Faith - Part 1 - The Family Auditore

by tavingtonsbeauty

Esperanza was born to Rodrigo Borgia, but was always treated as a second class citizen by her family. When she runs away she is chaotically thrown into a war she does not know or understand and she is the bridge between the two worlds. Even as her family looks for her another has taken her in and she lives at peace. For now. That will, however, change. Not slash.

17. Life at the Villa

The Family Auditore – Chapter 17 – Life at the Villa

Isabelle woke to some moving her hands.

She opened her eyes and found the one-eyed stranger gently changing the dressing on her hands. She gasped and struggled to move away. The man moved quicker than she thought possible and gently pressed her back. "Be easy, piccina." He said softly. "I will not harm you."

"I…Ezio!" She cried.

"I am here." He said coming into the room.

Almost instantly she relaxed as he came to her. He gently touched her cheek. "You had us worried, Tesoro. You have been sleeping for two days now."

She nodded.

Mario continued to bind her hands. "These cuts are deep, but they will heal, my dear." He smiled at her and then nodded to a mercenary nearby. "Bring her some water and food. She needs it."

The mercenary moved to obey.

ZzZ

It was high summer.

Isabelle was growing heavier with the child in her womb. Her belly pressed out before her as she waddled around the villa. Mario had taken a shine to her and while he was training his nephew, he also was going over plans for the villa. She had hired workers to clean up the place some.

She spent much of her days directing them and staying out of the house and in the shade. She sipped the fresh fruit juices the cooks made for her. Mario was impressed by her ability to make the place transform. He blamed it on the fact he had been missing a woman's touch. Now a new generation of Auditore would be born here.

Monteriggioni was a small town and there was not a whole lot to do.

Ezio had been taken under his uncle's wing. His uncle was training him to become an assassin. They trained daily.

Isabelle had charmed the one eyed uncle of her husband and he would seek out her company as he did now. She was sewing clothing from a large basket of mending she had acquired.

"Ah belle dulce, how are you?" He asked taking her hand.

"Well uncle." She smiled up at him.

"And how are we?" He asked pressing a hand to the swell she carried so well. Some women seemed to look almost fat, but Isabelle looked radiant despite her size, her skin shown in the sun, her hair looked thick and strong, and though her body was swollen, ever man there could not deny her beauty.

The baby within kicked his hand and he smiled bending to press a kiss to the swell. She had grown to accept his touches. After speaking with him, she had discovered he had not married due to his scar which he thought was ugly. When Isabelle kissed it he walked away angrily, but had returned asking her forgiveness. She had given it, but he asked if he could touch her. Never knowing what it was like to be a father he wanted to be there with Ezio when the baby came. Whether it was to be a strong boy or a beautiful girl was anyone's guess, but the local women had commented when Isabelle had been walking in the market that she was carrying a girl by how the baby was placed.

Ezio dismissed this as old wives' tales, though he honestly did not care so long as the baby and his wife made it through the delivery. Childbirth was the hardest time for a woman and one in four women would die from it or complications from it. Ezio worried for his petite sister-in-law, but she was strong, far stronger than he would be as with child as she was and widowed. He knew full well she wept herself to sleep many nights and there was nothing he could do. .

Mario lifted his head and kissed Isabelle's cheek. "You seem distant." He said noticing her thoughtful look.

"Just thinking." She looked up as Ezio came to them. The younger man kissed his sister-in-laws's cheek and then dropped to his knee to press his cheek to the swell. Isabelle smiled as she caressed his long hair. The baby moved against his cheek and he smiled. The child was alive and he felt himself fall in love with it and its mother deeply as the baby moved about. He knew she was deeply in mourning, but he would ask if she wanted protection. He was willing to marry her and keep her and her family safe.

"Hello, little one, I am your Uncle." He said.

Mario touched Isabelle's head and smiled. His nephew was above all a good man and he helped her in mourning her husband and he would be a good uncle. He wondered if this was how Giovanni had been. Mario liked being a surrogate for the patriarch role.

Soon the baby would come and Ezio would have more training.

ZzZ

There was a training yard outside the villa. Ezio stood with Mario and the captain of his mercenaries.

