Author's Note:
This is my first AC fanfic, but I'm a fan of the games especially Ezio's storyline. I'll be getting a bit creative with the AC world. I'll, of course, be trying to stick to the original story line, but some things may change or perhaps be left out or added to fit the story, I'm writing. I have a vague idea where the story is going as I'm still fleshing it out, so please be patient with me! I do hope, you'll all enjoy it tho!
I welcome any constructive criticism and reviews!
Outskirts of Monteriggioni, 1474
"Signore Mario," Octavio cautions Mario Auditore as he dismounted his horse.
Octavio wasn't sure if this could be a trap set out by bandits. Although Monteriggioni wasn't too far away in case it was a trap.
"It's a child," Mario says frowning as he got closer to the unconscious body on the ground. He doubted it was trap when he took in the size of the body and saw the young face.
They were returning from San Gimignano when they came across the laid out body in the middle of the road. The sun had just finished rising from the east. They weren't far away from Monteriggioni, about another twenty minutes and they would be within views of the walls.
Mario crouched down to see if the child was still alive. He let out a sigh of relief as he registered the faint rise and fall of the child's chest, but the body was slightly feverish as he touched the cheek and forehead.
He wasn't sure if the child was male or female for the clothes were a bit too big and the face was smeared with dirt. Although there was a bit of a feminine touch to the face, but he didn't want to guess wrong. There was no telling from where the child came from for there was nothing with them, but the clothes it wore with a ragged brown cloak.
"Help me get the child onto the horse," Mario ordered his commander as he picked up the child off the ground and noticed the child was quite light.
The child only let out a slight groan and their eyes scrunched a bit, but relaxed once settled onto the horse with Mario.
"We're going to need to get the dottore," Mario scowled as he felt the child's body heating up more.
"Do you wish for me to ride ahead," Octavio asked with some concern as he noticed the grimace growing on the child's face.
"Si, that would be best. Also have Gulia prepare a room for our guest."
With that, Octavio raced his horse ahead to Monteriggioni. While Mario kept his horse on a steady pace to keep from jostling the child.
Mario arrived at the town's entrance and was thankful that the one of his men was already waiting at the stables to help him dismount from the horse with the child.
"Octavio already has the dottore waiting at the villa," his man says as he hands back the child once Mario got off the horse. "I'll go search if there is anyone who would know more of the bambino."
"Let me know if you find out anything immediately," Mario orders before heading into the town with the child in his arms.
The child had not woken once throughout the whole time, but would only make sounds of groans or would grimace.
"Signore Mario," Gulia greeted the moment Mario stepped into the villa. "Follow me."
She led him upstairs to one of the unused rooms inside the villa that faced the entrance of the town. Inside the room, the dottore was already set up with Octavio beside him.
"Lay the child down on the bed," the dottore instructed and immediately began checking the child over once Mario got out of the way. "There seems to be no external wounds anywhere, but she is sick with fever."
The dottore removed the cloak and loosen up the clothing the young girl is wearing before ordering Gulia to get a bowl of water and a rag to clean up the girl a bit, but also so they could start to lower the fever that was starting to get serious.
"Signore Mario, you will want to look at this," the dottore moved out of the way as Mario approached to see what was the dottore pointing to.
Around the girl's neck was a thin leather necklace that held a silver ring. It wasn't any plain old ring, but a ring with the Assassin's insignia on it.
Mario frowned at the sight of it, but could not think of anyone owning such a thing in Italy. Those he knew of in the Order had no such ring unless the child came from another Order outside of Italy, but she seemed Italian herself.
"I'll need to speak with my brother," Mario murmured before stepping away. "For now, tell me, what could have caused her to be sick with fever and will she recover."
The dottore sighed, "My guess is that she may have exhausted herself and not eaten properly. Luckily, you found her in time before her condition got too serious. She should recover within a few days. I'll leave Gulia with some medicine and I'll come check on her in a couple days, but if the fever worsens, send for me immediately."
Mario nodded in agreement before the dottore packed up his things. "Thank you. Octavio, please pay the dottore and escort him out."
"Si, of course," Octavio led the dottore out as Gulia returned with the bowl of water and the rag.
"I'll be leaving the girl in your care, Gulia," Mario says with a sigh as Gulia began to clean the girl's face gently.
"Do not worry, I'll be sure to watch over her," Gulia smiled before Mario gave her a grateful smile. "She seems to be my sister's age."
Gulia quietly studied the young girl's face as she cleaned her up. Gulia guessed the girl could be between 13 to 14 years old. A little on the short side, but she could see the young girl was a little lean with muscle.
"Once she awakens, she should be able to tell us more about herself," Mario says quietly before leaving Gulia alone with her.
Mario walked to his study with a frown fixed on his face as he thought of where the girl could be from. The insignia of the Assassins was easily recognizable, but he couldn't think of where it could come from.
He'll need to write to his brother and Machiavelli if his men could not find answers within the day. Hopefully, they could shed some light into this mystery and find out why the girl was here.