The Family Auditore - Chapter 16 – Sanctuary

Ezio could see Monteriggioni from a small hill they had climbed up. The next hill, about half a kilometer away was the town.

"We should are close." Ezio said.

"Grazie Dio." Claudia said.

Isabelle and Maria said nothing.

Ezio and his family continued to Monteriggioni. Outside the town, however, some thugs came into view and at their front was none other than Vieri de' Pazzi, Ezio's rival.

"Buongiorno, Ezio! How could you leave Firenze without saying a proper goodbye?" Vieri said with a smile.

"Ezio!" Claudia said as she noted thugs surrounding them. Ezio motioned for them to come closer as the group circled around Isabelle.

"What do you want, Vieri?" Ezio asked.

"So many things. A larger palazzo, two new steeds, a prettier bride..." He looked at Claudia and Isabelle. "oh and yes... your life." He said drawing his sword.

Vieri's guards attacked Ezio and his family. Ezio used his hidden blade. Isabelle stood looking at the men as she moved before Claudia and Maria.

"You got away from me once my dear, but this time it will not happen." He smiled. "Kill the others. The youngest I want alive. Perhaps I will take her here with Ezio choking on his on his own blood while I put my child in the womb of his wife." He said. He laughed.

Ezio heard his sister-in-law gasp and her hands went protectively to her belly. She was not showing yet, at least not in her bulky travel clothing. "Never! You are a coward and Ezio should have run you through!"

"Brave words. I will enjoy breaking you, amore mio." Vieri said with a smile. "We shall see how you feel after you beget my children."

The thugs charged and Ezio challenged the first. He dispatched the man in short order and turned to see Claudia fighting on with her fists and one man tried stab Maria. Isabelle reacted and reached up grabbing the blade. She cried out as it cut her hands, but she did not let go even when the man got behind her and held her. He lifted her small frame off the ground. She bit him and he howled in pain.

Ezio watched as Isabelle shifted as he came to them and Ezio stabbed the man in the chest with his hidden blade. His wife was breathing hard, but drew her dagger from her shoe. Her grip was poor with the blood running down her hands, but she stood ready to fight.

Vieri stood back watching. "My condolences for the loss of your father and brothers. What will happen now that there's no one left to help you? I have such wonderful things in store for your mother and sister." He smiled evilly. "And your sister-in-law, now widowed will be the newest de' Pazzi bride." He said.

"Never!" Ezio yelled and used his blade to kill the man she was holding off.

Vieri growled. "I grow tired of this game. Finish him! And do not spare the women!"

More guards advanced on Ezio's family. However, they were killed from behind by throwing knives. Vieri looked around startled as did the women. Ezio stood guarding them ready for the next group. Isabelle was again behind him.

Vieri yelped looking about. "What sorcery is this?!" He cried.

There was a laugh then an unknown voice called out from beyond Vieri's sight. "Not sorcery, boy. Skill!"

Vieri whirled with his sword drawn. "Show yourself!"

"As you wish." The voice said.

The mysterious man appeared and tossed Ezio a sword. "Here. Use this!"

The mysterious man had a group of men of his own and they joined the fight. The mysterious leader went to the women as did three of his men and they pressed them back behind them to protect them as Ezio engaged with another.

Vieri gasped as he watched his men fall. "Kill them! Kill them all!" He shrieked.

When he was down to two men, Vieri called a retreat. Vieri fled while Ezio and the man dealt with the two remaining guards. They fell.

Ezio walked to the stranger. He lifted the sword to the man. "You have my thanks." He said.

"Keep the sword, Ezio." The man said lying a hand on his shoulder.

Ezio blinked. "Do I know you from somewhere?" He looked at the shoulder length dark hair, older face, and a cut causing the man to be blind in his left eye.

"Don't you recognize me? It's-a-me, Mario!" Mario laughed.

"Uncle Mario?" Ezio was stunned.

"It's been too long, nipote! Far too long!" The elder man said. He embraced his nephew in a bear hug startling the younger man. He then turned. "Maria. You look well." He said kissing her pale cheeks. The woman said nothing and he frowned, but moved onto Claudia. "You must be Claudia. A beauty you are." He kissed her cheeks and then smiled at her as she blushed. He then looked at the other girl who was holding her hands balled in fists. They were bleeding badly through her fingers to the ground.