"You can swing a sword, to be sure. But offence alone will not carry a battle. You must survive long enough to strike. I will teach you how to dodge." Mario told him.

Ezio looked at him. "You said my father was more than just a banker?"

Mario sighed. "No use dancing around it, I suppose. Your father was an Assassin, Ezio."

"I told you before: my father was a paper pusher."

"No. He was born and bred to kill."

"I find this difficult to believe."

"What of the list you carry? Do you think it's merely a catalog of debts? It holds the name of those responsible for your father's murder." Mario then paused. "And your sister-in-law. The burn on her ring finger is no ordinary burn. It is the assassin's mark as well."

"Isabelle isn't an assassin. She can't be. She is…"

"A woman? History has shown us women can be the equal of men and at times they are better at assassinations. Where we use brute force. They use charm and subtlety." He smiled. "You should ask her."

Mario showed him how to quickstep around an enemy to gain an advantage. After some time Ezio had the hang of it.

"Bene, I've taught you how to avoid your enemy's attacks. Now you'll learn how to turn them to your advantage!"

"All this talk of Assassins and Templars. It reeks of fantasy." Ezio said.

"Like something from an old parchment covered in arcane writing, perhaps?"

"How did you know...?"

"You have your father's blade. I figured you'd have the Codex page he was holding as well."

"Codex?"

Mario nodded. "Sì. A guide to the inner workings of our order - its origin, purpose and techniques. Our creed, if you will. Your father believed the Codex contained a powerful secret. Something that would change the world. Perhaps it's why they came for him..."

"Assassins, Templars, Codex pages... This is a lot to take in." Ezio said.

"I am sure it was for Isabelle and Federico as well."

"Federico was an assassin as well?"

"Yes. Your father wrote to me telling me he had begun his training. The burn on Isabelle's finger tells me she is quite skilled as well"

Ezio sighed. She was able to get out of buildings, even carrying a child, and bring him a wanted poster. He had not understood that at the time. She had skills. Better skills than he did, but carrying a child she was nearly helpless. Well not completely as her wounds attested. She had used her hands defensively to gain an advantage, not something an ordinary person would do. She had always been in Giovanni's office speaking to him and working on papers…

She had come to them for protection his father had said one day.

It was all starting to make some sense.

Mario's voice cut into his thoughts. "You need to open your mind, Ezio. Always remember: Nothing is true, Everything is permitted."

ZzZ

The next day, Ezio learned how to counter an attack from his uncle. This was the skill his sister-in-law had shown. Isabelle was in the shade watching and smiling as she sat, hands bound, unable to do anything, but sit.

Mario had insisted on allowing her some fresh air.

Mario clapped when he had managed to counter the captain several times. "You're making fine progress, Ezio! Today I'm going to teach you how to position yourself in battle. Where you stand and how you move make all the difference. Don't think I haven't seen you picking apart my library. I trust you believe me now?"

"Yes my father was an Assassin. But why the need for such secrecy?"

Mario looked back at Isabelle. He had spoken to her. She had been a secret Giovanni had written him. He had remembered the letter and found it. When they had been alone he had asked her about herself. The assassin born a bastard of a Templar and an innocent woman, she had been abused by her own family, so much so she ran away and had nearly died. Giovanni had found her and she had then become a De' Medici. A name she referred to herself rather than her true family. She had then married Federico, been trained by Giovanni, and then become pregnant. Now widowed she hoped Ezio would inherit the legacy laid out for him.

Mario sighed and looked back. "Are you familiar with the Templars? One of several Knightly orders formed during the Crusades. History teaches they were disbanded nearly 200 years ago in France. Only they weren't. Merely pushed underground where they continued their nefarious work."

"What work?"

Mario looked out at the valley below them. "The Templars seek dominion over man. And we, the Assassins, are sworn to stand against them."

"Was Uberto one of them?"

"Yes."

"And the other names on my father's list?"

"Templars as well." Mario said. He looked back at Isabelle who had levered herself up to stand. She walked to a lone rosebush to smell the blooms.

"That means Vieri..."

"Just like his father, Francesco. Likely the entire Pazzi family."

