Secrets in History.
By Kaimaler.
Disclaimer: In another universe? Maybe. Here? Now? No, nope, no way no how, dreams don't come true.
However, Vanessa, Daniel, and Count are my works. So is Rodrigo's journal, but hey, who knows, maybe he did have a journal?
Morning came painstakingly slowly, Vanessa forgot where and when she was again before checking out her new bedroom accommodations. It was a small room away from the others, but it was nice just as it was.
Count slept on the opposite side of the queen sized bed, just beside her. He always took the foot of her bed back home, it was an interesting sight for her to wake up and see a pile of fur next to her. Giggling tiredly, Vanessa reluctantly rose from the comfortable, inviting bed and turned to the nightstand holding her clothes.
Sliding on her pants, Vanessa took notice of a dress with all accessories nearby and a note had been set on top of it.
Buttoning her pants and grabbing her tank top, Vanessa approached the decorated dress. She scoffed at it before taking the note.
"Madonna Vanessa,
I took the liberty of finding proper attire for our trip to Firenze, I am unsure if it will fit well, and if not I shall have it tailored to suit you after our return. I look forward to seeing how the dress fits you.
Ezio."
Vanessa, looked miserably upon the dress, set the note back on it and turned to get dressed in her uniform. Technically, it'd still be a work day; this was 'proper attire.'
As Count yawned and stretched, Vanessa raised her arms to put on her tank top, but stopped midway, gasping in pain. She used the bed to balance herself while trying to understand why it hurt to move her torso and nothing else.
Looking down at her chest, her front bore the massive rainbow bruises she was afraid of from the previous work day.
Sighing, she knew getting dressed was going to be a real challenge. Much less if guards decide they don't like her or Ezio in Florence, running won't be a problem, but anything from the waist up will prove difficult and that was an understatement.
Her kevlar vest rested on the footboard of the bed, it was the first thing she took off before she went to bed.
Groaning, Vanessa slowly and carefully began to slip into her tank top, shuffling the cotton shirt on until she tucked it into her pants and pulled her over shirt on her arms, leaving it open for the time being. She was going to exhaust herself before she even left if she had to keep putting things on.
She ran her fingers through her hair as a makeshift brush and pulled it back up into a messy, open ended bun.
The final touch was her shoes, tying the laces in a secure knot; she left the bedroom, cautious of her new injuries.
Taking it easy down the steps, she lovingly admired the marble floors, staircase, railings, and the expensive decor. It was a true marvel to be inside such an ancient building when it was new.
Or somewhat new counting the broken windows, overgrown plants, and aging external walls.
Making her way through the main room, Vanessa patted Count's back in appreciation. Of what? He didn't know, he just like it. The two made their way back to the same room Ezio had led them to when they met his uncle, Mario.
Vanessa ran her hand along the smooth, polished walls and pillars, until they reached the doorframe then she did the same; giving it the same admiring touch before taking a gander inside the office space where Mario was the night before.
Mario spotted her first and waved her inside. "Ah, Ness, a pleasure to see you awake." He used her nickname as she asked him to last night, how decent it was for him to remember. Vanessa smiled, still half asleep as she approached the two relatives. "I do hope you slept well."
Ezio took in her form, she knew he was wondering what happened to the dress he left for her.
"Morning, Mario." Count leaned on her leg, begging for more attention. "Morning, Ezio." She nodded to them both. "Fine actually, it's a nice place you got here Mario."
He smiled, "Why thank you, signorina." He bowed with a bright, wide smile. Apparently, they were morning people.
"We should be on our way uncle." Ezio spoke up; Vanessa simply turned around and began walking out, Ezio and Mario behind her. Leaving the Villa would be a nice change; the small town needed a completely new look just to make it look half decent.
Vanessa did the same as she had done yesterday when she arrived. She grimaced at certain points, people walking by she avoided like the plague while the walk was silent until Ezio felt it the time to mention the dress in her bedroom.
