The Assassins, rightfully, realised that they did not have much of a meaningful choice in this situation. They could no longer go back to the Brotherhood, they were effectively exiled and worse, hunted. Staying without allegiance in the perturbed and chaotic Florence was not just foolish, but also incredibly wasteful for two young talents who could have aided the righteous cause instead. Thankfully, the decision did not come too difficult for them and soon enough they both accepted Luciano's offer.
“You chose well.” The Templar's expression shifted into a small smile now that the tensions were relieved and he shook hands with both of his new associates. His plan worked out perfectly. Not only did he successfully mislead the entire Assassin Brotherhood to go against their own, he also managed to rat out their informant and gain the—at least partial—trust and the willing partnership of Elena and Alessandro. It could not have gone better for the Order. Finally something. Luciano knew he needed many more of such victories if he was to fully re-establish the imbalanced Templar hold over Florence.

He was even more delighted to hear that the two were already thinking about the next move. It seemed like their sense of duty was greater than their sense of belonging—which made the acquisition even better. They would prove to be valuable allies and invaluable assets, he was certain.
“Good thinking.” He nodded when presented with Elena's idea. “It is a common interest for us and the warden to have this matter dealt with discreetly. I would assume he wishes the two of you to be out of his watch as soon as possible. He will gladly carry out this last little request...”
They were so carried away with the immediate planning that they even forgot about the basics, such as an introduction.
“Luciano de Vicari. Il mio amico is Emerico Azzopardo.” the Templar requited the gesture. “Although I believe names only matter when one cannot be defined by their actions. None of us have that problem here.” With that, he turned, but did not beckon them to follow again. “I think nothing else remains to be done here. I will go ahead and speak with the warden. Succeed where those two Assassins failed, so to say. You should go and get ready to leave the Le Stinche for good. Get a better outfit or maybe some food and drink. I'll leave it up to you. I shall meet you at the gates.”

He waited for them to leave first, then stepped out of the door himself. The guarding Emerico was waiting for him.
“They've just left. Did everything go well?” he asked.
“They are our allies now. We'll work together from now on,” Luciano replied, clearly satisfied.
“Ottimo. Where are we heading now?”
“Back to the warden. Not everyone needs to know that they have made it through the attack unscathed...”

In their rather uneventful search for the prison leader throughout the fairly large facility, they discussed many matters, from the mundane to the important. The two Templars have not seen each other for several days, there was plenty to catch up on.
“Are you sure we can trust them?” Emerico asked suddenly, switching the topic in question.
“Trust who?”
“The Assas—former Assassins. I mean... They turned fairly quickly. I've been to...the dungeons before. Some needed to be kept there for months before they broke and even then it was better killing them off sometimes.” The apprentice, though not as seasoned of a member as Luciano, has already been to many Templar-affiliated places throughout Italy as part of his journeys.
“Do you have any specific reason to think as such?”
“Nothing in particular. I just need to know I can trust those I work with...”
“That's just what betrayal does to people, Emerico. It opens their eyes to see the world in a different way.” Luciano did not see it fit to reveal his pivotal role in the situation. Some things were simply better off not known. “Something similar happened to me as well. And look at where I am now. Sometimes, all people need is a spark...and then they can take it from there.”
“Wise words, mentore. What matters is where you end up, not where you start.”
“Exactly.”

In the end, they did finally stumble upon the warden, who just finished talking with another, seemingly important prison officer.
“Not you again, tagliagoli...” He sighed upon seeing the two Templars. “What can you bother me with this time?”
“Mi dispiace veramente, Messere,” Luciano apologised. “You will not have to bear our presence for much longer, I promise.”
“So? What is this about?” The man did not tolerate others wasting his time, especially not now when he still had so much to do.
“Our two prisoners.”
“They've brought nothing but trouble and ruin.” He motioned dismissively. “If you want to take them away from here, go and do it.”
“We will. But first we have one final thing to ask...”
Luciano leaned closer and whispered the next words.
“Is that it?”
“Yes. If you can assure us that you can create a believable cover, you'll never have to hear from them again—they'll be dead, after all.”
“It can be done. But it'll cost you...”
“How much?”
“Not in fiorini, mind you. I want you and the rest of your agents to draw out of the Le Stinche for good. This is a place for exerting justice imposed by the holy tribunal of Firenze. It will not be used in your diabolical schemes...”
“You might...overestimate your power here, buon signore,” Luciano warned him. Though weakened, the Templar Order was still a force to be reckoned with. Not something one wanted to anger if they held their life dearly...
“Do you want your precious friends covered or not?” The warden clearly took delight in being able to negotiate on his own terms.
“Fine. Just do it. The Order will stay away from this place...while you are in power.”
That latter fact might have needed to be changed shortly, Luciano thought before thanking the man for the cooperation and leaving towards the gate with Emerico.

They were the first to arrive outside. Elena and Alessandro were still busy within the walls, it seemed. As they waited for the two at the large prison gate, they were suddenly approached by a wheezing young man in simple clothing, a small bag attached to his side. A courier.
“Ser de Vicari!” he called out to Luciano.
“What is it?” The Templar stepped down to the courier in surprise.
“You have a letter.” The boy handed him a sealed message. “They've asked me to carry it to you with the greatest urgency. But I was stopped at this gate. The guards didn't want to let me in!”
“A letter, hmm? From who?”
“That I can't know. But it is strictly only for your reading. But if you excuse me now, I have more to deliver. Buon giorno, Messere!”
“Just a moment, please...” Luciano turned to Emerico, who nodded, then went on a slow walk as he opened up the seal.

De Vicari,

Antonio Maffei is dead. The Auditore Assassin killed him, just like he murdered Francesco. He is a man with nothing to lose...and now that that bastardo Lorenzo cleared his name, he is free to hunt. The rest are still hiding, but I am afraid it is only a matter of time. I would send you after him, but I cannot afford to lose another good man. At least while he is busy with the conspirators, he will leave the rest of our operations alone. Mainly, your search for another Piece of Eden, which I am certain is already fruitful. Those fools have disappointed me more than enough...do not follow in their stead.