"It would explain many things..."

Ezio looked to his sister-in-law who was softly humming and watching the bees buzz around her.

ZzZ

When Ezio's training was complete some weeks later, Mario challenged Ezio to a swordfight and was defeated by him. Mario had gone easy on the young man, but never the less his nephew had skills.

"Well done nipote! You've really come into your own."

"Thank you, uncle, for all you have given me."

"You're family! Such is my duty and my desire!" He smiled as he took a breath to calm his heartbeat.

"I'm glad you had me stay."

"Good! You've reconsidered leaving!"

"We sail for Spain in three days..."

"But nipote, I have given you these skills that you might be better prepared to strike against our enemies..."

"And if they find me, I will."

"You want to leave Ezio? To throw away everything your father fought and died for? To deny your heritage? Fine! Come vuoi, Arrivederci e buona fortuna."

Ezio blinked and watched him go. "Uncle…wait!"

Mario stormed out of the training ring and into the villa, Ezio talked to a mercenary beside him.

"Why is he so upset?" Ezio asked.

"How can he not be? Vieri has been harassing us since you first arrived. To be expected, I suppose. Given his heritage..."

Ezio took a breath and hung his head. "He did not tell me that the village has been under attack."

"What difference would it make?"

"Little, but it is my fault."

ZzZ

Isabelle was in the garden tending a rosebush in the back of the villa. Mario stormed passed her.

"Uncle Mario." She gasped and moved to follow.

He paused and turned. "Yes, Belle?"

"What is the matter?"

"Ezio is denying who and what he is."

"Can you blame him?" She asked. "He has had to grow up in the matter of days uncle."

"You are an assassin. Can you deny you are better off?"

"It is better, yes, but it was still my choice." She looked at him and he sighed as she touched his cheek. "Give him time. For now I hear you ride to San Gimignano."

"Si."

"Be safe."

"I go to face the threat to protect you, my dear." He touched her belly and then left her after a soft kiss to her cheek. "Stay here."

She nodded. "I am too fat to be of use anyway."

"You are not fat."

She just laughed and waved him off.

ZzZ

Ezio walked into the villa to find his uncle, but he is nowhere to be found.

"Uncle! Where is everyone?" He asked seeing a junior mercenary there waiting for him.

"They ride for San Gimignano to slay that snake, Vieri."

"I wish to join them."

"You'll find what you need at the stables."

Before departing to Tuscany Ezio paid a visit to his mother and sister. Isabelle would doubtless see him off. She always appeared when he needed company or to speak.

"Ezio, look at her. I still can't get her to talk! She spends all day and night in front of those feathers Petruccio used to collect. She can't let him go. I don't know what to do."

Ezio looked over at their mother praying. "Don't worry. She'll come back to us, I know it."

He kissed Claudia's cheek and then walked out.

As predicted Isabelle was waiting near the entrance of the villa. "Be safe, Ezio."

"Always." He said taking her scarred hand, kissing it, and holding it to her heart. "I cannot leave you."

"I have already lost too much." She said softly. "I need you to stay safe."

He nodded. "When I return we need to talk."

She looked down. "I know."

He kissed her cheeks and then left, watching her look after him as the sunset.

ZzZ

Ezio made his way to the neighboring town of San Gimignano and found his uncle along with his troops outside the city.

Mario looked surprised. "Ezio? What are you doing here?"

"Taking responsibility. Vieri troubles you because of me."

Mario smiled a little. So the young girl was right. Ezio had grown up. "Vieri troubles us because he is a Templar and we are Assassins."

"Either way. I wish to help."

Mario nodded. "Va bene. Then listen close: First we must find a way inside the city. Though it seems Vieri expects us...He has sealed the gates and sent his men to guard them. Fortunately for us, the city is larger than its host. The southern gate suffers for it. So this is where we will strike. Pronti?"

Ezio and Mario reached the gates, only to find it closed.

Mario suggested to Ezio that he climb over the wall and open the gates, while Mario and his men distracted the guards.

"Alright Ezio. Here's how it is going to work: My men and I will distract the guards. Once we've engaged them, get yourself over the wall and find a way to open the gate. Take these throwing knives. Use them to dispatch the archers."

