The sky was beginning to darken and the streets were alive with activity as Fiora weaved her way towards the Rosa in Fiore bordello. Silvestro's visit went well despite the fact he complained the metal claw was not properly adorned with jewels or decorations. Fiora threatened to take it away at that point, not in the mood to deal with his petty attitude. But Silvestro took it and immediately applied it to his stump. The gesture confirmed the slave trade now belonged to Cesare.
A slight breeze picked up in the streets, persuading dresses and cloaks to dance in the air. The gentle wind caressed Fiora's face and would have been relaxing had the wind not caused her cheek to sting, a rude reminder of Cesare's scolding. Fiora hated how small she felt around Cesare. Originally, this feeling of powerlessness was what attracted her to him. She rationalized that if she felt powerless than he must be powerful. However, Fiora quickly learned over the years that Cesare's power came from controlling others and not from himself. Her thoughts returned to Ezio as she approached an all too familiar door. He was a man who held power; Fiora had felt it as she scuffled with him in her bedroom. Had he wanted to, Ezio could have easily ended her life but he wasn't cruel like Cesare. Perhaps this stark difference between the master assassin and the master Templar was why she did not tell Cesare of her encounters with Ezio.
Fiora swung the door to the bordello openand stopped. Confusion grew in Fiora as she gazed around the building she once called home. The bordello was significantly different than she last remembered. Fiora had spent many years in Rosa in Fiore and it was never kept in good condition. Often measures were taken to merely mask the filth and disorganization of her boss, Madame Solari. However, the incense now was not nearly as intoxicating, the girls were not dressed in rags and the actual building was clean and beautifully adorned in rich colors of red and purple. This sudden change was not Madame Solari's doing. Something else prompted this new atmosphere. As Fiora approached the counter, she found an unfamiliar woman writing in the record books.
"Buona sera, madame."
The woman did not look up from her books at Fiora's voice and continued to write as she replied.
"Buona sera, signora, how may I help you?"
"You are not Madame Solari," said Fiora, ignoring the question and casually leaning against the counter.
The woman looked up and Fiora had a strange sense of familiarity, yet she knew she had never met this woman. Why did she find this woman familiar? Had be met her before?
"You are correct. MadameSolari has unfortunately been relieved from her position."
"You mean she is dead," Fiora deadpanned, reaching out to stroke the roses on the counter. That was what Fiora loved most about Rosa in Fiore; there was never a shortage of beautiful flowers. In the corner of her eye, Fiora watched the woman's eyes narrow as she placed her quill down.
Now I have her attention.
"I knew Madame Solari. She would not have given this bordello up simply because she was bored. Death would be the only way Madame Solari would release this place from her greedy clutches," Fiora said absent-mindedly, gazing around at the luxurious room.
"You do not have a glowing opinion of Madame Solari," the woman observed, closing her books and walking around the counter.
"Well, when you work under someone for many years, you see their ugly side," sighed Fiora.
"You were one of her girls?"
"Yes. I was gratefully able to leave this place a long time ago."
"I would say I am sorry to tell you she is in fact dead. However, I think you will not shed a tear for her passing."
Fiora chuckled at the woman's comment. The woman was right, Fiora did not mourn Madame Solari's death but Cesare would not be pleased to learn of his favorite bordello no longer being under his control. Solari had always been too greedy and to infatuated with Cesare to deny him any request. Fiora had a feeling this woman would not be so accommodating.
As the woman approached, Fiora held out a hand.
"Fiora Cavazza."
"Claudia Auditore, at your service," the woman replied, accepting Fiora's outstretched hand.
Fiora's head cocked in surprise and then she smirked. The familiarity that Fiora felt with Claudia before was no illusion. It was her eyes. Those eyes belonged to Ezio as well.
"Auditore, eh? Any relation to Ezio Auditore?"
It was Claudia's turn to stiffen in surprise. A dark, suspicious look crossed her face.
"How do you know of my brother?"
"I've met him once or twice. His ego leaves a lasting impression."
Claudia's suspicion turned to amusement as a small smirk reached her lips.
"Oh no, please tell me he did not try to make you a new conquest?"
Fiora couldn't help but laugh.
"Trust me, Madame Claudia, the last thing I want to be is another notch on your brother's bed post."
Claudia laughed as well.
"Then Ezio must have been very disappointed."
"You could say that."
The two woman shared a smile and Fiora instantly decided she liked Claudia. Too bad they were on opposite sides of a war.
"I'm guessing you did not come here to talk about Ezio," Claudia remarked, returning to behind the counter.
"You are correct. I was wondering if I could borrow a few of your girls for the night."
Claudia flipped her books open and ran a finger down a page.
"For what purpose? I have two girls, Bruna and Gina, I can employ."
"I am surprising a friend of mine. It is his birthday and has been much too long since he has enjoyed the company of women," Fiora answered, the lie rolling easily off her tongue.
"I assume you have payment."
"Si."
Claudia scratched away in the record book as Fiora dropped a heavy bag of coins onto the counter.
"Alright, I will return momentarily with the girls."
Claudia moved away from the counter and ascended the stairs with quickness. Scrutinizing Claudia's movements, Fiora assessed she was not an assassino like her brother. Claudia lacked the subtle grace her brother possessed.
"Fiora?"
Looking to the door, Fiora found one of the few people she trusted in Roma.
"Amita!"