Contact me only if you have something to show. Otherwise, hurry up. Time is ticking and I want results.

R.B.

Luciano angrily folded the letter back into his pocket. He did not like being rushed, not even by the Grand Master. He would have results, but it could not happen overnight. Though the news of this already-infamous Assassin worried him as well... He wondered how dangerous he could be if even Rodrigo did not dare sending someone directly after him. He wished their paths would only cross once...an encounter only one of them would walk away alive from.

He headed back to Emerico.
“What was in it?” the apprentice asked curiously.
“We need to get to work immediately. Where are those two...?”
As if they were called, he suddenly spotted the two Assassins approaching them, done with whatever business they still had to do in the Le Stinche.
“Excellent. Come, we cannot waste another minute.”
He was still unsure of what exactly they would set out to do...but they were going to do it regardless. The group of four headed to the gate, the patrolling guards opening it for Luciano.

It was time to begin.

Elena and Alessandro left the Templars with a nod, taking it upon themselves to exit the warden's quarters and find their way back to the main floors of the prison. They each took care to move silently, as their outfits still described them to any onlooking eyes as captives of the expansive prison. Luckily, thanks to all of the commotion that had taken place out in the yard, they did not stumble across any guards on their way back towards the mess hall.

"What do you think, Elena?" Alessandro asked quietly to his female counterpart.
"Hm?"
"Have we made a wise decision?"
"We have made the only decision, paisano."

Alessandro swallows hard and nods, realizing now what only Elena had been able to calculate before. His wits were not as quick as hers, which was why she was the leader of the two when it came to decisions and missions. He put his head down, following quietly again towards the dining hall.

Once they arrived, they found a handful of other prisoners to be eating in the caffetteria. Taking the opportunity while it presented itself, Elena and Alessandro slipped into the hall and found themselves camouflaged among others at the tables around them. Only one guard stood at the end of the room, keeping an eye on the criminals as they ate.

"Come, it is no feast, but it will do." Elena said as they moved towards the line to get what they could to sustain them. It was a great improvement from the piles of mush she got in the dark cell far below their feet, where she was convinced that the food was given sparingly enough to keep her desperate and ever so slightly yielding to the Templar hand. Alessandro grabbed Elena's plate of grain and meat, along with his own that was stacked high with as much pasta as he could convince the cuocoa to give him.

"Let us find a table with a little privacy," He said, leading them to a table where they could sit alone to eat their first decent meal in more than a week. They found a table to the side of the room, one where they could sit alone and away from prying eyes to enjoy their meal and slip out again unnoticed.

"We should hurry, the Templars will be waiting for us at the gates. There is still the matter of our dress," Elena said.
"Don't worry, I have an idea." Alessandro said before adding another mouthful of penne to his gut.
Elena eyed him curiously, but the two ate quietly for the next few minutes. Then, Alessandro took his utensil and motioned for Elena to hand him hers as well. Hesitantly, she raised an eyebrow, but obliged and handed over her fork. Alessandro took the twines of the utensil and jammed them into his hand, not enough to injure, but enough to bleed convincingly.

"Aye, merda!" Alessandro screamed, garnering the attention of the lone guard, who was now making his way over to their table. "Puttana. What was that for?" He said, looking wildly at Elena, before sliding the utensil back to her. She grabbed the fork, raising it in one hand.

"What is going on over here?" The guard said, hand ready at his scabbard.
"This pazzo woman just stabbed me!" Alessandro accused.
"Stabbed? It was self defense, he grabbed me." Elena said bluntly.
The guard looked from one to the other, unsure of what to do. He looked over his shoulder to see the other prisoners were still quietly enjoying their meals, though their attention was now turned to the three at the side of the room.
"Both of you, get up. I will take you each down to the capitano. He will deal with you."

Elena and Alessandro rose, walking out of the room and back into the empty hall with the guard walking behind them after warning everyone in the cafeteria to remain calm and leaving them in the hands of the cook until he returned. They walked for several moments, all the while the guard making unsatisfied grunts. Then, after turning a corner and spotting an alcove, Alessandro gave Elena a look before himself moving backwards on the guard and shoving him into the wall. The unsuspecting man was subdued in a matter of seconds, and Elena helped drag his body aside where he would not be found for a while.

"I will take his guard gear. Then if anyone sees us, I can say I am escorting you." Alessandro said as he began to remove the unconscious guard's clothing and replace his own. Elena helped him, then came the matter of her own attire.
"The laundry will only serve for more prison-wear. Perhaps if we found the confiscation chamber, I may find some dress and us each weapons taken from prisoners when they arrived."

The two headed towards the front of the prison, assuming that would be where the prisoners were checked in and exchanged their belongings for a uniform. They soon found it, and after some rummaging Alessandro had replaced his measly guard blade with a finer sword for their travels. Elena was looking for a woman's dress to fit her when she stumbled upon something she thought would have been destroyed by the Templars out of pure hatred: her hidden blade gauntlets and robes, along with Alessandro's Assassin robes as well.

Alessandro saw Elena's pause and made his way over to her, finding her holding the Brotherhood seal from the belt of her robes.

"I don't suppose we will be needing these anymore..." Alessandro asked.
"No, we won't." Elena said, tossing away the belt and the robe, but picking up her gauntlets. "But I will be taking these."
She found a dress to fit her, with a shawl that fit over so as to hide her gauntlets easier. A woman on the streets of Florence could not be seen carrying a weapon as it were, so her favored blades would serve her well again.

They finally exited the prison, approaching the two Templars standing outside near the gates. It was time for business already. Walking out of the gates of the prison was somewhat liberating, even though their time spent there was short and unjust. Elena hoped she never had to see the likes of Le Stinche again. The streets of Firenze were already beckoning her back.

"I have in my knowledge the names of several Brotherhood allies who might be of some use. They are informants, good ones who will surely prove to have something useful." Elena offered. Part of scoping out the informants would prove useful for herself and Alessandro, seeing if the information of their death was passed along properly and if they could rest easier for even a moment.

