Lorenzo's estimation of the power struggle within the city turned out to be more correct than either man originally assumed. The Pazzi fought against Lorenzo's word in small, subtle ways that ordinary folk rarely noticed, but Leonardo took notice of all the same. In the days following Ezio's drop off at his uncle's home, he and La Volpe became close confident alongside Lorenzo, helping him keep the city under Medici rule as long as possible. It wasn't easy, especially since they were minus one assassin to keep the people wary of the night streets, when the Pazzi did the most plotting. Their numbers continued to grow, and more people began to vocalize their discontentment under Medici rule.
Leonardo knew that half of the people in the group were not truly unhappy with Lorenzo's rule, but the people of Firenze had always held a little more of that 'herd mentality' than other cities; it made things difficult when events such as these plagued the days that were once so carefree. On top of that, Uberto was still parading around unhindered, spreading lies about the Auditore family and their noble House, lies that made Leonardo see red, made him wish he wasn't nearly so intent on keeping his cover of innocent painter. But he had sworn to his master that he would keep up the guise as long as he could, and so despite the fact that he longed to slip a blade through the fat man's throat, he held his tongue and kept his peace.
Thankfully, the days went by quickly, aided in part by Leonardo's sudden shove into the spotlight. The bodies of the guards had been discovered as they were burning, and while they had been allowed to burn, the sight of the bodies in front of a famous painter's door had forced the normally quiet soul out into the eyes of the public. Some painted him as a demon, others, a misguided soul. Many more still spoke up in his defense, saying that clearly it was an attempt to ruin his credibility. Lorenzo had a hand in this as well, although he was much more subtle, aware that if anyone thought for even a moment that Leonardo had something to do with the political war going on, he would be targeted. Leonardo could handle a sword fine, but archers and gunmen were things not even he could conquer.
Mario gave short reports to La Volpe to pass along that kept them in the look regarding Ezio. All of them were encrypted to prevent anyone from realizing what was going on; although La Volpe swore on his own life that the men and women he had in his guild were all honest thieves (a strange twist if ever Leonardo heard one), neither Lorenzo nor Leonardo was prepared to take any chances. Whenever the letters came in, Lorenzo would allow them to read it alongside him, and it was here that Leonardo began to realize that something was going on with Ezio, something Mario was trying to get him to understand.
It started out like most things did - small, unnoticeable. And then gradually, it grew.
The first report - "Fledgling settling in. Restless at night. Climbs the roofs and stares out at Firenze. Homesickness is a terrible thing."
The second report - "Resting now, but won't take certain foods. He rarely sleeps deeply. Trust is something that family cannot overcome, it seems. Another hand is required here."
And the most recent report, which had arrived that morning - "He is growing anxious; I have told him about Firenze's current standings, and he is eager to test his new claws. He also speaks of a nest he must return to, one that is occupied by a stronger, wiser creature than he. Tell the falconer to ready his glove."
Lorenzo frowned, lips moving in silent tracing of the words while La Volpe smirked and went back to the window. Leonardo sighed, easily assuming that the falconer Mario spoke of was Lorenzo. "It seems our hunter is coming home at last. Firenze will finally start calming down, hopefully."
"Mm." Lorenzo didn't look away from the paper. "I think his arrival will be most interesting for the public."
La Volpe laughed, a gay sound. "The boy will rend his enemies apart in a matter of moments. Such is his nature when uncontrolled. And he is uncontrolled." The grin he gave Leonardo was suggestive. "Methinks mayhap this eagle requires jesses."
Lorenzo's head snapped up suddenly, his gaze shooting from La Volpe to Leonardo, who had shaken his head and was in the process of retreating to go home. The leader of Firenze looked back to the letter, reading the words with a renewed intensity before his gaze returned to Leonardo's retreating back.
"Oh."
