. I had to admit, he looked sorry and ashamed, probably for the first time in his life. "I'm sorry Ophelia… I treated you poorly."
I remained silent, not wanting to talk about it anymore. "We are here to talk about de Pazzi…" I reminded him.
"There has been word on the street that a caravan just arrive from Roma. Some thieves that were around the caravan overheard the Templars talking about a secret meeting tonight… You'll learn more about Francesco's whereabouts there."
I nodded, folding my arms as. "And where will this meeting be held?" I asked.
La Volpe chuckled with a nod. "Si, I'll show you the way. Let's go," La Volpe replied before immediately taking off along the rooftops.
I followed after him, though I would have much preferred him simply telling me where to go and going on my own way. La Volpe was much faster than Ezio but not as fast as I was. I did well to keep up with the man. We arrived at a rooftop across from the church minutes later.
"You did well to keep up!" La Volpe told me, seemingly impressed by my swiftness. I suppose I probably had gotten quicker since he last saw me.
I shrugged. "I've practiced quite a bit. I got familiar with these rooftops when I was looking over the Auditores and tracking de Pazzi months ago," I explained.
La Volpe moved to point over to a small inlet on the side of the church. "That will be your entrance into the church."
I rose an eyebrow. The inlet consisted of a small fountain...
"What do you mean?" Perhaps it was good that he came with me.
"This fountain leads to the Santa Maria Novella catacombs underneath the city. Follow them and you'll reach a place where you can eavesdrop on the meeting," La Volpe explained.
Catacombs? I never knew catacombs existed underneath Florence. "How do I use this fountain? I cannot go down the drain!"
"Grip the stone handle, turn it, and then pull it down. You will see…" La Volpe replied, using his hand to mimic the motions I would need to do.
"Grazie, Volpe," I thanked, though I still felt anger. I had to admit, though, that without his help, I would never have the critical information that I needed.
"Buona fortuna," La Volpe put a hand on my shoulder, to which I shuddered it, before giving it a small pat and running off on the rooftops. I didn't bother to watch him leave. I needed to get down into those catacombs and listen in on the meeting.
Quickly and quietly, I made my way down to the fountain. There, I saw a skull on the back of the wall. This must have been the handle La Volpe was talking about. I remembered the movements he made with his hand and repeated them with the skull. I put two fingers in both eye sockets, pulled the skull out and then pulled down. I then suddenly felt the floor underneath me give way and I was soon falling down into the catacombs, trying not to yelp.
I managed to grab onto a ladder that was placed in the hole. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. "Thanks for the warning…" I muttered, moving down the ladder.
My feet finally hit a dirt floor. The catacombs were dark and the only light I saw was from a torch hanging on the wall in front of me. I made the conscious decision not to take it; if any Templars were travelling through these catacombs, I would be seen and they would definitely have the upper-hand in that fight. Ahead, I saw a large rock wall. I couldn't scale it and even if I did, the rock went to the ceiling; I wouldn't be able to get over it. I looked around, trying to locate another point to move through. On the wall across from her was a lever. I pulled it down and watched as the rocks moved their places, allowing me entry to the next section of catacombs.
I moved down the next hallway, cautious and alert. Iwould take any noise as a means for investigation. I didn't want to chance running into any Templars. Iarrived shortly at a ledge. Below was a collapsed stairwell. The next point I needed to reach was above and on the other side of the stairwell. Wooden poles stuck out from the walls, probably frames of the once existing stairwell. I swiftly moved across them and arrived at my checkpoint. Another lever was positioned on the wall just around the corner. I pulled it down and watched as a gate opened ahead. I went down the next dark hallway where I found another room similar to the last. Again, I jumped across wooden beams to get to the other side of the room and to my next entrance.
