Renaissance. Part 31

-Increasing pace. This is probably the most important thingyou are going to do in your f.u.c.king life. Do you understand?

"Yes, sir.

Ezio took his place in the center of the guard and the gang launched.

Undertook the journey to the north of the city from the Molo to the Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, where the newlyyou gigantic statue of condottiero condottiero Colleone, work Colleone, work Messer Messer Verrocchio, overlooking the square. Following the Fondamenta dei Mendicanti northbound arriveswere at last to a house of aspects...o...b..and located on a terrace above the channel. The sergeant called with the handle of the sword at the door, which opened inmediate. The group of guards ushered Ezio first and what followed. The door closed behind them, secured with heavy bolts. Verrocchio, overlooking the square. Following the Fondamenta dei Mendicanti northbound arriveswere at last to a house of aspects...o...b..and located on a terrace above the channel. The sergeant called with the handle of the sword at the door, which opened inmediate. The group of guards ushered Ezio first and what followed. The door closed behind them, secured with heavy bolts.

They were in a lodge with walls decorated with ivory, where sat a hook-nosed man of fifty-somethings, dressed in dusty robes of velvet arrearsdo. The men greeted him. Ezio followed suit trying not to eye contact with those icy cobalt eyes he knew so well. The Spanish!

Rodrigo Borgia went to the sergeant: - Are you really here? Do not you have followed?

"No, Altezza. Altezza. Everything went perfectly ... Everything went perfectly ...

- Continued!

The sergeant coughed to clear his throat a bit.

"We are your orders exactly as we arespecifiable. The mission in Cyprus was more difficult than you thinkwe were. There ... complications from the beginning. Some followedres of the Cause ... had to be abandoned to complete the task successfully. But we are back with the engine. And here we have transported with due care as His AlTezza His AlTezza instructed. And as agreed, instructed. And as agreed, Altezza, Altezza, now expect to be handsomely rewarded. now expect to be handsomely rewarded.

Ezio knew he could not allow teak box and its contentnest fell into the hands of the cardinal. He took the opportunity at that time, when the unpleasant but necessary issue of payment for services rendered surfaced and As usual, the supplier was forced to whip up the client to obtain the money owed by the special work he had done. Corno is often the case with the rich, the Cardinal could be tremendously tapipe when releasing their money. Triggering the poison that had been hidden blade on his right forearm and double-edged dagger left, Ezio stabbed the sergeant, a single stab wound to the cuement for the lethal poison got into his blood. Ezio quickly becamemately to the five guards escort her double-edged dagger in one hand and the poison sheet in his right wrist, givedo turns on itself like a dervish, using motioncough to implement rapid and aseptic manslaughter. Des momentslater, all the guards lay dead at his feet.

Rodrigo Borgia stared and breathed deeply.

-Ezio Auditore. Well, well. Long ago. The Cardinal seemed unfazed.

"Cardinale. -Ezio it bowed ironically. -Ezio it bowed ironically.

-Give it to me, "Rodrigo said, pointing to the box.

-ContADME first where it is.

- Where is who?

- Your Prophet! -Ezio looked around-. I get the impression that no one has come. He paused. Continued more serious now-: How many people died for this? For what's in this box? And now look! It turns out that there are no anyone! anyone!

Rodrigo chuckled. A sound that resembled a tracheostomyteo bones.

"You say not a believer," he said. But here you are. Do you not see the Prophet? Is here! The Prophet's me! The Prophet's me!

Ezio his gray eyes opened wide. The man was a maniac! But what madness was it curious that seemed momentousder the cursor rational, natural life? But unfortunately, the reEzio bends left him unprepared for a moment. The Spanish pulled from his robes a Schiavone, Schiavone, a light but lethal sword aspect to a cat's head as a EmpuNadur, and jumped out of the lodge, pointing to the throat fine swordEzio ta. a light but lethal sword aspect to a cat's head as a EmpuNadur, and jumped out of the lodge, pointing to the throat fine swordEzio ta.

"Deliver the Fruit of Eden" he growled.

- Is that what's in the box? Any apple? apple? It must be a very special apple Ezio said, while echoing in his head the voice of his uncle: "A Piece of Eden" -. Come and chemicalTamela! It must be a very special apple Ezio said, while echoing in his head the voice of his uncle: "A Piece of Eden" -. Come and chemicalTamela!

Rodrigo Ezio attacked with his sword, tear youtance and blood causing the first pa.s.s.

- Are you alone, Ezio? Where are now your friends Murderers?

- I need your help to take care of you!

Ezio used their daggers to attack and forearm protectionzo left to dodge the blows of Rodrigo. But despite that failed to hit upon any sharp blow with the dagger, poison, his double-edged dagger crossed the velvet robes of the cardinal, who immediately spotted with blood.

"Piece of s.h.i.t," shouted Rodrigo, a victim of pain. I see that I need help to stop you! Guards! Guards!

