Chapter 5

Blood Stained Blades

Watching the black cloaked figure that was her Master, Alexandra followed him on the rooftops; by his orders. Placing one foot carefully in front of the other the sounds of the tile clicking under her was like a song from long ago. Even though she hated heights; it gave her a view she could not argue with, the red roofed buildings and the chimneys that took the sky, attempting to reach it with their bricks. She moved until she saw Ezio stop amidst the crowd of spectators, three men had ropes around their necks, and one large man stood with a group of women. Their target. A chimney was next to her, placing one hand on it the cold of the stone penetrated Alexandra's glove as her heart began to beat wildly. The judge was reading the trespasses against the condemned. Alexandra's mouth fell slack; some of the things this family had supposedly done made her shiver, they couldn't possibly done these things. Her hand clenched; her short nails digging into the palm of the leather glove, she could tell that Ezio was also tense, his movements toward the man had stopped and he was now intently listening to the reading. She could only imagine what his face was like; horror? Fear? Maybe he was remembering his father and brothers false trial. Another shiver went down her spine. How could this be; why did the man have to come here, why had it have to be this time of day, this kind of trial, it hurt Alexandra's own heart because she knew Ezio was hurting. She continued to watch as her Master attempted to shake off the clinging memories of his past, to remain in the present. His back hunched, the emotional pain radiating from those broad shoulders. Alexandra leaned back her head touching the stone; a shuttering breath came from her, this was bad, could he do this on his own? Maybe she would be down there to help him. Looking through her chestnut colored hair she saw him come up behind the man, waiting for an opening in the guards. Alexandra then noticed, in an opening far off in the distance, a carriage with a man in shining armor standing with his foot half out; his left hand braced on the outer frame of the carriage. A woman in a red dress sat in the back; she was speaking to him but the young Assassin girl could not make out the words, which was to be expected for a far away as she was.

Something about the man caused Alexandra to have a great fear to build and latch itself onto her chest; they looming man was watching Ezio. Seeing a faint smirk on the face that had a scruffy beard, Alexandra heard a chorus of screaming; wheeling around she saw Ezio over the man that had been their target, he was dead. Ezio's strong soft voice reached her ears: "Riposa in pace." Quietly Alexandra placed her right hand to her forehead, to heart and then both of her shoulders. "Rest in Peace." She muttered. Opening her eyes again she saw the black cloaked man running from the guards, his hand being thrown up in the air to signal that she was to move with him; to go back to Teodora's. She turned, pulling up her hood as she went, when she heard the sound of clashing metal. Turning her attention to the now raging battle in the square, her master caught in the middle. Alexandra was relieved to see him hold his own against his attackers. He waved his left hand in the air, franticly, his eyes were wild; she realized that he didn't want her to be here. Alexandra took the hint, waving back and starting off in a light jog across the rooftops.

"Halt!" The voice yelled. "Where have I seen you before? I need to have a word with you!" A guard was calling out to her, slowing her jog till she stopped, Alexandra held up her hands as if to surrender, praying, hoping, that he would leave her alone. Her neck hair stood up on end in anticipation as he drew closer. "Wait I've seen you before.." The click of a crossbow echoed through the seemingly silent air. Alexandra turned; honing in on the mans jugular, letting her hands drop to her stiletto dagger, her body went though the motions Ezio had trained it to do in this situation. Drawing it from its sheath she managed to barely avoid the arrow from the crossbow; it nicked her cheek causing blood to roll down in neat lines. His neck tensioned as she took the blade and plunged it into the soft skin, the mans voice gargled and choked as blood filled his throat. His eyes crazy with the impending death, drawing his sword he swung it randomly in the air, as if he hoped it would take root into Alexandra's body. With a quick motion of her hand she tore the dagger from the wound she had created; blood spraying from the gash and onto her face and cloak. Staggering back, whipping at her face, she watched as the guard took his death throws, his body then slumped on the ground; as another click of a crossbow echoed. Alexandra looked around for the source, but a burn of pain ripped her shoulder causing her to cry out.

Ezio's head flew up to the sound of Alexandra's cry; she had been wounded, the guards had taken to the roofs. Something he had not expected. This mission was wroth with dangers he had not foreseen, and now she was hurt. Countering a lunge from a enemy he tried to swallow the realization that could not rescue her, and his heart pounded at the idea causing Ezio to find that he was in pain himself; the very thought of loosing her made him want to tear his hair out; to take a knife to his chest. It would be worse than loosing his father and brothers. Cutting a man's chest open Ezio did not flinch as the entrails of the man spilled onto the cobblestone; the guard's blood rushing over Ezio's boots. Throwing himself around with expert grace he felt his sword take another man's throat and open it. There were still many more men around him, keeping Ezio from retreating to the safety of the alleyway. His thoughts kept on returning to Alexandra's cry of pain; was she safe? Was she alive? He could franticly kill these men all he wanted; but if she had been killed he might go crazy himself.

