As the first gentle rays of sunrise filtered through the drawn curtains, a warm golden glow enveloped the room, highlighting the intertwined bodies of Ezio and Amelia. Lost in each other's arms, they basked in the peaceful stillness of the moment, cocooned in a bubble of pure love and tenderness.
Ezio stirred, feeling the soft curves of Amelia pressed against him. He smiled playfully as he slowly woke up, his eyes lingering on her sleeping form. "Care for another round?" he whispered huskily, his voice laced with desire and mischief. Their playful banter was just a prelude to the passion and intimacy that awaited them once again.
Amelia let out a soft moan, her eyes fluttering open in a haze of desire. "As much as I want you," she whispered, trailing her fingers lightly along his chest, "the pain in my side is too much." She shifted closer to him, seeking comfort and solace in his embrace.
But their moment was interrupted by the distant sound of cannons firing, jolting Amelia back to reality. Her heart raced with fear as she turned to Ezio for reassurance. He pulled her close, his arms protective and comforting.
"It's just training exercises," he said soothingly, but Amelia could see the worry in his eyes. Despite the danger outside, they found solace in each other's touch and the warmth of their love, clinging to each other as the echoes of gunfire filled the air.
Before she could even speak, a loud explosion shook the room and a cannonball came crashing through the window. In a split second, Ezio was on top of her, shielding her from the debris.
The room filled with dust and the acrid smell of gunpowder as shards of glass and splintered wood rained down around them. Ezio's body tensed, every muscle coiled and ready to spring into action. His eyes darted around, assessing the damage and potential threats.
"Are you alright?" he asked urgently, his hands moving over Amelia's body to check for injuries.
She nodded, her breath coming in short gasps. "I'm okay," she managed, though her voice trembled.
Ezio rolled off her and sprang to his feet in one fluid motion, his naked body silhouetted against the gaping hole in the wall. Outside, chaos reigned. Ships in the harbor were ablaze, their masts toppling as cannonballs tore through wood and sail. The air was thick with smoke and the screams of panicked civilians. Ezio's jaw clenched as he took in the scene, his mind already racing with strategies and escape routes.
"We need to move," he said, his voice low and urgent. He turned to Amelia, who was still huddled on the bed, her eyes wide with fear. "Can you walk?"
Amelia nodded, forcing herself to focus. She pushed aside the pain in her side and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Ezio was already moving, grabbing clothes and tossing them to her.
"Get dressed quickly," he instructed, pulling on his own breeches and shirt with practiced efficiency. I have to go find Mario and gather our soldiers,"
Amelia's hands shook as she fumbled with her dress, but she managed to get it on. Ezio helped her lace it up, his fingers moving deftly despite the urgency of the situation. As he finished, he cupped her face in his hands, his eyes boring into hers with intensity.
"Listen to me, Amelia. I need you to get to the underground tunnels beneath the villa. Do you remember how to access them?"
She nodded, her throat tight with fear. "Through the study, behind the bookcase."
"Good," Ezio said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "Go there and wait for me. I'll come for you as soon as I can."
Another explosion rocked the building, sending a fresh wave of dust cascading from the ceiling. Ezio's expression hardened as he moved to the door, pausing to grab his hidden blade and strap it to his wrist.
"Ezio," Amelia called, her voice quivering. "Be careful."
He turned back to her, his eyes softening for a moment. "Always," he said with a small smile. Then he was gone, disappearing into the smoke-filled hallway.
Amelia took a deep breath, steeling herself. She grabbed a small dagger from the bedside table and tucked it into her bodice. With one last glance at the destruction outside, she slipped out of the room and into the chaos of the villa.
The once-grand hallways were now filled with panicked servants and guards rushing about. Amelia pressed herself against the wall, trying to avoid being trampled. She made her way towards Mario's study, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with a group of soldiers. Their uniforms were unfamiliar – not the Auditore guards, but invaders. Amelia froze, her breath catching in her throat as she locked eyes with one of the soldiers. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, with a shout, the soldier raised his sword and lunged towards her.
Instinct took over. Amelia ducked under his wild swing and darted past the group, her feet pounding against the stone floor as she ran. She could hear their heavy footsteps and angry shouts behind her, spurring her on despite the burning pain in her side.