Fiora quickly walked to her good friend and embraced her. Amita was young when she was brought to Rosa in Fiore to work, not but sixteen. Fiora took her under her wing and taught her everything she knew to protect the young girl from the darkness of the outside world. Her hope was that Amita would live a better life than her. As Fiora pulled away, she saw a strong, beautiful woman with rich red hair and porcelain skin. Amita was no longer the poor defenseless girl of Fiora's memory.
"Fiora, why has it taken so long for you to visit me? It's been months!" Amita attempted to scold but Fiora could never take her seriously. "I've had only Massimo to keep me up to date and we both know he is horrible about relaying information."
"Very true, he hardly tells me what he does. And I am his sister," laughed Fiora, crossing the room with Amita and finding a seat on an unoccupied bench under the staircase.
Massimo was Fiora's little brother and was absolutely smitten for Amita. Fiora could remember the first time she introduced Amita to him and still could recall the deep shade of red that engulfed his face. With the mention of her brother, Fiora realized it had been many weeks since she last visited Massimo. She made a mental note to visit him tomorrow.
"Forgive me, Amita. But you know how I do not like this place. Too many memories and not all of them good," Fiora sighed.
"But did you hear? Madame Solari is dead."
"Yes. I was just in conversation with your new mistress before you walked in."
Amita suddenly looked very uncomfortable and glanced around to see if anyone was listening. There were girls and clients present in the large foyer but most of them were to preoccupied with each other to notice the two women chatting in the corner.
"Fiora, you must be careful coming here," whispered Amita, still glancing around the room.
"I know, Amita. This bordello is under the control of the assassini," Fiora replied, keeping her ears open for Claudia's return.
Amita looked surprised.
"How do you know?"
"Let's just say I know Claudia's brother."
"You've met Ezio?!"
Fiora shook her head and replied," Unfortunately."
"Fiora, he comes her often and speaks with Claudia and his mother-"
"Wait, his mother is here too?"
"Yes!" Amita answered, checking her surrounds once more.
"They both run the bordello?" probed Fiora, worry starting to rise in her stomach again.
"Yes. After Madame Solari was taken and killed, Claudia and her mother, Maria, took over the bordello. However, Ezio is not fond of Claudia being the Madame and has been very cross with her."
"He probably doesn't like the idea of his sorellina being the mistress of putanne," scoffed Fiora, her leg beginning to bounce repeatedly to ease her discomfort.
"Hey! Watch who you're calling puttana," Amita once again tried to appear cross but quickly couldn't resist smiling with Fiora.
"But in all seriousness, you must be careful in coming here. If they know your connection to Cesare, they will not hesitate to eliminate you," whispered Amita, the worry thick in her voice.
Fiora's sour mood returned suddenly but she was every grateful for Amita's loyalty. Amita knew the people Fiora associated with; they had both been present when Cesare first walked into the bordello. Though Amita did not agree with Fiora's choice of life and disliked Cesare immensely, their friendship came first and Amita would do anything to help her just as Fiora had done for her in the past. Thus, with Amita's warning, Fiora realized she would have to purchase courtesans for Brother Ristoro at other bordellos from now on.
"Why are you here anyways, Fiora? It has been a long time since you last visited Rosa in Fiore," questioned Amita.
"Brother Ristoro's appetite is insatiable," Fiora mumbled, standing and beginning to pace in front of Amita.
"Cesare still delivers to that foul man?" Amita's face twisted into disgust.
"If I had a say, that man would be run out of Roma but my opinion matters little to Cesare."
Fiora stopped in her pacing when she heard footsteps coming back down the stairs.
"Signora Fiora?" Claudia called out, unable to see Fiora underneath the stairs.
"Madame Claudia," responded Fiora, moving into sight with Amita not far behind.
"Here is Bruna and Gina," said Claudia and the two girls next to her bowed their heads in greeting.
"Thank you, Claudia," Fiora nodding her head in thanks and gesturing for the girls to follow.
"Amita, I will see you soon, yes?"
Amita smiled and Claudia glanced between the two with curiosity.
"Yes, don't be a stranger!"
Fiora chuckled and waved her off as she exited the bordello with the courtesans.
Something is wrong.
Fiora and the girls were approaching the church that Brother Ristoro resided but she suddenly stopped. It was much too quiet. There was no movement on the roofs or the ground where the guards usually patrolled. The street itself was empty and chill hung in the air.
"Is everything all right?" the girl named Gina asked, the boredom in her voice evident.
"No," replied Fiora, making both the girls look at her in confusion and fear.
"Stay here."
Fiora approached the church cautiously and noticed there was a dark mass on the ground next to the door. She did not need to get closer to know it was a body.
"Leave," Fiora called out to the girls, "It is not safe here. Return to the bordello and keep the money."
The girls were confused but did not need to be told twice to leave. Once the courtesans were out of sight, Fiora crept to the door and stepped over the guard's body. She took a moment to touch the guard's cheek and was met with warmth; the kill was recent. The door was ajar but no light shown through. Fiora slipped through the opening, careful to not make the door creak and make her presence known. Fiora silently made her way around the halls when a frightened cry ripped the air. Quickening her steps she peered around the corner into the courtyard of the church. There she saw more bodies but that was not what made her heart rate increase. It was the figure dressed in white, crouching over Ristoro and removing their hidden blade from his neck that caused the fear to pound in her ears.
"Requiescat in pace."
Merda.
It was Ezio.
So I am resurrecting this story after many years of not writing. This chapter is considerable shorter than the last (Sorry!). Please review! Feedback is much appreciated