Chapter 13
(February 27th, 1466. Warners' House. Night)
(Zack: Age 12. Sam: Age 10. Gabby: Age 8)
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby enter the house through the front door. Zack leans onto the couch and buries his forehead into its arm. Sam sits on the couch with his head lowered. Gabby stands next to Zack, staring at him with concern*
Sam: What are we going to do now? *Leans forward and stares at his brother from around the arm of the couch, awaiting a response* …Zack?
Zack: I don't know. I just can't think straight right now.
*Sam sighs then lies down. Zack pulls himself away from the couch's arm and walks toward the window*
Zack: I'm sorry, sibs.
Sam: It's alright.
Zack: No it's not! It's all my fault! All of it! He shouldn't have had to do that! He didn't have to- It should've been me… It should've been me!
Gabby: Stop it! *Runs over to Zack, hugs him tightly, and starts crying on his chest* Stop beating yourself up!
Zack: Sorella-
*She looks up at him, her eyes all watered up, forming streams running down her cheeks*
Gabby: Isn't losing Spazzo enough!?
Zack: But-
Gabby: It wasn't your fault! He was killed because of Vixenita's unfair laws!
*Gabby lowers her head, breaking eye contact with her brother, and continues to cry on his chest*
Zack: You don't have to cry, Sorella.
*Gabby looks up at Zack again and sniffles*
Gabby: I'm going through a lot.
Zack: I know. I'm sorry.
Gabby: When I- *Sniffles again* When I saw you up there, I was so scared! I don't know what I would do if I lost one of my brothers. *Continues to sob while embracing her brother* I don't think I could ever handle that. What do you think me and Sam would've done if you were executed?
*Gabby continues to cry on Zack and tears start to fall from Zack's eyes subsequently*
Zack: I just can't stand losing people! First Mom and Dad; now Spazzo! When will it end!? *Shakes his head to throw the streams off his face and forces his tears to stop* Fratello. Sorella. I promise to protect both of you.
Sam: You already told us that, remember? When Mom and Dad-
Zack: I know. I… just need to say it again… You two are my purpose and the most important people in the world to me. I promise I won't let anything happen to either of you.
Sam: What about Vixenita?
Zack: …She will die… She will die painfully... I promise.
Sam: Good. When?
Zack: Soon hopefully. I just need to sit down and think for a good long time. Just remember, I'm always here if you two need anything.
(February 28th, 1466. Warners' Bedroom. Morning)
Sam: Sorella. *Taps Gabby awake* Come downstairs. It's important.
*Sam slides down the ladder and walks out of the bedroom. Gabby wakes up and climbs out of her bunk and down the ladder. She then walks downstairs to the living room. Zack and Sam are dressed in their Assassin robes, standing around a box*
Gabby: Did you really have to make this look so formal?
Sam: C'mon, Sis. Just go along with it.
Gabby: Heh heh, alright.
Zack: Gabrielle, my sister. For generations, our family has dedicated their lives to fight for what little justice remains in this world. Spazzo, our mother, and our father upheld our creed. It was the ideology of this order that kept us such a close family; our parents and Spazzo even protected us to their last breath in belief of these ideas.
Sam: Open the box, Sis.
*Gabby opens the box and gently lifts out its contents; a white Assassin robe. The hood stares downwards, showing its beak-like protrusion from the top. She smiles*
Zack: It was only natural that we'd follow in their footsteps. Our father was an Assassin of incredible skill, and he once told me that talent is not only inherited through offspring, but increased tenfold. We are all incredibly gifted, and I believe our efforts can truly change the world for the better. Are you ready to join the Assassin order, Sorella? To be one of us?
Gabby: I've been ready for a long time, mio caro Fratello. (my dear Brother)
Zack: *Smiles* You're definitely related to us.
*Gabby dons the Assassin robe. Zack and Sam smile*
Zack: I promise I will train both of you to be the best you can be. You two will be Assassins of the highest order, and together, we will kill Vixenita. Not just for retribution, but for good justice; the good of Venezia.
Gabby: I can't wait!
Sam: Me neither!
*The Warners hug each other. Zack then breaks the hug to speak again*
Zack: Where other men will blindly follow the truth; remember-
Sam and Gabby: Nothing is true.
