chapter 25
The ship arrived in the Tuscan harbors of Forli around midday, leaving a 2 hour horse ride between the travelers and Monteriggioni. Alcina silently frowned upon saddling up, but did not voice her obvious opposition. Ezio watched her closely out of the corner of his eye as they pranced from the city, fighting a smile at her pained expression. The sounds of civilization droned behind them until they faded from earshot, overtaken by the blow of a country breeze.
He freed his tangled mind, putting aside the dread of war and death, returning his thoughts to simple things; how much taller his younger sister had grown, how his mother was handling being alone, if the city of Monteriggioni was flourishing, and so on. He even humored Leonardo's artistic rambling as he discussed paintings, architecture, and the connection between humans, nature, and time... or something like that. He chattered happily about how the countryside overflowed him with inspiration.
After several miles, the sprawling amber fields of Tuscany sprouted into gray woods, topped with crumbling golden yellow leaves. This is when he noticed their party was short one female assassin. Looking briefly over his shoulder he noticed her apparent struggle and halted his silvery mare to wait for her to catch up to him. He hopelessly strived to keep a straight face, but broke into an amused grin every time he heard the sound of her muttering profanities at the four legged beast. Her horse trudged along, wandering in different angles despite her verbal abuse. "You should not have paid the man so much, this animal is as deaf as it is stupid," she huffed, hiding her embarrassment.
"I do not think it is the horse's fault madonna," he outstretched his hand and pulled in the chocolate colored mare by the bit, directing it to walk alongside his own. Alcina did not to protest but instead scowled stubbornly as her savoir intervened. "Just relax your body. She can sense you are straining and will not cooperate," he instructed. The mare straightened beside him, moving in sync with her silver companion, Alcina's grimacee however, did not budge. "Relax, the horse knows where it's going," he continued.
"Chess and horse riding lessons in the same day? Is there anything the assassin does not know?" she teased smugly.
"Nothing comes to mind," he grinned. "Did you ever learn to ride a horse cara?"
"That was one venture that never presented itself," she grit her teeth as the horses stomped over an echoing wooden bridge, worried she would fall off and splash into the creek below.
"Let me show you," he reached for her tightened fists squeezing at the reigns, his fingers intertwining with her own as her pulse nervously quickened. "Loosen your grip," he held her hands in his own and released the leather ties directing his silver horse. Alcina nervously went to grab the fallen reigns, afraid he had lost control, before his hand stopped her reach, "Just watch." The silver mare only tossed her mane in the breeze, unaffected. "She knows what I expect of her, so she will not run. There is a mutual trust." They hesitantly exchanged eye contact before Alcina watched the mare in both curiosity and jealousy as Ezio's horse remained under his mental control.
"I was beginning to wonder if the two of you were going to catch up. Is everything alright Alcina?" Leonardo called from his gunpowder colored stallion. Alcina's face flushed in humiliation. If the clumsy Leonardo could manage riding a horse flawlessly, she must look like something of an idiot.
"Tutto va bene, just offering some pointers." A sigh of relief escaped her lungs when Ezio kindly covered for her, aware of her embarrassment. He nonchalantly withdrew his hands from her grip upon they reached Leonardo, leaving her in charge of the reigns. After mentally calming herself, she loosened her control hesitantly, afraid the horse would sense her weakness and sprint. To her surprise, the pony stayed close to it's silver companion, brushing her rider's leg against Ezio's from time to time. She groaned aloud in surrender, half expecting a boastful laugh from her teacher. Instead he only smiled and nodded. They snuck a flirtatious look to one another from time to time whenever their legs happened to bump. Maybe this horse wasn't as stupid as she thought. "I think she likes you," Ezio smiled.
"Lucky me," she sighed with fake displeasure, thankfully patting the horse's neck when no one was looking.
Time traveled quickly across the Italian countryside. The weather was beautiful and relatively warm considering the time of year as the colors of fall began to transform into the appropriate shades of winter. She watched the transformation of nature around her, as trees thinned and rolling hills coiled into field after field of orange and brown. The sound of a carving rivers rustled nearby, gracing them with it's refreshing smell and churning whispers.
"There is it," Ezio guided his companion's gaze to the stone fortress rising from the hills. It was a modest sized city, settled for trading purposes and temporary shelter for travelers on route to bigger and more exciting things. The stone walls had grown pale with age, like a withering soldier refusing to abandon his post. Alcina struggled to remain calm and collected as they entered through the arched mouth of the city walls, as she saw the streets filled with civilians and vendors. "Obstacles," her lips skewed into a panicked frown as she clumsily steered through the crowds. She was so focused on not trampling anyone that she hadn't even noticed the number of perplexed looks shot in her direction.
"What are they staring at?" she spoke to Ezio through nervous, clenched teeth.
"It is a small city with few visitors, other than the occasional traveler," he leaned closer to her ear, "I also doubt they see too many women dressed in men's attire." A group of mercenaries in the streets grinned to one another at the sight of her fitted pants, deepening her scowl.
