Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 19

Before leaving Monteriggioni, Ezio still had some preparations to do.He needs to learn more about "Assassin's Creed" from his uncle in order to better complete the task at hand.He also needs to make sure that Florence is relatively safe, and there is also a place to stay to consider, because Mario's spies report that the Auditore family's mansion has been seized, but it is under the protection and guard of the Medici family, Therefore no further damage was done.Several delays in the departure time made Ezio more and more impatient, and finally, one day in March, his uncle told him that it was time to pack.

"It's been a long winter—" said Mario.

"Too long," Ezio interrupted.

"Everything is settled now," said Mario, "and I want to remind you that good preparation is the cornerstone of success. Now, listen! I have a friend in Florence who will be in the The place has prepared a safe place for you."

"Uncle, who is she?"

Mario showed a cautious look. "Her name is not important to you, but I can assure you that you can trust her as much as you trust me. All in all, she is currently out of town. If you need help, contact Anita, your former housekeeper. , her address has not changed, and now she serves the Medici family, but the fewer people who know you have gone to Florence, the better. But there is someone you have to contact, although it is not easy to find him. I will write his name Here it is. Be careful when you ask him. When you show your wise friend the manuscript, try to ask him, but don't tell him too much, it's for his own good! By the way, this is where you live address." He handed Ezio two sheets of paper, and a bulging leather bag. "Here are a hundred florins, and your travel documents. The best news is that you can go tomorrow!"

Ezio used the short time to go to the convent to say goodbye to his mother and sister, then packed the necessary clothes and equipment, and said goodbye to his uncle and the townspeople - his constant comrades and companions.But next morning he saddled up and rode away from the castle gates with a mixture of cheerfulness and determination.It was a long and uneventful day of riding, and by dinner time, he had settled in his new residence and started to rediscover the city: he had grown up here since he was a child, but he had been away for too long this time.But he didn't have time to be sentimental about it, and after a short break—and a look at the family mansion from a distance—he went straight to Leonardo da Vinci's studio, not forgetting to bring Page from that codex by Vieri de Pazzi.

After Ezio left Florence, Leonardo purchased the vast warehouse to the left of the studio, which was large enough to house the actual fruits of his many ideas.Two long trestle tables lined one end of the warehouse to the other, illuminated by oil lamps and high windows—Leonardo didn't want anyone spying on him.On the table, hanging on the wall, and half-assembled on the floor in the center of the room, are many puzzling devices, instruments, and parts of engineering equipment. There are hundreds of drawings and sketches hanging on the walls.Amid the chaos, a half-dozen assistants busily come and go, overseen by the older — though no less charismatic — Agnello and Innocento.There is a model of a four-wheeled carriage in the room, but it is round in shape, and the body is full of weapons. The armored roof is made into the shape of a raised pot lid, and there is an opening in the roof. You can drill your head out of there to confirm the direction the machine is headed.One painting shows a ship in the shape of a shark, except that the "shark" has a strange tower formation on its back.What's even weirder is that judging from the picture, the boat seems to be driving underwater.Numerous anatomical sketches, depicting everything from the function of eyeballs to sexual intercourse, to embryos in the womb - and many more beyond Ezio's comprehension - filled almost all the space on the walls, while the The specimens and debris reminded Ezio of the orderly chaos of his previous visit, only now a hundred times larger.The walls also feature lifelike portraits of animals ranging from familiar to supernatural, as well as blueprints for everything from water pumps to defensive walls.

What really caught Ezio's eye was something hanging from the ceiling.He'd seen much smaller originals, but the thing in front of him was half the size of the real machine if it ever got made.It still looked like the skeleton of a bat, with some kind of durable animal hide tightly draped over the wooden structure.A sheet of paper is tucked on a nearby easel.In addition to the notes and calculations, Ezio saw a line on the paper:

... to fasten horn or metal springs to reed-wrapped willow.

This propulsion allows the bird to maintain its flight, allowing it to climb to great heights without flapping the air.

If a man weighing 150 pounds is at point A and has wings weighing [-] pounds on his back, then it only takes a force equivalent to [-] pounds to get him into the air...

