I'm sooooo sorry it took so long! with babysitting and stitches i haven't been able to keep up! but here it is! one of the saddest chapters... :(
Thank you to PureAngelEyes for reviewing! and thanks to all those who have added this story to their alerts! you make my day, really!
Disclaimer: I do not own Assassin's Creed
As Ezio pulled me along, I could just feel the anger emanating from him. "Ezio…" I mumbled. I hadn't meant to say anything, it was just a means of reassurance.
"When did they come?" Ezio asked, his gaze still fixed attentively ahead, a murderous aura surrounding him.
"I don't quite know… they knocked me out."
Ezio stopped, turning towards me with his brows knitted together. "They knocked you out? The bastardos." He continued to storm to the prison.
"I'm fine, really," I assured. Ezio said nothing, instead he merely grunted. When we came to the Palazzo de la Signoria, he held a hand out to me, signifying me to wait there, as he sped up the wall and over the roof.
I looked around quickly. Around me were guards, many of them, surrounding the prison. Dotted around the area were some of Vieri's lackeys. I shrunk into an alleyway, glaring hard at the backs at some guards. I listened in as I stood, hearing faint whispers about the Auditore tragedy, what they called a success. I sneered in their direction when they insulted Federico, and made fun of Petruccio's harsh screams.
Soon, Ezio had jumped off of the tower, into an awaiting haystack. He located me instantly, slithering around the guards and lackeys like he was meant to do such a thing. When he came to me, I looked up at him, my expression wanting answers.
"Father wishes for me to go back home. Apparently, there is something waiting there," he explained.
"Lead the way." We skulked in and out of abandoned alleys, avoiding any possible contact with the guards. I took note gratefully that he didn't run up any walls, and I took it upon myself to believe that it was for me. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, it really didn't matter right now.
When we showed up at his home, Ezio stormed into his father's office immediately. "Father said there was a door here…" Ezio mumbled. For I split second, I could swear his eyes flashed a shade of gold. "There." When he walked up to the wall, a part of it slid down, making me gasp. Ezio sauntered in nonetheless, walking cautiously up to a chest in the corner.
When he opened it, I was stunned to see white garbs place elegantly inside, with some kind of mechanism and a sword atop them. Ezio adorned himself in the robes, and I noted that they looked extremely badass. Strapping the sword to his side only made Ezio look cooler, and I couldn't help but feel that that outfit was made for him. He leant down to reach for the strange mechanism and a letter. "I'll bring this to Messer Uberto."
"Wait. Let me just say that you look awesome in those robes," I stated, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Ezio flashed me a meek smile, but said nothing as he led me out of the home. Feeling as though that would be the last time I was ever there, I took one last look at the home, letting my gaze linger before I shut the door quietly behind me.
When we entered the courtyard, however, two guards were stationed, readying their swords. Ezio immediately pulled me behind him, for that I was grateful. "What's with the swords?" he asked. "I thought you were here to arrest me?"
"No." The two neared closer.
"What do you want, then?"
"For you to die!" With that, they charged at Ezio, who fought gracefully. He took those guards down easily, swinging their swords aside with his own (A/N: No perverted thoughts!) and jabbing it in their stomachs. For a moment I wondered how he had acquired such skill.
"Come," he stated hastily. I said nothing as we continued to Uberto Alberti's home to deliver the letter. The whole way there, Ezio was fidgety, jumping into an alley at every sight of red clothing, be it a guard or not. I reached for his arm, placing a gentle hand on it as if to say, "I'm here". He smiled down at me before stopping before a door.
He knocked hastily, rocking from side to side on the balls of his feet. Uberto opened the door quickly, seeming quite astonished that it was Ezio who stood before him. "Ezio Auditore? What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked, with what seemed to me like feigned curiosity.
Ezio, however, did not see it. "It… I don't…" he stuttered.
"Wait child, take a breath, collect your thoughts," Uberto instructed. I still didn't trust him, something wasn't right. But I couldn't say anything. If Ezio trusted him, I guessed I should have too.
"My father and brothers have been imprisoned. I was told to bring you this," Ezio stated as he handed Uberto the letter.
"Ahh, I see now," Uberto muttered as he read the letter's contents. I shifted my stance beside Ezio. I still had a very bad feeling. "It's a misunderstanding, Ezio. I'll clear everything up." Behind him, a hooded figure stalked into the next room, pausing for a moment to gaze at Ezio and I, but Ezio paid no heed. I, however, froze to that very spot. That man was bad news, and when I made eye-contact with him for a split second, shivers traveled their way up my spine at the coldness in his eyes. He was an older man, a small gray beard positioned on his chin.