"I, too, think we should seek out some of the Brotherhood's information. Before being tasked on our last mission, I heard a murmur spread throughout the guild. The details, I do not know. But it had some of the capos quite anxious. If this serves to aid your cause, of course." Alessandro added.

The four walked rather casually and aimlessly for now, heading away from the prison and into the busier parts of Florence. The reason they were already on the move was the fact that time was of essence to them—especially to Luciano—, and the reason for their pace was the lack of actual goal to be sought after. Something that was to be rectified very shortly, the Templar was sure of it.

And he would be right to believe that, at least partially. The former Assassins—they could not be called Templars just yet as they were not inducted in the Order, but were simply collaborators and thus, allies—were once again quick to think of duty and suggested the initial objective to be seeking out further Brotherhood informants and acquiring everything they knew...however they could. Knowledge was more important than raw power in these times, and all four of them were well aware of that. The better-informed and better-prepared side stood the greatest chance to triumph in this tense struggle over the city of Florence.

“Good informants are the hardest to find,” Luciano noted. “But you are very correct. We will not settle for anything less. If we need to scour through every braccio to find who we seek, then that is what we are going to do. We just need to need to know who we are going after. And I have just the idea for the first target. Tell me, have you heard about a certain La Volpe?”

The de facto leader of the Florentine thieves did not strictly fit the bill of an Assassin informant—but he was much more than that. A rogue with legendary skills and a far-reaching reputation, La Volpe was as efficient as he was mysterious. His affiliation was, however, undoubtedly clear: even if he was not an Assassin himself, he was a close associate, one who has caused a fair bit of trouble for the Templar Order and its Grand Master. Overseeing a loose network of crafty and talented thieves with reach all over the city, he was surely in possession of a lot of valuable information. Not to mention his alleged ties to the infamous Auditore Assassin...

All in all, Luciano hoped to bring down several birds with one stone by finding La Volpe. However, he knew that it would be no easy feat and that they might need to overcome various obstacles before, if ever, coming close to success. He also had to hope that Elena and Alessandro could serve with enough information to start the search.

Although he was thinking for a while about the aforementioned two who walked close to him along with Emerico, Luciano only now took a good look at them. They did as he asked, changing their plain and dirty prison clothing to something more fitting for the streets: Alessandro wore a regular guard's outfit, while Elena also chose a fitting set of clothes.
“I assume everything went smoothly at the prison?” the Templar asked a question that once again could have come sooner if not for the immediate focus on the task at hand.
“I hope you won't miss it either...” Emerico added. “Let's just say none of us are quite welcome there anymore.”
“For now, at least.”

The group did not stick out from all the other people who were gathered around conversing with one another or just minding their own business. The bustle of the streets drowned out whatever the four said to each other, none of their words fell on unnecessary ears. They were there—but at the same time, it seemed like they were not. They were just part of the crowd.

It was like this that they eventually arrived to a large marketplace. The congregation here was bigger than ever before, with the place swarming with all kinds of people from the richest merchants to the poorest beggars. Much was exchanged here—not just goods, but services and information as well, available to anyone who could afford them. Because of such qualities, it was also a very favoured place for all kinds of scoundrels and thieves.
Luciano stopped for a moment before they went into the thickest of the crowd and looked over the area.
“All right. This is where we start.” He turned to his companions. “We are going to split up and walk in with senses heightened. Keep your eyes and ears out for everything. An interesting figure, a brief flash of a strange artefact, a few intriguing words... Anything that could bring our case forward. Follow up on it too, if you can.”

“Good luck everyone.”

The mention of La Volpe caused Elena to falter a moment as she looked on from her place walking in the group, her eyes falling to Luciano. The mention of the almost legendary, albeit shadowy, figure that associated himself with the Brotherhood was quite an ambitious remark, if the intention was to seek him out.

"You wish to find the Fox?" She questioned. "He is not an easy man to find. In my experience, you only find him when he wants to be found. And that is not often." Elena replied. Alessandro looked around from one to each of the members in the party, an intrigued look upon his face as they walked on. It interested him, for he never was fortunate enough to come across any such instances to involve the coordinator of the Florentine thieves.

"As smooth as could have been. Nothing we were not capable of." Elena said to the Templar's questioning of their final moments at Le Stinche.

"I'll miss it about as much as I miss my crudeli Zia, who used to make me cut potatoes for her gnocchi for days it seemed. Good riddance." Alessandro said, huffing at the memory from his childhood.

Soon enough, they all arrived at a rather busy market. Bustling carts and droves of people filled the square as the afternoon sun shone down. The four highly skilled allies walked among the crowd as if they were no more threat to anyone than a baby lamb. This would prove to be beneficial, for it seemed Luciano came here with the intentions of gathering information, and the best way to accomplish that was to not allow those around you to realize you are eavesdropping.

Tasked with spreading out in the square to seek out any signs or peculiarities that may lead to the Fox or other interesting associates, Elena and Alessandro both split up from the two Templars, walking in opposite directions as they slowly meandered about as the other people in the market did.

Elena had trained her ears after many years of hiding in the shadows, a skill that served her well here in this busy crowd to pick out voices from the overwhelming noise that others would not be able to decipher anything within. Knowing a few details about this particular market, she made her way towards the east end, where a certain band of informants was known to hang around. Unfortunately, they would be able to recognize her if she were to stroll right up, so in order to avoid detection, she chose to stick to the merchant carts that bordered the area of information, her head low and hidden. However, her ears were picking apart pieces of conversations from those that passed her by. All she hoped for was a shred.

Then, as she was looking at a handwoven blanket made by a nice Venetian merchant, she caught her spark.

"Tomorrow night, at the Santa Trinita..." She heard one voice say, from what she could tell it was a pair of men walking away.

"Si, si. I know. We are to meet... ah, merda, what was his name again?"
"Idiota. Corradin. We meet him at dusk."
"Right, right. I will not forget it this time."
"It is best if you do not."

With that, Elena casually made her way down the line of merchant carts. She wondered if her associate's had come up with anything worth checking out. For now, she thought she had enough information to get them a tail on the thieves guild within Florence. Walking back towards the center of the market, Elena made small talk with some of the citizens as she continued to keep her head low and her ears sharp for anymore pieces of information that may aide her in their mutual quest.

