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Chapter 96

Upon their arrival in Monteriggioni, Ezio and Rosa were greeted warmly by Mario, but the celebration was short lived. Mario was leaving the town just as they were arriving, as he had to be away for a few days to meet with some contacts in Siena. In the meantime, he said, Ezio was to watch over his mother and sister.

"Of course, Uncle. I always do," Ezio replied.

"And show our guests the finest hospitality the Auditore family has to offer," Mario added.

"Guests? You mean we have more than one?"

"Sì, Niccolò just arrived a few days ago from Roma."

"Machiavelli," Ezio muttered, prompting a glance from Rosa.

"You should talk to him when you have the chance, if for no other reason than to give him a break from Claudia."

"What is the problem with Claudia?"

Mario laughed. "Your little sister seems to be quite taken with the young man. She has been at his ear since the moment he arrived."

"It sounds like she hasn't changed much," Rosa observed. "She's been courting men since the first time I met her. That, and keeping records for you. Between those two skills, she could make a fine madam of a brothel.

"Ha!" Mario bellowed. "Not while I'm alive, I hope. It is a dangerous job, as I am sure Paola or Teodora can tell you. I would fear for her safety too much if she worked in such a world. I know that is a strange thing to hear from an Assassin, of all people, but it is because I know such dangers firsthand."

"Speaking of dangers, Uncle, Rosa and I were ambushed on our way here by some men who were hired by one of Rodrigo Borgia's men."

"Veramente? Well, I am glad to see you made it here safely after that."

"As are we, but you should be careful on your trip," Ezio warned. "They might be targeting the other Assassins as well."

"I will keep that in mind, but if you two managed to beat them, then they can't be too dangerous."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Rosa demanded.

Mario laughed as he mounted a horse that was brought to him by one of his men. "If you think I'm mistaken, perhaps we should test your skills in the arena when I return. Until then, try to keep my town in one piece, if you can." With that, Mario's horse quickly carried him down the dirt road and out of sight.

"I suppose we should check in on Machiavelli," Ezio groaned, turning to enter the town.

"You don't sound very excited to see him," Rosa noted.

Ezio shrugged. "Machiavelli isn't the easiest person to get along with."

"Why do you say that?"

"He is a good man, I am sure," he admitted. "I just find that he has very strong opinions that are often at odds with my own."

"Do Assassins disagree with each other often?" Rosa asked.

Ezio smiled to himself. "Not when it comes to our larger goals, but with the smaller things, the discussions can be endless. Sometimes I think it would be easier to argue with a Templar."

"That's because every argument you have with a Templar ends with that Templar's death."

"I suppose it isn't the best way to resolve disagreements," Ezio considered aloud as they walked past a tailor's shop, "but with so much at stake, sometimes it is the only option we have."

Rosa nodded, and they remained silent for a minute to take in the sights and sounds of the town until they reached the doors of the Villa Auditore. There was a type of peace in the air that Ezio rarely had the chance to enjoy, especially with Rosa. He chuckled to himself as he tried to imagine a living a life with her in one of the small homes that adorned the place. "To boring for her, and perhaps even for me," he thought to himself.