Ezio looked at the knives and nodded. "I'm ready when you are."

Mario chuckled. "Then let us begin."

Mario gave Ezio a knife belt, and he climbed over the southern wall to deal with the archers, while Mario and his men fought the guards outside the gate. Following this, Ezio killed the archers and opened the gates for his uncle watching for trouble.

"Well done, Ezio! We're in!"

Mario commanded his troops inside the city. "This way, men!"

Inside, they encountered more guards.

"I want you to distract those guards, and keep them from raising the alarm. Hopefully it will buy me enough time to find and silence Vieri."

"Va bene."

"Wait, nipote. Take a few of my men with you... Just to be safe. Come join me once they are dealt with."

As Ezio approached a group of guards, he overheard them talking about Vieri.

"What's Vieri up to now?"

"No one knows. But something has him on edge. How else to explain all the patrols?"

"We're meant to be soldiers. Instead he's turned us into nursemaids. And why?" A third chimed in.

The second sighed. "Shooting his mouth again, no doubt. Angering the wrong sort of people... And so now we pay the price."

The first hissed. "Careful. Or do you want us dragged before him like Bernardo was?"

"Poor bastard... I heard Vieri took his eyes."

"I'd like to keep mine. So let's end this conversation."

Ezio, along with the mercenaries, attacked and killed the guards. They then moved further into the city, and found one of Mario's men lying wounded near a well.

"Ezio! Your uncle's under attack and needs help! Go to him!"

Ezio reached the Santa Maria Assunta to find Mario and Vieri's men in combat.

On seeing Ezio, Mario called to him. "Ah, nipote! There you are! It seems my plan has hit something of a snag...Vieri's men ambushed us, and now we've got our hands full. My brothers and I will deal with these guards – I want you to go ahead and root out that snake! Find Vieri! See that justice is served!"

Ezio left to find Vieri while his uncle dealt with the guards. Upon reaching the northern gates, Ezio watched from the rooftops as Vieri entered the city along with his father and two other men. Ezio recognized one of them, a man wearing a hood, as the same person who was at Uberto Alberti's residence and later at the execution of his father and brothers, Federico and Petruccio. He had held Isabelle as she struggled after the execution. She had tried to say something about him. His name and that she was his…

The man spoke with a clearly Spanish voice. "It's settled: Vieri, you will remain here to coordinate the mercenari. Francesco will organize our forces in the city and send word when it's time to strike. Jacopo, your job is to calm the citizens once the deed is done."

"What about that ubriacone Mario? He continues to harass my forces and I fear he'll discover what we intend."

Vieri's father chuckled. "He's always been trouble. Just like that bastardo brother of his."

"Then let me reunite them, father!"

The Spaniard lifted his hand. "There will be plenty of time to clean up rifiuti when we've finished." He sighed. "Be on the lookout for a young Spanish girl as well. She is heavily with child. I want her alive." He paused. "Now, is there anything else?"

The Pazzi remained silent and Ezio was shocked at hearing Vieri's intentions.

The Spaniard nodded. "Muy bien. May the Father of Understanding guide you!"

The group repeated the remark before everyone left and held a hand over their hearts.

A guard ran up. "Comandante! Comandante!"

"What?!" Vieri hissed.

"Mario Auditore has invaded the city! He comes for you!"

"Then let's not keep him waiting."

Vieri retreated to the San Gimignano battlements, while Mario and his troops attacked the guards. During this time, Ezio moved in to assassinate Vieri, who recognized him as he came up to the battlements.

"Ah! There you are. How is your sweet little sister-in-law?"

Ezio growled and killed the guards surrounding Vieri. Vieri and he fought, but it did not take long for Ezio's rage to overtake the other man.

"What are you and your allies planning? Is this what my father discovered? Is this why he was killed?"

"I'm sorry, were you hoping for a confession?" Vieri asked him. He died then.

Ezio became angry that he could not extract any answers from Vieri. Pezzo di merda! Vorrei solo che avessi sofferto di più! Hai avuto la fine che meritavi! Spero che bru–" He held the corpse angrily.

