Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nothing! No Ezio. No Altair. I own nothing. This is purely for amusement, nothing else!
Story Info
Summary: Life or Death. That's usually what it all comes down to. But not for me. I got some thing else. I got a choice. Now follow me Olivia Steel, as I thrown into a world I never believed true and try to change a shattered future.
Pairings: Eventual! Ezio/OC, Mentions of Ezio/Many, Mentions OC/others.
I want to thank AgoTheTiny, Alex-Kurotani, Aspidon, Bloodrage, Butterscreen, Chester-Grey, Countess Vlad Dracula, DovahkiinSharpe, Dragonaia, Elementi3197, FireRain1999, GlaceNight, Hanane EL Mokkadem, Hawkbelly, Hawklan, Hyuga Nagani, KarstOfProx, Krenaya, Leo's Katanas, Luria, My Ashland, Peter the Otaku, PhantomChajo, Saqin, Scarlet Rosaria, ShinobiTwin05, Soxxy Moxxy Lacks A Lung, The Partner In Cream, Trauerspiel, TurtleFeathers, Union of the snake, UnknownFlux, Xiba, YTaMSPw, Yanderegrl43ver, azunyan3478, bakaprincess85, dragonsire13, irenia, madison. , miruka67, mrs. leonard mccoy, pretzel-logic, sleepingsnowwhite, sleepyPrincess, the mass halo effect, ramzgurl, Cherries and Bearbees, Trance20666, michellevillalobos12, GreyMemories and tigerfur for the follows all of you are awesome!
And I also want to thank Allissin, ramzgurl, A7x215 08-02-2013, AgoTheTiny Aspidon, Azriel Vincettia, Bitja, Electric-Rawr, Foresthunter, Hawkbelly, Hawklan, Kairi-loves-Sushi, KarstOfProx, LadyEvellyn, Leo's Katanas, .Fortune, Reitzel-chan, Saqin, Scarlet Rosaria, Shi No Kitsune, Trauerspiel, UnknownFlux, Yanderegrl43ver, bakaprincess85, dableachenator, dragonsire13, mrs. leonard mccoy, pretzel-logic, sleepingsnowwhite,Electric-Rawr, xXmarciXx, Shi No Kitsune, bakaprincess85, Leo's Katanas, Aspidon, Bitja, Azriel Vincettia, KarstOfProx, UnknownFlux, A7x215, AgoTheTiny, ramzgurl, Alissin, YTaMSPw, Lady Northwind, Trance20666, Chester-Grey, michellevillalobos12 and xXmarciXx for the favorites! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! If you have favorite this story and followed it and your name isn't above, just tell me that I missed you and I will correct it.
I want to thank the reviewers, AgotheTiny and YtaMSPw! THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS! :D
Props go to: The game, the novel by Oliver Bowden and the game script. It has really helped me keep up with the storyline and stay true to everything and everyone. Hope you enjoy!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
'What Sorcery Is This?'
Olivia drew out her weapon and glare at Vieri de Pazzi who was all too smug about the situation. How the hell did the bastard get the drop on us? She thought to herself, but it didn't really matter. The reality was they were going to have to fight their way out of this whether they liked it or not. Ezio jaw clenched and his golden eyes narrowed as the dislike he had for Vieri grew into absolute hatred.
"Buongiorno (Good day), Ezio!" Vieri de' Pazzi said, smugly.
"It was until you came along," Livvy muttered and Ezio grunted in appreciation of her sarcasm before gesturing for Maria and Claudia to start backing up.
Vieri smirked. "How could you leave Firenze without saying a proper goodbye?" He asked, mockingly.
"I could think of a lot of reason," Livvy stated sarcastically. Ezio snorted while Vieri shot her a dirty look.
"Ezio!" Claudia cried.
Ezio glanced over his shoulder and saw more guards. He gestured for his mother and sister to come back to him while Livvy placed herself between the two women and the guards. She held her sword up threateningly, and she glared at them heatedly.
"What do you want, Vieri?" Ezio demanded.