Alexandra held the arrow that was lodged in her shoulder, it wasn't deep, the arrowhead had bit deep into her muscle but she could still move it. She saw the man who could have been her murderer standing a little ways away, loading another arrow. Turning she took off towards the edge of the roof; her feet leaving the stability of the red shingles and into the air. In a leap of faith, she opened her arms and somersaulted so that her bottom was the first to hit the ground, she fell into an unexpected bushel of hay. With a soft groan she held the arrow, afraid to pull it. Then, taking a peak out of her hiding spot she looked for Ezio, this was the alley he was suppose to come down on, but were was he?

Finally able to break away from the relentless guards, Ezio began to sprint, his legs taking him into the designated alley. He could hear the stomping footsteps of his pursuers, panic started to set in as he looked around for a place to hide. He kept running attempting to avoid civilians but failing periodically; his shoulders slamming into their chests or backs. Taking a sharp turn he realized that he had come to a dead end. The voices of the guards were coming; he was cornered. The walls were too high and had no foot holds; he was trapped.

Taking a peak outside the hay again she noticed a familiar black cloak enter the dead end she was in; look around in a stressed manner and took great loping strides to her hiding place, finally she got a glimpse of his face. "Ezio!" She whispered. He did not hear her and seemed too frantic to notice her movements, he finally reached her hiding spot and into her reach; throwing out her hand Alexandra grabbed him and pulled him down. He was heavier than expected but she managed to drag him into her hiding spot.

Ezio felt the sensation of a hard tug before falling backwards into the hay. Twisting his body he grabbed his attacker yanking them; when he gave a muffled cry of pain Ezio realized who it was and planted the wounded girl on top of his body. "Your okay." His voice was breezy with relief, his hands stroking her back. She stared at him and held her shoulder. Ezio gazed at it, seeing the arrow he moved one of his hands to it. "Let me pull it out." It was more of an order than a suggestion, but she clicked her teeth together in protest. His eyes narrowed in challenge; they stared at each other for a moment, the faint sound of their pursuers resonated in their hiding spot. Taking a grip on wooden part of it he braced himself, as she grabbed onto his shoulder and squinting. With a quick and sharp yank he pulled the arrow from her; it came out cleanly and she gasped, her eyes flying open and watering at the pain. Her body arching downward, molding to his. Ezio closed his eyes; trying to avoid the lust pangs building in his body. He was only happy she was alive; she was his student that was all. But her muttering his name, in pain caused him to totter on the edge of clarity and pure lust driven emotions. Swallowing the feelings he held onto her with both of his arms as she tried to collect herself; it was her first real wound. Not even the time where she fell from the villa could compare to being shot. "Piccolo." He whispered his arms wrapped around her shoulders. She shuddered against him as the waves of pain hit over and over.

"Could he be down here?" Ezio's ears perked. This was not the time for the guards to grow a set of balls; he could protect her but he didn't want to subject Alexandra to any more violence; he wasn't even sure what had happened on the rooftops. Had she killed someone? He clutched her tighter; the sound of footsteps coming closer.

"This may hurt Piccolo, please bear with it." He took her and rolled her over so his body encased hers. His lips hovered above hers, his arms encircled her head his legs lay over hers; he was acting like a human barrier. Alexandra's arm hurt; but she had heard the guards too, they were now looking for them in the hay, their swords moving and stabbing at it.

"Ezio.." She whispered; his attention came back to her and he gave her a smile.

"Just stay put, don't worry they wont find us." His voice was very sure, soft and attempting to comfort her. Alexandra wiggled her good arm free, much to his dismay and placed it on his cheek the soft hairs of his beard tickling her palm. The moving swords came closer. Alexandra grabbed the back of Ezio's head, digging her nails into his hair, dislodging his ponytail, strands of hair fell across his face, his eyes staring at her curiously, she then brought his face close so that their foreheads touched. Ezio's breath quickened his head tilting as if to capture her lips under his. His arms moving to hold her head in place. Alexandra felt her heart swelling; wanting the forbidden kiss, wanting Ezio, wanting the man she trust the man she believed in with all her soul to kiss her. Their lips brushed, both of their air intake quickened with the impending event.

Ezio's heart pounded erratically, he had never been so unsure about how to take a woman before; he was a ladies man and one who knew how to make them swoon. But she confused him, his hands were holding her head close to his, he could take her now. Though he would forever wonder if that was what she wanted. Alexandra had him with her blind trust; she never questioned his motives; she listened to him. But she was fierce, he could tell she wanted to protect him; but knew she couldn't because she was too weak to protect him from his enemies. Even though the guards were looking for them, many were giving up now, he wanted to take her.

