Ezio woke up with a start, though he quickly relaxed, carefully wrenching his thoughts into reality, and trying to access his general situation and position. It all came to him rather slowly, much to his frustration.

Okay. Things he was completely sure of, he began to reel off in his head; there was a big dull pain in his side, something tightly encased his stomach, and his head hurt like hell. Furthermore, he was on a bed. In a warm room. With a fire crackling somewhere nearby. And even breathing beside him.

"You're awake!" Eden stated happily. He also quickly realized that she must have noticed the change in his breathing. He opened his eyes, and turned his head slightly, still feeling very fuzzy. "Hm...I've seen corpses looking better than you..."

"Eden, go to hell," he muttered in response, really not feeling up to her jokes. The woman was sitting in the armchair beside his bed, looking rather cozy with a book in her hands. "Can't a man die in peace.?" he groaned before letting out a snarl of pain as he attempted to sit up.

"Like I'd let you," she let out a carefree laugh, putting away her book and getting to feet, hovering over him with an inquisitive look. "But to tell the truth, you really don't look like someone who has just been to death's door, rang the doorbell and ran back."

He didn't bother to ask what she meant, understanding the gist of it. "And you don't look like you're grieving for my near-death at all," he noted. It was true, for there were no circles under her eyes, her hair was still carefully brushed and braided, and her skin all but glowed with health. She was biting her lips slightly, but aside from that, no change. Mouth curling with annoyance, he snorted, "It's like you really don't care-"

"Don't be an idiot," she rolled her eyes and quickly cut him off, her hand flying to his forehead. Despite his irritation, he found himself leaning into her touch as she checked for any potential fever. If he had one, it meant that the wound had become infected. Thankfully, he felt the right temperature, if slightly warm. "The doctor said you'd wake up within the week, though I know you heal faster than us mere mortals. I had a few days to sleep properly once you were stable."

"A few days? Wait!" He was made a move to get up, but Eden forced him back down onto the bed, even as he shot her a stern grimace, "The Apple!"

"Yes," she sighed, "We sort of noticed it was gone. But you're still not well enough to move. So don't." As if backing up her words, he suddenly felt a shot of pain snap through his entire body, and he groaned. She nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, you're going to get an earful from me anyway."

"Looking forward to it," he groaned as she railed on.

"What the hell happened, Ezio? Checco was found dead, the bloody knife was between the two of you, and the Apple was nowhere to be seen. So I want to know how the hell you managed to almost get yourself killed and lose the Apple at the same time!"

Ezio looked past her to the ceiling, trying to focus. He remembered the pain well, and the fall...a desperate call to Eden...and then?

"There was a man," he slowly began, "Wearing black monk robes."

Eden tensed slightly, a wrinkle appearing on her forehead, "And?"

"He took the Apple. And I think…? Yes, he was missing a finger-"

"A monk with a missing finger?" Eden repeated thoughtfully, only to shake her head. "I'll ask around on the streets. Meanwhile, you should talk to Caterina about it; perhaps she knows where he could have come from. But I'm not letting you go anywhere in this state," Eden told him sternly with a voice that deprived him of all hope in getting up too soon. So he just sighed, and tried to get more comfortable.

"Where is Caterina?"

Eden shrugged, "It's the middle of the night, caro. Like all proper ladies, she's sleeping and viewing wonderful dreams." After a moment, she added, "She was worried, though. Well, we all were."

"What happened?" Ezio asked tiredly, suddenly curious as to how he even came to be here.

"I felt the artifact calling for help. I…I don't know how you did it, but it was as though it was screaming in my ear. One of Caterina's patrols found you, and I met them at the city gates. But those idiots didn't think to stop the bleeding, so..." She stuck her tongue out with distaste or irritation.

"So?"

"Well, the doctor and I put up a rather bloody performance in the middle of the street," she winced. "Anyway, with our combined efforts, we managed to bring you back to the land of the living. You might have a few bruises on your back from the way Caterina's guards dropped you, though. Not to mention, I was worried you'd pick up a cold or something."