Mario cut in suddenly. "Enough, Ezio! Show some respect." He said. Ezio looked up unsure where he had come from.

"Respect? After all that's happened? Do you think he would have shown either of us such kindness?"

"You are not Vieri. Do not become him." Mario said. Mario walked up to Vieri's body. "Che la morte ti dia la pace che cercavi. Requiescat in Pace." Mario took a letter from Vieri's body and gave it to Ezio. "Take this. Read it when you have time. Our work here is finished. Let us return to the villa..."

Ezio nodded.

ZzZ

The group was out at dawn and smiling.

Ezio arrived near the training ring to find his uncle celebrating along a few of his men.

"And here he is! Our campione, Ezio!" Mario said holding a wine bottle.

"All Hail, Ezio!"

"I see you wasted no time starting the celebrations."

Mario grinned. "And why not?! You've done us a great service, nipote! With Vieri dead, la Toscana will grow quiet once more. Do you know what that means?"

"Basta lavorare!" A mercenary said.

"Si passa tutto il giorno a bere!" A second one grinned.

"E a puttane!" Said a third.

Everyone looked at him in confusion, he replied.

"What?! It's true!" The man said shrugging.

Everyone laughed at this.

"Come, Ezio. Walk with me."

"Yes, uncle?"

"The Pazzi answer to another; a Spaniard."

"He is Rodrigo Borgia, one of the most powerful men in all of Europe and leader of the Templar Order." Mario said.

"I have heard this name before. Which makes him responsible for the murder of my father and brothers." Ezio hissed.

"Yes. And he will kill you too, given the chance." He paused looking at his nephew. "But also makes beautiful things."

"How so?"

"Isabelle is the fruit of his loins."

"She is a De' Medici."

"Legally, yes. But by blood. No. Never fear, however. He has given her reason to hate him more than the rest of us combined."

"Then I must stand against him if I wish to be free...But not until every other Templar has fallen to my blade. Father's list will guide me."

"Where will you go next?"

"Firenze. After Isabelle gives birth and is stable. Francesco de' Pazzi will share the fate of his son."

"A sensible next step. No doubt he intends evil for the city. Alright. That's enough grim talk for one night, I'll be in my study if you need me."

Mario returned to his study.

"I should read the letter my uncle gave me..."

He opened the letter and saw that it is addressed to Francesco de' Pazzi:

Messer Francesco,

I have done as requested and spoken with your son. I agree with your assessment, though only in part. Yes, Vieri is brash and prone to act without forethought. And he has a habit of treating the mercenari like playthings. I've received reports of at least three men being disfigured as a result. But I do not think him, as you put it, beyond repair. Rather, I believe the solution to be a simple matter.

He seeks your approval. Your attention. These outbursts of his are a result of insecurities born out of a sense of inadequacy. He speaks of you often and fondly and expresses a desire to be closer to you. So if he is loud and foul and angry - I believe it is simply because he wants to be noticed. He wants to be loved.

Act as you see fit on the information I've given you here. But I must ask that we end this correspondence. Were he to discover the nature of our conversations, I fear what might become of me.

Yours in Confidence,

Fra' Giocondo

Ezio blinked and then sighed. Ezio then proceeded to his uncle's study.

Mario looked up. "Look familiar?"

He pointed towards the wall.

"Other Codex pages." Ezio said in wonder.

"Yes. Your father managed to find and translate a few before he..."

Ezio handed Mario the Codex page he had.

"This is not your father's work. Someone else has translated it."

"Leonardo da Vinci. A friend."

He put the codex page along with the others on the wall.

"Do you see the way the words cross from one page to the next?"

"There is something underneath it all. Some kind of map. Where is it supposed to lead?"

"Your father and I managed to make out bits of a prophecy scrawled across these pages. It was written by an Assassin like us, who long ago held a "Piece of Eden." His name was Altaïr...He spoke of something powerful and ancient hidden beneath the land."

"What is it?"

"What indeed. Solving that little mystery is exactly why we collected these pages."

"Then let me help. It's time I take on my father's work. All of it. I'll start with the page I took from Vieri. Leonardo will decode it for us."

