Chapter 1. Flight of the Eaglet

1476 – Firenze

Little moments can change the course of our destinies. One day a man can be set upon a throne or soaring towards the sun, only to be cast down the next. This was the fate of the Auditore family. Successful bankers and servants of Firenze for generations villainized and disgraced by their ancestral enemies the Knights Templar. By all accounts it should have ended that day, but sometimes destiny takes over and hands out the tools for survival. The wounded eaglet would live to fight another day.

Leonardo had always considered himself a patient man, but waiting for his friend's safe return he found his normally limitless patience spread thin. He'd snapped twice at his assistant Innocento for small mistakes in the workshop, causing the others to tread a wide berth around the Maestro. He paced in tight circles around the workshop, wringing his hands and muttering all the while. In the distance was the sound of church bells alerting the citizens to a murderer on the loose. Most likely Ezio, Leonardo reasoned, it means he was successful and that he is well.

Barely ten minutes later there was a fierce knocking at his door and someone shouting his name. Almost flinging the door of its hinges Leonardo opened the door to the site of a bloody Ezio. Ushering him in, Leonardo poked his head to see if there were guards about. Satisfied that there were none he locked the door behind them.

"It is done, Uberto is dead."

"You have avenged your father and brothers then? What will you do now amico mio, you might be able to go to il Magnifico and have him pardon your family and return to your normal life." Ezio shook his head and sat down in one of the seats that near Leonardo's work table.

"I'm afraid this goes beyond just Uberto. My father and brothers were just pawns in an elaborate chess game. There's little Lorenzo could do for us." Concerned and confused Leonardo started his pacing again, but this time out of agitation rather than impatience.

"So what will you do?"

"I have an Uncle Mario in Monteriggioni. I will take my mother and sister there for safety, after that I do not know. Leave for Spain or France maybe. And what of you Leonardo, are you still safe here?"

"I have patronage of the Medici. As long as Lorenzo is in power I will be fine." Ezio nodded and rose from the chair.

"Bene, I must return to Paola's and collect Mamma and Claudia. Safety and Peace, Leonardo." Embracing his new friend, Ezio felt somewhat reluctant to let go. He'd lost his father, his mentor, and his brother Federico, his best friend, he was not quite ready to let go of someone who had the qualities of both.

"And you as well. I hope we meet again in better times." It would be another two years before the two men would see each other again.

Trans.

Bene- Good

Amico mio- my friend

Il Magnifico- The magnificent (Lorenzo de' Medici)