Another update in a day? Wow, I'm on a roll. Actually, I am just obsessed with where this story is headed. Basically, we are getting into some important events that will cause a commotion. So be warned, this isn't ending as soon as I thought it would. I am pretty sure that some of you were very happy when Ezio and Contessina finally confessed their feelings to one another. Believe me when I say this, but I was too. Trust me, it was better than if they had said it earlier and then there would be no depth to their relationship. Anywho, enough rambling on.
Nearly three weeks had passed since the party and the first week of June brought enough rain with it to bring Contessina's garden to life. She had been thankful to have all the weeds cleared by the time the rain did come because the flowers were blooming out of control. Even the vines that covered the fountain seemed to want in on the mass blooming. Every morning she sat out on the covered balcony above the courtyard in her garden and read one of the books Mario had given her. Then around breakfast time, she went inside before Fiona made her presence known in the villa.
The little girl, despite having to live with Nannia, delighted in visiting Contessina every day in the garden. Of course, the little girl had to do this without Nannia's knowledge even though Mario protested against it saying it gave the bitter woman a reason to keep spreading lies. This did not bother Contessina in the slightest since she knew where Ezio stood in their relationship. Still, Fiona's safety was something the blond worried about constantly and her husband even shared the same sentiment.
"Contessina." She smiled when she heard Ezio's voice as he made his way down from the rooftop and landed in front of her on the balcony. The past few days he had been coming to sit with her for a while, but he usually came from his study at the top of the villa the less traditional way. He sat down in the chair next to her before giving her a kiss on the temple and propping his feet upon the railing.
"Amore, there are such things known as stairs. Why do you not use them?" She said not looking up from her book and hearing him chuckle at her sarcasm. Ezio said nothing before he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.
"I'm an assassin, not a banker." He told her as he held her hand in his before she closed her book and sighed. "What is it?" Ezio's voice went from sarcastic to concerned as she put the book down in her lap and looked up at him.
"I don't know. I feel as though I am forgetting something important, but I cannot figure out what it is." He let go of her hand and began to run his fingers through her hair as she seemed to be upset over it, but at the same time he felt that she had changed since the night of the party. To be fair, they had both felt different since then, but that did not change his priorities. "I'm sure it is nothing, maybe an important date or something I am forgetting." She smiled before she stood up.
"Maybe." Ezio said before removing his feet from the railing and standing up as well. Lately, Mario had him training heavily for his next target, whoever it may be, and she often watched. "It will come to you eventually." He told her in confidence knowing she would figure it out.
"That doesn't solve the problem of the nagging feeling I have." She said hitting him gently on his arm with the book. "Come, I'm sure Uncle is waiting for us downstairs." Contessina grabbed his hand and drug him off of the balcony and into the villa before letting him go to follow her on his own. He did not mind, but sometimes she could be a little demanding and he realized this was how she had always been. It was refreshing to see the old Contessina in her natural ways and he could not help but to smile as he followed her down the stairs and into the dining room.
"Buongiorno." Mario said from his spot at the head of the table with Maria sitting across from him as the matriarch of the Auditore for now. Claudia sat at Maria's right while Ezio went to sit at her left. Contessina took her usual spot next to her sister while Mario was practically alone at the other end of the table. The Auditore man had made a comment a week ago about the empty seats being filled eventually, which caused Ezio and Contessina to look at each other with uncertainty.
"Buongiorno, Uncle." Contessina said with a happy smile on her face at seeing the man who she had started to see as an actual uncle to her. "Any news from Firenze?" She asked with curiosity but the man shook his head as he stabbed at his eggs with a fork before putting them on a thin flat bread with sun dried tomatoes and Italian peppers before folding it up to take a bite.
"The last we heard was that Riario had gone back to Roma, but that was over a week ago. He could very well be on his way back to Firenze with an army again." Mario said as he finished chewing while Contessina picked at her eggs not really wanting them that morning. "I'm sure we will hear something when he does reappear."
"No word on our targets either then?" Ezio spoke up as he put his own breakfast together with little difficulty. There was a shake of the head from Mario again confirming everyone's suspicions. Word traveled slow between Firenze and Monteriggioni. It was a day's ride between both places and no messenger would ever push their horse that hard unless there was a stop along the way. "It could be some time before we see either one back in Toscana." He said looking to Contessina.
