Renaissance. Part 18

"The people will bless you, capitano. capitano.

"I'm not captain.

"You are for us," replied simply Gambalto. Take a detachment of men. Salviati is highly protected and the mansion is an ancient fortified building.

"Okay," said Ezio. It is always good eggs are together, almost in the same nest.

"The others can not walk very far, Ezio. We turn to find them in your absence.

Ezio selected a dozen of the best fighters CuerGambalto po's body and led them on foot through the fields that arestopped by the house where he sought refuge Salviati. He deployed his men so that they could hear each other in case of having to communicate, and that Salviati had placed outposts were easily avoided or neutralized. For unforence. Ezio also lost two of their men in the landing approach.

Ezio trusted to take the house by surprise, before the occupants were alerted to the attack, but when acered to the robust doors saw the small figure on the wall above them, dressed in the garb of a archbishopspo, subject to the battlements with hands that seemed galands. A face that reminded one of a vulture, which disappeared inmediate.

"It Salviati" he thought to himself Ezio.

In the sentries had no doors. Ezio motioned his men to come closer to the walls for arbankers did not have sufficient angle to shoot them. Undoubtedly, Salviati had concentrated the bulk of his men inside the walls, whose height and thickness was apparent theImmovable mind. Ezio began to wonder if it should, once again, trying to climb the wall and open the door from the inside to give input to their troops, but he knew that the guards of the Peacezi would notice immediately of its presence.

Telling his men to keep hidden, is agacho and walked among the tall gra.s.s short distance the knowraba the place where lay the body of one of his enemies. What desknot quickly, dressed in the uniform of the soldier, made a bundle with their own clothes and took her under his arm.

- Open! He shouted. In the name of the Father of Knowledge!

Spent a tense minute. Ezio back to repudiationran him from the top of the walls. And then he heard the sound of heavy latches.

As the doors began to open, Ezio and his men rushed against them, knocking and surprising the centraltinello inside. Once found in a courtyard, around which the mansion was displayed in three separate wings. Salviati istobacco on top of a staircase located in the center of the main wing. Between him and Ezio, a dozen burly men and arMadosa to the teeth. There were also more men scattered around the patio.

- Sucia treason!Cried the Archbishop. But do not get out with the same ease with which you entered.

He raised his voice to convenientlyrtirla an imperative roar:- Kill! Kill them all!

Pazzi troops came and surrounded the men's Ezio. But the Pazzi had not been trained under the orders of a man like Mario Auditore and, despite losing the lead, the condottieri condottieri Ezio successfully confronted their opponents whileAfter he ran upstairs. Triggered his poison dagger and the claved to men who cared for Salviati. Regardless of where to aim the knife, even if just on the cheek, whenever it fell, the victim died instantly. Ezio successfully confronted their opponents whileAfter he ran upstairs. Triggered his poison dagger and the claved to men who cared for Salviati. Regardless of where to aim the knife, even if just on the cheek, whenever it fell, the victim died instantly.

- You are a demon ... Fourth Ring of the Ninth Circle! Salviati exclaimed in a trembling voice when he finally foundTro face to face with Ezio.

Ezio triggered the poison dagger, but also prepared his dagger battle. Salviati grabbed by the throat, above her cope, and brought the blade to the neck of the archbishop.

"The Templars lost their Christianity when he discoveredrum the bank said quietly. Does do not know the gospelslios? "You can not serve G.o.d and to Mammon! ". But now's your chance to redeem yourself. Tell me where is Jacopo?

Salviati looked defiant.

- Never find!

Ezio slid the blade gently but firmly, by the Archbishop gizzard, drawing a trickle of blood.

"You'll have to tell me something better, arcivescovo. arcivescovo.

"The night protects us when we met ... and now, termine with your work.

"So you hide in the dark as murderers they are. Thanks for telling me. But I'll ask again. Where? Where?

"Father of Knowledge is aware that what I do is for the greater good Salviati said coolly, and taking suddenEzio having diminished wrist with both hands, plunged the dagger into the neck.

- Tell me! Ezio cried.

But the archbishop, the blood gus.h.i.+ng in torrents through his mouth, and had collapsed at her feet, her splendid white robes gleaming yellow and red.

Several months pa.s.sed before they again have notified Ezioences of the conspirators. Meanwhile, he drew with Mario a plan to restore San Gimignano and freeing its citizens from cruel yoke of the Templars, who had learned a lesson and kept tight control over the city. Knowing that the Templars issecretariats also searching the pages of the Codex which remained in parader unknown, Ezio was trying to hit them, but without success. The pages that were already in possession of the Murderers were hidden under the strict supervision of Mario, because without them, the secret of the Creed never succ.u.mb to the Templars.

