Chapter 12 of the Dreaming.
I adore Uncle Mario very much, it is sad that he was killed in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood :(
Belated Christmas present to all of my reviewers, as well as those hidden readers, and of course to my beloved.
Ti Amo per sempre amore mio, Buon Natale!
Canto XII
Serafina refused. Her decision was plain and simple, it was harmless in any way formed, but to Francesco, such words were agonizing towards him. He grew up a spoiled brat where everyone's response was 'Yes sir' and 'Of course, sir.' Serafina stared blankly at her father till he turned to face her; he had been gazing at a portrait of his late wife for half an hour since Serafina's arrival in his office. He sighed intensely, his shoulders slumped, and his head bowed for a moment there. He knew this day would come.
"Serafina," he said gently "Think of this again, carefully, is Matteo not handsome to your eyes?" His daughter stayed silent and he allowed himself to speak once more. "Clearly, he shows so much interest in you, and I overheard that he is willing to pay for all the expenses, all you have to do is to name your price." Serafina quietly fiddled with the gold lining of her overgown, what good would it be to marry someone you have just met yesterday? She felt nothing coming from Matteo Serveto, it was only lust that glazed his eyes. She was not ready to move on yet, she will wait for his arrival, and then she will be happy again. Serafina averted her father's dark gaze to look at the wooden floor, she will speak her opinion now or be forever silenced by their intimidating shadows.
"Father, as much as I want to please everyone in this house, I cannot marry Matteo."
"Why? If it is love you are seeking for, then it shall come soon enough!" said Francesco.
At this, Serafina glared at him, he spoke such words carelessly as if he never even loved his wife and children. "I am not seeking love from him father, what I seek is plain security and trust, but you shoved him towards me like it would not affect my whole being! I understand that you want me to marry him because of his riches but I cannot, my heart is not ready. I will never love a man as much I love Ezio Auditore."
In an instant, Francesco picked up the heavy volume on his table and threw it at Serafina, the corner of the book managed to hit her pretty little forehead, causing a small cut to form and blood to pour out of her wound. Serafina gasped aloud, gradually reaching for her new injury. She had never seen her father this uncompromising.
"You will marry Matteo Serveto, if you do not follow my orders I will throw you back in the streets where you belong!" Even in her daze, Serafina grasped his words firmly. She looked at him, questionably, and he started to breathe slowly. Francesco covered his face with his large hand and told her to leave the office. She rose from her seat and ran out into the corridors. Her heart began to race, in the streets where she belongs? What did he mean? Was she just…an orphan?
Serafina placed her hands upon the cool ledge and stared down into the courtyard. She tried to understand what her father warned her, until she heard someone calling her name. She looks up, seeing Vieri at the end of the hall. She had forgotten about the wound, she still felt the blood trickling down her face, and she hurried to her room to hide. Yet, her brother was faster than her, and he immediately grabbed both her wrists to cease her movements. Serafina cried and buried her face into her brother's chest.
"How long has it been since we last spoke like this?" she sighed. They sat on their favored bench in the courtyard. The shrubs have been trimmed and were decorated in beautiful flowers of pink and white, butterflies fluttered around them, and a nightingale sings a lovely tune upon the rooftops. Vieri placed his hand on hers; she held it fervently, telling him how large it was now. She sighed again, ignoring the pain from her injury.
"You refused Matteo's marriage?" Vieri said. She nodded softly, afraid to explain the entire event to him, in fear of getting punished as well. "Good, that man was too proud of himself and his family," said her brother. Serafina smiles at last, lightly patting his leg. "He somewhat reminds me of you, when you and I were younger, such a gentleman you were back then. Do you remember the rose you gave me? I still have it, knowing you and I will return to being spirited." She stills, giving him time to respond, and when he does not, she continued.
"It seemed like only days have gone by, why must we grow old and experience the pain of life?"
"Because a person cannot dwell in peace forever, one must find it in order to understand," said Vieri.
His answer was remarkably smart and Serafina congratulated him inwardly, she held his hand again, and rested her head against his shoulder. Vieri stares down into her lovely face, and then lightly kisses the top of her hair, breathing the fresh citrus and rose hips. If God would permit him, he would marry Serafina instead, and he will assure her that she will be safe in his arms.
Francesco glared down at the couple in the courtyard. He tapped his finger upon the backrest of his chair till an idea came along in his head, he almost laughed to himself at the very thought of it, and he quietly made the arrangements for the marriage of his daughter.