"So many things. A larger palazzo, two new steeds, a prettier bride.…" Vieri listed off casually sending Claudia a lecherous glance, and Livvy glowered at him. "Oh, and your lives," Vieri finished with a cruel laugh.
The guards took that as their cue to attack. Livvy dodged the blade as it came down, and struck out with her sword. The guard cried out clutching his face. The other one rushed forward, and Livvy slipped out her throwing knife. She threw it at him, and sliced into through his throat. He fell to the ground, clutching it.
"Olivia!" Claudia cried out.
Livvy felt something move behind and ducked just in time to avoid a hammer flew over her head. "Yikes," she turned and faced the guard. "That was rude."
Ezio and the guards circled each other, his mind racing swiftly as he came up with a plan. He went on the offensive, that's where he was strongest, pulling no punches or throws. He threw himself into the battle, and sliced down his enemies without hesitation or remorse. The only thought going through his mind was to protect his family.
"My condolences for the loss of your father and brothers." Vieri taunted, as he watched laughing all the while. "What will happen now that there's no one left to help you?"
Wrong, asshole. He's got me! She thought, slicing through a guard who backhanded Claudia, sending the girl to the ground. She then spotted Vieri trying to get closer to Claudia and Maria. Not happening, bitch.
"I have such wonderful things in store for your mother and sister," Vieri hissed, then shouted when a kick his back sending him to the ground. He turned and saw the hooded woman.
"Try it!" Livvy shouted at him, after finishing off the last guard. She held up her sword out towards him, "And I shove this where the sun don't shine."
Ezio smirked, appreciating the crude threat while Vieri's jaw went slack as he grasped exactly what she meant. Angrily he pushed himself from the ground and shouted, "I grow tired of this game. Finish them! And do not spare the women!"
More guards came out of the wood works and made move to advance towards them when arrows sliced through the air cutting them down with a deadly precision. Vieri backed away, aghast and frightened, "What sorcery is this?!"
A deep, booming laughter filled the night. "Not sorcery, boy. Skill!"
Livvy let out a breathless laugh of relief. Ezio's brows furrowed in confusion as he looked around warily at the surrounding hills.
"Show yourself!" Vieri demanded.
"As you wish," a man appeared. He wasn't a tall man, but his stocky build made him intimidating nonetheless. His hair was pitch black and hung down past his shoulders while the scar across his left(?) eye made him look slightly menacing. Livvy grinned recognizing him as Mario Auditore.
Mario tossed Ezio a sword. "Here. Use this!"
"Kill them! Kill them all!" Vieri shouted, his voice raising a pitch before he fled.
"Coward!" Livvy shouted after him, before turning her attention to the charging guard. The was fast thanks to Mario and his mercenaries. A blur of blades and blood, that Olivia got lost in all of it. The blood rushing through her veins and adrenaline pounding in her heart as she thought of was two things: survive and protect. She saw a flash of white beside her and knew that Ezio was fight along side of her, and the two of the pushed the guards back away from Claudia and Maria.
When the last guard fell, everything fell silent. Livvy wiped the blood off of her cheek while looking over Maria and Claudia. Studying Claudia's already bruising cheek, she stated, "Just a bruise. We'll stop by the doctor to get something for it."
Claudia nodded, shakily.
Ezio turned to the man who had helped them out. "You have my thanks," Ezio bowed, lifting out the sword.
"Keep the sword, Ezio," Mario said with a chuckle.
Ezio paused, looking cautiously at the stranger. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"Don't you recognize me? It's-a-me, Mario!" The older man laughed raucously.
Livvy bit her lip to keep from making a Nintendo reference while Ezio blinked, astonished, "Uncle Mario?"
"It's been too long, nipote!" (nephew) Mario said, staring at his family with a bittersweet look feeling his eye. "Far too long!" His lips turned down and he clasped Ezio's arm in a comforting squeeze. "I heard what happened in Firenze. Terrible. Come, let's get you all away from here," Mario continued then paused when he saw the woman in the red hood. "Can it be?"