"I do remember leaving a dress for you to wear, mia cara." Mario laughed quietly to himself, Vanessa caught it, but Ezio chose to remain unaware. "It did take me quite some time to find it, best of its class and rather expensive. I would have thought a woman with such... high tastes as yourself would find such a dress attractive."
Vanessa wanted to laugh with Mario; instead she walked in between the relatives, looking to Mario as he shook his head in reply.
"Ezio, where I'm from if a woman wore that around they'd be laughed at." Vanessa chuckled, "It's so... bright, colorful... and, well, it hurts my eyes." She patted Ezio's shoulder. "But... I knew you meant well, so thanks, but I'm fine in my uniform." Vanessa half flinched at contact when Ezio rested a hand in thanks on her shoulder. The kevlar blocked a shot to her upper left torso, making his hand rather uncomfortable.
He didn't notice as the trio made their way to the stables. Ezio mounted his own horse while Vanessa chose hers. Count barked repeatedly and began to run off in to the main streets.
"Goodbye Mario, I'll see you soon." Vanessa bid as she chased after Count, not waiting for Ezio to catch up. She knew the road to Florence; she didn't need a guide anymore; at least, not to Florence and back.
Ezio easily caught up with her, she wasn't paying attention though, her thoughts drifted off to the road. It was truly strange to be in a place that existed five hundred years ago, different buildings, people, life held another meaning around the fifteenth century. Politics, artistry, and religion were just beginning to be separated.
At the very least, they began to realize the law wasn't a religious doctrine.
"So, how long have you been an assassin?" Small talk, nice Ness. She scolded herself. Ezio looked at her oddly, "Long enough." His face was contorted to an expression Vanessa could only identify as 'concerned' and 'freaked out by the crazy woman next to him.'
Sighing, Vanessa wanted to try explaining to him her world; the future. "Fifteenth-century Italy, huh? What do you do here? I mean, are you paid to be an assassin?"
Ezio was hoping the woman he was escorting wouldn't begin prying into his life too much. She was a stranger, not a person he could trust, especially with that book of Assassin's and Templars. "Yes, I am paid."
He frowned, side glanced to Vanessa and pointed accusingly at her, "What do you mean by 'fifteenth-century Italy'; you say it like it's supposed to be different."
Vanessa grinned; she knew he'd catch on. "I mean, the twenty-first century is rather nice, cars, planes, phones, iPods, movies, and computers. But here, you have ancient architecture everywhere; only a few years after it was built or a century. All of the buildings are still in use. Like, yesterday I saw the Santa Maria Novella in perfect condition; like it hadn't aged one century."
"That's because it hasn't." Ezio glared daggers at her, "You must be insane. What are you talking about?" He pulled his horse in front of hers, forcing her to stop as she got a look at how agitated he really was.
Play it safe Ness or he'll ditch you; you need his help! Taking a deep breath, Vanessa nervously continued; her hands fiddling with her horses' mane and saddle. "I'm from the twenty-first century, that's what I'm talking about. From what I know, no one's ever traveled back in time, so this must be a first in history."
Ezio had the look of realization across his face. He believed she was insane; she was an ill woman who needed professional attention. "I cannot believe this!" He groaned, his hand running down his face.
"I bet that book isn't even real!" He was beyond annoyed, the man was pissed off. Vanessa kept herself a safe distance from him, she knew he'd be angered or at least bothered by it somewhat. No one could justly believe someone claiming to be from the future, Vanessa wouldn't believe it herself had she not had perfect memory of her life as an officer, her life in the twenty-first century, and the sudden transition between then and fifteenth-century Italy.
"It is real." Vanessa countered, "Let me prove it to you, I know a way."
"Prove it? How? You're obviously an ill woman; I bet my life that the only reason you know those names is because your family must've known mine. It's possible, my family name was known throughout Firenze!"
"Leonardo da Vinci, that's how." She defended herself, "Right now, he should just be a painter in Florence, but in the near future, he'll go to Venice, Milan, he'll travel, he'll be well known for his work. In the twenty-first century Ezio, that man's name is known by everyone. He's a genius; I bet if we could just find him, I'd be able to tell you a few things about him to prove it and have him confirm them." Vanessa thought deeply to herself, now all she needed to do is find da Vinci and make her case to both of them; it'll be easier then speaking nonsense to Ezio.