With her heart racing and sweat beading on her brow, she sprinted around yet another corner, barely managing to keep her balance on the slick, polished marble floor. Her eyes darted towards the study, but she knew she had to reach the Armory where Giovanni had stashed her weapons.
Ignoring the searing pain in her side, she lunged for her father's sword and felt a rush of relief as it landed in her hand. She turned to face the attackers, steeling herself for the fight. Only three of them. She clenched her jaw and hardened her gaze, determined to take them down. This was not going to be an easy battle, but she was ready to give it everything she had.
"Cesare wants her alive." The guard sneered at her.
Amelia's grip tightened on the hilt of her father's sword, her knuckles turning white. The name Cesare sent a chill down her spine, but she pushed the fear aside, focusing on the immediate threat before her.
"Alive doesn't mean unharmed," one of the soldiers growled, advancing slowly.
Amelia backed up, her eyes darting between the three men. She knew she was outmatched, but she refused to go down without a fight. As the first soldier lunged forward, she parried his attack, the clash of steel echoing through the room. She spun, using the momentum to strike at the second soldier, catching him off guard and slicing his arm.
The third soldier circled behind her, trying to flank her. Amelia's instincts, honed by years of training with Ezio and Mario, kicked in.
She feinted to the left, then pivoted sharply, bringing her sword up in a sweeping arc that caught the third soldier across the chest. He stumbled back with a cry of pain, blood blossoming on his tunic.
Amelia's victory was short-lived. The first soldier, taking advantage of her momentary distraction, tackled her from behind. They crashed to the ground, the impact knocking the wind from her lungs. Her sword clattered across the floor, just out of reach.
Gasping for air, Amelia struggled against her attacker's weight. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he pinned her down. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced it back, remembering Ezio's lessons.
With a burst of strength, she bucked her hips, throwing the soldier off balance. In the split second his grip loosened, she twisted, grabbing a dagger off the wall and slamming it through his helmet and into his skull.
The soldier's body went limp, collapsing on top of Amelia. She shoved him off, scrambling to her feet and retrieving her fallen sword. The remaining two soldiers approached more cautiously now, circling her like wolves.
"You'll pay for that, bitch," one of them snarled, his eyes darting to his fallen comrade.
Amelia's chest heaved as she caught her breath, her muscles trembling with exertion and adrenaline. She knew she couldn't keep this up for long - the pain in her side was intensifying, and she could feel warm blood seeping through her dress where her wound had reopened. The fragile skin that had just barely healed open now stung as it rubbed against her night shift and robe.
Just as the soldiers prepared to charge, shouts from the doorway distracted them.
Amelia's heart leapt with relief as Mario's mercenaries burst into the room, their swords glinting in the flickering torchlight. The two remaining soldiers turned to face this new threat, momentarily forgetting about her.
Seizing the opportunity, Amelia lunged forward, driving her sword through the back of the nearest soldier. He let out a strangled cry as he fell, his body crumpling to the floor. The last invader, now outnumbered and outflanked, threw down his weapon in surrender.
"Signora Amelia!" one of Mario's men called out, rushing to her side. "Are you hurt?"
Amelia shook her head, though she could feel the warm trickle of blood from her reopened wound. "I'm fine," she managed, her voice hoarse. "Where's Ezio? What's happening out there?"
The mercenary's face darkened. "The city is under attack, Signora. Cesare Borgia's forces have breached the walls. Signore Ezio is fighting on the ramparts with the other defenders."
Amelia's heart clenched with fear for Ezio, but she pushed it aside. There was no time for weakness now. "We need to secure the villa," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "There may be more intruders inside."
The mercenary nodded, barking orders to his men. Two stayed behind to guard the captured soldier, while the rest fanned out to search the building. Amelia moved to follow them, but a wave of dizziness washed over her. She stumbled, catching herself against the wall.
"Signora, you're bleeding!" one of the guards exclaimed, noticing the growing stain on her dress.
"I don't have time to worry about that right now. We need to find Lady Maria, Claudia and Petruccio." She bit out, pressing her hand to her side.
Amelia gritted her teeth against the pain and pushed herself off the wall. "We need to find Lady Maria, Claudia, and Petruccio," she repeated, her voice stronger this time. "They could be in danger."
