Of course, my mother knew before I did. When I explained, she simply nodded.
"I have to tell Federico!" I exclaimed, sitting up from the bed.
"I don't think so, Elisa." She said, pushing me back down again. "You've thrown up for the seventh time just now. You're not going anywhere."
The next few hours were spent in torture. Most of the vomit was cleared away but the smell still remained, making me nauseous, continuing the vicious cycle. I desperately wanted to tell Federico but I couldn't even leave my bed. The time I was given made me worry, constantly wondering what he would say. Would he be happy, maybe angry, upset? What would the rest of his family say?
Then, I couldn't take it anymore. Positive I wasn't about to throw up again, I climbed out of bed and changed into fresh clothing, free of vomit spots. I left a note in case my mother checked up on me and then leapt out of the window, soaring into a landing spot below. I scrambled up the nearest building and ran towards the Auditore household, as quickly as my legs would carry me.
I followed the afternoon sun, keeping my eyes down as to not be blinded but it meant I couldn't see anything coming my way.
"Mi dispiace, Elisa!" Ezio said as he knocked into me.
I grunted from the ground and took his hand as he helped me up.
"On your way to see Federico, I assume?" Ezio gave a cheeky grin.
"Sì, what are you up to?" I asked, rather breathlessly. I wasn't one hundred percent better and half of me would much rather be asleep at home instead of tiring myself out racing around the rooftops.
"Delivering messages for my father, doing chores for the rest of my family. In fact, I've just finished. I'll accompany you for the rest of the way."
I noted the bruise on his cheek and at my raised eyebrow, he rolled his eyes.
"That's from Duccio, the stronzo promised to Claudia. He was cheating so I had to teach him a lesson."
"Ah, fair enough. And the feathers? For Petruccio I'm guessing?" I pointed to his hand, closed around three white feathers.
"You guessed right, he still hasn't told me what they're for."
"He will in time, I'm sure."
We jumped down from the roof just before we reached the Auditore household, walking the rest of the way. The house was awfully quiet, we found as Ezio opened the door.
Suddenly, we jolted as we caught sight of a saucepan flying for our heads and my reflex was to snatch at my knife. Ezio was too slow and it smacked into his head just before he yanked his head back.
"Ezio! I'm so sorry!" His assailant stepped out from behind the door.
"Annetta, what happened?" Ezio asked and we both looked around, noticing the upturned room.
I left Ezio inside to ask their maid what had occurred as he'd been gone and I rushed out, scanning the courtyard, desperately searching for signs that the Auditore family had not been hurt in this invasion. Or maybe it was a joke, they would pop up somewhere, laughing.
"Federico?" I called, but was not greeted with any response. "Federico?!"
As I heard Ezio behind me I spun.
"Where is everyone?" I demanded, fearful of the worst case scenario.
The look on his face didn't put me at ease.
"Father, Federico and Petruccio have been arrested. For treason. Claudia's okay but mother... She won't say a word."
I put my hand to my mouth.
"No." I whispered. "No, it can't be."
"We have to find out what's wrong. Let's go."
As the sun began to set, we raced away, heading for the prison tower. Fear drove us forward, fearful that their lives were at risk.
But they were innocent, of course. They won't die. They won't die. They won't die, they won't die, they won't die...