It seemed like a bible to Ezio, but at least he knew every word - which must have been translated by Agnello from Leonardo's incomprehensible scribbles.At this moment, he saw Agnello looking at him, so he turned his head hastily.He knew that Leonardo didn't like being pried into his privacy.

At this time, Leonardo came from the old studio, hurried up to Ezio, and hugged him affectionately. "My dear Ezio! You're back! It's a pleasure to see you. After what happened, we thought..." But he didn't finish, and looked a little disturbed.

Ezio tried to liven things up. "Look at this place! I can't see how, but I guess you're doing pretty well! Have you given up painting yet?"

"No," Leonardo said, "just researching... something that interests me."

"It can be seen. And you have expanded your presence. Your business must be booming. You have been treated well in the past two years."

Leonardo also saw the sadness and seriousness underlying Ezio's calm expression. "Perhaps," Leonardo said, "the years just didn't bother me. It probably felt that, no matter who would hold the power in the future, I would be able to play a role in their hands... although I don't think anyone can do it. ’ He changed the subject: ‘How are you doing, my friend?’

Ezio looked up at him. "I wish we could sit down and talk about our respective experiences over the past few years. But right now, I need your help."

Leonardo spread his hands. "Go ahead and speak!"

"I have something I want to show you, and I think you'll be interested."

"Then you'd better go to my studio—it's not so messy there."

Returning to Leonardo's old workshop, Ezio took the page from his purse and spread it out on the table.

Leonardo opened his eyes wide with excitement.

"Remember the previous one?" Ezio asked him.

"How could I forget?" Leonardo stared at the paper. "It's so exciting! Can I see it?"

"of course."

Leonardo studied the page carefully, running his fingers across its surface.Then, he took a pen and paper and began to copy the words and symbols on it.Almost at once he began to walk up and down, leafing through books and manuscripts, and absorbed himself in his studies.Ezio watched him busy with gratitude and patience.

"It's interesting," said Leonardo, "that the language here is quite foreign - at least to me - but there is still a certain pattern. Well. Yes, here is a note in Aramaic that will help us Understand the content." He looked up, "You know, referring to another manuscript page, you may even feel that it is some kind of guide - at least to a certain extent - to guide you in various ways to assassinate But of course there's more to it than that, though I don't have a clue about the others. I just know we're scratching the surface and we need to get the whole book together. You don't know those other pages in where?"

"do not know."

"How many pages are there in the whole book?"

"Perhaps this...someone does know."

"Aha," Leonardo said, "you keep it a secret! Oh, I'll respect your privacy." His attention was quickly drawn to something else, "Look at this!"

Ezio looked over his shoulder, but all he could see was a series of compact cuneiform symbols. "what is this?"

"I'm not sure yet, but if I'm not mistaken, this part is a formula for making some unknown metal or alloy—and logically speaking, such a substance cannot exist at all!"

"Anything else?"

"There is - it's the easiest part to decipher. It's basically a blueprint for another weapon, and it looks like it will work with the one you have. We're building this one from scratch though. .”

"What kind of weapon is that?"

"It's actually quite simple. It's just a metal plate wrapped in a leather wristband. You wear it on your left forearm—or your right arm if you're left-handed like me—and use it to keep your Blocks swords and even axes. What's special is that although the metal plate we are going to make is very strong, it is incredibly light. It also contains a double-edged dagger, which is the same spring loaded structure as the previous one. .”

"Do you think we can do it?"

"Okay, it just takes a little time."

"I don't have much time."

Leonardo thought about it. "I think I have the necessary utensils and materials here, and my assistant also knows how to make them." He thought for a moment, his lips moving silently, doing calculations. "I need two days," he asserted, "come back here and see how it turns out!"

Ezio bowed. "Leonardo, thank you so much. I can pay you."

"I should be the one thanking you. These ancient pages of yours have expanded my knowledge—I thought I was an innovator, but these ancient pages fascinated me." He smiled, and then said to himself "As for you, Ezio, you can't even imagine the benefits they would do me. If you find any more pages like this, bring them to me—where you got them, I don't know." I will ask. I only care about the contents, and I hope that you will not tell anyone about this ancient book except your own small circle. This is the only payment I ask for."

"I promise you that."