Luciano and Emerico stayed together initially, slowly meandering through the busy marketplace and onto the adjacent road which gave place to the merchants who came too late or could not afford space on the main square. There were visibly less people here, which meant a smaller, more easily discernible flurry of noise. The two Templars scoured the area and listened intently, but for now they heard nothing but the general rambling and haggling between the potential buyers and the merchants who were hell-bent on selling.
“Are you sure we will find something of value here?” Emerico spoke up after several minutes, trying to repress his irritation towards what he started seeing as a waste of time.
“No, I'm not. But the possibilità alone makes it worth our while. Remember, we're after someone who hides better than any Assassino. Any little bit of information would be a great victory already.”
“Well, excuse me il Mentore, but I do not see much happening over here. I would rather head back into the crowd.”
“Do as you will, Emerico. Try to find Elena and Alessandro too, while you're there. Maybe they had more success than us.”
The apprentice nodded and turned around, leaving Luciano on his own.

The Templar reclined on the wall of a nearby building, arms folded and ears sharp. Truth be told, he himself did not have much faith of catching anything here. Yet, he still preferred this ‘quiet disorder’ to the pure madness that was going down the main square, something that—he hoped—had nothing to do with his age, for he was still well in his prime. It was, as said before, a simple preference: hearing the distinct shouts of every merchant along the road as they advertised their wares, and watching as the variety of people from almost the entirety of Italy walked past him. The richer had hirelings carrying wooden crates full of goods, while the rest were careful to only buy as much as they could bring home.

Suddenly, a harsh shriek ended the silent observation. Luciano instinctively turned his head towards the source, and so did everyone else who heard it.
“Al ladro! Someone stop him!”
A moment later he saw the culprit whiz past him with great speed. He did not care about who they were or who called for help, but instead sprung up immediately and bolted after the thief. Much to his frustration, his initial dash was not enough to reach the surprisingly nimble man who ended up taking the Templar on a merry chase. Persistence prevailed in the end however as the thief finally made a mistake and ran full speed into the side of an unsuspecting passer-by. Luciano took the opportunity and tackled his target, forcing him to the ground and reaching for his blade to make sure he stayed there.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now,” he uttered, wheezing and exhausted—but still very aware of what he had to gain from the encounter.
“Ah, cazzo... Take the pouch. It's all I stole.” The thief, who kept one hand in front of his neck to make sure the swordsman had no...unwise ideas, reached with the other to his pocket and tossed out the small bag of florins. “Like that pezzi di merda mercante would miss it anyways... He bathes in riches while my brothers and I are barely scraping by...” he hissed angrily at the injustice of life.
“I'm sure this merchant would pay handsomely for the head of a filthy ladro...” Luciano inched the blade closer.
“What?!” Pure shock sat out on the face of the hapless man who tried desperately to wiggle out of the Templar's grasp. “Monster! Does the life of a man not matter to you at all? I've only filched a few florini, not murdered the Magnifico himself!”
“Shh, shh, before I end this discussion right now...” Luciano looked around for a moment to make sure this tussle did not particularly catch anyone's attention. Else the stakes might have turned on him. “Are you part of the Thieves Guild here?”
“Sì, sì. Like all the others. What do you want from me?”
“What do you know about your leader?”
“Ah...” The thief realised the real reason for this sudden ‘interrogation’. “He is as much of a legend to me as he is to you. If you expected me to lead you to him, then I'm afraid I'm not the right thief, buon signore.”
“That's a real shame.” Luciano lifted the sword for a moment before bringing its razor-sharp edge dangerously close to the man's head once more. “It looks like I'll have to take the consolation prize after all...”
“No! Stop!” he squealed. “Okay, listen here, you porco demonio... I know nothing of La Volpe. What I do know is that a few of us are meeting tonight at the church where—”
“Which church?”
“The Basilica di San Lorenzo. La Volpe's...right hand man will be there. He'll know how to get to him.”
“Excellent. See? This wasn't so hard.” Luciano put his blade away for good and stood up. “Now leave...and not a word to anyone of anything that's happened here! Else we'll go for a second round...”
“Sì.” The thief dusted himself off and walked away. The Templar heard one last word muttered from his mouth: “Bastardo...”

Satisfied with the result, Luciano de Vicari headed back to the marketplace. The mob has barely diminished since he left, it took him a couple minutes of search before he finally stumbled upon his allies. As per his words, Emerico was already with Elena, blending into the crowd and talking.
“Il mentore. Find anything useful?” The apprentice greeted him.
“I have indeed. A group of thieves will meet at the Basilica di San Lorenzo tonight. We might make a visit too.” He turned to Elena. “What about you? Did you catch anyone else mentioning this meeting?”

It was quite a few moments in the teeming crowed before Elena recognized any familiarity among the faces that passed by her way. The second ranking Templar, Emerico, caught her eye and headed her direction. He took a place beside her as they each fiddled over some grain and dried pasta laid out in a display donning a merchant cart. Elena idled a few moments before moving on down the line, followed by a brief pause before Emerico too was meandering beside her again. In another instant, Alessandro made his presence known by appearing on her other side and making a few quips with the merchant.

Now they were just down to waiting on Luciano, who Elena was sure would take his time in finding his way back if he was on to anything he deemed as potentially useful. A small cry could barely be heard above the buzzing crowd around them, causing Elena to glance over her shoulder before continuing to blend into the crowds of the Florentine people. Not many moments later, the confident posture of the Templar could be seen approaching, and the group turned back to a collaborative unit as he was greeted by his apprentice.

Straight to business, something Elena wasn't going to shake a finger at. Though his information caused her brow to furrow. She shook her head when he asked her of her own luck in gathering intelligence on the matter Luciano spoke of.

"Si, I too heard talk of such a meeting. But I fear one of us has the wrong information." Elena looked around, wanting to make sure no one was returning the favor and listening in on their own conversation. "I overheard two of the thieves guild talk of meeting at the Santa Trinita tomorrow night. It appears they are meeting one of La Volpe's own men, if memory serves me right."

