Assassin's Creed II characters and references © Ubisoft
Kiara and all other OCs © me

A big thank you to La Bella Figura for help with the Italian, you're a lifesaver!

I've decided to try putting the translations at the end of the chapter, sticking parentheses in the middle of things messes up the flow for me. *shrugs* I don't know, what do you guys think?

When I found out that Giovanni and Mario were going to send me and the boys back to Florence for "further training", I was excited and a little scared at the same time. I had missed the city during the time we had lived in Monteriggioni, but I also knew that we would go going back as fugitives. Giovanni could have gotten a pardon from Lorenzo de' Medici, but any message he might have sent would have been intercepted and he couldn't risk revealing our location. There was a very good chance that Lorenzo would pardon Giovanni, but the secret was out and returning to a public position would have only attracted every Templar from here to Rome.

We had learned a lot about the Templars during our time in Monteriggioni. A brotherhood of knights that was established during the Crusades, the Templars had been supposedly disbanded nearly 200 ago in France, but they still remained, intact and underground. Mario and Giovanni told us that the reason the Templars still existed was because back in the Crusades, they were corrupted by the power they held, but still wanted more. The discovery of the Apple of Eden, and the unnatural properties that came with, had been too much temptation for the power-hungry men. They believed themselves destined to rule over 'inferior' people and had every intention of using the Apple, and what other Pieces of Eden they could find, to do exactly that. If it hadn't been for Altaïr Ibn La-Ahad, the Auditores' ancestor, they might have gotten their way. The Piece of Eden vanished and the Templars were forced underground, but they were still waiting for their chance at world domination. This is where the Assassins came in.

After the defeat of his corrupted master, Al Mualim, Altaïr took it on himself to lead the Brotherhood and continue their secret war against the Templars. When their enemies went into hiding, so did the Assassins, taking all their secrets with them. Over the years, knowledge about the Pieces of Eden grew less and less until there were only vague clues left for the present generations. Mario and Giovanni knew more than most due to the fact that they had studied any and all information they could find regarding the artifacts, but there was still so much we didn't know. Even though the Pieces of Eden were important, there were other, more pressing matters to worry about. The Templars had spread their influence throughout all of Europe, and many of them resided very close to home. Giovanni had a list of names that he had put together over a few years, but the most prominent was the Pazzi family. Ezio and Federico were quietly furious when they learned that their rivals were very much involved with the group that had tried to destroy our family.

"It would explain many things," Ezio would say, and I couldn't help but agree.

Vieri was our biggest headache; he hadn't taken his insulting defeat well and made a point of harassing the outlying farms and even travelers on their way to Monteriggioni. A fight was brewing, we could all feel it, and I knew Ezio and Federico were more than willing to go toe-to-toe with Vieri. Ezio in particular worried me; he had a shorter fuse than his older brother when it came to the Pazzis. I had seen it once before, when he was fighting Vieri's thugs on the Ponte Vecchio. Ezio didn't just start fights, he finished them, and he was certainly determined to finish his feud with Vieri once and for all. I just hoped he wouldn't do something he'd regret later. That fight, though, was a ways off and we had other things that needed our attention first.

Mario wanted to wait to send us to Florence until the roads were melted off and safer for traveling. The snow had persisted longer than usual – so I was told – and we had to wait a few more weeks. Giovanni put those weeks to good use by training me with a real sword. I had struggled to find something that was easy for me to handle, broadswords were too big and rapiers, though popular, were too small and flimsy for a real fight. I eventually settled for a saber that the blacksmith had discovered in the very back of his storage room. It was old and needed a new handle, but he assured us that the blade was still good and well made for as light as it was. By putting a new hilt on the sword, the blacksmith had to shorten the blade by a few inches, which was just perfect for me.

Now that I had something that was easy for me to work with, I made more progress with my swordsmanship, and it wasn't long before Giovanni deemed me ready to return to Florence.

I blocked the incoming blow with my sword, cringing as the painful vibrations shot through my hand.

"Keep moving, Kiara," Giovanni said quickly, his own saber angled for another strike.

