*A/N: Hey, guys. I have posted a new chapter for you. Before you start reading I would like to thank: auroranrose, Yvixtrel, Shadow Katakura, NobleSilverShadow, IceDragon-of-the-Straw-Hat, taytertot5, YaOiLoVeR27, animecrazygirl1 for following and favoriting this story. And 77Flarefox77 for commenting. Thank you guys, I appreciate it and I hope you enjoy the newly posted chapters. Bye.*
*Riley's POV*
We finally arrived at Venice for who knows how long on the ship. I was seasick the whole time that I lost count of how many days has past (I stopped counting at the third day). I spent most of my time on the deck, trying to get some fresh air and try to control my sick stomach. During that process, I was able to get a tan and manage to convince Ezio and Leonardo (mostly Leonardo) to cut my hair. I figured that since I'm traveling with them and there will be times when I have to battle an enemy without my meister (still not used to calling Ezio my meister) my hair would be a distraction.
Both were a bit reluctant to the idea of cutting my hair, but did so anyway. Now my hair was a bit spikey. It barely past my ears as my bangs swept across my forehead. The silver streaks were visible but barely. I switched my sweater for a crimson red, baggy hoodie. I ruffled my hair a bit, loving the freshly cut feeling, and hummed to one of my favorite songs: Mama by My Chemical Romance. The song played in my head in Gerard Way's voice from beginning to end as we walked.
"What are you humming?" Ezio asked.
I suddenly remembered that the people in this time were very religious and would shun or accuse you for going 'against God' and would have you executed for listening to a song which first lines start with 'Mama, we're all going to hell.' "A song that I used to listen to back at home." I answered.
"Is it a good song?" He asked.
"I like it, but I'm not sure if anyone else in this time period would. The songs back at home are very open." He didn't ask anymore questions about the song and continued to follow our 'tour guide'. I looked around and noticed a few girls looking at me. They were very pretty as were their smiles that I started blushing. My blush died down and my eyes started to show a bit of saddness once I realized that they thought I was a boy. I know that the people in this century wouldn't have the same interests as I do, but that didn't mean that I couldn't be disappointed about the reasons of the sudden attention.
I looked back at the group of girls, smiled, and gave a little wink before joining Ezio and Leonardo, but not before noticing the blushes on their cheeks.
Venice was very beautiful and a bit less crowded than Florence and a bit hotter. The streets were still crowded with people and the shops were busy with workers buying what people sell and selling what they made. The buildings were tall and decorated with bright colors. "No other city can match the size of Venezia's markets." He said before pausing.
I glanced at him. He looked over to the group of soldiers as they walked in front of a man who stood in front of two tables that were piled with fish.
"You were told to stay at home!" One of them said as he took out his sword and aimed it at the man.
"But the rent is paid. I have every right to sell." The man said.
"Emilio disagrees." The soldiers then began destroying the tables with their weapons. The man tried to stop them, but was ignored.
"Let us continue our tour...elsewhere." Our guide said a bit nervous about the situation. We walked away and followed the man. Leonardo stopped at one of the shops and picked up a wooden doll.
"Look! Isn't it amazing?" He said excidedly. "Would you mind buying it for me? I...uh...forgot my money with my bags." He said nervously and slightly embarrassed. I swear, if he was a puppy I would hug him all day. Before Ezio could answer he was pushed by a group of thieves.
"Hey! Mind your step, coglionel!" He shouted. One looked back. She paused then continued to run. Ezio patted his pockets to see if any of his money was stolen. Once he came to the conclusion that nothing was taken, we continued the tour. But now that I thought about it, she was very pretty. What is it with this country having beautiful girls?
"And here we have the Palazzo della Seta. Home to Emilio Barbarigo. Normally, I'd suggest a closer look. But with the way things are now.."
"Why? What happen?" Ezio asked.
"He's attempting to unify the merchants beneath a single banner. There has been resistance. Some of it violent."
"What kind of resistance?"
"They say they're fighting for the people. For freedom or some such nonsense. Baggianate, if you ask me." The man led us to another destination. We stopped in front of a bright brownish-red, brick building.
"And now, I present to you, your workshop, Ser da Vinci! We spared no expanse in its design. You'll see! It is perfect; as if you never left Firenze. I wish you great success and hope you enjoy Venezia as much as she enjoys having you!" He bowed and left.
"So here we are! Exciting, isn't it? Care to come in?" Leonardo offered.
"Maybe later. I need to visit the Palazzo della Seta. Try and gain an audience with Emilio." Ezio said.
"As you wish. But should you find yourself with free time, or another Codex page, don't hesitate to visit. My door is always open."
"Thank you, my friend."
"Di nulla!" Leonardo said as he and Ezio hugged. Leonardo pulled me into a hug too before walking into his workshop.
I turned around and followed Ezio to the Palazzo della Seta. We stopped a couple of feet away from the palazzo and the gate was blocked by guards. Ezio seemed to scan the area, thinking of a way to get inside the building. Suddenly, the same group of thieves charged in, pushing the guards aside. The guards the ran after them. The same girl from before then rushed at the wall and jumped grabbing onto whatever she can get her hands on and tried to climb. Apparently, there were archers across the building and began firing their arrows at her. One arrow was able to get pierce her right thigh. She let go and collapsed onto the floor. She got up and started limping towards Ezio.
"Ezio, grab her! We need to go now!" I ordered and I shifted my arms into blades and covered them. Ezio picked her up as she began to protest.
"I don't need to be carried!"
