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Chapter 88

Much to their relief, Ezio and Mario reached Monteriggioni well before nightfall. The spring weather may have been unpredictable, but the season had the benefit of many hours of sunlight, and the heat wasn't oppressive enough to slow their horses down.

One of Mario's condotierri met them at the entrance to the city and took their horses to the stables. Ezio was surprised to see that the large doorway was now gated with heavy iron bars, and a condotierro behind it, upon seeing them, turned a winch to raise it for them.

"A new feature, I see," Ezio remarked. "I've been gone a long time."

"Do you like it?" Mario asked. "With the extra income that's been flowing into the town lately, we decided to add a bit of protection. We keep it open most of the time, but it is good to have just in case. One day I hope to line the walls with cannons and archers, but we don't quite have the funds for that."

"You might scare away some of the travelers too," Ezio added, and Mario let out a laugh as they walked into town.

When they reached the Villa Auditore, Ezio turned to Mario once again, concerned.

"I thought my mother and sister would be out here to greet us. Where are they?"

"Inside, most likely," said Mario. "I told the servants to prepare supper at this time whether or not we had returned. If we hurry, we might still be able to eat it while it's warm."

"How have they been, my mother and sister?" Ezio asked, a little less concerned about the temperature of the food (although he was quite hungry from another day of travelling).

"Quite well, quite well," Mario nodded. "Your mother still says very little, but I've been seeing her smile more and more. I think it would do her good to see you. Your sister is still helping me manage the town's funds, and she's acquiring quite a talent for it."

When they opened the door, they heard footsteps from the other room, whose owners quickly appeared to greet them.

"Mother, Claudia! How are you?"

They each hugged him in turn. Maria was silent at Claudia began to update Ezio with several years' worth of complaints, as well as tales of the young men she had met as they passed through the city.

"You will have to tell me more later," Ezio interrupted her eventually. "For now, let us eat." She begrudgingly agreed

Ezio took the opportunity of having everyone around a table to fill them in on some of the details of his adventures, as he continued to do over the next week or so. He spent most of each day in the training arena, practicing with Mario's men and even challenging his uncle to a few fights. Mario expressed his pride at what his nephew had learned during his time away.

After another week or so, however, Ezio became restless. There was little news from outside the city, and no telling when there would be some. All of this was made worse by a nagging desire in the back of Ezio's mind, and soon he couldn't take it any longer. He went one afternoon into Mario's study.

"Zio Mario, do you have a moment?"

"I have too many moments, my boy. Things have been moving slow lately, as you've probably noticed. Come in! I would enjoy the distraction."

"There is still no news then?"

"None, I'm afraid. It could be weeks! Or months! Cazzo, what torture this is!"

Ezio nodded, and then took a breath. "Speaking of our long wait, I wanted to ask you a favor. Since we may have some time before our next mission, I was hoping…I was hoping I could go see someone."

Mario smiled knowingly. "You wish to visit Rosa."

Ezio nodded again.

"I was wondering when you would ask," Mario smiled. "She wrote to you, did she not?"

"Sì, how did you know?"

Mario didn't answer the question. "You should visit her, Ezio. I'm sure you two will have much to talk about."

Ezio was confused by this, but it was the answer he wanted. He thanked his uncle and made preparations to leave in two days.