"Oh, my dear. Here. Let me help you." He said gently taking the knife from her shaking hand over the wound. The handle was slippery from her lifeblood. The girl was pale as he nodded to a mercenary to come. The man had a pouch with bandages within it. Mario cut the girl's sleeves away, they were a bloody mess anyway, and then tended the deep cuts with thick linen gauze that would make it to the town of Monteriggioni proper. "And who might you be?" He asked looking at her up and down. "You look Spanish." He said.

She nodded a little.

Before she could speak, Ezio cut in. "She is Federico's widow. She is Isabelle Auditore."

"And so it is his child she carries." Mario said. "Well met Nipotina. Vi faremo qui."

She nodded and then her hand went to her head. She wobbled a bit and Mario moved faster to her side. He caught her as her knees gave out. He lifted her in his strong arms. "This is no place for a girl as heavily with child as you. Far too much excitement, my dear. Come Ezio. Bring the other two." She was not unconscious yet, but she was fading.

Mario looked at her hand as she moved the good one a bit. It bore a burn on the ring finger. He looked at her startled, but said nothing. Ezio collected his sister who had a minor cut. The mercenaries fell in behind him.

"I heard what happened in Firenze. Terrible." Mario said. "Come, let's get you all away from here."

Ezio, his sister, his mother and Mario proceeded on to Monteriggioni with Mario carrying the young Isabelle. Ezio had never seen her look so small and delicate. He touched her pale cheek and smiled reassuringly.

ZzZ

Mario entered the city gates and then looked at Ezio. "So, tell me everything!"

Ezio sighed. "They executed father for treason. Federico and Petruccio too. Then they came for me." He looked at Isabelle as Mario held her to his chest. "They wanted Isabelle as well. She is a De' Medici, a cousin of Lorenzo himself."

"Do you know why?"

"I have no answers, uncle... Only a list of names taken from a man who wished me dead. I still can't believe they are gone..."

"Don't worry. We will make sense of this."

"I wish I shared your optimism." Ezio said.

"Come on, keep pace! We're almost there. I think you will find much to like in Monteriggioni."

"I thought Monteriggioni was an enemy of Firenze..."

"For now. Next year it will be its friend. The year after, its enemy again. And on and on. I cannot keep track. So I have stopped trying." Mario then barked a laugh. "These are honest, hardworking people. Our shops may only carry simple goods, but they're well-made and dependable. There is a chapel here too. The prete seems a nice enough fellow, but I've never been much of a believer." They walked up the stairs to the villa. "Did you know the Villa Auditore is almost 200 years old? It was built by my great-grandfather, a strange man, who carried all kinds of secrets. Keep your eyes open, and you might discover a few of them yourself..." They made it to the garden before the villa. The villa was a bit in disrepair, but it was large and formidable on the top of the hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. "With all the fighting that's been going on, this place has started to get a bit rough around the edges. I wish I could do something about it, but I just don't have the time or money to fix things up. Guess that's life, eh?" He walked to the door and smiled. "Here we are, Casa dolce casa! So? What do you think?"

"It's most impressive, uncle."

"She's seen better days, I suppose. Believe me, I'd have her shining again... if only I had the time. Now that you have had the tour, nipote, you should go and outfit yourself." He shifted the girl. "I will see to Isabelle's needs. She needs care and I will have my doctor look in on her." He smiled. "My men in the market are expecting you. Return here when you are finished and we'll begin." He said.

Ezio cocked his head. "Begin? Begin what?"

"I thought you'd come here to train?"

"No, uncle. I came here to escape Firenze – and intend to take my family further still."

"But what about your father? He'd want you to finish his work."

"What work? My father was a banker."

"Wait... He did not tell you?" He looked down at the girl in his arms. "You did not tell him?" She had lapsed unconscious then and he shifted her so her head did not loll backwards over his arm. Her one hand was on her lap and the other flopped off. Both hands were bound, but had turned crimson from her blood seeping through her bandages.

"I have no idea what you're talking about..." Ezio said.

"Ma che mi combini, Giovanni?! Where to even begin..." Mario said. "Go and fetch the gear in the market. It will give me time to think while I see to Isabelle."