"A cold!" He couldn't hold the chuckle, feeling a rush of affection towards her. "I was almost stabbed to death, and you were worried I'd get sick?"

"I was more worried about repercussions than the actual wound," she explained, smiling. "But you were born lucky. Since his stiletto was too thin to do much damage, he missed your spine and barely brushed an organ. So a cold was about the worst thing you could walk away with."

He closed his eyes, and brought a hand up to his face, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. There was almost an unusual amount of hair on his chin, he noted absently. "I admittedly did not expect him to stab me."

"Well obviously. If you expected it, I don't think you'd be in this situation," she gently stroked his hair off his forehead. "Well, after all the people you killed, I think it was only a matter of time. Sorry I didn't have a nightdress to put you into, though." He realized what she was talking about after a moment, and chuckled.

"Oh, by the way, you have a beard now," she informed him with a grin.

"Hm, yes, I thought it felt...hairier than usual." She shook with laughter as he continued to thoughtfully rub at his chin, like some school teacher deep in throes of his philosophical musings. "I'll shave as soon as you let me get up."

"Nah, keep it. It suits you. Makes you look less like a carefree teenager, and more like the awesome assassin you are."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"That you're old." She didn't stop grinning.

"Oh, ouch, bella!"

"You definitely smell like an old man, too. So how about instead of shaving, you take a bath?"

"Your words, they sting me where it hurts…perhaps you can join me in the bath to salve my wounds?" he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

That idea was certainly made of lots of potential win, and it was good that he didn't appear too traumatized by his recent near-death experience. Eden looked thoughtful for a moment, but then shook her head. "Perhaps we can take a rain check on that?" she demurred.

"A what?"

"We'll save that for later," I waved.

"A pity," he frowned. "Can I at least sit up?"

She narrowed her eyes, evaluating. "Fine. But if the stitches open up, it's on your conscience."

"Oh...and about that monk-?"

"I promise, we will begin to search immediately," she assured him. "Niccolo already left Forli, but we'll send messages to the rest of the Brotherhood to watch for him. And I'll ask Adel to ask around the streets."

"Adel?" he raised an eyebrow as he carefully sat up, with Eden's help.

"She knows how to search," she replied mysteriously, "And I think some practice will do her some good, since she's already tired of sitting in one spot all the time. Don't worry, he won't get away from us. Though, you know…" She suddenly looked away to the wall thoughtfully, chewing on her lip, "I think there was a monk back there."

"What do you mean?" he furrowed his eyebrows. She looked thoughtful.

"Remember when the Orsi threatened to kill Bianca and Ottaviano if we didn't hand over the map and Apple? Did you notice anyone else?"

"I was sort of distracted."

"I figured. There was a monk in black robes passing by. That's when he must have heard that we have, or rather had the artifact."

They sat in silence for a bit, unsure what else to say on the matter. Then Eden sighed, "You should get some rest."

"I've been sleeping for a few days now," he reminded her, though he did feel strangely tired.

"A coma isn't considered sleeping," she smiled, getting up. But he nearly snatched her wrist, preventing her from leaving. "I was just going to get you some food."

"Ask someone else to bring it," he muttered, nearly ordering her.

But she didn't mind the latter. For she understood his intentions, and melted. "I missed you too," she reassured him, leaning down to kiss his lips gently, and then looking into his eyes. "But if you're going to feel lonely, I could go wake Caterina up," she smirked.

"Well, I wouldn't say no to that, either..."

She straightened out and snorted, freeing her wrist from his grip. "Actually, I think it's best if I send Adel in."

"Still jealous?"

"Of what? As far as I remember, the figurative ring is on my finger, and not hers."

"Figurative?"

"Well, there's no actual ring," she waved her left hand where the only thing on her ring finger was the burnt seal. "So yes, 'figurative.' But that's nothing to do with it. Adel took your injury...hard," she frowned.

"Why is that?"

"She threw a knife at Checco as he was leaving with the Apple."

After a moment, realization hit Ezio. "So that's where the bandage on his arm was from..."

"She thinks that if she had managed to kill him, or at least hit one of his legs or something, this could have been avoided."