"At your service," Livvy gave a over exaggerated curtsy, male curtsy, not girl curtsy though she supposed as soon as Paola go to the rest of the assassins it would be a moot point all this pretending to be a man.
"The Red Hood," Mario seemed astounded. "I've heard much about you."
"All good things?" Livvy asked, with a slight grin.
"Oh, the best," Mario assured her, with a slight smile though she got the impression he was evaluating her. Best be on my best behavior, she thought to herself wiping the sweat off her brow. Mario nodded, "Follow me."
Ezio shared at look with Livvy, before glancing at his mother and sister then gave a nod. He walked along side his uncle, the sword felt heavy in his hand.
"So, tell me everything!" Mario stated.
"They executed father for treason. Federico and Petruccio too. Then they came for me," Ezio explained, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Do you know why?" Mario's tone was light, however there was something troubled about his expression. Livvy decided to slow her pace down to match Claudia and Maria's letting them have some privacy.
"I have no answers, uncle… Only a list of names taken from a man who wished me dead. I still can't believe they are gone…" Ezio whispered, mournfully.
Mario turned to face his nephew. "Don't worry. We will make sense of this," he assured him.
"I wish I shared your optimism," Ezio said, doubtfully.
Mario wisely didn't comment further, instead looking back at the three behind them. "Come on, keep pace! We're almost there. I think you will find much to like in Monteriggionni."
"I thought Monteriggionni was an enemy of Firenze…" Ezio paused in step then tilted his head to look back at Livvy who laughed.
"They have a love-hate relationship," she explained, mirthfully.
"A unique look at it," Mario said with a grin. "But true nonetheless. Yes, it is Firenze's enemy. The next year it will be its friend. The year after, its enemy again. And on and on. I cannot keep track. So I have stopped trying."
"Don't blame you," Livvy said, quietly.
Mario chuckled hearing her while Ezio's lips tilted becoming accustomed to her wry responses.
"These are honest, hardworking people. Our shops may only carry simple goods, but they're well made and dependable. There is a chapel here too. The prete (priest) seems a nice enough fellow, but I've never been much of a believer," Mario said as they came to the entrance Monteriggioni.
Livvy smiled when Claudia gasped, marveling at the towering outer walls. She also noticed a new military post above and felt happy the blood money she collected did some good for once.
"Did you know the Villa Auditore is almost 200 years old? It was built by my great-grandfather, a strange man, who carried all kinds of secrets. Keep your eyes open, and you might discover a few of them yourself…" Mario's eyes lit up as he thought of another time. Undoubtedly when he and Giovanni were younger, Livvy waged. The towns people were now staring at them all curiously and Livvy was kinda nervous, with all the people pointing at her.
The older man quickly got back on track. "With all the fighting that's been going on, this place has started to get a bit rough around the edges. A few months ago, I didn't have any resources to help fix things up, however the most peculiar thing happen."
"Oh?" Claudia was suddenly intrigued.
"A mysterious person left over 20,000 florins with a note saying 'For a fixer upper when you have the time'," Mario shook his head. Claudia pursed her lips, disappointed it hadn't been something more spectacular. "As you can see, we've done some renovations. The well, the military fort, the blacksmith…but I fear there is still much to do. Guess that's life, eh?"
"Sounds like it," Livvy mumbled. Ezio sent her a small grin, causing her to shrug at him.
"Here we are, Casa dolce casa! (Home sweet home.) So? What do you think?" Mario looked at them with an expecting smile.
Livvy grinned at the house, large and sitting above the rest of the town like a secret guardian. It had been a while since she had seen it, she hadn't finished the picture in her sketch book of it either since she was well, kinda chased off.
Ezio appraised the mansion with a keen eye. "It's most impressive, uncle."
"She's seen better days, I suppose. Believe me, I'd have her shining again… if only I had the time," he sighed sadly. But he shook the negative away before turning to his nephew. "Now that you have had the tour, nipote (nephew), you should go and outfit yourself. My men in the market are expecting you. Return here when you are finished and we'll begin."