One day a messenger arrived from Monteriggioni Floence with a letter from Leonardo to Ezio. Ezio, knowing the custom of his lefty friends to write in reverse, looked enseguigives a mirror. In any circ.u.mstance, however, the comvolved doodles would have been a stumbling block for even the most talented player managed to decipher. Ezio broke the seal and began to read eagerly, his heart going brightening legendsdo line after line.

(^ Entile Ezio: The Duke Lorenzo I hto asked you haga get these nofoodstuffs ...Sober Bernardo Baroncelli!. Al apparently got pregnantCa.r.s.e courseor to Veniceence, and from there traveled h incognitod till courtthe Ottoman sultan in Constantinoplepla, with the intention of rerefugees in that city. But as soon as entertained Venecia, did not realize that the Venetians had just signed peace with yourRCOs (Even I hsent an to su second best painter, GBellini entile, to perform orNo portrait Sultan Mehmet). Of so that Cando LLEgo and its second best painter, GBellini entile, to perform orNo portrait Sultan Mehmet). Of so that Cando LLEgo and its ident.i.tyDo the discovered was ident.i.tyDo the discovered was arre arrestado immediately. immediately.

Naturally, you can imagine the amount of letters that is crossed is crossed between SubliPorte me and Venice. But the Venetians are also our between SubliPorte me and Venice. But the Venetians are also our allies allies - -the less por the moment-and duqueLorenzo is above all, an accomplished diplomat. Baroncelli was is above all, an accomplished diplomat. Baroncelli was shackled and returned to Florence, ornce tolli,was shackled and returned to Florence, ornce tolli,was interrogated. But he was stubborn, or foolish, or brave, I do not know exactlymind why. interrogated. But he was stubborn, or foolish, or brave, I do not know exactlymind why. Lthe question is that Lthe question is that resisted foal, the pincers rojor resisted foal, the pincers rojor vivo, whipping and thes rats running sos feet, and all that confessed that vivo, whipping and thes rats running sos feet, and all that confessed that the conspirators used to meet at night in an antiqueua crypt that the conspirators used to meet at night in an antiqueua crypt that beneath Santa Maria Novella. Were investigated, of course, but not foundRaron anything. It hangsfraud. I made a drawingor fairly good performance that I I show the NEXTima time that show the NEXTima time that we sees. I believe that anatomicallyI hsoftened, it is accurate. we sees. I believe that anatomicallyI hsoftened, it is accurate.

Healthy distinctiveyou, Your friend, LeorLeonardo da Vinci "It's great that this man is dead," said MaEzio laughed when he showed the letter. It was the typical type capable of robarle even his mother. But the pity is that this is not about us at all to find out what plan to do continuous Templartion, even gives us a clue to the whereabouts of Jacopo.

Ezio found time to go visit her mother and herWells, who continued spending his days with the serenity ofvento and care of the kindly Abbess. Sadly buygiven that the recovery of Mary and not advance further. His hair had turned prematurely gray and in the corners of the eyes had appeared fine crow's feet, but on the other hand, had attained inner peace, and when talking about her husband and hijos died did so with affection and pride. However, seeing the cajita pear wood with eagle feathers that once gave the small Petruccio, an object that was always in menight chair, still with tears filling her eyes. As for Claudia, had become novizia, novizia, and although with Eziothey considered that that decision would spoil its beauty and spispirit, he had no choice but to recognize the light that illuminatednaba the face of his sister, to respect the decision it had taken and feel happy for her. He returned to visit for Christmas and new year resumed his training, burning with impatience inside. To allay his nervousness, he was named co MarioDeputy princ.i.p.al castle. Ezio began to send its own spies and reconnaissance patrols in search of prey that was still pursuing relentlessly. and although with Eziothey considered that that decision would spoil its beauty and spispirit, he had no choice but to recognize the light that illuminatednaba the face of his sister, to respect the decision it had taken and feel happy for her. He returned to visit for Christmas and new year resumed his training, burning with impatience inside. To allay his nervousness, he was named co MarioDeputy princ.i.p.al castle. Ezio began to send its own spies and reconnaissance patrols in search of prey that was still pursuing relentlessly.

And then, finally, came the news. One morning in late spring, Gambalto, its glowing eyes appeared in front of the map room where Mario Ezio and were engaged in deep conversation.

"Signori! We found Bagnone Stefano da! Has taken refuge in the abbey of Asmodeus, a few miles south of here. He has spent all this time in front of our narices! We found Bagnone Stefano da! Has taken refuge in the abbey of Asmodeus, a few miles south of here. He has spent all this time in front of our narices!