There was no longer snow or rain at the beginning of March. Everything has been revitalized and the flowers Serafina tended to were starting to bloom. Francesco announced that the marriage agreement between her and Matteo has been annulled, and that he apologized for hitting her out of anger. She forgave him, straightaway, and kissed his cheek. However, while having breakfast in the family room, he had changed his plans, and now it is Vieri who will marry. Fiorella quietly sneered while Jacopo said nothing of the news. Serafina, curious to know who it was her brother will wed, asked him steadfastly. Vieri chuckles, telling her that his future bride is as beautiful as she, and his grand-uncle dejects his notation, saying Serafina's beauty cannot be compared to.
"Uncle, if Vieri finds his bride more beautiful than I, then I will not judge his words. I am not vain nor am I proud of my own splendor," said Serafina. They had to be very careful when planning for a wedding; the bride must have at least a pretty bunch of flowers, and most of all, an appealing gown. Serafina volunteered on helping, she said she would like the gown to be made of pure white silk, along the bodice will be gold linings and pearls, and the veil must have at least gold embroidery.
Vieri agrees to her idea, for they have been browsing through so many fabrics in the tailor's shop. Serafina had chosen a lovely sheer veil; it had a wreath attached to it, making it possible for some flowers to be added. She wore the ornament carefully, smiling at her reflection in the mirror when it fitted perfectly. Vieri came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her protectively.
"Do you love it?" he asked her quietly. "Indeed, I do, can I wear this to your wedding? I hope I do not offend your soon-to-be wife if I wear a veil as well?" said she, adjusting the wreath around her head. "No, you won't, in fact, she will be so jealous she will cling to me throughout the entire ceremony." Serafina laughs as he tickles her ear. When it was decided, the gown was placed inside a decorated box, and was wrapped in ribbons.
"But what of the flowers brother?" she asked. "Why you shall choose, of course, because I know you will pick the loveliest bunch there is," replied Vieri as they strolled out of the shop, followed by Ursula and a few servants. "Stop your flattery, dear brother; you should give your bride a chance to choose when she arrives. From where does she hail?" "From Amboise, France," was Vieri's answer. France is definitely a far place, how her brother managed to find such a beauty, she would never know. When they returned to the palace, Jacopo told them that Francesco has withdrawn jewels in order to purchase the wedding carriage, as well as a trunk full of florins for Vieri's use.
Everything has been planned out perfectly, the wedding will commence in three weeks, and Vieri will be happily married to his French bride. All of these pass Serafina very quickly, she realized soon enough that this young maiden will live with them in the palace, and she might not have the time to talk to her brother, for he will be busy taking over the bank whenever their father retires. Fiorella has plans to leave Florence for Milan, where an old friend has invited her to stay during the wedding days, and Serafina cannot stay in the palace forever. She has to find a husband or become a devoted sister in the nearby convent. If that were to happen, then she would choose to be a nun, rather than deceiving herself to marry someone of her dislike. She spent days trying to come up with an excuse, hoping that her personal decision could not be overlooked.
A day before the wedding, Vieri approached Serafina while she made purses for her maids. She had been wearing her pink gown with aquamarine stripes along the bodice and skirt, her hair was simply brushed away from her face with a single black ribbon holding it in place. He asked for her presence and she complied, leaving her work on her table. She and her brother took a stroll along the Arno River, contented with each other's attendance. Vieri stopped along the ledge and turned to Serafina.
"Am I monster?" he asked her, wit a hint of despondency in his voice. She stared at him, longingly, and caressed his cheek. "There is a reason why we forgive and we forget, let us not remind ourselves of what has happened over the months, let us think of your oncoming days of happiness instead," said she. Vieri sighs, leaning against the stone before looking out into the river. "I wish my bride would know what I intend to do," he said and turned to her again, this time he held her face in his callous hands, and stared deep into her gray eyes. She will not be happy, he guaranteed it, but she must know of the truth, before it bursts in her face, and she will regret everything in her lifetime.
"Brother, what you wish to say to your bride, you can tell it to me first. Do not be shy, I am your sister after all." He releases her from his hold and takes two steps back. Serafina waited patiently for him, as she has done for Ezio. "The bride I speak of," he said "Is you, my dear Serafina. Father expects us to marry, for the fortunes ahead of us." Serafina stared at him, before a strange feeling arose in her throat. She wanted to vomit all of a sudden, to release the disgust she felt inside of her. This is impossible! A brother and a sister cannot marry each other! It is wrong in God's eyes! It just cannot be!
