Chapter 3
Why?
Isabel's POV
It was late that night when I heard screams and shouts. I jumped up and looked around. It was coming from the Auditore house. I ran as fast as I could and jumped down into the courtyard. The door had been kicked in.
"Claudia!? Federico!?"
"Ferrari!"
Auditore came up behind me.
"What happened?"
"I heard screams and I came as fast as I could."
"Is anyone inside?"
"I don't know. I haven't checked."
"Come."
We walked into the house and some hit him with a vase.
"Ser Ezio! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"What happened? Where is everyone?" he asked.
"They took your father and brothers to the Palazzo della Signoria- to prison!"
My eyes went wide.
"And my mother!? My sister!?"
"Ezio…"
They were safe and hiding in the corner. He ran to them and hugged his sister.
"Isabel."
I smiled at her and saw her mother.
"Senora Auditore?"
She didn't say anything and she did not move.
"What's wrong with her?" he asked.
"She's in shock. When she resisted…"
She did not finish and I looked at Auditore.
"It's not safe here. Is there someplace you can take them?"
"Yes. Yes! To my sister's."
"Good. Do that. In the meantime I'll go see my father."
She nodded and then looked at me.
"Ferrari, please…go with them. Protect them?"
I nodded.
"No harm will come to them I promise."
"Thank you."
"Now go." I said.
He nodded and left. I went with them and the place she led us to, was not what I was expecting.
Ezio's POV
I climbed the tower to my father's window.
"Ezio!"
"Father! What's happened?"
"Took a bit of a beating but I'm alright. What of your mother and sister?"
"Safe now."
"Anetta took them."
"Yes…Wait. You knew this would happen?!"
"Not the way it did…and not this soon. It doesn't matter now."
I was worried and afraid. I didn't understand what was going on.
"What do you mean? Explain!"
"There's no time! Listen closely: Return to the house. In my office is a hidden door. Use your talent to find it. Beyond lies a chest. Take EVERYTHING you find inside. Much of it may seem strange to you, but all of it is important. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good. Among the contents is a letter- and with it some documents. I need you to take these documents to Messer Uberto. He was with me in the office this morning."
I nodded.
"The Gonfaloniere. I remember. Now please, tell me what's happening. Are the Pazzi behind this? There was a note for you in the pigeon coop. It said-"
There was a loud noise and father panicked a bit.
"Go Ezio! Go now!"
I had no choice. I dropped down into the hay and then left as fast as I could. I went home and found the door father was talking about. A strange symbol was upon it and inside were strange cloths. I took them out and looked at them. The symbol was also on the belt. I took a deep breath and put them on. I found the documents along with a few other things.
"I must get this to Messer Uberto."
When I walked outside, there were two guards waiting for me.
Isabel's POV
I stood at the door, waiting for him to come back.
"Isabel?"
I looked at Claudia.
"What's happening?"
"I don't know. That's what your brother went to find out."
"Why is this happening to us?"
I looked at her and took her hands.
"I don't know, but I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
She nodded and hugged me.
After another three hours past, Claudia begged me to go an find him.
"I'll find him. But don't you step out that door do you understand?"
She nodded and I left. I pulled up my hood and went by rooftop as I always did. There was a great deal of commotion at the piazza. I nearly screamed when I got there. Federico and his father and youngest brother were there. They were to be hanged.
"Giovanni Auditore, you and your accomplices stand accused of the crime of treason. Have you any evidence to counter this charge?"
This had to be Uberto. But the man in the black robes gave me an uneasy feeling.
"Yes! The documents that were delivered to you last night!"
"I'm afraid I know nothing of these documents."
"He's lying!"
I heard Auditore's voice but I could not see him. I saw a man pushing his way through the crowd.
"In the absence of any compelling evidence to the contrary, I am bound to pronounce you GUILTY. You and your collaborators. Are hereby sentenced to DEATH."
I gasped and I tried to figure out a way to help.
"YOU are the traitor Uberto- And one of THEM! You may take our lives this day- but WE WILL have yours in return I swear! We will-"
They pulled the lever and my hand flew to my mouth.
"FATHER!"
The man in white was Auditore. He ran forward.
"There! Grab the boy! He's one of them!"
NO!
I jumped down and tackled the guards holding him back. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him away.
"This way! Hurry!"
He ran with me and I quickly rounded a corner. I pressed him flat against the wall and held my finger to my lips. I heard the guards shouting and after a while they gave up. I sighed in relief and fought my tears. He just stood there silently.
"I'm so sorry." I whispered.
He still said nothing and I peered around the corner.
"It's all clear. Come, I'll take you back to Claudia and your mother."
He just nodded and I led him away. My heart broke for him and his family. We reached the house and walked inside.