Disclaimer: I do not own Assassin's Creed but I do own this story/idea. Anything you recognize probably does not belong to me.
I have no clue how many chapters this will be but I will update as often as possible. This story is also posted on under my other pen name Dewaysha. The first few chapters are just the setup of the overall story so readers may not see a large change from cannon.

A/N: This is a rewrite of the first attempt. The chapters will be longer. This is also posted on AOOO under the username Rhys_108.

1476

"It is a good life we lead, brother," Federico said with solemnity.

"The best," Ezio agreed. "And may it never change."

The brothers paused - neither wishing to break the perfect moment - but after a while, Federico finally spoke. "May it never change us either, fratellino. Come, we must head back. There's the roof of our palazzo. Pray to God that father hasn't stayed up all night, or we'll really be in for it. Let's go." Ezio was looking at Christina's window and wanted to go to her; but his brother was right. They should get going.

AC

Giovanni Auditore glowered across his office at his two eldest sons from his seat at his desk. The boys stood by the other desk that had been vacated by Giovanni's secretary to give father and sons the privacy they needed. It was now early afternoon and the brothers had been dreading the summons all morning, though, they did sleep to make themselves more presentable. They supposed their father gave them that time before tearing into them.

"Do you both believe me blind and deaf?" Giovanni yelled. "Do you think I haven't heard all about the fight with Vieri de' Pazzi and his lot down by the bridge last night? Sometimes, boys, I think you're not much better than they are, and the Pazzi make for dangerous enemies." Ezio was about to speak but Federico put his hand on his brother's forearm in warning. "You do realize what this means, don't you?" continued Giovanni. "You do realize who you both remind me of, don't you?"

The boys bowed their heads, but were surprised when their father got up, crossed the room to them, and put an arm around their shoulders with a small smile on his face. "You little devils! You remind me of myself when I was your ages." Giovanni suddenly became grave again. "Don't think that I wouldn't punish you without mercy if I didn't have some dire need of you here. If I didn't, mark my words, I'd send you both off to your Uncle Mario and get him to recruit you into his condottieri squadron. That'd knock some sense into you, and although you don't seem to have the brains to see it, we're passing through a crucial time in our city. How's your lip feeling?" He looked at Ezio.

"Much better, father," Ezio replied softly while Federico smirked.

"So I assume nothing's going to interfere with the work I have lined up for you for the rest of the day?"

"I promise you, father. It will not interfere."

"It's a promise you'd better keep." He turned to his eldest son. "You'd better get to your teacher before he gets even more impatient."

"Yes, father," Federico answered and he swiftly left the room, glad that he and his brother got off so easily.

Giovanni returned to his desk and, from a compartment, drew a letter bearing his own seal and passed it to his son, together with two parchment documents in a leather case. "I want you to deliver these to Lorenzo de' Medici at his bank without any delay."

"May I ask what it concerns, Father?"

"As for the documents, you may not. But it'd be as well for you to know the letter brings Lorenzo up to date on our dealings with Milan. I spent all morning preparing it. This must go no further, but if I don't give you my trust, you'll never learn responsibility." Ezio stood taller and gave his father all of his attention. "There's a rumor of a plot against Duke Galeazzo - a nasty piece of work, I grant you - but Florence can't afford to have Milan destabilized."

"Who's involved"?

Giovanni looked at his son narrowly but answered. "They say the principle conspirators are Giovanni Lampugnani, Gerolamo Olgiati and Carlo Visconti; but it looks like our own dear Francesco de' Pazzi is involved as well, and above all, there's a plan afoot which seems to encompass more than just the politics of two city-states. The Gonfaloniere here has taken Francesco into custody for the moment but the Pazzi won't like that at all." Giovanni stopped himself. "There, I've already told you far too much. Make sure this gets to Lorenzo quickly. I've heard he's leaving for Careggi very soon to take some country air, and while the cat's away…"

"I'll get there as fast as possible." Giovanni didn't look reassured but nodded anyway.

"Good boy. Go now!"