I moved through the catacombs, conquering the many obstacles the underground tombs put forth to me. Eventually, I reached an area with four guards. Two were talking to one another and the other two were standing on the tops of fallen structures. I quickly turned the corner and scaled the fall of one of the structures. I reached up, drove my blade through the guard's neck, and flung him over the edge behind me. I pulled myself up onto the structure and cautiously approached the next corner. I listened for the other guard's footsteps. As they neared, I drew my dagger, holding it in my hand tightly. The man passed, now detecting my presence. I snuck up behind him, covered his mouth with my hand, and slit his throat. I let the body fall to the floor before creeping to the edge of the structure. There, I watched the pattern of the remaining two guards. They continued to chat while walking around a pool of water in the middle of the room. Below me was a pile of hay that was close to the guards' path. I quickly jumped down and hid myself in the hay. I waited for the two guards to pass me before quietly jumping out of the hay. I stalked the two men from behind for a few moments before driving my dagger through one man. The other man raised alarm but I quickly silenced him. I looked to my left after hearing a shriek. Another guard had been just beyond the entrance and out of my line of sight. I wished Ezio were here with that wonderful vision of his. He would have known the guard was there.
"Intruder! I'm heading to your post!" the guard shouted down the hallway and he sprinted away.
Quickly, I ran after the guard. He couldn't reach the others. If he did, those guards would warn the Templars and my time in Firenze would prove to be very short. I made a promise to Ezio; I would see him again, and I intended to keep that promise.
The guard ran through an archway and cut a rope once through. This dropped a gate down the doorway. I grunted and took off to the side and into another hallway. The guard continued to run through the main pathway, dropping gates behind him, but I was much too quick when going through the detours. Eventually, I was in the same hallway as the guard, running along rocks above the guard who was on the ground. I jumped down and tackled the guard, putting my dagger through his neck.
I continued down the hallway afterward to find a room with a large door. I assumed this was the way to the Templars' meeting. To my left was a room with guards playing cards at a table. In an archway above was another handle like that of the fountain on the outside of the church. I could easily scale the wall to reach the handle, so I did. Once pulled, a door behind the archway opened. I cautiously entered, hearing voices in the distance. I had found the spot to eavesdrop on the Templar meeting.
"Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris et Filli et Spiritus Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper."
"Grazie, padre. Bernardo?"
I looked down between the bars of a window. Below was a table with men surrounding it. There, I recognized Francesco de Pazzi, Rodrigo Borgia, Bernardo Baroncelli, and Jacopo de Pazzi. I hit the jackpot.
"It's all here. Swords. Staves. Axes. Armor. Bows. Our men will want for nothing," Bernardo replied.
"I take this gift to mean the pope consents?"
"He gave his blessing to the operation… 'as long as nobody was killed,'" Borgia chuckled. Of course, people were going to be killed. I knew Borgia's ways well enough to know he had lied.
"We're all set for the duomo in the morning, Signore. The baits been laid, but it wasn't easy... His fool brother keeps changing his plans," Francesco told Borgia.
"Si, but we'll need to be on hand to make sure Giuliano even gets out of bed for church tomorrow!" joked Baroncelli.
Giuliano… so they were attacking the Medici.
"What is it, Jacopo? Do you think they suspect something?" Borgia asked.
"Impossible! The Medici are too arrogant or too stupid to even notice. Likely a bit of both!" Francesco interjected.
"Do not underestimate our enemies, Francesco! Or have you already forgotten how your son was murdered?!" Jacopo asked.
This brought a smile to my face. Ezio was successful in his mission. Ezio was okay! Hopefully…
"We'll suffer no such surprises this time, maestro. You have my word," Francesco bowed to Borgia in promise of doing a better job this time.
"Molto bene. I should be off. I've some other business to attend to before I return to Rome… Gentlemen, tomorrow, a new sun rises over Firenze! May the father of understanding guide us…" Borgia announced, closing the meeting.
"May the father of understanding guide us," the others repeated, all putting a hand over their hearts.
I quickly turned down the hallway and into a separate room, closing the door behind me. I didn't want to risk the men finding me. The information I picked up from the meeting was important. The Medici, allies of the assassins, were being targeted by the Templars. I would need to be at the church tomorrow before service in order to protect the family.