---------
Two days later, Leonardo received an invitation to a party that would be thrown by Uberto that evening; a party reserved only for the best of the best. Although Leonardo had never been in contact with the man, he knew that Uberto was sending a warning along with the invite - the problem was finding the threat before he walked into a trap. Unfortunately, Lorenzo was out of the city and wouldn't be back for several hours, and La Volpe had his own things to take care of, which meant Leonardo would have to trust his own judgment with this one. Although it smelled of danger and treachery, and although he knew that there was a good chance someone there wanted him dead, he knew he needed to go. Instinct told him that if he went, things would turn out alright.
As always, instinct was right. Fifteen minutes into the party at the Santa Croce cloister, Uberto proposed a toast to Leonardo, right before calling him a traitor and informing the public there would be a public execution right then and there. The artist had been shoved down, kicked and had his arms yanked behind his back, a sword kissing his throat before Fate decided to call in the cavalry.
The bloodcurdling scream that rippled through the air seconds later came from Uberto, who now had a sword in his stomach and a knife slicing his jugular open, blood pouring out like red wine. Leonardo watched, fascinated in a horrific sort of way as the body dropped, and the man responsible turned around. The artist couldn't help the quiet gasp that came out of him at the sight; Ezio Auditore had finally returned to Firenze and just like Mario had said, he was well-equipped.
The man that wore the white cloak and held the bloodied sword was not the boy that had looked too small in his father's clothes. This man wore the cloak as if it had been there all his life; his aura was pure dominance and demand, as if he would accept nothing less than what he desired. His posture was openly confrontation with a hint of arrogance, just enough to set the guards off. The one with his sword at Leonardo's throat turned his attention to the assassin, attempting an overhead swing that resulted in a knee to the gut and a sword through his heart. Then came the ones holding his arms, and finally the one that had kicked him.
When all the guards were dead, Ezio spoke. He did not shout, as Leonardo thought he might do, but instead spoke in a normal tone, one that made everyone in attendance sit up straight and pay attention. "Uberto Alberti was a traitor to Firenze and her people. With his death comes the recovery of peace to this city. Those of you who bore witness to his death, spread the word; Firenze's assassin flies again, and he will strike down those who attempt to spread the seeds of chaos along these hallowed grounds."
In the silence that followed, Ezio picked up Leonardo and walked out, the two soon blending in with the crowds and vanishing from sight.
FILL: The Lost Eaglet 6/?
Leonardo knew that half of the people in the group were not truly unhappy with Lorenzo's rule, but the people of Firenze had always held a little more of that 'herd mentality' than other cities; it made things difficult when events such as these plagued the days that were once so carefree. On top of that, Uberto was still parading around unhindered, spreading lies about the Auditore family and their noble House, lies that made Leonardo see red, made him wish he wasn't nearly so intent on keeping his cover of innocent painter. But he had sworn to his master that he would keep up the guise as long as he could, and so despite the fact that he longed to slip a blade through the fat man's throat, he held his tongue and kept his peace.
Thankfully, the days went by quickly, aided in part by Leonardo's sudden shove into the spotlight. The bodies of the guards had been discovered as they were burning, and while they had been allowed to burn, the sight of the bodies in front of a famous painter's door had forced the normally quiet soul out into the eyes of the public. Some painted him as a demon, others, a misguided soul. Many more still spoke up in his defense, saying that clearly it was an attempt to ruin his credibility. Lorenzo had a hand in this as well, although he was much more subtle, aware that if anyone thought for even a moment that Leonardo had something to do with the political war going on, he would be targeted. Leonardo could handle a sword fine, but archers and gunmen were things not even he could conquer.
Mario gave short reports to La Volpe to pass along that kept them in the look regarding Ezio. All of them were encrypted to prevent anyone from realizing what was going on; although La Volpe swore on his own life that the men and women he had in his guild were all honest thieves (a strange twist if ever Leonardo heard one), neither Lorenzo nor Leonardo was prepared to take any chances. Whenever the letters came in, Lorenzo would allow them to read it alongside him, and it was here that Leonardo began to realize that something was going on with Ezio, something Mario was trying to get him to understand.
