Disclaimer: I don't own 'Davincis demons' its characters etc.
"Leo, you don't ever disappoint." Lucrezia had been looking at one of the journals she had taken from the Ottoman Empire's general who had stolen it first.
Wondering if taking from a thief was was considered stealing or the world balancing itself out.
Safeguarding the precious as she made her way back to her beautiful home in Florence and now that she is actually here.
Back, her handsome friend is no where to be found and neither are his any of friends.
Not a word of them has been whispered or yelled in the markets nor the limited number of bars they used to frequent.
She had assumed in that case that they are up to something big. Stupid and crazy because nothing can ever be normal with Leonardo.
Telling herself that it must be something she shouldn't. No, does not want to know about. For safety reasons and her piece of mind.
.
Loud knocking disrupts her reading and it might as well have, her place in the book is saved by a thin emerald bracelet.
One her dear Lorenzo had gifted to her a handful of Summers past. For the time being it can rest here and act as it's holder.
Her concentration had already been half lost.
She moves to hide the book under one of the less creaky floorboards. Having taken shelter in the Artista's old temp. houses.
She moves for the door with caution. Waiting, stopping by it when she hears the footsteps of multiple soldiers.
Opening the door.
She is a respected woman here. Not only because of her association with the Medicis. She is a well trained spy for Rome. With very little to fear.
Actually sees them stand in her path and she is not all that surprised to see that they are not here alone.
Or of their own accord because they have come with Lorenzo. Standing back, safely behind them.
"My love. This is not ideal but I had to see you."
She stares at him blankly for half a second then she is jumping into his arms. Kissing him like he is the only one she has ever truly loved.
Both know better. That doesn't stop him from actively seeking her mouth.
The man makes his way inside Leo's home. Letting his now looking at it. Excessively armed escorts.
Asking them to be so kind as to hang back and he wait for him.
Telling them he will only be a short while. They agree. The man is basically royalty to them. Almost a god.
"As you know I've hired trackers. In my pressing, time sensitive hunt for very elusive spy."
"A number of bounty hunters on my payroll have been tracking them for days. The results are beautiful actually."
Lorenzo takes a seat and she follows. Intrigued, nervous. Smiling at him sweetly. Looking for a tell.
"We have almost zeroed in on whom it is that has been revealing information and secrets to the wretched Pazzi family."
"Along with the Catholic Church and as if that had not been bad enough now they have added the Ottoman Empire on to the plate."
Lucrezia shuts her eyes for a few seconds too long. His words resonating with her. The gravity of her situation weighing her down.
"The Council of One Hundred, they will listen to your plea for help. So you can end this mole nonsense, doesn't it stress you out?" She reaches out for his hands. Pressing on them lightly. A reassuring gesture.
He laughed. Shaking his head. Voice serious again.
"I've already asked. They won't get involved." Letting go of her hands he moves to stand.
Looking around for the first time. She is grabbing his complete attention as she moves from her seat.
The vibrant colors of her dress catching his gaze as he sees the beauty in the sunlight.
"You could say I belong to you and no one at once."
He knows that the council wants his mistress. For crimes, allegations he dared not ask clarifications on.
"Lu, if you truly belong to anyone or anything then I must say you belong only to yourself."
.
"I swear to it Leonardo, I will dump you off somewhere atrocious-" Zoroaster stops talking when his companion groans loudly and appears to let up.
Looking like any fight he might have had is currently no where to be found.
"No you wo- alright, you just might." Leo will not be calling his bluff at this time. He only holds up his hands.
"You know, people only use my full name when they are mad at me or are my father. Which okay is an absurd constant."
He does not want to open his eyes. Everything hurts.
"What is the whole thing about stealing a river, what river? Are you certain that this isn't only due to one of your 'trips' to visions-ville." Zo stares his way.
Accusation evident but it is out weighted by worry. The artist makes a a contemplative sound.
Mumbling the word "right." Then speaking a little louder. "Well that explains everything. It wasnt you, it was Nico."
"Leo you have five seconds or so help me-" Leonardo holds up a hand as if to shut him up for a moment as he moves off of the carriage. They are almost home.
He misses those streets, the sounds. His life.
"In order to go accessing the Fountain of Memory at a quick transition, stay there longer and find a clue to lead us to the Book of Leaves. I need you to help me. You see I was able to hear, I was able to see. Now I need to feel."
Zoroaster hands him a piece of fabric and a water filled flask. Hopefully it helps.
"No. Here. Can you please rinse your eyes out and have a drink. I won't have you die on me. Nico and Vanessa wouldn't let me hear the end of it plus either your little boyfriend at the Vatican or his-your girl would have my head."
"Riario is not my-" Leonardo shuts up as he watches Zo looking smug. Like he caught him.
"I could have been talking about Sixtus, Leo."
He feels a sudden heat zoom in on and spread throughout his face as he groans and accepted to splash his face with water.
"There is a man who calls himself 'The Architect' he and Carlo de' Medici are one and the same. Or so I had assumed when I saw him as I was being tortured."
"Girolamo Savonarola is the real mastermind. Behind the Labyrinth. The Vatican, Florence. All of Italy. Zo, it is under him. He holds the strings."
He thinks of Riario then Lucrezia and the incredible danger he has just caused them by mere association.
His friends and family of course but knowing that they weren't anywhere near that close to being burned if his knowledge came to light.
"Leo saying that. What you have just suggested is considered capital punishment. He is a most holy man. Need I remind you, a very influential one at that."
Leo shakes his head. Physically grabbing his arm. Pulling him a little closer. Voice lowering slightly.
Looking around because there are ears and eyes everywhere. He just had to figure that out the hard way.
"He is the Architect of the Pope's Holy Crusade. One which will end in bloodshed and a broken Italy."
"A breaking Rome because that is where it began and where I plan to end it." Leonardo looks dead set in his ways. Like he knows what to do and is prepared.
What he has to risk.