The mercenary looked uncertain, eyeing her wound with concern. "Signora, perhaps you should rest—"
"No," Amelia cut him off firmly. "I'm fine. We don't have time to argue."
Reluctantly, the mercenary nodded. "Very well."
"I thought I saw Miss Claudia in front of the villa with her mother and brother." One of the soldiers piped up.
Amelia's heart raced at the news. "In front of the villa? But that's where the fighting is heaviest!" She turned to the mercenary who had spoken. "Take me to them, now!"
The group moved swiftly through the villa, dodging falling debris and extinguishing small fires as they went. The sounds of battle grew louder as they approached the main entrance. Amelia's grip on her sword tightened, her knuckles white with tension.
As they burst through the front doors, the full extent of the chaos became clear. The once-peaceful town of Monteriggioni was now a war zone. Smoke billowed from burning buildings, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder. Screams and the clash of steel on steel filled the air.
Amelia's sharp, focused eyes scanned the chaotic scene before her. In the midst of the commotion, she saw Ezio's family standing strong and fiercely defending themselves against a group of soldiers that had broken through their defenses. The clang of swords and shouts of battle could be heard amidst the chaos, as brave warriors fought to protect their loved ones and their home. Amelia felt her heart race with adrenaline as she prepared to join the fray and defend her own allies. Sweat dripped down her forehead and her muscles tensed, ready for the imminent clash of steel and willpower.
"Claudia! Petruccio!" Her screams ring out from the front door, urgent and full of panic. She whirls around to face the soldier, determination etched into her features. "Get them out of there! Now!". The soldier nods, understanding the gravity of the situation, and rushes towards the danger zone as Claudia watches with bated breath, fear clutching at her heart.
With a guttural cry, the soldiers sprinted towards her lover's family, ready to save them at any cost. She gasped for air, clutching onto the door frame for support as blood poured from her wound once again. "Damn it..." She cursed through gritted teeth, determined to push past the pain and keep fighting until the end.
Amelia's heart raced as she watched Mario's mercenaries charge headfirst into the bloody battlefield, their swords glinting in the sunlight as they clashed with the fierce army of Borgia. Claudia moved like a whirlwind, her rapier slicing through flesh and bone with deadly accuracy. But it was Petruccio who truly amazed her, his once frail body now transformed into a formidable fighter as he defended his mother from all sides with expertly wielded short sword. Amelia's eyes filled with pride and sorrow at how far her son had come, from a sickly child to a valiant soldier in the fight for their family's survival.
With a gut-wrenching roar, Ezio materialized out of thin air, his body battered and bruised from the relentless pursuit. He charged forward with unbridled determination, his focus solely on reaching his family before it was too late.
Ezio's arrival on the battlefield was like a bolt of lightning, electrifying the Auditore forces and striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. His hidden blade flashed in the sunlight as he cut a path through the Borgia soldiers, his movements a blur of deadly precision.
Amelia's heart soared at the sight of him, but her relief was short-lived. A fresh wave of Borgia troops poured through the breached walls, their numbers seemingly endless. She knew they couldn't hold out much longer.
"Ezio!" she called out, her voice barely audible over the din of battle. "We need to retreat!"
He met her eyes across the chaos, understanding passing between them in an instant. With a nod, Ezio began shouting orders, organizing a fighting retreat towards the secret tunnels beneath the villa.
Amelia pushed herself off the doorframe, ignoring the searing pain in her side as she stumbled towards the fray. Her vision blurred, but she forced herself to focus, knowing that every second counted.
"Maria! Claudia! Petruccio!" she shouted, waving frantically to get their attention. "This way! To the tunnels!"
The Auditore family began to fall back, fighting every step of the way. Ezio covered their retreat, his blade a whirlwind of steel as he held off the advancing Borgia forces. Amelia's heart clenched as she watched him, torn between her need to help and her duty to guide the others to safety.
As they neared the villa entrance, a crossbow bolt whistled past Amelia's ear, embedding itself in the wooden doorframe with a dull thud. She whirled around to see a Borgia soldier taking aim for a second shot. Without hesitation, Amelia snatched a throwing knife from the belt she had snatched from the armory and hurled it with deadly accuracy. The blade found its mark in the soldier's throat, and he crumpled to the ground.
