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Chapter 110

Mario and Machiavelli left Firenze ahead of Ezio and Rosa, taking the Apple with them to Monteriggioni. The latter pair had decided to stay with Paola and La Volpe in Ezio's native city until things calmed down and the Assassins could plan their next moves. When they had the time to spare, they also managed to track down the last of the Codex pages using the map Ezio had gotten from Caterina Sforza in Forlì (the same one her late husband had developed for the Templars). There was little they could do with the pages without the help of anyone to decode them, but they reasoned it was better that the documents stayed in Assassin hands rather than any others. At any rate, Mario would be happy to add them to his library.

Their hunt eventually led them back to Venezia, where they provided Antonio with some of the details about Savonarola's death and the state of the city, as well as answers to the many questions he had. He was, as they had been expecting, elated upon hearing Rosa's decision to become an Assassin. He insisted that if he and the other Assassins had the luxuries of wealth and indiscretion, he would have thrown a celebration that would rival even Carnevale.

As the Autumn of 1499 came to an end, they were summoned back to Monteriggioni to meet with the others and discuss next steps. They were greeted at the gates of the town by a familiar (but entirely unexpected) face.

"Ezio! And Rosa too, how wonderful! It's been too long!"

It had indeed been too long. Neither Ezio nor Rosa had seen Leonardo da Vinci since Ezio's departure from Venezia for Forlì. The artist had spent most of that time in Milano, although he had also made occasional trips to France at the request of the French king.

"Leonardo!" Ezio exclaimed, embracing him. "What are you doing here? Is your work in Milano done?"

"For now," he shrugged. "I am actually making my way to Roma. I've heard there are several talented artists in the city. It might prove to be an excellent source of inspiration!"

"None as talented as you, I'm sure," Rosa said.

Leonardo smiled and bowed. "You are too kind. In any case, your Uncle Mario has invited me to stay in Monteriggioni for a few days, and I'm very grateful for his hospitality. It has been a long journey from Milano, and I haven't had much to eat either. I hope I can find a way to repay you all."

"You've done so much already. The debt is ours, old friend," Ezio assured him. "However, if you are looking to help us while you are here, Rosa and I have recovered the last of the Codex pages. They still have yet to be decoded, if that still interests you."

"It would be my pleasure," the artist replied. "What a shame that there will be no more to decipher after these. I rather enjoy the challenge of it."

"The challenge has just now begun," came Mario's voice from behind them. They turned to find him walking toward them with Claudia and Maria by his side. "These pages often yield more questions than answers."
"Another damned mystery," Ezio chuckled.

"Come!" Mario invited them all inside. "The others are waiting. I've just had supper prepared and I, for one, and ready to eat. We'll discuss everything once we all have full stomachs."

"What are we discussing, exactly?" asked Leonardo.

Ezio patted him on the back as they followed Mario. "You really have been away for far too long," he laughed.