"Serafina, you must listen to me first," Vieri held her again ardently. "No! This is abhorrent! It is incest!" shouted Serafina; she writhed defenselessly in her brother's grasp. "It is not incest, I tell you this now because you and I do not share the same blood!" She stopped all her struggles, feeling her heart in her chest skip a few beats. She remembered her father's warning, the look in his eyes when he told her where she should belong, it came back in Vieri's eyes. She pushed him, angrily, and spat words of hate.
"Why did you not tell me of this sooner? Why must you keep my entire life a secret?" she cried. "Because our mother pitied you," replied Vieri "Your true mother saved her life, so she saved yours from the streets, it is all logical Serafina." She stepped back, she was dazed, and she could not even keep her balance anymore. "But why? She should have left me in the streets! I am nothing but a mongrel to this society! I do not even belong to the nobility!" Vieri embraced her firmly, doing what was best to calm her down. He strokes her arm, kissed her sweaty brow, and told her that he had always loved her. "No, but you will once you and I are together! You will finally have a name to be proud of!" he said. Serafina stared into his eyes, her tears obscuring her vision.
"A name drenched in blood and violence? I have come to see your evil deeds and have I been someone else, I would've fled away from you, all of you." She quickly stood and turned away from Vieri. "The Pazzi name will be cleansed, my dear Serafina, and together we can find the peace you sought for." She pursed her lips together and allowed the tears to fall. "For all those years of deceit, I can only see you as a brother and I love you as such, it will kill me if we marry. Brother, please, stop what you are thinking and embrace me as your sister." Vieri looked at her, he tried to cease his own emotions from flooding inside of him, and he clenched his teeth in anger.
"No," he said curtly. "The marriage will continue, I will force you to stay by my side for all eternity if you do not comply now or tomorrow."
Serafina stared at the mannequin wearing her supposed wedding gown. She will no longer be a street rat if she marries Vieri. She had no house, she had no other family, and she had no name. Ursula explained to her that her mother was once a noblewoman, but a fire had put her house into extinction so she roamed the boulevards as a courtesan. She had no knowledge of her paternal parentage, all she remembered was that he left her and never returned. Serafina did her best not to cry as her maid began to undress her and assisted her into the white gown.
When the veil was placed on her head, she looked at herself in the mirror, and softly smiled. She imagined her groom not to be Vieri, but Ezio Auditore. As she lifted her gown to prepare for her trip to the chapel, the doors opened suddenly, Fiorella, in her blue hunting attire, came in and told her to use the kitchen doors quickly. Serafina could not do anything but obey her orders. The veil sweeps against the floors while they descend to the back of the palace. Fiorella held on to Serafina's wrist firmly till they were outside. She instructed her to use the southern gates of the city, she notified some of the guards of her being so she may leave the city unharmed.
"Why are you helping me?" Serafina asked, still gathering her skirts in her hands. "Because of an impending doom Serafina, I fear this family has sold their souls to the devil the day Jacopo and father met a strange man from the Vaticano," explained Fiorella. When they were far from the palace, she told her younger sister to run, and to never look back. Serafina looked at her gratefully, hugged her tightly, and will always remember her for her good deed. Then she ran and vanished amongst the crowd.
She did not know where to go once she crossed the walls and saw the breathtaking view of the rolling hills. She treaded in her wedding dress, unaware that her brother was enraged by her escapade. Many times did she elude the road, heading further down south, her feet ached and so she removed her constricted shoes. She might even reach Rome if she could, to see Viola and her little ones. Serafina was finally free, she was free from the chains herself, she thought of Diana running through the fields, silver bow and arrow in hand, congratulating her for her independence. Though she may not be a virgin, she was still welcomed as one.
The sun rises, the sun sets, and time goes on without having any repentance for our heroine. She has been travelling for days without any food or water, her hair was now in a tangled mess, the veil barely clung to her head, and her gown was nearly damaged with mud. Thunder rumbled in the darkening skies above her head, it will rain, such a strange change of weather. Serafina felt her stomach ripple once again, yearning for nourishment. Nevertheless, she must not stop at all costs. She must hide from them. She must hide from her brother and father.
She forced herself not to let fatigue take over her being, then her legs gave in on her, and she slipped down a small hill, landing in a shrubbery of thickets and thorns. She yelled out in pain, heaving herself up from the nettle bush, ignoring the sound of her dress ripping. Serafina cried out to the heavens, begging God to guide her through this excursion. The thunder goes on above her and before she knew it, rain poured on.
She looked around, oblivious of where she was, she had passed so many towns but they all refuse to help her, thinking she was a lunatic on the loose. Serafina trudged on, till she saw a town upon a hill, it was not abandoned, she could tell by the many lights illuminating the houses. She thanked God for His undying love and ran towards it, her veil now released its grasp and flutters away in the prevailing winds.
