Hello again! For a certain period of time (I don't want to give any of the plot away), I will be writing two different parts of the story, one for Ezio and one for Ophelia. I will be posting them as separate entries of the same chapter. In other words, this chapter will be named "Chapter 7: The Templar's Secret (Ezio)" and the next chapter will be named "Chapter 7: Greetings from Leonardo (Ophelia)." They will not be written in first person, but since they will be at different locations, I think it's important to know what's going with the two of them (that and I have something in mind as far as plot development ;)). Sorry this had taken a few more hours than expected to get up. Look up Keaton Henson on YouTube. Essentially, that's what I've been doing today. Enjoy!
The trip to San Gimignano was relatively short, taking about four hours on horseback. Ezio was determined to find and slay Vieri but he couldn't help but think about Ophelia and the night they had together. Though they had been animalistic, almost rough with each other, Ezio felt like he had been more connected and compassionate with Ophelia than any other woman before, including Christina.
Ezio, Mario, and the mercenaries finally arrived at a small farm house outside of San Gimignano. Ezio looked out to the walls of the city. "What is our plan, Mario?" Ezio asked.
"Well, we must first find a way into the city…" Mario explained, looking, too, at the walls of San Gimignano. "I believe Vieri is expecting us, however, so getting in might be a bit of a struggle. He has sealed off the gates with his guards."
Ezio thought for a moment and looked again at the gates. Ezio had always had a special talent to look more deeply into objects. He couldn't explain this vision, but it came in hand during situations like this. Ezio looked to the southern gate and noticed a lack of guards. "Ah, uncle, the southern gate has been compromised. Guards still remain there but their numbers aren't as heavy as the other gates. We should be able to infiltrate at this point," Ezio suggested, looking back to Mario.
Mario looked over to the southern gate as well. He nodded, agreeing with Ezio, which Ezio found slightly confusing. Perhaps this special way of seeing was hereditary. Mario was family, after all. "Si. Well done, Ezio," Mario said before looking back to the mercenaries. "Men, follow me to the southern wall. Stay close! Once there, wait for instruction!"
Mario began to run toward the southern wall, Ezio trailing closely behind. He could see a pile of crates stacked up against one of the city's wall. Perhaps this could be a way in.
Mario stopped and looked up to analyze the guards at the gate. He, too, saw the stack of crates and quickly came to a plan of action. "Alright men… We will launch an attack on the guards outside the gate. Ezio, you will climb over the wall by means of those crates," Mario pointed at the stack of crates. Ezio nodded. "Once over the wall, you must find a way to open the gate for us. Use your throwing knives to take out the archers."
Ezio nodded once more to Mario. "I'm ready," he stated, looking at the top of the wall.
Mario called for the mercenaries to follow him and the group of men quickly reached the guards at the front of the gate. Ezio climbed up the crates and onto the wall. He threw a knife at an archer directly in front of him on a rooftop and another standing on top of the city wall. After seeing he could make his way to the gate lever, Ezio jumped down from the wall. He quickly opened the gate for Mario and his men, who were still battling a few guards. Ezio pulled out his dagger and joined in the fight, taking out two of the guards from behind.
The group went back into the city walls, following Mario down a street. Ahead they saw a group of guards blocking the way to Vieri's location.
"Ezio, I need you to distract those guards to buy me time to find Vieri. Take some of my men and meet me after you are done," Mario commanded.
Ezio simply nodded and motioned for a group of Mario's men to follow him. Ezio slowly approached a guard and proceeded to drive his dagger through his back. The other guards were then alert and the mercenaries attacked. Ezio zeroed in on another guard. The guard launched but Ezio quickstepped to the left, dodging the guard's attack.
"Oh come on! You can do better than that!" Ezio taunted, motioning for the guard to come get him.
Ezio's words and motion infuriated the guard who lunged forward. Ezio grabbed the guard by the shoulder, held his dagger at his knee, pointing upward, and bent the guard over, driving his chest through the dagger. The guard fell and Ezio removed his weapon from the body.
