REPUBBLICA FIORENTINA

1478

Amelia and Ezio made their way through the narrow streets of Florence, the city waking to the soft glow of dawn. Merchants were just beginning to set up their stalls, the murmur of early morning conversations blending with the distant bells of a nearby church. As they reached the Medici residence, the air was cool and crisp, a gentle breeze rolling in from the Arno river. Lorenzo de' Medici stood near the riverbank, gazing out over the water, his silhouette framed by the rising sun.

"Lorenzo," Ezio called out, stepping forward with Amelia at his side. Lorenzo turned, offering a warm but weary smile as he saw them approach.

"Ezio, Amelia," Lorenzo greeted, his voice carrying a touch of relief. "I am glad to see you both. It seems fate has spared us another day."

Amelia inclined her head, her gaze flicking over Lorenzo's figure, noting how the wounds he had suffered seemed to have healed. There was a strength in his stance, though a shadow lingered in his eyes. "You look well, Lorenzo. I'm glad to see you back on your feet."

Lorenzo chuckled softly, his eyes returning to the flowing waters of the Arno. "When I was six years old, I fell into this river," he began, his tone wistful. "I soon found myself drifting down and into darkness, certain my life was at an end. Instead, I woke to the sound of my mother weeping. At her side stood a stranger, soaking and smiling at me. She explained that he had saved me. And so began a long and prosperous relationship between two families: yours and mine."

He turned back to them, his expression solemn. "I am sorry I could not save your father and brothers, Ezio. And Amelia, I am sorry for the loss of your father as well."

Ezio shook his head, his jaw set with determination. "You have nothing to apologize for. I believe Jacopo de' Pazzi played a part in their deaths. The attack on you as well. I need to find him."

Lorenzo's face hardened, a flash of anger crossing his features. "That coward fled before we could arrest him. Slipped through our fingers like a snake."

"Have you any leads?" Ezio pressed, his voice edged with urgency.

"No. They've hidden themselves well," Lorenzo admitted, frustration lacing his tone.

"They?" Amelia interjected, her brow furrowing. "You mean there are others still out there?"

Lorenzo nodded grimly. "Jacopo was not the only conspirator to escape."

Ezio's expression darkened as he exchanged a glance with Amelia. "If they work with Jacopo, they were surely involved in the plot against my family as well. Give me their names."

"Antonio Maffei, Archbishop Francesco Salviati, Stefano da Bagnone, and Bernardo Baroncelli," Lorenzo listed, his voice lowering as if speaking their names brought a bitter taste to his mouth.

Ezio's fists clenched at his sides, his resolve hardening. "Bene. I will go and see my uncle. He has men stationed in the countryside. They'll help me track them down."

Lorenzo reached out, halting Ezio before he could turn away. "Wait... Before you go," he said, producing a folded piece of paper from the inner pocket of his cloak. The edges were worn, and as he handed it over, Amelia caught sight of the familiar ancient symbols etched onto its surface.

Ezio's eyes widened slightly as he accepted the parchment, recognizing the symbols at once. "A Codex page!" he breathed, his fingers brushing over the intricate writing.

Lorenzo offered a faint smile, tinged with a touch of pride. "I took it from the files of Francesco de Pazzi, seeing as he clearly no longer needs it. I've always had an interest in things of antiquity. As did your father, Ezio."

Ezio looked up at Lorenzo, gratitude mingling with the intensity of his mission. "It is meaningful to me as well. Thank you."

Lorenzo's expression softened, and he placed a hand on Ezio's shoulder, then on Amelia's, his voice earnest. "I wish you both success in your mission. Che il Signore ci protegga.(God save us all.)You carry the hopes of many upon your shoulders. Know that Florence stands with you, as do I."

Amelia gave a small, determined nod, her hand brushing over the hilt of her hidden blade. "We won't rest until this is finished, Lorenzo. That is a promise."

With Lorenzo's words lingering in their minds, they turned and made their way through the city, the codex page safely tucked away. The sun had risen fully now, casting long shadows over the stone streets, and the bustling life of Florence surrounded them as they headed toward Leonardo's workshop.

Leonardo greeted them with his usual enthusiasm, his hands already stained with ink and paint. "Ezio, Amelia! How wonderful to see you again! And... oh! You've brought me something new, haven't you?" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as Ezio handed over the codex page.