"Begin? Begin what?" Ezio asked, perplexed.
Livvy's heart gave a jolt when she realized this is when Ezio would learn of his true heritage. She bit her lip watching as a servant led Maria and Claudia to their rooms. She shifted slightly unsure of what to do.
Mario looked at him, eyes narrowing slightly. "I thought you'd come here to train?"
"No, uncle. I came here to escape Firenze - and intend to take my family further still," Ezio told him, crossing him arms over his chest.
"But what about your father?" Mario looked at him, in disbelief. "He'd want you to finish his work!"
"What work?" His narrowed, starting to get angry. "My father was a banker."
"Wait…" Mario's face fell. "He did not tell you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about…" Ezio told him, tiredly.
"Ma che mi combini, Giovanni?! (What were you thinking, Giovanni?!)" He said angrily. He ran a hand down his face before turning a stern glance towards Ezio. "Where to even begin…Go and fetch the gear in the market. It will give me time to think."
"But–-" Ezio tried to speak to his uncle, but Mario cut him off with a sharp shake of his head.
"But that's that. We'll talk more later," Mario told him, then pulled a purse of florins and handing them to Ezio. "Some spending money, should you need it. And if you find yourself in need of rest, I've prepared a room for you on the top floor of the Villa. Go now, and hurry back."
Ezio sighed, turning to leave before sending Livvy a concern look. She shrugged, nodding her head towards the town telling him it was okay to leave her behind. Livvy watched the reluctant Ezio finally leave with a stomp to his step before looking at Mario only to take a giant step back as a very narrowed look was sent her way. "Uh…hi…"
"Hmph," he eyed her up and down. "I thought he was seeing things…obviously not. Green…peculiar."
Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "You have Eagle Vision too?"
His expression sharpened. "And how do you know about that?" He asked, his tone suspiciously light.
"Uh, well," Livvy lifted her hand to rub the back of her neck and grinned halfheartedly, "I know a little about a lot of things…"
Judging by the look on Mario's face he didn't buy the line even thought it was technically the truth. "Hmm," the man stroked his chin in thought. "Giovanni told us," Mario said and Livvy assumed the 'us' must mean the rest of the Assassin's, "that you warned him of a traitor."
"I thought he knew it was Uberto," Livvy swallowed thickly.
"I believe he was starting to suspect it. However Uberto made it look like Lorenzo's men were coming Giovanni, he shifted and distanced himself from the wrong man." Mario stated with a frown. "Of course, when Giovanni learned the truth it was too late."
"I'm sorry," Livvy apologized, feeling the waves of sadness come of this man. Damn you Juno! Damn you! She thought viciously. "I tried…I tried to save them. I tried…"
It was like a floodgate that she had been holding back were about to shatter and she choked a sob that threatened to consume her. Mario's expression looked startled before he sighed, deeply, "Trying is all we can ever do, it seems."
Digging her fingernails in her palms, she focused solely on the pain and reigned back in her tears. She nodded slightly though she looked unconvinced, "I suppose so."
"Will you be staying here as well?" Mario questioned.
"As long as Ezio wants me to," Livvy stated.
Mario tilted his head slightly. The Red Hood had always appeared as an isolated individual working for his-or her as it was-own agenda and keeping none in confidence. However, he saw the unwavering loyalty she seemed to have for Ezio. He would have to ask his nephew about that later.
Ezio looked at the new armor and sword he got as Mario instructed before heading back towards the Villa. He had been plagued with what Mario said. What had father been hiding? Would Mario finally give him some of the answers he had been seeking? He walked up the villa steps in a briskly paced and found Mario when he left them and Livvy standing close by. He couldn't help notice that she seemed tense and agitated.
"Salute (Hello), uncle. I did as you asked," Ezio informed his uncle, while looked curiously over at Livvy who had her back to him. She was taking a series of deep breaths and her eyes flickered towards him nervously.
"And quickly too. Ben fatto!" Mario said, approvingly. (Well done!) "Now let's teach you how to fight."
"No." Ezio shook his head. "As I said, we are leaving."
