An: Uh oh?
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"Machiavelli," Temperance said, as they entered the hideout. "I think we should talk."
"Ah yes," the philosopher smiled. "I was waiting for you two. A contact of mine as given me the locations of Templar agents throughout the city that are paid to terrorize the towns people. They are terrible bastards, but I'm sure at your hands, they will humble quickly."
"And...you obtained this from a city guard?" Seeley asked; raising an eyebrow curiously under the shadow of his hood.
"Yes..." Machiavelli drug out. "How did you know?"
"Virtue," the assassin stated simply. "I noticed that there were horses outside. Is someone here?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Regina, the courtesan that took over after Madame Solari, is here with some information for you guys. La Volpe has been in an out, but it seems that he might be onto the apple. Since you just saw Bartolomeo, I'm sure there won't be much news on his front."
"Where is Regina?" Temperance asked; growing tired of Niccoló's constant babbling.
"She is in the dining area," Machiavelli answered.
"Great," the thief smiled. "Than we should see what she is here to tell us."
She smirked, and stepped away from the others; making her way towards the dining hall, while Seeley walked after her. They opened the large doors, and stepped towards the table; nodding towards the courtesan, who was sipping at the wine that was offered to her.
Her black hair was tied tightly in a bun at the back of her head. She stood instantly when they entered the room, and bowed her head to them in respect. "I'm sorry for interrupting your day," she began. "But, my girls have told me a couple things from their clients that might be of some importance to you."
"Regina, you are always welcome here," Temperance assured. "What is it that you have acquired?"
"It is nothing definitive, but...listening to the conversation between my girls...it's unnerving. They have recited the words of their clients, and those who are close to Cesare, have unloaded their daily problems easily. It seems that Cesare is close to exploding with anger. His father is giving him troubles, though he had not divulged the severity of these troubles. What is clear, is that he is ready to tear your hearts clean from your chests," she muttered. "He has been away from Roma for quite some time, but he has returned, and he is out for blood. I thought I would inform you guys to keep your heads down, and try to stay away from an altercations with the guards."
"So, Cesare and Rodrigo are here?" Seeley asked, turning when Machiavelli practically jumped towards him.
"Seeley, this is perfect timing. They are at the Castello. You can infiltrate the building, and end this once and for all. You can sneak past the guards with the best of them, and you walk on air. They wouldn't know the wiser."
"You are telling me, to blatantly kill two of the most powerful men in Roma," Seeley growled. "This is not something I will take lightly. I will have a plan, before I enter their home, and kill them. I will not simply stroll in with a purpose to kill. What happens if Cesare leaves? Or if they really aren't in town at all? Then I am stuck, behind enemy lines, without a clear way out. You heard Regina...we need to keep our heads down. Especially you," he finished, turning his eyes to Temperance.
"Me? Why me?"
"Because you are a part of this," he explained. "And you are a gorgeous woman. Cesare seems to have a thing with gorgeous women that are political and military leaders. Which is why he screws his sister," he spat. "I will focus on her safety," he directed towards Machiavelli. "Once I believe that Temperance is safe, will I think of testing my luck, and trying to go after Cesare."
"I can take care of myself," she growled. "I'm not scared of Cesare Borgia. His soldiers, his guns, his sword itself does not scare me. I will spit on his mother's grave with him by my side without cowardice. If this is an opportunity to assassinate this monster, than take it. You don't need to worry about me."
"Yet here I am, worrying about your safety," he argued. "You will not go anywhere alone. I don't feel like this is a good time to go after Cesare. We must wait until he is not looking. We must surprise him, or preoccupy him. Going after him when he's seething with anger, and ready to have us hung and gutted is not a smart idea."
"What part of 'I can take care of myself' do you not understand?" she hissed. "I don't care if you want to go after him or not...but there are still things today that we can do. We can go confront some of these Templar agents, or go help one of the factions with some of their problems. I would have never thought that you would be a man who would be scared into his hole just because you angered someone."
"I'm sorry that I have to distort the view you have of me, but I am scared. I'm terrified that this bastard is going to hurt you, and his violence streak practically calls for it. He has no mercy...Temperance. If you are seen...at ALL, he could find you, and you know what he would do to you?"
"I don't know Seeley. Inform me, since you seem to know everything."
"He will take you for his own. He will use you as a sex slave, and a pawn, to make his own sister jealous. He likes to rile people up, and then you will be opened to abuse from a power hunger, and pissed off Lucrezia. I know you think that you would be able to fight against her, but realize, that if she wants to abuse you, she has armed guards behind her, making sure she does so. You lay a hand on her, and that hand would be cut off. Do you understand NOW why I don't want you out in the fucking open?"
