Filler Chapter Alert! I do not normally do chapters like this, but I did not want to do this huge time jump with a lot of exposition in the next chapter so, you get this. A passing letters back and forth chapter! I will take my lickings here and now. With that said, this is a slow chapter. I mean sloooow, but again, definitely a sacrifice I have to make in order to save a lot of exposition in the next chapter. I am repeating myself now…wonderful.

Anyway, how are ya'll doing? Still hanging in there? Still have Toilet Paper? Bene. Just know that you guys are on my mind through these crazy times.

The letter came the morning after Contessina had been told she could not leave the Palazzo Medici without an escort. One of the servant girls handed it to the blond as she descended the stairs for breakfast and she immediately knew who it was from. Contessina knew Ezio's just as well as her own and the way he dotted the 'i's was something unique to him alone. Instead of just giving the 'i' a small dab, it was more akin to a dash that curled up on the end. Ezio had done this ever since he was a child when they left clues for each other in their games.

Looking at the letter addressed to 'Giulia', the blond decided to forego breakfast to go sit in the garden. She was glad she did because the birds were singing quite loud, which meant spring was well on its way. The air was much sweeter than usual as the fragrance of roses and lilies traveled on the breeze. The warmth of the sun felt wonderful on her face giving her that wonderful feeling of a soon to come spring.

Contessina sat on the grass in the middle of the garden with her dress fanned out around her before she took the time to break the wax seal on the envelope. Ezio had taken care to fold the paper just right and precisely as she expected him to. Thankfully, the medium which the words were written on was paper, which did more to lift her spirits. The ink did not have a terrible smell either, but she was not worried about that. What she was worried about was the contents of the letter. Two pages of words that she was excited to read for some unknown reason.

"Dearest Giulia," It began with neat handwriting.

"I am sorry for the late tidings, but there were things that could not be helped. On my journey to meet the Sultan, I stopped at a local village full of dreary people. Among them was a distant relative that I had not seen in a long time. So long, that I had not recognized him. He was kind enough to offer my associates and I a place to stay until our journey could resume to the east.

The small village we are staying in is not as lively as home. The people are quaint, sturdy, and cautious of outsiders, but they seem to have taken to us well enough. The village itself is drab and in need of repair, especially the villa at the top of the hill, but it is homely. Our host has been generous enough to let me stay as long as I need to, but I fear we must be traveling soon before the rain sets in. I would hate to keep a Sultan waiting.

How is your sister? Is she faring well in her troubles? I know with the loss of her husband it has been hard, but the promise of new life gives me hope that she will make it through. I wish I could be there to see that new life, but this journey will last a lot longer than I anticipated. I hear of plots back in Firenze, but little word is spread this far away from home. Of course, news travels slower outside of the walls of Firenze. Perhaps you can tell me of these 'rumors' when you write to me again.

Last but not least, Giulia, I miss you. Your companionship and guidance, I do miss it more than I thought I ever could. Maybe it is wishful thinking, but I should have asked you to go with me, but you are right. This journey is for me to take and until my destination is reached, I will remind myself of why you chose not to come with me. You have been encouraging, steadfast, and willfully stubborn, but I believe that is what I like the most about you. If we had never met, I do not know where I would be right now. That is something to think of later.

I must go now. I am being summoned to take part in a drinking game of some sort with my traveling companions. I can still outdrink them, even though the last time I became intoxicated I almost kissed a horse. I am sure you remember that incident.

Your friend,

Marcello"

Contessina read over the letter two more times trying to understand what exactly Ezio was telling her. It was not a code, but more of a story to explain where he was. She could not say she did not love the idea of him using the narrative that he presented, but it was all he could do to make the letters as secretive as possible. For the most part, she gathers that he had made it to Monteriggioni with his mother and Claudia. The long-lost relative he wrote of was definitely his uncle and from what she understood was Ezio wanted her to write him back. She turned over the paper and found a small bird that he had drawn on the back.

Ezio could draw, but he was not very refined in the area as Leonardo or Sandro. He did it mainly to pass the time or put thoughts onto paper, which was something he had also done since they were children. Sometimes she found his drawings to be comical and other times they were serious, either way they were idle sketches. She closed her eyes and smiled feeling a warmth blossom in her chest at the story Ezio was telling. She wanted to send a letter back to him as soon as possible, so she stood up before running back into the Palazzo and up the stairs to her room.