"Ezio! You barely held your own against Vieri. You won't survive a week on the road," Mario snapped at his nephew. Ezio felt a spark of anger and opened his mouth, but his uncle beat him to the punch. "If you want to leave - so be it. But at least do so armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to defend yourself."
Ezio glowered at the old man, indecision creeping over him. He didn't want to risk staying here. He already lost too much and he didn't want to risk anymore.
"Ezio," a calm voice cut through the tension.
Ezio turned and saw Livvy looking at him. Her head tilted to the side and. she said with a small shrug, "You should stay. Get the training. That way if a threat should arise on your journey, you'd be better able to take care of your sister and your mother."
She had a point. Ezio pinched the bridge of his nose and he agreed reluctantly, "Fine."
"Ottimo!" (Very good!) Mario looked between them slightly amused before telling Ezio. "We will start now."
"Now?" Ezio looked startled.
"No time better than the present," Mario grinned. Olivia watched them for a moment longer before wandering off down towards town. Ezio caught sight of her and asked, "Where are you going?"
"For a walk," Olivia gave him a mysterious smile.
Ezio opened his mouth to reply when he felt a sharp nick to his arm. He gave a cry of surprise and whirled around to face his uncle. Mario looked at him with a wryly amusement, "You can work your charm on the ladies another time. Right now, we fight."
"I wasn't trying to charm her," Ezio denied.
Mario shook his head. "I remember what your father and I were at your age, and I know the twinkle when a woman catches a man's eye."
"I thought we were going to fight," Ezio pointed out, dryly. "Not talk all day."
Mario snorted. "You can swing a sword, to be sure. But offence alone will not carry a battle," Mario told him circling around the arena, watching Ezio with eyes of an eagle. "You must survive long enough to strike. I will teach you how to dodge."
"You said my father was more than just a banker?" Ezio was going to get those answers.
"No use dancing around it, I suppose," Mario sighed slightly. "Your father was an Assassin, Ezio."
Shock crippled him for a moment, letting Mario strike him. Reeling back, shaking his hurt arm, he turned to his uncle and shook his head, "I told you before: my father was a paper pusher." His father? An Assassin? Preposterous! And yet, all those times his father snuck out, was out on mysterious business all came to the forefront of his mind.
"No. He was born and bred to kill," Mario told him, bluntly. "We both were. It is our blood, our legacy."
"I find this difficult to believe," Ezio told him, grudgingly. His father had been a kind, generous man. Not what a cold, blooded killer was made out of. Not like me, he thought.
His uncle raised his eyebrow. "What of the list you carry? Do you think it's merely a catalog of debts? It holds the name of those responsible for your father's murder."
Ezio quickly side stepped his uncle's next attack and Mario nodded, approvingly. "Bene (Good), I've taught you how to avoid your enemy's attacks. Tomorrow, you'll learn how to turn them to your advantage! For now, we can continue this conversation over diner then sleep," Mario told him, his smile broadening when Ezio let out an audible sigh of relief.
Olivia was running around the town, and soon she would know it as well as the back of her hand. She didn't care about the looks or whispers, not when knowing the outline of this town could end up meaning the difference between life and death one day. She knelt down on the rooftop and picked up the eagle feather. Fresh tears sprung to her eyes, but she blinked them back. She glanced back at the mansion and looked back down at the feathers before coming to a swift decision. She headed back towards the mansion.
She passed the arena, where Ezio and Mario were absent, probably done for the day. She entered the house, and the only two servants didn't even bat an eye already told that the Red Hood would be staying. She silently made her way up the stairs, noting the silence.
They must be all asleep, she thought and went to Maria's bedroom door. She opened it silently and slipped in. It felt wrong, entering Maria's room. Like entering a mausoleum or tomb. Maria sat, knelt down beside the bed and her hands clasped together as if praying. Livvy was startled that the woman was still awake, and she hesitated in the doorway for a moment before shutting it behind her. Her footfalls drew Maria's lifeless gaze but only for a moment, the next her eyes were closed and she was praying once more. Livvy paused then plucked up his courage and headed towards her.