Ezio set off on his own, using the back streets as far as possible, never thinking that Vieri might still be out looking for him. But suddenly, in a quiet street within minutes of the Medici Bank, there he stood, blocking Ezio's path. Trying to double back, Ezio found more of Vieri's men blocking his retreat. He turned again. "Sorry my little piglet," he shouted at Vieri, "but I simply don't have time to give you another drubbing now."

"It's not me that's going to get a drubbing," Vieri shouted back. "You're cornered; but don't worry, I'll send a nice wreath for your funeral."

The Pazzi men were closing in. No doubt Vieri knew of his father's imprisonment by now. Ezio looked around desperately. The street's tall houses and walls hemmed him in. Slinging the satchel containing the precious documents securely round his body, he selected the most likely house within his reach and sprang at its wall, gripping the rough-hewn stone with both hands and feet before scaling up to the roof. Once there, he paused a moment to look down at Vieri's irate face. "I haven't even got time to spit on you," he said, and scampered away along the rooftop as far as he could, dropping to the ground with new-found agility as soon as he was clear of his pursuers.

A few moments later, he was at the doors of the bank. He entered and recognized Boetio, one of Lorenzo's most trusted servants. Here was a stroke of luck. Ezio hurried up to him.

"Hey, Ezio! What brings you here in such a hurry?"

"Boetio, there is no time to waste. I have letters here for Lorenzo from my father."

Boetio looked serious, and spread his hands. "I'm sorry, Ezio! You're too late. He's gone to Careggi."

"Then you must make sure he gets these as soon as possible."

"I'm sure he hasn't gone for more than a day or so. In these times…"

"I'm beginning to find out about these times! Make sure he gets them, Boetio, and in confidence! As soon as possible!"

When he had returned to his own palazzo, he made his way quickly to his father's office, ignoring both the amiable backchat from Federico, who was lazing under a tree in the garden, and the attempts of his father's secretary, Giulio, to prevent him from passing the closed door of Giovanni's inner sanctum. There, he discovered his father in deep conversation with the Chief Justice of Florence, the Gonfaloniere Uberto Alberti. No surprise there, for the two men were old friends, and Ezio treated Alberti as he would an uncle. But he'd caught expressions of deep seriousness on their faces.

"Ezio, my boy!" said Uberto, genially. "How are you? Out of breath as usual, I see."

Ezio looked urgently at his father.

"I've been trying to calm your father down," continued Uberto. "There's been a lot of trouble, you know, but…"He turned to Giovanni and his tone became more earnest. "The threat is ended."

"Have you delivered the documents?" Giovanni asked crisply.

"Yes father, but Duke Lorenzo had already left."

Giovanni frowned. "I hadn't anticipated his leaving so soon."

"I left them with Boetio," Ezio said. "He'll get them to him as soon as possible."

"That may not be soon enough," said Giovanni darkly. Ezio looked at his father with concern.

Uberto patted him on the back. "Look," he said. "It can only mean a day or two. We have Francesco under lock and key. What could possibly happen in such a short time?"

Giovanni seemed partially reassured, but it was clear that the two men had more to discuss, and that Ezio's presence wasn't desired.

"Go and find your mother, sister, and younger brother," said Giovanni. "You should spend time with some of the rest of the family other than Federico, you know! And don't exert yourself too much. I'll have need of you later." Ezio was dismissed.

He wandered through the house, nodding greetings to one or two of the family's servants, and to Giulio, who was hurrying back to the bank office from somewhere, a sheaf of papers in his hand and looking, as usual, haunted by all the business he carried in his head. Ezio waved to his brother, still lounging in the garden, but felt no desire to join him. He'd been told to keep his mother, sister, and little brother company, and he knew better than to disobey his father, especially after their discussion earlier.

He found his sister sitting alone on a bench in the courtyard, a neglected book of Petrarch in her hands. That figured. He knew she was in love and that there was talk of her getting engaged soon.

"Ciao, Claudia," he said.

"Ciao, Ezio. Where have you been?"

Ezio spread his hands innocently. "I've been running a business errand for father."

"That's not all, I hear," she retorted, but her smile came easily. He smiled back at her.

