Renaissance. Part 6

She went to look, but before giving said - What about your family?

"That's my first duty. Bury my dead. I'm not allowed to throw into a pit with lime as if they were common criminals.

"I know where they have been taken.

- How do you know?

"In the city has not talked about nothing else all day. But now there is no one for alli. Are close to Porta San Nicslipped, along with the corpses of the indigent. There is a grave preparedrada, and are waiting to arrive in the morning cars with the lime. Oh, Ezio!

Ezio spoke staying calm but very serious: "I must take care of my father and my brothers are heading in this world that they deserve. I can not offer a requiem, but I can save his body from the indignity.

- I'll go with you!

- No! Do you realize what it would mean that surprised yousen me?

Cristina looked down.

"I must also take care of my mother and my sister isTen to save, and I owe to my family one more death. He hesitated-. Intonka I will. Perhaps forever. The question is: will you come with me?

She stepped back and saw in his eyes Ezio a mult.i.tude of conflicting emotions. There was love, deep and lasting, but at the time that had elapsed since the first day I tookbetween his arms, he had matured a lot more than her. Cristina was a child. How could I pretend to make a sacrifice like that?

"I do, Ezio, do not know how ... but my family ... This would kill my parents ...

Ezio looked at her kindly. Despite being in the same age, his recent experiences had done much more mature than her. He had no family to depend upon, only responsibility and duty, and that was very hard.

"I've been wrong preguntandotelo. And who knows, perhaps thegun day, when this is back ... "She raised her hands to cuement and in the folds of his robes located a medallion plata hung from a thin gold chain. Took it off. The medallion was a simple picture, the letter 'A' of your last name-. I want you to haveyou gas. Take it, please.

Cristina took it with trembling hands, crying. He looked and then looked at him, to thank him, to give any excuse.

But Ezio was gone.

On the south bank of the Arno, near the Porta San Niccolo, Ezio whatlimestone the desolate place where the bodies lay next to a large pit dug in the ground. Two guards look pitiful, simples recruits on the basis of their appearance, patrolling nearby, carrying their halberds more than covers with panache. See their uniforms aroused the wrath of Ezio and his first instinct was to kill them, but then thought he had seen enough deaths that day and were only forced to field boys seetir that uniform in search of a better life. He shrugged coright to see the bodies of his father and brothers on the edge of the pit with the rope still around his neck burned. He understood that as the guards were asleep, could transporttar without problem the bodies to the sh.o.r.e of the river where a boat was discovered that prepared previously loaded with stubble.

It was nearly three, and when he finished his task in the dim light of dawn was beginning to whiten the sky to the east. Is foundlocks along the river, watching the boat loaded with the bodies of his family, in flames, was carried away by the current slowly towards the sea. He continued staring until the firelight disappeared into the distance.

He returned to the city, their pain replaced by a relentless determination. He still had much to do. But above all, needed to rest. He returned to hut Sentinel and settled as he could. A nap does not go bad, but got even sleeping Cristina leave their thoughts, or dreams.

Knew about the whereabouts of the brother's houseAnnetta na, although he had never been there, did not even know Paolo, but had been his nurse Annetta and I knew that you can trust someone, had to be in it. He wondered if known and the fate of his father and brothers and if so, whether it would have explained to his mother and sister.

He came home very quietly, making a detour and in meas far as possible, covering the distance on the run, head down over the rooftops to avoid streets where surely would Uberto Alberti his men searching. Ezio could not injar thinking about the betrayal of Alberti. What faction would refer his father when he spoke at the gallows? What could have led to AlAlberti to lead to death one of his closest allies?

Ezio house knew that Paola was on a street just northyou from the cathedral. But when he got there, he could not guess what it was. On the facades of the buildings there were few signs that identifyCaran, and could not afford the luxury of loitering there because they could recognize. I was about to leave when he saw Annetta in person approaching from the Piazza San Lorenzo.

He pulled down his hood so that his face is camouflaged by the shadows and approached her, walking at a normal pace, trydo mingle with other citizens traveling on the street. Annetta He pa.s.sed, and was glad to see that even she showed signs of having recognized. A few meters ahead, turned and sped up to stay by his side.

-Annetta ...

Acuity was not her turn her head.

-Ezio. You're safe.

"Not exactly. Are my mother and my sister ...?

"They're protected. Oh, Ezio, your poor father. And Federico. Y. .. "Stifled a sob the little Petruccio. I come right now of San Lorenzo. I've put a candle to San Antonio for them. They say the Duke will return soon. Maybe ...