"But that's silly!" he insisted, "She's only ten years old, and we didn't expect her to-"

"I know, and I've been telling her that. But," she sighed. She continued to chew on her lip with a vacant expression. "I'm really not sure how to react to all this. Like you said, she's only ten, and it should bother me that she really wanted to kill that man."

"But you aren't bothered?" he raised and eyebrow. Slowly, she shook her head.

"Surprisingly, I'm proud. Mostly because she didn't do it just because she didn't like him, but because she wanted to save the Apple. She seemed to have really accepted the 'sacrifice for the greater good' part."

"She'd make a great assassin one day, you know," he carefully told her. "Don't look at me like that; I'm not just coming back to the old argument, I mean it."

"I know." After a pause, she sat back down, except this time on the edge of the bed, nearer to him. "Like I said, I'm not sure how I should be feeling about this anymore. On one hand, she has talent and potential. Not to mention, her observation skills are far from the worst. But on the other, she's only a child, no matter how much she denies it. God knows that I have first-hand experience with what's it's like to be robbed of a valid childhood," she swallowed.

Ezio shifted slightly, meeting her gaze. "Do you remember the Assassin compound in the twentieth century?"

"Kind of hard to forget."

"They began teaching children as soon as they could walk and talk. And I assume that is how Masyaf functioned, as well."

"Oh, I was thinking about that, actually," she stopped frowning, and chewed a bit on her nail. "We have a fortress and everything, too. We're all set. While we're looking for this monk, I, well, I think we should pay some more attention to Adel's training."

"So you've finally made up your mind?"

She nodded, and let out a heavy breath. "I've already made her a promise we'd look into weapons. It's time to get serious. She's not going to go anywhere, and we can't put her at this much risk. And you're right, she would be a great help in a few years. Now, how about you get some rest? Otherwise the healing will just take longer."

"Hey, wait!"

Adel turned around rather angrily. "You have to be joking."

"You weren't very polite to me, you know," the boy stopped beside her.

"Forgive me, monsieur, I did not mean to sound rude," she let the French honorific slip in without even noticing. There was a time her mother made her repeat them to the point of making her teeth chatter with annoyance. But she rarely actually used them while speaking Italian. "But should you not remain inside?"

"I'm simply going out to take a walk, no one forbids me that," Cesare turned his nose up higher. Adel didn't reply, and just continued to walk.

"I have work to do, so go play somewhere else," she shrugged her shoulders, already searching the streets with her eyes.

"Why can't you be a normal child?" Cesare asked lowly and almost hopelessly. She didn't reply, save a dismissive snort in his direction, though she sped up her pace.

She suddenly grinned and turned back, squinting over the boy. He was likely known around the city, but he was not dressed in clothes that stood out too much. Adel quickly decided he could serve as a rather nice prop, along with his sister. "Actually, let's play a game! Bianca!" she called over to the girl who was just walking out the doors. Bianca looked over with a raised eyebrow, coming closer. "Do you want to play tag?"

The two siblings glanced at each other, shrugged, and then bobbed their heads at her. Adel already ran up to Cesare, however, slapping his shoulder and loudly yelled "You're it!"

With that, she grabbed Bianca's hand, and made a run for it down the street. To her satisfaction, she heard the boy follow her after only a few moments of confusion. She mercifully allowed him to keep up as Bianca and her trailed through the main street.

However, Adel soon crashed at full speed into a rather heavy-set lady, who was just leaving a fruit stand with a basket. The woman squeaked, and but kept her balance, looking around wildly.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Adel opened her blue eyes wide, rubbing her forehead, "I didn't notice you!"

When the lady realized who it was that almost made her spill her bought apples, and saw that it was not a thief or a hooligan, she melted slightly. "It's alright dear, just be careful with your games!"

Adel nodded enthusiastically. "Here you go," she quickly collected all the stray apples that fell to the ground, rubbing them against her shirt and returning them to the woman, smiling as sweetly as she could. Bianca looked at her without much understanding, but made no move to help out. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spill anything."

"It wouldn't be your fault, we're all jumpy after all the horrors," the woman gasped dramatically. Cesare caught up to Adel at that moment, and looked up to the lady with curiosity. "At least the kids are still enjoying their games."

