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Chapter 103

Once everyone was awake and fed the next morning, Mario, Ezio, Rosa, and the two Florentine guests gathered in Mario's study to discuss everything.

"First of all," Mario began with a smile, "I am relieved to see you both here, and unharmed."

They both bowed. "You as well, Mario," Paola replied.

"Well, I'm not the one who has been in Firenze for the past couple of years with limited correspondence to or from anyone outside the city. I have heard that the political situation there is...less than optimal. Of course, I don't know the details, so I was hoping you could fill me...er, us in."

La Volpe sighed. "Ah, where to begin?"

"It's difficult to say exactly when this all started," said Paola. "We weren't paying enough attention at the time. Perhaps we should have."

"We can dwell on our mistakes later," Mario assured her. "The important thing now is to deal with the situation, whatever it is."

"As you wish," Paola agreed. "When I first learned of it, it seemed like nothing. A few of my brothel's clients began complaining about the sermons of a strange Dominican friar who had recently returned to the city. Some called him a fool, and some even called him a madman. One thing became clear, however: as unpopular as he was at first, more and more people knew about him...and some even listened to him."

"He preached about the evils of gluttony, denouncing the city's nobles and leaders. That was how he began attracting more followers," La Volpe added.

"Is that so bad?" Rosa asked. "Surely we wish for people to be free to criticize those in power, do we not? The voices of the people should be heard."

"Of course," Paola answered. "But there is a difference between fighting for the people and using their fears and frustrations to advance oneself into a position of power and wealth at their expense. What Savonarola did was the latter of these."

"Savonarola?" Ezio chimed in. "Girolamo Savonarola?"

"Sì," La Volpe gave him a quizzical look. "Do you know of him?"

"Didn't you receive the letters I wrote to you when I left Forlì?" Ezio asked him

"No, we haven't received anything from you. In truth, I am surprised to see you here instead of in Forlì? Why did you leave?"

"Forlì was attacked, and the Apple was taken from Ezio by a monk who happened to be passing by him while he was injured," Mario explained.

Paola gasped. "You can't possibly mean..."

Mario nodded. "Sì, I do. It is the same man you mentioned. How much power does he have over the city now?"

"More than he used to," La Volpe hissed. "His flock has grown, and those who oppose it risk facing its wrath. The city is on the brink of war with itself."

"Wait a moment," Rosa interrupted. "Ezio, you said you sent letters to La Volpe and Paola, and yet they never received them."

"What of it?" Ezio asked.

"If the Templars paid off a courier working for Antonio, don't you suppose others could have been working elsewhere as well?"

"That would explain why neither letter made it to you," Mario agreed.

"But that means that the Templars may know where the Apple is as well!" Ezio exclaimed. "They will be searching for it in Firenze too."

"Then there isn't any time to lose," Mario told them. "Now that we know what we're up against, we should make haste for Firenze."

"Give us a few days to rest, and we will ride ahead and prepare things for you all," Paola announced.

"Of course," Mario agreed, "but I must stay here in Monteriggioni. Ezio will go, and Rosa will too if she has no objections."

Rosa, of course, had no objections.