Renaissance. Part 4

"Thank you, Ezio," said his mother. I think from now we can get along without you, though, of course, if you want to come and help hang pictures ...

"Thanks, mom ... I think it's better that you leave this workjo you two.

Leonardo offered his hand.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ezio. I hope our caterms cross again soon.

-Anch 'io.

"Call, please one of the servants to drive him a hand to Leonardo," said Mary.

"No," said Leonardo. I'd rather deal with it myself. Imagine if someone had dropped a box! "And stooping, cargo the carrying case Ezio and sat on the bow of his elbow. Are we going? "Said Mary.

"This way, Mary said. Goodbye, Ezio. See you tonight at dinner. Come, Leonardo.

Ezio saw them leave the hall. Such that Leonardo was a guy I respect.

After lunch, late afternoon, she came Giulio appreciablesuradamente (as always) to tell his father requested his presence in his office. Ezio struggled to follow the secretary down the hall with paneled walls of oak leading to the rear of the mansion.

- h.e.l.lo, Ezio! Come in, my son.

Giovanni's tone was serious and formal. He stood behind his desk, on which there were two letters bulky, wrappedTAS on vellum and sealed.

"They say the Duke Lorenzo will be back tomorrow or pasado, not later, "said Ezio.

"I know. But no time to lose. I want you to give it a couple of my partners here in the city. He pushed the cards on the table.

"Yes, father.

"I need also to pick up a message that a pigeon has to be deposited in the loft of piazza piazza there at the end of the street. Try that n.o.body sees you pick it up. there at the end of the street. Try that n.o.body sees you pick it up.

"I will make it so.

"Well. Come back here right away once you've finished. I have important matters to discuss with you.

-Mr.

"And this time, behave. No fights.

Ezio decided to deal first with the loft. Soon yearcheceria and knew that there would be fewer people now, a little later the place would be packed with Florentines giving his pa.s.seggiata. pa.s.seggiata. When he reached his goal saw some graffiti on the wall behind and above the loft. He was surprised: what would it be recent or was already there and had not noticed it? Carefully written apreciprocal recognized as a phrase belonging to the Book of Ecclesiastesenthusiasts, "WHO INCREASE INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGEAT YOUR PAIN. " A little further down, someone had added a jocular remark, "WHERE IS THE PROPHET?". When he reached his goal saw some graffiti on the wall behind and above the loft. He was surprised: what would it be recent or was already there and had not noticed it? Carefully written apreciprocal recognized as a phrase belonging to the Book of Ecclesiastesenthusiasts, "WHO INCREASE INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGEAT YOUR PAIN. " A little further down, someone had added a jocular remark, "WHERE IS THE PROPHET?".

But once again thought the task at maus. Instantly recognized the dove that was looking for: it was the Unitedca with a note attached to the leg. He took the bird quickly returned to the bar where he was lodging. Then the doubt a.s.sailed him. WhatBeriah read the note? It was not sealed. Quickly unrolled the peflute parchment and discovered that all it contained was a nameber, that of Francesco de 'Pazzi. Ezio shrugged. He imagined that his father would rather have something more meaning for him. Completely escaped him why the name of the father of Vieri, one of the possible conspirators in a plot to overthrow the Duke of Milan, Giovanni facts I already knew, had to have a relevancia. Unless it were a sort of confirmation.

But I had to hurry and get on with their work. GuarDO note safely in the bag from his belt and went to the address appearing in the first envelope. The location was surprised because he was in the neighborhood of brothels. Had often been there with Frederick before he met Cristina, of course, and never felt comfortable. When he began to approximatelyMarsa al sinister alley that his father had told him, put his hand on the hilt of his dagger to calm down. The address turned out to be a humble tavern, dimly lit, in which cheap Chianti served in clay jugs.

When more was lost on what to do then it does not seem to be anyone, he heard a voice at his side: - Are you the son of Giovanni?

He turned and found himself facing a tough-looking man whose breath smelled of onions. He was accompanied by a woman who once had to be pretty, but it seemed as if the last ten years that had been loaded on the back had finished with all its charm. If any beauty was, I had it in his eyes, clear and intelligent.

"You look like an idiot," the woman told the man. If it is nailed to his father.

"You bring something to us," said the man, ignoring the remark. Get it to us.

Ezio hesitated. Verified the address. Was correct.

"Get it to us, friend," said the man, closer to him.

Ezio received a wave of your breath. "The man would live only onion and garlic?

She put the letter in the open hand of man, who immediately closed it to transfer the doc.u.ment to a leather bag strapped to the side.

"Good boy," she said and smiled.

Ezio noted that, surprisingly, gave a smile to your face certain n.o.bility. But not his words.

"And do not worry," he added. We are not contagious.

He paused to look askance at the woman and said: - Or at least I I not! not!

The woman laughed and pinched her arm to the man. And immediately disappeared.

Ezio eased out into the alley. The direction of the second letter led him to a side street just west of the baptistery. A baRRIO much better, although very quiet at this time of day. Ran through the city.

Waiting under an arch covering the width of the street was a large man who looked like a soldier. He wore leather clothing typical of the field, but it smelled clean and was rehundred shaven.

