We went as silently as we possibly could, but it was hardly necessary besides the occasional soldier the streets were empty. After a bit Mario signaled for us to stop and keep quiet then spoke to us laying out the next step.
"We can find Vieri if we find the captain of the guard, his name is Roberto. He'll be drinking his own health or sleeping in the citadel. It'll take to long going this way." Giovanni nodded to his brother and turned to address us.
"Federico, Ezio, Amelia you and a few men will search the citadel while Mairo and I will search the taverna. We'll meet up at the cathedral, be careful." With barely another word spoken we were of for the citadel, following directions of a soldier that knew the city. Eventually we ran into a couple of enemy soldiers and the boys left me with the men to dispatch with them while they scouted ahead. It was lucky we were being so stealthy. None of the rival soldiers were prepared for a fight, sleepy, and a few half drunk. They were easy enough to beat.
Soon we were moving again and we caught up to the boys apparently they'd identified Roberto. The men were positioned quickly to pounce at a moments notice and I watched by Federico's side as we caught sight of the captain and one of his men. I have to say for a supposed captain serving under De Pazzi, Roberto was a little sad to look at. He could barely keep his feet slurring his words drunkenly, he was rambling between complaints about Vieri and reminiscing about the good days with Mario. Eventually though Ezio got bored listening and stepped out of the shadows holding up his sword.
"Exuse me Signor." Roberto cursed and spilled the rest of his drink, he fumbled with his weapon. Which moving quickly I able to snatch from him, it wasn't hard considering he couldn't see straight.
"Who are you?" He asked trying to keep his feet. Ezio and Federico stood shoulder to shoulder smiling at each other before Ezio answered.
"We are Mario Auditore's nephews." Roberto let out a delighted cry at the news that made me raise an eyebrow. Letting his man draw a sword Roberto began to rant a little bit.
"I'm glad that you boys have shown your self's, Vieri will be very pleased with me. Perhaps when I turn you over I can retire in style." Still grinning to to each other Ezio gave me a go on gesture. Smiling at him I stuck my fingers in my mouth and let go a piercing whistle. Instantly Roberto and his few men were surrounded be ours, all armed to the teeth. Looking around stupidly Roberto threw up his hands in a whatever gesture letting out a big sigh.
Later I couldn't help but giggle at the irony watching de Pazi's men being locked into their own cell. Roberto on the other hand he was sitting at a table across from Ezio sipping on a fresh bottle of wine. The poor guy, when he saw he was had it was like the fight just went out of him. Now he was discussing with the Auditore's as docile as a lamb. He eventually got loose enough that he told them that the Pazi were at a meeting, and Vieri was with them. We left him there and went back outside which had gone very quiet. Federico looked up and down the street before speaking.
"We need to tell our father and uncle about this meeting, right away" Ezio nodded but I held up my hand to stop them.
"Hold up, someone has to go there now, in case something happens we need a pair of ears over there." The boys both nodded in agreement, Ezio was elected to run to the meeting place. Federico and I were going to lead the men back to Mario and Giovanni. Well I was, Federico was going with me just to make sure we got back okay. Then he was going to run back and help his brother out. We finally got the towns square outside the cathedral, and it looked like war. There were men everywhere, slashing, beating, and yelling and it really looked crazy and dangerous. Federico looked around and saw the anarchy with a concerned look.
"Bella you want me to stay." I shook my head and gave a weak little smile, pulling out my sword in one hand and my dagger in the other.
"Go Federico, help your brother and I'll catch up later." About to argue, but thinking better of it Federico took off leaving me with the men. Looking at the guys I took a breath spinning to face the battle, glancing back at them I simply said.
"Lets go to work!" Not needing any further encouragement they rushed into the fray, me hot on their heels. After battling for a few minutes, I caught the gaze of the senior Auditore's who were fighting back to back. Working hard not to get wacked in the head, I eventually made my way to them and had to yell over the noise. I told them about the meeting, and the boys going ahead to head Vieri off, Mario smiled really big when he heard about Roberto giving us the information. Giovanni broke away from the fight and clapped me on the shoulder.
"Amelia, we have this covered. Go back and make sure my sons are alright. Will you be alright on your own?" Not even thinking, I told him not to worry and made my way out of the square. Trying to be careful as I could I went quickly in the direction the boys did. I kept to the sides of the buildings and hid in the shadows in case I ran into any more guards, but luck was actually with me this time and I didn't see anyone. Not really paying attention to where I went I finally founsolemd the guys, and several more too. Federico was mixing it up with several men, and off in the distance I saw Ezio going toe to toe with Vieri.
Then to my shock I watched Vieri double over, Ezio's hidden blade deep in his ribs. I'd seen a little bit of death before but this was different. I could see Vieri's eyes widen, his breath catch, then slowly he sunk to the ground. Ezio bent over him whispering something I couldn't hear. Fast as I could I ran to his side and froze at what I heard. Vieri was gasping, choking on his own blood but still fighting to speak.
"Its a pity..Ezio.. in another life, we might have been...friends." Then the poor wretch went slack, held up by Ezio grasping his tunic. It looked like Ezio froze and then just snapped. His face became enraged as he shook Vieri's corpse.
"Friends! You tried to kill my family! You should be left to rot by the side of the road like a beast! Nobody will miss you!" The guy looked frantic screaming at the body, rushing forward I grabbed his shoulder.
"Ezio, stop it. Its over now." Ezio looked at me with an angry breath and yelled in my face.
"Over it's far from over! This cur is responsible for the near death of my family! What does HE matter?" At that I slapped Ezio across the face and gave him an ugly look.
"You can't talk that way Ezio. The man is dead now, you need to respect that. Every death matters." We heard someone clear their throat. Looking we saw Mario staring at us with a gentle face, Mario came forward slowly speaking quietly.
"She is right Ezio. Vieri was a troubled soul, but you need to give his soul the respect it deserves." Mario came beside Vieri's body and kneeling down he reached forward and closed the corpses eyes. Standing back up the Mario crossed himself and I heard him quietly say.
"Requiescat in pace." Gathering a few things off the body that could be useful Mario began to arrange for us to get out of here. Ezio was shuffling about helping, having gone very quiet after his little break down. I went to lend a hand when I realized something, Federico was no where to be seen. Taking a moment to think I cried out to Mario and Ezio in turn asking if they'd seen him. I began to worry when they both answered no. Sprinting to the place I'd last glimpsed him I looked around frantic, and cried out.
"Federico! Federico, where are you?" Glancing around I didn't see him, or even hear him answering me. Then something caught my eye, a flash of red I recognized it, a piece of Federico's doublet. Running forward I pushed a dead soldier rolling him away to find someone underneath. That someone was Federico, pale and unconscious. My breath caught in my throat as I saw a deep red stain spreading through his doublet. I whipped my head around long enough to call out to the others. Squatting down in the mud I took Federico's face between my hands pushing his hair from his eyes. I felt under his nose and over his mouth, and thank God I could feel him breathing. It was shallow but it was still him breathing, faintly I heard Mario and Ezio rushing over. Leaning down close to his face I whispered as urgently as I could.
"Hold on Federico, please hold on. Because Federico Auditore if you die I will kill you!"
Don't you just love the suspense. I'll try and update again as soon as I can. Please Review.