Renaissance. Part 16

"Go. Gun, Arrange freely from one of our Destamedicines, and hurry. This man will go with you and be your guide. We teach the safest place to leave the church. Once it isteas outside in ten minutes to the Palazzo Vecchio.

Ezio nodded and turned to leave.

"Florence will never forget what you are doing for her," said Lorenzo-. Go with G.o.d.

Outside rang the church bells, SumanDose to the cacophony of the clash of steel and the cries and gehuman MIDOS. The riots had taken over the city, the streets were burning wagons, soldiers concentrations ambos sides ran to and fro in confused or faced fights. There were dead everywhere in the streets and in the castreets, but the turmoil was such that neither dared to bring crowsthe feast was watching from the top of the roofs with their penetrantes black eyes.

The doors of the west side of the Palazzo Vecchio were open from the outside could hear the sounds of fierce peI had read in the courtyard. Ezio ordered his small force it to stop and approached the officer running toward the Medici palazzo palazzo command of another squadron. command of another squadron.

- You know what happens?

"The Pazzi have broken the back and opened the door from inside. But the men we have in the intethe previous palazzo palazzo are holding. Can not have escaped the yard. With any luck getting close! are holding. Can not have escaped the yard. With any luck getting close!

- There are reports of Francesco de 'Pazzi?

-He and his men have done to the rear entrance palazzo. palazzo. If we could control it, would get caught. If we could control it, would get caught.

Ezio turned to his men.

- Vamos! He shouted.

They crossed the square and entered the alley surethe north wall guide palazzo, palazzo, a wall long ago very different Ezio climbed to reach the window of his father's cell. Lining up the first street on the right, were taughtguida with troops, led by Francesco de Pazzi, guarded the entrance of the building. a wall long ago very different Ezio climbed to reach the window of his father's cell. Lining up the first street on the right, were taughtguida with troops, led by Francesco de Pazzi, guarded the entrance of the building.

It immediately put on guard as recommended Francesconized Ezio, shouted: - You again! Why do not you dead yet? MurNaste my son!

- He tried to kill me!

- Kill him! Kill him now!

Both sides were locked in a fierce fight, attackDose with an anger bordering on despair, as the Pazzi sabian perfectly well how important it was for them to protect their line of retreat. Ezio, his heart flooded with icy anger, broke through with strength to Francesco, who was positioned with his back to the door palazzo. palazzo. Ezio The sword had taken from the a.r.s.enal of the Medici was well balanced and steel sheet was Toledano, but not being familiar with the weapon, his punches were much less effective than usual. So far there mutilado rather than killed, men who had stood in his way. And Francesco was aware of it. Ezio The sword had taken from the a.r.s.enal of the Medici was well balanced and steel sheet was Toledano, but not being familiar with the weapon, his punches were much less effective than usual. So far there mutilado rather than killed, men who had stood in his way. And Francesco was aware of it.

- Do you think a master swordsman, boy? No you can not kill cleanly. Let me demonstrate.

It launched one over the other, sparking swords, but Francesco had less room for maneuver Ezio and despite that day his opponent was not certain, his twenty years too soon began to weigh.

- Guards! Finally exclaimed-. To me!

But his men had retreated before the onslaught of the Medici. Ezio Francesco and found themselves fighting alone. Francesco desperately searched around half to start rerow, but there was no other than the palazzo palazzo itself. He opened the door behind her and began to climb the stone staircase that ran inside the wall. Ezio realized that most of the defenders of the Medici were concentrated in the front of the building, where they fought the main battlepal, and also realized that they probably did not have enough men to cover also the rear. Ezio cocurred after Francesco toward the second floor. itself. He opened the door behind her and began to climb the stone staircase that ran inside the wall. Ezio realized that most of the defenders of the Medici were concentrated in the front of the building, where they fought the main battlepal, and also realized that they probably did not have enough men to cover also the rear. Ezio cocurred after Francesco toward the second floor.

The rooms were empty, for all occupants paLazzo, paLazzo, except half a dozen terrified employees began to cobarrier as they saw, they were down, fighting in the courtyard to contain the attack of the Pazzi. Francesco and Ezio continued their peread by the gilded rooms of high ceilings until it finally reached the balcony overlooking the Piazza della Signoria. From below stood the sounds of battle and desperate cry Francescomately for help. There was no one to hear and retinalcould no longer harbor beyond. except half a dozen terrified employees began to cobarrier as they saw, they were down, fighting in the courtyard to contain the attack of the Pazzi. Francesco and Ezio continued their peread by the gilded rooms of high ceilings until it finally reached the balcony overlooking the Piazza della Signoria. From below stood the sounds of battle and desperate cry Francescomately for help. There was no one to hear and retinalcould no longer harbor beyond.

- Fight!"Said Ezio-. Now only two of us.

-Maledetto!

Ezio thrust his sword and his left arm began to bleed.