- Are my mother and Claudia aware of what happened?

"We thought it best not to tell.

Ezio thought for a moment.

"It's better this way. I'll tell you when the time comes. He paused-. Will you take me to them? I could not identify the house of your sister.

"Now I go there. Follow me.

It was delayed a bit, but without losing sight.

The place became sober and was the facade with the appearance of strength of the most magnificent buildings in Florence, but once inside, Ezio was stunned. Not exactly what was expected.

Was found in a large room with high ceilings and richfurnished mind. It was dark, enclosed s.p.a.ce. The walls were covered with swags of velvet in shades of maroon and dark brown interspersed with oriental tapestries depicting scenes of luxury and pleasure s unequivocalEXUAL. The room was litanything by candlelight and floated in the air a scent of incense. The furniture was composed mainly of soft sofa cus.h.i.+ons covered with precious brocade and low tables on which it had silver trays with wine jugs, goblets of Venetian gla.s.s and gold containers with candy. But the most surprisingyou were the people who occupied the room. A dozen beautiful girls, dressed in silks and satins in shades of yellow and green floral styleRentin but skirts with cuts to the top of the thigh with deep necklines that left little to the imagination except protabletop where it should not venture. In the three walls of the room, beneath garlands and tapestry, there were several doors.

Ezio looked around, in a sense without knowing where where look. look.

- Are you sure this is the place? An he askednetta.

"Ma certo! And here is my sister who comes to meet us. And here is my sister who comes to meet us.

Saw him coming towards them an elegant woman, who must roTsar forty but looked ten years younger, as beautiful as any Principessa Principessa and better dressed than most. Its myrada hid a sad evening, augmented somewhat by transmitting s.e.xually charged him, and Ezio, with everything he had in his head was touched. and better dressed than most. Its myrada hid a sad evening, augmented somewhat by transmitting s.e.xually charged him, and Ezio, with everything he had in his head was touched.

He held out a hand with long fingers and loaded with jewels.

"Nice, Ezio. "He glanced a.s.sessment-. Annetta speaks highly of you. And now I understand why.

Ezio, blus.h.i.+ng uncontrollably, he replied: "I appreciate those kind words, madonna ... madonna ...

Paola "Call me, please.

Ezio bowed.

I do not know how to express my grat.i.tude for having given protection to my mother and my sister mado ... mado ... I mean, Paola. I mean, Paola.

"It's the least we could do.

- Are they here? Can you see them?

"They're here ... no place for them, and some of my clients occupy prominent places in the city government.

- Is this place so if you'll excuse me, what I think it is?

Paola laughed.

- Of course! But I hope it is something different from those youhovel there on the docks! It is soon to be work, but we like to be prepared ... there is always the odd occasional visitor to walk to work. You're in the momentto perfect.

- Where is my mother? Where is Claudia?

"They are safe, Ezio, but it is too risky to take now to see them, and we must not compromise safety.

Dragged him to a couch and sat down with him. Annetta, meanwhile, disappeared into the bowels of the house to go about their things.

"I think we'd better," continued Florence Paola, which leave them at the earliest opportunity. But first neNeed some rest. You have to regain strength, then waits a long road ahead and complicated. You might like ...

"Very nice," said Paola interrupting educadamenI- and you're right with your suggestion. But right now I can not stay.

- Why? Where do you go?

During the conversation, Ezio had been rea.s.suring as his racing thoughts were found. Finally had been able to shake off their shock and fear, having made a decision and find a target, irrevocable both.

"I'll kill Uberto Alberti said.

Paola took a look of concern.

"I understand your desire for revenge, but Gonfaloniere Gonfaloniere is a powerful man, and you're not a murderer by nature, Ezio ... is a powerful man, and you're not a murderer by nature, Ezio ...

"Destiny is making me do this, he thought, but said instead, with much education as possible: "Spare me the speech.

Was convinced of his mission.

Paola ignored and finished his sentence.

-... but I can become one.

Ezio repressed his misgivings.

- Why would you want to teach me to kill?

She shook her head from side to side.

"To teach you to survive.

"I'm not sure you need for anytion on your part. She smiled.

"I know how you feel, but let me, please help pulir those skills I'm sure that you have in a naturalral. Consider my teachings as an additional weapon in your a.r.s.enal.