*Zack, with a confident smile, shifts his glance to Sam and then to Gabby*
Zack: Where other men are limited by morality or law; remember-
Sam and Gabby: Everything is permitted.
(March 4th, 1466. Warners' House. Backyard. Sunset)
*Zack has his two siblings practicing with throwing knives in the backyard. Gabby has just landed multiple practice throwing knives into the chest of a practice dummy*
Zack: Wow, it's hard to believe you've gotten these down so well already; it hasn't even been a week yet, Sorella.
Gabby: It's hard to argue when you've got the perfect teacher.
Zack: Heh heh. How about we head inside? That's enough training for one day.
*The Warners enter the house through the back door and walk to the living room*
Zack: You just keep getting better, Sibs.
*The Warners take off their weapons and robes and set them on the table. They then sit on the couch together*
Sam: Fratello.
Zack: Yeah?
Sam: Any ideas on what we're going to do? Now that… Who's going to take care of us?
Gabby: There is an orphanage next to the church.
Zack: That run-down shack is no place to live. They wouldn't accept us anyway; saying that we're abominations and that our fate is "God's judgment". We can take care of ourselves. We can hold this house down on our own.
Sam: Do you think we'll be alright on our own?
Zack: I'm not sure, but I think it's the best way to go.
Sam: Well, I have no reason to mistrust your judgment, Brother.
*Gabby hugs Zack then Sam hugs him as well*
Zack: I suppose I should feel grateful for the extra attention.
Gabby: You better.
(March 6th, 1466. Vincenzo's Office. Afternoon)
Zack: Take your time, Vincenzo.
Vincenzo: Look Zacharias. I want to help you, and I need help as well. But I'm still apprehensive about this.
Zack: Vincenzo, I didn't mean for all that to happen, and I don't make a habit out of it.
Vincenzo: I trust you, Zacharias. However, the dust over this whole fiasco still hasn't settled, and that makes me wonder what that would do to my shop's reputation; it wouldn't help either of us.
Zack: I'm pretty sure your customers won't be afraid of a twelve-year-old. What if I wore my robe while I worked?
Vincenzo: No. Your Assassin alter ego still has attention.
Zack: A disguise of some kind? *Vincenzo gives a skeptical hum* Vincenzo, I need this job. I'm the only person you can find, and you're the only person who is willing to hire me. We'll never know the result of this until we find out for sure. Vincenzo, my siblings and I are on our own now.
Vincenzo: Oh, your siblings. What about your brother? Maybe he can work for me?
Zack: I can't put Sam through that.
Vincenzo: Why not? If he's old enough to be an Assassin, surely he can handle smithing.
Zack: It's not like that. See, this is my mistake. I'm willing to admit that it was a stupid move and I should've restrained my impulses; I could've gone about it another way. Spazzo was all we had left, and he was taken away because of my arrogance. I won't make the same mistake again, but I can't live with myself if I can't redeem myself for it. I just want to do the right thing. I need to absolve myself.
Vincenzo: …Alright. Start tomorrow at noon.
Zack: Thank you so much, Vincenzo. You won't live to regret it.
Vincenzo: Va bene, so- Did you really have to say THAT?
Zack: Heh heh.
(March 8th, 1466. Warners' House. Living Room. Sunset)
*Zack comes in through the front door and throws himself on his back on the couch*
Zack: Casa dolce casa. (Home sweet home.)
Gabby: *Walks over from the kitchen* So how was work?
Zack: Vincenzo gets a lot more business than I expected. It's nothing but exhausting hard work. Vincenzo has good work ethic, at least: I get a couple of breaks, but whenever I have to work, I always have something to do. But hey, it's what gets me paid.
Gabby: Are you getting paid a lot?
Zack: Hrm… Not really.
Gabby: *Sniffs* You stink, Fratello.
Zack: Well, I was around boiling steel all day and my fur is soaked in sweat… I know, sweat glands and fur; it's quite a sick joke.
Gabby: Seriously, go take a bath, Zack.
Zack: Oh, fine.
