Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed or any of its characters!

A/N: Sorry for a very late update, I made this an extra long chapter to make up for it. Enjoy!

Any mistakes are mine and mine alone

Altair sighed as he shut the door to Claudia's room. After he had retold the events of her family's murders, the poor girl retired to her room in solemn silence. Altair hoped he hadn't turned her mute like her mother. He understood why she needed it, the closure. Claudia couldn't go kill the man who betrayed them. That stupid mistake belonged to Ezio.

He saw no signs that Mario had returned and he wondered if the older man would actually follow through in on his plan. Perhaps he hadn't gone through it and his pride had kept him away from facing Altair. The Assassin walked through the stone halls, blowing out candles as he did. Darkness crept up behind him, hugging him as if to comfort Altair.

"Where is my uncle?" Altair heard a voice behind him and gritted his teeth. He had the urge to bash his head against a wall. Clearly he wasn't resting tonight. He turned to the young novice.

Ezio hadn't changed out of his robes. Actually it looked like he had rolled around in his bed. Altair held back his tongue, figuring scolding him was useless at this point.

"Mario…had other things he had to take care of." Altair put out another flame and exited the dark room with Ezio trailing behind like the puppy he was.

"Where did he go? At this hour? Why?" Ezio rambled on. Altair sighed and rubbed his brow, feeling a headache build. "

He went out. He left hours ago and that is his business." Altair bit out as he climbed up the steps to one of the guest rooms.

"Why didn't he ask for help? We should go after him." Altair turned to face the young boy. His patience had been worn too thin.

"Ezio, I will only say this once and for your sake. You should actually listen to me. You are to stay within the villa unless I say so. I don't care if Mario is your uncle. I don't even want you to leave the city walls. Is that clear?" His tone had darkened and Ezio had cowered in his presence. The boy swallowed and nodded mutely. He turned and left quickly. Altair disappeared in his room before another Auditore suddenly showed up.

The next morning while Ezio trained below him and Altair lounged on the decaying roof of the Villa. The older Assassin kept an eye on the horizon for a bird. Mario was prideful man but he wasn't stupid, well, too stupid. Word for help would come sooner or later. He would have to catch the bird before Ezio saw it and began to get curious.

Some would call him cruel for keeping crucial information about Mario from his nephew but it was a greater good. Ezio had skills with a blade. That could not be denied but this was a battle. The young Auditore was not prepared for such thing. It was better for Mario to believe he was on his own for this and the older man would just return home to gather his forces.

"Cazzo!"

Altair looked down and saw Ezio bent over in the training circle, his blade clattered to the ground. The sound rang out. Altair sighed and scaled down the building to tend to the young novice. He hopped into the ring. The master at arms was between checking the wound and cowering away from the stalking Assassin with his robes billowing behind him.

Altair wordless pushed the poor man away and looked at Ezio's arm. It was slash to the left foreman. One that Ezio could have blocked with his sword had he been quicker. The red blood soaked the white tunic and Altair pressed on the swallow cut. A whimper escaped from Ezio. Altair looked up to Ezio with his big puppy brown eyes.

"Hardly a scratch Ezio." He noted. "Let's get it cleaned up."

He had looked away from the skies for a moment and it had ruined everything. A young man came running into villa, panting, worry written on his face.

"It's Mario! He calls for aid in San Gimignano." The man urged and Altair almost hit something.

"What? Altair, what is he talking about?" Ezio asked, fixing his new shirt. Altair sent the man away with a jerk of the head.

"Mario is seeking revenge. The Pazzi are Templars and played a hand in your family's destruction." Ezio jumped up, tugging on his robes and his weapon's belt.

"Then we must help him!" Altair grabbed his arm as Ezio walked past and the young man spurn around in a fury.

"Ezio, think clearly-" Altair started.

"No, My uncle needs help and I will help him." He bit out.

"Stay here and I will help him myself, I promise." Altair needed Ezio to stay put and be safe. Even if that meant going to the aid of the stubborn man Mario.

"Like you promised to bring back my father?" Ezio scoffed and looked at him with disgust.