I sidestepped to the right, remembering just in time to keep my stance wide. Giovanni had always warned me that keeping my feet close together could result in me being off balance and therefore easy to knock down. Thanks to him I ate the dust several times before it really sank in.

With a flick of Giovanni's wrist, his saber zipped towards me at an angle. I stopped it with mine and circled my sword as fast as I could, trying to get the tip under Giovanni's saber and jerk it out of his hand. I was too slow, however, and my adoptive father jerked his sword back before I could complete the maneuver, but the point was forced away from me. With his sword temporarily forced down, I lunged in with a swing of my own. Giovanni's sword moved so fast I barely saw it before it stopped mine cold, and he used his weight to shove me back a few steps.

"You're getting much faster," Giovanni commented. He currently had his shoulder-length hair pulled back out of his face and even though we had been at it for several minutes, he was still breathing easily.

"Not fast enough," I panted.

He chuckled, "Try a thrust next time. Like this!"

I barely had the time to jump out of the way before the sharp tip of his saber pierced the space that I had occupied a moment before. As fast as it had come, the sword was withdrawn before I had a chance to even take a swing at it. Now that we had some distance between us, we started to circle again, each trying to find a hole in the other's defense.

Giovanni lunged again, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped his attack with more ease than I thought I was capable of and managed to slip my sword over his, quickly bringing the back, dull side of the blade up so it was touching his neck. Giovanni froze, his eyes wide with astonishment, and then he began to laugh.

"Well done!"

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as I lowered my sword. Giovanni smiled back as he grabbed me in a one-armed hug.

"You do me proud, mia cara. I do believe you are ready to return to Firenze."

I felt my heart give a particularly strong thump in my chest. "Really?"

Giovanni patted me comfortingly on the shoulder as we walked out of the ring. "I know you are nervous Kiara, but believe me when I say that I felt the same way when I first started out."

"You were?" I asked in surprise, it was hard to see Giovanni nervous about anything.

The man chuckled quietly, "Yes, we all have to start somewhere, and trust me, you have it easy. My first assignment was a full out assassination contract, one I nearly failed due to my inexperience."

I was feeling a little better about the whole thing as I slipped my saber into its sheath, but that nagging doubt still remained in the back of my mind. Being the ever-observant person he was, Giovanni noticed.

"What is you fear most, Kiara?" He asked.

I sighed, "I'm not really sure, and maybe that's it; I don't know what's going to happen. I'm scared that we'll get into trouble, with no way out."

Giovanni nodded knowingly. "That is understandable, but as long as you stay with my sons and do as you are instructed, there should be no need for any trouble. You are more ready than you think, piccola, this will be a good learning experience for you."

"At least someone's optimistic, but you still haven't said exactly why we're going back to Florence."

There was a mischievous twinkle in Giovanni's eye. "That's for me to know and you to find out. It's time you started to learn how to gather your own information. And speaking of Florence, I believe your new clothes should be ready."

Ah yes, I had almost forgotten about those.

Now that we were about to undertake our first mission, Giovanni decided that it was time for the three of us to have the "proper Assassin" attire. The local seamstress had been busy for the past couple weeks working on our outfits. Ezio had wanted a set of robes just like Giovanni's, right down to the cape. While Federico agreed to the same style, he opted for grey stripes instead of red and decided against a cape, saying he felt like it was in the way. My outfit was taking the most time because it had to be tailored specially to hide my feminine figure. The robes were red and white, just like Ezio's, but I would also have a full cape that reached down to the back of my knees. This had been my idea because even if it didn't do anything for my height, it still hid my overall size.

As Giovanni and I made our way down from the training ring, he stopped at the blacksmith's to pick up my belt, which had been especially made as well. The buckle, if you will, was the Assassin insignia with a bit of a flourish at the top, and thick leather straps attached in four different places made up the rest of the belt. Attached was a new sheath for my saber and it was designed to attach several pouches if I so desired, just like Giovanni's.

