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xliv λ homeward bound
---- Friends and Companions; Connor, Stephanie, Cassandra, Tim, Maladict, Robb, Crowley, House, Aradia, Spike, South, Utena, Brock, Molotov ----
[Handwritten. How unusual! It's more practiced, anyhow, as if Ezio's actually been using and applying his literacy.]
My dearest friends and companions;
As of Brock Samson's assault on me, I have visited my own time for roughly four years. For those who did not know, I attempted to seduce Molotov when we were teenagers at the magic school, and chose to mock Samson for having "lost" when she accepted… even though it was her idea. As foolish as it was, given I have received a trip home in return, I am not convinced it was in error!
As I do not fancy explaining myself several times, I am writing this account to tell you all what I have been up to. Stephanie, on the occasion that you see her before I do, if you would please read this to Cassandra, it would be much appreciated. Or have Tim do it, he may read this.
After being formally inducted as a Master Assassin and acquiring Borgia's artefact, I returned to Monteriggioni to investigate some important matters and examine what I had taken from Borgia, accompanied by many of the Assassins who trained me, as well as Niccolò Machiavelli, who I had only recently met. It was made clear to us that the matters would need better protection — even Leonardo could not make sense of it — and so we turned to Forlì for assistance. I accompanied Machiavelli as his escort, where I met the Lady Caterina Sforza. We had met prior, as it was her who secured my passage to Venezia as a favour, but this time we were properly introduced. She's an incredible woman — a contessa without even a husband, which is extremely uncommon for our time. I had never met a woman who manages the affairs of a state before, and given how well we got along, I imagine I would like to meet more. It is a tragedy that I likely never will, given the state of the Italian peninsula (and much of Europa beyond her.)
However, mere weeks after our arrival, we encountered some Borgia allies — Checco and Ludovico Orsi. They laid siege to the city and castle. We were fortunate enough to break through their defenses and fend them off, but the kidnapping of the duchess' children required I venture out. I personally rescued them and slayed their kidnappers, the Orsi brothers. Unfortunately, I was wounded in the altercation and fell a few miles short of the fortress, and Lady Caterina's men were sent out to retrieve me. I would have died if she hadn't sent for me. A good woman, hmm? It took eight months to heal before I was prepared to depart, but I was very fortunate that in my time in Forlì I was granted Lady Caterina's personal care. Without her dedication, I am sure I would still be suffering — largely from boredom, I suppose, but there was a certain peace in that life. It was certainly strange to live in a noble household again, with none of the unpleasantness of vagrancy, and Caterina kept a fine estate. She is a remarkable woman; I am looking forward to seeing her again, though I will have to be satisfied with only letters for at least a few more years yet. I don't imagine any of you could comprehend that, but such is life in my time. (And generally I would not even bother with such a topic, but given a number of you care more about my love life than my political pursuits, there it is.)
I had intended to return to Firenze, but after months of tracking Borgia's allies I received summons from Venezia, from Antonio; he told me that a man named Luis de Santángel had more work for me. I was not interested until I learned that his partner, Christoffa Corombo, had ties to Rodrigo Borgia. So, you see, the bastard has fingers everywhere; I cannot throw a fucking rock without finding some place his influence has spread, but I suppose the influence of a Pope easily reaches every crevice in the land. Assassins in the region were being captured and tortured as a part of an Inquisition by Tomás de Torquemada, their names given to them by Borgia himself. And then I thought, it has been fourteen years of hunting Borgia and the old shit hasn't rolled over and died in his sleep. He could perhaps wait another year or two while I helped reform the Brotherhood in Spain, so I immediately set about rescuing the poor bastards and removing Templar influences from the city.
And Borgia's influences went deep, at that; their capture of King Muhammad XII of Granada required I not only liberate him but also convince him to surrender to Spain, ending the war that the Templars hoped to prolong. You see, by continuing the war, they prevented Queen Isabella from having the finances to fund Corombo's journey, and they hoped to take the New World for themselves. So, in doing that, I ensured his passage to the new world and prevented Templars from taking their influence overseas. (You are welcome, Connor.)
I also advised my Assassin brothers to see if Queen Isabella can be influenced in our favour, but it is in their hands now. I do not have time to linger, so now I return to Italia, towards Firenze, in hopes that I can resume the work I left off some years ago. Years! I will see what has become of my birth city in my absence; the journey there may take as long as six months, if the roads are poor, and with any luck Paola will be able to offer me a bit of space on the floor until I can find accommodations. That, of course, concludes my story: dreams of a nice bed like I had at Caterina's, and the satisfaction that I will have one again in Paradisa.
Now that I am in Paradisa again, I am going to indulge in a well-deserved bath to celebrate having such luxurious plumbing and shaving razors once more. After, I would be glad to go out for drinks with any number of you. Bring others, if you'd like, I am simply glad for company. (And food, I think; I have not enjoyed the food in Spain.)
Connor, Aradia, Utena; I should like to see you soon, so that we can refocus your training. Being in Spain has given me plenty of time to think of a new direction.
Connor; I feel as though we not have connected as brothers, which is a terrible shame, given that we are the only two here. I would like to take you out to the city sometime, so that we might both get to know each other better and celebrate my victories in Spain. What do you say, quiet one?
And with that, I will see you all soon!
---- Lucrezia ----
[Dictated in Spanish :')]
I have been home, but more recently venturing through Barcelona, Zaragoza, Granada, Alhambra... I thought you would be interested in news from Spain, even if you linger in my future still.
I also thought we could perhaps see one another to speak, later this week.
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It is open.
[But when she opens the door, she won't see him –– the furniture is moved, however, the rug rolled back to reveal a trap door, which stands open.]
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Come, come, don't waste my time, Utena.
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[The thanks she gets for applying what she's learned. Her first steps are cautious, but she touches against the walls and pays attention to how the steps feel underneath her feet. Her pace quickens as her confidence grows, and once she sees candlelight, she's practically bounding down the stairs]
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This is my bunker. There are weapons in the next room. You will want to know where it is, in case of an emergency, you know.
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Got it. Is there anything else I should know about this place before I start poking around?
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It is just an armory. That is just a web of conspirators I am working against. Most of them have already been eliminated, but should you see any of their faces within Paradisa, you are to alert me at once.
[He gestures at the wall of portraits, each frame housing a portrait of different Italian politicians of times long passed. There is only one woman, and that is Lucrezia Borgia.]
Otherwise, you are welcome to come and go, borrow what you please.
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...thanks, Ezio. But these people - can you tell me about them? Just in case you aren't around.
[Not that she doesn't trust him, but hey, if this place has taught her anything, it's to expect the unexpected]
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They are all members of a conspiracy to take over Italia and somehow enslave her people. I am only beginning to understand how, but I know that stopping them is the most important thing I will ever do in my life.
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And they'll do everything to stop you, won't they.
[Spoken quietly but firmly. It's not a question, it's absolute fact]
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