"Where's mother?" He knew Petruccio was probably in bed and would visit him later.

Claudia sighed. "She's gone to see that young painter they're all talking about. You know; the one who's just finished his apprenticeship with Verrocchio."

"Really?"

"Don't you pay attention to anything that goes on in this house? She's commissioned some paintings from him. She believes that they'll be a good investment in time."

"That's our mother for you!" He laughed but soon stopped.

Claudia didn't respond, and for the first time Ezio became fully aware of the sadness in her face. It made her look a lot older that her sixteen years. His little sister had been hurt and, as a result, she was not being the strong young woman he knew she had grown to be.

"What's the matter, Claudia?" he asked, sitting on the stone bench beside her.

She sighed, and looked at him with a rueful smile. "It's Duccio," she finally said.

"What about him?" Ezio's eyes narrowed but he kept his voice soft and controlled for Claudia's sake. He had never liked Duccio and thought his sister could do much better.

Her eyes filled with tears. "I've found out that he's being unfaithful to me."

Ezio frowned. Duccio was practically engaged to Claudia, and even though there hadn't yet been any formal announcement.

"Who told you that?" he asked softly, putting an arm around her.

"The other girls." She wiped her eyes and looked at him. "I thought they were my friends, but I think they enjoyed telling me."

Ezio stood up angrily. What was going on in the city? Had the citizens all gone mad? To do such things to his little sister? "Then they're little better than harpies! You're better off without them."

"But I love him."

Ezio paused before replying. "You only think you love him. How do you feel now?"

"I want him to suffer," she said with dry and angry eyes. "If only a little. He really hurt me, Ezio."

"I think I'll pay him a visit." Ezio hugged his sister tightly, kissed her on the cheek, then left to seek out Duccio and deal to him what his sister, by society's standards, could not.

AC

Duccio wasn't at home, but the housekeeper told Ezio where to find him. Ezio was angry but he needed actual proof of Duccio's infidelity than just hearsay and he knew he was about to get it for he was in the secluded gardens by the Ponte Vecchio where lovers often had trysts. Sure enough, he soon caught sight of the blond young man, dressed to kill, sitting on a bench overlooking the river, his arm around a large dark haired girl he didn't know. He cautiously made his way forward, thankful that he didn't include Federico as his brother would have already charged Duccio.

"Darling, it's beautiful," the girl said, holding out her hand. Ezio saw the sparkle of a diamond ring. That was proof enough but Ezio really wanted Duccio to dig his own grave.

"Nothing but the best for you, amore," Duccio said in a low voice, pulling her toward him for a kiss. But the girl pulled back.

"Not so fast. You can't just buy me. We haven't been seeing each other that long, and I've heard you've been promised to Claudia Auditore."

Duccio snorted. "It's over. Anyway, Father said I can do much better than an Auditore." He smacked her bottom in his hand. "You, for example."

"Birbante! Let's take a walk." (rascal)

"I know of something that'd be a lot more fun." Duccio winked while his hand went low. And that was plenty for Ezio to defend his sister.

"Hey, lurido maiale," he ground out. (filthy pig)

Duccio was completely surprised. He spun around and released his hold on the girl. "Hey, Ezio, my friend," he said quickly. Ezio could tell that he was nervous. "I don't think you've meet my…cousin?"

Ezio, angry at his so called friend, the man (if one could call him that) who broke his little sister's heart, stepped forward and punched him full in the face. "Duccio, you should be ashamed of yourself! You insult my sister, showing off this…puttana." (bitch)

"Who are you calling puttana?" the girl raged but she got to her feet and stepped back, her courage lasting only for a moment.

"I should have thought even a girl like you could do better that this asshole," Ezio said. "Do you really think he's going to make you into a lady?"

"Don't you talk like that to her," Duccio snarled and poked Ezio in the chest. Ezio's features changed into a snarl but he let Duccio continue. "At least she's more generous with her virtù than your little sister." (virtue)

"That's because she's a whore," Ezio stated plainly. He ducked as Duccio came at him and countered with a punch to the gut. Ezio then threw another punch which landed on his face. "You broke her heart, Duccio."