Zack lifts himself off the couch and stomps upstairs*
(March 29th, 1466. Warners' Bedroom. Morning)
(Zack: Age 13. Sam: Age 10. Gabby: Age 8)
*Sam and Gabby are standing next to the bottom bunk of the Warners' bunk bed while watching Zack sleep, him laying on his right side, facing out of his bunk. They look at each other and smile, then prepare to wake up Zack*
Gabby: Wake up, Big Brother!
Sam: Yeah, Fratello, wake up! *Zack gives no response and continues to sleep* Wake up!
Gabby: C'mon!
*Gabby shakes Zack. Zack reacts by growling. He turns to his left side, putting his back to his siblings, then continues to sleep. She then hops into his bunk and jumps on him and screams into his ear*
Gabby: GET! UP!
*Zack pushes her out of his bunk. She falls to the floor on her rear, and he goes back to sleep. She brings herself to her feet and thinks for a moment*
Sam: I'm pretty sure he's doing this on purpose.
Gabby: Hm… Zack! Sam wet the bed!
Sam: What!? No I didn't!
*Zack sighs, then pushes the blankets off of himself and slowly sits up*
Zack: It's okay, Sam, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
Gabby: Well now I got your attention.
Zack: Heh heh. *Yawns* Okay, what do you really want?
Gabby: We just wanted to be the ones to wake you up this time.
Zack: *Looks at his clock* But training doesn't start until another hour.
Sam: You know, how about we forget training today? You've been working hard teaching us and you deserve a break.
Zack: *Stares at Sam with a confused look* Where is this coming from?
Gabby: You're still half asleep, aren't you? Do you know what day it is today?
Zack: Wednesday?
Sam: Zack, today is your birthday!
Zack: *Comes to realization* Oh yeah, right. *Stands up and stretches* I might as well go get us some breakfast.
Gabby: Actually, we can deal without breakfast for a while.
Sam: You just stay up here and relax some more.
Gabby: And don't you dare come downstairs until we say you can.
Zack: Well… Heh. If you insist.
Gabby: Yay! *Hugs Zack then Sam hugs Zack* We'll be back.
*Gabby leaves the bedroom with Sam. Zack crawls back into his bunk and goes back to sleep. About thirty-five minutes later, Zack is sleeping in his bunk and snoring when Sam walks into the bedroom*
Sam: Okay Zack, you can come down now.
Zack: *Wakes, stands up, then stretches* Okay.
*Zack and Sam walk downstairs and into the dining room and Zack looks at the cake on the table*
Gabby: Surprise!
Zack: A cake!? You didn't have to do this.
Gabby: Oh yes we did.
Zack: How did you manage to make this?
Gabby: I followed mom's old recipe.
Sam: And we got the ingredients from the marketplace.
Zack: You actually bought the ingredients?
Sam: I didn't say that.
Gabby: *Smirks along with Sam* Sit down, guys.
*Gabby cuts up a piece of cake and puts it on Zack's plate*
Zack: Oh thanks. *Puts some of the cake on his fork and tastes it* Not bad; it's just like mom used to make it.
Gabby: You really like it?
Zack: Yeah.
Gabby: Thanks, I baked it myself.
Sam: And I helped.
Zack: Ha. "Baked".
Sam: *Smirks* Yes yes, we know; anachronistic. Whatever.
Zack: *Cuts up two pieces of cake and puts them on Sam and Gabby's plates* Here, sibs.
Gabby: But it's your cake.
Zack: That doesn't mean I shouldn't share.
*Zack smiles and Sam and Gabby*
Sam: Thanks! *Eats his piece of cake in one bite then belches* Excuse me.
Gabby: Thanks, Zack.
*The Warners then each eat an extra piece of cake, which leaves two pieces left because of the way they cut it up*
Gabby: Hm. Only two pieces left.
Sam: One of us goes without a third piece.
Zack: You both can have the pieces.
*Zack puts both the pieces on each of their plates*
Gabby: But it's your birthday.
Zack: Your appetites are much more important than mine no matter what day it is.
Gabby: Are you sure?
Zack: I'm sure.
*Zack smiles at Sam and Gabby*
Sam and Gabby: Thanks, big brother!