"Hurry!" Amelia urged, ushering Maria, Claudia, and Petruccio into the relative safety of the villa. As they rushed inside, she turned back to the battlefield, her eyes searching frantically for Ezio.
He was still out there, a whirlwind of steel and fury, buying precious time for the others to escape. Amelia's heart pounded as she watched him dance between blades, always one step ahead of his enemies. But even Ezio couldn't hold out forever against such overwhelming odds.
"Ezio!" she screamed, her voice hoarse with desperation. Ezio's head snapped up at Amelia's cry, his eyes locking with hers across the chaotic battlefield. In that moment of distraction, a Borgia soldier seized the opportunity, his blade slicing across Ezio's arm. Ezio hissed in pain but didn't falter, dispatching his attacker with a swift thrust of his hidden blade.
"Go!" he shouted to Amelia, his voice strained. "I'll hold them off!"
But Amelia refused to leave him behind. Ignoring the screaming pain in her side, she darted forward, snatching up a fallen soldier's sword. She reached Ezio's side just as another wave of Borgia troops descended upon them.
Back to back, they fought with the synchronicity of two halves of a whole. Ezio's hidden blade flashed in deadly arcs while Amelia's sword sliced through the air, their movements perfectly coordinated as they fended off the relentless Borgia assault. The clash of steel on steel rang out as they parried and struck, their bodies moving in a deadly dance.
"I told you to go!" Ezio grunted, ducking under a wild swing and countering with a swift thrust to his attacker's gut.
"And leave you here?" Amelia retorted, her blade finding the gap in a soldier's armor. "Not a chance!"
Despite the gravity of their situation, Ezio couldn't help but smile. This was the woman he had fallen in love with – fierce, stubborn, and utterly fearless. Together, they pushed back against the tide of enemies, buying precious seconds for the others to escape.
But even as they fought, Amelia could feel her strength waning. The wound in her side throbbed with every movement, and her vision was starting to blur at the edges. She knew they couldn't keep this up much longer.
"Ezio," she gasped between parries, "we need to fall back. Now."
Ezio nodded grimly, his own movements slowing as fatigue set in. "On my signal," he said, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "We'll make a break for the villa entrance."
Amelia tensed, ready to move. Ezio waited for a momentary lull in the onslaught, then shouted, "Now!"
They turned and ran, Ezio covering their retreat with well-aimed throwing knives. Amelia's legs felt like lead, each step sending a jolt of pain through her body. Amelia's lungs burned as she pushed herself to keep pace with Ezio. The villa entrance loomed ahead, tantalizingly close yet seemingly impossibly far. Behind them, the shouts of Borgia soldiers grew louder as they gave chase.
Just as they reached the threshold, Amelia's foot caught on a loose stone. She stumbled, crying out as pain lanced through her side. Ezio's arm was around her waist in an instant, half-carrying her the last few steps into the relative safety of the villa.
"Barricade the door!" Ezio shouted to the mercenaries inside as he lowered Amelia to the ground. The men rushed to comply, pushing heavy furniture against the entrance.
Ezio knelt beside Amelia, his face etched with concern as he took in her pale, sweat-drenched face. "Let me see," he said gently, reaching for the blood-soaked fabric of her dress.
Amelia hissed in pain as Ezio peeled back the material, revealing the angry red gash in her side. The wound had reopened, blood seeping steadily from the torn flesh.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Amelia lied through gritted teeth, trying to push herself up. Ezio placed a firm hand on her shoulder, keeping her still.
"Don't move," he said, his voice tight with worry. "We need to stop the bleeding."
As if on cue, Claudia appeared at their side, a bundle of clean linen in her arms. "I've brought bandages,"
Amelia shook her head weakly. "There's no time. We have to get to the tunnels before they break through."
As if to emphasize her point, a thunderous crash echoed through the villa as the Borgia soldiers began battering down the barricaded door. Ezio's jaw clenched, torn between the need to escape and his desire to protect Amelia.
"I can make it," Amelia insisted, struggling to her feet with Ezio's help. She leaned heavily against him, her face pale and drawn with pain, but her eyes burned with determination.
Ezio hesitated for a moment, then nodded grimly. "Alright, but I'm carrying you."
