So late, I know. I'm beginning to get writer's block regarding to middle portion to get it where I want it. I have the later chapters but seriously this isn't a long fanfiction. It was originally just one chapter but my ex-beta forgot to put it under complete so yeah. At a comment I continued it so I hope to meet those expectations. Luckily I have a new helper but ya know Mistakes are still hard to find and we don't have a lot of time to check it over a lot.
Sorry for the mistakes, enjoy.
Monteriggioni
"Nipote we must talk," Mario began as he waited for Claudia and Maria to go inside the villa. As soon as they both disappeared Mario turned on his nephew. "It was my understanding that Xiomar was traveling with you, I see that is not the case. Where is he?" Ezio drew in a breath and exhaled deeply.
"He is in Firenze uncle, at least I believe he is...he was to depart with us but in the end entrusted me with their safety." Mario's face was full of confusion. "He did not explain why but he swore he would find us again." Mario gave a deep sigh at the information.
"Very well Ezio, go inside, I will send in a doctor to tend to you, Claudia and your mother then you will eat and get some rest. We will talk more tomorrow in the morning." this time, Ezio was confused. Confused at the creases of worry on his uncle's face. Confused at the sudden urgency over Xiomar and most of all the sudden dismissal he was given but nonetheless he walked into the villa; he was hungry but most of all tired and pained. Mario watched his nephew for a moment before walking back the way they had come. At the bottom of the stairs he whistled and his men gathered around him. "Is there any news on our comrades?"
"No Mario; we have yet to receive word from Vincente. Not since he informed us of the tragedy." Mario's eyes narrowed in thought. "But we have received a letter from the thieves, though it is not about Imara."
"Well what did they say then? Speak up!" he roared out, nervously awaiting any information that might help their position in Florence.
"The tunnels and manuscripts Zahmir held under the house have been found. They think someone betrayed them and it is believed to be have been Alberti that helped them discover the secret entrance." a hushed silence fell over them as Mario hummed to himself.
"Find out more! We need to find Imara's and Vincente's whereabouts; we need them brought here to safety." with that the group scattered, one was left behind. He was Mario's second in command, his general of sorts. Mario turned back and trudged up the stairs. "What is it Urbano?" he asked, all this was beginning to wear him down though he kept looking at the more positive side of things.
"Something does not sit right Mario; the information Romeo brought from the thieves that is."
"What are you talking about Urbano?"
"Well from my understanding signore, Alberti was never close to the DiAngelo family but to the Auditore family. The news we received of their capture was planned seeing as they were hanged but Zahmir and Rina were killed right in their home." Mario stopped in front of the villa and turned his gaze to his friend. Urbano steeled himself, he would show Mario his suspicion on the way the incident played out.
"We know this was planned Urbano, a public execution would have protected the guard from ridicule if they were named traitors and all the guard would have to say regarding Zahmir and Rina is that they tried to escape by killing them."
"Yes but then why take Xiomara alive, why not kill her and take her body with her parents?" Mario turned back to the villa and headed towards his study. Urbano followed close behind hoping that his friend would see. "Someone has been watching them, we know Alberti was doing so with Giovanni but who with Zahmir?" both entered his study; Mario laid a hand on his desk and leaned on it.
"You think there is more than one traitor?" Urbano nodded, relieved that he finally saw what he had grown suspicious of. "You think it was Xiomar?"
Urbano crossed his arms, "No, not Xiomar. I admit he is a reckless boy but even so he cares deeply for his family and those he considers family. We know this to be true." his voice did not waver in his proclamation, he was sure it was not the newest member.
"Vincente," and Urbano nodded. "You think he did this? Why? What evidence do you have?"
"It's just a suspicion signore, we have yet to hear from him since we received news of their deaths, he was not accounted for in the death count nor in the news that he was missing. Why did he not help the remaining Auditore's flee? Surely he would have come with them. All I'm saying is that someone extremely close and trusted by the DiAngelo's would know the locations of the tunnels and manuscripts. There are too many gaps Mario, too many pieces missing from the story." Urbano stood firm in his accusations and would not back down from them until he was proved otherwise.
"I understand what you're saying Urbano, Ezio did not mention Vincente...as my most trusted companion I will bear this in mind but until we receive word about either of them we cannot simply charge in." Urbano nodded in understanding as Mario gave a heavy, tired sigh. "Giovanni was always the thinker from the two of us...Urbano, speak of this to no one; if what you're saying is true there may be a spy in Monteriggioni as well, I will speak to Ezio tomorrow. Let us hope we get something on our comrades soon."
"It is all we can do," they grew silent. "You think Ezio will continue where his father left off?"
"It is hard to tell right now, though I am hoping he will. He will need more training, he was barely able to fend off Vieri and his men back there." Urbano snorted, amusement shining in his eyes.
"He was lucky is what you mean Mario, mi scusi per essere smussato signore but if we had not arrived I do not think we would have found them alive." Mario gave a jovial laugh and clapped his friend on the shoulder.
"You are right Urbano but luckily you spotted them approaching, I thank whatever gods there are that we have you here with us." Urbano shook his head in good-nature. "Keep an eye out, in case Xiomar returns to us before we receive news."
Urbano new a dismissal when he heard one. He gave a short nod to his friend and left him to his thoughts as he stared at the Codex Page wall. "To think I would have to hear of not only my brother's death but that of my nephews...and then of the DiAngelo family as well. Here they will be kept safe and once both Xiomar and Vincente return they will be as well...at least I hope so."