"Two different nights, two different locations. Which to choose?" Alessandro questioned quietly.

"Indeed, paesano." Elena replied to Alessandro before looking back to Luciano to gauge his thoughts on the matter. It was hard to read him, but it almost seemed as if the issue troubled him somewhat.

"How did you come across this information? The two thieves I overheard did not suspect me, that I am sure. I was well hidden in the crowd when I overheard their conversation..." Elena thought a bit longer, wondering if perhaps they were being led on a wild goose chase by those in the thieves guild, if somehow they had found out the Templars were after their peculiar leader.

"I trust my information, but if you indeed trust yours as well then we have time yet to seek out both leads. Tonight, however, I suggest we approach with great caution if we should travel to the Basilica di San Lorenzo. What do you say?" Elena questioned Luciano, knowing that they were not to get any further without the cooperation of the confident leader.

"I should remind you that your intimidating demeanor does not necessarily yield entirely positive results," Elena chuckled slightly, "some may be tempted to provide false information to keep a blade out of their throats, and protect their own. Thick as thieves, they say."

“Wrong information...?”

Luciano questioned and looked at Elena in such utter disbelief and dismay as if the former Assassin had just insulted his mother. During his long career as a Templar, very few had the audacity to question the authenticity of the information he acquired from a variety of sources with each extortion method crueller than the last. He had long learned a fact that he had kept himself to ever since: that fear was a powerful man's most effective and most versatile tool. Rare was the fool who chose honour or other petty ideals over their life when presented with a blade at their throat with someone not afraid to use it.

Yet maybe, just maybe, Luciano have run into one such fool. Whichever way it truly was, there was no reason other than the sole blow to the Templar's pride to discard the woman's objection, who seemed just as confident in her truth as he was in his.
“You might have heard it from here, even. Quel mercante screamed so loud it was almost pathetic...” he recalled the moments when it all began. The screeching yell that snapped him out of his peaceful watch and led him on a tiring chase to acquire information which may not have even been correct. Too bad he had already given back the pouch of florins, he thought. It would have been a worthy consolation for his troubles. The merchant would not have missed it anyway. He did not doubt that the thief was right in that regard at least.

“He got robbed in broad daylight. I chased the ladro down and got what I know from him under threat of taking his life if he lied to me.”
“Luridi popolo like this usually do not care much for their lives,” Emerico noted, addressing the thievery with a less than flattering term. No doubt his mentor had at least some influence on his disdain for those of the lowest classes.
“I've done it before—you would be surprised how desperate many of them are.” At this point Luciano looked over to Elena and Alessandro. “As I see it, aside from theft or joining the Assassini, there is little way out for most. Isn't that true?”
This was something he would perhaps not have said back at the Le Stinche, where he watched his every word carefully. Still, he hoped that telling the truth—according to him, at least—would not sour the four's relationship with one another.

“More leads are never a problem—we will investigate both.” The Templar made the final decision, too stubborn to admit he was wrong but too cautious to just straight out discard Elena's information. “I believe we are capable of handling whatever is thrown our way.”

————

Nighttime

Gone was the bustle of the crowd under the warm blessing of the sunlight. Night had fallen over Florence, the streets were quiet and the air was peaceful. All of this was but the surface however, as something important was about to unfold here, more precisely under the towering walls of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, something that would set further, even more crucial events in motion.

That was what Luciano de Vicari hoped for, at least, as he led his team under the guise of the dark towards the church, taking side streets and hidden paths just in case anyone was watching the surrounding rooftops.
“I have thought it over,” he said quietly. “The thief only knows me from the four of us. If, by the off chance, he had set up a trap...it was for me only. This is why I will be the first to approach the said meeting place. The rest of you should have sight on the scene, but stay unseen at the same time. Especially you two, Elena, Alessandro...you are still dead to them after all, remember. It would be best to keep the pretence up for as long as possible.”

The old church was well in their sights by now. They approached it from the back, where the entrance to its open inner area—the most likely location for a secret meeting between thieves—was. Once they got sufficiently close, Luciano signalled them to spread out around the area. Emerico did not go too far, staying under the roofs of nearby houses, moving around slowly and keeping watch for any noise or sight.
The Templar meanwhile had to decide whether to take the direct entrance through one of the openings in the wall or climb up on the wall. While the latter option seemed better at first thought, he quickly realised that he had neither the agility nor the grace of an Assassin skilled in such things. So he stepped up to an opening as quietly as he could, blade on hand already and took a peek inside.

Much to his delight and somewhat relief, he immediately spotted two people in ragged clothes talking to each other. While it could hardly be called a ‘meeting’, he convinced himself that the night was still young and others might come later. He saw that the two were talking, but could not make out anything, so he decided to move closer. One slow and soundless step at a time, he inched deeper inside the church courtyard, hiding behind pillars whenever he could...

Neither Elena nor Alessandro quite appreciated the Templar's accusatory rant about the lower class of Florence earlier in the market. That was the great crater between the Assassins and the Templar Order. Wealth and power meant different things to each fraternity. Of course, none of that mattered now. The two former Assassins needed to put their previous affiliation aside, for now they worked under a different faction.

As Luciano moved onward to the grand Basilica, Elena and Alessandro dipped away and disappeared into the quiet night. For a brief time, they moved silently towards the church, keeping a tail on Luciano and an eye out for anyone lurking in the bushes or on the roofs leading to the building. After watching the Templar move into the old church, the two decided to take themselves to the rooftops to watch for anyone coming or going to the so-called meeting.

Elena stationed herself on the corner of a low sloping roof, sitting statuesque as if she were a gargoyle overlooking the courtyard. Alessandro took a position opposite of her, tucked behind a chimney, watching the alleyways for any approaching feet. All remained quiet for a while, until another shadow entered the alley. A owl's hoot from Alessandro alerted Elena, who remained still until she could see the figure emerge into the side of the courtyard.