So he did.

Alexandra arched her lips into his; he kissed her softly, hesitantly about what he was going to do, how he was going to kiss her. She began to move her lips first, exploring his, how they were dry, how they had the faint taste of blood on them; Alexandra knew it was more than likely his, he had been fighting. She arched her back; Ezio caught it with one of his hands, careful to cradle her so that he didn't hurt her shoulder. His other hand captured her neck, and as his head leaned the other way he let out a soft sigh; one of contentment. She let a smile race across her lips before diving into Ezio's full lips with her own.

Ezio couldn't believe what he was doing, but the fact it felt good made the realization that it was forbidden waste away into nothing. Even though those lips of hers had looked so un-tantalizing before; Ezio found them to taste divine; he couldn't place it, it was like a lingering taste of watermelon and honey. Before he let out a sigh he felt her arch her back, to reach him. Instinct took over and he caught her in his arm, as his other hand took her neck, massaging it. The Master Assassin found this young girl from another world fascinating, though forbidden, she felt right in his arms.

And that very idea scared him.

As their lips parted; they kissed softly, both of their eyes closed, from time to time letting their lips touch; waiting for the sound of the guards to disappear into oblivion. When they were finally gone the two gazed at each other.

Opening her eyes Alexandra found herself staring into her Masters eyes. The full realization hitting her of what they had done. She blushed, a very bright red color. Alexandra also found that Ezio's tan face had also taken on a flushed color. He rolled away from her clearing his throat, out of the hay he went, the sound of him standing echoed in her ears. Fear rose like bile in his throat; had she done something wrong? A hand grabbed her hoisting her up; Ezio had his hood up over his eyes, but the flush remained on his cheekbones. His hands brushed her off, plucking stray strands of the yellow hay from her hair, from the many crevices it could hide in. She stood; the two of them standing silently as they waited for the other to speak.

"We must return to Teodora's, she must be getting worried." Ezio whispered. His hands hovered over Alexandra's wounded shoulder. "Will you…?"

"I killed a man today Ezio." She mumbled. "My arm hurts but I can still run." Her eyes turned to penetrate his; blue into brown, earth into water. Ezio let a smile twitch across his lips. Alexandra returned it. Their kiss had been nothing; their relationship was odd as is, partially romantic; partners were what they where. For now that was what they must remain as. "So the way Master." She took her dagger from its sheath; a full blown grin painting her face in bright colors.

Ezio nodded, making slow motions and movements as he made his way to the dead ends entrance, peering around the corner he realized that there was already a great problem the two of them would have to endure. Guards still searched for them; if they were spotted then they would be attacked. He glanced back, Alexandra had seen them; she pointed upwards, toward the top of the roofs. He shook his head, mouthing to her that there were guards there too. She frowned, making a quick slash with her dagger; a question if they should kill them. Again Ezio shook his head, killing was a risky bet, and they could not take risks at the moment. Alexandra's head turned and followed a crowed that passed them. Her eyes widened for a moment; placing her dagger away she plunged into the crowd before Ezio could grab her. She doubled back and grabbed him by the arm yanking him in the crowed she was in. Ezio pressed himself to the girl as they inched by the patrolling guards; posters of Ezio's face plastered the walls.

"I see they like to show you without a face." Alexandra muttered, noting that the posters only had her masters lower face; his upper was covered by his hood. She glazed at him; his hand was on her lower back and instead of urging her ahead he was only holding onto her as if she would fall down.

He shrugged, "They do, because I'm the bad guy." A devious grin came to his face. A soft laugh came from her lips, she mumbled about how he could never be a bad guy to her, he responded with: "That, my Piccolo is because we are on the same side." Alexandra flashed a glare at him, he chuckled. Slipping out of the crowd he had her hand in his and as they moved forward they saw another band of guards coming from around the corner. Ezio released her hand and they went to separate walls of the road. The guards walking down the middle of them; one of them turned, spotting Ezio, called out to his companions. Alexandra took her dagger and jumped on the man, stabbing him in the ear; piercing it, she felt her weapon lodge itself in his brain. Ezio had his blade out and was slicing up two more men. Ripping the dagger out none to gracefully Alexandra threw her arm out catching another man in the eye he yelled in pain; stabbing outward. Trying to dodge without taking her hand off her dagger she sideswiped, her feet dancing around the man. Her shoulder was beginning to bleed and she had to finish him quickly. As she moved behind him she pulled the blade across his face; slicing through his nose and other eye. He screamed, she removed the dagger and stabbed him once in the side of the neck. His body slumped lifelessly on the ground. Alexandra pulled back holding her shoulder. Ezio grabbed her upper arm and ran. More guards were coming; they had to find the safety of Teodora's brothel. Rounding a corner they could see the roof of the building, it was close. Then finally when the door was in sight they saw Teodora pointing to the water; did she not want them to come into her whore house?

