Chapter 4
It was the day after the meeting where Antonio had witnessed his father and a painter by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci discussing matters that from what he could make out where far from the subject of fine arts. Before he started his work for the day Antonio had been pondering on how to approach the subject of yesterday's meeting between the two men but hadn't come up with a logical way yet. He knew that he wouldn't have a chance too at the start of the day as his father was always keen on getting down to business and setting his son to work running errands, delivering messages, or just staying in the office sorting out documents, whatever it was Marco always had Antonio doing something.
It was around lunchtime when Antonio managed to think of time best suited to bring the subject up for discussion, it would be at the end of the working day after everyone else had left for their homes and families. Antonio knew his father was always the last person to leave as he like to keep everything in order as well as have things ready for the following day. This would be the ideal time to bring up the matter of that meeting the day before. After Antonio had completed his tasks for the day he decided to stay behind and help his father organise things, this made Marco curious as to why his son was staying behind as he normally was eager to leave at the first chance he got.
"Son can I ask you as to your reason as to why you decided to stay and help me organise things this evening?" Asked Marco as his curiosity got the better of him.
"Of course you can father, I was hoping to speak to you speak to alone and in private about a matter that has been troubling my mind of late." Replied Antonio hoping his father could guess what the problem was without him having to bring it up.
"What is it Antonio? It's not Rosa-Marie is it?" he asked hoping to avoid the subject of last night's meeting with Leonardo but it wasn't going to happen.
"It's about what you and senior Da Vinci were discussing; it's been bothering me ever since I left yesterday. I was wandering if you could shed some light on the matter of my concerns father?" Antonio said knowing that just coming out with it was better than beating around the bush. Marco let out a sigh to compose his thoughts and then replied to his son's question.
"Antonio, I'm not going to insult your intelligence and say that we were discussing dealing with fine arts which needed selling, no it was something very much more important than just pieces of art my boy. Leonardo asked me to research into a matter of upmost importance which could affect all of Itallia someday."
"What matter is that important father?" replied Antonio now having many more questions going through his head than he had time to ask them.
"A matter that hopefully will not be your responsibility to bear, so do not worry about the matter further my boy." Marco was anxious to drop the subject as he was afraid of letting out more information then what was safe to without putting Antonio's life in danger.
"What responsibility? What matter? You're going to kill someone are you?" Antonio was now desperate for answers from his father but Marco was determined to only tell what he only deemed safe to tell his son at the time.
"God no my boy, listen to me Antonio carefully, I promise to tell you what you want to hear when the matter has been dealt with and it is safe to tell you, and if something where to happen to me I will leave details on where you can get the answers you will need in order to complete my work, is that a deal son?" Marco compromised with Antonio who knew that this would have to suffice for now.
"It's a deal father, I'm sorry for causing any worry but I just wanted to ease my mind slightly"
"Good to hear my boy, now off you go or Rosa will be wandering why her bed will be absent of your presence and don't forget our family meal with us after training, I have already informed your mother and she is delighted at the news." Said Marco before Antonio reached the door.
"I haven't forgotten father, I will see you at training tomorrow" he replied then left the building leaving his father to his business. It was a chilly evening for the time of year as the clouds were no were to be seen in the night sky and the moon was shining brightly amongst the abundant stars. Antonio made his way to Rosa's bedroom window, her light was still on an indication she was still awake and waiting up for him. Antonio gently threw a small pebble at the window as not to break it but enough to get her attention.
"Who is it?" she called.
"Now what kind of question is that to ask me?" replied Antonio.
"Antonio! I'm sorry my love you're back a little later than usual, is something the matter?" she asked after he had climbed into her bedroom.
"Not really I just had to have a word with father about work that's all, nothing you should worry about." He replied as all he wanted now was to sleep and be fresh for training with Marco in the morning.
"What you say we go to bed then Antonio so you can put the day behind you?" Rosa suggested as she was tired too.
"That's probably the best thing I've heard all day." He said feeling tiredness begin to settle in.
"Then come Antonio let us sleep in each other's embrace" said Rosa and the two climbed into bed and let sleep overcome them till morning.
Antonio left Rosa's feeling well rested and refreshed after his sleep that night. Antonio headed off towards the training field to meet his father for training. The field was located just outside the city walls on the eastern side of the city which this early in the morning was just being lit up by the rise of breaking sun. As Antonio was arriving at the training field he noticed his father had already arrived and was already ready to begin with his protective equipment on, Antonio had a feeling that this training session was going to be different from past experiences.