Three days passed and there was no word from Firenze, not about Xiomar nor Vincente. As the sun rose over the horizon on the fourth day, Urbano called below as a rider was spotted in the distance. "Send for Mario, quickly!" one of the mercenaries ran off in haste. He could not make out who it was for they had the sun at their back and were still too far off to tell. However soon after a few others appeared behind the figure who seemed to glance back before facing forward and snapping at the reigns. It wasn't long before Mario appeared, Ezio trudging behind him in a sleepy heap. "They are being chased Mario, what if it is Xiomar?" Mario gave a smile before drawing his sword.
"Let us see what the fuss is about, come nipote." Ezio grunted and followed after his uncle with a small band of his mercenaries. They went down below and waited just outside the gate to the town.
Urbano watched, readying the bowmen as they grew closer. He narrowed his eyes and they opened back in surprise. "The rider carries Xiomar!" Mario's face turned grim for a moment, the worst case scenario crossed his mind. The archers readied themselves, they would not lose a brother again. The group behind the rider aimed their bows as well.
"Move!" Ezio called, the rider swerved and the limp figure in their arms finally moved. "Xiomar is alive Uncle." Mario nodded in return, a joyous laugh escaping from his lips. Xiomar looked behind the rider, then looked forward, his eyes landing on Mario and his group who were close enough to help. He looked back to the rider and said something that the figure shook their head too. To their surprise Xiomar hopped off the moving horse and rolled to cushion his landing. The rider pulled at the reigns to stop his steed and turned back to look at the young assassin.
"Go," Mario called and they all ran to cover the distance. The rider drew a bow as Xiomar did the same.
"You know you will not win Xiomar DiAngelo." Xiomar scowled.
"You do realize where it is we are do you not?" the man finally looked to the familiar walls of Monteriggioni. "If you continue forward you will be the one to die." he glared at the duo before calling for a retreat. Xiomar lowered his bow as soon as they disappeared. Mario and his mercenaries surrounded the youth, Mario engulfing Xiomar in a tight hug.
"Bene, you have made it back in one piece." Xiomar grinned at the older man before shaking his head.
"Not quite in one piece," the rider commented. A woman's voice came from behind the mask. "He is in need of medical attention, I found him just outside of Firenze. I must return now, take better care of yourself Imara." She rode towards Tuscany.
"You are lucky she was an ally Xiomar." the teen nodded and let out a deep breath.
"Indeed I am, I have much to tell you. Has Ezio decided?" Mario shook his head and Xiomar sighed in aggravation as he looked to Ezio. "No matter, it is best he hear this as well. I am in need of a doctor messer so please lead the way in." Mario and Ezio slung his arms over their shoulder and helped him walk back into the town. As they walked towards the stairs, a mercenary called to the doctor. Xiomar huffed, his shoulder beginning to bleed at the stretch it was going through.
"What were you doing in Firenze? Picking fights with the city guards?" Ezio muttered sarcastically and Xiomar couldn't help but bark out a laugh. "Mio dio, that's exactly what you were doing."
"Come sono la tua mamma e sorella (How are your mother and sister?)"
"Lei è ancora risponde e Claudia vuole tornare a Firenze (She is still unresponsive and Claudia wishes to return to Florence)...She still does not understand." Xiomar grunted, making them stop as his side began to burn even more.
"Lei è ancora innocente e ingenuo ... speranza , Ezio , che questo mondo non avrà che da lei così presto (She is still innocent and naive...hope, Ezio, that this world will not take that from her so soon)." The doctor ushered them along, wanting to treat him so he wouldn't lose any more blood. As soon as they entered Mario ushered Ezio away and with the Doctor's help got Xiomar upstairs to a room.
"Ezio," the teen turned to his sister who was looking worriedly after the trio. "What happened to Xiomar? Why is he hurt and bleeding?"
"I do not know, Uncle will call for us when he has been treated." she hugged herself and Ezio hugged his younger sister close. "He was talking before they took him up Claudia; that is a good sign."
She nodded, "It is always a good sign. Xiomara was the same so I knew she would be well..." she sniffled before untangling herself from her brother. She sat back at the desk and began writing in the book again, she needed to sort things out. They would not be leaving anytime soon until Xiomar was fit to travel. She hope for Firenze but the more she thought about it the more she shied away from the idea, the once beautiful city now held dark memories.
Ezio watched his sister for a moment before a strangled scream tore through the mansion. Claudia jumped and squeezed the quill in her hand so hard it snapped. Ezio glanced to Claudia before shaking his head, the process was agonizing. He'd hear a man being treated after someone attacked him, who it was...the city never found them. Another scream and Claudia ran from the mansion, unable to hear the teen in so much pain. Ezio stayed where he was, he owed much to Xiomar. Even before all this happened but after another scream followed by a yell from his uncle he raced up the stairs and barged into the door.
"Ezio get out!" but he stared in horror. The doctor was digging into Xiomar's side, the teen unconscious and breathing deeply. Mario pushed him out and shut the door again. He stood outside the door in shock, was treating wounds always so gruesome? He took a deep breath and numbly took a seat by the door. He would wait for them to finish and then he would wait for his friend to wake up. He needed to know what happened and to tell him they would be leaving when he is able to walk. He would not abandon his friend again.
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Yes I have half of the fourth done already. My lanta...and I lost my stuff for Changing to Adapt. Sadness...Anywho...I might post a short fic of Destiny/Transformer's crossover because it was dream my helper had and it was freaking awesome to hear. Anyway, tell me what ya guys think on this shtuff and the idea of that particular crossover oneshot.