Once we picked that up, we continued on to the seamstress' shop. The seamstress was a plump, pleasant woman who greeted us at the door. She ushered us inside and handed me my completed robes, cape, and a new pair of pants in a neatly folded pile. I went into the back room to change while Giovanni made sure that any other expenses were taken care of.

Once I had my pants changed, I took my vest off and pulled the robes on over my shirt and straightened those out. Then I pulled the cape over my shoulders and got that attached in the front. I adjusted the robes one more time and stepped back out.

After some final inspections, Giovanni was satisfied with the end result and thanked the seamstress profusely.

"You are quite welcome, Ser Giovanni. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other orders waiting."

Once the woman had left, Giovanni showed me how to wrap the blood-red sash that came with the outfit around my waist and then position the belt over it. I slipped my saber into the new sheath and Giovanni pulled the hood attached to the cape up and over my head. Once I had the hood adjusted so I could see, I caught a glimpse of myself in a nearby mirror and was a little taken back by my reflection.

I hadn't really taken the time to get a good look at myself since I had arrived in Monteriggioni, but the girl in the reflection certainly wasn't the one I was used to seeing. I looked older and more mature, and in this outfit, well, it was like I was a completely different person. I took in the robes, the Assassin symbol, the cape, the pointed cowl over my face, and the sword at my hip. I actually looked kind of scary.

I looked back to Giovanni, who was waiting patiently for my input.

"This is going to be hot, isn't it?"

He burst out laughing and clapped me on the shoulder. "I'm afraid so,"

The days flew by after that and before I knew it, it was the evening before Ezio, Federico, and I would make our trip back to Florence. Getting there would take a good portion of the day, so we would have to start out early the next morning. As the sun set, the three of us were checking and double checking to make sure that we had all we needed for our trip.

It wasn't necessary to take my bow and arrows with me, but I did have my saber and a parrying dagger. Stealth was the key here, so the less weapons we carried, the less likely it was that we would be noticed. I had just finished packing the few things I would need into a saddle bag when Ezio knocked against the doorframe to get my attention.

"Padre and Zio Mario have some final instructions for us." He eyed my saddle bag, "Is that all you're taking?"

"Yeah, why?"

Ezio grinned, "I expected at least two or three,"

I slapped his shoulder as I walked by, "Not all women take half their wardrobe with them."

Ezio muttered something suspicious under his breath, but when I turned back around to glare at him, he had assumed an all-too-innocent look.

Federico was already waiting for us when we got down to Mario's study, and I couldn't help but notice that he looked a little troubled. Ever since we learned that we were going back to Florence, Federico had been acting a little off. He seemed distracted and more quiet than usual. I asked him once if he was okay, but the vague response I got from him wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I had no idea what was bothering him.

Mario and Giovanni were once again studying the strange parchment pages on the far wall of the study, and the older brother motioned us over. We had all asked what these pages were, but the two had waited to tell us until now so we wouldn't be distracted from our training.

"Are we finally going to know what these strange pages are?" Ezio asked, rather cryptically.

Mario chuckled, "Yes, nipote. What you see here are Codex pages."

"Codex?" Federico asked.

"Sí. A guide to the inner workings of our order – it's origin, purpose, and techniques." Giovanni answered, "Our creed, if you will. I believe that the Codex pages contain a powerful secret, and perhaps that is why they came for us."

"What's the secret?" I asked.

"I don't know, but look here." He motioned to the few pages that were pinned up on the wall. "Do you see the way the words cross from one page to the next?"

"There…there's something underneath it all." Ezio said, "Some kind of map?"

"Where does it lead?" Federico spoke up.

"Giovanni and I have 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. Our ancestor, Altaïr wrote these pages, and he spoke of something powerful and ancient hidden beneath the land."

"What is it?" My turn.

"What indeed." Mario answered, "Solving that little mystery is exactly why we collected these pages, and now, that task has fallen to you three. Giovanni and I are not as young as we used to be, and neither are our enemies as ignorant of us as they once were. We've gained quite the reputation among the Templars, which makes it difficult to be incognito anymore."

