Chapter 18 of the Dreaming.

I was this close to giving up the story, but when I glanced over to how many people have placed this story on alert, I changed my mind.
Thank you, all my handsome and beautiful readers, thank you very much. Grazie mille amici mio.

Again, please enjoy your good read, I shall not disappoint you any longer :)

Canto XVIII

"I was quite shocked when I found out that Francesco arranged a wedding for you and Vieri, without my permission," said Jacopo, angrily. He looked at his nephew across the table, and sneered at his face, and then he turned his attention back to Serafina, who had been changed into much decent noble attire. "I was also worried sick when they told me you ran away, but I was grateful that Fiorella assisted you in doing so," he said. At this point, Vieri spoke on his side of the story.

"But Uncle Jacopo, she is not even a Pazzi!" he exclaimed. "Be quiet you fool! Both of you are idiots! Taking action into your own hands, I am not dead yet Vieri, and as long as I am alive, none of you will take any of the inheritance, lest you produced an heir!" Jacopo spat at the lad. Serafina, concerned with the old man's health, placed a gentle hand on his arm, and advised him not to overexert his body.

Jacopo assured her that he was well. They dined quietly, yet she felt the tension amongst all three members of the house. Francesco still held his strong glare on her, and she tried to avoid meeting his eyes from time to time. They seem to be waiting, but for whom? A servant came up to Jacopo's side, and whispered into his ear, the eldest Pazzi member clapped his hands once, and ordered everyone to look their best, for their benefactor and ally has arrived.

"Should I come with you Uncle Jacopo?" asked Serafina. "No my dear, I might regret it if you follow us into town, just head on to your bedroom, and have a good night's sleep. You and I will return to Firenze tomorrow, and do not worry, your brother will stay here." The young lady obeyed his order, and waited for them to leave the room entirely. A few moments passed, and she left the dining room as well.

Serafina went upstairs to the prepared guest room; she sat down on the small bed, and overheard her father and brother's voices below. She peered through the dirty glass window, and saw a cloaked man conversing with all men, she saw a god crucifix dangling around the man's neck, and she had thought it looked familiar. As they moved away, she could hear a faint clamor coming from the other end of the walls. Were those Mario's men fighting the Pazzi guards? Serafina hoped that Ezio was not one of those struggling in combat.

Swords clash against each other, men falling to the ground motionless, and blood dripping down the gleaming blades. This was the art of war, the very art Mario Auditore lives for, and now his nephew, Ezio, has participated in it. He was not far from his uncle, his mind set on his own opponent, and with every skill he had learned, he displayed very well. Mario laughed aloud, kicking one Pazzi guard to kiss the earth he walked on, and patted his nephew on the back.

"You are doing well mi nipote! Now go and find that snake Vieri, we will handle this fight on our own, and do not forget about Serafina! The children will kill me if she is not brought back safely." Ezio nodded, and rushed through the streets, followed by his own faction of mercenaries. "I am coming Serafina!"

The young lady glanced up when she heard someone calling her name, though it was faint, she knew it belonged to Ezio, has he come to save her? She was glad and reluctant at the same time, if he does save her, she will never be able to convince Vieri to give up the medicine for the children. Serafina sat still on her bed, waiting, until the door opened, revealing a ruffled Jacopo and Francesco. She inquired them of the events, but they told her that time was running out, and that they must leave quickly. She nodded, reluctantly, and trailed after her great uncle and foster father.

A group of Pazzi guards surrounded them as they head towards the north gates, Serafina had to gather her skirts in order to run freely. A carriage waited for them outside the walls, four great steeds huffed impatiently, stomping their hooves on the ground enthusiastically. Just as the gates started to close, Serafina glanced over her shoulder to see Ezio and his uncle's mercenaries. They both locked gazes within that moment, and the gate obscured them from one another. Ezio screamed out her name, rushing over to the bars, convincing her not to leave with his family's killers. She in return shook her head pitifully at him, and mouthed 'Sono spaciente' before stepping into the carriage.

"No! Serafina! Come back!" Ezio shouted, and felt an unexplainable force in his chest. "It looks like my sister has finally rejected you, Auditore scum!" yelled Vieri from his tower. All the emotion he felt for Serafina was suddenly inhibited just by listening to Vieri's laughter. The young Assassin glared at him, heatedly, and began to climb his turret. This will be the moment, Ezio thought, as he faced his enemy with blade in hand. He will show no mercy, and he will not forgive himself if he fails this one simple duel. His thoughts were far from everything else, including Serafina.