"Salute Nipote! I trust you had a pleasant journey!" Uncle Mario welcomed them with his usual warm energy as Ezio politely helped Alcina dismount from the saddle.
"Thank God that's over..."she gave a mental sigh of relief. "Thank you for not killing me," she whispered into the bronze mane.
"Benvenuto bella! What do you think of the Villa Auditore?" Mario hugged Alcina cordially.
"It is beautiful Mario. All of it is yours?"
"Mine and Ezio's," he roughly clasped his nephews shoulder. "It would not be in the shape it is in now if not for him. I made a wise decision leaving the business plans in his dominion."
"It was nothing uncle," Ezio shrugged under his grip. "Uncle, I would like you to meet Leonardo Da Vinci. He is my closest and most brilliant friend."
"Un piacere, thank you for your welcoming hospitality," Leonardo nodded.
"Of course Messer Da Vinci, make yourself at home."
Mario guided them into his estate, summarizing the history of the villa for his visitors.
"Ezio?" an elegant voice graced their ears. The assassin turned in response to the angel voice, as a heartfelt smile warmed his lips, softening his face in a way Alcina had never seen.
"Hello mother," he breathed, briskly walking to the woman. He lovingly took her hands in his and kissed her cheeks. The atmosphere in the room transformed into a warm energy of longing hearts being united.
"You look well son," she held his face in her hands.
"As do you mother. As beautiful as ever," his smile so genuine it melted Alcina's heart.
"Oh Ezio!" a younger version of his mother raced to his side, "brother you are here!"
"Just arrived," he grinned playfully.
"It is good to see you again Leonardo," his mother nodded.
"Il piacere è mio madonna," Leonardo bowed politely.
"Who is your friend Ezio?" she inquired with an arched brow, her wise and serene eyes sizing up Alcina.
"Perdonami, mother this is Alcina Gavino. Alcina this is my mother and my sister Claudia."
"Maria Auditore," she acknowledged in Alcina's direction. Her regal but gentle face upturned into a polite smile. The first thing Alcina noticed about Maria was her familiar and 'all-knowing' demeanor, one that every good mother bares.
"Madonna," she reciprocated the gesture. She couldn't help but squirm in her boots as she felt the familiar sensation of being surrounded in battle, aware of scrutinizing eyes watching her from every angle.
"Uncle," Ezio broke the silence, "I understand you have business to discuss."
"Yes, yes of course! But not tonight Ezio, tonight is a night of celebration, business can wait until morning," he bellowed cheerfully.
"Celebration?"
"Of course nipote! Tonight we toast to you both, and welcome you to the brotherhood."
"That is not necessary Uncle, but we are both thankful for your charisma." Her heart fluttered momentarily by the way Ezio had said 'we'.
"Trust me Ezio, it is most certainly necessary. My men grow weary from slaying Templar filth, if I do not reward them, I will have a rebellion on my hands!" Mario laughed, his tone insisting there was some truth behind his humor.
"If you insist Uncle, and if it will benefit your health, I suppose Alcina and I could make an appearance to such an occasion." His devilish smile seemed to stretch from one ear to another as his uncle clasps his hands together in agreement.
"Excellent! The servants will show you to your rooms, and tonight will be a night to remember." As the group began to disperse Alcina felt the touch of a hand accompanied by voice over her shoulder. It was Mario, "Alcina I'd like to speak with you if you have a moment."
"Certainly." She sized up Mario's expression like a child debating whether they were about to be punished or praised.
"Relax nipote, I will return her to you in a moment," Mario's amused laughter echoed in Ezio's direction. She hadn't even noticed his protective stare as the two of them separated and strolled into Mario's dimly lit study. She gathered the walls surrounding her, every inch containing bookcases, minus one vacant wall left bare for what appeared to be a giant work of unfinished art. The room reminded her of her father's office; every flat surface covered in papers and envelopes as splatters of ink stained the floor. "I think my nephew did not appreciate me stealing you from his sight," he chuckled again.
She let go of an exasperated breath, "He can be a little... protective."
"Ohhh I think it's more than that," his laughter began to echo softly in the study, flickering the glowing candles lining the shelves.
"Oh I know it's more. It's because I'm cursed by an ancient prophecy that foretells my death." she bit down roughly on her tongue to avoid saying the words aloud.
"Your father was Enzo Gavino, correct?" Mario captured her attention, not expecting this to be their subject of conversation.
"Yes... did you know him?"
The look in Mario's eyes assured her he only brought good news, "Alcina you come from a family of assassins, both brave and skilled in the art of the kill. The talents of our ancestors flow through your veins, their instincts, woven into your own. The Gavino and Auditore bloodlines have fought alongside one another for generations, fighting the same fight as our ancestors." He pulled something from his pocket, staring at the trinket in his hands. His forehead creased as if pained by a memory, "Your father was my brother's greatest alley, as well as my own... he was a close friend to us both. For many years we fought alongside one another. The... the word of your families death was devastating, not just to the order, but to us all." He brushed off a look of grief as he revealed the key in his hands before unlocking a drawer from his desk. "Before your father died, he struggled with the decision to leave the brotherhood. He claimed that his family was more important to him than protecting 'a legend', as he put it."