"I heard there were cannons firing and five hundred men got into the city!" Adel blurted out, Jabbing Cesare with her elbow, he finally caught on, nodding like an idiot who only heard exaggerated tales.

Bianca decided to put in her penny's worth, and chirped with an awed voice, "Lot's of the people got away though. And then the Lady of Forli chased them out!"

"There was some brave man though, didn't you hear?" Adel told the woman in a low, secretive voice. "A monk - with only nine fingers! Luca said he saw everything and then disappeared!"

The woman gasped again and drew a huge cross over her body. "Those rascals, they should fear the Lord - a monk! Well, run along now, and be careful with your games!"

Adel grinned largely, using the full force of her charm to hide the disappointment. But she didn't lose hope. As soon as the woman turned away, Cesare tried to tag her back, but she slipped from his reach, leaving the two siblings to catch up, and continued the "game"...

"Nothing!" Adel finally found Eden later that day by the pigeon coop, on the roof beside the house where Caterina Sforza, her children, and (temporarily) the Assassins resided. "No one heard or seen a monk with only nine fingers..."

"I'm almost not surprised," Eden cocked her head slightly as she let another bird go, watching as it flew up, and then somewhere to the Northwest. "I asked around too," she declared, "Thieves, courtesans and mercenaries paid no attention. Monks never have anything to steal, they're bound by their vows of chastity, or whatever and are collectively pacifists. Oh well, there's got to be something. We shall look further as soon as Ezio's on his feet again. Oh-" Eden threw her braid over her shoulder and grinned brightly at Adel, leading her back inside. "Good job today. You really saved us all a lot of time in questioning the civilians. So tell me, did you decide to make an exception from the rules for Caterina's children?" she glanced at her, laughter obviously dancing in her eyes.

Adel blinked. "Eden, they were useful in creating the image, that's all."

Eden suddenly lost the smile, and Adel immediately felt slightly ashamed for some reason. The woman just sighed with reproach, but said nothing, going back inside.

"Just stay still," I advised Ezio, carefully peeling off the bandages. They didn't come off easily, and Ezio's fingers flexed, but he made no sound. "Hmm, fascinating."

"Thanks," he replied as I threw the old bandage away, and examined the wound. "Though I really wish you'd feel that much admiration for my rather well-formed muscles," he smirked, "Or do you think I insist on running all over the rooftops just for fun?

"These muscles?" I grazed my hand over his stomach, satisfied to hear his breath catch in his throat. His eyes beginning to burn with a familiar fire, I simply continued with the examination. Knowing that while he was healing, teasing was as far as I could go. Then I suddenly frowned, "What the hell-"

I brought my fingers towards the side that was injured, sliding my hand over the skin. Ezio shivered under my touch, muscles flexing even more. But I was currently more interested in the fact that his wound was now nothing more than a shallow reminder of the deep hole it used to be.

"How fast do you heal?" I probed at the stitches gently, making sure it was not just my eyes playing tricks on me.

"What's wrong?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What's wrong is that you are almost completely fine by the end of two weeks! The doctor said it could take two months to heal a wound that deep."

"A fortnight is a long time," Ezio muttered, and I looked up at him with surprise as I noted a hidden meaning in that. He was watching me closely, his eyes tracing over my lips, trailing down to my neck and further down. I felt a small spasm, my own breath now fluttering past my lips. For when he looked at me like that, I felt as though I was not only being undressed, but also ravished and devoured. Not at all an unpleasant feeling, coming from him...

I guess two weeks are a long time then, especially for you. I noted absently. When was the last time? Five centuries into the future?

"Don't even think about it," I breathed out to him. He almost looked hurt for a moment.

"And why not?"

"I'm mad at you." I growled without much sincerity.

"No you aren't," he easily caught my wrist as I tried to shove his hand off of me, "What have I done to deserve your wrath?" It was not lost on me that he'd swiftly drawn my hand up to his mouth, lightly pressing his lips to my fingertips in supposed innocence.

