The Medici Girl

Moonlight Over Firenze

Leonardo's workshop was quiet as Ezio stood at the table with a map of Firenze. La Volpe stood to his right while the artist was at his left with Poliziano standing on the other side. On the map was markings indicating where Riario had men watching every entrance from the Arno south and to the east walls of the city. On the side of the cartograph was another map of Italy that laid out where each city and village was along the routes down to Roma.

"Riario has his army here in Galluzzo." Volpe said pointing to the small village outside of Firenze. "My scouts tell me he has no more than four hundred men, but that could change." Ezio said nothing as he put a hand to his chin in thought. He had no intent on fighting a war for Lorenzo, but if Riario was as big a threat as he perceived, then there was a chance the man could pull drastic moves to secure what he wanted. "He also has men watching every gate along the walls. Two men here and here." The thief pointed to the east and west gates. "Four here." Then he put a finger down on the south gate.

"He is keeping an eye on who leaves and who is coming in." Leonardo said with a concerned look on his face. "This could be a problem." Ezio nodded.

"Lorenzo plans to move his family to Pistoia to keep them out of harms way, but doing so may make them vulnerable." The assassin said wondering how desperate Lorenzo was to protect his family he would put them in greater danger. "What of the northern gate? Is it accessible?"

"Riaro has a man or two on it, but the river gate could be an option if the city comes under siege." Poliziano said pointing to where the abandoned gate sat on the east side of the city below the Arno. Ezio knew the place well having spent time playing there as a child. "We could evacuate there if need be, or somehow get supplies through."

"That is an option, but what of the roads in and out?" Volpe asked looking over the maps carefully configuring a way to move to and from the city undetected by the roads. "There is a chance there could be blockades."

"I doubt Riario will close the trade routes between Venezia and Firenze. Doing so will cut off trade to Roma as well, not to mention the rest of the Papal States." Poliziano stated without hesitation.

"Not unless Sixtus finds another port to the south." Volpe motioned to one of the smaller ports to the south of Ravenna where supplies could be brought in. "He could also trade with the Ottomans as well, though I doubt it since they are mortal enemies." One religion against the other was enough of a war to deal with, especially since the Holy Roman Empire was out of reach for the papacy.

"We are planning too far ahead don't you think?" Leonardo said knowing that the men in the room were preparing for the worst before any of it could happen. "Perhaps we should take one step at a time and plan accordingly. Who is to say there will be a war? If there is, then we do what we must and if not, then we go on about our lives. For now, the main problem is our home is being watched." The artist said with a clear head and the other three men in the room looked to him in agreement.

"Forgive us, Leonardo, we can get ahead of ourselves sometimes." Ezio said putting a hand on his friend's shoulder with a small smile on his face. Though it was evident Ezio had been thinking about how to deal with Riario's men more than what would happen if there was a blockade. "Back to the real task at hand. Volpe, is there a chance your thieves can distract the men on the west entrance?"

"If we do that it will force more attention on that gate." Volpe said with an understanding glance. "Yes, we can split the attention. Perhaps a distraction on the south gate as well?" He pointed to the south gate.

"It is worth it. I have to get back to Monteriggioni and from there I will find the location of the Pazzi conspirators. Starting with Jacopo de'Pazzi." Ezio said putting his hands on the table and looking each man in the eyes.