She stopped once she reached Maria's side and she stared down at the woman for a very long time. Her throat welled with emotions, but she held them back. "Hello, Maria…it's me Olivia," Livvy knelt beside her. "I'm…not sure if you remember me or not, but we met the other day…when Federico introduced us."
Maria's face was still, indicating she heard nothing or it didn't register. Livvy sighed, bowing her head. "I'm sorry. I could have stopped this. I tried…really I did." Shaking her head, she whispered, "Guess that doesn't matter now."
Livvy looked at her sadly, and rose. She saw the pear wood box that Petruccio had made her sitting onto of her dresser and she walked over. Lifting the lid, she added the feathers she collected to the box. She raised her gaze to look at Maria, still as ever. "I'm going to make it right, as right as I can…I'll make them pay. I promise you this. Just…just hang in there. Claudia and Ezio will need you and you need them, okay?"
Livvy rose and left, not expecting a response. When the door behind her slid shut, Ezio walked out of the long hallway that lead to the attic where he slept. He looked at the door then at the pear wood box, and sighed deeply. "We both tried…and it didn't mean anything," he crossed his arms over his chest, hearing her words had only brought up his own grief. He walked over, placing a kiss to his mother head before heading back towards his bed.
The next day, Mario had awoke Ezio up quite early. Ezio was still rubbing his tired eyes as he got into the ring and stared at his uncle. Briefly he wonder where Olivia was, he had not seen her since she had left the feathers in his mother's room. Claudia had told him that Olivia was staying in the town inn. Perhaps she hadn't awoken yet. Shaking off his questions, he focused on his uncle. The man had informed him of templars and assassins and to Ezio it seemed like the thing out of a story.
A fairy tale with no reality, but his uncle was adamant that it was the truth. "All this talk of Assassins and Templars." Ezio stated, giving a small shake of his head. "It reeks of fantasy."
"I assure you it is most certainly a reality." Ezio's head shot towards the flash of red. Livvy was just standing there like she had magically appeared at the side of the training ring. Her eyes met Ezio, and he noted she looked like she had an even worse sleep than he did. She continued, "I've crossed more than a few templar knights."
"Ah, yes, I've heard of some stories about you," Mario grinned, appreciatively. "Once Ezio is finished with his training, you should help us tell the lies from the truth."
So you can tell if I'm friend or foe and let the other assassins know. The Assassins weren't easily trusting people, not that Livvy blamed them. "I look forward to it," she smiled easily, even though her stomach quivered nervously.
"I don't know…" Ezio still looked on the fence.
Mario was thrown back by Ezio's counter. "If her words are not proof enough, then perhaps something from an old parchment covered in arcane writing is?" Mario shot at him.
The parchment that Leonardo decoded flashed before his eyes and he stared at his uncle shocked, "How did you know...?"
"You have your father's blade." Mario pointed to his right writs. "I figured you'd have the Codex page he was holding as well."
"Codex?"
"Sì. A guide to the inner workings of our order - its origin, purpose and techniques. Our creed, if you will. Your father believed the Codex contained a powerful secret," Mario told him, lashing out with his sword. Ezio quickly counter, his nostrils flaring as sweat poured down his forehead. "Something that would change the world. Perhaps it's why they came for him…" Mario nodded, approval on his face before he called one of his mercenaries forward. "Now test you blade on him."
The mercenary was stocky, and several inches taller than Ezio. Ezio frowned a little worried, but relaxed his body as trained. "Assassins, Templars, Codex pages…" Ezio's tawny gaze was filled with disbelief and wariness as his mind went over it, over and over again. He twisted the mercenaries blade and shoved him away. He and the mercenary circled around the arena. "This is a lot to take in," Ezio spared his uncle a look.
"You need to open your mind, Ezio," Mario stated, seriously. "Always remember: Nothing is true, Everything is permitted."