"However, we can use our 'popularity' to draw the Templars' attention to ourselves," Giovanni added, "which will allow you to slip unnoticed into their midst, under their very noses."

"But isn't that dangerous, father?" Federico asked, "They've tried to kill us once already."

"Yes, but it is a risk both Mario and I are willing to take. We must keep the Templars off your scent while you three are still inexperienced. Once you have learned enough, you will no longer need a distraction to cover for you, and it is then that we too will disappear to the best of our ability. I overplayed my hand in Firenzie, and I do not intend to make that mistake again. But, for now, there are other things that require our attention."

Giovanni held out another Codex page that was rolled up. "I discovered this page some time ago, but the encryption is very advanced, and I have been unable to unlock its contents. However, there is someone else I believe can do it. You remember Leonardo da Vinci, don't you boys?"

My mouth nearly fell open. The Leonardo da Vinci? One of the most famous painters/inventors of all time? Well, mine anyway.

Both Federico and Ezio nodded as I was still absorbing this information.

"He painted some portraits for us before we left Florence, right?" Ezio asked.

Giovanni nodded. "One and the same. Leonardo might seem a little eccentric, but he is one of the most brilliant men I have ever come across. If there is anyone who can decrypt this page, it will be him."

My mind was reeling, how had I not known that the Auditores were close with one of the most influential figures of the Renaissance era? I knew I wasn't the most observant person, but this was ridiculous.

"There is something else I would like Leonardo to look at," Giovanni continued, turning to pick up something that was on the desk behind him. It looked like some kind of leather bracer, but was inlaid with several intricate pieces of metal, the most prominent of which being the Assassin's symbol.

"This may not look like much, but this is the most important weapon any Assassin can possess; a hidden blade. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged when I was in Rome and the blade was knocked out of the sheath, not even the blacksmith could repair it."

Intrigued, we all moved closer to take a better look.

"How do you use it?" Federico asked.

Giovanni pulled the bracer on his arm to demonstrate. "You wear it on your arm like this, and can extend the blade with a flick of the wrist. It is very useful for low profile assassinations."

Cool. A bit gruesome perhaps, but cool.

"When the three of you are comfortable with what you will learn in Florence, take this and the Codex page by Leonardo's." Giovanni said as he handed the bracer and page to Federico.

"Can we trust him, padre?" Ezio asked.

"Yes. But I am glad to see that you are thinking cautiously, Ezio. It will serve you well."

Mario nodded in agreement. "Well then, if that is all, I suggest that the three of you get some rest. You have a long trip a head of you tomorrow."

There wasn't much else for us to say as we all went our separate ways for the night. Ezio, Federico, and I were all deep in thought over what we had just learned, and I personally was a little troubled. What Giovanni and Mario had explained to us sounded so big that I couldn't help but wonder, and not for the last time, what on earth I was getting into.

The eastern horizon was just starting to turn pink when the time came to wake up the next morning. In my opinion, it came way too early, but I had never been much of a morning person either. Yawning, I pulled on my new Assassin robes, fastened the belt around my waist, complete with blades, and slung my saddle bag over my shoulder before leaving my room.

I nearly ran into Federico, who looked every bit as sleepy as I was, but he grinned at me all the same.

"You look particularly formidable this morning,"

Ezio was already waiting for us downstairs, and I was resentful of the fact that he was very much a morning person. No one should be that energetic this early in the morning. The rest of the family was starting to make their way downstairs as well to see us off. The mood was somber as the hugs and 'be careful's went around. Maria pulled me aside and quietly made a personal request for when we were in Florence. When I realized what exactly she was asking for, I agreed right away.

With our goodbyes said and our things packed, the boys and I headed out of Monteriggioni to the stables, where our horses were ready and waiting. Even Storm thought it was way early and was quieter than usual with his head down and one rear hoof cocked casually.

I lashed my saddle bags to the saddle and then swung myself up. We took off at a leisurely pace, the battlements of Monteriggioni slowly disappearing behind the knolls as we continued down the road.