"Bene. Return here when time permits and we'll add it to the wall."

Ezio then left the study and was surprised to find Claudia in the other room.

"Salute, Claudia-"

"Our uncle is un mostro. This is outrageous!"

"What's happened?" Asked folding his arms.

"He's making me work! If father was here, I'd never be stuck behind a desk like this."

"And what are the terms of this supposed enslavement?" He asked with a bit of amusement.

"Since SOMEONE decided we're going to stay here, Zio Mario suggested we try and find the money to repair the villa. Problem is, there isn't any."

"I bet I can bring in some money."

"Oh great, more work for me. Well, benissimo. If you start paying for improvements to the town, I'll keep track of them in this book. And since I have nothing better to do, I'll also make note of any objects you bring in from the outside. If you actually get this place up and running, travelers might visit and spend money, although I doubt anyone will want to come this far out of the city. But if they do, I'll keep the money we make in this chest. You're going to have to show up to take it to the bank yourself, because when it gets full, I'm just going to take the extra cash for myself. Capito?"

"Deal."

He then proceeded to an Architect waiting for him in the entryway.

Ezio smiled. "Buongiorno. Is there something wrong?"

"Ser Mario hired me to deal with this mess, but I'm an architetto, not a miracle worker. Without money, I can't fix any of these buildings." He sighed. "Lady Isabelle is kind and trying to work with what you have, but it is hard and in her condition…"

"And if someone brought the money?"

"Then we are in business! You must be Ser Ezio. Am I right?"

"Uncle! I like this architetto." Ezio said loudly.

"He gets very observant when he can smell money!" Mario called back.

"If you want to fix this town, I'm going to need it. I have a price list here for new shops and renovations. Just bring me gold, make a choice and I'll begin at once. If I build you a shop, you, as the landlord, can purchase goods at lower rates. If you invest more money in the shop you get an even greater discount. As for the renovations, well... you'll be bringing the town and villa back to life. As Ser Mario tells me, that was very important to your great-great-grandfather. Plus, when you buy shops and renovations, you'll be increasing the number of people who visit, causing your income to increase! So, let's take a look, shall we?" He said. "Lady Isabelle has some ideas as well. They are all of great benefit."

He showed Ezio a list of shops in the town in need of repairs and renovation.

After sometime Ezio returned to Mario's study.

"Ezio! My boy. I think it's time I showed you something."

He walked to his bookcase. He pulled a lever within the bookshelf in his study. It opened to reveal a passage beyond, which led to a cellar.

"This is the Sanctuary. It was built by my great-grandfather to honor the memory of the Assassin Order and protect its secrets. Look around! These are the assassins who guarded the freedom of humanity when it was most threatened." They walked forward. The center statue, of an Arabic man, stood with armor behind bars.

Mario sighed. "And this is the armor of Altaïr. Little is known about Altaïr's life, but his armor is light and very strong. I'd give it to you, but I don't know how to retrieve it. My great-grandfather told me it would remain locked away until all its protectors were made whole. I heard rumors of crypts located throughout Italia, hidden tombs filled with treasure where these six were moved centuries ago. Maybe they have something to do with it. In my younger days, I sought the six myself... with no success. Perhaps you will have better luck."

"Who are they?" Ezio asked.

"From left to right: Qulan Gal, Darius, Wei Yu, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Amunet, Iltani, and Leonius." Mario said. "Each served as great protectors of their time." He nodded to the statue beside them. "This is Amal bint Altaïr bin La'Ahad. She was Altaïr's daughter-in-law. She guards the room." He said. "She was the secret holder, it has been told." He smiled. "She is the sentinel. Look how she watches over the others as though she alone can protect them…" Mario sighed. "There is something about her. She was rumored to have a great secret."

Ezio nodded. "They are all great warriors."

"Yes." Mario said looking up at Amal's statue in marble and then at the others. He looked back at Altaïr.

Ezio took a breath. He felt he was amongst greatness.

Amal – meaning "Hope" is not in the actually sanctuary. She is my own character whom I am paying tribute to. You can find her story at - s/8757279/1/Hope – Enjoy.