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Chapter 19

"Benvenuto, Ezio! It is good to see you again, nipote."

"It has been too long, Uncle," Ezio replied as they hugged.

"And you must be Rosa. Benvenuta!"

"Grazie," said Rosa.

"Come, let's not stand around," Mario turned to Ezio, "I'm sure your mother and sister will be delighted to see you in one piece."

They walked through the gates of the city and along the streets saturated with different shops.

"Tell me Rosa, how did you meet Ezio?" Mario asked.

"He helped me out of a…situation."

"She was the target of several archers," Ezio clarified, and Rosa rolled her eyes at his indiscretion.

"Ah, it is good to hear Ezio has not given up fighting!" replied Mario as he turned to Ezio. "Speaking of which, you'll be pleased to hear that our training arena is still here if you wish to practice."

Rosa hit Ezio in the arm. "You never mentioned a training arena. I would have agreed to come sooner if I knew I could practice here as well."

"You know how to handle a sword?" asked Mario, surprised.

"Si, I do," Rosa glared at him. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Forgive me, but you don't look like a mercenary at first sight. You strike me more as a…I don't know, perhaps a thief?"

"Perhaps," Rosa and Ezio responded simultaneously, and Mario turned to look at them.

"I won't ask," he shrugged and continued, "but of course you are welcome to use the training arena at your leisure, provided you do it safely."

"Fair enough," Rosa accepted. "It's best I not give Ezio the chance to keep me bedridden, anyway."

"What are you…oh, never mind," Mario stopped himself. "Rosa, I've prepared a room for you upstairs. It's next to Ezio's mother and sister. Speaking of whom…"

"Ezio!" called a voice from the door to Mario's estate. Claudia ran out and nearly jumped on her older brother. "It is so good to see you. Do you like my new dress?" She stepped back and spun around so he could see the whole thing.

"It was a good choice," Ezio complimented her.

"And you must be Claudia," the thief chimed in.

"Si. Who are you?"

"Sono Rosa, Ezio's friend," replied the thief, "Piacere."

"Oh, Rosa? Zio Mario said Ezio was bringing a friend, but I thought you would be another boy. We should talk. Follow me! I will tell you all the secrets I have about Ezio."

"Bene!" chuckled Mario. "Ezio, you should go see your mother anyway. I'm sure she has missed you."

"Of course, uncle. I will find her immediately. Claudia, why don't you show Rosa her room?"

"Great idea!" replied Claudia as she took Rosa and split off from the group once they were inside.

Ezio left Mario to find his mother, who, although silent, was evidently relieved to see him. Ezio dropped a few feathers he had found from his travels into the chest by her bed and gave her Leonardo's regards, and she made something of a solemn smile.

After about an hour of bringing things to his room upstairs and getting himself situated, he bumped into Rosa in the hallway. He attempted to move past her to talk with Mario downstairs, but Rosa blocked him with her foot and grinned at him.

"Your sister said you wanted to be a minstrel when you were younger," Rosa informed him.

"Claudia exaggerates."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "But you used to play a lute, si?"

Ezio sighed. "Si," he confessed.

"Ezio!" called Mario, "Come speak with me when you have a minute."

Rosa moved her foot out of Ezio's way but blocked him with her arm instead as she warned him, "We'll continue this discussion later."

"I cannot wait," he muttered sarcastically.

"Hey! Cheer up, stronzo! This is good news for you."

"How exactly do you figure that?"

"You don't have to keep me entertained the whole time I'm here," she explained. "It appears your sister will help."