Livvy mouthed the words quietly to herself, as Ezio and the mercenary leapt at each other once again. It was a swift battle, with swords clashing angrily against one another. It ended with Ezio finally, wrestling the mercenary's sword away sending it flying into the air. Ezio placed the tip of his blade against the mercenary's throat. The mercenary surrendered.
Mario clapped. "Bravo! You're making fine progress, Ezio! Now I will teach you how to position yourself in a battle. Where you stand and how you move make all the difference, does it not, Madame Hood?" Mario got back into the ring and tossed Olivia a look. She nodded in agreement. "Now, fight!"
Ezio only had a moments notice before he was once again in the heat of battle. His uncle barked out how to move, where to holding arms or how to move his legs. He followed the instructions as best as he could, and eventually the man relented letting him have a break. Mario walked away and talked to his mercenaries, Ezio headed back towards the villa. He made his way to the library and looked at all the books on the shelf. If what his uncle said was true then there must be something here about it.
Olivia watched him go off then turned and saw Mario walking towards her. Mario greeted her simply, "Olivia…that is you name, right?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"I was hoping we could talk," Mario stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Of course," she agreed. She had seen this coming from a mile away and walked along side of him, hoping that she didn't appear too nervous. The made there was to the back side of the of villa where the small garden was. "What did you want to talk about?" She asked.
"I wanted to thank you for all you've done for my family," Mario started, diplomatically. "However…I need to ask what you're intention here are."
"My intentions?" She looked at him, surprised.
"Yes," Mario observed.
"The only intention I had was to make sure they were safe, that is all," Livvy's gaze narrowed, as she took this moment to remind herself that the man had just lost his brother and two nephews. He had every right to be paranoid with all that has happened. "Look, Federico was my friend. I owed it to make sure his family got out of Florence safely."
"Federico never made mention of you," Mario commented.
"He didn't know I was the Red Hood," Livvy defended, turning to face the man head on. "I never told him."
"Why did you keep something so important from someone you call you friend?" Mario asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I was trying to protect him! I have enemies, and I didn't want them to use him to get to me!" Livvy snapped, her teeth grinding together. "You don't trust me, I get it. You go ahead and questions my motives for being here, but don't you ever imply that I did not care about Federico and them."
"I have no doubt you cared for my nephew," Mario sighed deeply. "But anyone can see the sliver of ice in your heart from a mile away. Something is troubling you. Haunting you, it's keeping you from really being a part of a group. You could easily fit in with La Volpe's thieves, perhaps even here with my mercenaries. You do your share," Mario eyed her, rubbing his chin in thought while Livvy forced herself to relax. "More than your share in some cases. You hold a lot on your shoulder, but I will tell you one thing." He pointed at her, and was sage. "If you truly want to continue this life you are forging, you must learn to engage others. Your solitude, you isolation, can easily cause distrust and callousness towards you."
"What…what do you mean?" Olivia asked, her throat constricted with emotions.
"In an emergency, we must all be comrades, regardless of station. We don't necessarily like each other, but at least we have to be able to make that decision, to know you enough to decide. You haven't given anyone the chance. Not even Federico."
Olivia felt like a sensation, similar to suffocation wrap around her. She thought to herself, Is that what I did wrong? Is that why I failed? Is that why they are dead? Logically she knew that she could not have foreseen Juno's attack or even planned to protect herself from it. But her logically side was being drowned out by the hurricane of emotions strangling her. "I…see," she responded slowly. "I…I have to go."
"Olivia," Mario called out.
But Olivia was already racing for Monteriggioni's gate. She felt like she could barely breath, and the walls of the town suddenly felt like they were pressing in on her. She had to get out of there. She was grasping at her chest, as she stumbled towards the stables. Grabbing one of the horses, she saddled him up and got on him, ignoring the stable hand who was asking her what she thought she was doing. Kicking the horses sides, she dashed off into the distance not carrying which way she was going. The wind was rushing past her and she savored the feeling because for a brief moment she felt okay.