"How do you feel, Kiara?" Ezio asked.

"Well, it feels kind of strange not to have Giovanni or Mario here," I answered.

"You don't have to worry, you've got us." Federico said.

I tilted my head as if I was giving the matter some thought. "I guess you'll do,"

Conversation died away as the miles continued on. It was still early and the easy sway of Storm's strides lulled me into a half-doze. This continued for a while and the sun continued to climb higher into the sky. I estimate that it was about 7-8 o'clock when Ezio spoke up.

"I'd forgotten how long this trip is," he sighed.

"Yeah, it seemed a lot shorter last time," I mused.

"Well, you were unconscious for a good portion of the way," Federico reminded me.

"Oh, yeah,"

I absentmindedly scratched at the scar on my shoulder. The arrow wound had healed completely, only leaving a pink, slightly itchy scar behind.

About midmorning we stopped to give the horses a rest and eat some of the bread and cheese that Maria had packed for us. Cheese in this time period didn't taste like the cheese I was used to back in America; it had a stronger taste and a different texture. I personally liked it a lot. We munched and goofed around for about a half hour and then continued on our merry way.

About an hour later we spotted the first travelers on the road aside from us. Giovanni and Mario had specifically warned us to keep a low profile so at that point we had to pull our hoods over our faces. I was worried that three hooded figures traveling down the road would rouse some suspicion, but the small group of people barely gave us second glances as we ambled by. As soon as we were out of earshot, all three of us gave collective sighs of relief.

The last couple hours of the trip were uneventful despite coming across more and more people as we neared Florence. When the city finally came into sight, we all felt a sense of excitement; after all, it had been over a year. I started to feel a little apprehensive, though, as we approached the city gates. What if our horses were recognized? What if we were recognized? The tension in my gut continued to build as we rode up to the stables and dismounted, removing the saddle bags as well. The stable hand promised to take good care of our horses, but thankfully didn't ask what our business was in Florence. Federico gave him a few florins as down payment, and we entered the city that had once been home.

Nothing had changed; it was like going back in time. The crowds, voices, heralds, and buildings were all the same. The only thing that felt out of place was us. We used to belong here with the rest of the throng, but not anymore. A tug at my cape brought my attention back to the present and I looked over to see Federico standing to my left. His expression mirrored what I was feeling, but he motioned with his head and we all slipped down a side street.

There was a contact we were supposed to meet over by the Palazzo Auditore, and as it was, we were a little late. It felt so strange to be using the back streets instead of the main ones like we used to do. As the buildings became more familiar, I felt the tightening in my stomach start all over again. I don't know why I was feeling this way, maybe it was because there were so many memories here.

The Palazzo looked untouched when it finally came into sight, and there was some comfort in that. We hung around in the shadows, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible while also trying to find our contact. Giovanni said it was someone we already knew, but as the minutes dragged on, I started to worry that whoever it was had given up on us. I was just about to voice my concern when suddenly Ezio pointed.

"Look! Isn't that Annetta?"

Both Federico and I looked to where he was pointing and sure enough, the woman who had been a housemaid for the Auditores was making her way towards us, and she looked very relieved.

"Thank goodness you're here; I was beginning to get worried,"

"Mi dispiace, Annetta," Federico apologized, "but the trip took longer than we thought."

Annetta motioned for us to follow her. "Come, it's not safe here."

We followed the woman as she led us down some backstreets I didn't recognize.

"What's happened, Annetta?" Ezio asked quietly.

"Much, I'm afraid. With your family gone, the Pazzi have been gaining power in and out of the bank. They have been causing more than their fair share of trouble, too. Lorenzo had to put guards around the Palazzo for a few months to keep them from burning it down."

Ezio didn't reply, but I saw his jaw tighten under his white hood. I was mulling over the fact that Lorenzo had gone out of his way to protect the Auditores' property, Giovanni would be glad to hear that. Perhaps Lorenzo had more faith in Giovanni than many people believed.

