[A/N]: Thanks for reading! Feedback is always welcome!

Back to my normal schedule! I should have a chapter out every week unless something unusual comes up.

Chapter 80

With Mario's assistance, Ezio was able to gather the Assassins to the Palazzo della Seta the next morning. They met in the library as they had the day before, and once all eyes had fallen on him, Ezio relayed Rosa's idea to everyone.

"Who is this man?" Machiavelli demanded when Ezio finished speaking. "How can we be sure we can trust him?"

"I can vouch for Leonardo, as can Teodora," Antonio assured him as the courtesan nodded in agreement. "But I do not like the idea of dragging him into our affairs."

"We already have dragged him in," Ezio reminded him. "He's deciphered our Codex pages. The Templars have sent a man to spy on his workshop. We even used his flying machine to get into the Palazzo Duccale."

"Flying machine?" Mario interrupted.

"A story for another time, perhaps," Machiavelli decided for them.

"He fixed one of your hidden blades as well, I recall," Paola reminded Ezio. "I have no doubt he is a capable man, but we are still in a realm of the unknown with this 'piece of Eden,' as your uncle calls it."

"That was how Altair referred to it in the Codex," Mario replied. "What that is supposed to mean, however, I cannot tell you. If your friend was able to translate the Codex pages, perhaps he will have better luck understanding this device than any of us. I say it is worth a try."

"I suppose it is," Antonio conceded with a sigh. "He recently returned from Milano, no?"

"Sì, I spoke to him a few days ago in San Marco. I believe he has returned to his workshop."

"Is it most likely we will find him there, then?" asked La Volpe.

"Sì, and it's very close by," Ezio replied. "If he isn't, we can just return another time."

"No," Machiavelli said. "That is not a good idea. If the Templars have been keeping an eye on his workshop, then we should visit as little and as discreetly as possible."

"Va bene," Ezio agreed. "Then I hope he is there now. Shall we go?"

"Not together," Teodora said. "A group of our size would attract too much attention. Ezio can leave first, and the rest of us will follow individually."

Ezio nodded, and saw himself out the doors of the palazzo.

He didn't have to wait long near Leonardo's workshop before La Volpe arrived, followed shortly by Paola.

"I don't like being in an unfamiliar city," the Fox remarked. "I'm used to knowing where I'm going and how to get out if I need to. I barely found my way here."

"As long as none of us are followed, we should not have to worry about getting out," Paola said.

The thief mumbled something to himself as Bartolomeo rounded the corner. Antonio came next, followed by Teodora and then Machiavelli. Mario came last, carrying something under his arm.

"Do you have it, then?" Ezio asked him.

"Yes, we are ready," Mario nodded.

Ezio nodded back, and then turned around to Leonardo's door. He gave it a hard knock and stood back so it could be opened. The others waited along the wall so Ezio could talk to him alone first.

He was relieved to hear some shuffling around inside, as it meant someone (hopefully Leonardo and not just one of his assistants) was inside. After a few more moments he heard familiar footsteps, and the door opened to reveal his friend.

"Ezio! What a surprise! Do you have more Codex pages for me?"

"Something even better, perhaps," Ezio replied. "But we must do this alone. Are your assistants inside?"

Leonardo shook his head. "No, they've gone around the city looking for supplies. They should not be back until tonight."

"Bene. Then may we come in?"

"We?"

With that, the others came and stood behind Ezio so that the artist could see them as well. Leonardo looked at each of them, and then scratched his head.

"I'm afraid I don't have enough wine for you all," he apologized as he ushered them inside.