38
Pulling on the horses reins, it comes to a gentle stop at the end of the bridge. I stretch one leg over its rump and drop to the ground on its right side. Walking forward, I take its bridle, and lead it, with the cloth-covered cart it pulls, around to the stables on Tiber Island.
While unhooking the cart, several men and women in white beaked robes emerge from the surrounding buildings.
"What happened?" One woman asks, keeping her hood raised.
"I don't know." I say quietly.
"What is going on, Daniela?" A man asks from behind me.
"I found Matteo bleeding in an alley. He's dead." I reply simply. Silence reaches my ears. Done unhooking the cart, I lead the horse over to the stable hands to care for and return to the slowly growing cluster around the cart. Someone pulls back the brown blanket that covers the bottom of the cart to reveal Matteo's still face.
Standing there looking at his slack face, I remember all the times he made my days of training feel like hell. Memories of being pushed off roofs when I hesitated. All of the hide-and-seek games around Roma to learn stealth. Phantom pains shoot across my back from all the times I didn't block fast enough.
A hand on my shoulder brings me from my memories.
"Do you know what happened?" I should have known that Ezio would find me in this crowd.
"No." I say quietly. "I found him in an alley near the tower you recently torched with a bolt in his back. I got to hold his hand when he died." My voice sounds flat to my ears. He gives my shoulder a brief squeeze before going away.
"It is a sad thing that has happened to Matteo." Ezio speaks out to the crowd. Looking around, I see more than a few wet faces. I watch him move close to the cart where Matteo's head is and look down upon him. "Requiscat in pace, Matteo. We thank you for your dedication to the Brotherhood." He looks back up at those around him. "I will need a few people to help…" I can't stand here and listen to his funeral preparations. Rubbing my hands over my face, I give my silent fare wells and head for my room.
My feet slowly carry me up the flights of stairs to my place of solitude; my room. Acute feelings of loss flood my system, once more, now that I'm in my safe place. My shaking fingers quickly divest myself of arms and armour before I collapse onto my bed. My things lie forgotten on the floor while my pillow soaks up a fresh round of tears.
A long time later, I slip into the dark oblivion of sleep.
I'm woken later by someone sliding beneath the covers and an arm beneath my pillow. An indignant squeak escapes my lips and I move to jump out of bed for my blades.
"Sshhh. It is just me." Ezio. I ought to have known. A sigh escapes my lips. Turning to face him, I bunch my hands into fists in the fabric of his undershirt covering his chest and nestle my head under his chin. His right arm wraps around me and I can feel his hand soothingly rub my back.
"Thank you." I murmur quietly, his warmth and presence lulling me slowly back to sleep.
"You are welcome, mia caro. Sleep, now." He whispers before kissing the top of my head. I hum in agreement before sleep claims me, once more.