"Pity," Duccio replied as he tried to stop his bleeding nose and stand up straight.

"Which is why I'm gonna break more than just your nose." The girl screamed and left without haste. Ezio grabbed Duccio and forced the boy's right arm over the stone bench and pushed the forearm against the stone until Duccio started to cry.

"Please, Ezio! I beg you! I'm my father's only son!" Ezio's eyes tightened, but he let go of Duccio's arm and he fell to the ground.

"You're not worth it," Ezio said to him. "Stay away from Claudia, stay away from me, and don't bad mouth my family." Ezio spat at him before leaving the area before the guards came to investigate.

AC

Ezio walked the long way home to cool off so that he wouldn't snap at his family. When the shadows seemed to get longer and the sky darker, his mind calmed. He shouldn't let his anger rule him, for that did not make an adult. When he got close to his home he saw his younger brother Petruccio, whom he hadn't seen since the previous morning. "Ciao, Petruccio. What are you up to? Isn't it past your bedtime?" Even though Petruccio was born ill, he seemed to be getting better as the years passed. Now that he was 13, he seemed to be able to be out of bed longer and was even gaining a bit of strength.

"Don't be silly. I'm practically a grown-up." Ezio laughed in amusement of his brother and folded his arms. "In a few years' time, I'll be able to take you on." They grinned at each other. Petruccio was holding a carved box close to his chest. It was open and Ezio saw a handful of feathers. "They're eagle feathers." Petruccio pointed to the top of the tower of a nearby building. "There's an old nest there. I can see plenty more feathers caught in the stonework." Petruccio looked at his brother with puppy eyes. "Would you mind getting a few more for me?" Ezio sighed but he wasn't irritated.

"What do you want them for?"

"It's a secret," Petruccio said with a smile.

"If I get them for you, will you get inside?" His tone was serious and Petruccio knew he had to agree.

"Yes, I promise."

"Okay."

Climbing the tower was a bit tricky since its stone was smooth and he had to concentrate to find grips and holds. In the end, it took him close to ten minutes, but he managed to gather fifteen more feathers, all that he could see, and brought them back to his brother.

"You missed one," his brother said while pointing.

"Bed," Ezio commanded. His brother fled.

Ezio hoped his mother would like the gift. It didn't take much to figure out Petruccio's secrets.

AC

The next day, Ezio woke up late, but found that his father had no immediate business for him. He went into the garden, where he found his mother picking roses. Maria smiled when she saw him and called him over. "Buon giorno."

"Madre." He nodded in greeting.

"How are you? Better, I hope." Gently, she toughed his wound with soft, careful hands.

"I'm fine." He smiled at his mother.

"Your father said you should rest." She looked at him sternly.

"I have no need of rest, Mamma!"

"Perhaps, but there will be no excitement for you this morning. Your father asked that I take care of you. I know what you've been up to."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play games with me, Ezio. I know all about your fight with Vieri."

"What fight?" She ignored him and continued picking roses.

"Vieri's been under a lot of pressure, more so since his father's been arrested." She paused before shrugging. "Francesco de' Pazzi may be many things, but I never would have imagined him capable of murdering a duke."

"What will happen to him?" He started to help his mother pick her roses.

"There'll be a trial. I imagine your father a key witness, when our own Duke Lorenzo returns."

Ezio looked restless and unsure. Maria changed the subject.

"Don't worry. You've nothing to fear. And I'm not going to ask you to do anything you wouldn't like. In fact, I want you to accompany me on an errand I have to run. It won't take long, and I think you may even find it enjoyable."

"I'll be happy to help you, Mamma."

"Come then; it's not far."

They left the palazzo on foot together, arm in arm, and walked in the direction of the cathedral, to the small quarter near it where many artists had their workshops and studios. Some were large while others were small. It was at the door of a smaller one that Maria knocked on. A young man, a few years older than Ezio, opened the door.

"Madonna Auditore! Welcome! I've been expecting you."

"Leonardo." The two exchanged formal kisses. Ezio thought the man was well favored by his mother. "This is my son, Ezio."