Monteriggioni had disappeared in the distance, and Livvy kept going feeling tears run down her cheek. Was keeping the assassins at arm's length the wrong thing to do? Was that, coupled with Juno, the reason she failed? And honestly did it really matter why anymore? They were gone. They were gone. And nothing she could do could change that.
Kerrzzzapp! The crackle startled Olivia, and the horse came to a stop, nervously moving on its hooves. Livvy looked around for the sourse of the sound when she caught sight of the dark clouds heading towards her. Lightning crackled shooting and the horse neighed softly. Livvy cursed underneath her breath, "Which way is Monteriggioni?"
In her haste, she hadn't been paying attention. As the rain began to drizzle down, Olivia realized that she would have to find shelter for her and the horse soon. "Come on!" She twisted the reigns and urged the horse to try to out run the storm. It was am effort made in vein, as the wind howled and the rain pelted down upon her painfully. The horse gave another nervous cry, liking the storm as about as much as Olivia did which was to say not one bit.
Thunder roared, and Livvy could feel it tremble from the ground through her stead and into her. The storm clouds were building swiftly and the land was shrouded in darkness, almost akin to night. She sucked in a harsh breath, realizing that she was not going to make it to some kind of shelter before it struck. She narrowed her eyes against the rain, and leaned forward giving a cry, "Yaa! Yaa!"
The horse was trying its best to run as fast as it could. That's when she felt something, not from thunder, or lightning. It was tremble that came from the earth, and that's when they came out of nowhere. A sea of wild horses that had been spooked by the storm and her stead was caught in the fray. Crippling pain rushed up her leg as a mare slammed into the left side of her horse, effectively pinning her leg between them with a crushing force. Between the two giant animals her leg is being twisted and stretched unpleasantly, and it took everything inside of Livvy not to scream in pain. She pulled at the reigns trying to gain control of her horse, that it swaying and bucking, clearly agitated and frightened.
It reared its back legs, and Livvy gasped as she slung upward in the air. Her fingers hang onto the reigns, but when a wild horse hits her broad side, it's a lost cause. She slammed to the ground and she just thought to herself, This is not how I want to die. But then again, with the never ending sea of horses, it must just be. She threw her arms over her neck and head, trying to protect herself from the feet that trampled over her. The thought hit her, with a swell of pain, If I don't get out of the way I will die. Out of the corner of her eyes, she tried to see which way she should go, but all she saw were hooves pounding down into the ground. With a quick and an oath, she rolled right. Somehow, someway, she managed to roll out of the way without being crushed and safely behind a large rock. The horse parted around it and Livvy curled up, trying to make herself as small as possible.
Thunder roared, echoing to the raging stampede as it finally came to an end. As she watched the horses fade off into the dark distance, she swore she was never getting on another horse as long as she lived. She would walk, even if her feet fell off. She let out a breath, and whimpered. It hurt to breath, and judging by the throb in her right side, she might have broken a few. And it was only one of many pains that were coursing through her veins.
"I…I don't think…I'm going to get up," she muttered, tired and defeated. There was no way she'd be able to get to her feet in this condition. "Maybe…maybe this is my punishment…" She could hear her father's voice in the back of her head saying, solemn, No good deed goes unpunished.
Then…the sky splintered with light, the light drizzling looking like little diamonds before falling to the ground. Morning had come, and the rain would soon cease as the clouds seemed to fade off into nothingness. She let out a, "Huh" kind of awed by the sudden change. She usually loved watching morning sun rise, but this morning it felt off. Dull and broken. Maybe it was because she had nearly been trampled to death by a herd of horses…or it could be the shadow that fell over her.
She stared, blinking hard not comprehending the sight. Because right above her stood, the one, the only Federico Auditore.
END OF CHAPTER!
What the…? What is going on? NEXT CHAPTER: Olivia has to confront her grief straight on, while Ezio must make some decisions on what to do and whom to trust.
AgotheTiny for get the trivia question right, you get to come up with a quote that will somehow be included in the next chapter. It can be silly, it can be serious, or it can a popular quote from a movie. Whatever you want.
Thanks for reading! Rrs are appreciated and always welcomed.