Amelia's POV
I had just finished with all the chores I could think to do in the stable, and was about to go to the training yard. Then was nearly run over by a bunch of soldiers followed by Mario and Giovanni, who without a word threw saddles on horses and prepared to ride. Before Mario could gallop off I grabbed his reins and yanked so the horse would stop.
"Mario what's going on?" Mario looked down at me slightly annoyed but he still answered my question anyway.
"De Pazzi is rallying at San Gimignano he intends to attack on Monteriggioni, and we intend to stop them." My next words flew of my lips before I could think about them.
"Ok, give me a moment to get saddled I'm coming with you." Mario shook his head pulling his reins out of my grip, but spoke to me gently.
"Find Ezio, and Federico tell them what is happening and have them follow us." Without another word he spurred his horse and followed his men and brother. Licking my lips I ran up towards the Villa breathing heavily. Running through the manor searching for the two boys I passed my room and a light bulb went off. Going into my room I fetched a belt and sword, also concealing a knife in my boot. Mario told me to get the boys but he had not ordered me to not accompany them. Eventually I found the boys in a hallway, they took in my flushed face and arms with confused looks. Ezio asked me.
"Amelia, what is going on? Where is everybody.?" I had to take a breath before I could answer him lucidly.
"Your father and uncle are riding for San Gimignano, that's where Vieri de Pazzi is. We need to go now if we're going to catch them." They didn't waste time answering. Instead the two boys grabbed their gear and we all made for the stables. As we ran about the stable grabbing the proper tack and getting the horses saddled Federico looked at me.
"Your going to come along then Amelia." Turning toward him I gave Federico my most innocent face I could manage.
"If your father or uncle didn't want me to come along they didn't say so." He looked at me with a suspicious look, but didn't press the matter. Soon we were on the road traveling at a steady canter so we wouldn't tire out the horses. It was about three or four hours in the saddle before we reached a small village outside the city and spied some of Mario's soldiers. Slowing the horses we eventually found the two senior Auditore's standing together laying out plans. Ezio called out to them and Giovanni's face lit up when he saw his two sons.
"Ahh, my boys. I'm proud to see you both here taking a little responsibility for once." The two younger ones stood at attention ready for action. Unfortunately Mario saw me and his reaction was immediate.
"Amelia! Child why have you come. I told you to send Ezio and Federico here, not come along your self." Chuckling a bit I cleared my throat and answer in as dignified a voice as I could.
"Yes you told me to send the boys, but you never forbade me from coming. As a banker I believe that Giovanni can tell you that is a loophole." Mario looked like he was going to protest but then waved his hand dismissively. But I didn't miss the disapproving look that Federico shot me, or the slight grin that Ezio was trying to hide. Turning to look at the city in the distance Mario began to lay out the plan for us.
"The place is well fortified, they have patrolling guards and archers watching the walls. It doesn't seem that he has enough men to properly defend the south gate." We looked out to the outer walls, and I could just make out torches being lit in preparation for the coming sundown. Giovanni picked up where his brother left off.
"Mario and I shall lead a small unit to the south gate and dispatch with the guards. You three will use the distraction we provide to scale the outer wall to take care off the archers. If luck is with us they will never know we enter the city." Federico, Ezio, and I nodded our understanding and helped to prepare for the battle that was coming. I tried to keep my hands from shaking, but it was impossible I was so overwhelmed by what we were about to do. Eventually though as we made our way to the south wall I calmed my nerves by pretending the whole thing was another training session.
We waited in silence until true darkness fell over us then Giovanni gave us the hand signal. As silent as shadows Federico, Ezio, and I closed in on the wall. It was a few moments before we heard the clanging sounds of a battle, that was when we moved. Mario had us run a lot of exercises scaling walls so it was a cake walk. Ezio took a flying leap up the wall and pulled him self up, then Federico made a stirrup out of his hands that I put my foot into. Gently he lifted me and I used the momentum to get a footing in the wall, Ezio took my arm and lifted me up to the ledge. It wasn't long before Federico joined us, quickly we spotted the archers and we split up. Well Ezio took of and Federico stayed by me, quietly we took the archers with the throwing daggers Mario had given us.
When that was done we climbed down the inner wall. Ezio joined us leaping down from a roof in a rolling fall. Then the three of us made for the gate and quickly found the crank that would lift the gate. Ezio motioned for Federico and me to take positions by the gate, and he would lift the gate. We did so both of us pulling our swords to the ready. Federico glanced over to me with a strange look on his face, I didn't know if it was a look of battle or fear but I didn't have time to dwell on that. The instant the gate was up far enough Federico and I rushed forward into the fray that was still taking place, Ezio close behind us. There were only a hand full of guards left standing by the time we reached them. Plus nobody was expecting an attack from this end of the town none of these guys had that much experience in real battle.
When it was over the men rushed for the gate still maintaining their silence. I let out a breath, this little adventure had taken no more then five minutes but my heart was still racing. The boys and I hung back for orders, Giovanni came forward and regarded all of us.
"Not bad you all did well." Mario came beside his brother with a grim face nodding his head.
"Yes but now the easy part is over. Time for the real work to begin." With that the five of us turned and began to stalk toward the gate. On the way I said a silent prayer that we could get away from this okay.
Wow, action sequences are harder to write then emotional ones. And so the battle begins. Please Review.