No one knew technology like people in her time did, so claiming various achievements would mean nothing unless there was a way to show that it was plausible. Flight hadn't been perfected yet and people believed it an act against God to attempt it. Computers; how was she to explain those? There wasn't a thing in the entire world, at this time, that she could use to help Ezio understand.
Then again, perhaps proving it wasn't the issue so much as the fact of her traveling in time. She didn't know how that worked anymore then she knew the mechanics behind a flat screen, she knew it worked; she just didn't have the knowledge of its functions.
"I'll take you to him and if you are wrong..." Ezio roughly ran his hand over his jaw, as if he was trying to hold back from shouting at her. "One thing wrong and I'll let the guards have you."
He yanked the reigns and started off at a faster pace, cantering a head of Vanessa as she stayed behind with her hound.
It couldn't be easier to understand, if she didn't remember at least most about Leonardo da Vinci's life enough to convince Ezio-
Wait. Vanessa smiled, he knew Leonardo da Vinci? He said he was taking her to him, so he must be familiar with the artist. Vanessa was told she had an artistic mind; she was taken with paintings, drawings, and the creative genius of histories greatest minds. Nikola Tesla, da Vinci, Picasso, Van Gogh. She was going to meet one of the most famous people in the world.
Leonardo da Vinci, the famous polymath whom everyone respected, who's work sparked the construction of the helicopter, the tank, and many artistic styles. His art had survived through two of the worlds largest wars, not counting the many others pieces of his work had to suffer through in order to be kept safe and sound.
She was going to see Leonardo; she felt excited, thrilled, she needed to calm herself or she'd end up sounding like a bumbling idiot.
Oh, Ezio's talking.
"What have you gotten me into?" He was complaining. Wonderful, Vanessa brought her horse up beside his. "Ezio, listen. I'm not crazy; just remember some of the things I've told you. A police officer? Those don't exist here; not to mention how I knew those names and not just the Assassin names either, the Templar names."
"Do you expect me to just agree? If I did, I would happily let my uncle lock me up for spouting such impossible things. Nothing you've said has made sense; I don't think I'll believe you even if Leonardo tells me what you say must be true." Ezio again looked over her clothing. She was right, to a certain degree; about everything she had said so far being strange. Police, a guard woman, a woman wearing pants no less. She was... unique, but it didn't mean she wasn't mentally challenged.
"I would prefer to believe what you say, but I don't see how I can." It was only from what his uncle had taught him that he was being so patient with her. Had he met her before he became an Assassin and trained with his uncle, he would've turned her away and called the guards on her.
He was telling the truth too now, he wanted to trust what she said, to accept it as undeniable; yet he had to listen to his common sense. Going through time? Unspeakable.
"What about where you come from, America, was this what you were trying to hide from me?" Vanessa smiled, he wasn't going to accept the idea, but he was giving her a chance. "You won't become completely aware of its existence until another few years. A man, who lived here in Florence, was what they named the land after. Amerigo Vespucci."
Ezio blinked, "Here? He discovered that land?"
"Let's just say he suggested it wasn't what they thought it was and leave it at that, if we go on, it'll take hours just to fully explain everything." Vanessa chuckled, her carefree nature relaxed Ezio slightly; it was comforting for him to know that although she may be unique, she wasn't a threat to him or his work.
Once Florence could be seen, Vanessa smiled. She knew getting her hopes up would make failure all the more painful, but she couldn't help it. She may have the chance to go home, to get her life back on track and away from this almost too alien time.
Things were so different here, she hadn't seen the half of it, but with Assassin's and knowing the Templar's were around (at least in part) kept Vanessa feeling more out of place then she had done upon discovering being misplaced in time.
Dismounting, Vanessa took it slowly, barely lifting herself off the saddle and let her legs take the brunt of the force while her torso throbbed in protest.