*Sam and Gabby eat their pieces as fast as they can*
(April 16, 1466. Center Town. Marketplace. Afternoon)
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby are walking through the town dressed in their Assassin robes with their hoods up. The sun shines brilliantly, not a cloud in the sky; the trio's faces obscured by their hoods' shadows, emphasized by the gleaming rays of light. Zack, Sam, and Gabby pass by Michael, who is sitting on the street. He is playing the lute while singing at the same time. A hat with a few florins in it sit next to him. A small crowd surrounds him to hear his music. The sounds from the plucked strings and Michael's voice echo through the streets, further enchanting the glorious day and masking the distant chatter from the rest of the city*
Zack: I can dig this.
Gabby: Uh, Fratello.
*Gabby points to Vixenita, who is walking around the town with two guards at her side. The Warners jump in the nearby haybale just before Vixenita walks into the area. Michael continues to sing*
Vixenita: ...and I want to make sure that everything is in the best condition for the party, va bene? (Alright?)
Guards: Sì, vostra maestà. (Yes, your majesty)
Vixenita: And also- *Looks at the crowd of people around Michael and hears him singing* W- What is this!? Guards, what is the meaning of this?
Guard: It appears to be a musical gathering, my queen.
Vixenita: "Appears" to be?
Guard: Okay, it IS a musical gathering, my queen.
Vixenita: Let me fix this. *Starts moving through the crowd* Outta my way! This is your queen coming through here!
Michael stops playing and singing as Vixenita rudely pushes her way through the crowd.
Michael: What brings you to my humble performance, my queen?
Vixenita: You. What is your name?
Michael: Michael Arellano Di Murano, why do you ask?
Vixenita: Were you the one singing?
Michael: Yes.
Vixenita: Okay then. Sing for me, por favore.
*Michael starts to sing, amazing the crowd again while Vixenita looks at him with a disturbed look*
Vixenita: Guards! Take away his lute!
*Guards come through the crowd and pry Michael's lute from him*
Michael: What are you doing!?
*The guards hand Vixenita the lute, and she holds it up high*
Vixenita: From this day forth, I shall now prohibit all forms of music in this town except music that has been approved by me! Any violators of this crime will face death by hanging!
*Vixenita smashes the lute on the ground and breaks it in half. The crowd begins to murmur disapprovingly*
Vixenita: And you, messer... um…
Michael: Arellano.
Vixenita: Do not interrupt me when I am proclaiming royal laws! Anyway, I would have let you off with a warning, but since you had to interrupt me so rudely, I will have to give you a fine to punish you for such insolence.
Michael: What!?
Vixenita: Guards, take all the money that is within that hat!
Michael: Don't! I need that money!
Vixenita: Keep that up, and I'll have my guards execute you where you stand.
*Vixenita leaves with the guards, and the crowd dissipates. The Warners jump out of the haybale in unison as soon as Vixenita is completely out of sight. They walk up to Michael, who is sitting against the wall with a lowered head*
Zack: She just gets better everyday, doesn't she?
Michael: Yeah. *Looks up at the Warners* Ha, it's been a while, Zack.
Zack: Hey, not so loud.
Michael: Sorry.
Zack: So, why were you putting on a show here?
Michael: I needed the money. I'm not really quite as musically in tune as you are, but I figured I'd milk what little talent I actually had for all it's worth.
Zack: But you're a doctor.
Michael: I know. Vixenita's overtaxing has gotten to that point now. People can't even pay me enough for my supplies, let alone compensate me fairly for my services.
Zack: Not even a doctor can make a living in this city anymore. This place is a complete mess.
Michael: That woman must be stopped.
Zack: She will be. That, I promise.
Michael: Children… I heard what happened to Spazzo. I'm so sorry.
Zack: It's alright.
Michael: *Sighs* I guess I've made my decision. I'm staying in this city no longer.
Zack, Sam, and Gabby: What?
Michael: I'm moving to Toscana. (Tuscany)
Zack: Why not just get the town together and overthrow Vixenita? We could restore this city. I'll even lead the revolution. It would require a bit of planning, but I would need the rest of the Assassins to do it; you and Vincenzo are the only ones left in the city with ties to them.