Closing the door, she went to her small desk where she had stationary set up and a bottle of normal ink sitting there waiting for her along with a quill. As soon as her quill touched the paper, her mind went blank. What was she going to say to Ezio? Besides telling him about the rumors in Firenze, what else was there to write about? Tapping the soft end of the swan feather quill to her lips she thought for a moment before she finally put something down in writing.

"Marcello," She began.

"I am very happy to hear from you! I did not think I was going to get a letter from you so soon, but I am very surprised. I know that you may not get this letter for some time and that is entirely out of my control, but I have a confession to make. I do not remember that time you nearly kissed a horse, but I do remember the time where you had a very interesting conversation with a duck. This was before the duck was killed, plucked, and eaten for dinner. Of course, we were only twelve summers old then, so I suppose this could be forgiven.

As for the 'rumors' you are hearing so far away from home, I think they may be a little out of touch. First off, the Pazzi have been quiet lately. I do not know if it has anything to do with the recent executions in Firenze, but something tells me they are not finished with the Medici just yet. Although, I did hear that Vieri de'Pazzi has been causing trouble in Toscana, most likely he is after that Auditore boy. I also hear that Contessina de'Medici is divorcing said Auditore boy, but I cannot be sure as it is just a rumor that the ladies spread. I do feel for the girl though. She must be all alone.

On that subject, I have made a few new friends. One in particular who is willing to help me learn some new skills, but I will not bore you with the details. My cousin has also decided that I should be watched everywhere I go because I accidentally stumbled across something that could do me more harm than good, which I will have to tell you about later. For now, just rest assured that I am in no danger.

As for my sister, her belly grows bigger every day and soon my mother will have her entombed in her room. I do not understand why the need for 'lying in' when a woman is about to give birth, but I hear it has everything to do with ensuring a healthy child. I do not see how limiting sunlight, praying non-stop, and hanging tapestries all over one's room ensures the birth of a healthy child? My mother says the tapestries will encourage positive thoughts and help determine the gender of the child, which I do not believe in the slightest. Mio Dio, I am probably boring you with all this talk of childbirth.

This letter is likely getting too long and I'm sure you have better things to do than to read my ramblings on paper. Although, I am glad you miss me. We make quite the pair you and I, always have, but the last time we were apart like this was...when my cousin took me to Roma. I miss you too, Marcello. Perhaps one day we can meet again, and I can give you a proper embrace.

Giulia"

The letter Contessina had sent Ezio had arrived almost two weeks after he sent the first one. Two weeks of arguing with his uncle overstaying in Monteriggioni and then finally relenting to learning some combat. As much as Ezio wanted to deny it, everything he was learning about his father was making sense, and the only way he could accept it was to write to Contessina, or rather, Giulia.

He sat down at the desk in the top floor of the villa late at night with a few candles lit on the desk as he began to write. Contessina would understand his feelings more than anyone else at this point and maybe she could give him insight into what to do about the situation. Perhaps she could comfort him through her words as she always seemed to do.

"Giulia,

It seems my journey has stalled. For reasons unknown to me the Sultan has denied any entry into his kingdom for an unknown amount of time. I am frustrated by this, but I have learned a great deal about the Sultan and his people while staying in this tiny village. Some of the things I've learned does not make any sense. I only thought of it as one thing, but now I am being told it is another and completely different to what I believed before. I am not sure if I can truly believe it, however, our host has decided to teach us a little more about defending ourselves. I am aware I am not the greatest swordsman, but I think I can hold my own well enough.

How wrong I was, Giulia.

Thankfully, I am a quick learner and from what my host tells me 'a talented individual'. He clearly has the wool pulled over his eyes, so to speak. Perhaps you can help me on this Giulia. I am at a crossroads and I need your guidance, no matter how long it takes to hear from you. Do I continue to move on when the Sultan gives us permission to enter his kingdom? Or do I stay where I am and learn as much as I can? You have always been honest with me, so I ask you this in confidence. I know what I should do, but I do not know if it is the right choice.

As for the Auditore boy, as you say, I was not aware he was being hunted outside of Firenze. I heard that his family had been destroyed and he had fled somewhere in Toscana, but other than that, there is not much else to know.

It is good to know that your sister is doing well though. I look forward to hearing about her child when it is born. Between you and me, I think it will be a boy. I am willing to bet on it. Although, with my luck at gambling I think I should also place a bet if it is a girl too. It is getting late and there is plenty for me to do in the morning. I look forward to your next letter, Giulia.

