Chapter 4

Curiosity

Ezio's POV

It was not what I was expecting.

"I think we have the wrong house."

"I thought so too, but this is the right place."

A woman walked out and nodded to me.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Messer Ezio…Annetta speaks quite highly of you. I can see why."

"I appreciate the kind words Madonna…?"

"Ti Prego (please), call me Paola."

"Thank you for offering your home to my family Paola."

"It was the least I could do. You must be tired. Perhaps you'd le-"

"No, grazie. (no, thank you). I can't stay."

"Why? Where are you going?"

Isabel looked at me.

"To kill Uberto Alberti." she said.

I nodded and started to walk away.

"Auditore wait!"

She grabbed my wrist and I turned to look at her. I stared into her eyes and wondered why I saw so much concern and worry.

"I understand your desire for vengeance, but the Gonfaloniere is a powerful man. You're not a killer Ezio-" Paola said.

"Spare me the lecture." I said.

"But I can make you one. Just as I helped Isabel."

I looked at her again.

"And why are you going to teach me how to kill?"

"I'm not. I'm going to teach you how to survive. Come."

Isabel let me go and Paola led me away. I couldn't help but take one last look at Isabel. She waved me off and I kept going.

Isabel's POV

I watched as Paola taught him how to blend in on the streets. I looked after him while he did so. I'd been wrong about him, when time came for him to be responsible he was. I half smiled and he looked up at me. He sort of smile and I winked. He shook his head and kept walking.

When he got back I leaned against the wall.

"You can go now girls."

"Do we have to?"

"So innocent…"

"He's cute."

For some very strange reason, their words made me feel a little uncomfortable.

"Now that you have learned how to approach the enemy, we must find you a suitable weapon."

"What would you have me use? Ferrari?"

I chuckled.

"Ah, but you already have the answer…"

She held up a bracer.

"Hey! My father's blade and bracer…How did you get them?"

Paola laughed and so did I.

"By using the same skills I just taught you."

"It's not exactly in working condition."

"I assume you're familiar with Leonardo da' Vinci?"

"Si. But how does a painter factor into this?"

"He's far more than that. Bring him the pieces, you'll see."

She started to walk away but he stopped her.

"Before I go, one last question if I may?"

"Of course."

"Why have you given your aid so readily to me, a stranger?"

She rolled up her sleeve and showed him what had happened to her.

"I too know betrayal." she said.

She left and he looked at me.

"Are you coming?"

I was surprised by his words.

"You want me to come with you?"

He nodded and I smiled a bit. I walked beside him to Leonardo's home. He knocked on the door and then went in. A man was bent over a table looking at a few papers. I looked around at some of the paintings. He was extremely talented. When he looked up he looked happy and relieved.

"Oh! Ezio Auditore! I…I didn't expect to see YOU again. What with all that's happened…ah."

He walked up.

"Where are my manners….welcome back."

He hugged Auditore and he seemed a little shocked.

"Now, how can I be of service?" he asked.

"I was hoping you could repair something of mine."

"Of course! Come! This way."

Auditore looked at me and I arched a brow. He shrugged and followed Leonardo.

"I don't believe you met my friend here."

"Ah no, I didn't see her. Welcome."

"This is Isabel Ferrari."

I nodded my head and he nodded back.

"Ah, che pasticcio…Tutto il santo giorno che cerco…(Oh what a mess…I've spent the whole day working…) Let me clear a space."

He cleared off the table and I looked over Auditore's shoulder.

"Alright, let's see it." he said.

He handed him the bracer.

"Fascinating…I don't know Ezio. Despite it's age, the construction is rather advanced. I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do without the original plans. Mi dispiace."

I frowned and moved a few of the pieces.

"What's this then?"

There was a scroll beneath it all.

"The contents of this page are encrypted! But if my theory is correct…based on these sketches it may very well…"

"It may very well what?!" he asked.

"Pease, sit!" Leonardo said.

"Leonardo?"

"Shh!"