"How?" Ezio asked anxiously.
"The documents you've given me contain evidence of a conspiracy against your family and against the city," Uberto explained. "I'll present these papers at their hearing in the morning and they'll be released."
"Thank you signore."
"Of course, my child. Do you need a place to stay? You're more than welcome here." In that instant I wanted to scream "NO!" but I stayed my tongue.
To my relief, Ezio said, "No, grazie. I'll meet you at the piazza."
"Don't worry, Ezio. Everything is going to be fine." With that, he shut his door.
"Ezio… I have a bad feeling about him…" I mumbled to him.
Ezio turned to me with a shocked expression. "Messer Uberto has been a friend to my family for years! How dare you say such things!"
"Ezio, I—"
"Qualunque (whatever). Let's not quarrel now," Ezio stated.
"Yes, I'd much appreciate that."
The next morning, I went with Ezio to the piazza. Actually, he had requested me to come with him, stating that he did not wish to leave me alone to get caught by the guards. To me, that was just admittance that he needed a friend, but perhaps I was wrong.
We followed the sounds of whoops and cries, telling us that the hearing was in fact there. When we traveled up, I was surprised to see Uberto standing on the raised platform, numerous hanging ropes stationed beside him. Attached to those ropes, were the Auditore men Ezio and I were so worried about. Right then, I knew that my assumption on Uberto was right. He was behind all this. He was the one to get the Auditore's arrested.
"Giovanni Auditore, you and your accomplices stand accused of the crime of treason. Have you any evidence to counter this charge?" Uberto bellowed. My heart beat quickened and swelled at the sight of the three Auditores. Petruccio looked so scared, and Federico was struggling so hard. Giovanni was so brave to speak up.
"Yes. The documents that were delivered to you last night!" he yelled.
Uberto smirked a devilish smirk. "I'm afraid I know nothing of these documents," Uberto lied. Behind him, was that hooded man I had seen earlier last night. He stood proudly.
"He's lying!" Ezio screamed beside me. I shoved him into the crowd, urging him to get closer.
"In the absence of any compelling evidence to the contrary, I am bound to pronounce you guilty. You and your collaborators are hereby sentenced to death." My eyes widened and my mouth fell slack.
"You are the traitor Uberto- and one of them! You may take our lives this day- but we will have yours in return I swear! We will—" before Giovanni could finish, a guard pulled the lever that held their lives. The floors dropped beneath them and there they were to die.
"FATHER!" Ezio screamed, running up towards the platform. I too screamed, but there was no way I could reach Ezio, the crowd was too thick, and I was starting to feel the beginnings of my crowd-phobia.
Uberto took one look at Ezio and barked, "There! Grab the boy. He's one of them!" Immediately, two guards rushed to Ezio, grabbing his arms and holding him to that spot.
"I'll kill you for what you've done!" Ezio exclaimed as he struggled in the guard's hold. He finally broke free, though, pulling out his sword.
"Guards! Arrest him!" Uberto ordered. On queue, two guards, clad in a complete armor suit, sauntered up to Ezio, who backed away slowly. One of the guards knocked Ezio's sword from his grasp with a large battle-axe.
"Abbattetelo (Kill him)!" Uberto barked.
Ezio turned, and ran like the wind. When he caught up to me, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me along-side him. Thank God for track lessons, or I would've never been able to keep up with him. We ran for what seemed like forever, but was most likely only a minute or so.
We tucked ourselves into an alley, standing flat against the wall as to hide our bodies better. I watched solemnly as the guards ran by us, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I turned to Ezio. He was staring at the adjacent wall, a blank look on his wide-eyed features. I grabbed his wrist, pulling him in for a tight hug. He wasn't much taller than I, perhaps four inches, so his head easily rested on my shoulder. I placed a gentle hand on his head as he wrapped his arms around my waist, squeezing me for reassurance.
"I'm so sorry Ezio…" I mumbled. "It'll all be alright, I promise," I cooed, although I know it wouldn't be. Federico, Petruccio, and Giovanni were gone, and there was nothing I could do to bring them back. For now, I had to be strong for Ezio. He needed me. For a moment, I let a silent tear slip down my face. "I'm here…"
I like to think of Melina as a very kind soul :) Even though she misses her family, she knows she has to focus on Ezio, and be strong for him.
Reviews please! 。◕ ‿ ◕。
