"The Devil, the devil himself walks among our fair city!" cried a ragged rabble rouser. "He and his demon hoard come to strike down the righteous! I have seen- seen in waking, and in dream-"
Ezio turned the corner, leaving the madman to his rants. He had some real 'striking down' to get started on. This beautiful summer day would begin his blood hunt.
He was headed for the Grimaldi estate, in the Castello district (the eastern most bloc of Venice). That was the only lead he had on the man he had been assigned to kill. The Council of Ten was very secretive. He had been provided with a portrait, a little family history, and the location of this house, but little more.
He assumed if Uncle Mario had possessed more important information, he would have shared it. He was a veteran Assassin, he knew what was useful to know.
Turning the corner, there it was: the Grimaldi estate, behind high, imposing stone walls with iron finials. It gave the building a gothic look that Ezio found rather ugly, so he deduced they were for security. And through the gate he could already see two guards. He did not like this so far. This could turn into a real headache.
There was a bell tower ahead and to the north. He could climb on top of it to get a bird's eye view of the grounds. But first he wanted to scout the perimeter, look for any chinks in the armor. He got a strange De Ja Vu with his first assignment, the one he had given himself, to climb the walls of San Gimignano and kill Vieri de'Pazzi.
Hugging the perimeter, he proceeded in a clockwise fashion.
The wall ahead was tall, smooth, and clean. No opportunities for an Assassin were apparent yet. He got the impression the Grimaldi family had plenty of enemies in this city even without the Assassins. He was probably a dodgy man, all the better to slay.
He turned the corner.
Another long, well kept stretch of wall. In fact the whole stretch of street was rather empty. That latter would be good for an escape, but the former was loathsome for an entry
But then Ezio faintly heard voices on the other side. He stopped, and strained his ears.
"This job is so much more pleasant without Carlo around! His constant criticisms made me forget what it is to relax!"
"Agreed. What do they call his position? A Capi?"
"I think that's right. The most powerful three of the Council of Ten. I imagine he's making their lives hell. But at least he's off our backs." Carlo Grimaldi sounded like an unsavory character. That always made Ezio's job a little easier.
"I do not know, Domenico. I suspect corruption."
"Corruption? What, you think the old crow nagged them into submission? Eitherway it is not our-"
"You there!" said a sharp whisper, causing the twenty-three year old to jump. Hairs standing, the spooked Assassin turned around, mind and blood rushing and ready for anything.
What he saw was an inconspicuous looking man, unarmed, in lower middle class attire. He reminded him of the man servant at his cousin Francesco's house for some reason. Ezio relaxed a little, but kept his muscle memory primed for a fight.
"You come here seeking Carlo, Carlo Grimaldi yes? And not on friendly terms?" His voice was still hushed.
"Who wants to know?" Ezio said, eyes and mind darting around, searching for a threat.
"My master is most disturbed the recent happenings in the Council of Ten. Come to the Bascilla de San Marco this evening. He would like to enlist-"
"You two!" shouted a much louder voice.
A guard was approaching them with quick steps and hot demeanor. "What are you doing, loitering around the premise of Palazzo Grimaldi!?"
There was a threat. Ezio was dumbfounded and could not answer. His visitor, more resolute, started running.
The guard began furiously charging after him. Ezio had barely processed the situation but, acting on quick instinct, he intercepted the soldier, then savagely grabbed his mouth and plunged hidden blade into his throat.
He screamed, hot breath on the Assassin's palm, until he passed. Ezio laid him to rest on the tile pavement.
The Assassin disengaged and looked around, though his visitor was nowhere to be seen. Ezio knew the instincts of a man on the run, and knew better than to chase him and ask for more information.
A lot had just transpired. Now Ezio would have to decide what to make of the offer. Still, he could not stick around.