Suddenly burst into the courtyard where they were Ezio and Cardinal, a dozen men overboard Borgia coat of armsdo on his uniform. Ezio knew that in the hilt of the dagger-wielding right hand was a tiny amount of your cruisemessy poison. He jumped back, the best way to defendDerse against Rodrigo reinforcements, and at that time one of the guards crouched newcomers to take over the teak box and give it to his Master.

- Thanks, c uomooraggioso! c uomooraggioso!

Ezio was being seriously over, but fighting continueddo with a coolness born of their strategic desire to re irrefutablecuperar the box and its contents. Codex holstered weapons, grabbed the strap of throwing knives and threw one of them with deadly accuracy, finishing first with Coraggio uomo Coraggio uomo and then, with a second knife, s.n.a.t.c.hed the cash from the hands of garRodrigo fio. and then, with a second knife, s.n.a.t.c.hed the cash from the hands of garRodrigo fio.

Spanish is bent to pick it up again and iniCIAR retirementbut then gives- Choof! - another knife cut the air and bouncedlabor a stone column inches from the face of carDenal. But there was Ezio who had been released.

Ezio whirled around and found a figure knownda, jovial, bearded. Aged, perhaps, and more grizzled, and more robustta, but no less skillful.

- Uncle Mario! Exclaimed-. He knew that he had seen anTES was you!

"I can not let you be the one having fun," Mario said. And do not worry NIPOte. NIPOte. You are not alone! You are not alone!

However, a guard just lunge Borgia Ezio with his halberd. And before he could strike a blow whichEzio bria sent on their way to an eternal night, it appeared as if by magic, an arrow buried itself in the face of the attacker. He dropped the gun and fell forward, a look of increduity recorded in his face. Ezio turned back and saw a. .. La Volpe! La Volpe!

- What are you doing here, Fox?

"We've learned that you needed a little backeddo, "said Fox, rearming quickly began to see more guards out of the building.

However, at the same time, it appeared more reinforcementZos on the side of Ezio: Antonio and Bartolomeo.

- Do not let Borgia escape with the box! An bellowedtonio.

Bartholomew used his enormous sword, Bianca, like a scythe through a row of guards when they tried to overcome simply by number. And little to little the tide of the baHeight was turned in favor of Murderers and their allies.

- With these we are, nIpota! nIpota!Shouted Mario-. Watch your Spanish!

As he turned, saw Ezio Rodrigo was heading toward a gate,tuated in the back of the lodge and hurried to intercept him, but the cardinal, sword in hand, confronted him.

"It's a losing battle, boy," roared-. You can not stop what is written! My hand will die just like your father and your brotherhands ... for death is the fate that awaits all those who seek to challenge the Templars.

But Rodrigo's voice lacked conviction and, looking around, Ezio found that the last guard had fallen. Rodrigo blocked the withdrawal of the doorway, raised his sword and prepared to attack.

- This is for my father! He exclaimed.

But Cardinal Ezio dodged and thereby lost equipmentance, but dropped his precious box to run out the door to save his skin.

"Make no mistake," said balefully on exit-. I'll live to fight again! And then I'll make sure your deathwill be as painful as slow.

And disappeared.

Ezio, breathless, trying to regain the rhythm of breath and his feet when he saw before him a woman's hand would help him. He looked up and discovered the ident.i.ty of its owner: Paola!

"He's gone," she said with a smile-. But no matter. TeNemos what we came for.

- No! Have you heard what you said? I have to go for it and herebar with all this!

"Relax," said another woman approaching.

It was Theodora. Ezio looked around and saw it was aroundallies do: Mario, Fox, Antonio, Bartolomeo, Paola and Teodora. And there was someone else. A young man with light skin and dark hair with a thoughtful look and smile at a time.

- What are you doing all here? Ezio asked, sensing the tension of the environment.

"Maybe like you, Ezio," said the young stranger-. Wait until the Prophet.

Ezio was confused and angry.

- No! I came here to kill the Spanish! Your Prophet gives me exactly the same ... if it exists. And what is clear is that is not here.

- No? The young man paused and stared at Ezio-. The Prophet are you. you.

-What?

"I was foretold the coming of a prophet. And do not get along withsotres imagined long before the truth. You were always the Prophet who were looking for.

I do not understand anything. So who are you, anyway?

The young man gave a bow.

"My name is Niccolo Machiavelli. I am a member of the Order of the Murderers, trained according to the old ways to savesave the future of humanity. Like you, like all men and women here.

Ezio had been stunned and began to look at the faces of those gathered, one after another.

- Is it true, Uncle Mario? "He said finally.

"Yes, son," said Mario, taking a step forward-. We've all been guiding for years, teaching the skills needed to join our ranks.

Ezio had a lot of questions bubbling in his head. I did not know where to start.

"I must ask my family," said Mario-. For my mother, my sister ...

Mario smiled.

"You have every right to do so. Are safe and sound. And I do not live in the convent but to me, in Monteriggioni. Mary will always affected by the sadness of his loss, but it is much consolation now that he has devoted himself to charity work with the abbess. And as Claudia, the abbess was Auditorsta, before that he should make it, that the nun's life is not ideal for someone with his temperament, and there are other ways that can serve the Lord. He was released from his vocough. She married Captain and soon, Ezio, and present you with the arrivalgada a nephew or niece.