Marcello"

Contessina read the last line before putting the letter down on the desk in front of her. There was a pile of letters to read that Volpe's thieves had brought her throughout the weeks. Somehow, Ezio's letter had gotten mixed in with them and it was only now that she had come across it. The blond felt guilty because now he was waiting for her reply on what seemed like an important matter. That important matter had everything to do with what Giovanni Auditore did in the darkness.

Taking out a sheet of paper she began to write back to Ezio, but as soon as she was halfway through, someone knocked at her door. Sighing, she got up from her desk and went over to the heavy door before opening it to reveal Cammillia. Now in her seventh month of pregnancy, she looked exhausted, but overall, she looked fine.

"Your mother wants to start my confinement tomorrow." The red head said as Contessina moved to the side for her to enter. "Two months of lying in bed in a dark room surrounded by heavy tapestries and religious memorabilia. How am I going to survive?" Cammillia said sitting on Contessina's bed.

"You know that is what all women go through in the last months." And Contessina dreaded it for herself. She dreaded the thought of carrying a child within her just as much. "I don't like it either." The blond said sitting down on the bed next to her friend.

"To be honest, I cannot wait until he is out of me. I want to see his face." She grabbed Contessina's hand and squeezed it. "I want to see if he looks like his father."

"Are you sure it is a boy?" The younger woman asked.

"I am. I can feel it." Cammillia smiled as they sat together. Contessina felt discontent in that moment because there was one person missing and he had written her a letter.

"I hope it is a boy too." She leaned her head on Cammillia's shoulder. "That way the Auditore will live on."

"Speaking of the Auditore. Have you heard from Ezio?" The older woman asked.

"I have. I was replying to his letter when you came in." Contessina sighed. "He learned the truth about Giovanni, and he isn't sure if he wants to believe it or not." The blond said moving from the bed to the chair at her desk.

"What is the truth then?" The red head asked wanting to know what Contessina thought.

"I am not sure, he cannot tell me outright and I have my theories, but I don't know if they are right." She picked the letter from 'Marcello' up from her desk and handed it to Cammillia for her to read. "In any case, it is for Ezio to tell us when we finally see him again." She said before she continued to write.

"Who knows when that will be. It looks like he is staying in Monteriggioni for a while before going to Spain." Cammillia said as she read the letter. "This may be a blessing in disguise."

"It could be." Contessina hoped her letter would get through to Ezio in some way or another. She turned back to her writing as Cammillia laid down on the bed with a large sigh. Contessina gave her a tiny laugh knowing that the poor woman was exhausted from carrying her child already.

"Marcello,

I am sorry for the late reply to your letter. It seems your letter was lost in a stack of other letters sent to me from a friend and his associates. Do not worry though, I put quill to paper as soon as I finished reading and, here we are.

I wish I could tell you what you want to hear, but I do not believe in being false. Learn as much as possible so that when the time comes to move on you will have the knowledge to use. Open your mind to the possibility that everything you know is going to change for the rest of your life. At least, that is how I look at my situation. I am not sitting here in stasis while you are marching across the world and I refuse to accept being locked up in a palazzo all day either. Life is short, Marcello, you of all people should know this by now. Do not waste it by running away from your problems but embracing them and doing something to solve them. I cannot be any clearer than that, mi amico. You asked me for guidance, and this is what I have to say.

For the possibility of entering the Sultans kingdom, I believe he is testing you. The Sultan is wondering how far you are willing to go to meet him, or if you are worthy of meeting him. If he thinks that way you may as well stay where you are. An Emperor or a Sultan...does not make a difference... who believes he is above the common man is not worth speaking with. His mind is already filled with his own importance rather than the love and safety of his people. The leader who can sit amongst his people and take their thoughts into consideration is an interesting person. I would love to speak with someone who can be on my plain of Earth.

I am in no way telling you what you should do, Marcello, only give you the words you wish me to write. You are the one that has to make the choice at the end of the day, and I cannot stop you from making it. Perhaps this is why we make such a good pair. I am a genius, and you...well, Marcello, you are the brash one. Not that there is anything wrong with being brash, but sometimes you do not think before taking action and I have to come in to save you from yourself. I cannot begin to count the number of times you got us both in trouble when we were children and let us hope that the cycle does not repeat itself with future generations.

If I do not hear from you, I expect it is because you are still pondering what must be done. Marcello, please do not spend your thoughts worrying about me or my sister. We will be fine. I will send you a letter the moment her child is born and give you the good tidings. She will be going into her confinement tomorrow for the next two months at least so I will not have time to write you until the baby is born. Please know that you are on my mind often and that I do wish you could be here with us in this upcoming joy.

