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

A/N: Any mistakes are mine!

Mario tried to command to his man as he normally would but with Altair there it was difficult. The Assassin's presence demanded the attention and obedience of those around him, even if Altair had yet to speak a word since his arrival. Men would glance warily at the man in white robes as he stood before the wall surrounding San Gimignano. He stood straight and still even under the weight of the heavy weapons. His robes fluttered around him in the wind and for a moment Mario saw the tension leave those shoulders.

The Assassin's shadow shifted to that of an eagle. The wind died down again and along with it the vision. Beside him, Mario's poor nephew stood less confident and more terrified. The way the boy glanced about the area nervously as if they would be attacked at any moment. Ezio was known for not thinking things through and now he was probably regretting it.

Yet the boy refused to leave his master's side, favoring Altair's sullen company to Mario's or his men.

Mario sighed and felt the headache that had been building grow larger.

He had been against Ezio joining the Assassin ranks. He was too young and novices died too quickly. Giovanni was unfazed however and told Mario his worries were unneeded as Altair, a Master Assassin, would be training the boy. That only furthered Mario's will against it.

Altair and he never seemed to get along, even when Altair had been young and fresh off the boat, unable to speak a lick of Italian. Altair had preferred Giovanni's company and only put up with Mario when the Assassin had to.

Altair was ruthless in battle, a killer without thought. Mario didn't want those same instincts drilled into his nephew. Now through, he had little choice in the matter. Giovanni was dead and Altair was the only one skilled enough to train someone who hadn't already taken a apprentice. Mario rubbed at his brow to try and relieve some of the pain.

If only that drunkard Kenway hadn't taken on his grandson's training.

"We will not be able to take the city now, we must wait until nightfall. I will find a way over and open the gates for you to take them by surprise." Altair's sudden approach had startled Mario but both men ignored it. Mario nodded mutely. He may not like Altair, but things like this were what the man had been born to do.

"We will await your signal." Mario agreed and the Assassin turned and stalked away, presumably to find a way in. Ezio looked between his uncle and his retreating master. He opened his mouth but Mario sighed and waved the boy on. Ezio sagged in relief and chased after Altair, sticking close to the man in white.

Mario frowned at the sight. Weeks ago, Ezio wouldn't even cast the elder Assassin a second glance on the street. Now the boy was almost desperately dependent on the man. He shook away his anger and tried to think of a battle plan as he turned to his men.

Who were less inclined to jump in fright now that the Assassin had left.

As night fell so did the tension in Altair's shoulders. He was relaxed now, the hunt was on and any anger he had felt earlier during the day was been swept away with the sunlight.

He needed to be calm, for Ezio. He wasn't blind, the Assassin knew his bad mood had made the novice a fidgeting nervous wreck. The boy was young and very influenceable by others moods. He looked back to his trainee. Now calm and relaxed, actually he looked almost bored and ready to fall asleep.

Altair smirked and slapped the boy lightly on the head. Causing Ezio to snap out of his daze and scrabbled to alertness.

"What is it?" He demanded and looked around them, moving the hood from where it had fallen over his eyes.

"We have to strike now or wait another day." Altair informed him. Ezio nodded and swallowed his fear, through his form trembled slightly in the dark.

"Just stick close to me and remember your training. Cut down any man in your way." It was unlikely Ezio would harm one of their one but Altair would not take the chance.

"Unless it's me, don't cut me." Ezio smiled for the briefest moment and nodded.

Altair looked to the wall, his muscles tensed.

"Let's go." He sprung and ran towards the wall. Climbing up and over the brick barrier, Ezio was quickly behind him. Altair landed silently on his feet. While Ezio tumbled into Altair's back and jumped back in surprise.

"Don't put so much force on the way over." Altair grumbled quietly. Ezio nodded and Altair led the way through the darken city. They darted through the streets, ducking behind buildings when guards got too close. Ezio remained close by the Assassin's side. Looking behind them often to make sure they weren't being followed.

"We need to get to that gate." Altair mumbled, the gate was just within view. Men walked along the wall surrounding it. He would have to be quick if he was to open it before he was caught.

He looked towards his young novice.

"Wait here." Ezio stuck to the shadow of the building and nodded.

Altair steeled his gaze on the lever and taking one deep breath, darted forward. Pushing himself away from the wall to get more momentum. He rushed forward and reached the shadows of the archway when the guard had turned around.

Altair waited with baited breathe as the man walked above him and past. He relaxed and turned to the heavy metal lever. It was caked with rust and hadn't been used in a while which would explain such a lack in guards. He pulled and grunted as the lever barely moved.

Altair had been built for speed, it was what he relied on, not strength. He looked back up to the guard, who was just about to turn around again. The Assassin cursed and pulled down harder. It wasn't going to happen any faster the lever was rusted and required at least two men to pull. Altair turned the shadowed building, wondering if Ezio could get over here before the guard turned. The odds were not favorable

Altair sighed and returned to the lever. He pulled harder, feeling his hands start to hurt from gripping too tight. There a nasty groan of the metal and something that felt like a snap in the pressure. The gears started turning, loudly.

"Who goes there?" The guard on the wall shouted. Altair cursed as the man started to run towards him. He pulled harder, forcing the wheels to pull the gate up faster. He just had to get it open before the guard got to him. He heard a thud and the guard had jumped down from the wall and was rushing towards him. Luckily he had no crossbow to fire and would have to get up close to attack Altair. The gate was almost locked into place and the guard was getting closer and closer.

Altair could hear the man's pants as he rushed. Finally there was a click and Altair spun around, hidden blade drawn when the man stopped, his face portraying shock. He stumbled forward and Altair jumped out of the way as the guard fell to the ground. A increasingly large stain coming from his back. He looked over, seeing Ezio with his bloody sword.

There was a moment of silence between them. Altair's heart hammered in his chest and his arm and hands ached. Ezio seemed frozen. Either he was in shock of what he had done or of what Altair was going to do. Altair opened his mouth to say something but then heard the rowdy battle cries of Mario's men. He looked through the gate to see the men rushing towards them.

Altair groaned and the Assassins stepped out of the way as the men ran into village. Mario took up the rear. The elder Auditore looked at the dead and then to Ezio's blade. He looked like he wanted to stop and talk but a glare from Altair kept him away.

"What do we do next?" Ezio asked, preferring to ignore the dead body.

"We have to find Vieri Pazzi and kill him, Jacopp and Francesco are no longer within our reach. So we'll take him out first." Ezio nodded and followed Altair into the thick of the chaos.

A/N: And yeah I'm talking about those Kenways, Ezio travels by boat at some point in the game ;)

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