Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 14

"How did you know I was coming?" Ezio asked.

Mario looked hesitant. "Oh—a friend in Florence sent someone to deliver a message in advance. I am not strong enough to attack Florence, but now that Lorenzo is back, we can pray that he can suppress the arrogance of the Pazzi family. You still send my brother Tell me the fate--and the fate of my nephews."

Ezio hesitated for a moment.Images of loved ones dying still linger in the darkest corners of his mind.

"They...they were all executed for treason..." He paused, "I was able to escape purely because of luck."

"God," Mario murmured, his face contorted in pain, "do you know why?"

"No—but there is one thing, I hope you can help me find the answer." Then, Ezio told his uncle about the secret room in the mansion and the box, followed by his revenge against Alberti, and The documents he got back from Alberti. "The most important one seems to be a list," he added, lamenting, "I never thought that such a misfortune would befall us!"

Mario patted Ezio on the arm. "I also know something about your father's business," he said.Only then did Ezio realize that Mario hadn't shown much surprise about the Chamber of Secrets and the box. "We'll figure it out. But we'll have to make sure your mother and sister are properly settled. My castle isn't very women-friendly, and it's hard for a soldier like me to really get settled; but it's about a mile from here. There is a convent where there is a place where it is very safe, and the guests are treated very well. If you will, we will send them there. You and I have a lot of work to do."

Ezio nodded.He'd make sure they settled down, and he'd convince Claudia that it was the best expedient: because he could see that she didn't want to live in that isolation for too long.

They walked closer and closer to the small town.

"I thought Monteriggioni was hostile to Florence," Ezio said.

"We hate the Pazzi family more than the Florentines," his uncle told him, "but you are grown up and should understand the alliance between city-states, big or small. The year before or Friend, enemy one year, friendly again the next year. This kind of thing will go on endlessly, like a crazy chess game. But you'll love it here. People here Honest and hardworking, we produce reliable and durable goods. The pastor here is a nice guy, doesn't drink much, and never meddles in his business. I don't mind his business either--though I've never been a big fan of church. It's the best place It’s wine, and the best Chianti is made in my house. Come on, it’s just a little further on.”

Mario's Castle, the former stronghold of the Auditore family, was built around 1250.It's just that before the castle was built, there was a building with a longer history standing there.Mario had repaired and added to the building, and now it looked like a luxurious villa, although its walls were tall, thick and fortified.In front of the villa was not a garden, but a wide practice field, and Ezio saw dozens of young men with weapons honing their fighting skills in different ways.

"Home sweet home," said Mario. "You only came here once when you were very young. It's changed a lot since then. What do you think of it?"

"Impressive, uncle."

Ezio had a rather busy day.Mario led him around the castle, arranged for his accommodation, and made sure that Claudia and Maria settled down in a nearby convent—the dean there was Mario's old man. Friends (it is said that he was his lover a long time ago).The next morning, someone called him to his uncle's studio early.There are high ceilings, maps, armor, and weapons hanging on the walls, and heavy oak tables and chairs in the spacious rooms.

"You'd better take a walk around town as soon as possible," Mario said earnestly, "get yourself a decent outfit. I'll send one of my men with you. When you're ready, we'll start."

"Start what, Uncle?"

Mario looked surprised. "I thought you were here for training."

"No, uncle—that is not my purpose. When I must flee Florence, this is the first place of safety I think of, but I do not intend to keep my mother and sister here long."

Mario looked serious. "But what about your father? Don't you think he wants you to take over his job?"

"What? You mean the banker's job? The family business is over—the Auditore family is gone, unless Duke Lorenzo can protect it from the Pazzi family."

"That's not what I meant," Mario began, and then hesitated. "You mean, Giovanni never mentioned it to you?"

"Sorry, Uncle, but I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

Mario shook his head. "I really don't understand what your father is thinking. Maybe he thinks the time has not come yet. But it doesn't matter right now," he looked at Ezio with a stern look. "We have to have a long talk. Give the money Give me those papers in the bag. I'm going to study them when you go to town to get your gear ready. Here's your shopping list, and money."

Ezio made his way to town in a daze, accompanied by one of Mario's non-commissioned officers - a grizzled veteran named Orazio.With Orazio's guidance, he bought a dagger and light armor from an arms dealer, and bought bandages and basic medical supplies from a local doctor.When he returned to the castle, he found Mario waiting impatiently for him.

"With my regards," Ezio said, "I did as you asked."

"And fast. Well done! Now, we're going to teach you proper fighting techniques."

"Excuse me, Uncle, but as I have said, I do not intend to stay long."

Mario bit his lip. "Listen, Ezio, you almost lost against Vieri. If I hadn't arrived in time..." He paused, then added: "Well, if you must go, go Right. But you should at least learn the skills and knowledge necessary to protect yourself, or you won't last a week on the road."

Ezio was silent.

"Even if it's not for me, it should be for your mother and sister." Mario persuaded.

Ezio considered his options, and finally had to admit that his uncle had a point. "Very well," he said, "since you have kindly furnished me with this outfit."

Mario patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "Good boy! You will thank me in the future!"

Over the next few weeks, Ezio underwent intensive weapons training, and while learning fighting techniques, he also learned more about his family's background and the secrets his father had not had time to reveal.After Mario allowed him to use the library at will, he gradually realized that his fate might be far more important than he imagined.

"You mean my father wasn't just a banker?" he asked his uncle.

"That's right," Mario replied seriously, "your father is also a well-trained killer."

"It's impossible—my father was always just a financier, a businessman...how could he be a killer?"

"No, Ezio, he is not that simple. He has been learning the art of killing since he was a child. He is one of the senior members of the Assassin Order." Mario hesitated for a moment, "I know you must have looked it up in the library. What, but first we must talk about those papers he handed over to you, thank God you got them back, it was a very wise move. That list - you know, it's not a debtor that's listed on it .Those are all the people responsible for your father's death—and they're part of some huge cabal."

(End of this chapter)