Before Amelia could protest, Ezio scooped her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She bit back a cry of pain as the movement jostled her wound, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
"Claudia, lead the way," Ezio commanded, his voice tight with urgency. "We need to move quickly."
Claudia nodded, her face set with determination as she turned and hurried towards Mario's study. The small group moved swiftly through the villa's corridors, the sounds of battle growing more distant with each step.
As they entered the study, another explosion rocked the building, sending dust and debris raining down from the ceiling. Petruccio stumbled, but Maria caught him, pulling him close as they rushed towards the hidden entrance to the tunnels. Claudia reached the bookcase first, her fingers flying over the spines until she found the right one. With a soft click, the bookcase swung open, revealing a dark passageway beyond.
"Quickly, inside!" Ezio urged, his arms tightening around Amelia as he ducked through the opening. The others followed close behind, Claudia pulling the bookcase shut behind them just as the sounds of Borgia soldiers echoed down the hallway.
The tunnel was pitch black and oppressively narrow, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. Ezio's boots echoed on the stone floor as he led the way, relying on memory to navigate the twisting passages. Amelia clung to him, her breath coming in short, pained gasps.
"Hold on, amore." He whispered, holding her close.
Amelia's vision was blinded by a burst of searing sunlight as they emerged from the suffocating tunnels. Her exhausted body felt like it was made of lead, each step a painful reminder of the brutal fight they had just narrowly escaped. Desperately scanning the chaotic scene for her brother and father, she stumbled forward and nearly collapsed.
"Where are Mario and Father?" Claudia's voice trembled with fear and panic, trying to remain composed in the face of impending danger.
"They're gone," Ezio stated bluntly, his voice landing like a crushing blow. "We have to leave now. Take our mother to Firenze."
"But what about you?" Amelia's voice rose in terror. "Are you coming with us?"
Claudia stepped closer, her wide eyes pleading. "Ezio, please! You can't stay behind!"
Ezio's jaw clenched as he looked at his family, torn between his duty as an Assassin and his love for them. "No," he replied firmly. "I must ride to Roma and dismantle the corrupt Borgia dynasty. It is our obligation as Assassins." Even as he spoke with determination, his heart weighed heavy with the thought of leaving his beloved family behind in such dangerous times.
Amelia's heart plunged into her stomach, her eyes widening in shock and horror. "But it's suicidal! How can you even consider facing the Borgia alone?" The thought of him risking his life without their family by his side was unfathomable. Intense anger surged through her veins, mingling with the overwhelming fear that threatened to paralyze her. "You promised!" she screamed, her voice cracking with raw emotion. "You promised you wouldn't abandon me!" Her whole body shook with a chaotic mix of love, rage, and desperation as tears streamed down her face.
Ezio's eyes softened as he looked at Amelia, her anguish tearing at his heart. He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing away her tears. "Amore mio, I'm not abandoning you. I'm protecting you - all of you. The Borgia will stop at nothing to destroy us. I have to end this, once and for all."
Amelia gripped his wrist, her fingers digging into his skin. "Then let me come with you," she pleaded. "We've always been stronger together."
For a moment, Ezio wavered. The thought of having Amelia by his side, her fierce determination and unwavering loyalty, was tempting. But then his eyes fell to the bloodstain on her dress, a stark reminder of how close he'd come to losing her.
"No," he said firmly, though his voice was thick with emotion. "You're injured, Amelia. You need time to heal. And our family needs you to help keep them safe."
Amelia opened her mouth to argue, but Ezio silenced her with a gentle kiss. When he pulled away, his eyes were filled with a mixture of love and resolve. "I swear to you, I will return. This is not goodbye, my love. It's only farewell for now."
Claudia stepped forward, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Ezio, please reconsider. We've already lost so much. We can't lose you too."
Ezio turned to his sister, pulling her into a tight embrace. "You won't lose me, sorella. I promise. But I need you to be strong now. Take care of Mother and Petruccio. And keep an eye on this stubborn one," Ezio turned to his sister, pulling her into a tight embrace. "You won't lose me, sorella. I promise. But I need you to be strong now. Take care of Mother and Petruccio. And keep an eye on this stubborn one," he added with a nod towards Amelia.