Auditore growled but sat down. I looked at him and I couldn't help noticing how very attractive he was. His eyes were dark and mysterious. He was strong but I could see that he could be gentle. He came off as a ladies man but I could see deep down he was looking for one woman. I could also see all the pain he had after seeing his father and brothers die. He had a kind and loving heart.

"Why are you staring at me?"

I blinked several times and he walked up to me. I looked up so I could look into his eyes. He was about a foot taller than I was.

"I was just thinking, I tend to stare at something when I'm thinking."

A smirk came to his face. I backed up against a table as he moved closer.

"Is that so?"

"Yes it is."

"Hm. Tell me, what were you thinking?"

I had to think of something quickly.

"I was-"

"It is finished!"

I was saved by Leonardo's announcement. Auditore looked annoyed.

"What is finished?"

"The blade! I managed to decode that parchment of yours. It showed me exactly what to do. Now all that's left is to remove your ring finger."

My eyes went wide.

Ezio's POV

I didn't expect this.

"Really?"

Leonardo was holding a butchers knife in his hand.

"I'm sorry but this is how it must be done. The blade is deigned to ensure the commitment of whoever wields it."

I took a deep breath and put my hand on the table.

"Bene (fine.) Do it quickly."

I turned my eyes to Ferrari. I wanted to look at her while he did it.

He swung the knife but hit the table, not me. He laughed and put his hand on my shoulder.

"I was only having fun, Ezio! Though the blade once required a finger, it has been modified. You can keep your finger."

Ferrari was laughing hard and I scowled at her. I stood up and put on the blade.

"Incredible…"

Ferrari came and took a closer look. She smiled and I smiled back in amazement.

"Yes it is! Tell me: Do you have other pages like this?"

"I'm sorry, only the one."

"Listen- if you ever do happen across another one of these- please- bring it to me."

"You have my word. And thank you for fixing this. It-"

"By order of the Florentine guard: open this door!"

Ferrari walked forward but I stopped her. I grabbed her wrist and held my finger to my lips.

"Eh just a moment!" He looked at us. "Wait here."

I pulled her away so that we wouldn't be seen.

"Are you Leonardo de' Vinci?"

"Si. How may I be of service?"

"I need you to answer some questions."

"Certainly. What seems to be the trouble."

They walked outside and we followed them.

"A witness claims to have seen you consorting with an enemy of the city."

"What? Me? Consorting? Preposterous!" Leonardo told him.

"When was the last time you saw or spoke to Ezio Auditore?"

"Who?"

"Non fare il finto tonto. (Don't play dumb with me.) We know you were close with the family. Hmm." he grabbed Leonardo. "Perhaps this will help to clear your head."

He kicked him over and over.

"Do something Auditore." she hissed.

I nodded and went up behind the guard. I used my new blade and killed him quietly. Ferrari helped Leonardo up.

"Grazie Ezio, Isabel."

"Sorry about that."

"Eh. I've grown accustom to their abuses."

"What of the body?"

"Bring it inside and put it with the others."

Ferrari and I looked at each other.

"Others?" she asked.

"The city gives them to me. For research."

We were still a little shocked. I carried the body inside.

"Over there."

I put him down next to a few other bodies.

"See? Like it never happened!"

I turned and looked at him.

"Thank you Leonardo- for everything."

He smiled.

"Any time! And remember- if you find more of those strange pages, bring them to me. Should they contain new designs, I will upgrade your blade as well."

"Of course. Now we really should be getting back to Paola…"

"Porgile i miei omaggi!" (Send her my regards!)

I nodded and put my hand on Ferarri's back to lead her away.

"It was lovely to meet you Isabel."

She smiled at him and bowed her head.

"You as well Messer da' Vinci. You're very talented."

He bowed and I chuckled. Once we were out the door I looked at her.

"I intend to finish our little conversation."

She smirked but said nothing. I was even more curious now. She was a mysterious woman, and beautiful too. I remembered what she once told me, that there was more to a woman than beauty. There was certainly more to her than I first thought. I had a feeling she was thinking about me, but I didn't want to assume. The light caught in her burning dark red hair as we walked. She didn't seem to be afraid of anything. She was a prankster and a joker. She was full of life. I wanted to know more.