The shadow stuck to the side of buildings, rather than walking up the open space of the yard. It seemed too suspicious. Elena waved to Alessandro, who quietly moved over to her and peered down at the suspicious character as it slowly moved towards the basilica. He looked across the yard to see if Emerico could be spotted. It took a moment, but he was spotted beneath the awning of a building across the way. Garnering his attention was not going to be done without making some kind of noise. Alessandro made a mental note to share his and Elena's bird signals with the other's before the next night's mission.

The shadowy figure was now moving past the next alleyway, and Elena motioned for Alessandro to follow her. Alessandro moved to the next rooftop, Elena remained. The pair both waited until the person was in between both of them in the alley, and they exited the rooftop to bring the suspect to the ground in one fluid motion. Alessandro had his mouth covered with his hand and Elena had a blade to his throat.

"Make any noise at all and I will not hesitate to silence you." She whispered.

Alessandro picked the man up, who's eyes showed a great surprise even in the dim light of the cool moon. He was pushed against the wall of one of the buildings.

"We have a couple questions for you. Mind telling us what's going on tonight inside the San Lorenzo?"

Alessandro's hand slowly moved from the man's mouth, who let out a breath before inhaling one just as quickly. He looked from Elena to Alessandro, and then down at the blade at his throat.

"You two look like Assassini, don't you know?" The man questioned.
"Why don't you fill us in on the details." Alessandro pressured.
"What's in it for me?" With that, the blade was pressed against his throat even further. "Ay ay ay, okay okay."
"Answer the questions and we will let you go on." Elena said.
"The Thieves are gathering here tonight. There was word that a Templar is coming to spoil a meeting that isn't happening."
"And?"
"And what? The Templars are stupid enough to walk into a trap then we will take what we can get."
"You think a couple of Thieves can take on one or two highly skilled Templars?" Alessandro questioned.
The man laughed, and Alessandro punched his mouth shut. He shoot his head, and his mouth was uncovered. "There are not just a few of us. There will be a dozen or more. The chance to take out those that oppress us? We do not take that for granted."

Alessandro subdued the man and left his body lying in a heap against the building before the two returned to the rooftops. They approached the church from the top, hoping more of the Thieves had not entered to overwhelm Luciano by now. Elena instructed Alessandro to fetch Emerico and warn him of their discovery. She proceeded to the roof of the church.

Entering, she saw still that there were only several thieves gathered. She needed to find Luciano before they became surrounded. From an overhang, she scanned the ground beneath her and tried to remain hidden. A cloak tail disappearing behind a pillar shadow was all Elena needed. When the pair in the middle were distracted with each other, she made her way down.

She made her way one pillar at a time, until she was close enough to get Luciano's attention and move away to a far wall. When the Templar joined her, she kept her voice low.

"I think it is best we leave, we are soon to be greatly outnumbered..." Just as she got her sentence out, about three more men entered the center of the courtyard with the others. One pulled a blade from his hip and looked around, grinning.

"We know you are here, Templar feccia. Might as well come out now, or we will have fun finding you!" He called out with a hearty laugh.

Emerico walked with slow and considered steps, staying under the cover of roofs and awnings. His task was quite similar to what he did earlier this day: watching and listening to the environment for anything out of the order. Only this time, it was actual discovery and not trying to find a needle in a haystack of people and loud noises. This was quite to the apprentice's liking and he tried to be as dutiful as possible, investigating every suspicious shadow and unnatural sound. As if chasing a pesky rat in the cellar, he thought—an apt comparison to the thief-hunting he was truly doing.

The unmistakable and rather out of place sound of an owl was the next thing to catch Emerico's attention. He realised it could not come from an actual animal, but instead from either one of the thieves or one of the two former Assassins as a covert signal. He went closer—or would have gone closer, had he not suddenly spotted foreign forms in the dark as he almost turned a corner. He could only tell from the short glimpse he got was that there was more than one person and that they were approaching in his—and the church's—direction.
He stuck to the other side and waited in total silence, hoping that the mysterious figures would keep moving towards the Basilica and leave him behind. He held back his breath as the otherwise quiet footsteps grew increasingly louder...

He was right, they walked past him without any notice and he could finally catch a better look at who he was up against. Three men, dressed in simple cloth and with daggers not on their waists, but in their hands. These people were not heading to a secret meeting—but an execution. It was starting to grow apparent that his mentor was, surprisingly, in the wrong in this case and tonight's event was just bait to lure the Templars out. Emerico knew he needed to get to him before those three did.

However, before he could have even figured out how he was going to get ahead of them, he heard other sounds, this time from almost directly above him. He pulled out his blade instinctively and was ready to fend off any opponent by the time the maker of the noises appeared ahead of him with a nimble jump off a nearby roof. It was no opponent however—but Alessandro, whose arrival Emerico noted with a mix of surprise and discontent.
“What is it?” he asked quietly, sheathing his sword.
“Your amico is about to be ambushed,” the young man revealed almost casually.
“Tell me something I don't know...”
“Come with me.”

---

“I wonder when will the rest arrive...”
“Patience, brother. They should be here any second now.”
“Ah, sì, sì. Then we can finally get things under way...”

Luciano was leaning to the closest pillar he felt safe behind as he listened to the gathering thieves in the courtyard talk. They seemed to never let go of their hushed tones, and the thought of missing something vital was beyond frustrating to the otherwise sharp-eared Templar. He was itching to inch ever so slightly closer...but could never quite make up his mind in fears of being spotted. He could probably take on three, perhaps even four thieves at any given time, but the here present bunch could almost surely overwhelm him before he could escape. And he did not want to escape just yet...

In his focus, he heard a small pebble bounce on the ground near him. While he gave it no importance, he still turned his attention momentarily to the side—and soon thanked himself for that. For he saw Elena, standing just a couple pillars away and beckoning him quietly. Her expression spoke of urgency and the Templar trusted his new ally enough to know she did not come here in vain. Just as carefully as they got into it, they moved away from the action now where they could talk briefly without being seen. The woman took the opportunity and immediately informed Luciano of the situation.
“What?!” he whispered, though the anger in his voice was still very distinct. “Are you...absolutely certain?”
She nodded.
“Cazzo...” he hissed. “I promised that...that pezzi di merda the payback would be horrible if he dared lie to me... So be it then. You leave with the others and prepare for tomorrow night. Find out what you can and...don't die. I believe in you, all three of you to not disappoint me.”
“What about you?” she asked, afraid of whatever crazy plan the impulsive man thought up in the heat of the moment.
“A true Templar never goes back on his word.”

