The Medici Girl

Giulia and Marcello

The letter came the morning after Contessina had been told she could not leave the Palazzo Medici without an escort. One of the servant girls handed it to the blond as she descended the stairs for breakfast and she immediately knew who it was from. Contessina knew Ezio's just as well as her own and the way he dotted the 'i's was something unique to him alone. Instead of just giving the 'i' a small dab, it was more akin to a dash that curled up on the end. Ezio had done this ever since he was a child when they left clues for each other in their games. 

Looking at the letter addressed to 'Giulia', the blond decided to forego breakfast to go sit in the garden. She was glad she did because the birds were singing quite loud, which meant spring was well on its way. The air was much sweeter than usual as the fragrance of roses and lilies traveled on the breeze. The warmth of the sun felt wonderful on her face giving her that wonderful feeling of a soon to come spring. 

Contessina sat on the grass in the middle of the garden with her dress fanned out around her before she took the time to break the wax seal on the envelope. Ezio had taken care to fold the paper just right and precisely as she expected him to. Thankfully, the medium which the words were written on was paper, which did more to lift her spirits. The ink did not have a terrible smell either, but she was not worried about that. What she was worried about was the contents of the letter. Two pages of words that she was excited to read for some unknown reason. 

"Dearest Giulia,"  It began with neat handwriting. 

"I am sorry for the late tidings, but there were things that could not be helped. On my journey to meet the Sultan, I stopped at a local village full of dreary people. Among them was a distant relative that I had not seen in a long time. So long, that I had not recognized him. He was kind enough to offer my associates and I a place to stay until our journey could resume to the east. 

The small village we are staying in is not as lively as home. The people are quaint, sturdy, and cautious of outsiders, but they seem to have taken to us well enough. The village itself is drab and in need of repair, especially the villa at the top of the hill, but it is homely. Our host has been generous enough to let me stay as long as I need to, but I fear we must be traveling soon before the rain sets in. I would hate to keep a Sultan waiting. 

How is your sister? Is she fairing well in her troubles? I know with the loss of her husband it has been hard, but the promise of new life gives me hope that she will make it through. I wish I could be there to see that new life, but this journey will last a lot longer than I anticipated. I hear of plots back in Firenze, but little word is spread this far away from home. Of course, news travels slower outside of the walls of Firenze. Perhaps you can tell me of these 'rumors' when you write to me again. 

Last but not least, Giulia, I miss you. Your companionship and guidance, I do miss it more than I thought I ever could. Maybe it is wishful thinking, but I should have asked you to go with me, but you are right. This journey is for me to take and until my destination is reached, I will remind myself of why you chose not to come with me. You have been encouraging, steadfast, and willfully stubborn, but I believe that is what I like the most about you. If we had never met, I do not know where I would be right now. That is something to think of later. 

I must go now. I am being summoned to take part in a drinking game of some sort with my traveling companions. I can still outdrink them, even though the last time I became intoxicated I almost kissed a horse. I am sure you remember that incident. 

Your friend,

 Marcello" 

Contessina read over the letter two more times trying to understand what exactly Ezio was telling her. It was not a code, but more of a story to explain where he was. She could not say she did not love the idea of him using the narrative that he presented, but it was all he could do to make the letters as secretive as possible. For the most part, she gather that he had made it to Monteriggioni with his mother and Claudia. The long lost relative he wrote of was definitely his uncle and from what she understood was Ezio wanted her to write him back. She turned over the paper and found a small bird that he had drawn on the back.