"Thanks! Then it's a deal, you come on Friday—how's it going at sunset?"

"It's a word."

Two days later.

Leonardo and his assistants therefore put aside their work.As for the new weapon, although its function is more defensive, it is quite useful.Leonardo's young assistant tried to attack Ezio, but even with real weapons, including two-handed swords and battle axes, the extremely light wrist armor easily parried the heaviest blows.

"Leonardo, this is an amazing weapon."

"indeed."

"It might save my life."

"Hopefully you won't have that scar on the back of your left hand again," Leonardo said.

"It was a parting remembrance from an old... friend of mine," Ezio said, "but right now, I need a little more advice from you."

Leonardo shrugged. "As long as I can help you, just say it."

Ezio glanced at Leonardo's assistants. "Shall we talk in private?"

"follow me."

Back in the studio, Ezio unfolded the note Mario had given him, and handed it to Leonardo. "My uncle asked me to meet this man. He said it would be best not to seek him out directly..."

Leonardo stared at the name on the paper, his eyes widened.When he raised his head, anxiety was written all over his face. "Do you know who this man is?"

"I see the name - Fox. I guess it's a nickname."

"Yeah! But don't say it aloud or mention it in public. His eyeliner is everywhere, but he's never in person."

"Where should I go to find him?"

"It's hard to say, but if you want to try your luck, you can go to the old market area, but remember to be careful..."

"Every thief who isn't hanged or in a cell is there."

"As I said, you have to be very careful," Leonardo glanced around, as if he was worried about someone eavesdropping, "I...maybe I can give him a word...to go find him after evening prayer tomorrow. He... if you're lucky, you might see him... maybe not."

Despite his uncle's warnings, Ezio still had someone in Florence he couldn't see.During the time he was gone, she had never been far away from his heart, and now that she was in the same city, the pain of love became more intense.He can't be too risky.His face has changed and become more angular, and his experience has grown with his age, but those who know him can still recognize him.His hood helps him "disappear" in the crowd, so he always wears it; he knows that although the Medici family is currently in power, the Pazzi family has not yet been completely defeated.They are biding their time and will be vigilant.He was sure of both, just as he was sure that both the Medici and the Pazzi would kill him if he was careless.Still, he couldn't stop himself from walking towards the Culverzi mansion the next morning.

The street door was open, revealing the sunlit courtyard behind it, and there she was standing, slimmer than ever, perhaps taller, her hair coiled up, and she looked more woman than girl.He called out her name.

She grew so pale when she saw him that he thought she was going to faint, but she regained her composure, said something to her companion, sent her away, and came towards him, holding out her hands.Quickly he pulled her off the street and into a nearby hidden archway where yellowing stones were covered with ivy.He stroked her neck and noticed that she was still wearing the necklace he had given him, although the pendant was now buried between her breasts.

"Ezio!" she called.

"Christina!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here on my father's business."

"Where have you been? I haven't heard from you for two years."

"I went to... other places, and also took care of my father's business."

"They said you must be dead - and your mother and sister too."

"Fate has not treated us this way," he paused. "I cannot write to you, but you have never left my thoughts."

Her eyes, originally full of joy, suddenly clouded over, and a look of uneasiness appeared on her face.

"What's the matter, my dear?" he asked.

"It's nothing." She wanted to break free from his hand.But he refused to let go.

"There must be something. Tell me!"

She looked into his eyes with tears in their eyes. "Oh, Ezio! I'm getting married!"

Ezio was too shocked to speak.He let go of her arms, realizing that he had hurt her by holding her too tightly.He seemed to see his lonely future.

"Because of my father," she said, "he kept pushing me to pick the right guy. You weren't there. I thought you were dead. Then my parents started entertaining Manfred di Azeta a lot— He was the son of a gold merchant. They moved here from Lucca not long after you left Florence. Oh God, Ezio, they kept asking me not to disappoint my family and find a good husband while I was young .I thought I'd never see you again. But now..."

Christina was interrupted by a girl shouting in panic from the little square down the street.

Christina immediately tensed up. "That's Janita—remember her?"

They heard other people yelling, and Janita also yelled a name: "Manfred!"

(End of this chapter)