"He quit?" her tongue had grown dry as a million questions bubbled through her thoughts, becoming trapped in her mouth.
Mario withdrew a carefully wrapped bundle from the drawer and sat against his desk. "No... he did not. He realized that even if he left the brotherhood, his blood was the blood of an assassin, and that call was something he could never ignore."
Her lips molded into a straight line as he continued, "Alcina we can run from our fate but there is nowhere to hide from our true destiny. It will always bring us back to where we need to be... right when we are meant to be there."
A heaviness quaked her defenses as the words seeped in, amazed by how Mario somehow knew the anxiety she was battling. "You sound like a poet Messer Auditore. I see now where Ezio received the trait," she smiled.
Mario laughed and switched the package between his hands, "I wish I could accept, but it was your father who told me that." He smiled thoughtfully at her touched expression before handing her the bundle. "Here. He left this with me a long time ago, I think it only right that you have it. It's what he would have wanted."
She accepted the gift, turning over the large rectangular shape in her hands before snapping the twine molded to it's shape. A bright flash of white nearly made her gasp as she unveiled the folds of fabric. She recognized the red shouldered cape and snowy white hood immediately as tears welded behind her eyes.
She cleared her throat wistfully, "It smells like him." She buried her fingers into the cloth, cherishing every thread as if it were his own flesh.
"It was his," Mario nodded. "I can send it to the tailor to alter the size if you wish."
She traced the seams with her fingers, hesitant to entrust the last trace of her father to anyone, afraid it might burst into flames the moment it left her grasp. She suddenly felt guilty by not accepting his kind offer. "Thank you Mario... " she held tightly to her father's last gifts, both tangible and verbal as she buried his spoken wisdom in her heart, emitting a wave of both comfort and courage.
The robes slipped from her fingers and back into Mario's, rewarding her with a reassuring smile, "It is my pleasure Alcina. I will guard it with my life." He nodded and winked handsomely, clearly an Auditore trait. "You just could not stay away could you nipote?" he mused aloud, raising his eyes to the door. "Although I do not blame you." Mario flashed a smile to Alcina as Ezio humbly entered the study, shrugging at Mario's comment with humor.
"There is a man here to discuss business with you."
"The work never ends," his whimsical smile made Alcina laugh to herself. "Do not worry ragazza, I will not let harm befall your treasure. There is a room prepared for you upstairs with warm water waiting if you wish to clean up. Please stay as long as you like."
"You're very kind Messer."
"Naturalmente, please excuse me," Mario gestured a farewell and left the assassins alone. She found herself enjoying Mario's company more and more. His brutish but gentlemen presence made her feel at home, preferring it to the aristocratic snobs she feared she would have grown up around in Florence. She nervously flushed when she realized how much Mario's rugged yet charming personality reminded her of another assassin, whose eyes had found her own amongst the cavern of books and papers.
"He can be overwhelming at times," he grinned somewhat bashfully.
"Sounds like someone else I know." Ezio simply winked at her comment, "definitely an Auditore trait..." she shook her head.
"May I show you to your room signora?" he politely extended an elbow. She accepted his offer by hooking her hand through her guide's arm as he lead them through the granite halls. She admired the gorgeous paintings and squinted at the giant golden chandelier over the stairwell. "This is where we part bella," they stopped outside the shining wooden door of her new room, embellished with hand carved designs from the 13th century. It seemed absolutely everything in the building was somehow an elegant work of art. "I could keep you company if you wish," his eyes suddenly dropping to her mouth.
"If only that were my wish," she playfully bantered as she slouched against the door. His mouth dropped slightly in surprised, then upturned slyly into a grin of amusement.
"Then what is your wish belladonna?" he challenged, raising his hands to the doorframe, trapping her between his arms, the warm auburn embers of her eyes pulling him in.
"You know what I want," she whispered. His heart began to pound heavily, his blood thundering in his ears. The seduction lingered on her lips as her hand found the handle of the door, "a hot bath," her teeth flashed through her sexy pout as she grinned and slipped away into her room, closing the door behind her. Ezio was left alone in a strained stair, dumbstruck and even embarrassed; his ego having taken a direct hit. He tightened his lips into a smile and shook his head, chuckling to himself. He had certainly met his match.
...
translations:
Tutto va bene- everything is fine
Un piacere- a pleasure
Il piacere è mio madonna- the pleasure is mine madam
Perdonami - Forgive me
Naturalmente- of course
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Note from the author:
Hey everyone, I want to thank all you readers for the reviews, messages and favorites! It's definitely encouraging :) I do have some important news though... I enlisted into the US Air Force a few months ago and start basic military training January 10th and will disappear for 8 and a half weeks so I'm going to try my hardest to finish the story before then, and maybe get some ideas worked out for a sequel... MAYBE being the keyword, you'll just have to wait and see! Enjoy the rest of "Angels of Death"!