"This one came from Francesco de' Pazzi's belongings," Ezio explained. "Can you translate it for us?"

Leonardo adjusted his glasses, already poring over the ancient symbols. "Of course, of course! This is always so fascinating, deciphering these mysteries." He glanced up briefly, offering Amelia a warm smile. "And how are you, my dear? Keeping my friend here out of trouble, I hope?"

Amelia chuckled, leaning against the workbench as she watched Leonardo work. "It's a full-time job, but someone has to do it."

Ezio shot her a playful glare. "Very funny."

Leonardo continued his work, but his smile never faded. "Well, whatever trouble you two find, I know it will be in pursuit of something greater. Now, let me get to translating this. You'll be amazed at what these pages reveal."

As soon as Leonardo was done with the Codex page they headed back home to Monteriggioni. It took them the better part of two days to get there on horse back.

Amelia and Ezio rode back through the gates of Villa Monteriggioni, the familiar stone walls rising against the backdrop of rolling Tuscan hills. The air was cooler here, carrying the scent of pine and cypress, and the rhythm of the horses' hooves on the cobblestones was a soothing sound after the chaos of the city. As they approached the main courtyard, Mario stood waiting for them with a broad smile, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Welcome back, you two! I trust Firenze treated you well?" Mario called out, a twinkle in his eye as they dismounted.

Amelia returned his smile. "It's good to be back, Mario. Though I think Ezio would say it's been a mixed experience."

Ezio shot her a look, smirking as he rubbed the back of his neck. "You could say that. But we have something for Leonardo to work on, so I suppose it wasn't all bad."

Mario clapped Ezio on the back and gestured for them to follow him. "Come, I want to see what you've learned. We'll head to the training grounds. But first, rest up and see your family. There will be time for training later."

Ezio nodded, his expression softening at the mention of his family. Amelia, too, was glad for the chance to catch her breath, especially with the ache in her arm still healing. They headed into the villa, where the familiar faces of the Auditore family awaited.

Amelia knocked gently on the door to Claudia's room, the young woman's muffled voice calling for her to enter. As Amelia stepped inside, she noticed Claudia sitting by the window, staring out at the distant hills with a forlorn expression.

"I thought you might like a little surprise," Amelia said softly, holding up a parcel wrapped in brown paper. Claudia turned, her brows furrowed in curiosity.

"What is it?" Claudia asked, though her tone lacked enthusiasm.

Amelia set the parcel on the bed and began unwrapping it, revealing a beautiful green dress, embroidered with delicate floral patterns. "A new dress, from Firenze. I thought it might cheer you up."

Claudia's eyes widened slightly as she reached out to touch the fabric, her fingers tracing the intricate stitching. For a moment, a genuine smile flickered across her face. "Thank you, Amelia... It's lovely," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Amelia smiled warmly. "I know it's not easy being here. But I thought maybe if you had something new to wear, it might help you feel a little more at home."

Claudia nodded, her expression softening. "It's not the same, being away from everything I've ever known. But... I appreciate this. I'll try it on later."

Amelia gave her a gentle squeeze on the shoulder before leaving her to enjoy the gift, her heart warming at the small moment of connection.

Later in the afternoon, Amelia found herself walking through the villa's gardens, the sun casting dappled shadows through the leaves of olive trees. She spotted Petruccio sitting on a stone bench, his shoulders slumped as he clutched a small wooden feather in his hands. He looked up as she approached, a wistful smile on his face.

"Amelia, would you... would you come with me to find more feathers?" Petruccio asked, his voice tinged with hope.

Amelia's chest tightened with sympathy, and she crouched down beside him, her gaze softening. "Of course, Petruccio. I'd be happy to go with you."

They spent the afternoon wandering the villa's grounds, searching for feathers that had fallen among the trees. Petruccio's enthusiasm was infectious, and Amelia found herself smiling as he proudly added each new feather to his collection. As they walked, Petruccio chatted about the stories he'd heard from Mario and Giovanni, his eyes lighting up with each tale of adventure.

Amelia listened with genuine interest, savoring the simplicity of the moment. It was a welcome respite from the violence and chaos they faced outside the villa's walls. For a little while, she could forget the weight of their mission and simply enjoy the laughter of a child. It gave her perspective that saving even one life made the difference.