The artist bowed. "Leonardo da Vinci," he introduced himself. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Maestro."

"Not quite yet," Leonardo smiled. "Please, come in. I'll go get your paintings."

The studio was not large and the clutter made it seem smaller than it was. There were many models of birds and mammals that heaped the tables and other projects were spread around including sketches of the human body. It was clear that Leonardo was more than just a painter. "Leonardo's very talented."

"If you say so, Mamma. I know little of art." Ezio thought that his life would consist of banking, like his father. But he was slightly more like his brother, a man of action.

"You should find an outlet yourself, dear."

"I have plenty of outlets." He shrugged.

"I meant besides vaginas." She rolled her eyes.

"Mother!" He looked embarrassedly at her while she inwardly smirked at his discomfort.

"Instead of running around with these girls, you should find yourself a real woman. And I do not mean that Christina girl." Ezio said nothing and rolled his eyes. But he knew his mother was correct. "You need someone who will challenge you and understand the life you lead." He was confused at her last phrase but she said nothing further and he didn't question her.

Leonardo soon returned with two boxes and sat one beside Ezio. "Would you mind carrying one?" Ezio nodded and picked up the box, almost dropping it due to its weight. "Careful! The paintings in there are very delicate."

"Shall we go?" Maria asked. "I can't wait to hang them." Ezio sighed again as they set off toward his palazzo. As they walked, Leonard talked and Ezio thought he had found himself an amiable acquaintance. One he respected. As they reached the Palazzo Auditore, Ezio carefully set the box down and stretched his aching muscles. He needed to be a bit more active.

"Thank you, Ezio," Maria said. "I think we'll be fine, now. Of course, you're welcome to hang the paintings with us."

"No, thank you, Mother," Ezio quickly said. "I think that's a job best left for the two of you."

"Again, it was nice to meet you, Ezio," Leonardo told him. Ezio nodded and left quickly left, lest he have to hang the paintings.

AC

After a late lunch, Giovanni's assistant came to Ezio and told him that his father had need of him. Ezio quickly followed him to his father's office.

"Ezio, please come in," Giovanni said seriously. He stood up and on his desk was two letters wrapped up and sealed.

"They say that Duke Lorenzo will return tomorrow or the day after at the latest," Ezio informed him.

"I know," Giovanni replied. "But that may not be enough time." He sighed. "I want you to deliver these to certain associates of mine within the city." He pushed the letters toward his son.

"Yes, Father." He nodded.

"I also need you to retrieve a message from the pigeon coop at the end of the street. Make sure no one sees you get it." He said it so seriously that Ezio knew he could not make a mistake.

"I'll see to it."

"Good. When you're done, come back here straight away. There are certain things we need to discuss." Ezio thought his father sounded a bit vague and whatever he wanted to talk about seemed important but he didn't know what it could be.

"Yes, sir."

"So, no misbehaving this time. I need you to be serious."

"You have my word father. I'll do what you ask." His father nodded and Ezio left to complete his tasks.

AC

Ezio decided to go to the pigeon coop first. It was late, and most people would start preparing their evening meals and wouldn't be out. He recognized the pigeon he was after immediately as it was the only one with a note attached to its leg. He got the note and carefully put the pigeon back into the coop. Since it wasn't sealed, he made a decision to read it, but only a name was written on the paper. Francesco de' Pazzi. He supposed it would mean something to his father. Maybe a confirmation.

He hurried back to his work, stuffing the note into his pocket; he started toward the first address on the envelope. The location surprised him since it was in the red-light district. He'd been there with Federico a few times but he had never felt very comfortable there. He usually felt as if he was being watched. He put a hand on his dagger to reassure himself as he approached the alley that his father had indicated. The address turned out to be a low tavern, ill-lit and serving cheap Chianti in clay beakers.

At first he was confused about what to do until he heard a voice by his side.

"You Giovanni's boy?"

He turned to confront a rough-looking older man whose breath smelled of onions. Ezio wouldn't have really noticed him walking down the street; he was that unnoticeable. He was with a woman who might have been pretty at a time, but it looked as if the years hadn't been good on her.