"Well, Francesco, where is all the courage of that hiciste gala when you killed my father? When this morning ApunLaste Giuliano?

- Depart from me, sp.a.w.n of the devil!

Francis lashed out at him, but I was tired and missed the shot. He staggered, his balance of control, and was ably Ezio one hand while lifting the foot and causing him to fall hard on the edge of the sword Francesco, dragging the ground.

Before Francesco got recovered, Ezio stamped on his hand, forcing him to drop the handle of the sword. What agaRRO below her shoulders and onto his back. Francesco tried to sit up, but Ezio poked him a brutal kick to the face. Francesco rolled his eyes and was was half unconsciouste. Ezio cache knelt to his opponent, he pulled the gunhard and doublet, leaving it a pale, wiry body. But there were no doc.u.ments, nothing of importance. Just a few pocos guilders in a bag.

Ezio left the bar and flipped his hidden blade. He knelt down, put his arm under the neck of Francesco and incorporated until their faces were just inches apart.

Frances...o...b..inked and opened his eyes. His eyes expressed miedo and terror.

- Forgive me life! Croaked.

At that time, the court echoed a cry of victory. Ezio heard voices and caught enough to realize that the Pazzi had just been defeated.

- Forgive your life? Said-. Before the pardon is a ravenous wolf!

"This is for my father," said Ezio, stabbing him in the gizzard.

"And this, by Frederick stabbing again. And this by Petruccio, and the latter by Giuliano!

The blood flowed like a fountain of injuries Francesco and Ezio completely smeared with her, and stabbing the dying would have continued had not remembered then the wordsMario bras: "Do not become a man as he was." He sat on his heels. Francesco was still twinkle in his eye, but gradually grew fainter. He muttered something. Ezio bent down to listen.

... "A priest, a priest ... for pity's sake, go get a priest.

Now that the anger I felt inside had subsided, Ezio began to feel deeply shocked by the grossity with which he had killed. That did not agree with the rules of the Creed.

"No time," said-. I'll have to hold a Ma.s.s for your soul.

Francesco's throat began to vibrate. Then, in his trance of death, his limbs became rigid and shuddered, bowed his head and opened his mouth, fighting the last battle impossiblesible against the invincible enemy that we all haveagainst some day, and then collapsed, an empty bag, a light object, used and faded.

"Requiescat in paceEzio murmured.

Then he heard a new uproar in the square and the isSouthwest machine came running fifty or sixty menmen, led by a man who immediately recognized Ezio: Jacopo, Francesco's uncle! Waving the banner of the Pazzi.

"Freedom! Freedom! Popolo e Liberta!Shouted-. The militaryMedici forces out at that time of palazzo palazzo for inagainst their opponents, but Ezio noticed immediately that the men were exhausted and were far inferior in number. for inagainst their opponents, but Ezio noticed immediately that the men were exhausted and were far inferior in number.

He turned to the corpse.

"Okay," said Francesco-. I think I've found a way to pay your debt, even then.

He took the body by the shoulders, lifted him up (he was amazinglightweight mind) and went to balcony. Once there, after locating one end of which hung a flag, used the rope and knotted around his neck Francesco lifeless. Quickly grabbed another formertreme to a st.u.r.dy stone column and with all his strength, lifted him up and threw the rope over the parapet. The rope was sunTando, but it soon became tense after yanking. LeatherFrancesco po lifeless hung, the toes signlando languidly to the floor of the plaza.

Ezio hid behind the column.

- Jacopo!Cried a voice of thunder-. Jacopo de 'Pazzi! Look! Your leader is dead! Your case is finished!

Jacopo saw raised his head and hesitated. Behind him his men also doubted. The troops of the Medici had itguido the course of his eyes and cheering, began to roDearle. But the Pazzi had broken ranks ... and fled in terror.

It ended in a matter of days. The domain of the Pazzi of Florence was over. Your a.s.sets and property were confiscatedtwo, his coat of arms destroyed and trampled. Although Irenzo claimed piety, Florentine mob chased and which endedPazzi sympathizer any he could find. Leaders main, however, had fled. Only one of them, who was captured, won clemency: Raffaele Riario, nephew of the Pope, whom Lorenzo considered too gullible and naive to be seriously involved. Many of the duke's advisers, however, felt that Lorenzo had shown more humanity in its decision that political savvy.

Sixtus IV was angry and questioned to Florence, but otherwise was in a position of powerlessness and floRentin it took off smoothly.

As Ezio, was one of the first to be convened in the presence of the Duke. He met with Lorenzo on a balcony dominantnaba the Arno. The Duke was still with his bandages, but the wounds were on track and had left her cheeks pale. He looked tall and proud, was again the man who once earned the nickname put Florence Il Magnifico. Il Magnifico.

After greeting, Lorenzo said in the direction of river.