Claudia nodded, wiping her eyes. "I will. Be careful, brother."
Ezio then knelt beside Petruccio, who was trying hard to look brave despite the fear in his eyes. "You're the man of the family now, piccolo," Ezio said softly, ruffling the boy's hair. "Take care of them for me."
Petruccio straightened his shoulders, nodding solemnly. "I will, Ezio. I promise."
Finally, Ezio turned to his mother. Maria's face was a mask of quiet sorrow, her eyes filled with a mother's worry. She cupped Ezio's face in her hands, studying him as if memorizing every detail.
"My son," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "You have grown into a man your father would be proud of. Go with our love and blessings."
Ezio embraced his mother tightly, burying his face in her shoulder for a moment. When he pulled away, his eyes were suspiciously bright, but his resolve was firm.
"I'll send word when I can," he promised, looking at each of them in turn. "Stay hidden, stay safe. Trust no one outside our circle."
With a final, lingering look at Amelia, Ezio turned and strode towards the stables. Amelia watched him go, her heart breaking with each step he took away from her. She wanted to run after him, to beg him one last time to stay, but she knew it would be futile. Ezio's mind was made up, and nothing she could say would change it.
As Ezio mounted his horse and rode off into the distance, Amelia felt a piece of her soul go with him. The pain in her side was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. She stood there, watching long after he had disappeared from view, willing him to come back.
"Amelia," Claudia's gentle voice broke through her reverie. "We need to go. It's not safe here."
Amelia's entire body felt numb as she allowed Claudia to guide her towards the waiting carriage, her mind reeling from the destruction that surrounded them. The once beautiful Monteriggioni now lay in ruins, engulfed in flames and smoke. She cast one last look at the crumbling walls and burning buildings, unsure if she would ever be able to return.
But there was no time for mourning. Maria's urgent voice snapped Amelia out of her daze and she climbed into the carriage, trembling with adrenaline and fear. As they began to move away, a group of Borgia soldiers appeared through the haze of smoke and chaos, their armor glistening with malice in the fading light. Amelia's heart pounded in her chest as she instinctively tightened her grip on Claudia's arm.
"Stand down!" the lead soldier barked, striding forward with an air of authority. "You will come with us, Lady Tessaro."
A wave of panic surged through Amelia, her heart racing as she looked to Maria and Claudia for guidance. "What do you want with me?" she demanded, trying to mask the quiver in her voice as fear threatened to consume her completely.
"Cesare has ordered for your capture," the soldier stated, his eyes glinting with a mixture of malice and arrogance. "If you come with us willingly, we will spare the lives of those around you."
Amidst the fury and despair that consumed her, Amelia couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for even considering going with Cesare's men. Her pride and defiance flared up at his arrogant demand, but as the soldiers closed in on her and the innocent civilians around her, she felt a surge of responsibility wash over her.
She couldn't risk anything happening to Ezio's family, but she also couldn't let herself be taken against her will. Conflicted emotions battled within her as she struggled to find a solution that would protect both herself and those she cared about. But in this chaotic moment, it seemed impossible to please everyone.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "Wait! Take me, but leave them be!" she pleaded, desperation lacing each word. "I swear on my honor that I will go quietly if you spare them."
The soldiers hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. The lead soldier's face remained stoic, but Amelia could see a flicker of interest in his eyes.
"Very well," he finally said, weighing her offer. "You will come with us. But know that we will not tolerate any tricks."
As they prepared to take her away, Amelia cast one last look at Ezio's family, her heart heavy with the thought of leaving them behind. "Tell Ezio that I love him," she called out, her voice trembling with emotion.
The soldier's grip was like a vice, crushing her wrist and eliciting a scream of agony. With a sick smile, he swiftly bound her hands with coarse rope, tightly knotting it until it cut into her skin and left her fingers numb and trembling.
Amelia stumbled as the soldier roughly shoved her forward, pain shooting through her injured side. She gritted her teeth, determined not to show weakness in front of her captors. As they marched her away from the carriage, she could hear Maria and Claudia's anguished cries fading into the distance.
"Where are you taking me?" Amelia demanded, her voice hoarse but defiant.
The lead soldier sneered. "That's none of your concern, woman. You'll find out soon enough."