Once all of the guards were taken out, Ezio and the mercenaries headed to Santa Maria Assunta to meet up with Mario. On the way, Ezio found a mercenary laying against a well.
"Are you alright?" Ezio asked, kneeling down in front of the mercenary.
The mercenary coughed and held a wound on his abdomen. "Ezio, your uncle is in trouble. He's under attack. Go help him. Quickly!" the man pointed out toward the direction of Mario, which Ezio took note of.
"Grazie," Ezio nodded, giving the man a pat on the shoulder. Ezio quickly ran down the street where he found Mario and the other mercenaries under attack by Vieri's men.
"Nipote!" Mario called to Ezio. "We've come under attack by Vieri's men. We'll take care of them if you go and find Vieri. Take him out! Quickly!"
Ezio took out a few guards who attacked him before heading toward a building. Ezio quickly scaled a wall, looking down to see that he was being chased by a few of the guards. Instead of taking them out, Ezio decided to go on and find Vieri. The guards wouldn't be able to keep up with him; not many people had the free running skills and speed Ezio had.
As expected, Ezio lost the guards and finally came to a rooftop next to the southern gate. Ezio crouched next to a chimney and watched the entrance. He soon saw a group of four Templars arrive, including Vieri and Francesco de Pazzi. Ezio stayed quiet and listened in on the conversation. He wanted to gather as much information from these men before taking care of Vieri. Additionally, Ezio didn't feel as though he could take on all of them at once. He was well aware that the Templars were powerful and trained as well. Ezio's small amount of time in the Brotherhood wouldn't give him the upper-hand in that fight.
The men talked about Vieri staying in San Gimignano to coordinate the Templar's mercenaries, Francesco organizing forces in the city, and that an elderly man named Jacopo would calm the citizens down once a certain job was done.
Once the job is done… What job? Ezio thought. This was information he'd definitely store and share with Mario. The Brotherhood would surely benefit from it.
Vieri then began speaking of Mario as a drunkard and that he wanted to silence him, just as Ezio's father had been. Vieri's words enraged Ezio, who clenched his fists as he listened in.
All four of the men were about to leave when a guard approached Vieri, informing him that Mario had arrived and was waiting for him. Vieri took the news to his pleasure and soon headed down a street. Ezio watched from the rooftop as a group of Mario's mercenaries were attacked by Vieri's guards. Ezio removed his attention from the fight and kept track of Vieri. Now would be Ezio's chance.
Vieri made his way up into a lookout on the city walls. He was surrounded by guards. Ezio needed to figure out a way to get in. He quickly moved across rooftops until he was able to reach the city wall. He jumped to a section where guards were standing. He made himself visible which alerted the guards. Ezio lured them down to the fight the mercenaries were engaged in. The mercenaries began to attack the guards while Ezio made his way back up the wall.
The lookout was straight ahead. Ezio began scaling the wall of the lookout, stopping as his hands grasped the top ledge. He carefully peaked over to locate Vieri. He was about ten feet away with two guards at his sides. Ezio quickly got over the top of the wall and launched an attack on Vieri. The guards quickly hindered his line to Vieri. Ezio quickly took out one guard with his sword and then the other with his dagger. Only Vieri and Ezio's thirst for revenge remained.
"I have been looking forward to this for a long time, Vieri," Ezio said, dagger in hand as he followed Vieri's movements.
Vieri laughed at Ezio's words, drawing his sword. Vieri lunged as Ezio quickstepped, dodging his attack. "Ah, but it is I who will be the victor!" Vieri replied with an evil grin.
Ezio quickly moved to Vieri's side, managing to cut Vieri's arm with the dagger. "But it seems fate is not on your side tonight!" Ezio replied, moving to cut Vieri once more. He threw a punch, leaving a red mark on the side of Vieri's face. Vieri wiped away traces of blood from his mouth and continued to lunge at Ezio. Vieri grabbed Ezio, pushing him to the ground. He quickly kicked Ezio in his side before Ezio managed to get back on his feet. Ezio lunged, but Vieri parried his attack. A guard began climbing up the wall, distracting Vieri momentarily. It was then that Ezio got his break. He quickly held Vieri from behind and put his blade through his back. Vieri fell to the ground, still clinging on to life with a few unsteady breathes.