Vanessa ignored all else to kneel down and gave Count a good petting, giving him thanks for not being a bother on their trip back to Florence. Ezio watched for a moment with his arms crossed while she used her fingers to scratch Count underneath his thick, heavy coat.
"What kind of mutt is that?" Ezio came closer, bending over to pat the dog's head. "He's a German Shepherd, his breed is commonly used as a police hound; they're very intelligent, great learners, very loyal. I've had Count for about four years now and he's never let me down."
"A dog as a guard?" He straightened himself back up, "Dog's can sense things much better then humans. While I can't smell anything but dirt, the horses, and both of us, Count here can smell people in the city, the entire stables, the fields, he can smell everything since we can't. Dog's can also overpower a human rather easily; that's what Count was doing mostly before I came here." She explained, standing up as Count just scratched his neck with his foot.
"We'll see." Ezio turned, letting Vanessa follow behind him with Count rounding them ever so often; every time coming straight back to Vanessa.
"The alley wasn't too far from the Santa Maria Novella, if we go there, then I know I can take us directly to the alleyway." Vanessa stood by Ezio's shoulder, looking around ancient Florence. "We're going to Leonardo first; if you are lying, or ill, I'd rather find out now then hunt for a nonexistent book."
Shrugging, Vanessa just took this time to take her last chances to see ancient Florence. If she was to find that book and find her way home, then she'd never see this city again, most likely. She'd be going to Spain, not Italy, and there she'll enjoy history as it barely stands before her. Now she could live in the fifteenth-century, unbothered.
Well, bothered, but not in a way that she'd be interrupted from her admiration for historic architecture.
Speaking of which, Vanessa was grinning like a monkey. Leonardo's workshop in Florence. Oh, how her friend would be jealous, so very jealous. Vanessa wanted to travel so badly it hurt day in and day out; but this wasn't Spain, it was better. It was history in the making.
Ezio turned to a door and rapped on it, waiting for the occupant to answer.
As the door squeaked open, they were met with an excited voice. "Ezio! How are you?" He greeted them inside, closing the door behind them as Ezio replied. "Good my friend." Leonardo embraced Ezio shortly before becoming aware of his newest guest and her pet.
"Ah, and who is this bella donna?" He passed Ezio, hands clasped together in interest. "I'm Vanessa Ryder." Ezio nodded his head towards her, "And she claims to be from the future."
"What?" Leonardo spun to face Ezio, "He means that I have stumbled across some kind of... supernatural rift in time. I know it sounds insane, like Ezio told me earlier, but there's no other word for it, no other possibility and I find myself in a very unlucky position because of it."
Leonardo was stunned for a moment, rooted to the spot after hearing Vanessa explain herself. "I am... not sure what to, ah, say about that... I guess I would have to ask for some kind of evidence to your story."
"Well put." Vanessa needed to remember, not all, not every inch of detail, but something notable to Leonardo.
"Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci. That's your full name, your father was Piero da Vinci and your mother Caterina and you were taught by a man named Verrocchio." Both stood back from Vanessa and she begun her own ranting, she wanted to convince them, to have Leonardo's confirmation and Ezio's acceptance. She was nervous, a wreck.
She ranted and rambled on. "We think one of your earliest works is Annunciation, somewhere between fourteen-seventy and fourteen-eighty, not sure, still working on perfecting how we test things like that. I- I mean, we don't know much about you, we knew your interests were so much more then artistry and practicality that you went on to create things, build things, trying to make functional equipment that was so far ahead of you time."
Ezio looked to his friend while Vanessa fiddled with a loose strand of hair.
Leonardo was at a loss for words, he just met this oddly clothed dark skinned woman with a very strong accent he couldn't place and suddenly she begins retelling an overview of his life. His friend just stood beside him, expecting him to speak up, as if he was supposed to know what was happening.
"Look Leonardo, I'm just trying to prove to Ezio I'm from the future, but the only way I know how right now besides for trying to work my way through politics like the Pazzi conspiracy, which would take far too long to try and explain or talk to you. Who I didn't know Ezio knew until about twenty minutes ago." Vanessa held a lop sided smile, "I'm sorry for barging in like this, but I just needed to give Ezio a grounds to believe me so we can go fetch the book."