"I know you are eager to take action, Nipote, but you still have a lot to learn." There was an air of disappointment around Ezio as Mario reminded him that he was not yet ready to take on more. Even though he had taken out the Pazzi and Salviati, he did have trouble with them. If anything, he was unrefined in his skills as a swordsman and he also needed to work on his defensive fighting. "I would have you at your best before letting you go on your own." Contessina could not agree more and she looked at her husband to see his boyish disapproval on the matter. Sometimes she forgot how young they were and how much he reflected the boy she had met all those years ago. Impatient and sometimes quick to anger, but otherwise still focused on what was important. "Also, I do not wish to see Contessina without a husband." Mario said looking at Contessina and giving her a wink before taking another bite of his food.
"I certainly do not wish to be without Ezio. Who else will torment me while I manage the books?" Claudia said as she poured milk into her cup with a flat look on her face pointed at her brother. Ezio was quick to answer that question with a heartfelt glare. The siblings were obviously having some sort of problem with each other that both Contessina and Maria had missed.
"Torment you? What did I do this time?" The questions were justified in Ezio's case because he had done something to Claudia that he had no idea about. Of course, Claudia could use anything as an excuse to ruffle her brother's feathers. As of late the Auditore girl seemed to be in more of a mood than usual and Contessina wondered if it was the boy that she had been dancing with the night of the party. "Claudia?" There was a lot of concern in Ezio's voice over this.
"I do not wish to talk about it with you." She said before standing up and grabbing her plate. "If anyone needs me, I will be working in the books today." Claudia left the room with a huff leaving everyone in a state of confusion.
"That girl confuses me sometimes." Mario said as he finished his meal. "I suppose it is to be expected with a young girl such as herself." Contessina looked to Maria who sat there silent as usual, but the woman seemed to be worried about her daughter just as much as Contessina was.
"Contessina, do you know what is going on with her?" Ezio asked his wife looking for some kind of answer from her. Claudia was not so forthcoming to him lately and it did bother him to an extent, but sometimes he did not understand.
"I have an idea, but I do not want to assume." Contessina said putting her hands in her lap, not feeling up to eating her breakfast at all. She was not hungry only preoccupied with her thoughts again. "You should eat while you can, Ezio. I'm sure Uncle is ready to get to your training." She gave her beloved a smile as he seemed to be a little skeptical of her as well.
Breakfast continued without further incident and when it came time for Ezio's training, Contessina followed him out of the villa to the ring outside. Some of Mario's men were already in the ring fighting one another hand to hand and laughing when one man was thrown onto his back. The young man on the ground was familiar to Contessina and then Claudia's mood made sense. The farm boy that she had danced with the night of the party had decided to join the ranks of the Monteriggioni mercenaries and she must have been upset because of his decision.
"Buongiorno, Signora Auditore." They all stood seemingly at attention as she made her way down the steps beside Ezio. Her beloved tended to ignore the attention she seemed to get from the men he fought beside on occasion.
"Buongiorno." Contessina smiled to them as she went to her normal spot on the railing to watch while Ezio made himself ready for combat. He usually started out with hand to hand before moving to sword and dagger.
"What a lovely day." Gambalto said coming to lean up against the concrete railing she sat on. "So, how does all fair, Signora Contessina?" The man she had become good friends with had a habit of making sure she was in good sorts, most likely for Vittoria's sake. However, Contessina found herself being closer to Carlotta than the auburn-haired woman.
"Well, though I do have a lot on my mind lately." She confessed as she watched Ezio attempt to teach the new boy to grapple. "Who is he?" She motioned to the boy in the ring with her husband and Gambalto chuckled.
"That is Sandro. He was a worker for one of the villas, but it seems he has other ambitions." Gambalto said with a teasing tone. "He isn't bad for a farm boy, but he does need a lot of work. He is not as naturally talented as Ezio was when he came here."
"No, I suppose not. This is in Ezio's blood and spirit." Contessina said knowing that the boy could learn a lot from her husband in the future. "Besides, I know why he joined, and I think Ezio would be happy knowing he can keep an eye on his sister's sweetheart." She told Gambalto giving him a smirk.