I heard footsteps walk past the door and held my breath. I didn't want one of them to open the door. The sound of footsteps quickly dissipated and I deemed it safe to walk around. In the room was a sarcophagus placed in the center. I went forward to investigate. I saw the assassin's seal on the top and the side as well as a handle that replicated the one of the fountain and the archway. I pulled on the eye sockets and the tomb opened. Inside was a circular stone slab that resembled the missing slabs in the Villa Auditore. I tucked the slab in my robes and shut the sarcophagus. A few treasure chests were on the floor next to the sarcophagus, which I quickly looted. I then looked around the room for an exit. There were no windows, so I couldn't escape by going out a window. On one wall was a stone rectangle that looked much like a door. I went to push on it and in a few moments, the stone began to move.
There then was a hallway with a light at the end. As I approached the light, I noticed it was a window. I quickly opened the window and jumped out to find myself on a balcony atop the church. I looked over the edges of the balcony to see if haystacks of carts of leaves were anywhere to be found. Below was a cart of hay. I stood on the edge of the balcony and performed a leap of faith into the cart. I got out and brushed myself off. I always felt awkward coming out of carts after having jumped from high. Surely people saw and were amazed with the feat, but I had to act like jumping from that high and surviving wasn't a big deal.
The sun was almost set and the sky was getting dark. I knew I needed to head back to Leonardo's. Instead of taking to the rooftops, I decided to take the streets. I had enough climbing and jumping for one day. I was just ready to be back at Leonardo's workshop in his company.
I soon arrived and knocked twice on the door. I didn't want to let myself in and startle the artist. He was quick to frighten, like a baby deer.
Leonardo soon opened the door with a smile. "Ophelia! Perfect timing! I have just finished dinner!" Leonardo said happily. I looked over to the eating table with delight. He had prepared a feast.
"Leonardo! This looks fantastic! What's the occasion?" I asked as I began shedding my armor and weaponry.
Leonardo shut the door behind me and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know… It was your first day on your mission. I felt like you deserved a treat to get you started."
I put a hand on Leonardo's shoulder and smiled sweetly. Though Leonardo was shorter than Ezio, he still was much taller than me. I had to reach up to find his shoulder.
"Grazie, Leonardo. Your hospitality is unmatched."
Leonardo grinned and motioned for me to sit.
"Please, have a seat! We have a lot of eating to do so we can get to those codex pages!"
I remembered the codex pages and removed them from my robes. I sat them down on Leonardo's desk, put my armor and weapons in a neat pile on the floor, and sat down at the table.
"Yes! I am excited to learn!" I replied. I looked out to the spread on the table. Leonardo had made a roast of sirloin beef, spice, and vegetables. There was a fresh loaf of bread as well with tomatoes and garlic. A plate of meat and cheese was set out as well with a bowl of lettuce. I licked her lips as I looked at the spread.
"What should I have first?!" I asked Leonardo.
Leonardo had already begun slicing off pieces of roast. He put a slice on my plate and then used a spoon to put the broth and vegetables next to the meat.
"There! Try it!"
I took a bite of the roast and my face lit up.
"Leonardo! Your company is always enjoyable, but one of the best things about staying with you is your cooking! Bravo!"
Leonardo couldn't help but smile at the compliment.
We ate for a good portion of the night. I explained what had happened during the day to Leonardo, from meeting La Volpe and how I had yelled at him, to the Templar meeting. Leonardo was glad that I was able to eavesdrop in on the meeting. I could at least help save the Medici family who were dear friends of Leonardo.
After we were full and conversation had waned, Leonardo began teaching me about the different techniques in deciphering the codex. He began by looking at one of the two codex pages I brought him. He told me that the page was written in an ancient language and that once he translated to Italian, we would have to take every third letter of each word. I immediately was confused, but continued to pay attention to Leonardo as he worked through the pages. The secret to deciphering the codex pages wasn't a certain trick; the secret was having enough knowledge to know what certain words and languages mean.
We finally had the pages deciphered about an hour later. One held instructions for a second hidden blade, which he would work on for me tomorrow. The second page talked about the installment of a gun on the second hidden blade. Leonardo would work on the gun with the other blade tomorrow as well.
After we finished with the pages, I retired to my room. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Ezio being okay as I rested my head on my pillow. I always knew he would be successful, but the small amount of doubt I had had been overwhelming. One more Templar was killed and one more assassin stayed alive. I only hoped I would be successful tomorrow.