I woke up with father sitting beside me, calling for me.
I was dreaming of the past, again.
"Finally, you're awake."
"What is so important that you had to wake me up?"
"Oh, I don't know... Perhaps the meeting we have with Grand Master?"
I jumped out of bed and motioned for him to leave. "I'll be ready in a minute."
He smiled and then walked out of my room, closing the door behind him. I put on my robes and my armour, followed by my dagger and my new sword back in their sheaths.
Oh, Felix... If only you knew how much I miss you... I thought.
I was starting to regret not telling him to flee Florence while he still had the chance.
First a dream about mother and now about Felox? Only... it wasn't a dream at all, it was a memory... of how we met...
I didn't even think it was possible of dreaming old memories.
I walked out of the house and saw that Lucas, father and uncle Alex were waiting for me, all on horses.
"Finally, the princess has appeared."
"Shut up, Lucas." I said as I give him a death stare.
He was happy with just smirking at me. That ass always has to piss me off, doesn't he?
"Where are we going?" I asked as I got up on my horse.
"Firenze. Grand Master said to meet him in the piazza at the front of Duomo."
"I still think we're rushing this." Uncle Alex said."
"That makes the two of us." I added.
"As I said last night, it is not our decision to make."
"What if another one of us ends up dead? What then? Albert is already gone, how long before Ethan takes us out too?" I asked a bit angry.
"Uberto was nothing but a pawn. He could have easily been replaced by anyone in this city. We, however, are more important. Raymond has us under his protection."
"If the Gonfalionere is easily replaceable, what makes you think he won't replace a simple banker and his family?"
"Stop talking before I execute you."
Father's voice was full of hate.
It is true that I have been insistent but with all of this being rushed can you really blame me?
I stayed silent for the rest of the road. We arrived in Firenze around noon and headed towards the piazza.
It was a busy hour, people were walking past us and whispering stuff, knowing my father was in jail, but they were still talking about the Auditore. They were still considered traitors to this city.
When Grand Master arrived, we all bowed our heads in respect.
We talked about our plan on attacking the Medici in order to take control over the city and to put our own men into power. By the time we were heading towards San Mano, it was already night time.
Once we went through the town's gates we were discussing again the roles of our plan.
I noticed more patrols than when we left and wondered why Lucas increased them.
"It's settled. Lucas, you and Helen will remain here to coordinate the mercenaries. Hendrix, you will organize our forces in the city and send word when it's time to strike. Alex, your job is to calm the citizens once the deed is done."
"What about that drunkard, Mario? He continues to harass my forces and I fear he'll discover what we intend." Lucas asked.
"He's always been trouble. Just like that bastard brother of his."
"Then let me reunite them, father!" I said looking at him.
I zoned out of the conversation as I saw a figure on the roof watching us. Just as Grand Master, father and uncle Alex left, a guard approached us.
"Commandant! Commandant!"
"What?"
"Mario Auditore has invaded the city! He comes for you!"
"Then let's not keep him waiting." We both said at the same time.
I fought off Mario and his men as Lucas took care of Ethan. I couldn't hear what they were talking about but it was intense.
Then I saw Ethan stabbed my brother. I started to run towards the town's gates.
I'm not a coward, but I am more useful alive than dead.
I saw Ethan violently shaking Lucas's body, demanding answers from him, before his uncle Mario stopped him.
I got on a horse and started to gallop towards Firenze, taking a last look at Mario who kneeled besides him and said a prayer to him.
"Rest in peace, my brother." I said before focusing on the road ahead of me.
First Uberto and now my brother. I could be next.
We have to deal with Ethan fast, or else there will be no one else left to stop him and the Assassins.
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I galloped towards Firenze. The horse was getting tired and I knew I should stop to let it rest, but I wanted to catch up to father, uncle Alex and Grand Master.
When I saw their silhouettes in the distance, I lightly hit the horse with my heels to get him to move even faster.
They heard me approaching and turned around to look at who was coming. When I got closer to them I slowed down.
"Helen? What are you doing here?" Grand Master asked.
"Lucas, he-" I stopped trying to hold back tears.
"Go on, girl. What's the problem?"
"Ethan killed Lucas." Father looked at me in shock for a second before looking ahead again.
"What are we going to do now? Without him, we cannot continue with our plan."
"Yes, we can. Alex, do you still keep in touch with Bernard, Anthony and Stephen?"
Uncle Alex looked at Grand Master for a second before focusing on the road again.
"Yes, but, I do not see how they can be of any use."
"Hire them to kill Gibson and Lorenzo de' Medici. Since we all know you are too much of a coward to get blood on your hands, they will be of help."
"As you wish, Master."
After we reached Firenze, we left our horses at the stables and headed inside the city.
"Meet me tomorrow evening at the front of Duomo. There are tunnels that lead to a cave right underneath the cathedral. Get the four to come as well."
"I will see that they get the message."
"May the father of understanding guide us."
"May the father of understanding guide us." We repeated after him.
"Father, should we go back to San Mano to take care of Lucas? He deserves a proper burial."
"Yes, I suppose he does. Alex, stay here and send words to the four. Me and Helen will see that Lucas leaves this world the right way."
Uncle Alex nodded and we parted ways. We headed back to the stables and got our horses and started to ride for San Mano.
"Father, how did mother die?"
"She was killed by Assassins, you know this already."
"What Assassins exactly?"
"The Auditores. They are the only ones who are still alive in Italy. The rest are dead."
"Are we the only Templars? I haven't met any besides us."
He hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Yes, we are the only ones. The Jaspers and Grand Master are the only Templars left in Italy. Do you see now why it is important to get rid of the Auditores?"
I nodded, still not understanding why, but I didn't say another word. When we reached San Mano I started getting flashbacks of what happened.
We got off our horses and headed over to where his body was. His eyes were closed, probably by Mario, his skin was white and the blood on his neck had dried out.
"I'll go and dig a whole next to the eastern wall, you bring his body over there."
I nodded and watched as he walked off. He didn't even look at him.
Why do I not feel bad about him being dead? We were not close but he was still family. Instead, I'm feeling a little happy and grateful?
I shook my head and bent over to pick him up. God, Lucas is heavy.
I ran into a group of what was left of our mercenaries and asked them to help me.
They picked up Lucas's body and I lead the way. I could smell the awful scent his corpse had even from where I was at and felt sad for what has come of my brother.
The mercenaries put him down in the grave my father dug up and then I started to cover it up.
We said one last prayer and headed back to Firenze.
It was late by the time we got back so we decided to head back to our old palazzo and sleep there. Uncle Alex apparently had the same idea.
"Is it done? Has he finally found rest?"
We both nodded and father sat down at the table, pouring himself a glass of wine.
"Come, Helen, join us."
"No, thank you. I'm tired, I'm just going to sleep."
I went up the stairs but stopped at the top when I heard uncle Alex speak
up.
"Is the codex page safe?"
"Yes. But we still need someone to decode it."
"Damn these Assassins, full of secrets."
I went to my room and thought for a second. What the hell is a codex?
And how did my father get it? Did it belong to the Assassins?
I decided to just ignore it and go to bed.
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