Standing between his friend and Vanessa, Leonardo never let his mood drop beyond confusion. "What book?"
"It is supposedly a book containing the names of some important conspirators like the Pazzi-" Ezio stopped, "Hold on, what do you know about the Pazzi?" Ezio bypassed Leonardo, once more targeting Vanessa as she helplessly defends herself.
"Well, the Pazzi conspiracy became infamous, people all over know about it now. The Pazzi plot to kill the Medici in order to gain power over Florence, it's a well known historical fact." She cringed away from the flustered assassin, "Of course, no one knows about the Assassin and Templar war, not a soul but them."
"You've just repeated certain times in my life, yes, and my parents even." Leonardo stopped his friend, resting a hand on his back, "She is right; my father was Piero and my mother Caterina and I was taught by Verrocchio."
Ezio nodded, "Anything else?"
"Umm, not that I know of." Vanessa mouthed out thank you to Leonardo, who replied with a slight bow. "Can we get the book now?"
He caved, she succeeded in her part, and it was time to complete his. "Very well, let us go now before it gets dark, I'd much rather not have to deal with the night guards; they're much more suspicious."
"Leonardo, I'm sorry we burst in like that." Vanessa held her hand out, "But it was an honor to meet you, I hope we get the chance to see each other again."
He smiled; he put aside the odd topics for one last polite gesture. "Of course tesora." He took her hand, bowed and kissed the back of her hand in one swift, skillful motion. "I to hope we meet again."
"Before we go Leonardo," Ezio pulled out three scrolls. "Ah, more codex pages!" Leonardo took them eagerly and rushed over to a table, setting them out. "I can have these deciphered by this afternoon if you are still in the city."
"We will return before we leave Leonardo, thank you again my friend." Leonardo saw them out the door, bidding them a final farewell before Ezio began leading Vanessa and Count away from his workshop and back into the many winding streets of Florence.
Ezio remembered what Vanessa had mentioned earlier about the Santa Maria Novella, he was going to take her there and from that point he'd let her take the lead.
It wasn't long before Vanessa wanted to speak up about what happened at Leonardo's workshop, she also wanted to know what those scrolls were that had the artist so excited, but that was only if her first question was met with a positive answer.
"So, do you believe me now?" Ezio stopped for a second, gathering his thoughts and collecting his words to answer without misunderstanding. "You have to admit, this is a lot to take in."
"I can understand that, I was trying to prove it to myself too. I kept asking myself how I'd give you irrefutable proof that I was from the future; it always came up with a question unanswered, a statement too... ridiculous." She laughed, catching Ezio smiling back at her. "Believe me this, at least, if there was a way I could go home without bothering you with all this... insanity," She gestured her hands outward, towards everything all around them. "I assure you, I wouldn't have ever thought about burdening you with this."
Ezio sighed and stopped, turning Vanessa to face him directly. "You are not a burden Vanessa, this is all a little too strange to me and I should apologize if I have given you a reason to think you have bothered me in anyway. Honestly, you have not; do not continue thinking you have."
Vanessa chewed on the inside of her cheek, "Thanks Ezio; you're pretty cool for an..." She looked to people around them, "-an assassin."
He held an arm out to her, Vanessa, thinking over the polite gesture, decided it best to begin working on his good side. There was nothing wrong with the man, he didn't seem evil or have a murderous behavior. He was an assassin though, he targeted certain people, and she'd just have to make due with not understanding him or his work completely.
Hooking her arm with his, sending Ezio grinning in triumph, they continued on their way to Santa Maria Novella in hopes to find and recover the book of Templars and Assassins.
It was early afternoon, they weren't too late in the day to be concerned, but after seeing the Santa Maria Novella, Vanessa took the lead, trying her best to remember the exact way to the alley the guards had dragged her out of so forcefully.
Looking down a main street to her left, Vanessa released Ezio's arm and jogged down the road, weaving in and out of the crowds, dodging people and shifting through them with little concern whilst Ezio started to lag behind. Vanessa was a smaller person and far more nimble then the assassin bogged down with pounds of armor and weaponry.