"Always go together like dogs that are snapped Mario, his stubby fingers working quickly tracing route on the map before him. Ezio looked. Although this is a dog head. Secretary of Jacopo! If we can not get anything out of it ...!

But Ezio was already giving orders to saddle and prestop your horse. Quickly, he went to his room and armed with weapons of Codex, this time choosing the hidden blade dagger instead of poison. Following the advice of the doctor of Monteriggioni, had replaced the distillation of hemlock Leonard was originally used by Bethlehem and see the bag ofneno hidden in the handle was full. Had decided to utiLizard poison dagger with discretion, because he always ran the risk of self-administered a lethal dose. For this reason, andthat his fingers were full of tiny scars, when he brandished a knife used for some time resistant leather gloves, but flexible.

The abbey was near Monticiano, whose ancient castle doundermined the small mountain town. Was located in a solead ravine next to a cypress-covered hill. The current building was new, would have perhaps a hundred years, and was built with yellow sandstone rich import around a large courtyard where there was also a church. The doors were open wide and the monks of the order of the abbey, with its ocher habits, were busy working in the fields and orchards near the building and the vineyards that had above. The wine of the monastery attached to the abbey was famous and was exported even to Paris. As part of the preparations, Ezio was done with a monk's habit and, after stopping the horse by a stable boy at the inn where he had rented a room posing as a government messenger had been disguised to access the abbey.

Stefano spotted after a short while, engaged in a withconversation with hospitarius hospitarius Abbey, a portly monk seemed to have taken the form of one of the barrels of wine, of course, emptied frequently. Ezio got close enough to hear without being noticed him. Abbey, a portly monk seemed to have taken the form of one of the barrels of wine, of course, emptied frequently. Ezio got close enough to hear without being noticed him.

"Pray, brother," said the monk.

- Does prayer? "Said Stefano, whose black attire contrasted with the sunny colors of their environment.

It looked like a spider walking over a pancake.

- Why? "He added with irony.

The monk was surprised.

- For protection of the Lord!

- If you think that the Lord is interested in our affairs, herGirolamo hand, rather than devote yourself to something else! But please, for heaven's sake, is making it hopes, if that helps pa.s.s the time.

- What you just said is blasphemy! Is exclaimeddownhaul's brother Girolamo.

-No. Tell the truth.

- You're denying its most exalted Presence!

"It's just a rational response to the a.s.sertion that up there in heaven inhabited by a mad invisible. And believe me, if our precious Bible has something to rely on, is that this G.o.d has completely lost his head!

- How can you say these things? You're a priest!

"I'm an administrator. I use these clothes to bringMedici those d.a.m.n me, put an end once and for all and serve them my true Master. But above all, is toDavies The theme of that Murderer, Ezio. It takes too long been a thorn we must tear.

"That's you're right. It is an evil demon!

"Well," Stefano said with a wry smile. At least I see that we agree on something.

"They say the devil has given a speed and a strongsupernatural za Girolamo said lowering the tone.

Stefano stared.

-The devil? No, my friend. They are gifts that he has achieved all by himself, thanks to the rigorous training that has been subjected duduring year. He paused, his skinny body adopting a thoughtful position. You know, Girolamo? I find it disturbing that you're so unwilling to recognize the merits that the genegets you on your own. I think if you could discoverlaugh victims everywhere.

"I forgive your lack of faith and your sharp tongue Girolamo replied with mercy. However you're still a child of G.o.d.

"Have I said ... Stefano began again, rather abruptly, but then spread his hands and let cobarrier. Why? Enough about it! Escom talking to a deaf!

"I will pray for you.

"As you wish. But do it in silence. I continue with my guard. Until we get to that Murderer dead and buried, no Templar can let your guard down for a moment.

The monk retired after greeting with a nod and Stefano was left alone in the courtyard. Had sounded the campaignna announcing the First and Second Station of the Cross and the community had gathered in the abbey church. Ezio abandonednot the shadows like a specter. The sun shone with the weight iflenciosa noon. Stefano, with the appearance of crow, walkba stalking up and down the north wall, restless, impatient, possessed.

When he saw Ezio expressed no surprise.

"I'm unarmed," he said. Fight with the mind.

"To use it, you need to stay alive. Will you be able tofenderte?

- Would you kill me in cold blood?

"I kill because they need to die.

- Good answer! But do not think I'm perhaps posesion of secrets that could be useful to you?

"What I think is doblegarias you do not under any kind of torture.

Stefano glanced evaluation.

"I'll take that as a compliment, but I'm not so safero it. However, it is a matter of mere academic relevanceca. He paused before continuing his sharp voice: "You lost your chance, Ezio. The fate of death is cast. The cause of Murderers is a lost cause. I know I will kill whatever you do or say what I say, and I'll be dead before noonday. The Ma.s.s is ended, but my death will not avail you. The Templars have you already check, and soon you will have to jakill.