"No, you idiot," she said sarcastically to the man. "He just happens to look exactly like him."

"You got something for us," the man said. "Give it here."

Ezio hesitated and checked the address. It was the right one.

"Hand it over, friend," said the man impatiently. He placed the letter in the man's open hand, which closed round it immediately and put it into a leather pouch at his side.

"Good boy," he said and then smiled. Ezio was surprised to see that the smile gave the man a look of nobility. Although, his words didn't. "And don't worry, we aren't contagious." He paused and looked at the woman. "At least I'm not!" The woman punched him in the arm and they both left with the man rubbing his arm.

Ezio went out of the alley with relief. The address on the second letter directed him to a street just west of the Baptistry. A much better district, but quiet at this time of day. He hurried across town. Waiting under an arch was a man who looked like a soldier. He was dressed in leather country clothes with a dagger on his right side and another in his boot.

"Over here," he called.

"I have something for you," Ezio said. "It's from-"

"Giovanni Auditore?" The man spoke little above a whisper. He obviously didn't want anyone else to hear them, though it seemed no one was about.

"Si."

The man glanced around, up and down the street. Only a lamplighter was visible, some distance away. "Were you followed?"

"No. Why would I be followed?" Ezio looked around himself with confusion.

"Never mind. Give me the letter. Quickly."

Ezio gave it to him.

"Things are heating up," said the man. "Tell your father they're making a move tonight. He should make plans to get to safety."

Ezio was confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I've already said too much. Hurry home." The man practically melted into the shadows.

"Wait!" Ezio called after him. "What do you mean? Come back!" The man was gone.

Ezio walked quickly up to the lamplighter. "What time is it?" The man screwed his eyes up at the sky.

"Must be an hour since I came on duty," he said. "Makes it about the twentieth hour."

Ezio made a quick calculation. He must have left his palazzo two hours earlier, and it would take him around 20 minutes to get home. He took off at a run. Something awful was going to happen, he just knew it.

As soon as he came within sight of the Auditore Palazzo, he knew something was wrong. There were no lights on, and the giant front doors stood open. He quickened his pace, calling as he ran. "Father! Federico! Mother! Claudia! Petruccio!"

The great hall of the palazzo was dark and empty, but there was enough light for Ezio to see tables overturned, chairs smashed, and broken glassware. Someone had torn Leonardo's paintings from the wall and slashed them. From the darkness beyond, he could hear a woman sobbing. His mother. He started to make his way toward the sound when a shadow moved behind him, something raised above its head. Ezio twisted around and grabbed his attacker's arm. He pulled the person toward what little light there was.

"Oh! Ser Ezio! Thank God!"

Ezio recognized the voice, and now the face of the family housekeeper, Annetta.

"What has happened?" he asked Annetta¸ taking both her wrists and almost shaking her.

"They came…the city guards. They've arrested your father and Federico. They even took little Petruccio. They tore him from your mother's arms!"

"Where are my mother and Claudia?" he asked urgently.

"Here we are," came a shaky voice from the shadows. Claudia emerged, her mother leaning on her arm. Ezio righted a chair for her to sit on. He could see Claudia bleeding, her clothes dirty and torn. Maria did not acknowledge him. She sat on the chair, keening and rocking. In her hands she clutched the little pearwood box of feathers Petruccio had given her not two days ago.

"My God, Claudia! Are you alright?" he looked at her and anger flooded through him. "Did they…?"

"No, I'm alright. They just roughed me up to get information. Ezio, they've taken Father and Federico and Petruccio to the Palazzo Vecchio. To prison!"

"Your mother's in shock," Annetta said. "When she resisted them, they…" She broke off. "Bastardi!" (bastards)

Ezio thought quickly. "It's not safe here. Is there somewhere you can take them, Annetta?"

"Yes, yes…to my sister's. They'll be safe there." Annetta barely managed to get the words out, fear overcoming her.

"We must move fast. The guards will most certainly come back for me. Claudia, Mother, there's no time to waste. Just go with Annetta. Now!"