Giovanni got down from the wagon and waved to Maria and Claudia telling them to stay. Federico dismounted and I followed him, ignoring the dirty look he gave me.
"Bungornio my friends Auditore. I must say I'm hurt, how could you leave Firenze without a proper good-bye." Federico attempted to shuffle me behind him before he spoke.
"What do you want Vieri?" Vieri took a breath, being very overly dramatic.
"Oh, I want many things, a bigger palazzo, more money, a prettier bride." With that his eyes wandered over Claudia and myself.
"And of course your deaths." He finished then the man waved behind him and a few armed men came forward. The fight was quick, I don't think these hired hands had much experience. Giovanni faced Vieri when he clocked the last one.
"Step aside, I don't wish to harm you boy. My quarrel was with your father only." Vieri spat at Giovanni's feet.
"A quarrel with my father is a quarrel with me." He gestured to the remaining men behind him.
"Finish them, and do not spare the women." The men pulled out swords and began to advance on us. We were really outnumbered. Then several men dropped without warning, Vieri stumbled back shocked.
"What sorcery is this?" A hearty echoing voice laughed and spoke.
"Not sorcery boy, skill." The Pazzi whelp pointed his sword wildly panicking, but still trying to sound forceful.
"Show yourself cordado." The voice laughed again, we all whipped our heads trying to determine where it was coming from. Then out of nowhere a new face emerged and dropped two more men.
"Gladly." The figure grabbed two swords from the fallen men and tossed them to Federico and Giovanni. The continuing fight was very bloody, I felt like an idiot standing watching them. I heard Maria cry out. Turning I saw a burly man trying to force Claudia out of the carriage. Rushing forward I kicked the man hard in his sternum. He fell to his knees and recovered with a furious look on his face. Clumsily I blocked a few of his punches but he got me on my cheek. After a few minutes I was able to get him in the stomach which made him double over. Taking the opportunity I got him in the side of the head and he fell unconscious.
Looking around the rest of the men and de Pazi ran for their lives. The strange man that had helped us came up to Giovanni. He was a large man, whose belly suggested he was fond of his food and drink. But at the same time looked strong and fit. Something about him looked familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Giovanni took in the man a moment then broke out in a big smile. The two men laughed heartily and embraced like old friends. I walked forward so I could hear them talking. Giovanni was grinning at the man in a knowing way.
"Mario do you never tire of the dramatic entrances?" The man laughed at him.
"It makes things interesting my brother. As I can see you've not let your skills tarnish at all." That was when it click, the man was Mario Auditore Giovanni's brother. That was why he seemed familiar, he had the same nose. Federico rushed forward and gave him a big hug.
"Uncle Mario!" Mario laughed and returned the hug with so much gusto that Federico was lifted of the ground.
"Federico my boy! Good to see you." He held Federico at arms length a moment, studying him closely.
"How you've grow since last we meet. You've become a fine figure of a man." Awkwardly I stood by during the family reunion. Mario flitted about getting reacquainted with Maria and Claudia. Who according to Mario was becoming a 'right proper beauty'. Poor Pettrucio was struck by his shyness again, the last time he'd meet his uncle he'd been a baby. Eventually Federico came up to me and grabbed my hand dragging me up to his uncle.
"Uncle, this is Amelia Bennett. I good friend of ours." Mario smiled at me so big I thought he was going to hug me as well. But instead he came up and clapped my forearm warmly. I smiled at him, I already liked the friendly man.
"Pleased to meet you Signor." The man scoffed at my formality.
"Oh, young Amelia. You are a friend of my brother's family. You call me Mario." After the introductions were over Mario suggested we get away into his town. Apparently Monteriggoni was an entire city, and Mario was the leader of the city. I took in the city as Giovanni got Mario up to speed on what had happened in Florence. The place was a little depressing. It looked like it was once beautiful, but there were buildings in disrepair and shops sitting abandoned. Mario looked at me watching everything else and spoke.
"I know the place seems a little run down, I wish I had the time and money to fix it. But I suppose that's life." Eventually he lead us up a hill to a large mansion grounds, looking down you could see the whole city. Mario gestured to the building.
"Welcome to the Villa Auditore. Casa dolce Casa." Like the rest of the city it was beat down, but still had a kind of grandeur. Mario continued.
"It was built by my Great Grandfather." Giovanni turned to his brother with a sincere look on his face.
"Brother I truly appreciate you taking us in like this. If there is anything I can do for you." Mario cut him off.
"Think nothing of it brother. It's my job to help family." He turned and looked at me a moment.
"Perhaps I could have a doctor look at that cheek signorina." I frowned for a moment and raised a hand to the cheek that man had hit. Wincing when I touched it, it was swollen and sore. There was probably a wicked bruise. Still I shrugged at Mario.
"It wouldn't help any, it's not broken just bruised. Don't worry it looks worse then it is." I said this because I'd always bruised easily. After that Mario invited everyone inside, I went to follow them. But unfortunately Federico stopped me with an angry look on his face.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Federico looked astonished at my question, the angry expression didn't leave his face.
"What's wrong? I'd think it was obvious, your hurt." I rolled my eyes. Why was this bothering him so much.
"Yeah, I was in a fight and someone hit me. That tends to happen." I said it with a smile, but Federico wasn't amused.
"Do not turn this into a joke Amelia. You had no business being in that fight to begin with." That did it, now I was getting angry as well.
"No business Federico? It was so my business. I saw a couple of friends in danger so I went to help them. Why is this such a problem for you?" Our voices had gotten progressively louder, I'm sure the whole Villa could here us.
"Because it is." Federico said vaguely.
"Why!" I practically shouted at him. Federico looked steamed and began stalking toward me. I back away a little fearful, not sure if he was in his right mind. He had a strange expression on his face that was part anger, and part something else. When he was close enough he grabbed me by my arms, and I sort of struggled against him. Then the jerk yanked me so I was slammed up against him with no escape. Then he put his hand at the back of my head and pushed it toward him. His lips met mine forcefully and I my eyes went wide, this was unexpected. I stopped struggling, and eventually he released me. He stood there a moment panting, I think I was to. I was finding it a little tough to think. Federico got close to me and spoke in a furious whisper.
"That is 'Why' Amelia." With that final word he turned his back on me and stormed into the Villa. His temper obvious from the way he was practically stamping his feet. I didn't follow he, I just stood there watching after him like an idiot. Taking a sigh I turned my eyes to the sky and spoke to it in an ironic tone.
"Seriously, what did I do? Why do you like to toy with me." As usual the sky gave me no answer.
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