Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Assassin's Creed or anything associated with the series. I do, however, own Evelina, Adriano, Lucio, and any other characters you don't recognize from the series. Except for historical figures (Renzo di Ceri).

Author Notes: OH MY GOODNESS. Haven't been in the mood to write at ALL lately. I'm sorry that my drive has diminished along with my time. This chapter took some research and it's still not entirely correct. It is all from Evelina's point of view. The big twist is coming! I promise! It'll just take... more... time.. :/

Un Piano

Her brother was waiting at the door.

"Ah! Sorella!" He embraced me and patted my back gently.

"It is very good to see you again, Federico," she whispered into his shoulder.

"Of course! But I did not think you would be joining us so early!" His gaze turned to our father. "Are you sure you want to involve her in this? Things can get messy, as you well know."

Signore Auditore nodded. "She is ready, figlio. Your sister lives with Thieves, after all."

They shared a laugh and then motioned inside the decaying warehouse.

"Come, sorella! The others wait!"

"They approach Il Vaticano as we speak!"

"Look where we are! This will be all of Roma if we do not hurry!"

Aunt Claudia placed a firm hand on the table, her face scrunched in an inquisitive nature. "But the Principe of Orange only scrounged up some of his army. It can't be as difficult as it was before."

A Thief Evelina felt she had seen before, clad in a green vest and bandana, spoke from the other side of the table. "But the imperial army is still strong. Just because a few soldiers go rogue, doesn't mean their forces have diminished to a point of being defeated!" Her hand whipped around in the air as to call the Madonna a fool.

The man covered in shining armor, a long sword hanging at his side, bowed his head in frustration. "She is right, Madonna. Just because the Duke of Bourbon is dead, does not mean they have lost. They are powerful. And they are coming to capture the Pope. For what, I do not know."

"We have to get the Pope out of there before it's too late!"

"No! We must focus more on weakening their army!"

"ENOUGH!"

Signore Auditore shouted, his voice echoed throughout the abandoned warehouse. All glares, stares, or wondering eyes now pointed at him expectantly.

"I have invited you. Only you five because you are most valuable to the cause. You are all useful in your ways of acquiring knowledge," his gaze turned to his sister, "procuring necessary items," he glanced at the woman in green, "and conquering the enemy," he finished with a quick nod to the man in armor. "I need you to band together with me and come up with a reasonable solution. This banter is not necessary."

The others silently nodded and directed their attention to some parchment Evelina's brother had laid on the table, all except the Thief in green.

"Ezio, who is this girl you have brought with you?"

He looked down at her. "Oh yes. This is my daughter, Evelina. Sister to Federico."

The woman in green paced over to her and took her hand in a firm shake. "Piacere di conoscerti, Signorina Evelina. I am Rosa."

"Piacere di conoscerla, Signora." She let hands rest at her sides. "May I ask, Signora-…"

"Per favore, Evelina. There is a reason I told you my name. Call me Rosa," she interrupted, smirking as she spoke. Perhaps good manners were not something she was accustomed to?

"Well, um… Rosa, if you don't mind my asking, what part do you take in all of this?" She motioned to the table and the others studying the parchment. "This 'operation', one could say."

Rosa smiled. "You see, after La Volpe mysteriously disappeared, they needed someone to take care of things at the Guild and while there were some that could have kept things together, Ezio trusted me. The Thieves in Venezia are being taken care of, so I came to Rome. The Thieves have grown accustomed to my presence, as have the recruits." She paused and placed her hands on her hips. "Come to think of it, I believe I have seen you waltzing about the inn." The Thief shrugged. "I suppose I just never thought of you as any more than a recruit. I have been away for quite some time, anyway. Missions and such," she said waving her hand about as if it were trivial.

"That's understandable," Evelina uttered.

"Si." Rosa glanced back at the table. "I take it you don't know our newest addition?" she questioned.

Evelina gazed at the man in the glimmering armor. His face was engulfed by a wavy caramel beard and a mustache and curved down into the shape as his frown. His brows furrowed, and his eyes squinted, leaving him with a grim appearance and a stern façade. His armor was the only interesting thing about him. Well, that and the tight grip on his long sword. This man did not seem to be a friendly type. But it was difficult to be friendly with anyone in this time of struggle and rivalry.

