The Eagle and the Lion

Sacri-ledge

"Frederico," Maria called to her eldest son, "Don't lose sight of Ezio." Frederico nodded and grabbed Ezio's hand, smirking. "No problems, Madre," he answered.  "I won't, this time." 

Giovanni and his family walked down the streets towards the cathedral, on their way to mass.  The streets were still busy as ever, but the tolling of the church bells replaced the usual din of the crowds.  No shops were open, but the smell of bread still filled the streets among the vacant shop windows and market stalls.  

They arrived at the great towering doors, and headed inside.  Within the entryway, hundreds of people still squeezed their way along towards the pews.  The family weaved their way along down the aisle, and Maria split off from Giovanni and the boys, bringing Claudia and Petruccio with her.  Giovanni sat down in the middle of the pew, then looked down at Frederico.

"Where's Ezio?" he whispered, and the boy's face paled. He was sure that he had seen Ezio behind him just a moment ago...

"May we join you?" An older man tapped Giovanni's opposite shoulder, and the he looked up to see a younger man standing by, nervously fiddling his hands.  "This is my nipote, Leonardo. He's visiting from Venitia, and I thought it would be nice to join your son." 

Giovanni nodded, and adjusted to fit the two new men in the pew, still turning his head, searching for the bright red ribbon in Ezio's hair.  Still no sign of him.  Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the front of the sanctuary as the procession began.  

Both Frederico and Leonardo stayed polite and silent at Giovanni's side during the sermon and communion.  As the procession went on, he heard the sound of glass clinking above him.  Looking up, Giovanni saw Ezio, swinging atop the chandelier above him, straining to reach a nearby crossbeam.  The sound alerted nearby people, and they too looked up at the spectacle, gasping in astonishment.  The clergy grew silent, watching in slight horror as Ezio teetered on the chandelier, and grasping for the beam.  Suddenly, Maria across the room cried out. 

"Ezio! Oh!-" she gasped, and standing up, she covered her mouth with her hands.  This alerted Ezio, who turned around to see his mother and sister standing in the congregation.  His hand slipped, and he found himself falling down, bits of the ornamental glass following him.  He cried out in sudden fear, hurtling towards the ground.  

Without a word, Giovanni stood up and outstretching his arms, reached to catch the boy as he fell down atop him.  Ezio grunted in pain as he slipped out of Giovanni's arms, and crashed into Leonardo's lap. Leonardo screamed in shock, tangled together suddenly with Ezio.  The whole congregation was all abuzz in the commotion, unsure of what to do.  Giovanni grabbed his younger son by the collar and moving past Leonardo and his uncle, dragged Ezio out of the sanctuary.  

When the two were alone, he whirled around to face his son, and gave him a sharp slap on the cheek.  "What was that about, boy?" he hissed.  Ezio winced, and looked away, his face red in shame.  

"I...I wanted to get a better look..." he mumbled, and his father shook him in response. 

"This is an outrage! It is unacceptable!" He leaned in close to Ezio, his voice barely a whisper anymore.  "This was nothing about getting a nice view, you are to attend and keep silent and obedient." His words cut the air, and Ezio stared at the ground, too ashamed to look his father in the eyes.  

"Is... is everything alright?" The two turned to see Leonardo shyly entering the room.  He walked up to Ezio, and gave him a hug. "I'm okay, and I hope you'll be alright too." Ezio stood there stunned, with Leo's arms around him.  He looked up at Giovanni, who gave a low sigh.

"I may have been harsh, but I trust that you won't do something so dangerous, do you understand?" While Leo pulled away, Giovanni turned Ezio's chin to look him in the eyes.  "Your mother worries too much, she does not need to fear about you." Ezio nodded, fighting back tears.  Giovanni gave a gentle smile, and gently wiped Ezio's face.  

"Leonardo?" he turned to the young man, still at Ezio's side.  "You and your uncle are welcome to dinner with us tonight.  Now," he turned back to Ezio. "Let's join them, shall we?" Giovanni nudged Leo, motioning to hold Ezio's hand, and directed them back to the pew.  The two sat, fidgeting but silent, and Giovanni sat beside Frederico. 

'This young Leonardo man,' he thought to himself, 'might be a good friend for Ezio.' He glanced at the two, and smiled.