"Ah, that makes sense. Signora Contessina, you are very observant." He said as she saw Carlotta walking up the steps from the village square with a basket of what looked like rolls. The brunette smiled at her as she walked up. "It seems Carlotta has brought us food." He winked before walking over to his sister-in-law to investigate what was in the basket, but she slapped his hand away.
"These are not for you Gambalto!" The brunette was protecting the basket as she walked up to her blond friend and sat on the railing next to her. "I swear, he is insufferable." She said putting the basket beside her. "I brought these for later when we work in the garden." Contessina was about to say something as a man came galloping in on his horse down below in the square. She looked at Carlotta and then hopped off her perch, catching Ezio's attention.
"Contessina? What is it?" She heard him yell as she ran down the steps to the man on the horse. She knew exactly who it was and because he came galloping in, she knew something was terribly wrong.
"Signora Contessina, I bring news from Firenze." He hopped down from his horse breathing heavily. "By Lorenzo de'Medici." He said as Ezio came running up behind her. The messenger opened his saddle bag pulling out two letters both with the Medici seal on them and handed them to Contessina.
"Grazie. You may take your horse to the stables and rest there; I will make sure someone brings you food before you leave again." The blond said before the messenger nodded his head and lead his horse away. Contessina did not hesitate on breaking the first seal and reading the letter in haste while Ezio stood beside her. The news was not what she expected and even worse, not good at all for Firenze or its people. "Sixtus has excommunicated Firenze. No citizen or resident of the Republic of Firenze shall be able to have communion or baptism until Lorenzo agrees to apologize for the death of Francesco Salviati." She continued to read before slowly making her way up the steps. "Furthermore, Riario has gone to Naples to secure an alliance with Ferdinand for his armies to siege Firenze."
"So, he did not go to Roma." Ezio said with anger in his voice. "With Naples support, Riario can cut off trade routes and never leave his position." This did not help things for Monteriggioni in the slightest because if trade was cut off, then they would suffer too. Contessina picked up her dress and made her way up the stairs with the letters in hand going straight to Mario. The older man was standing at the edge of the training ring when she handed him the letter written in Lorenzo's hand.
"Carlotta." Contessina went to her friend and pulled her aside. "Do you know the priest well?" She asked wanting to see if there was something, she could do to help the situation. She could at least make it possible for the people of the lower parts of the Republic able to come to church here.
"Si, Father Giovanni, why?" There was a confused look on the other woman's face when Contessina inquired to the church.
"All of Firenze and it's republic has been excommunicated from the Holy See. No baptisms, mass, or communions." Contessina said gravely causing Carlotta to put a hand to her chest in shock. "Not even marriage can take place."
"I knew Firenze was in trouble, but this is worse than I thought. What can I do to help?" Contessina could not be more grateful to her new friend for asking to help where it was needed. Perhaps Carlotta was a Godsend after all.
"Siena is still in good faith with the Holy See. I was thinking that we could invite the lower parts of Firenze's republic to commune here in Monteriggioni." The blond knew that this would also create valuable commerce in the village as well. It was a smart move on her part while also caring about the people who were caught in a war that had nothing to do with them.
"I can speak with Father Giovanni for you." Carlotta said putting a hand on Contessina's arm in comfort. "I doubt he will disapprove of it. After all, we are of Siena." The blond smiled at her friends quick thinking to the situation and then the brunette smiled before leaving her there to discuss the next plans. Contessina moved back to where her husband and uncle stood discussing the letter she had received from her cousin. She quietly opened up the unsealed letter and began reading through it finding the contents a little more heartbreaking, but she kept it to herself.
"Naples is a force to be reckoned with." Mario's voice said as he finished reading the letter a second time not believing it the first time. "Damn that stronzo." Ezio was not sure if his uncle was referencing Lorenzo or Riario in that moment. "This is going to force us into a position we cannot afford to be in."
"Lorenzo is a friend to everyone who he sees can be useful to him in some way." Contessina said putting a hand on her husband's arm when Mario began to pace. She had seen Ezio do the same thing when in a particularly bad situation. "His ambition controls him." Just like her grandfathers did. She loved her cousin dearly, but his ambition was the reason Giuliano had been killed by the Pazzi. "Riario wants Firenze. What do the Templars want with Firenze?" Contessina asked point blank and Mario turned around to answer the question.