Vanessa was certain the man was a walking arsenal by now, supplying freedom fighters wherever he went like some backwards Robin Hood.
She was beyond thrilled she remembered the chestnut horse neighing above her head when she awoke the first time in Florence.
The horse was either still there or had been ridden recently as it stood as a landmark to the alley she was in beforehand. It was the exact some one, no mistake about it. The horse, its small water and food sources, the building in front of her and to her side. She realized now the one to her left when she awoke was actually a wall, not another home.
She saw the very spot she rose from; black marks scarred the ground. It looked similar to the markings of her first experiment as a child with fireworks; burnt markings in a circle around a certain point, she hadn't noticed that when she was in the alley the first time.
"Vanessa." Ezio caught up, shoving his way passed the last inconsiderate person. "Is this it?" He was clearly examining the same burnt ground she was.
"Yeah..." Vanessa quickly took off to scouring the area, the book was either there or at the precinct. She hoped to her dying bed it was here and would serve as her way home. She had to go home; she wanted to be back in the safety of her air-conditioned home, Count sleeping at her side on the couch while watching some late night movie.
She was desperately wanted that all back; she wanted to take things for granted again. This place, this time wasn't going to give her the same vanities as her life in the twenty-first century would.
Ezio was right behind her, turning over every crate, into every old barrel while Vanessa looked around the chestnut horse. It wasn't near the horse nor by the city wall to her left.
Joining Ezio, Vanessa stuck her hand into every possible hiding spot. Count had momentarily sniffed the old leather hide of the book; but without anything to remind him of that smell, Count wasn't useful.
Vanessa had to find the book, it was here, and it just had to be to her. She and her dog were both transported into the past, why wouldn't the book? Unless it couldn't for some unknown reason. She didn't know how these things work, she had no solid understanding, no one ever mentioned being in the past.
Unless people had done and never returned.
Vanessa dug around the pile of crates and old, abandoned clothing. It could've been teleported off in the distance, perhaps even on a rooftop, or someone picked it up.
There were many people standing around her when she first awoke, she hadn't a clue how long she'd been passed out in the alleyway but it was long enough for people to gossip and call over the guards to see to her health.
The book, somewhere, anywhere, it had to be here.
She needed to go home.
"Vanessa!" She felt herself being yanked by two strong arms away from her frantic search. "It is not here." He held her at arms distance, his hands tightly gripping her upper arms.
She sighed and nodded, she didn't trust her voice. Even Count sat stoically by her feet. "I have business in Florence; I will take you to Leonardo's where you'll stay until I return. After that, we can get the codex pages from him and return to Monteriggioni; it isn't safe to stay in Florence."
He released her arms, "Come now, we really should start moving." Ezio saw her disappointed expression. Even if he didn't fully believe her story, it didn't help him shake how badly he felt when he saw how heartbroken she looked over not finding the book.
"It'll be fine Vanessa, we'll find another way." She explained to him already her thoughts on it; that it may possess the ability to get her home, to her own time; he still didn't want to openly admit he was beginning to believe this woman's fantastical tale of time traveling with a dog through a book.
She didn't reply and she meekly followed behind him, waiting to return to Leonardo's. She was hungry now, if she was going to be stuck in fourteen seventy-eight, she might as well start trying to acquire a life here. She wasn't going to mooch off of Ezio and his uncle forever of course.
A problem bounced in her head, she met Daniel years ago on the force, both of them became close friends, practically family; she always meant to accept his invitations to do something. He wasn't flirting with her, he was gay, and he just loved her company as she loved having him around too. It was a mutual thing, his mother didn't mind his choice, his father was always cruel to people though. Vanessa served as a source of comfort and support when he needed it.
But he stuck around her when she broke her leg, or when she was shot. After she was mugged one night he stayed at her house until she felt safe again and promised to never tell a soul that she felt defenseless; she never got to tell him how thankful she was that he was just there for her.