"You took an arrow to the thigh and loosing blood. The more you use your leg the worse the wound will be, so shut up and let him carry you!" I can get really bossy if I wanted/needed to. She hesitated but allowed Ezio to carry her. She told Ezio where to go as I followed them, blocking as many arrows as I can. Soon a group of guards ran towards us. I was able to block some, but the rest went towards Ezio and the girl. Ezio put her down and began attacking back.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the girl take out a butcher's knife and began attacking some of the other guards. Once the guards were defeated, she started to run, shouting at us to follow her. I sighed but followed. We encountered and defeated three more groups of soldiers before she slowed down and collapsed onto the floor. Ezio picked her up and continued to our destination.
"I never did catch your name." Ezio said.
"Now may not be-" I started to say but the girl interrupted.
"Rosa."
We manage to get to the ocean without any more soldiers attacking us. The man in front of us turned around, holding a knife. He looked at Rosa and demanded what happen. Ezio explained what happen to the man, Ugo, as he put the knife away. Ugo took Rosa out of Ezio's arms and placed her onto the gondola. Suddenly, an archer appeared across the gondola and began shooting arrows at Rosa. I got onto the boat with Ugo and Rosa and blocked the from reaching their target.
"Get behind me!" I ordered Ugo. He was about to protest until I blocked another arrow that almost reached him face. He got behind me along with Rosa. I glanced at the wound on her thigh. Once the arrows suddenly stopped I examined the wound.
"What are you doing?" Ugo asked.
"She is loosing too much blood and the wound widened a bit. I have to temporarily cut the circulation and then take the arrow out." I said. "How long until we get to a safe area?"
"Ten minutes."
"That'll be enough time." I changed my arm to the handle and wrapped the ribbon above the wound. "Rosa, this is going to hurt." I told her as I slowly tighten the grip of the ribbon. At first she hissed in pain before she began screaming. She looked like she was about to pass out from the pain. I held it for a couple of minutes before I used my other arm to cut the arrow. I slowly pulled it out and threw it into the water.
"Get my bag!" I told Ugo. He grabbed hold of my bag and took it off my shoulders. I searched the bag and took out disinfectant. I poured a little onto the wound before placing it back into the bag. I took out some gauze and placed them on my lap. I slowly released the grip on her thigh and carefully wrapped her wound. I glanced up and noticed that Ezio finished killing all the other archers.
I glanced down at the wrapped up wound. I stood up and slowly stretched out her leg and rubbed both sides of her thigh to restore the circulation. We manage to make it to the safe area Ugo mentioned before. He stopped the gondola and tried to help Rosa out of the boat, but only ended up hurting her.
"Stop!" I demand, "You're making it worse!" Ezio stepped in and carried her, but not without me fussing over her injuries leg. Before he could carry her, she fainted. He took her to one of the tables that Ugo manage to clear off before going to get Antonio. Ezio placed her on the table where she manage to regain consciousness and thanked him.
A man, Antonio (I think), walked in and demanded to know what happened to her.
"She took an arrow in the leg. I managed to get it out and patch her up, but she is gonna need stitches." I answered. He nodded and told them to take her to Bianca. The thieves lifted the board she was on and took her to Bianca. Antonio thanked us.
"Rosa is most dear to me." He said, "If I had lost her..." He let those words hang in the air. Ezio nodded, understanding what he meant. "I've always had a soft spot for women in distress..." He said. I rolled my eyes at the overly used words, but then again this is the Renaissance. Every pick-up line or overly used phrases in the modern world probably started here.
"So I've heard." Antonio turned to us. "Don't look so surprised. We know all about you, Ser Ezio. Your work in Firenze and the rest of Tuscany. Good work too, if a little unrefined."
"Then you know why I'm in Venezia?"
"I can guess." He paused for a bit. "When you have a minute, come see me in my office. There's something we should discuss." Antonio then walked off to his office.
"News spreads like wild fire here!" I said, crossing my arms over my chest. Ezio sighed and knocked on the door. We entered once Antonio said we could come in.
"Welcome. Can I offer you something? Biscotti? Un caffè?" My head snapped up once I heard the word coffee.
"I'll have a cup!" I said.
"What is caffè?" Ezio asked. I almost snapped my neck when I looked at him. How could he not know what coffee is? Oh, yeah, it hasn't been made yet. Well, not until now I guess.
"An interesting concoction, brought to me by a Turk merchant. Here, have a taste." Antonio handed a cup to both of us. I took the cup and began drinking it, letting it warm me up. I missed the taste of coffee.
"A little bitter if you ask me. It seems to be lacking somehow... I don't know. Have you considered adding sugar, maybe. Or latte?" Ezio suggested.
"I suppose it is something of an acquired taste." Antonio placed the cup back into the desk and walked towards a model of the city that was displayed onto the table between the book shelf. "Enough about that... Now where were we?" He picked up one of the pieces. "Our failure at the Palazzo cost us dearly. It will take time to recover. No doubt Emilio will use this pause to strengthen his defenses...and continue his oppression of the district. You may not share our motives, but I know you share our goal."
"Why not gather your forces and try again?" Ezio suggested.
"To act haste would only bring more losses. No. We must resupply and draw new plans."
"I can ill afford to sit around and wait..."
"Nor would I want you to. Work with us instead. Already my men begin to mend today's wounds. Seek them out. They'll put you to work. The sooner you aid them, the sooner we can strike."
"Molto bene, Messere. I accept."
"It is the right decision." Was the last thing Anontion said before we walked out of his office.