They had fought relentlessly, and yet Ezio had managed to find Vieri's weak spot in battle, as he had always done before. He thrusts his rapier through the Pazzi boy's gut, shocking himself at what he has done while Vieri saw his entire life flash before his eyes. He saw his beautiful mother arranging flowers for the family room, his younger sisters were frolicking happily in the courtyard, and Serafina came up to him, giving him the rose bud he presented to her. He tries to touch her face, but ends up returning to the present, and he was now lying in a pool of his own blood.

Ezio, empowered by rage, grabbed Vieri by the collar and shook him violently, demanding answers about his father's death. Damn everything, was Vieri's last thought, he had tried his every best, he had done all that he could, and sacrificed what was left of him, in order to gain his father's attention. If only it had been easy, if only. With every ounce of strength left in his body, Vieri grinned, and said: "I'm sorry, were you hoping for a confession?" and felt the immediate need to rest.

"Vieri!" Serafina cried out, she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked into the face of her foster father. "Are you well Serafina?" said Jacopo, he placed a wrinkled hand on her face, and lightly shook his head. "You have a little fever, do not worry, we will reach Firenze soon in the morning." Serafina gazed out the window, and quietly prayed for Vieri's soul. When they reached the city in the early hours of morning, Serafina could not see the country through the mist, and she recalled those poor children suffering under their unknown disease.

This is your last chance, she said to herself as she walked in a steady pace with her great uncle and father in the empty streets of Florence. They decided to take a stroll, quite unusual even for Francesco, and somehow she knew they were waiting for her to speak. She had been gone for a year, and she should have a reasonable explanation for returning after knowing of her origins. Serafina sighed, and glanced over to her great uncle.

"I know my return has been sudden, but I came back because I wish to save innocent lives that had been dragged into this entire chaos," she said, and told them about the supplies of medicine needed for the children of Monteriggioni, the town that has kept her safe from harm. Francesco explained that it had been necessary, in order to rally up Mario and his men, and to put him out of line. Serafina urged herself not to look shocked at her foster father's plans, and simply nodded her head lightly. But now that they have brought the drunkard out, the supplies will be brought to the town soon.

"Do you have your word on that Papa?" said Serafina, "Because you are not to be trusted at all, not one bit." Francesco looked at her intently, and both turned to Jacopo after he cleared his throat audibly. "We have our word, Serafina, think of it as a thank you gift, they gave you food and shelter, did they not? Come, I am sure you need a bit of rest, and we may talk of more, later in the afternoon." The feeling of nostalgia overwhelmed Serafina as she walked through the tunnel. Not all has changed in the palace, every crack, every stone on the mosaic floor was still there. She was somewhat glad to be home, but her true place in the world was beyond the four walls and the roof, her home was with Ezio.

"Papa, Nonno, has the convoy left for Monteriggioni yet?" she inquired them. "It has not, do you wish to add something to the materials?" said Jacopo. "Si, just a letter that is all."

"What is this?" said Mario, as a caravan full of their needed provisions came into the town. He could not say anything, he was astonished, and yet, Ezio felt something was not right. A messenger came up to them, bowed politely, and asked if Ezio Auditore was present. The young lad did not waste time, and stepped forward, he was given a letter with a familiar initial at the back. He turned away, eager to read what she has written for him. The parchment he held had so many blotches, making it difficult for him to read some of the words.

"My dear Ezio,

I truly hope the medicine reaches the townspeople and the children, I still believe that my father is not capable of keeping his promise. But if it reach you, then, I am truly happy. Forgive me if I have left you in San Gimignano, I had to make a choice, Vieri wanted me, and so I complied, I did not want anyone else to suffer under his authority. When the children are well, tell them I cannot teach them anymore, convince them that I have gone to Rome or maybe Constantinople if you would like. Yes Ezio, I cannot go back, I cannot return to you, my love. If I leave, who knows what will happen to all of you. I am sorry if a tear has distorted any of my writing. Sono spaciente, amore mio.

Yours truly and forever,

Serafina."