They both stuck together, nothing separated them; now she had Count to protect her sanity while she survives in a strange land.
"Quick," Ezio grabbed her hand, pulling her into an alley. Her body screamed to stop and deny his pull. Her torso would hurt for weeks, from extreme sensitivity as she suffered from now to a light soreness a week or so later. Ezio's insistence to take sharp turns around corners, jerking her from side to side was beginning to hurt far too much.
She ground her teeth, bit her tongue, finally, she couldn't take. "Stop Ezio, Jesus Christ, just stop!" Ezio stopped on a dime and she ran straight into him. Her body was burning inside out, she couldn't take it. Vanessa always made sure her boss knew when she was injured in the line of duty to where she'd become dead weight in a delicate situation; he'd always heed her warnings and put her on a desk until her doctor said she was fine.
"What's wrong?" He was a bit mad when she screamed at him to stop, but watching her double over in pain, he grew far too concerned. "Are you well?"
Count whined beneath her, offering his never ending support. She wrapped her arms around her stomach; she did all she could to slow her breathing down. "I thought you said you could keep up with me." He gloated; he saw her panting and assumed she was just winded from running through the alleyways. He had to dodge the patrol group of guards heading his way and it was all too obvious that Vanessa hadn't spotted them before he did; he had to get himself and Vanessa to safety.
"It's not that." She groaned, "I'm a cop, a police woman, getting hurt on the job isn't unheard of."
Ezio frowned; he couldn't see any injuries outside her uniform. Perhaps they were old wounds? "What happened, were you hurt?"
"I got shot three times in the chest. I'm a little limited right now, I'll be better in a few days, enough to run with minimal problems." Ezio remembered, she was cautious this morning, mounting the horse and dismounting, various times when force was applied to her shoulders or back she'd flinch.
"Leonardo will take care of you; we just have to take the back way to reach his workshop. We'll tend to your wounds there, but right now we have to move or else those guards will catch us. Can you do that?" He helped her straighten up, "As long as when we get there I don't do a damn thing but sit down, I think that's motivational enough for me."
"Good, we need to go. Now."
Review Replies:
flyingcrispi: Look! Another early update! :D I'm getting so many happy reviews I can't help myself! More Vanessa and Ezio!
*GASPETH* I'm sooo very thrilled you're enjoying my chapters! And you're welcome, I hope this chapter is as good or better then the last!
emochild123456: COOKIIIIEEEEEEZZZ.
My weakness! :D
Thanks for teh cookahs, I really luv them.
Anyways, a romance is highly likely for this story. I'm beginning to think it's best for our characters, they'll be spending a long time together; might as well!
Kudomeya: Another quick update, yes? :D
I'm loving my freedom to write this story, I've always been overly calculating of my chapters in other stories that it takes me forever to update. So I decided to make life simple and release a story that's calm, relaxed, fast paced here or there, when necassary, but this is a more "Learn a lesson in life" kind of story.
I hope what we talked about over PM's helped, if you need anything more I'd love to be your informant!
crystalfeathers: Yes, all in fact! It makes me happy!
Yes, I am well aware of Ezio's love of women. Or something else about women I'm not going to say here.
Vanessa would be a challenge, but it's not like she'll be there for a few days and suddenly a romance will burst from the seams.
She's not leaving the fifteenth-century for a long time. A long, long time. So, a roman over time isn't impossible nor unlikely. Vanessa's an attractive woman, she's an every day adverage person, but compared to other beauties in fifteenth-century...
Well, we have various skin treatments and hair treatments that'll make our "adverage" woman seem rich compared to those of the fifteenth-century. While we'd deem it normal, they'd think we were rich! I mean, clean was considered rich then and a spot of dirt meant you were as poor as dirt.
I'd look like a million bucks. See, it didn't matter if you were, poor or middle class, if you looked rich to the same class or the higher classes, you'd be worth a lot more. Especially if you were a woman and so very clean.
Tasteful, perhaps, at a time, a bit physical, but a romance nonetheless. Like I said, Vanessa will be there for quite some time; not just a few measly days or weeks. But years.