Trusting Elena to take the rest of the team to safety, he pulled out both of his blades and stepped out into the open slowly, but fearlessly.
“You don't need to look, ratti. This lion is not going anywhere.”
“Cocky, eh? Typical Templare.” The leading thief spit on the ground in his spite. “You will die at the hands of those you have oppressed.”
“Right, right. May I ask who tipped you all off that I'd be here?”
Luciano stayed close to the pillar, using it to cover his back from any possible assault. He was constantly scouring the courtyard, keeping eyes on every present thief and looking for a particular someone. He had a sword pointed in each direction in the case any of them got too reckless.
“What's it to you? You were the fool to have come.”
“I should have thought you were too low to even answer a dead man's last request...”
The man just shrugged.
“Marciano will drink with us after you're dead. Now die, feccia!”
“Grazie.”

Before the thieves could completely surround him, he bolted out of the courtyard at one of the openings. He had gotten what he came for—now he only had to escape, a feat which was much more difficult than it seemed, for his hunters knew Florence better than anyone else. The peaceful nighttime was no more as the empty streets now gave place to a frantic chase. Luciano could hear his pursuers both behind him on the ground and above him on the roofs, but he did not take any time to look back. What he lacked in speed and agility he made up for with smart pathing, leaving obstacles in the path for his pursuers and taking the side streets whenever possible.

After several minutes of intense running like that, the Templar felt like his legs were about to give out. However, he was forced to stop before that happened by something else: the end of the road. None other than the Arno river came into his sight now, spreading wide and separating the districts of Florence. The thieves were still relentlessly on his trail and quickly caught up to him now that he had nowhere to go. The bridge was far away, though he could see it from the riverbank. This time, he was truly cornered.
“This ends now!” shouted one of the earliest arriving pursuers, hurling a throwing knife towards the Templar. It hit him right in the shoulder and staggered him backwards enough that he bucked over the small wall that separated the road and the river and fell into the Arno.

“Is this it, really?”
“Is the Templare dead?”
These and similar questions were hushed between the thieves as they leaned over to watch the silent river. The man they pursued for so long was nowhere to be seen.
“Even if he knows how to swim...he will not make it back up with a knife in him. Well done, brother.” The leader pat the shooter on the back. “One oppressor less... Corradin will be delighted.”

Elena was hesitant, to say the least, about leaving Luciano to the wrath of the thieves thirsty for Templar blood. She thought him foolish, of course, to want to face them rather than escape while they were still unnoticed. In the fleeting moments before she was to sneak away from the old church, she examined him and detected something beneath his brashness and vexation. She couldn't pin it, but it was enough to assure her as she now looked to save her own hide from the blades of the ladri. With Luciano making a grand entrance, as all Templars were sure to do, Elena exited as quickly and quietly as she had appeared.

From her high perched exit from the basilica, Elena could see several more thieves hugging the wall of the area. It seemed they were waiting for a cue or commotion to swarm the court within. She looked for any sign of Alessandro or Emerico, but could not spot them from here. Elena moved to find a safer place to land her feet on the ground once again. Once there, she quietly moved to the shadows to find her partners and leave this place. As she moved against a building towards the area she last saw Emerico, a hand grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a recess in the wall. Expecting to see Alessandro and preparing a ripe lecture, Elena was shocked to see she was being held by a face that was unfamiliar.

"Templar scum, running around in the shadows like you think you're a..." The man stopped, looking intently at Elena's face in the pale light of the moon. "Wait... I know you."

Elena's brow furrowed. This man was a stranger to her, but she could see his brain working as he loosened his grip on her arms.

"You're no Templare, you're in the Brotherhood." The man said in a low, almost relieved voice. "But... they said you were dead?" Elena saw the spark of familiarity in the man's eyes, as he must have remembered her from some joint Assassin-Thief meeting or mission.

"And in the grave I shall remain." The blades at her wrist slid out in the same fluid motion that her hands broke free from the man's loosened grasp. She left him drowning in his blood, body limp against the wall. Quickly, she walked away.

Another owl's hoot as she entered an ally to the side alerted her to Alessandro and Emerico's presence, lurking around a corner as they appeared to be making their way to the basilica.

"Change of plans. We must leave, and I'm afraid we haven't much time before your boss causes too much of a scene for us to disappear."

Emerico seemed displeased with this suggestion, given his comrade was about to be up against a dozen blades alone.

"This is not my idea. Luciano has instructions for us to leave here and be ready for tomorrow night's mission, he has matters handled here." Elena said. "Come, we must go now." She said, before disappearing away into the night.

---

The next evening...

"Do not worry, Emerico. I am sure Luciano will meet us tonight at Santa Trinita." Elena reassured the troubled looking man.
"I hope you are right." He replied.
"I don't understand why he didn't want backup," Alessandro chimed in as the three walked down the street. "With the four of us, surely we could have taken them all?"
"He had a plan. He did not tell me, but he exudes confidence. We will go on as instructed tonight and wait until we regroup to see what information we have after all of this is over." Elena said.

The three walked down the streets of the San Giovanni district, walking towards the Santa Trinita to get into position well before dark. With an open square before the old church, the three split up. Alessandro taught Emerico the bird call he and Elena used earlier that day, but Emerico had suggested using something less abrasive when it came time to calling for each other. They agreed to switch from an owl's hoot to a simple whistle of a songbird.

Alessandro took a spot out in front of the church, on a bench outside an adjacent building. Elena moved towards the back of the church, where she waited behind the building's corner until the darkness of night would shroud her enough so that she could climb up to a better vantage point. Emerico took a position on the side of the building, tucked behind a wall outcropping near a side entrance to the church. The three had no idea if the meeting was taking place inside, outside, around or about the area, so they needed to be ready to move in all directions and remain inconspicuous until it was time to do so.