The words stung and before he would have injured any man who dared to say something like that to him. This was Ezio through, the one he had ultimately failed. He had seen the hope and fear in the young Assassin's eyes when he had made that promise. He had seen the cold, broken soul that Ezio became when that promise had shattered like glass.

Ezio froze as if his mind finally caught up with his words. He opened up his mouth, perhaps to apologize but Altair had cut him off.

"You want to rush into battle? See what it's like when death is but one blade flick away." He grabbed Ezio's bandaged arm, squeezing it so blood started to ooze through the line. Pain radiated up Ezio's arm like a spreading flame. But he refused to cry out, refused to give in and show his master how underprepared he was.

"Very well then, gather your gear. We leave in an hour."

Altair let go of his arm. Ezio felt a sudden rush of pain as blood circulated down to his fingers. The elder Assassin gave him one last cold stone stare. Those were worst then his words, Ezio decided, and turned and stalked away.

Ezio stood still as the man walked from his sight. His heart pounded in a hard tempo and his wound matched the beat. He heard something break somewhere in the house. It snapped him out of his daze and caused him to spring into action. He ran to grab his required gear but since this was his first assignment. There were so many unknown factors he should consider. In the end, he took his blade and vambrace, the weapons he knew how to wield.

As Ezio walked to the stables, he felt the cold stab of fear bit into his heart. This wasn't just one unsuspecting fat man, but most likely a whole army of well-trained soldiers. They wouldn't hesitate to kill Ezio with one good blow. The thought of dying stopped him in his tracks. Town folk pushed passed him and he wondered how Altair was able to jump into battle without such thoughts. Killing was second nature to the man, as easy as breathing.

He had ran to the recuse of Auditore family without as much as faltering step. Ezio's steps resumed at the thoughts of his family. He was not going to let Mario die, especially when he could prevent it. He felt courage build in him and Ezio was quick to act. He raced the rest of the way to the stables, ignoring the shouts of the people he had shoved past.

Altair's mood hadn't improved it seemed. Ezio's sudden courage ran cool in his vein. The elder Assassin sat upon a white mare, his white robes blended with the horse's coat.

For a moment he looked to be merged with the beast and an imagine from the holy bible popped into Ezio's mind.

One of the four Riders, clad in white, Death was the one rode the white horse.

With his head bowed and hands clasped together, Altair looked to being praying. His blank face was hidden by the shadow of the cowl. His armor shone in the morning light and the many weapons gleamed with a newly sharped shine. The Assassin raised his gaze, through Ezio could not see the gold eyes, and raked over the novice with calculating eyes.

A moment of silence passed. Ezio held his breathe. Altair remained unmoved for an instance before turning his mare away.

"We have a while to go novice." The words were cold and harsh. It was all Altair said before moving on. Ezio scrambled for his own chestnut mare and followed after his mentor. Keeping enough distance between them as to anger the man further.

Mario hadn't had high hopes help would come from the Assassins. When he had left the night before, Mario thought there was nothing that could stop him. Only once he had gotten to San Gimignano, he realized he needed the skills of the Assassins.

He had sent word, thinking Altair would get the bird and keep it from Ezio. If Ezio got word he could easily sway Altair to his side. Ezio was a known charmer.

As the sun rose and the hours ticked by it became more and clear. Help wasn't going to come. Mario gathered his men for a final attack.

The sound of hooves stopped him. Mario smiled at the sight of his nephew and felt a chill run through him as he could sight of the glaring Assassin. Altair stopped in front of Mario and looked down at the older Auditore.

His upper face was hidden under the hood but Mario could still feel the heat of those eyes. He looked to his only nephew, an awkward distance away from his master. His head bowed and he kept peeking out to Altair from under his hood. His shoulders were hunched inward and he looked like he was trying to appear smaller. Things were obviously tense between the pair.

"Mario." A cold voice drew Mario back to the task at hand. Altair dismounted and stood toe to toe with the Auditore.

"Be lucky you have a nephew who loves you." The Assassin said and shoved past him.

Ezio followed behind meekly, giving his uncle a relieved smile. Mario sighed and knew Altair would never let him live this down.

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Cazzo - Fuck