It started out like most things did - small, unnoticeable. And then gradually, it grew.
The first report - "Fledgling settling in. Restless at night. Climbs the roofs and stares out at Firenze. Homesickness is a terrible thing."
The second report - "Resting now, but won't take certain foods. He rarely sleeps deeply. Trust is something that family cannot overcome, it seems. Another hand is required here."
And the most recent report, which had arrived that morning - "He is growing anxious; I have told him about Firenze's current standings, and he is eager to test his new claws. He also speaks of a nest he must return to, one that is occupied by a stronger, wiser creature than he. Tell the falconer to ready his glove."
Lorenzo frowned, lips moving in silent tracing of the words while La Volpe smirked and went back to the window. Leonardo sighed, easily assuming that the falconer Mario spoke of was Lorenzo. "It seems our hunter is coming home at last. Firenze will finally start calming down, hopefully."
"Mm." Lorenzo didn't look away from the paper. "I think his arrival will be most interesting for the public."
La Volpe laughed, a gay sound. "The boy will rend his enemies apart in a matter of moments. Such is his nature when uncontrolled. And he is uncontrolled." The grin he gave Leonardo was suggestive. "Methinks mayhap this eagle requires jesses."
Lorenzo's head snapped up suddenly, his gaze shooting from La Volpe to Leonardo, who had shaken his head and was in the process of retreating to go home. The leader of Firenze looked back to the letter, reading the words with a renewed intensity before his gaze returned to Leonardo's retreating back.
"Oh."
---------
Two days later, Leonardo received an invitation to a party that would be thrown by Uberto that evening; a party reserved only for the best of the best. Although Leonardo had never been in contact with the man, he knew that Uberto was sending a warning along with the invite - the problem was finding the threat before he walked into a trap. Unfortunately, Lorenzo was out of the city and wouldn't be back for several hours, and La Volpe had his own things to take care of, which meant Leonardo would have to trust his own judgment with this one. Although it smelled of danger and treachery, and although he knew that there was a good chance someone there wanted him dead, he knew he needed to go. Instinct told him that if he went, things would turn out alright.
As always, instinct was right. Fifteen minutes into the party at the Santa Croce cloister, Uberto proposed a toast to Leonardo, right before calling him a traitor and informing the public there would be a public execution right then and there. The artist had been shoved down, kicked and had his arms yanked behind his back, a sword kissing his throat before Fate decided to call in the cavalry.
The bloodcurdling scream that rippled through the air seconds later came from Uberto, who now had a sword in his stomach and a knife slicing his jugular open, blood pouring out like red wine. Leonardo watched, fascinated in a horrific sort of way as the body dropped, and the man responsible turned around. The artist couldn't help the quiet gasp that came out of him at the sight; Ezio Auditore had finally returned to Firenze and just like Mario had said, he was well-equipped.
The man that wore the white cloak and held the bloodied sword was not the boy that had looked too small in his father's clothes. This man wore the cloak as if it had been there all his life; his aura was pure dominance and demand, as if he would accept nothing less than what he desired. His posture was openly confrontation with a hint of arrogance, just enough to set the guards off. The one with his sword at Leonardo's throat turned his attention to the assassin, attempting an overhead swing that resulted in a knee to the gut and a sword through his heart. Then came the ones holding his arms, and finally the one that had kicked him.
When all the guards were dead, Ezio spoke. He did not shout, as Leonardo thought he might do, but instead spoke in a normal tone, one that made everyone in attendance sit up straight and pay attention. "Uberto Alberti was a traitor to Firenze and her people. With his death comes the recovery of peace to this city. Those of you who bore witness to his death, spread the word; Firenze's assassin flies again, and he will strike down those who attempt to spread the seeds of chaos along these hallowed grounds."
In the silence that followed, Ezio picked up Leonardo and walked out, the two soon blending in with the crowds and vanishing from sight.