Michael: The people don't know what they want. They're too weak, and wouldn't rise up, even if they truly wanted to. Besides, I'd like to raise a family, and I can't risk getting caught up in conspiring and executed for treason. Even if we were to succeed, it would take years for Venezia to be restored to her former glory. The venom Vixenita has been pumping into this city for eleven years now can't be purged in a single day, or even in a single year.
Zack: But I can't just run away, either.
Michael: I know. Zacharias, you're a good kid. You know deep down that retribution is not your path. Things look dark now, but I can assure you that a bright future lies ahead of you because you have your heart in the right place and a good head on your shoulders. Until then, you three will always be in my prayers.
Zack: Then I guess this is good-bye, Doctor.
Michael: I'd offer you three to come with, but my wife wouldn't like that. I'm already going to be a father soon, and she'd rather have one kid around the house than four.
Zack: It's alright. We'd rather stay here anyway. We can't leave until Vixenita is dead.
Michael: …I'll write once in a while. I promise.
(May 5th, 1466. Center Town. Morning)
*Zack is dressed in his Assassin robe with his hood up, stealing food from different vendors. Suddenly, he sees a decent-sized crowd gathering around a sign, and comes closer to take a look*
Guard: Gather round, people. Gather round. The queen of Venezia is holding a concert sponsored by her tonight at 6 pm sharp in the town center. All are required to go. Anyone found in their homes at that time will be put in jail.
*Zack walks home. He enters the house through the secret passage. When he enters, Sam and Gabby run into the living room*
Sam: Ooh boy! What'd you get us?
Zack: I only managed to get this.
*Zack tosses a piece of bread to Sam and another one to Gabby*
Gabby: What's wrong, Fratello?
Zack: Well, it's just that... Ahhhhhhhhhh... We have to go to the center tonight to listen to Vixenita perform.
Sam: What?! Why!?
Gabby: But I don't want to go! Vixenita has the voice of a thousand dying sheep!
Zack: I'm afraid we have to, sibs. We'll be imprisoned if we don't attend.
Sam: You can't force someone to do something like that!
Gabby: Well what should we do?
Zack: *Recalls the moment* Wait a sec, the guards will imprison us if we're found in our homes. However, he said nothing about us being anywhere besides there and the center... I have an idea.
*Later that night at the concert. Everyone is gathered in front of a wooden stage with candles all around the edges. Vixenita is standing, along with various musicians. A crowd is there, and all the guards are blocking all entrances from the center. Meanwhile, the Warners are standing on a viewpoint a few buildings away from the stage*
Sam: This is going to be great!
Gabby: But surely, we are not going to kill Vixenita's band, are we?
Zack: *Chuckles* Of course not, Sorella. We're only going to give them a few more stage effects.
*While the Warners travel among the rooftops to the top of the stage and hide behind the left-stage curtain and wait for the perfect timing to execute their plan, the crowd stands for a good 2 hours trying to tolerate the queen's concert. Though they are too afraid to speak up, it's obvious that they don't like her singing*
Zack: Right. Gabby, did you get the tar heated up?
Gabby: Yep.
Zack: Sam, what about your stuff?
Sam: Ready!
*Vixenita belts out the last note in a loud screech and the band starts playing random notes to signify the finale*
Zack: Okay, now!
*Gabby pushes the huge bucket of hot tar over Vixenita*
Zack: Sam, quick! Before the tar is hardened!
*Sam throws a huge bag on Vixenita, and it explodes into a white cloud. When the dust settles, the crowd sees Vixenita covered in feathers. The crowd begins to laugh uncontrollably*
*The guards run over to Vixenita. At this moment, the crowd quickly exits the unguarded entrances. Vixenita tries to shout words of rage to her guards, but only muffles with tar in her mouth. Zack, Sam, and Gabby jump off the stage and back onto the rooftops and head for their house. Zack then gracefully leaps off a rooftop and lands in a hay stack. Zack exits then signals Sam to jump next. Sam does the leap of faith then exits the hay stack. Gabby does the same*
Sam: That was awesome!
Gabby: Yeah!
Zack: Sibs, I have a feeling that her death will come soon. We must train harder everyday from now on.
*Sam and Gabby are taken slightly aback, but they soon turn serious and nod with understanding*
Sam and Gabby: Sì, Fratello.
Zack: Let's get home. We need to get some rest for tomorrow.