"This way, he gestured.

"I have something for you," said Ezio. In. ..

-... Auditore Giovanni? "The man spoke in a whisper.

"Yes.

The man looked around to either side of the street. Only saw a lamplighter, at a distance.

- Do you have followed?

-No ... Why should I have?

"Never mind. Give me the letter. Fast.

Ezio handed.

"The situation is heating up," said the man. Tell your father that tonight there will be any action. Make planstions to be safe.

That stunned Ezio.

- What? What do you mean?

"I said as much. Runs back to your home.

And the man melted into the shadows.

- Wait!Ezio cried. What do you mean? Back!

But the man was gone.

Ezio rose rapidly toward the street where he was the lamplighter.

- What time is it? He asked.

The man closed his eyes, looked at the sky and said: "It must have been an hour since I started working. We will be around one twentieth time.

Ezio immediately made their calculations. He must make a couple of horas had left the palazzo, palazzo, may take about twenty minutescough to return back to your home. Ran. He had a terrible premonition. may take about twenty minutescough to return back to your home. Ran. He had a terrible premonition.

As was seen within his mansion Auditore, knew something was wrong. There were no lights on and the impressive main entrance was open. Quickened the pace, shouting: - Father! Federico!

The s.p.a.cious lobby palazzo palazzo It was dark and empty, but there was enough light to catch a glimpse could Ezio vol tablesed, broken chairs, pieces of shattered crockery and gla.s.sware. AlGillen had been torn from the walls the paintings of Leonardo, and had cracked with a knife. In the darkness he heard a cry ... tears of a woman: his mother! It was dark and empty, but there was enough light to catch a glimpse could Ezio vol tablesed, broken chairs, pieces of shattered crockery and gla.s.sware. AlGillen had been torn from the walls the paintings of Leonardo, and had cracked with a knife. In the darkness he heard a cry ... tears of a woman: his mother!

Began to move towards the sound when a shadow moved behind him and something he rose above his head. Ezio turned around and grabbed a heavy silver candlestick that someone was bringing down on him. Gave a powerful tug and the attacker dropped the chandelier with a shriek of alarm. He threw the candle away from his attacker grabbed him by the arm immediately afterwards and pulled the person toward the dim light prevailed. At its heart nesting instinct murderer and had already taken the dagger.

- Oh! Ezio! It's you! Thank G.o.d!

Ezio recognized the voice, and then the face, the housekeeper of the family, Annetta, a peasant full of energy that took years of service to the family.

- What past? past? Annetta he asked, grabbing ambas wrists and shaking with anguish and panic I felt. Annetta he asked, grabbing ambas wrists and shaking with anguish and panic I felt.

"They've come ... guards of the city. They've arrested your father and Federico ... Have been even smaller Petruccio, was ripped from the arms of your mother!

- Where is my mother? Where is Claudia?

"We're here," said a trembling voice from the shadows.

Claudia appeared, her mother's arm. Ezio well placed a chair for her mother could sit. In the darkness, he saw that Claudia was bleeding, his clothes were dirty and torn. Mary did not recognize him. He sat in the chair, sobbing and swayingDose from one side to another. Held in his hands the box of madera pear with feathers that had given Petruccio and whetherwould like two days ... An eternity, now.

- My G.o.d, Claudia! Are you okay? He looked and rabito be seized from him. Do you have ...?

"No ... I'm fine. Mistreated me a bit because they believed that I could tell where you went. But mother ... Oh, Ezio, have been father and Federico Petruccio and the Palazzo Vecchio!

"Your mother is in shock," said Annetta. Howdo resist, the ... "He stopped. b.a.s.t.a.r.d b.a.s.t.a.r.d Ezio began to think quickly.

"This place is not safe. Can you take them somewhere, Annetta?

"Yes, yes ... my sister's house. There will be safe. -Annetta could hardly speak, fear and anguish drowned his voice.

"We must move quickly. I'm sure the guards again for me. Claudia, mother ... no time to lose. Cojais no nothing, just go away with Annetta. Ahosame ra! Claudia, let mamma mamma lean on you. lean on you.

Escorted them to the outside your home ransacked, shock ofswim yet, and helped out before leaving them in the capable hands of the faithful Annetta, who had begun to regain her composure. Ezio head plotted at full speed on the implicationstions, the world convulsed by aquel terrible turn of Aconopments. Desperate, he tried to evaluate what happened and what to do next, what to do to save his father and his brothers ... I knew for sure was that I had to find a way to see his father, find out what it was that had arouseded that attack, the atrocity against his family. But PaLazzo Vecchio! They would have locked up their families in two smallNAS cell tower, he was sure. Maybe there was a posensitivity of ... But the place was fortified as a castle, and there would be a formidable surveillance protecting it, just that night.