You charming bastardo! "Oh, so nearly getting yourself killed is just an irrelevant detail?" I shot back. Yet I didn't release myself from his hold.

"You won't let me forget that, will you?" He leaned forward, catching my waist, and sent me toppling over him. Of course he saw through my bluffing...he always did. Not to mention that he was very unlikely to stop just because of a hole in his stomach and my stubborn defiance.

"You wouldn't stop moaning after I faked my death for almost a year!"

"Your own fault," he grinned. "You were so adorable in your apologies that I couldn't resist." His breath caressing my neck as he settled me on top of him, he lightly nipped at my collarbone. I let out an involuntarily moan, feeling him smile against my skin, "Much like I can't resist ravishing my beautiful fiancé now."

"Flatterer!" I exclaimed, still trying to push away from him, but with much less enthusiasm. "Silver-tongued charmer... gah, would you stop?"

"Why should I?" he glanced up at me with raised eyebrows, "I really want to see how many more names you can come up with..."

I humphed, ignoring the last statement. "Because I said so!"

"Hmm," he pretended to think about it, tracing circles into my shoulder blades, his hands already high up beneath my undertunic. "I'm really sorry, amore, but that's really not a valid argument," he sighed with supposed concentration. Even as his nimble fingers undid the front lacings of my bodice in record time, pulling apart its bindings with practiced ease, "Can you please give me a legit reason for your stubbornness?"

How about my dignity? Wait, hands...BAD HANDS! DOWN! I DIDN'T TELL YOU TO DO THAT!

Yeah, well, screw you, brain.

It wasn't fair. So many times I tried to fight with him, just for the sake of screaming and breaking plates to blow off some steam. And each time he saw right through me. All it took were a few calm, teasing and flirting remarks, a few kisses and touches. We nearly always ended up in the nearest bedroom within moments (or closet, whatever was closer). Then all was forgiven, the past, the present and the future, and we were once again completely happy with our existence. Lucky bastard. If he ever allowed me to work myself up properly, he'd be in for a fury the likes of which he'd never seen. But all he needed to do was say the right thing to have me eating out of his hands.

He had me wrapped around his finger so tightly, sometimes I wondered, Why I was so convinced he loved me?

My brain finally whirred, gave out an error, and took an alternative route.

To hell with holding out on him just for the sake of being stubborn...I turned things around as I finally leaned in towards him, and harshly bit down on the small, sensitive spot behind his ear. His hold on me tightened, and I felt his moan vibrate through his throat. Shoving him by the shoulders, I nearly forced him back down to the bed. But he needed little convincing. As soon as I gained back some control and won back my dignity, I could finally allowed my brain to shut itself off with a clear conscience. Settling into his embrace more comfortably promptly ended my resistance.

Then I entertained myself with the thought that I had the same power over him that I could use at any time. Not to mention, even after nearly three years, we were still somehow not bored by each other, but craving the contact just as much as we did the very first time...

We abused Caterina's hospitality for only a week longer. It was enough for Ezio heal almost completely, his wound all but closing before my eyes. Though the doctor was amazed at it, he still warned to be careful for the next few weeks. Aside from that, he was good to travel again. Ezio was ecstatic at the fact, announcing by week's end that we'd wasted enough time, and we had to hunt down the Apple immediately.

No one argued with that, of course.

Adel showed some surprising skill in maneuvering through the streets. Questioning people so cleverly that they never even realized what she was getting into, she eventually dug up the directions to the monastery beside Forli. Unfortunately, it was nothing new, for Caterina already suggested we start searching there. Nonetheless, the girl was doing her job well.

"Ezio, I have something for you," Caterina said with an alluring smile, holding out folded parchments. We were saying our goodbyes just outside the city gates, the horses already saddled.

I shivered slightly in the cold breath of the wetlands, running my fingers through the mane of the gray horse. Frassino just closed his eyes halfway in satisfaction. I liked the horse nicknamed "Ash," even though I really didn't know much of horses. But even I could tell he was a good horse. Somehow, I got the feeling that I wouldn't have to get rid of him any time soon, like I had to with skittish, irritable Honey, who received her unoriginal name shortly before we left for Venice.