"But–"

"But that's that. We'll talk more later. Some spending money, should you need it. And if you find yourself in need of rest, I've prepared a room for you on the top floor of the Villa." He walked into the house and carried the girl to a spare room and laid her down.

He called for the doctor to come to see to her. The mercenary doctor, a Moor, who had saved the life of Mario looked her over. "She is carrying twins." He said looking at her. He listened to her belly. "Their heartbeats are strong." He smiled and rubbed his jaw. "As are their feet." He smiled ruefully. He turned his attention to the two deep cuts on her hands. "These will need to be cleaned and dressed for a week or more to keep her and the babes safe from putrefaction."

Mario nodded. "She is my niece through marriage and her husband was murdered. I would see her smiling and able to be happy again."

"It will take time for that wound to heal, but she is strong." The Moor smiled a little. "She made it this far. However, for the babies' sake I would not endanger her further and allow her to rest here until they are born. It will keep her safe and them as well with our mercenaries here."

Mario nodded. He lifted her hand from where it lay beside her. "She is an assassin as well." He showed the burn under her wedding band, though the wrappings nearly hid it from view. "She became part of the order. When she wakes I will speak to her." He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Thank you Bilal."

The Moor bowed.

ZzZ

Ezio visited a blacksmith and purchased a pair of greaves and a dagger, and also visited a doctor for medicine. It took him more than an hour to do so. He returned to the villa. The main entry hall was large and open revealing a balcony that went all the way around with rooms doors going to rooms and archways to different wings. The stone was white marble. In the middle stood Claudia and Maria.

Maria was clutching the box and Claudia looked very displeased.

Ezio came to them. "Don't worry, we're only staying here for a little while." He sighed. "I plan to only rest here."

"I don't like it here. I want to go home."

Ezio sighed. "I know." He sighed. "I want to as well."

ZzZ

After the purchase of items instructed by Mario, Ezio returned to him in his study, which he was directed to by a mercenary who was standing guard in the hall.

Ezio smiled. "Salute, uncle. I did as you asked."

Mario smiled. "And quickly too. Ben fatto! Now let's teach you how to fight."

Ezio shook his head. "No. As I said, we are leaving."

Mario turned to him. "Ezio! You barely held your own against Vieri. You won't survive a week on the road. If you want to leave - so be it. But at least do so armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to defend yourself. If not for me, for your mother and sister. Think of Isabelle. She knows how to wield a knife, but her belly is too far under her chin to fight well." He sighed. "Besides the doctors have suggested you keep her here until she gives birth for her safety. She was bleeding a little." He paused. "To say nothing of the deep cuts on her palms from holding the knife as she did. A brave move."

Ezio blinked and paled. "Are she and the babies…"

"They are fine for now, but that may not be the case next time."

"Fine." Ezio said reluctantly.

Mario clapped his hands. "Ottimo!"

ZzZ

It was sundown when Ezio went upstairs. He went to check on his mother. She was sleeping in her bed. Claudia was busy reading a book in her room. Ezio then walked to the closed door. He knocked softly and looked in. Isabelle was sleeping in a darkened room, a candle lighting her face from a bedside table. He took a breath and went to her.

Mario looked walked in and shut the door. "She is well, nipote." He went and touched her brow. "She is strong. Federico made a good choice in his bride."

Ezio nodded as he sat at her side and took her hand. "I worry for her uncle." He said.

"Of course. She is your family and now your responsibility."

Ezio nodded and looked at the hand her held. "I long to see her smile again. To watch light in those eyes of hers."

"In time, nipote. She needs time to mourn. You all do." Mario said as he walked to the door. "Good night."

"Good night, uncle." Ezio said.

Isabelle shifted in her sleep. She whimpered, though she did not wake. "Federico?" She asked in a murmur.

Ezio shook his head. "No, Tesoro. Ezio."

She woke and looked up at him. Tears were in her eyes. "It was a dream wasn't it."

"What was?" He asked.

"Federico was here and safe."

"Yes, Cara. I'm sorry."

She took a shaky breath and rolled over from him curling around the swell of her body. He caressed her hair before he blew out the candle and stood. He let his eyes adjust and then walked to the door. He stepped out, but not before he heard a sob and he knew she was crying again.

His heart broke for her as he turned to go to his own rooms. There was so little he could do for now. He sighed and went to his own room.