Paola started training that day, recruiting to the chicas were free and the servants of confidence for the helpwill give. In the garden behind the house, surrounded by high walls, orised to twenty people at your service in five groups of four. They began to wander around the garden, crossing each other, talking and laughing, some of the girls throwing Ezio daring glances and smiling. Ezio, still with his precious bowlsa hung to one side, was immune to his charms.

"Well," said Paola- discretion is crucial in my ownprofession. We need to walk the streets freely ... viscough, but without being seen. You must learn to mingle with others like us and become one among the crowd of the cityDad. "Ezio was about to protest but she raised her hand-. I know! Annetta me that you do not too bad, but tietions to learn more. I want to choose a group and try to mingle with their const.i.tuents. The goal is that I can not distinguirte. Remember what was about to happen to you during implementation.

Those harsh words prompted Ezio, although it was a task that input did not seem complicated, if usedra's discretion. Still, under the relentless gaze of Paola, I was more difficult than imagined. He pushed against others clumsy, tripped occasionally, making chicas or servants of the group that had chosen turned away fromJandola exposed. Although the garden was a place agrapossible, sunny, lush, and the birds chirped in their decorative trees to Ezio eventually became a labyrinthto the hostile streets of the city, all bystanders, potential enemies. And I was exasperated with the constant criticism of Paola.

- Beware! --said-. You can not go around giving these empujones! Show a little respect for my girls! Tread carefully when near them! How will you get confused inamong the crowd if you keep shoving? Oh, Ezio, I expected something better from you!

But finally, the third day, decrease biting commentsnuyeron and the morning of the fourth, managed to walk past the noses of Paola without her would not notice. In fact, desfor fifteen minutes without saying a word, Paola shouted - Okay, Ezio, I give up! Where are you?

Satisfied, he appeared among a group of girls become the perfect imitation of one of the youths of the house. Paola arelaughed and applauded, and everyone else joined in the applause.

But the job does not end there.

"Now you've learned to confuse the crowd," said Paola in the morning the next day- I will teach you how to use your newly acquired skills ... to steal.

Ezio demurred, but Paola said: "It's a basic survival skill you might needsitar on your journey. A man is nothing without money and may not always find yourself in a position to win honestly. I know I never steal anything from anyone who could not afford perDerlo, or a friend. Think of it as the blade of a knife, which is rarely used, although it is good to know it's there.

Learning to become a pickpocket was much more complicateddo. He managed to sneak up on girls with enough successesto, but as the hand approached the pouch worn on the sash, all shouting "When I bark!" "When I bark!" and fled from him. When firstra time managed to steal a few coins, he stayedor plantdo where I was for a moment victorious, but immediately afterwards he felt a heavy hand fell on his shoulders. and fled from him. When firstra time managed to steal a few coins, he stayedor plantdo where I was for a moment victorious, but immediately afterwards he felt a heavy hand fell on his shoulders.

"You arrest! "Smiled the servant who represented the watchdog role of the city, but Paola was not smiling. "Smiled the servant who represented the watchdog role of the city, but Paola was not smiling.

"Once you get to steal something," said Ezio- that can notgive you standing there.

But he learned quickly and began to appreciate the need to acquire the skills they taught and were required to complete their mission. When managed successfully plucked ten girls, the last five without even gave Paola Auditorsta this, it announced that the training was over.

-Go back to work, girls, "said-. Running out of time for games.

- Really?Murmured reluctantly the girls howEzio said goodbye do-. It's so cute, so innocent ...

But Paola was implacable. Then walked alone in the garden. As always, it without taking off the hand of his bag.

"Now you've learned to deal with the enemy," said Paola- we have to find the right weapon ... something much more subtle than a sword.

- And what do you use?

- The answer you already!

Y pulled the knife broke and the cuff was found EzioTrade's safe in his father and who until now believed to continue carrying in his bag. Surprised, he opened it and reached into his inexterior. Had disappeared from there.

- Paola! How the h.e.l.l ...? Paola laughed.

- Have I got? Using the same skills that I just teach. But there is another small lesson to learnder. Now that you behave as a good thief, you alsoalso learn to protect yourself from others who have your same inhabitantsity.

Ezio looked sorry the broken knife she had just returned with the wristband.

He handled some kind of mechanism. Neither one thing nor the other work properly, "said Ezio.

"Oh," she said-. Right. But I think I know Messer Messer Leonardo. Leonardo.

- Da Vinci? Yes, I met him just before ... "His voice broke, but declined to dwell on painful memories-. And how can this help me with a painter?