That evening, the entire Auditore family gathered for dinner in the villa's dining room, the warm glow of candlelight filling the space. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, and the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread made the atmosphere feel almost like a celebration. Giovanni sat at the head of the table, smiling fondly as he watched his family enjoy the meal.

Amelia joined them, taking a seat beside Ezio. For a time, she allowed herself to relax, listening as Claudia teased her brother about his training, and as Maria shared stories from their life in Firenze. But as the laughter continued, a pang of loneliness crept into Amelia's heart. She looked around the table, seeing the closeness of the family, and her thoughts turned to her own parents—her father, lost to the Templars, and her mother, whose absence left a wound that had never fully healed.

She excused herself quietly, slipping out onto the villa's balcony, where the cool night air offered a moment of solitude. She leaned against the stone railing, staring out at the darkening hills, her emotions swirling within her.

Giovanni found her there a few minutes later, his footsteps soft as he approached. "Why do you not dine with us?" he asked gently, his voice cutting through the quiet.

Amelia kept her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I wished to give Ezio time with his family without me lingering," she replied, her tone soft but edged with sadness.

Giovanni shook his head, coming to stand beside her. "Amelia, you are just as much a part of this family as one of my own children. In fact, I always hoped that you and Ezio would marry."

Amelia turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Marry?!"

He chuckled at her reaction, a warm, fatherly smile spreading across his face. "You cannot deny it. I see the way you look at my son. You have adored him since you were a little girl."

She let out a soft, disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. "Nothing escapes your notice, Giovanni."

He grew more serious then, his gaze thoughtful as he studied her. "You and Ezio are much younger than your father or I ever intended for you to join the Brotherhood. But when your mother died, Matteo decided it was best to start training you. Ezio, on the other hand, was just starting to live a little, and I didn't want to take that from him."

Amelia nodded slowly, understanding the choices that had been made. "That is understandable. He deserved that time."

Giovanni placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression gentle. "Have you told him how you feel?"

A shadow crossed her face, and she looked down at the ground. "There hasn't been the time, nor have I had the courage to pour my heart out to him when we have been fighting these Templars," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Giovanni sighed, squeezing her shoulder. "Life is too short to not share those kinds of feelings, Amelia. You know that as well as I do."

Amelia managed a small, sad smile. "I don't think throwing marriage into the mix is a good idea. He needs to stay focused. My confession would only distract him from what needs to be done."

Giovanni chuckled, his voice warm with affection. "Well, if not now, then soon. Or I might have to arrange an engagement myself."

Amelia laughed softly, the sound easing some of the heaviness in her chest. "Giovanni, you wouldn't dare," she teased, a hint of mischief returning to her eyes.

Later that night, Amelia sat on the edge of her bed, stitching up the slice in her Assassin's robes from her previous fight. She had managed to stitch it previously but she had been distracted and as soon as Anetta scrubbed it vigorously to get the blood out the stitching had come undone. The rhythmic motion of the needle and thread helped to calm her thoughts, and she was so focused on her work that she didn't hear the soft knock at the door.

When she glanced up, she found Ezio leaning against the doorframe, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "May I come in?" he asked, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

She nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat beside her. As he settled down, she caught the faint furrow in his brow, as if he had something on his mind. "You're quiet tonight, Ezio," she remarked, continuing her stitching. "That's not like you."

Ezio offered a small smile, his gaze drifting to her hands as she worked. "I overheard you and my father talking earlier," he admitted, his voice low.

Amelia's hands stilled for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. "Did you now?" she replied, trying to keep her tone light.How much did he hear?

He nodded, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "I don't know what to say, Amelia. But I want you to know... I see you. I see how much you've given up to help me and my family. And I... I don't want you to feel like an outsider here."

She met his gaze, her breath catching at the sincerity in his eyes. For a moment, she thought she saw something deeper there, something that mirrored the feelings she had tried so hard to keep hidden. But he didn't push the conversation further, and neither did she.

Instead, she offered him a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Ezio. That means more to me than you know."

He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. "I just... wanted you to know that you're not alone," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Amelia leaned into his touch, savoring the warmth of his hand against her cheek. It was a simple gesture, but it was enough to send a flutter through her chest, a spark of hope that perhaps, one day, there could be more between them than just shared battles and fleeting moments of closeness.

They sat together in the quiet of the room, the air between them filled with unspoken words and possibilities. And for that brief, precious moment, the weight of their mission seemed to fade away, leaving only the promise of what might come.