For all intents and purposes, Aurelia did not need to pretend to be amazed at what she saw. The stone bridges that allowed access to the city were filled with the faithful followers she had accrued in the brief time she had been here. It took nearly a full hour before her carriage made it over to the other side. She felt absolute love from people who had never seen her.

"Is something wrong, my lady?" Antonio asked softly, his hand hovered over her arm.

"No, Signore, I am well."

"But, my lady, you weep," he whispered.

He was right. Her face was damp, she realized. She went to dry her eyes, and knew her hands were shaking, worse than with her encounter with the elder Auditore. Watching her fingers jump of their own accord, Aurelia laughed. Antonio watched her face, trying hard not to betray his feelings.

"Does this seem like madness to you, Antonio? My eyes overflow and I laugh as though I am joyful?"

"I do not know what to think, my lady. I mean no offense." He gingerly took her shaking hand in his. The weight of a feather on a soap bubble.

"You could never offend me, Signore. I have seen far worse, and I know there is no malice in your actions. You only fear for my safety."

"That is true, my lady. Yes."

"You need not. I am merely overcome by their love. I feel everything from them and this is how it manifests in me. Perhaps it is madness. They want so much of what they think I can offer. The fact that they want is enough."

The man looked on her oddly, "I confess I do not take your meaning." He kept a grip on her hand.

She sat for a moment, listening to the cries of the people, just below her. "I do not expect you to, forgive me. After you have seen what I have, it would be clearer. They want salvation and they may not find it from what they have been offered. They think I can supply it."

"Can you?"

"I can try," she smiled.

After a while, after jostling over the brickwork of the city streets, they came to a stop, due mostly to the throng that had surrounded them.

"We can go no further!" called the driver. "They are too many!"

Antonio drew in a breath. His eyes twinkled. "Well then, my lady, perhaps now would be the time to begin?"

She nodded and he opened the door to the carriage. A great roar met her as he tried to descend the short step. It was deafening, almost physically knocking her back in her seat. Aurelia's heart pounded in her chest and she could hear little more than the blood in her ears. She gathered up her courage and her skirt and grabbed the top of the door, pulling herself into the light.

Defying all logic the crowd got even louder. It actually surprised her. The mob managed to back up slightly, pushing against itself to give her some room. She looked down into the carriage, looking for Antonio, but he was not there. He had opened the opposite door and let himself out. Did he mean to leave her here, alone? Her heart leapt into her throat as she raised her head again.

"My lady?" he called. She swept the crowd and found him pulling himself down from the driver's seat. He was trying to cross to her side. The driver tried to switch positions with him, but it seemed the two men were stuck. The horses were beginning to get agitated by the noise and commotion.

Instinctively, Aurelia jumped down and ran to help him. Antonio realized what was happening and tried to wave her away.

"I told you before; I am here to bring salvation, no matter what the trouble!" She laughed. She climbed up the wagon wheel to the driver's perch. Wrapping a hand in the reins, she extended her other to the driver. He wriggled out from under Antonio and sidled across. "I apologize for the shortcut, Signore," Antonio laughed. The older man did not find it as amusing. "Excuse me once more." It was Antonio's turn.

With a grace that best befit someone fifteen years his junior, he put a foot to the horse's rig and pushed himself over, grabbing Aurelia's arm for ballast. She caught him under the arm and threw her other arm around to steady both of them. As soon as he had settled on his feet, Aurelia began to pull herself down.

"No, my lady! Ascend the carriage! You will be seen!" he said. She could hardly hear him, the throng's cheers deafening her. She grabbed again for the driver's seat, hoisting herself. The carriage was sturdily built, thanks in part to multiple assassination attempts. The roof was coarse, just painted over, as very few, if any would be climbing to get a better look. She carefully put a hand down as she brought her legs under her. The crowd cheered as more and more could see the woman. Just from here, she could see what seemed like hundreds or thousands of people.

Aurelia soaked it all in. Fitz on the other hand, was looking up over rooftops for safety. She didn't see anyone there. Doesn't mean they're not there. Just means they're better.

She raised her arms, spread wide, trying to embrace them all. Partly it was. Mostly, it was a challenge. Look Ezio. I'm unarmed. A huge grin cracked her face. Hands shot up, copying her position. The tears flowed again.

She didn't know how to speak to them. They were just too many. She tried lowering her arms, hoping the movement would signify she wished to speak. There was no change. Aurelia laughed to herself and looked down to Antonio. He was already looking at her. All he had was a smile and a shrug.

Aurelia had an idea. "Signor, a favor, if you would?" she addressed the driver. "Take further in if you can. Perhaps I can reach more of them that way."

"There's no way we're getting through this!" he shouted back.

"I am certain they will back up. They know I'm here. Please?"

He called to his horses and gave the whip a short flick. She held her balance as he shouted people to move. Aurelia motioned for people to stand aside so they could pass. Antonio, on the ground, was trying to tell people to back up. Slowly, she began to make some progress through the crowd. She looked down again. Antonio followed her movement as the carriage rumbled by him.

She watched over the sea of faces. Aurelia stood atop gliding past like a conquering hero. She waved at them. Some young women threw flowers to her. The mob churned, first moving to clear the path, then flowing back in, fighting for position. She still watched ahead, looking for any sign of the Assassins.

She knelt down again to the driver, putting a hand on his shoulder and pointing ahead of them. "There! Bring us there!" He guided the horses another few lengths ahead. Aurelia swept her back, preparing herself. She had no idea what to say, what to do. She pivoted to look for Antonio. He wasn't in position any longer. He must have gotten swept up in the eddy of the crowd. She climbed to her feet, to search.

There was a scream ahead of her and the carriage bucked. One of the horses whinnied and shrieked, leaping to its hind legs. This spooked the other into doing the same. She lost her footing and fell flat. Splinters dug themselves into her palm. Aurelia cried out in instinct. She looked up at the horses. Crossbow bolts stuck the first from either side. They're here! She scrambled to her knees, climbing slowly toward the driver. "Get down! Hurry!" The carriage jostled the other way. There was already a bolt sunk deeply into his chest. She pushed away just in time as another bloomed from his forehead.

Aurelia fell backwards, trying to get a bearing. She looked up again into the windows and rooftops, but saw no one. The angle of the shot was impossible to discern in the haze of adrenaline quickly choking her.

FWOK! Another bolt struck just behind her. The horses and people were screaming. Not sure how to help. Aurelia's hands and knees burned from the rough top of the carriage. The whole compartment tilted to one side as the horses jumped and tried throw off their harnesses. She screamed for Antonio, lost somewhere in the crowd. A sudden surge of calm overtook her as she contemplated her mission. The horses took off, sending her flying backwards off the carriage. Weightless and soundless. Flying.