"That is a question I have been asking for a while now." It seemed that Mario was surprised that she even asked the question in the first place. Other than the Pazzi taking out the Medici, what was there to gain from Firenze other than trade, Papal accounts, and control over the Merchants. Strategic matters aside, Templars were not only after control, but also relics. Ezio put his finger to his chin in thought.
"If there is nothing in Firenze that could possibly be of use to the Templars, then Riario is the sole reason our home is under threat. A madman bent on obtaining power." Ezio said and Contessina knew he was right. "That is not a cause for us to fight this war for the Medici."
"No, but the innocent is a good enough reason, don't you think, Nipote?" Mario asked with a sigh knowing that there was a creed to be upheld. Contessina knew that Ezio would not fight a war for the Medici, but he could do something else to help the people. After all, with no word of his targets coming back into the fold, what was there to do? He would not stand by and let people become victims of something they had little to do with. Contessina felt that this would be another Volterra in the making and she could not have that on her conscience.
"I need to speak with our allies in Firenze." Ezio said coming to the conclusion that previous laid plans would have to be modified. They had predicted this for some time, but it all depended on Lorenzo's actions and at that moment, the Medici had gone too far. "I'll go tomorrow." Contessina sighed knowing she would likely go with him for a different reason.
"Very well, I will gather my men and see what we can do to prepare for a possible food shortage in the coming months." Mario said before walking off. Training seemed to be put on hold for the day and it was not even noon. What saddened the blond more than the news in her personal letter was that she would have to go back to Firenze for a short time.
The rest of the day followed in its normal path with Fiona's visit being rather short because Nannia was not feeling well. Contessina was surprised that the child could even get away from the woman long enough to see her, but the blond was happy to see the little girl. When she walked in from the garden that afternoon, she found Ezio in their room packing a few things in his saddle bags for his trip to Firenze. She dreaded having to tell him her news knowing he would be upset about it, but she had no choice.
"Here, let me do that." She said walking up to him and pulling the shirt out of his hands before folding it up properly and sticking it in the leather bag. He was clearly not happy with the turn of events, yet at the same time he was also upset about leaving her behind she supposed.
"I told Lorenzo that I did not want to be involved in this." Ezio said with a hint of anger in his voice as he sat on the bed and put his elbows on his knees. Contessina knew that the toll of being an assassin was going to be hard on him, emotionally and physically. Revenge was all he had wanted when he first started this journey, but now it was turning into a duty. He had a goal and he wanted to see it completed because he was not a quitter, but he had his moments where he was torn. Contessina stood in front of him and let him grab on to her as she slipped her fingers into his hair.
"Then don't get involved." She told Ezio as he had his arms wrapped around her waist and his head against her abdomen. "You have the choice. If blockades happen, then we will figure out what to do, but do not do something that you do not want to do." Contessina did not know if her words were the right ones, but when he sighed, she knew the words had gotten him thinking. "But we do have to go to Firenze."
"Why?" He pulled away and looked up at her. "What is it?" She took the letter from Clarice out of the bust of her dress and handed it to him so he could read it himself. The blond watched as his eyes darted left and right reading the words that Clarice was sorrowfully spelling out. "Your mother?" Contessina nodded.
"I do not know how long she has left, but I want to see her one last time." To be fair, she did miss her mother. "I know Firenze is on the way to Pistoia so we can go together." Contessina knew that he was not going to deny her this and make her stay in Monteriggioni, but she also knew he would want her safe.
"How long do you plan to stay?" Was Ezio's only question and the way he looked at her, it was as though he were pleading with her to make a different choice. She could not say no to her mother when the woman was dying.
"I do not know." She looked down at her hands and sniffed knowing this was difficult for the both of them having been separated for two years then only together for barely two months. Now she was asking him to let her go to Pistoia to be there with her mother after finally being together.
"I'm not happy about this, but it is your mother." Ezio said before grabbing her hand and pulling her to him. "If it were my mother, I would do the same." He told her as he pulled her into his lap and held her close. "Promise me you will send word when you are ready to come home?"
"I will." Contessina said as she put her head against his before he fell back on the bed with her. "I love you." She said before kissing him.