Ezio saw a boat, one with high sails, ready to shove off. On that ship was Machiavelli, waiting for them. What was he doing here in Venice? As he righted their course to the ship he noticed Alexandra slowing down; panting. Ezio cursed, she did not have that much endurance yet, her body structure was far different than his; turning he scooped her up, carrying her bridal style. Her gasp caused him to have a fleeting smile. Running up to the boat Ezio launched himself and Alexandra on it, landing on his rump he sighed as the boat shoved off, the guards yelling in anger. "Are you alright Alexandra?" He gasped.

"I could be better." She let out a shaky, panting laugh. "But why did she want us to come to this boat?"

Ezio waved to where Machiavelli stood. "Him; I think we will find out what he wants us to do next." There was a pause between them; they were slouched over each other, trying to catch their breath. But the sound of approaching footsteps caused them to look upwards toward the sound. It was Machiavelli; he had his hands crossed over his stomach, the folds of his clothing seemed to sag a little with the salt from the air. He had a stern expression and Ezio knew why. He turned to Alexandra; "Why don't you go to the galley? See if there is a doctor there to look at your shoulder." She glared at him, and he sighed in defeat. "You must at least get off of me." That she did, and when she stood towering over him she held out a helping hand. Ezio looked at it for a moment before clasping it in his, letting her help him up

Small things made all the difference.

"You did not kill the Spaniard." Machiavelli growled accusingly.

"It did not end as you expected, that is true." Ezio said as he put his hand on Alexandra's shoulder, examining it himself. "I saw no point in ending his life. It would not solve our problems, nor bring back lost loved ones." He tapped the girl's neck and asked her to bend it away from him; he wanted to see what the wound would do when she moved.

"This is not a debatable issue Ezio." Machiavelli's face screwed up into a emotion that resembled absolute anger. "You should have killed Rodrigo. Now you still need to kill him." Alexandra listened to the argument; her thoughts going back to the man had watched her master kill. It brought more bile to her throat. But Machiavelli continued: "Now we must devise a better plan; I am returning you to your villa, you may do as you wish. I will return to Rome; I will attempt to fix your mistake."

"Machiavelli you cannot kill." Ezio spat the fact; it was a slap across the man's face. Alexandra righted her neck and let out a low giggle; one only for Ezio. He smiled, his eyes flickering up to meet hers. "Though you can just fine." He mouthed to her. She grinned beaming in pride.

The idea of slaying a fellow man should repulse her. But it did not, not as long as Ezio remained by her side or in her life.

Machiavelli let out a hiss of air; "Fine, do as you wish." He waved a hand. "But the girl is to have her ceremony soon. She needs to become a full fledged Assassin; to take on the things you refuse to do."

Ezio released Alexandra and flew around to face the man. "You have no say on when she is to become one. I am her master I have the say." Ezio's voice edged on promised violence if Machiavelli did not back off. Alexandra was his.

"Ezio," Alexandra muttered, her brows knitting into a frown. "Its fine, it's about time I became one of you, it's not like I'm going to go anywhere far."

Ezio's head inclined backwards to let the girl know he was speaking to her. "He wants you to go to Rome; to kill Rodrigo."

Alexandra shrugged; "I wont go anywhere without you. How about that?"

Ezio continued to glare at Machiavelli. "Alright, is that a promise?"

"I swear it. On my very life." Alexandra set her pledge on her heart; her hand placed on her chest. "Now if you don't mind I would rather like it if we cleaned out this wound, its kind of still hurting me."

The black Assassin turned from the writer and to his student. He began to prod at the wound again. "Yes, we must clean it before it begins to fester."

"Or gets infected…" Alexandra muttered.

Ezio looked up at her in confusion but she just shrugged. "Or infected," He agreed hesitantly even though he wasn't so sure what she meant. Behind them Machiavelli stomped off in anger; up to a man with black clothing and a bird's beak. A order was sounded and the man came toward Ezio and Alexandra his hands full of vials.

"Let me see what I can do, no?" Alexandra couldn't tell if he was smiling or not; but he seemed friendly.

"I'm Alexandra." She gave her good hand to him.

He took it. "Girolamo Fracastoro. A pleasure Madonna." Setting the vials down the doctor looked at Ezio and the wary glare that came from him; Girolamo laughed. "Lets see what we can do for you yes? Madonna Alexandra."

The doctor set to work, Ezio hovered and Alexandra gazed out at the water, closer to home they sailed. Her mind was to the man that was inside of her; and the armored man that had watched them. The illusion man knew something about her situation, and the armored man knew of the existence of the Assassins. She gnawed at her lip. Something was about to happen.