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Chapter 102

The three returned to Monteriggioni the following day, and Mario was back about a week later. Much to Claudia's disappointment (and Ezio's relief), Machiavelli left for Roma shortly thereafter, and the Villa Auditore was relatively quiet for a while.

Several months passed with little new information. Mario eventually received word from La Volpe that he and Paola were safe, but that things in Firenze were too unstable for any immediate action by the others. He promised that one of them would send word as soon as they were ready. Beyond this, the letter contained no details, most likely to ensure that there would be no serious consequences if it fell into the wrong hands.

The new year came and went, as did another, and the weather (which had become chilly during the winter months) turned more pleasant as the summer of 1496 wore on. Ezio and Rosa spent most of their time between Monteriggioni and Venezia, helping Mario and Antonio deliver letters, tail suspected Templars, distract guards, and other fairly simple tasks. They spent much of their free time training in Mario's arena (or competing in footraces with the other thieves if they were in Venezia), and Rosa was a much faster learner than Ezio had remembered. Her skills didn't quite match his or Mario's, but he suspected there might soon come a time when she could give him a decent run for his money. At the very least, he was confident she could handle herself against any guards they came across.

Rosa rarely brought up the subject of becoming an Assassin, and Ezio decided not to push the matter. Perhaps it was not the approach Machiavelli would have taken, he thought to himself, but Machiavelli wasn't there to complain. If she was taking a long time to come to a decision, then at least she was giving it a proper amount of thought. Barring all of this, it was almost as if nothing had changed between them in the last several years. There was a slight air of uncertainty about what each new day could bring for them, but they decided not to worry about any of it until they had to.

They had no shortage of time to rest, and Ezio always enjoyed the company of Rosa and the others, but a thought continued to loom over them all; what had happened to the Piece of Eden, and would they ever see it again?

It was on the afternoon of an ordinary one of these days in late November that two figures on horseback approached the gates of Monteriggioni. Mario rushed out to see what the commotion was about, and when he returned to the Villa, he was accompanied by Paola and La Volpe. Ezio and Rosa followed them inside as Mario called for supper to be prepared.

To everyone's relief, the pair appeared to be unharmed, albeit exhausted. It was decided that a thorough discussion of the situation in Firenze would have to wait until the morning, when all parties were well-fed and well-rested. Mario was unable to prepare a room in the Villa itself, but he knew that the town's innkeeper would be happy to accommodate two guests, especially for what Mario assured him would be generous compensation.

"I can ride for Venezia and let Antonio know they're here," Rosa volunteered as Mario returned from the inn, but the latter shook his head.

"Better to wait until tomorrow, when we can hear what they have to say. Besides, it is possible that we could use your help in Firenze, if you are so inclined."

"Of course I am," she smiled and him and Ezio. "I can't let you two have all the fun."