"Grow a set," she growled. "Cesare has to get his hands on me first...that you don't seem to understand. If I want to leave this fucking hideout, I'm going to leave. Just because you angered a pretty boy with a powerful father, doesn't mean that I have to be deprived of fresh air."
"Then go!" he yelled. "Let's see who is right at the end of this."
"That's a bet I'll be delighted to take," she hissed; shoving past him, and stalking towards the door; which opened to reveal her father.
"Temperance," La Volpe muttered. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she dismissed. "What are you doing here?"
"The apple has been given to someone for study," he said. "I was coming to tell you and Seeley."
"Great, you tell him. I'll meet you back at the guild," she stated; pushing past her father, and grabbing for the reigns of her horse, before she rode off in a heat of anger, and pain.
"I'm so sorry," Regina whispered, from her spot across the table. "I didn't mean to-"
"No," Seeley sighed weakly. "This isn't your fault Regina. Thank you, so much for your information. Please, remain safe in your return to the Rosa."
"I will take her," Machiavelli muttered. "I will ensure her safe return."
"Thank you," he nodded, looking up to see La Volpe emerging from the hall. "Hello-"
"What the hell happened between you and my daughter?" the thief asked; his voice cool and collected, though weighted down with biased anger.
"We got into a fight."
"Obviously...but about what?"
"Cesare is out to get us both. I simply asked that she stay here, so that she will remain safe. She, being as stubborn as she is...wasn't too keen on the idea."
"You should have come to me," La Volpe growled. "My daughter is safest with me. She was right to leave."
"Volpe. I respect you, and I respect your daughter. I've had enough arguing for one day, so I ask that we not fight on the matter."
"Fine," he resolved. "The apple has been handed over to persons unknown for study. My thieves are still working on finding it's location, and I will inform you when I know. Though, until then, I must attend to my daughter, since you let her ride off while Cesare is after her."
"La Volpe!"
"I better not see you around her," he hissed. "If she wants to fix this...she will come to you. Until then, you stay away. She will be safe with her family...not running around Rome trying to safe the world."
~*~*B+B*~*~
"Temperance," Serpente called, as she stormed upstairs towards the thief barracks. "Baby, what happened?"
"Seeley didn't seem to get the memo that I don't give a flying fuck about Cesare's current emotional status. If he's pissed at me, let him be pissed...I'm sure as hell not letting him scare me," she explained. "So...I left. I'm staying here. I hope you don't mind."
"Mind?" Serpente asked; laughing joyously as he grasped the wrist of his niece, and led her further down the hall. "It's an honor. Here, you can have the room to yourself. I can send one of my men to fetch your stuff...seeing as how you're empty handed."
"I would appreciate that," she nodded. "Thank you uncle."
"You're welcome sweetheart. How about you come downstairs for some gambling? It's nice money, and we have free rounds of wine circling like the blood in our veins."
"That sounds wonderful."
~*~*B+B*~*~
His blood was boiling, and his hands were shaking as pure anger began to blacken his heart. His conquests had given him a high that he was addicted to...and returning to Roma to find out that his captains had been killed, and his towers burned...sobered him immediately. The words of his contacts were lost to him; he was left only in his thoughts, planning his revenge.
"I should have seen this coming," he chuckled. "I should have known that somehow...that assassin would have rose from the dead."
"He is not alone in his efforts," his second in command explained. "There is a woman that works with him. A thief. She seems well known among her community, but I am barely familiar with her name. I recently obtained a report from one of my scouts saying that they saw her heading east...but he lost sight of her. She is quick...practically a phantom."
"What is her name?"
"Brennan, I believe," his man reported. "Temperance Brennan."
"What does she look like?"
"A street artist was paid to sketch her. The likeness is well."
He glanced down at the picture in his hand. Her strong jaw, and fierce eyes, that were accentuated by the long waves of her auburn hair was simply gorgeous. Even in picture form, he could feel the fire of her soul against his fingers. She was a woman of perfection. A woman that he could hunt. One that he would be able to seduce...but not without a little chase.
"Find her," he ordered; slamming her picture down on the desk that was settled in his large office.
"As you wish, Cesare," his second assured; bowing in respect, before he moved out of the office, and began recruiting his team.
"Oh yes," Cesare mused allowed; tracing his finger against the picture's cheek. "You will be a fun one to break..."