The heavy gates of the [i]Le Stinche[/i] parted before Luciano de Vicari who arrived determined to begin carrying out his one very ambitious, but equally potent goal. First however, he sought out the warden, the leader of the establishment and the one overseeing all the prisoners—a rather new, but dignified position nonetheless.
“Everything went without fault, I presume?” The Templar got to the point immediately after the customary handshake.
“Yes, the two...what did your friend say, [i]Assassins[/i] were taken to their respective cells.”
 
The warden was a hardened man who had worked in prisons long before taking leadership of the [i]Le Stinche.[/i] He was proficient in his duty, ruthless enough to be feared but not overly sadistic. There was but one flaw in him: he was not a Templar. Securing control over the largest and arguably best Florentine prison was of great importance to the Order, and initial plans were made to depose of the neutral warden and replace him with a loyal one. However, the man caught wind of it and reluctantly offered limited cooperation in exchange of being able to keep his position and his life.

“Who they are needs not be your concern, [i]buon signore.[/i] I only need their security ensured, nothing more.”
“That I can provide. But I have to assure their well-being as well. This is a place for incarceration, not murder. If word gets out that the worst happened, the people will cry for justice.”
“It is a common interest for us both, believe me.” Luciano took out a small pouch of gold and handed it over to the warden. “Peaceful partnership like this is also a common interest. And it gets rewarded appropriately.”
“Get out of here, [i]truffatore.[/i]” The warden grunted with repressed ire, taking the gold pouch. He despised being dependent on an outside influence. “Go and do whatever you wish with them. Just do it out of my sight.”

Luciano seldom cared for the warden's feelings or morals. He provided him with what he asked for, that was all that mattered. The Templar headed for the block below ground level. The cells there were the smallest and the filthiest, with thick stone walls and iron doors keeping away all light and all hope. Those thrown in here had no idea where they were within the prison or who inhabited the other cells on the floor either. The unforgiving conditions quickly broke the spirit of all but the bravest and most unyielding subjects, and such only the worst criminals and those awaiting execution were kept in these cells for a longer period of time. 

Luciano stepped into the first cell through an open door. To his surprise, there was not one, but three people inside the small space: the injured Assassin with only his chains holding him somewhat upright, a doctor in a different outfit than usual busy at work and Emerico, arms folded and a concerned look on his face.
“How bad is it?” Luciano asked his apprentice, gesturing at the Assassin.
“He was barely conscious when they dragged him here. I called the prison doctor at once.”
“You look very troubled, [i]amico mio.[/i] You fought Assassins before, even killed one of them... What makes this case different?”
“I...I don't know. When we...when we fought for the Apple, I think I realised how similar our struggles truly are. If things had gone different...it could very well be me in his place right now,” he spoke with surprising honesty. “But I should not think like this. This is weakness...”
“It is not.” Luciano reassured him, though surprised at his change of heart. He was even against sparing the two initially. Time truly matters, the Templar thought. “At least not this time. You understand him, and that will be crucial at getting him to question his own affiliation.”

“I closed the wounds as best as I could, [i]Messer,[/i]” the doctor piped up. “But he needs time to heal now. And, may I add, a [i]cleaner[/i] place would only aid his recovery.”
“Take him out of here.” Luciano looked at Emerico, who nodded and hastily left the cell to find guards to help carry the Assassin. “And make sure he knows exactly whose hospitality he can thank for his life when he wakes up.”

This was certainly the easier part, Luciano thought as he made his way to the second cell. Someone stood in its door from outside—the guard captain from the streets as the Templar recognised his figure.
“You took your time,” the haughty man welcomed Luciano less than politely. “Makes me think you are closer to our enemies than a Templar Knight should be...”
“None of your concern, [i]capitano.[/i] Is she inside?”
“In one piece, even. A shame, I could have...entertained her during this tiresome wait.” He let out a snicker.
“You may leave now, your duty is over. I will make sure you are rewarded for what you did.”
The Templar did not want to deal with the cruel captain anymore. It was a shame some still did not realise that violence, while welcomed and useful, was not the only way to win someone's favour.

The Assassin woman was in a state much similar to her companion, albeit she certainly looked more alive. So much in fact that Luciano was sure she would have jumped on him right away if not for the short chains keeping her completely still.
“I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, your friend is fine. He has already been saved from immediate emergency and is currently recovering at the best quarters the [i]Le Stinche[/i] can offer,” he said in a calm and matter-of-fact voice. There was no need to fake anything this time. “We saved his life. He is an Assassin...and we, Templars, saved his life. That should mean something, shouldn't it?”

He did not believe he could convince her of anything right away, but he did not have to. Time was on his side, at least for as long as the Grand Master was occupied with his plotting.
“The road from the central district to this place was rather lengthy. Your Brotherhood could have come to rescue you at any moment. There was quite a scene—they surely knew what was happening. But they did not come. They allowed us to take you to the ugly depths of prison for an uncertain fate. For me it doesn't seem like they value you for too much...”

“I value you very highly. Your skills are impressive and your sense of duty is in the right place. You have simply chosen the wrong side. Or did you even choose? Have you ever had a say in whether or not you accept being dragged into this age-old conflict? Or were you simply indoctrinated from birth like many others?”
Fortunately, he had a little knowledge about the Assassins which he could put to use here to make them appear in as bad of a light as possible.
“I offer you a chance for something different. Something [i]better.[/i] I believe you and I are both destined for great things. Why let such trivial issues like affiliation stand in our way?”
He turned towards the door, ready to leave.
“Think about it. Listen to the voice of reason. I will see you again soon.”