"I thought not," Rosa guessed, most likely noticing the strange look on her face. "His name is Renzo di Ceri. He fought for the Orsini family against the Papal States and Cesare Borgia. He also fought for Repubblica di Venezia in the wars following Cesare's 'rein.' He is a good fighter and a great leader, so I've been told." She lowered her voice, "But I do not trust him." Her eyes moved shiftily from Francesco to the wall next to her.

Evelina raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Rosa patted her shoulder. "I never trust condottieri, piccolina." The Thief stepped back over to the table and joined in on the conversation. Evelina followed.

"So we need to get the Pope to safety. There is always the Passetto di Borgo but he'll still be in range. Can we take that risk?" Federico asked the council.

Everyone looked around, as if to find the answer hiding in the air.

Evelina spoke up. "What is the Passetto di Borgo?"

Federico turned to her and smiled. "It is an underground passage connecting the Basilica di San Pietro and the Castello Sant'Angelo."

Renzo placed a hand on the table. "I still believe it is foolish to take better care of the Pope than his people."

Rosa glanced at him. "As do I. But what choice do we have? Charles may be a merciful leader, but how merciful can a conquering emperor be?" The others shrugged uneasily. "Certainly, the Medici have been wrong before but I'd rather have some idea of what we're dealing with than no idea at all."

A sigh escaped from the condottiere. "If only that idiota hadn't sided with Francis. The French have never been any good to us."

The native born Venetian smirked.

"So it's settled. Renzo, gather your men and meet us at Basilica di San Pietro. The recruits and I will lead the Pope through the passage. Rosa, your Thieves can serve as a decent distraction. Are we clear on what we are doing?" Federico looked at the others, who responded with quick gestures and words but all knew what they had to do. Protect the people, protect each other, protect themselves.

Federico turned his gaze to his father who smirked at his son. "I think it's settled then. Now, we must map out a course of action." He grabbed the map and started marking on it with his quill.
Claudia began to walk away from the table, seeing as she was not needed for this specific operation. Evelina followed her to the back of the abandoned warehouse.

"Ah. Evelina. What can I do for you?" There was something in her voice. Almost like she knew exactly what was to be said.

"Buonasera, Zia Claudia. I just wanted to ask you about someone who you might know."

The Madonna smiled. "Go on, piccina."

Heat rose to the Assassin's cheeks. "His name is Adriano. He was a friend of Lucio's." She did not want to mention their encounter just yet, in case he was lying. No need for such panic when all of this trouble with the Pope was going on.

The Madonna played with a curly piece of her hair as she thought. "Hmm… I recall the name. Why are you asking, Evelina? Have you seen him around?"

She knew. She had to. But that didn't stop Evelina's stomach from churning. "Yes, Zia Claudia. I have. He claims to have spent time in your care. I want to know what you know of him."

Claudia paced about the empty crates and barrels scattered about the room. The walls creaked as the wind blew against them. The room was dimly lit by cracks in the walls, letting the rising moon shine through.

Claudia kicked a pebble across the floor before looking back up at Evelina. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, a slight arch in her mouth signifying a seriousness about her sincerity.

"I know that you nearly killed him for who he was. I also know that he is that no more. He is a good man that made a wrong turn. But he is straightening himself out. And by finding you, I know he is heading in the right direction." Her hand left Evelina's shoulder and found a place on her own hip. She straightened up. "Anything else you wish to know?"

Evelina smiled and embraced her aunt. "Grazie, Zia Claudia."

"Anything for you, piccina. Just… per favore… remember the first tenant of our Creed." She pulled her niece away, still holding onto her. "Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent."

"I will. From now until forever."

There was a ruckas in the other room followed by calls from Signore Auditore.

"We must be leaving. It was good to see you, Zia Claudia. Arrivederla!"

"Arrivederci!"

Sorella - Sister

Figlio - Son

Piacere di conoscerti/ Piacere di conoscerla - Pleasure to meet you

Piccolina - Little girl

Buonasera - Good evening

Arrivederla!/ Arrivederci!- Goodbye!