"What are you planning? My father found out, didn't he?! And that's why he died!" Ezio yelled, holding Vieri by the collar of his shirt.
Vieri managed to let out a small laugh, his grin still evil. "You were hoping for a confession, weren't you? Well, you won't get one!" Vieri spat, blood dripping from his mouth.
Ezio became enraged, especially when he saw Vieri's eyes glass over. Ezio shook the body violently. "Pezzo di merda! Vorrei solo che avessi sofferto di piu! Hai avuto la fine che maritavi! Spero che bru-" Ezio began yelling, but was soon interrupted by Mario.
"Ezio! For God's sake! Have some respect for the dead!" Mario yelled, pulling Ezio away from Vieri's limp body.
"Respect? I will not show him respect! He would not show me such kindness!" Ezio yelled, walking away from Vieri.
"Yes, but you are not Vieri, napote. Don't become him either," Mario replied, giving Ezio a stern look. Ezio knew Mario was right and didn't argue any more. Instead, he simply walked away. He would never forget what he did to him and his family.
Mario moved to kneel over Vieri and closed his eyes shut with two fingers. "Requiescat in Pace," Mario said softly before getting back up and catching up to Ezio.
The two walked a bit before Mario pulled a few papers out of his coat pocket. "Here, Ezio, read these when you have the chance. We'll head back to the Villa now," Mario informed him before heading down a set of stairs to the base of the wall. Ezio followed behind him, looking over the papers briefly.
Ezio, Mario, and the remaining mercenaries made their way to the farm house they first arrived at. Ezio saddled his horse, as did Mario and the other men. The group made their way back to Monteriggioni, travelling at an easy pace.
The group arrived a few hours later. The sky was completely dark now and the city was quiet. Ezio dismounted his horse and led the animal to the stable boy. He held tight to the papers Mario gave him, wondering what their contents were. Ezio slowly made his way to the villa, his mind heavy. The events of the night were both satisfying and troubling. Ezio was glad Vieri was dead but now he had many questions that remained unanswered. What were the Templars talking about? What was their plan? What was Vieri hiding? Ezio didn't know, but he was sure he'd find out soon enough. He would talk to Mario tomorrow about the conversation he had overhead. Now, he and the other men were exhausted. Ezio needed some rest after his first real mission.
Ezio made his way back up to his room and quickly took off his robes, boots, and shirt. He went to his desk, grabbed the candle, and went down into the hallway. He held the candle up to a torch on the wall before heading back up to his room. He put the candle, now lit, back into its holder. His back quickly hit the bed but he felt something poking at his skin. Ezio sat up and reached underneath him to find a piece of paper folded up. Ezio rose an eyebrow before unfolding it. His heart began to race and his hands trembled when he saw who the letter was from.
To my dearest Ezio,
When you receive this letter, you will be back from San Gimignano. I hope all went well and that you killed Vieri. I'm writing this to you so you'll have a reminder of me. You'll have memories and stories to tell, but I want you to have something to hold onto that's only for you. Our night together was the best night of my life, Ezio. I only wish we could have another sooner. While I'm away, think of me as I'll be thinking of you. Don't worry about me either; I'll be with Leonardo and he will take good care of me (though with his gentle nature, I will probably be the one taking care of him).
I hope all is well for you, Ezio, and remember, you will always have a place in my heart. I will wait for you.
Yours always with love,
Ophelia Moretti
As Ezio read the letter, he smiled, but, he also felt an overwhelming sadness. Not only did he have to fulfill his mission without the assassin he trained with, but he faced a long separation from the woman he had fallen so deeply in love with. A single tear rolled down Ezio's cheek before he pressed his lips to the paper. "Ophelia, I will wait for you too..." Ezio whispered before folding the paper back up and tucking it under his pillow.