We got the horses as thanks for helping defend the city. Even though we offered to pay, Caterina made a slightly hurt joke that two horses would not empty the city coffers. I sighed lowly, jumping up to the saddle where Adel was already sitting, waiting for Ezio to finish up the goodbyes.

"It's the map Niccolo spoke of. Your husband's-" Ezio unrolled the parchments and looked through them.

"Ex-husband," she swiftly corrected him. "He swore he'd uncovered the locations of all the Codex pages. In the meantime, you will recover the Apple," she assuredly said, "But and you will never find the Vault without this."

"So it's another thing added to our to-do list," I noted lightly, "Aside from hunting down Templars and the monk that stole the Apple-"

"Don't forget the more personal points," he reminded me, and I grinned.

"Yes, we also have to find time for that wedding. Frankly, I'd really rather not wait until one of us dies."

Adel fidgeted, trying to look at me with an expression of surprise, and Caterina pointedly ignored the reference. "Good luck to you," she nodded, "And if you find yourself in Forli again, my offer of hospitality still stands. Now go - find that stramaledetto monk."

"I think I'm going to miss you," Ezio laughed as he took her hand and kissed her fingertips in the standard, apparently chaste sign of goodbye. I didn't bother to hide my expression, shooting him a slightly sour glare, while Caterina just smiled confidently.

The Abbey was only half a day journey from Forli, moving further into the wetlands. Our horses didn't particularly like the muddy roads. But since they were already used to it, we didn't spend too much time talking them into it. The roads were crowded again, people still returning from the city. Most of them looked to prefer to lay low in the surrounding villages before they'd come back to the damaged city walls. To tell the truth, I'm not sure why they even bothered going back to reclaim their half-sunken houses...

Ezio looked confident enough in the saddle. Guiding the horse easily, he didn't find it necessary to tug on the reigns, directing the sandy steed with light jabs of his heels. I was eying him cautiously, but he showed no discomfort, and I soon calmed down.

"Do you really think we'll find anything in that Abbey?" I asked out loud after about ten minutes of the journey. "I mean, we don't have much to go off of, except for the finger. Not many people stare at other's appendages and fingers long enough to notice a missing pinky finger."

"Let's hope there is someone there who does, then." Ezio chuckled grimly. "But if not, he still has the Apple. I doubt he is simply going to keep it on display. Chances are, he's going to try to use it. If this trail goes cold, we simply have to wait until he gives himself away, now don't we?" His tone was low and cold, and I felt Adel shiver violently.

The atmosphere was nothing like the warm nights and mornings when we quietly talked and bantered, among other things. Right now we were back in business, following a trail to a walking dead man. There was almost nothing but determination in our wake, and I had no doubts we were going to find the man who stole the Apple from us. Even if it took years, we would track him. And when we found him, we would not spare him. It would simply be too dangerous to do so.

"What if he's with Borgia?"

"The thought crossed my mind, but no, I don't think so," Ezio replied. "Templars are very loud and overconfident; they wouldn't eavesdrop and steal without sending a clear message."

"You're right," I nodded, "So it must be someone from the side with his own agenda…awesome," I sarcastically added. At least with Templars, we had some idea of what we were getting into. Someone who was essentially chaotically neutral? Well, that'd certainly be harder to read.

"I just wish we knew what it was. It would make this easier, instead of searching through this haystack in search of a needle." I shared his feelings completely.

The Abbey was a tiny little monastery standing on top of a hill. The atmosphere was just as gloomy as in Forli, not helped at all by the gray walls and the monks ambling it about as though dressed for a funeral. They did indeed wear black robes, like the man we were looking for. Most also wore their hoods up against the sticky fog, concealing their faces.

"This isn't going to do," I muttered, dismounting and jumping down to the ground, leading the horse with Adel still mounted. Ezio followed suit. "They all look as if they're going to avoid us like the plague."

"So what do you suggest? Coming up and kicking the door in? And when their peace is disrupted and they can't ignore us any further, asking the first angry monk that comes out to figure out what the hell we're doing here?" he raised a skeptical eyebrow, but not for long. Especially as he heard my thoughtful silence. "Hey, Eden! I was just kidding!"

