[A/N]: Thanks for reading! Feedback is always welcome!
As some of you may have noticed, I had to skip a week again. On top of my normal schedule last week, I also had jury duty and a family reunion, so my free time was somewhat limited. Back to normal now (hopefully)!
Chapter 105
"It all started a few weeks ago," Machiavelli began. "The man everyone once reviled was suddenly the one they worshipped."
"Ah, the Apple," Ezio understood. He took note as they were joined by two burly men with axes, presumably hired by either Niccolò or Mario in case they ran into less-than-friendly city guards.
Machiavelli smiled, shaking his head. "Only in part. It's not the city he's enthralled, but its leaders: men possessed of influence and power. They, in turn, oppress the citizens and ensure his will is done."
Ezio frowned at that statement. "It can't be as simple as you make it sound," he argued. "The people act as if they have no say in the matter."
Machiavelli shrugged off the argument. "Rare is the man willing to oppose the status quo, and so it falls to us to help them see the truth."
"What do you mean by that?" Ezio challenged him. "Are you suggesting the people are not capable of seeking answers and justice for themselves?"
"In this case, clearly not," Machiavelli retorted bluntly. "Those who can fight back instead cower in their homes while Firenze burns. We will be the ones to show the citizens a path forward."
"That should be for them to decide, not us. If we are choosing their path, are we any better than the Templars?"
"We do not choose the path," Machiavelli corrected him as they rounded a corner. "We merely provide it as an option. The Templars would seek to control them under the guise of order and stability, but our goal is to set them free."
Ahead of them, Ezio could make out a pile of corpses resting next to a building. As they approached it, one thing became immediately clear to Ezio.
"Speaking of Templars..." Machiavelli sighed.
"Those bodies bear the emblem of the Borgia," Ezio noted aloud.
"Yes," his fellow Assassin confirmed. "The Spaniard keeps sending his soldiers into Firenze, and Firenze keeps sending them back...usually in pieces."
"Then he knows the Apple is here as well...an unfortunate complication."
Machiavelli nodded silently, and they continued on.
"Niccolò," Ezio began a short while later. "It is all well and good to fight for the freedom of the people, but they must be empowered as well. Otherwise it is only a matter of time before they fall into the grip of another tyrant."
"It has always been that way, and always will be," Machiavelli replied. "Why do you think the Assassins have existed for so long? If the people could be empowered to fight for themselves, our jobs would be much easier, but we do not live in such a world."
"I disagree," Ezio informed him firmly. "Perhaps we just haven't tried hard enough."
Machiavelli just chuckled.
Before long, they arrived in front of the Palazzo Pitti, whose grounds were surrounded by guards and whose rooftops were saturated with archers.
"He's taken up residence here," Machiavelli explained. "How do you propose we proceed?"
"A direct assault would be dangerous," Ezio noted, crossing his arms to think.
"True, but what other option is there?"
Ezio considered for a few moments. "Aside from the city leaders, the people's minds are their own, correct?"
"Sì," Machiavelli answered, visibly confused by the question.
"And they follow Savonarola not by choice, but force and fear?"
"Sì."
"Then I propose we use this to our advantage. If we can silence his lieutenants and stir up discontent, he will be distracted, and I will have a chance to strike."
Machiavelli smiled. "Is this your attempt to prove me wrong about empowering the people?"
"No, but it may be our only other option. A man in a crowd of angry citizens is less conspicuous than a man approaching the Palazzo by himself. If I manage to prove you wrong in the process, so be it."
"Clever," Machiavelli chuckled. "I'll speak to La Volpe and Paola. They can help organize the uprising as you free the districts."