She approached the hill town, hunger and thirst clutching at her throat, and she could barely speak a word when the gates of the town opened. Two men appeared before her, both ruffians by the looks of them, and they all carried deadly weapons that can kill any person without pity. Serafina breathed heavily, fatigue returned to her, and she held out her hands desperately. The men stop to question her, but she already fell to her knees, tired and famished. She thought of no one else but Ezio, she imagined his strong hands holding her small frail ones as they kiss and make love. He was all she ever had.
"Make way! Make way!" Claudia Auditore stops her writing when she hears two mercenaries entering the villa. It was late in the evening, what could they possibly need at this hour? She hears the servants marching up and down the stairs, yelling orders to one another till she heard her uncle's voice within the throng. Curious to find out what they were doing, Claudia left her book and sauntered over to the lobby. A maidservant was just on her way to the guest rooms upstairs, she was carrying a basin filled with warm water and towels while another followed her, carrying a tray of food and water.
What could possibly disturb them tonight? She dashed up the stairs and met her older brother, Ezio, who had awakened due to the clamor. He questioned her, asking what was wrong, but she reproached him for appearing in his undergarments, and told him to grab a robe to wear. They tailed after the servants heading to the guest room and stayed by the entryway. Annetta, who had accompanied them on their journey a year ago, was kneeling beside a figure sitting on a chair near the fireplace. She stood up almost immediately and hurried to close the door, however, Ezio asked her who the person was. She pressed her lips, glancing back to look at their bewildering guest.
"It is Signorina Serafina, Ser Ezio. Signore Mario's men found her outside the town, she has not spoken a word." Without further explanation, Ezio burst into the room, wanting to see if it was true. Before him was a disheveled Serafina, she no longer possessed the air of delight, and her gray eyes shifted constantly, as if someone was hunting her. Claudia came up to Ezio's side, gasping quietly at the sight of the young maiden.
Ezio gently places his warm hand over hers and she suddenly recoils. She stared at him, acting like she didn't recognize him anymore, and said: "Please. Must hide. They will kill me." He felt the fury rush through his entire body at her beseeching words. What has that scum Vieri done to her? Uncle Mario advised his niece and nephew to leave her be while the servants tend to her instead. But Ezio insisted that he would stay.
He would stay, for her. He holds her trembling hands, she whimpers softly to his touch, they were so warm and yet so rough. A servant comes up to her to give her some warm tea to drink, she swallows, but the abrupt drinking made her gag and she coughed, practically vomiting all over the carpet. Claudia snatches a wet towel and wipes away the dirt on the girl's face. Her eyes found hers and she told Ezio that they held anxiety.
"Serafina, can you hear me?" she tried to console her, soothing her back to her senses. She looks around, as if the voice came elsewhere. "I'm sorry," was her reply "I'm so sorry I left you…I'm sorry, where are you?" She looks back into the shadows, staring absolutely at nothing. Ezio and Claudia look at each other worriedly then to their uncle.
"She is in a state of delusion, one can enter such phase if they travel for days without resting," he said.
"Come, let her rest, and we will deal about her tomorrow." Ezio reluctantly loosened his grasp and stood up from the floor. He and his sister walked out of the room, leaving Serafina to relieve herself.
Serafina remembered that day. The day that her mother passed away. She was young, very young at that time, but the event had led her to recall it every single moment she was in need of help. Ersilia slept on a cot surrounded by mosquito nets, the doctor advised everyone not to enter, fearing that the disease might pass on to them, and yet, Serafina entered the bedroom late at night, yearning for her mother's warmth. She welcomed her affectionately, telling her to come into bed, for she might be cold. Serafina slips into the sheets, snuggling closer to her mother, and she smelled so wonderful.
"Will you be alright tomorrow Mamma?" she asked her. Ersilia smiles and nods responsively.
"Of course I will, my sweet Serafina. You and I still have many things to do tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day."
She holds the little girl close to her, quietly humming a lullaby to put her to sleep. Serafina stares into the open window, seeing the stars twinkle in the dark sky. She held her mother's chemise sleeve tightly, fearing the inevitable will occur. Ersilia pauses to look down at her and assured her nothing will come and take her away. Serafina looks up, apprehensively, and nestles her face into her bosom.
"I promised your mother I will take care of you till you are happily married to a man worth your love and time," Ersilia whispered quietly but Serafina unheeded her words, thinking that her mother was mumbling to herself. "God will show you the path someday, my love. I pray you will forgive me."
