Hidden in the Shadows(Ezio Auditore )

Rescuing Leonardo

  Not even hours after I had killed Ludwig did news of his death spread like a wild fire, and it didn't help that his whole home burst into flames which alerted the guards and brought the other cardinals attention to him. Needless to say Demetrio had reached out to me immediately, asking for my help once more and to try to council me, letting me grieve properly. Demetrio had been devistated at the news of Tante Greta's Orphanage and he himself almost beleived me to be dead but he had gotten another vision from his God. Still, he was thankful that Weisenbach was gone but Ilario had told him of how a woman with my description had been accusing him of murder. Oh that dummkopf, I knew he would slip up eventually so to put this to the truth he asked me to investigate, and despite wanting to go home I would do this one last thing for him, after all he did for me, but we would keep in touch. Besides I had a few cities to see to get rid of Weisenbach's remaining warehouses. I was just glad to be back in my robes riding Equinox freely, I was doing no more of the courtesan disguises,  I had been violated by to many older men. 

     As soon as I heard the news of Leonardo being commissioned to go to Venezia and the ambush Borgia men had on him I immediately dropped what I was doing to help him, Demetrio understanding the situation. Anubis told me it was my job to make sure Leonardo was safe and though I said my goodbyes I would still keep my word. Equinox galloped as hard as he could, sprinting even faster then I had ever known him to go as his loud hoof beats tore into the ground and kicked up dirt, thundering along the dirt path as we made our to the main road to the Apennines. I prayed I made it in time to meet him, or at least he was safe and ok. I worried that I wouldn't make it in time but I had to, it was my job. My heart raced in my chest as my bow and arrows sat along my back, my swords at my hips and daggers at the ready. I wasn't to sure what I was walking into but I would be prepared. Rounding the corner my eyes widened a bit as I saw a handful of men dressed in borgia uniforms chasing a large carriage. Inside I could see parts of Leonardo flying machine inside as well as his, a scared look on his face and I didn't blame him, but if he was in the carriage who was driving? I caught the glimpse of a familiar red and white assassin robes, which only meant one thing: Ezio was with Leonardo. Great. Trying to catch up as fast as I could I began to pull off my bow and grab an arrow just as a few jumped onto the wagon. A quick snap of the reigns and I heard the horses whine as the wagon tipped on its wheels rounding the winding road as I watched some men jump onto the moving wagon, some gripping the sides to hold on. It was a smart move.

     Instantly I released my arrow, hearing a soft thump, as it hit one of the men in the back as Equinox slowly got closer. This seemed to catch the guards attention as the others on horseback turned to face me, drawing their swords as they did to charge at me. I quickly pulled another arrow and notched it, firing one after another until they were gone, dropping like flies. Looking up I had see the cart was not much further then me but it had been to far away to do anything. I nudged Equinox to go faster as we descended down the mountain side, a new twist after every turn. Up ahead I noticed a small wooden bridge and on it had been two more of Borgia's men ready to set it on fire. Fear spiked through me as I nudged Equinox harder and with more urgency, trying hard to keep up. This cart was unbelievably fast- faster then normal carriages.

    "Hold on tight, this is going to be a little rough!" I heard Ezio shout, no doubt warning Leonardo as he kept turning the carriage sharply. I warched as the carriage darted across the burning wood, shattering the pieces as It broke apart and collasped. I knew Equinox could make the jump, he had before, and as I gripped onto his reigns tightly, centching my legs around him, Equinox whined and jumped, lunging forwards as he had propelled us forwards with a strong thrust of his back legs on what little remained on the burning bridge. We soared across the large gap,  the wind wrapping around us as we did. Not even a moment sooner we landed, a huge jolt going through us as he hit the ground, taking off just as soon as his hooves hit the ground. Focusing on finding the cart I could see it just in front of me as more men on horses emerged from the side of the road, firing arrows at the carriage as I had noticed them hitting barrels of gunpowder, fire pits on eachside of the road as they hoped to catch the carriage by surprise in the explosion. Oh no they wouldnt, they had another thing coming. Grabbing more arrows I began to fire at them, hoping to throw their aim off and miss the barrels but it didn't work to much as they still managed to hit some, spooking the carriage horses as it threw the carriage off a bit, each turn sharper then the last.