But I was already up the steps and at front of the door, knocking against it with my fist. For a long moment there was no reply. Then a little window opened and a pair of small, dark glaring eyes looked out.

"Signore, you wouldn't-"

"You've got nerve coming here, oh vessel of sin!" the monk spat, eyes widening with anger and healthy hint of fear. Well, at least he knew I'd likely kill him if I could. Then again, he continued with his accusations, as though suddenly not caring. "What is a woman in a ripe age doing in men's clothing in our Abbey? You should be sitting at home, with a child on your hands, a needle in your husband's clothes, and foot upon the spinning wheel!"

With all desire, I could not find an answer to that.

The man promptly slammed the window in my face. I looked with huge eyes to Ezio, who appeared torn between wanting to tear down the door to get to the joker, and laughing at my astonishment.

"Do you think they spend all their time thinking up speeches like that?" I grit, fingers flying to my dagger. With that, I drummed on the door again. This time, no one replied. "Hey! It's me, the sinful vessel again!" I snapped, "Can't we ask a freaking question around here? Open up or God as my witness, I'll take this Abbey apart stone by stone!"

"It's no use," Ezio sighed.

"Oh, we'll see about THAT, messere." I was already throwing an evaluating glare over the stone construction. The few monks that were outside now rushed away, quite openly.

"I have no doubt you can do that," Ezio hurried to calm me down, "But it won't help matters... I think you offended his rather narrow-minded views."

"Well there's a first," I snorted, "I don't think I've ever offended someone so much with even saying anything. The hell? Considering the ruler of this land is a woman, you'd think they have a bit more respect. Or is this the politest way of saying 'Go away' he managed to come up with?" I grumbled. "Now what are we going to do?"

"Sit here and wait for someone to talk to us?" Adel offered with a small smile.

"Nah, it'll just take too long. Let's circle around the Abbey and then you," I poked Ezio's chest, "Can knock on the door. I think they'll be more willing to speak to you."

"Don't take it hard," he raised his hand to my hair. I ducked away from it as always, and raised my hood just in case he decided to repeat the gesture when I wasn't looking.

"Adel, wait with the horses," I instructed quickly, and she shrugged, petting Ezio's sandy mare.

Of course, a simple circle around the Abbey did not reveal anything interesting. Like the monk we were looking for crouched behind some crates, clutching the Apple. Much to both our disappointment, there were also no signs pointing in his general direction. Or pieces of paper labeled "My genius master plan that involves stealing the Piece of Eden from the Assassins".

The only unusual activity was two guards beating a man up. Though it really had nothing to do with us, we couldn't walk away. Because, you know, we just had to put our noses into it.

Ezio simply sighed, rolled his eyes, came up behind them and slammed both his hidden blades into their necks. They hit the ground like heavy sacks, dead in moments, as per usual.

"It's always something," I noted, coming closer. "Now, even if there was someone who'd talk to us, I guess you just scared them away."

"Are you alright, Signor?" Ezio helped the saved man get up, ignoring my jab. The monk's hood must have fallen down in the whole process. When he looked up I caught sight of blue, laughter-filled eyes within a pleasant face.

"Si, grazie...It's a rather usual occurrence." The man did not seem all that horrified at the two corpses at his feet. Perhaps those were the regular bullies that no one would miss. However, I didn't miss the thick, Irish brogue that lilted along in his Italian. Well, that was certainly unexpected, I mused.

I snorted, leaning onto the low stone fence. "This entire place seems a bit, shall we say, unwelcoming?"

"You must have met the doorman; he's not very fond of women. His loss, of course," the man smiled knowingly, despite being a monk. However, it left me amused rather than cautious. "Now, how can I help you?"

I snorted quietly, disguising it as a cough. How he managed to speak as if he was doing us a huge favor and setting us on the path of righteousness after we saved him from more bruises, I'd really never know. "We're looking for a monk who lacks one of his ten fingers," Ezio got straight to it, discretely elbowing my side.