- You know, Ezio? When I was six years old, I fell into the Arno. I started to drown and disappear into the darkness, certain that my life was ending. But I woke to the sound of my mother crying. I saw a stranger at his side, soaked and smiling. My mother explained to me that this man had saved me. Auditore called. And so began a long and prosperous relations.h.i.+p between the two families. He turned and looked solemnly Ezio-. Am notber could save your family.

Ezio not find words to reply. He understood the cold world of politics, where the distinctions between good and evil often confusing, but, in turn, rejected him.

"I know that would not have lost to have been in your hand," he said.

-Tu family home, at least, is safe and under the protection of the city. Your old housekeeper, Annetta, is in charge of everything and the staff and monitoring are on me. Whatever happens, the house will be waiting when you want to return to settle in it.

"Very kind from you, Altezza. Altezza.

Ezio paused. Cristina was thinking. What if it was too late to convince her to break his commitment to marry him and help him return to family life Auditoriumre? But those two short years had changed him so that he was now unrecognizable and also had another duty: a duty to the Creed.

"We won a great victory," he said at last. But war is not won. Many of our enemies have gotdo escape.

"But Florence's security is guaranteed. Six Popewanted to convince Naples to position itself against us, but I was convinced that Ferdinand does not, and neither will nor Bologna and Milan.

Ezio Duke could not explain the great battle that was involved, because it lacked a.s.surances that Lorenzo estuviebe aware of the secret of Murderers.

"To our greatest security," said- I need your permission to leave in search of Jacopo de 'Pazzi.

Lorenzo's face darkened.

- That coward! He said angrily-. He fled before repudiationsemos lay hands.

- Do you have any idea where he might have gone? Lawrence shook his head.

-No. Have been hidden well. My spies tell me that Baroncelli might be trying to flee to Constantinople, but as far as other concerns ...

"Give me their names," then Ezio.

And the firmness of his voice Lorenzo served to confirm that he got in the way of Ezio could expect the worst.

- How could I forget the names of the murderers of my brotherhand? If you find them, I will be forever in your debt. These are priests and Stefano Maffei Antonio da Bagnone. BerBaroncelli nard, whom I have mentioned. And then there is another, which is not directly involved in the murder, but that is a dangerous ally of our enemies. It is the archbishop of Pisa, Francesco Salviati, another family member Riario, hunting dogs of the Pope. Clement showed me her cousin, as a man trying to be different from them. Although sometimes I wonder iftranscends that I behave with wisdom.

"I have a list," said Ezio-. Add these names.

He started to leave.

- Where will you go now? Lorenzo asked.

"I will return with my uncle to Monteriggioni. There installing it my base.

"Then, go with G.o.d, friend Ezio. But first I have something you might be interested.

Lorenzo opened a leather purse that hung cinpolecat and took out a sheet of vellum. Ezio knew what he was almost before the unwound.

"I remember years ago I was talking to your father about ancient doc.u.ments," said Lawrence quietly-. It was a shared interest. I know I translated some. Here, take this. We foundtre among the papers of Francesco de 'Pazzi and given that he no longer needs it, I thought you might like ... Thinking about your padre. Would you like to perhaps add to your ... collection?

"I am very grateful Altezza. Altezza.

"I knew he'd be," said Lorenzo, in a tone that made him wonder how he knew the subject Ezio actually-. I hope you find it useful.

Before you pack up and prepare for the trip, Ezio hurried to visit his friend Leonardo da Vinci page Cosaid Lorenzo had given him. Despite the events of the lastma week, the workshop continued its pace of work as if nothing had happened.

"Glad to see you safe and sound," said Ezio Leonardo to recibirlo.

"I see that you too have been spared the problems," said Ezio.

"I told you: me leave me alone. They must think I'm too crazy, or I'm too poor or too dangerousroughly to get hands on! I have wine and somewhere I have some cakes, if you have not already broken. My housekeeper is useless. Well, tell me what's on your mind.

"I'm leaving Florence.

- So soon? But if I have said you are the hero of the moment! Why do not you relax and enjoy it?

"I have no time.

- Will you still are enemies to chase?

- How do you know?

Leonardo smiled.

"Thanks for coming to say goodbye to me," he said.

"Before I go," said Ezio- I brought another page of the Codex.

"This is really good news. Will you let me see it?

"Of course.

Leonardo carefully read the new doc.u.ment.

"I begin to get the hang of," said-. I still can not see what general diagram is based on everything, but I start to get familiar with writing. It seems the description of another weapon.

He got up and walked to the table a few old books and fragile appearance.

"Let's see ... I would say that whoever was the inventor who wrote all this, must have gone far ahead of its time. Only mechanisms ...He paused, lost in thought-. Aha! I get it! Ezio, this is the design of a knife, whichCajari in the mechanism that you put in used the arm if you neededlizarlo over the other.

- And what is the difference?

"Unless I am mistaken, this is pretty nasty ... is hollow in the middle, see? And through the tube hidden inside the sheet, you can inject poison into the victim. The attack provided that certain death! This weapon would make you almost invincible!

- Could you make it?