"I do not have as clear.

"I'm about to meet my Maker ... if finalmind exists. It will be gratifying to find out. And meanwhile, why should I lie?

Ezio dropped his dagger.

"Very clever," said Stefano. What will happen next?

-Repair the bad you've done, "said Ezio. Tell me what you know.

- What want want know? Does the whereabouts of my master, Jacopo? "Stefano smiled. That is easy. Soon he will meet with our confederates, at night, in the shadow of the Roman G.o.ds. He paused. Hope this makes you happy, because although you do not sucrase just me. And in any case no importanttance, because I know for a fact that you're too late. The Unico regret is that I will not be present to witness your destion ... but who knows? Maybe there is an afterlife from which to watch your death. But for now, get it over with this nasty business. know? Does the whereabouts of my master, Jacopo? "Stefano smiled. That is easy. Soon he will meet with our confederates, at night, in the shadow of the Roman G.o.ds. He paused. Hope this makes you happy, because although you do not sucrase just me. And in any case no importanttance, because I know for a fact that you're too late. The Unico regret is that I will not be present to witness your destion ... but who knows? Maybe there is an afterlife from which to watch your death. But for now, get it over with this nasty business.

The Abbey bell rang once more. Ezio had little time.

"I think you could teach me many things," he said. Stefano looked at him sadly.

"Not in this world," he said. It opened the neck of his robes. But please send me the fast at night.

Ezio thrust a single stab wound, deep and with a pointlethal laugh.

-Southwest of San Gimignano are the ruins of the Temple of Mithras, "said Ezio Mario when he returned thoughtfully. They are the only important Roman ruins in many miles. You say you mentioned the shadow of G.o.ds G.o.ds Romans? Romans?

"Those were his words.

- And that the Templars are gathering there ... soon?

"Yes.

"Then we delay. Starting tonight we stand guard there.

Ezio was killed.

-Da Bagnone told me it was too late to deteNerl.

Mario smiled.

"Well, in this case to us to prove them wrong.

It was the third night on call. Mario had returned to his base to continue working on their plans against the Templars of San Gimignano and Ezio had left in the company of five menconfidence men, Gambalto among them is to stand guardcounties in the thick woods that surrounded the lonely and desotons ruins of the temple of Mithras. The temple consisted of a large complex of buildings had been built over the centuries. Its last occupant was Mithra, the G.o.d adopted by the Roman army, but also included older chapels, consecrated in their day to Minerva, Venus and Mercury. The complex also provided a theater, whose stage was maintained themDose solidly up and stood in front of a ruined semicircularthe stone benches arranged in terraces, home to scorpions and rats, backed by a dilapidated wall and flanked by cobroken columns where the owls had made their nests. The hieclimbed dra-resistant everywhere summer lilacs their way through the cracks that they themselves offsh.o.r.e drillingmol stained and crumbling. The moon cast a light fantasyMagor on the scene and, despite being accustomed to face them without fear of mortal enemies, had a couple of menmen clearly nervous.

Ezio had decided to stand guard for a week, but I knew that men would find it difficult to control nerves in that place for so long, since the presence of ghostmost of the pagan past was felt strongly. But around midnight, with the Murderers with aching limbs due to immobilization and inactivity, they heard the faint tinkle of a harness. Ezio and his men prepared for what repudiationra happen next. Shortly after the complex appeared in a dozen soldiers carrying torches and led by three men. They were heading to the theater. Ezio and condottieri condottieri followed them up there. followed them up there.

The men dismounted and formed a protective circle around the three leaders. Observing the scene, triumphant Ezio recognized the man's face who had been looking for: Jacopo de 'Pazzi, a gray-haired man of over sixty-like stalker. He was accompanied by a man who knew and another that yes, the unmistakable figure of a hooked nose and hooded maroon Rodrigo Borgia! With gravity, the knife is linked EzioNenos the mechanism he had in his right wrist.

"You know why I have called the meeting" began Rodrigo. I have given ample time, Jacopo. But you still have to repair the evil you have done.

"Sorry, commendatore. commendatore. I've done everything that was in my hand. I have overcome the Murderers. I've done everything that was in my hand. I have overcome the Murderers.

"You have not recovered Florence.

Jacopo bowed his head.

- You have not even been able to slice the head Auditore Ezio, a mere pup! And with each victory he gets on us, becomes stronger, becomes more dangerous!

"It was because of my nephew Francesco Jacopo stammered. His impatience was again reckless! I tried to be the voice of reason ...