The lullaby continues and she is swept off to the land of the dreamers. Morning came the next day and she felt a different kind of warmth. She opens her eyes to see her father carrying her in his arms; she looks back, and sees the servants covering her mother's lifeless body with a linen sheet. She was dead.
"Do you know who she is?" Uncle Mario questioned his nephew the succeeding day.
"Her name is Serafina de' Pazzi, she is Vieri's younger sister, and a friend of mine," said Ezio.
They were at the doorway of the guest room, waiting patiently for any news. Annetta appeared to them, she held the dirtied clothes in her arms, and Ezio identified it as a wedding gown. He asked if she was healthy enough to be spoken to, but to his dismay, she was still resting, both body and spirit. Uncle Mario nodded before shoving Ezio out to carry on his training in the ring; he glowered just a bit and submitted.
Serafina lay motionless as a stone in her bed, she may or may not have recollection of her dream last night, but she had dreamt of her foster mother, Ersilia. Meantime, a week had passed in the town, and she found herself standing near the tall glass window. The gardens were barren, they strike a ghastly impression to her, and this place was too masculine in a sense. A servant walked inside the bedroom, carrying a tray of food and hot milk, she was surprised to see the lady awake and now gazing out into the outlands.
"Excuse me Signorina," Serafina turned slightly and she promptly smiled at her. "My master tells me that if ever you are well enough to walk, you should meet him soon after breakfast. He will await you in the training ring just below." The servant was kind, almost like Ursula in a way, and Serafina imagined her returning to her home in Santa Maria Novella district. It is better that way, she shouln't linger in that palace any longer.
Serafina ate vegetable soup sprinkled with parmesan cheese, newly baked bread, and a glass of milk. Her stomach still rejected some of the intrusion, nonetheless, she forced it all inside. The maid, whose name was Constantina, assisted her into much better clothing. She slipped into a plain chemise gown, a russet kirtle with black cords, and a silk brown overgown with topaz jewels along the neckline. She thanked Constantina for her assistance, the girl nods as well, and she inquired her who her master was.
"Signore Mario Auditore, he is this township's ruler and protector. You are currently in his villa, thank the merciful Lord for those kind-hearted mercenaries, I thought they had brought it another dead comrade, but I was surely mistaken, instead, they brought in a beautiful maiden."Serafina forced a smile and takes leave to find Mario Auditore.
The villa, she had notified, is in dire need of repair. It is such a misfortune, the architecture seems to be ancient Roman with a dash of modern taste, and the walls were either frayed or badly fixated. She silently walked down the carpeted hallway and arrived at the marble lobby, the brightness of the stone almost blinded her, and the chandelier dangling above was unlike any other, although there were spider webs and dirt clinging to the gold branches. She descended the staircase, perceiving the sound of metal clashing against metal.
Serafina marched over to the double grand stairwell and saw below a fighting ring, two men were combating with only one man as their adversary and she had thought of it unfair, till he showed a great amount of skill in sword handling. She ambled down the stairs, passing along more than a few gruff-looking men who have not bathed in a month or two. They received her with a courteous bow, she was taken aback, she had never fully experienced the life of the country, and even though they had limited knowledge, contrasting major municipalities, they were tactful enough to understand that in their attendance was nobility. Serafina returns their gesture and inquires of Mario Auditore. One of them kindly points to a big man near the ring, Serafina thanks him quietly and walks up to the man's side.
He was observing the men exchanging moves and blows, but his eye was directed to only one, the man in the white robes. Serafina thought it was sultry for someone to wear such layered clothing, and then the man turns to her, smiling widely. He greets her as if they were once acquaintances, his jovial attitude and loud voice reminded Serafina of Federico, may God rest his soul, wherever he may be. Mario explains that his men found her outside of town, nearly dying of starvation, and so he questions her: "Why did you run away? Who were you running from?" Serafina stayed silent and Mario raises his hand at his men.
"Alright! That is enough mi nipote! Go and take a break, we will resume training after twenty minutes!" said he. "What? Are you sure? You always gave me three minutes to rest!" replied his nephew and Serafina was surprised to find familiarity within the voice. The white robed man came up to them, leaping over the fence, and removing the hood from his face. She never felt so ecstatic, her heart raced gaily, and she was near shedding tears upon seeing his face. Ezio smiled and bowed formally at her, she could not help but smile and embrace him, lightly kissing his cheek, and telling him how much she missed him.
"Forgive me, I was supposed to save you from the water demon," said he.
Serafina laughs softly into his robes, "It matters not. I saved myself from the imminent fate. God has guided me to you."