"A great news, man. I never liked the idea that Claudia spend the rest of his life locked in a convent. But I have more questions to ask you.

"Soon there will be time for questions," said Machiavelli.

"But there is still much to do before we can again see our loved ones and celebrate," said Mario-. And you may never get to do it. We have to Rodrigo to ignore this box, but will not rest until the newvo in his power, so we must protect it with life.

Ezio watched the circle of Murderers and for the first time realized that they all had a mark on the base of his left ring finger. But it was clear that there was time forBottlenose more questions. Mario told his colleagues: "I think it's time ...

Very serious, they moved all head affirmatively nodded and Antonio pulled out a map, unfolded it and showed Ezio had scored a point in it.

"We meet here at dawn," he said, his tone solemnimperative mind.

"Come," said Mario others.

Machiavelli was in charge of the box and his beautiful and mysterious contents, and Murderers went quietly up the street andrum, leaving only Ezio.

Venice was mysteriously changes that evening and the large open square in front of the basilica was silent and deserted except for the pigeons, their eternal dwellers. Howdo Ezio began to climb the bell tower rose to thecanzo a dizzying height above his head but did not hesitate at any time. I knew the meeting that had been withvocado would provide answers to several questions, and even in the depths of his heart suspected that some respondents would find it daunting, I also knew that he could notdays turn away.

As they neared the top began to hear the murmur dand voices. Finally reached the mamposterity to the top of the tower and into the s.p.a.ce that housed the bells. The seven murderedus, their heads covered with hoods, occupied the perimeter of the circular s.p.a.ce in the center of a small brazier burning.

Paola took him by the hand and led him toward the center while Mario began to murmur a chant: -Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq koulon moumkine bale ... These are the words of our ancestors, which occupies the heart of the Creed ... These are the words of our ancestors, which occupies the heart of the Creed ...

Machiavelli took a step forward and looked into the eyes Ezio.

"While the other men follow blindly seeDad, remember ...

Y Ezio chose the rest of the words as if they knew of a lifetime: -... that nothing is true.

"While other men are limited by the morality or the law, "continued Machiavelli- remember ...

-... everything is permitted. Machiavelli said: "We work in the dark, to serve the light. We Roastsinuses.

Y then joined the other, chanting in unison: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted. Nothing is true, everything is permitted. Nothing is true, everything is permitted ...

When finished, Mario took the left hand of Ezio.

"Now is the time," he said-. In this modern age, we are not as literal as our ancestors. We do not require the sacrifice of a finger. But we set a permanent sealte. She took air-. Are you ready to join us?

Ezio, as if in a dream, but knowing somena so I had to do and what would then put out his hand without hesitation.

"I am," he said.

Antonio went to the stove and took from it an iron labeling ending in two small semicircles could join by pressing a lever attached to the handle. He took the hand of Ezio and isolated finger.

"It hurts a bit, brother," said-. Like so many things.

Labeling placed the iron above the finger and imprisoned him with red hot metal semicircles. The meat was singed and smelled something burning, but gave no Ezio not jump. Antonio quickly withdrew iron labeling and set aside. The Murderers took off the hood and gathered around him. Uncle Mario proudly gave a pat on the back. Theodora took a peflute gla.s.s vial containing a clear, thick liquid applied gently on the ring that would forever imprisoner's finger Ezio.

"This will calm you," said-. We are proud of you.

Machiavelli then stood beside her and nodded hismind your head.

"Benvenuto, Ezio. Now you are one of us. Onlyda terminate your initiation ceremony, and then ... intonka, my friend, have an important job to do! Ezio. Now you are one of us. Onlyda terminate your initiation ceremony, and then ... intonka, my friend, have an important job to do!

After saying this, he looked over the edge of the tower cambelfry. Much lower, about campanile, campanile, several bales of hay had separated them for a short distance, forage for the horses of the Ducal Palace. A Ezio it seemed impossible that from this height possible hit upon enough to land at any of those tiny white, but was preprecisely this that made Machiavelli, his cape flying in the air. His companions followed his example and Ezio watched with a mixture of horror and wonder how we all were on a landingperfect and met je down, looking up at him with what he hoped it was an expression of courage in their faces. several bales of hay had separated them for a short distance, forage for the horses of the Ducal Palace. A Ezio it seemed impossible that from this height possible hit upon enough to land at any of those tiny white, but was preprecisely this that made Machiavelli, his cape flying in the air. His companions followed his example and Ezio watched with a mixture of horror and wonder how we all were on a landingperfect and met je down, looking up at him with what he hoped it was an expression of courage in their faces.

Accustomed as I was jumping up on the roof had never been faced with a leap of faith from a height like that. The bales of hay seemed the size of slices of polenta, but knew there was no other way to get back to the soil that was not that, and that the more we lengthen, it is more complicatedestuary. He breathed deeply two or three times and launched into the night with the braZos high, initiating a perfect swan dive.