Ciao,

Giulia"

Ezio grunted in frustration as he read over Contessina's letter a second time. She was trying to be helpful, but at the same time she was also being very vague which only led to the young man throwing the apple he was eating against the wall in irritation. Of course, he understood that she was not to blame for that annoyance; she was in Firenze and he was being cautious. Perhaps his caution was unwarranted because she had given him no indication that their letters were being read, but still, it was better safe than sorry.

He sat there on the floor of Mario's study with his back against the wall and a small pile of books at his side. Ezio had spent hours looking through them after he read Contessina's letter the first time. Now his eyes were dry from all the reading he had done and the only thing he had to eat all day was sitting at the base of the wall opposite to him. It was late afternoon because the light was coming in from the west, which mean dinner would be served soon. Ezio did not feel like getting up though. He felt empty for lack of a better word. Not because of Contessina, but because of the truth.

His father was an Assassin. He could not believe it at first, but as he read through books filled with stories of men dressed in white changing the course of history, he began to believe it. Just like Contessina had told him, it was better to accept something than to resist it. That did not make the empty feeling go away though. That feeling came with the knowledge that Giovanni Auditore and his sons were killed because they were a threat to someone. Ezio had been lucky to escape that fate, yet he anguished day and night over it. As he thought about his wife's words, he started to realize that she made more sense than he did.

Contessina was telling him to move forward instead of sitting in the past waiting for redemption. Ezio could not stand around any longer. Once his training with Mario was complete, he would take his mother and sister to Spain where no one could find them. Then, he would send for Contessina and Cammillia. They could all be safe together in Spain where he and Contessina could maybe live life together. It was a very noble thought at least.

"What are you doing on the floor, Nipote?" Mario interrupted his thoughts when he entered the room.

"Learning something new as my wife suggested." Ezio held up the letter in his hand. "She tells me I am hardheaded and brash sometimes."

"Are you?" His uncle asked. Ezio thought about it for a second and could confirm that he definitely was hardheaded and brash.

"It depends on my mood." He said standing up and brushing himself off before moving to pick the apple he threw off the floor. "She is more stubborn than I am."

"She is a Medici, I'm afraid that comes with the territory." Mario said with a laugh as he sat down at his desk. "Don't let her fool you though. My contact in Firenze tells me she is very talented in forging letters. So talented she is confined to the Palazzo Medici for the time being." Ezio gave his uncle a look of shock as he walked up to the desk. "Oh, you didn't know?"

"I knew she had been confined, but not the reason for her confinement." The young man said putting the apple down on the desk. "She is very vague in her letters for a reason."

"According to my contact who has direct knowledge, she forged a papal document in hopes to stall the divorce." Mario pulled a letter from his drawer and handed it to Ezio for him to read.

"I do not know how she did it, but Contessina was able to forge a papal document. She even copied the handwriting of Rodrigo Borgia and Sixtus. From what she tells me, Sixtus declined the dispensation because of her husband's criminal status. It sounds like they are using her as bait, my friend. I will continue to keep an eye on her because she is proving to be an asset for us. I hear Lorenzo keeps her confined to the Palazzo because of this. I am wondering if she should leave Firenze as soon as possible."

"I don't know who is the stupid one now, me or her." Ezio said handing the letter back to his uncle before running a hand through his hair. "She's been forging signatures and letters since we were children. She did it because it was entertaining to see Lorenzo send letters with insults on them rather than business."

"Forging a letter from the pope is difficult. For her to be able to copy two different styles of writing in two different languages and being able to do it in the ink that the Vatican uses is no easy feat. She has done something that some of us can only dream of in my profession." Mario told his nephew with a hint of jealousy towards Contessina in his voice. "That woman is priceless, and our enemies will soon find out about her talent."

Ezio was sure that the term 'priceless' was used genuinely, but he thought otherwise. What on Earth was he going to do with her? She made the whole situation worse by forging that letter and now there was a possibility he could lose her too if someone found out. What would he do then?

"Perhaps I should have her sent here?" Ezio asked but Mario shook his head. "Why not?"

"She is safe as long as she is in Firenze with her family. Lorenzo de'Medici will not let any harm come to her." The older man said leaning against his desk.

"What about the Pazzi? They will be looking to settle the score with the Medici." Ezio elaborated.

"I doubt they will harm a woman." Mario said before standing up. "Come, let us talk about this another time. Tomorrow we will train again and then we will discuss what to do with Contessina." He told his nephew coming around the desk and grabbing his shoulder. "She will be alright for now." Ezio was not so sure and now he was worried.