"A finger?" The man raised his hand to scratch the back of his head in thought. "Well...Brother Guido has only nine toes. Are you sure it wasn't a toe?"

"Quite sure," Ezio shook his head, and I stifled a chuckle.

"And then there's Brother Domenico, but it's entire left arm he's missing..."

"Again, quite sure it was a finger." I put a hand on Ezio's arm, hoping to diminish his irritation. The monk didn't notice.

"Hmmm...now wait a moment! I do recall a black-robed monk with nine fingers." Both of us perked up at that. "Yes, of course, when we had our last San Vincenzo's feast at our abbey in Tuscany!"

Ezio nodded after a moment of thought. "Yes, I know the place. Grazie."

I knew the place, as well. A rather large Abbey of the Dominican monks by San Gimignano, where a certain Templar said his farewells to life for the conspiracy against Lorenzo de'Medici. Lovely, we should get a warm welcome there...

"Go in peace, brother. Sister," he inclined his head to me, as well, and I smiled in return.

"Always do. Come on, we're heading back to Forli." Ezio pulled on my hand. I was more than happy to follow.

The journey through the mountains took much longer than the very first time, likely because we were not sending our horses into gallop over burning bridges. Luckily, there were plenty of villages, so we never had problems with finding a place to eat and rest. The weather was rather cold during this time of year. I even mused that snow was likely going to fall early this autumn. It was still almost criminally warm though, at least in comparison to New York. So once we spent the night in some road-side ruins, there wasn't much discomfort.

We decided not to go through Florence on our way, but rather continue on to San Gimigano. Thankfully, we finally arrived almost a full day after passing Firenze.

"Unholy demon!"

If I had a florin for every time someone yelled that in my face... Ezio thought, unamused.

"What's wrong?"

"You're the one who killed Brother Stefano!" Huh? Then he realized what the terrified little man was talking about, and resisted the urge to slap his forehead. The man did not stop screaming, though. "Brothers! The killer of monks has returned! Run!"

"Oh for the love of-" Ezio could only swear as all of the monks present (about twenty of them) gave into panic and attempted to find a way out onto the street, yelling and trying to get away. He looked up to the heavens with reproach, and gave chase.

It was surprisingly as hard to follow the stampede of scared monks as it was to find an army of rabbits in a forest. They refused to pause their running for even a second, dashing side to side. The citizens likely had no idea what was happening, but enthusiastically joined in the chaos.

"What the hell is going on?" Eden appeared in the crowd, staring around with confusion. Suddenly, she reached out, and grabbed one of the monks' hoods, jerking him along as she marched up to Ezio. "And here I thought I was the one that scared monks away. Christ, Ezio, what did you do? March in there with your blade drawn, demanding blood?" She shoved the squeaking monk into him not at all gently.

"Please, no!" the monk whined, still kicking and fighting as Ezio grasped his collar. "I don't want to die!"

"I only kill those who kill others, and your Brother Stefano was a killer." Three and a half sodding years ago. "I'm sure you are no such thing. Now, listen to me," he waved in a vain attempt to calm the man down, "We're looking for a black robed monk who is missing a finger."

"Hurry up, the guards will come to investigate soon," Eden muttered, looking around the now-deserted street. Adel finally caught up with them, looking out of breath and slightly disgruntled. She was carried off by the stampede of fleeing crowds, and she did not look happy with such treatment.

"Missing a finger, you say? Do you mean...like Fra' Savonarola?" The man in his grip still looked terrified, but seemed to be slowly coming to the realization that we were not out for his life.

"Savonarola? Who is this? You know him?"

"I d-did," the monk stammered, "He was one of us. For a time..."

"And?"

"We suggested he retire to a hermitage for a good long time."

"I'm afraid to say his retreat has come to an end," Ezio declared. "Where would he have gone?"

"Oh dear..." Under Ezio's glare, the monk continued, "Santo Spirito, in Firenze. It's where he studied. Perhaps it's where he would return..."

"Thank you. Go with God, brother." Ezio finally let the man go, and he hurried away, as if barely believing his luck.

Eden followed him with her eyes, and then exchanged looks and nods with Ezio. "Firenze it is, then."