Forcing herself to calm down and think clearly, is slidingZo through the streets to reach the Piazza della Signoria, stuck to the walls and looked up. In the battlements at the top of the tower ardian torches, illuminating a gigantic red lily was the emblem of the city and the great clock of the base of the tower. At the top, straining his eyes, thought Ezio distinguish the dim light of a candle behind the small window with bars. In front of the huge double doors access palazzo palazzo guards had deliberatelytwo, and many more in the battlements. Ezio but saw none on the top of the tower, whose battlements, however, remained to be ENCIma of the window that would come. guards had deliberatelytwo, and many more in the battlements. Ezio but saw none on the top of the tower, whose battlements, however, remained to be ENCIma of the window that would come.

He walked around the square to move away from palazzo palazzo and entered in the callejuela that departed from there and followed the north wall of the building. Luckily, there were still enough people in the streets, walking and enjoyingcourse of the evening breeze. Suddenly, Ezio had the impression of living in a different world that people have thatbeen isolated from the society in which they had been swimming like a fish to her only three or four hours. He put the w.i.l.l.i.e.s to think that life could still continue their routine hadtual to the crowd, while his family life had been violently shaken. He felt his heart back into a wave of anger and overwhelming fear. But he decided to concentratetrate on the task at hand and his face took on a formerpressure cold as steel. and entered in the callejuela that departed from there and followed the north wall of the building. Luckily, there were still enough people in the streets, walking and enjoyingcourse of the evening breeze. Suddenly, Ezio had the impression of living in a different world that people have thatbeen isolated from the society in which they had been swimming like a fish to her only three or four hours. He put the w.i.l.l.i.e.s to think that life could still continue their routine hadtual to the crowd, while his family life had been violently shaken. He felt his heart back into a wave of anger and overwhelming fear. But he decided to concentratetrate on the task at hand and his face took on a formerpressure cold as steel.

The wall stood in front of him was completely vertical and sharply higher, but it was dark and play in their favor. Furthermore, palazzo palazzo was built with rough-hewn stone, which would provide abundant handholds and footholds on the climb. Would face the problem of the guards who could be stationed on the battlements on the north side, but take care of them when the time came. Expected estuvieran mostly grouped in the main facade of the building. was built with rough-hewn stone, which would provide abundant handholds and footholds on the climb. Would face the problem of the guards who could be stationed on the battlements on the north side, but take care of them when the time came. Expected estuvieran mostly grouped in the main facade of the building.

He breathed deeply, looked up, there was no one else in that dark street, and jumped. Held on tight to the wall, sticking with the toes protected by her soft leather boots, and started climbing.

When you reach the battlements squatted, the sinews of his calves tight. There were two guards, but had their backs to him, watching the lighted square feet. Ezio remained motionless for a moment until he was clear that any noise that might have made had not alerted to its presence. Sindereza.r.s.e, sprinted toward them and beat them, pouringthe back, around his neck with both hands and using the weight of the men themselves and the element of surprise forthe fall back. In just a second, I had removed the casco and had hit their heads with violence fell unconscious before they can even look surprised. Of not having run this, Ezio knew that would have had to cutproject is doing the neck without hesitation or a moment.

He paused again, panting. Now for the tower. It was built of stone carved with a smooth and would be complicateded. She also had to climb from the north side to the west, where the window was located in the cell. He prayed that no one in the square or to look up the battlements. He did not want to be demolisheddo by firing a crossbow after having come so far.

The corner where the walls were north and west was difficult and unpromising, and for a moment he stood there clutching Ezio, transfixed, looking for a grip that seemed inexis.e.xistent. He looked down and saw far beyond him that one of the sentries on the battlements looked up. Clearly saw his countrylido face. He saw the man's eyes. Stuck to the wall. With her dark clothes was as flashy as a c.o.c.kroach on a white tablecloth. But, inexplicably, the man looked down and continued his watch. Would you have seen? What if he had been incaPeace believe what had just seen? We beat the throat of the tension I felt. Just got me relax after a longnute, only then could breathe again.

After a monumental effort, reached its objective, acknowledging the existence of the narrow ledge on which he could settle for a glimpse what was in the narrow cell beyond the window. "G.o.d is merciful, thought to recognize the figure of his father, his back turned to him, reading is something under thelight house by a thin candle.

- Father! Shouted without lifting heavy voice.

Giovanni turned away.

- Ezio! In the name of G.o.d, how did you ...?

"Never mind, father.

As Giovanni approached, you could see EzioNla hands bloodied and bruised, his face pale and haggard.

"My G.o.d, father, what have you done?

"A little beating, but I'm fine. What matters most: How are your mother and your sister?

-A safe.

- With Annetta?

"Yes.

"Praise G.o.d.

- What happened, Father? Do you expect this?

"Not so fast. They also arrested and Federico Petruccio. I think they are in the cell next to it. If Lorenzo had been here it would have been different. Should have taken action.

- What are you talking about?

- Now there is no time for that! -Giovanni raised his voice to almost scream. And listen carefully: you have to go home. My office is a secret door. In the chamber behind the door you'll find a hidden chest. Grab all all what's inside. "I've heard? what's inside. "I've heard? Everything! Everything! Will seem strange in their mamajority, but everything is important. Will seem strange in their mamajority, but everything is important.

"Yes, father.

Ezio varied slightly the weight of his body, still clinging with all his strength to the bars crossing the window. He dared not look down and did not know how much longer could permaNecer still.