It had been a week since the meeting with Lorenzo, and despite both men's best efforts, neither had found any trace or clue as to the whereabouts of Ezio. Lorenzo had gotten in contact with Ezio's uncle Mario out in Monteriggioni, but the man swore he had not heard from his brother or his nephew in a long time. Perhaps to add insult to injury, Lorenzo was forced to tell Mario of his brother's execution. Mario swore he would keep an eye out for Ezio, and let them know as soon as possible if he did encounter the boy.
Fortunately, he was not the only one; several factions within Florence's walls had held peace with House Auditore, and seen Giovanni's death for what it was. La Volpe, surprisingly enough had been the first to step forward, confronting Leonardo one evening after everyone else had gone home. Leonardo had heard enough of the Fox through Giovanni to be aware of the rumors circling him like so many horses, as well as his temperament; Giovanni had told him Volpe held little love of fools and sitting ducks. Leonardo found himself nearly overwhelmed by the man's sheer presence and natural charm, although both seemed to disappear once the door was shut.
"Is it true then? Giovanni's last child is out in the city somewhere?" The thief demanded, moving from his spot against the wall.
"Si. Altezza, Mario and I are working as hard as we can to find him before the Pazzi do. We know they hold no love of the Auditore - we can only speculate what they would do if they were to discover an Auditore still remained among them."
"They would destroy him," Volpe spat unflinchingly, "they would break his body and then his mind. That is the way of the Pazzi. I would not be surprised to find him with a collar around his neck when we drag him out."
"You make it sound as if he's already been caught!" Leonardo cried, alarmed. Volpe shook his head.
"I'm merely stating the truth of the matter. If we don't find Giovanni's missing son soon, then we must assume he is either captured or dead. Fortunately, both I and my men move fast in tight situations. I have heard that we are not the only ones that have agreed to search. Who else is on the hunt?"
"The courtesans have already agreed, although they are the only ones I'm aware of so far. Altezza may have the names of others."
Volpe scoffed. "I do not need to know their names, only their faces. Even without the lordling's directions, I can assume which side goes to which leader. You'll find help in the darker places now; shield yourself well little artist, and prepare for the blowout when the Pazzi discover their prize has been under their nose the whole time. We will steal Ezio back, and we will not be merciful doing it."
Volpe vanished after that, leaving Leonardo with mixed feelings, most of which consisted of worry and dread. The thought of the Pazzi discovering Ezio before had been disturbing, but now it was positively sickening. Forcing himself to go back to his work, Leonardo prayed to whoever was listening that Ezio would stay in hiding long enough for La Volpe and his followers to find him.
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He had not slept since the execution.
Although exhaustion dogged him like a shadow and his very soul ached with the pain of loss, he could not sleep. Every time he tried to close his eyes for just a few precious minutes and lose himself in the blessed darkness, he would recall their faces, the nooses around their necks, the stab of betrayal in his chest at Uberto's words. He had failed his family - his brothers and fathers were lost to him forever, and his mother and sister had been cast from the city, thrown to parts unknown.
Ezio curled up in a ball. He didn't know where he was - only that it was dark and quiet, nobody around for miles. He could hear the town off in the distance - was he near Firenze? He couldn't tell anymore. His mind refused to put the last few days in order, the strain of attempting to walk off such devastating events so soon crippling him like a broken limb. Overhead, the sky darkened and re-lit itself like a beacon fire, the sun passing in a constant cycle that made him dizzy if he stared at it too long.
It came to him that he needed to be somewhere, needed to see someone. But after a few minutes of trying and failing to recall a name or a face, he gave up. If it were truly important, he wouldn't have forgotten.
FILL: The Lost Eaglet 2/?
Fortunately, he was not the only one; several factions within Florence's walls had held peace with House Auditore, and seen Giovanni's death for what it was. La Volpe, surprisingly enough had been the first to step forward, confronting Leonardo one evening after everyone else had gone home. Leonardo had heard enough of the Fox through Giovanni to be aware of the rumors circling him like so many horses, as well as his temperament; Giovanni had told him Volpe held little love of fools and sitting ducks. Leonardo found himself nearly overwhelmed by the man's sheer presence and natural charm, although both seemed to disappear once the door was shut.
"Is it true then? Giovanni's last child is out in the city somewhere?" The thief demanded, moving from his spot against the wall.
"Si. Altezza, Mario and I are working as hard as we can to find him before the Pazzi do. We know they hold no love of the Auditore - we can only speculate what they would do if they were to discover an Auditore still remained among them."
"They would destroy him," Volpe spat unflinchingly, "they would break his body and then his mind. That is the way of the Pazzi. I would not be surprised to find him with a collar around his neck when we drag him out."
"You make it sound as if he's already been caught!" Leonardo cried, alarmed. Volpe shook his head.
"I'm merely stating the truth of the matter. If we don't find Giovanni's missing son soon, then we must assume he is either captured or dead. Fortunately, both I and my men move fast in tight situations. I have heard that we are not the only ones that have agreed to search. Who else is on the hunt?"
"The courtesans have already agreed, although they are the only ones I'm aware of so far. Altezza may have the names of others."
Volpe scoffed. "I do not need to know their names, only their faces. Even without the lordling's directions, I can assume which side goes to which leader. You'll find help in the darker places now; shield yourself well little artist, and prepare for the blowout when the Pazzi discover their prize has been under their nose the whole time. We will steal Ezio back, and we will not be merciful doing it."
Volpe vanished after that, leaving Leonardo with mixed feelings, most of which consisted of worry and dread. The thought of the Pazzi discovering Ezio before had been disturbing, but now it was positively sickening. Forcing himself to go back to his work, Leonardo prayed to whoever was listening that Ezio would stay in hiding long enough for La Volpe and his followers to find him.
---------
He had not slept since the execution.
Although exhaustion dogged him like a shadow and his very soul ached with the pain of loss, he could not sleep. Every time he tried to close his eyes for just a few precious minutes and lose himself in the blessed darkness, he would recall their faces, the nooses around their necks, the stab of betrayal in his chest at Uberto's words. He had failed his family - his brothers and fathers were lost to him forever, and his mother and sister had been cast from the city, thrown to parts unknown.
Ezio curled up in a ball. He didn't know where he was - only that it was dark and quiet, nobody around for miles. He could hear the town off in the distance - was he near Firenze? He couldn't tell anymore. His mind refused to put the last few days in order, the strain of attempting to walk off such devastating events so soon crippling him like a broken limb. Overhead, the sky darkened and re-lit itself like a beacon fire, the sun passing in a constant cycle that made him dizzy if he stared at it too long.
It came to him that he needed to be somewhere, needed to see someone. But after a few minutes of trying and failing to recall a name or a face, he gave up. If it were truly important, he wouldn't have forgotten.