"Buongiorno father, you're here early." Said Antonio approaching his father.
"Buongiorno son, I'm going to use this session to teach you to successfully defend yourself in some less advantageous situations that you find yourself in, such as the one like this. You see me in full protective armour just like an enemy may be in, now looking at you, you don't have much clothing to protect you so, what do you do son?" asked Marco testing his son on a potential life or death situation. As Antonio was thinking about the potential answers in his head Marco had purposely left a training sword for his son to use to defend himself but he'd have to get past him to get it. Before Antonio could open his mouth to reply Marco had decided to engage his son and test his abilities; after a series of dodges and dives Marco paused.
"What's the matter son? Catch you by surprise did I?" asked Marco knowing he had caught Antonio off guard.
"Si father just a little it's a good thing I am agile enough to dodge your strikes." He replied with a hint of a sneaky insult to his father about the age difference between the two.
"Very good son, yes you may be agile, but you still fail in being observant in your surroundings for things that could be of aid to you in your current situation and help turn the tables and dispatch of any threats, now focus my boy." And with that Marco engaged his son a second time followed by more failed strikes at his son. It took Antonio a while for his father's advice to sink in and for him to look around and notice the sword that was resting up against a post that he must've gone past at least half a dozen times while dodging his father's attacks. After a few more successful dodges the sword was in his hand and now it was his turn to strike back at his father. Blow after connecting blow between the two swords echoed over the field and the valley as these two men were not backing down an inch, even if this was just a training session. Antonio allowed himself to scan the area once more for things that may be of use to for him to turn the tables on his father and not just keep them at a stalemate; it took some careful scanning until he found a dagger that had placed in the ground. Another aid from his father? Nevertheless he was going to use it to get his father to yield this conflict. Marco was using his experience to his advantage to keep Antonio on his toes and not giving him an inch, more ringing blows filled the land as this intense encounter continued with little end in sight for the untrained ear. As this exchange in blows was coming to a close Antonio seized his chance to get the dagger in his grasp and succeeded in doing so. It only took a couple more defensive blows to his father's attacks and a quick turn of his body to have his father in a position to surrender with the dagger at his throat.
"Yield father, the encounter is mine" Antonio said between breaths after the countless encounters that had just taken place.
"Complimenti my boy, you passed this test well, it is always advised to be on your guard at all times as you never know what's going to be around the corner and it could be an encounter that sees you at a disadvantage such as the one we have just practised here this morning; but bear in mind Antonio, weapons are not going to as easily accessible to you in the real world situation so use any time you have to scan the area to find something that you can use and turn the tables on your opponent and bring them down. Out of all the lessons I have taught you over the years my son; this is probably one of the most important ones I will teach you. You understand what I'm trying to say here Antonio?" finished Marco and allowed himself to steady his breathing.
"Yes father I do, I thank you for teaching me so much over so long don't think it goes unappreciated." Said Antonio releasing his father from the situation he was in.
"And also Antonio, another thing to remember, there may be more than one enemy coming at so make sure to use any fallen enemy's weapon as your own there's no disgrace in turning enemy weaponry against them if it's to save yourself from potential death." Marco explained further. Now the two men were having a relaxing break and Marco explaining more uses for the lesson he was teaching before they trained further.
"I think we shall call it a day there Antonio, I need to see to your mother and check if everything is in order for tonight's family meal." Said Marco.
"Bene, I have to go and run a few errands myself father, but I promise you I will be home for dinner tonight as I promised you and Mother. Would 8 o'clock be ok for you and mother?"
"8 o'clock sounds just fine to me Antonio your mother can not wait to see you again, she does miss you, you know" Marco said as he was changing out of the training armour.
"I know she does father, but I only want to be a little independent and do more things for myself." Replied Antonio.
"I understand son we all have to take that step one day in our lives, I'm proud of you." Marco said embracing his son before they parted ways once more till the dinner that evening. But fate it would seem would have different plans for the Romero family as tonight would mark the day that Antonio's world was about to crash down around him and for his true destiny to take fold and he would soon have to leave his home city in order to not only survive but to be able to seek the truth about his real destiny that his father had been training him for, for so long.
As the day was passing into evening Antonio was walking out from the pub after a drink or two with friends and was making his way towards the palazzo Romero for his dinner with his family when along came a man who Antonio had never met before and stopped him in the street and said with hastened breath.
"Senior Antonio, I come bearing troubled news which needs your urgent attention!" exclaimed the stranger.
