"Cara you need to wake up now." A hand was gripping my shoulder shaking me gently. I cracked my eyes open and saw it was still dark outside. What kind of fool gets up before dawn? I smacked the hand away and mumbled.

"Go away I'm tired." The person shaking me laughed.

"I know Bella, but still we need to run for our lives, remember?" I opened my eyes and looked above me. There was Federico standing over me grinning crookedly. He looked like he had just got out of bed, his hair was mussed and his doublet was half open. Groaning I slowly pulled my self out of the nice warm sheets.

"Alright, alright I'm up." Yawning as I stood up I looked at Federico who was grinning like an idiot.

"What?" I asked a little snippy. He shook his head still with that smile.

"Simply enjoying the view Bella." I frowned confused then looked where Federico's eyes where. I saw that he was looking at how I was in nothing but my white nightdress. In the fourteen hundreds I'm pretty sure this was considered scandalous. Scowling I pointed to the door.

"Get out you rouge." He crossed this arms and planted his feet with that infuriating smirk that made me blush. Growling I flung a pillow at his face. He ducked laughing fully and ran out of the room shutting the door behind him. His voice sounded through the door.

"You have five minutes Cara." I flushed as I dressed and washed my face. Paola had graciously given me a hair brush, so I used it to get rid of my tangles. Carefully I walked down the stairs as I tied my hair back with a piece of twine. The Auditore family was gathered around the table. When I came in Federico smirked.

"Ah, the lioness has emerged!" I scowled at him but he kept pushing.

"Really Cara I have never heard such a fearsome sound come from a woman's mouth." Ezio gave him an incredulous look.

"Really brother?" Federico smiled at him conspiratorially.

"Well no recently."

"Boys!" Maria called out as she covered Pettrucio's ears. The little boy looked so confused I laughed out loud. I think I offended him because he looked down at the table shame faced. Giving a sympathetic look I quietly palmed a florin.

"Hey Pettrucio!" He looked at me and I flicked my wrist in front of him making him blink. At the right moment I showed him the florin. I knew the action made it look like it appeared out of thin air. The kid's eyes went wide as he cautiously took the offered coin.

"Cest buena fortuna." I told him which as close as I could figure meant 'it's good luck'. He seemed to understand me because he smiled real big and started chatting with Claudia showing off the coin. Right after we finished breakfast we all set about packing what little we had and loading it into a carriage that Paola procured for us. While busy I caught a glimpse of Claudia talking to Giovanni, she looked close to tears. Ezio was close by, so I asked what made her so upset.

"She was asking him what's going to happen to our house."

"Oh." It hit home how much these people were giving up, and it hurt me to think the strain it had put on Claudia. She'd been very brave so far, but now she'd had time for everything to seep in. Ezio patted my shoulder snapping me out of my reflections.

"She'll be alright." He said tiredly. Ezio under a lot of strain as well. It seemed to me that he'd been forced to grow up all at once. The only Auditore that seemed emotionally unaffected was Federico, but I knew that was a front for how he was really feeling. Our little evening chats were proof of that.

However I had little time to dwell on the fact, morning was coming quickly. Giovanni began rushing us he wanted to be out of the city before true light hit. Soon we were arranging ourselves in the carriage which was really just a big wagon. Maria, Claudia, Pettrucio and I were directed to make ourselves comfortable in the back. While Giovanni drove, and Federico rode horseback beside us. Ezio ,like Federico had told me would be a few days behind. Paola came out to see us off, I had to admit I would miss her.

We kept our heads down as we rode through the city gates. Luckily though no guards stopped us and we made it on to the open road without any trouble. Soon the others fell asleep, but I was to keyed up to nap. Carefully I made my way to the front of the wagon to speak to Giovanni. He looked down at me and smiled, he seemed in lighter spirits now that we were clear of the city. I regarded him before I spoke.

"Messer, are you sure your brother will take us in?" He face changed to an offended look.

"Of course, he is my brother. He'll believe my innocence, even if it cost him his life." I put my hands up in surrender.

"I'm sorry, just checking. Not many people would willingly get themselves involved." Giovanni gave me a gentle smile and turned back to the horses.

"It is alright Amelia I know you don't mean any offense." I watched him drive a few moments before he turned back to me.

"Amelia, do you know how to drive a wagon?" Looking up at him I embarrassingly shook my head.

"Truthfully, I've never even rode a horse before." The look Giovanni gave me made me suspect I'd grown a second head. He made a tutting sound with his mouth and grinned.

"That is a mistake my sons, and I must rectify." My head perked up and a big smile broke out.

"Really?" I asked excitedly. "You'd teach me?" He laughed at my enthusiasm.

"I'll start right now, come here next to me." Quickly as I could with the lurking of the wagon, I clambered to the driver's bench. I spent the next hour with Giovanni teaching me to direct the horses. How to speed them up, make them stop, turn left, and then turn right. I actually had fun and buy the end of the lesson he let go of the reins and let me have at it. Federico pulled his horse along side and watched me with an amused smile. He addressed his father.

"You never cease your lessons do you father?" Giovanni and I laughed at the comment, but Giovanni responded.

"She's a quick study son, we'll make a horse woman of her yet." I smiled proudly at him. For the first time since we got caught up in this little fiasco. I felt a sense of comfort and belonging.

I know that I had to mess with the time line a little, but I think this flowed fairly smooth. Review A.S.A.P