Annetta continued to take us down the darkening streets until we reached our destination.
The building was fair sized and looked welcoming, but it didn't look like a house. Annetta opened the door and was followed by the boys and I, but all three of us froze when we saw where she had brought us.

We were in a brothel.

Soft lighting and the smell of perfume permeated my senses as courtesans in revealing dresses sauntered around. The few clients that were already there were sprawled out on the luxurious couches, basking in the attention of the women.

Under my hood, I felt my face getting hot, and my eyes darted to the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Ezio and Federico seemed to be as taken aback as me.

"I, um, I think we're in the wrong building," Ezio stammered.

Annetta chuckled, "No, this is it."

She walked forward casually, as if nothing was wrong, and called out. "Paola, our guests are here."

At her voice, several courtesans turned their attention to us, and their eyes lit up in admiration as they looked over the Auditore boys. It wasn't until I looked up again that I realized that the women were looking at me curiously. Another bout of embarrassment shot through me when I realized that my outfit didn't exactly make me look female.

Oh hell no.

I all but yanked my hood down and nearly dropped my saddle bag in the process, praying that I wasn't too red in the face. The courtesans looked surprised, but they brushed me off and refocused their attention on my other companions. Federico looked uncomfortable, but Ezio seemed to be enjoying himself a little.

"Maybe this isn't so bad…" he commented.

Both Federico and I shot him looks telling him to shut up. I could just see Giovanni and Mario getting a good laugh at our expense. If this was a joke, then it was a really bad one.

My griping at my adoptive family members was interrupted as a new woman stepped out from behind a screen. Her dress was different from the other women's, although it certainly flaunted her assets, and it looked finely made. She also wore a type of silk hood over her dark brown hair and a circlet of pearls kept it in place. The woman walked with such dignity and grace despite the place we were in, and I couldn't help but be impressed.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Messer Ezio and Federico, and you as well Signorina Kiara. Annetta speaks quite highly of you three."

Ezio was the only one who wasn't still flustered with the situation and he quickly spoke up.

"We appreciate the kind words, Madonna…?"

The woman smiled kindly. "Ti prego, call me Paola. I'm sure you have some questions."

"Yes," Federico said, "a few,"

Paola chuckled, "Come with me then,"

I readjusted the leather bags on my shoulders and followed Paola up the stairs. It wasn't until we reached the top that she began to explain why we were here.

"Giovanni and Mario sent you to me on purpose; they want me to teach you the art of stealth within the masses."

"How do you know our father?" Ezio asked.

"He represented me in court once, many years ago," Paola answered, "I was being tried for murdering a guard who had tried to rape me. Had it not been for Giovanni, I would have certainly been executed. It wasn't long after that I founded La Rosa Colta. This is a place of refuge for some women because they have nowhere else to go. Yes, our profession is less than desirable for many, but I make sure that my girls are well treated. Here, we can survive."

By this point we had reached the far end of the hall where three doors were slightly ajar.

"We have your rooms ready for you, as I'm sure you are all tired. I've instructed my girls not to distract you in any way." here she looked pointedly at Ezio, "I do intend to start bright and early tomorrow, so please get some rest. I'll have dinner sent up shortly."

Federico bowed, "Thank you for your hospitality, Paola."

The woman inclined her head. "It is the least I can do."

As Paola left, Ezio looked over at me with the most perverted grin on his face. "Why don't you wear clothes like that?"

I scowled, but kept my voice low, "I wouldn't be caught dead in that dress."

Ezio leaned over me, "Such a shame. I'm sure you have—oof!"

I ended whatever statement he had about my figure with a sharp elbow jab to the lower stomach, and Federico laughed as he hunched over.

"Next time," I growled, "I'll make sure to hit where it really hurts."

"What did I do to deserve such treatment?" Ezio whined, his voice strained and a little higher than usual. "You are so cruel to me."

"If you kept that mouth of yours shut, maybe you wouldn't be so abused."

Federico patted Ezio's back with as much pity as he could muster. "She's right you know,"

"Stai zitto Federico!"