"What is it? Tell me seniore" ordered Antonio desperate for the message the man carried.
"You're palazzo has been raided by guards in search for your father and you, they turned the house upside down and captured your father and arrested him awaiting trial for aiding in a murder attempt upon the mayor of the city! And seniore they are looking for you too!" explained the man giving him the message and the warning that he was now a wanted man all in the space of five minutes.
"Grazie seniore, now go find somewhere safe I'll see to this matter myself." Antonio said and sent the man on his way. Standing where he stood baffled at the news he had just received he sprinted towards his home to find the man's words to be true about the house being ransacked.
"Mother! Sisters! Where are you?" called Antonio awaiting a reply until from upstairs he heard his mother's response.
"Up here Antonio! I had to hide your sisters and me from harm like Marco had instructed us too before confronting the guards that forced their way into our home." Explained Carolina.
"Bene, where did they take him? And did he leave any instructions for me upon my arrival?" he asked with concern for his father's safety.
"Si son he said you were to go into his study and go into a hidden room were you will find the tools and information you will need to answer the questions you have been wanting answers too and to protect us. He didn't say the location of where the lever to the room was but only that you would know where it would be." Answered Carolina.
"Very well, stay here and look after these two I will go and find these answers, I'll be back soon.
Antonio left the room in which his mother and sisters where taking refuge and walked to his father's study and as if by some unnatural sense he walked to the large brass globe in the corner of the study and pressed the square which Italy was situated on. The square then lowered and metallic clicks could be heard and then Antonio turned to see a whole section of the bookcase had slid over to cover another to reveal a secret room filled with pictured of people who Antonio could not recognise but had notes around them written on parchment explaining the importance of the pictures. On the desk was a envelope which bore Antonio's name on the front in his father's handwriting. He slowly opened it and it read.
"Antonio,
If you have found this letter than I have been captured by the city's guard for my researching into something that wasn't meant to be discovered. Your training did have a purpose in which was never truly explained to you as it was to protect you but now im going to explain. You were born into a centuries old brotherhood known only as the Assassins and we fight to hold truth and bring peace and justice to all in whatever shape or form. We have been at war for all of those centuries against a order known as the Templars who seek to control the entire world at any cost and this shall never be done under the code of the Assassin creed. This is all I can say now, Take this note to Leonardo Da Vinci and he will able to tell you more than what I could in this letter. In the chest underneath you are things you will need to able to survive this night and see you and the rest of the family to safety outside of these city walls. I do not fear death Antonio in fact I embrace it knowing my death will soon be avenged by you. So take these things and seek the answers to your questions and journey along your true destined path as a member of the Assassin Brotherhood. I love you son in this life and in the next.
Marco Romero Da Milan"
Antonio found the heavy wooden chest hidden under the desk bearing an unfamiliar symbol but putting recent news together he could guess it was the seal of the Assassin order. After opening the chest Antonio had found many things he found strange to be keeping in a chest. He firstly pulled out a sword; light, swift, deadly and decorated in marking from the hilt to the base of the blade along with the sheath that could be worn around Antonio's waist. Next he pulled out a leather bracer and attached to it was some sort of blade on a spring mechanism, there were no instructions as to its use, so Antonio figured he'd show it Leonardo and hopefully he could explain how it works and train him in its use. Lastly was a note that was a scrap of paper that just read "Look towards the exit and Embrace the Destiny that Awaits you" and with that Antonio found himself gazing at an pure white set of robes made of a mixture of materials that could only be cotton and silk for strength and comfort, the peaked hood of the robe covered his face in shadow to hide his identity enough so that suspicion would not be raised by passing guards, a good thing given the circumstances. The cuffs of the robe where held by links of solid silver and bore the Assassin seal. Antonio changed into the robes, they felt light and flexible a good thing if evasive actions had to be made or if large combat actions had to be made in a conflict, as soon as he had finished adjusting the robes and the belt with the sword attached to it Antonio put on the brown boots which went with the boots, attached the bracer to his left wrist and took the letter from Marco so he could show it to Leonardo. Antonio pulled the hood over his head and left the room with the feeling of empowerment within him that the robes gave him just by wearing them. He then went to check on his mother and sisters and instructed them to go a family friend' s house for safety and then after they had left, went to leave the house himself in search of not only answers from Leonardo, but more importantly justice and an overwhelming thirst for vengeance against the person who was going to be responsible for the death of his father, a vengeance that was not going to be satisfied by mere money or a beating but a vengeance that would be settled in blood.