Paola made good on her promise and we each got our own room, thankfully on the opposite end of building from…do I even have to expound on that?

I was looking forward to a good night's sleep, but no sooner had I settled into my room than Ezio and Federico were dragging me right back out and into the warm night, saying that there was unfinished business that we had to take care of.

"This is a bad idea."

"You said that thirty seconds ago,"

"Well I meant it!"

Now that we had access to taller buildings, the boys had made the executive decision that it was time for me to learn how to do a Leap of Faith. I was less than amused, but somehow they had talked me into climbing a building as the sun was disappearing behind the horizon. Ezio went up with me and Federico stayed down below, the goal being that I would hop off the side and land in a cart of hay. Now that I was up here, I was having second thoughts.

Ezio was currently trying to coax me out onto the plinth, which involved physically nudging me in the intended direction.

"You've nothing to worry about, Kiara. It's perfectly safe."

"Safe? Have you noticed how high we are?"

"It's not that high," he scoffed.

I peered down at my intended target, which seemed distressingly small to me. "This is plenty high for me."

"I thought you weren't afraid of heights,"

"Heights don't bother me, it's the thought of falling that far that I have a problem with."

"Which is why," Ezio said as he pushed me further out, "your goal should be to land in the cart. Besides, Federico is down there."

"Oh wonderful, he can set my leg if I break it,"

Ezio sighed, "Kiara…"

"I'm serious! I really don't want to do this." I tried to get back on the roof, but Ezio was currently blocking my path.

"It is better," he grunted as he pushed me back, "that you learn to do this now with us instead of a dozen guards after your head."

I stopped fighting him, but pleaded with my eyes. Ezio just crossed his arms over his chest.

"As of right now, your only way down is off that plinth. You can either get it over with now or stay up here all night, but you are learning how to do this even if I have to throw you off."

He was serious, I realized with a groan, and being tossed off the side of a building was even less appealing than jumping myself. Deciding that I could control my directionality better than Ezio could, I crept out to the edge, feeling my stomach quiver as I looked down. Oh Lordy… that was a long way down. The wood creaked as Ezio stepped out onto the plinth, coming up right behind me.

"It's just like diving into water, only you need to curl your body so you land on your back. When you jump, jump up in an arc so you have time to complete the turn, and use your arms to control your movement. You only have a few seconds, so the key is to get turned as soon as possible and then brace for impact."

I gulped, my heart pounding in my chest. Ezio put his hand on my back comfortingly.

"The first jump is always the worst. You can do this."

He backed off the plinth so I could have some room. Crouched down on the edge of the protrusion with my hands gripping the rough wood tightly, I tried not to think of broken bones or suicidal death. I angled myself in the direction of the cart, said a small prayer, and then launched myself into thin air.

In retrospect I should have jumped higher, but I did manage to get turned before I hit the cart with more force than I expected. I lay there for a moment, just gasping and assuring myself that I had indeed survived. Once I had my breath back, I clambered out of the cart, covered from head to toe in dusty hay.

Federico was laughing under his breath as he helped me out. "For someone so small, you make a pretty good thump."

"Oh shut up," I muttered weakly, mortified to find that my hands were shaking, "just shut up. Don't make me do that again."

Mia cara – My dear
Piccola - Little one (feminine)
Zio – Uncle
Nipote – Nephew
Ti prego - Please
Stai zitto – Shut up

A/N – Poor Kiara, she gets into so many weird situations. I am happy to announce that the next chapter is a little more than half done so, inspiration providing, I should have that one up soon. How is the story progressing for you guys? Am I going too slow? If there's something you think I could do better on, please let me know! I want to improve as much as I can.

Reviews
Trinnerti
La Bella Figura
Haru's Cowgirl
MJE - I can relate to your pain. I've got Business Statistics and Business Calculus at the same time. It keeps life interesting.
CreativeChica39
Sophie Aiyana
WNMNMWWNMNVWNMNW - Does this work for you? Lol.
brittany
HikariNoTenshi-San
ScreamsOnScreen

Till next time! :)

~TKD Dragon