Luciano de Vicari has faced many opponents in his lifetime, from brutish swordsmen to sly rogues, zealous monks, even some devious noblemen. It was not the first time nature itself rose against him either, just reciting the incident with the Apple of Eden in the dungeons a few weeks ago. What made his current struggle different was that it was unfair...and not for the foe this time. The Templar was caught greatly off-guard when the sharp knife found his shoulder and made him fall into the jaws of the rushing Arno river. Survival instincts kicked in immediately as he desperately tried to pace back up to the surface before running out of the little air he had. However, the pain and the shock temporarily paralysed his right arm, not to mention he moved his other limbs with great difficulty as well from the exhaustion. As the waves crashed above him, the dreadful realisation flashed into his mind: he was not invincible.

...but he did not need to be. He mustered the last ounces of his fading strength to rip out the knife from his flesh. Everything dulled into a blood red haze. With a confused and suffocating mind, Luciano stretched his muscles for one last decisive movement: upwards. The water seemed to graciously part before him as he finally broke through to the surface. The fresh and crisp nighttime air was like a flask of water for the desert-stranded - almost inebriating. He drank it in greedily and looked for an opening he could grasp and finally get ashore.

But the river was not so willing to let go of its fierce friend. After the death-defying rush for survival ended, the Templar's body suddenly did not seem that superhuman and he sank once more into the water, the current dragging him helplessly along.
He did not let the crippling panic overtake him this time though—he had air and could think reasonably clearly. He was too weak in his current state to be able to come up to the surface, much less climb back to the ground. He could not become stronger, so he had to make himself lighter. He reached for his robust longswords which have surprisingly remained steady on his waist all the way until now. He had a heavy heart about this, but could think of no other options. Time was running out. He unbuckled the two sheaths and let his trusty weapons drift away as a sacrifice for the hungry Arno.

With the extra weights gone, he wasted no time in pushing upwards again. To conserve his energy, he let the current keep him afloat and looked for a way out. Eventually, he spotted a small boat dock and swam to it. His steps felt like that of a giant as he sluggishly ascended on the wooden stairs. He was drenched from head to toe, even his otherwise very comfortable attire felt somewhat icky now. Not to mention that for the first time in months, his dear blades were not accompanying him on the journey. Save for a backup dagger he always carried hidden in his outfit, he was completely unarmed.
At least there were no thieves around anymore, he thought. Not surprising—the current took him a long distance away from the original scene and with the time he spent underwater after the fall, it could have been reasonably assumed that he was as good as dead.

He was not. He had a promise and now, the name of the person he would carry it out on.
Nothing would stop him.

...or perhaps the blood loss would, he noted after taking a glance at the rather sizeable wound on his shoulder. Unfortunately, there were no doctors around this late into the night, so he knew he had to bandage himself up and get a good rest until next morning. As he started slowly walking towards his home on the empty street, he gave a thought to the three people he left behind. Were they going to be fine without him?

If they were half as tough as him, he thought, they were going to be.

————

Disregarding his exhaustion after all the night's events, Luciano rose early the next day, having changed his clothes and wrapped a rather visible dressing on his shoulder. He brought with him plenty of gold pouches as well, to be used for various services, as he stepped out into the buzzing city of Florence. His first path took him to the nearest doctor, who observed his injury more throughoutly.
“I know who you are,” the medic quipped casually as he was working on adjusting the bandage properly.
“Do you?”
“Many recognise that face and that posture. Rarely with kind feelings.”
“Good.”
“They think you dead.”
“Who?”
“Us dottori, we see and hear more than you would believe. But we, or at least most of us, hold ourselves to the oath and don't meddle in these matters. This is why, Messere, I cannot tell you anything else.”
“Why say anything in the first place?” The doctor's interesting behaviour finally piqued the Templar's interest.
“You see, my prices are very generous. Some...additional compensation for additional services never hurts a common man like I.”
“You're very bold, signore. Expecting my money for tiny bits of doubtful information... Are you not afraid I will do something else to get the rest of it out of you?”
“Well.” The doctor chuckled. “I see you are missing your...signature weaponry. Besides, you would not make an attempt on a healer's life in broad daylight, surely?”
“Nothing's beyond me.” He looked at the masked man with a piercing glare. It was like this fool was trying to taunt him. “Here.” After a thought, he threw a full pouch on his stand. “This is not ‘compensation’, per se, but a deal. I may come back later and kindly ask you to reveal some of your secret knowledge...and you will do so without much hesitation. Understood?”
“...of course. Grazie mille, Messere.”

Although he spent a little more money than he originally planned, Luciano also acquired a new, potentially useful ally and informator in the process. He felt rather satisfied at the situation as he next made his way to the most skilled Florentine blacksmith he knew.
“Give me your best blades,” he asked bluntly, but the older and bulky smith only gazed at him from inside his stand.
“Might I say, this is a very common request. I have a wide selection of bladed weapons, in various shapes and sizes... It would be impossible to pick a single one out from all the great works.”
“The most powerful, then. A sword so sharp that it can cut a foe's head clean off and so strong that it can fell an armoured brute.”
The blacksmith only grunted at the Templar's words before retreating back to his workshop, then reappearing and placing an elongated and quite sturdy blade down for Luciano to see. He grabbed it and swung a few times in the air, all the while nodding as if impressed.
“Do you have another?” he asked, much more courteously now.
“This is a very expensive weapon, Ser—the need for more than one never arose.”
“Forge me a second one, then. I'll be back later to claim it...and take this until it's done.”
As he expected, he had to expend all his carried money to be able to pay for the sword and even then it was barely enough. He was still very content however: he was no longer unarmed, having gained a weapon almost equivalent in strength to the ones he lost.

With his health and some of his fighting capability restored, Luciano now felt ready to finally finish his mission and fulfil his promise. First though, he had to find where the thief known as Marciano was. He headed back to the Basilica...

The sun began to tire in the wide Florentine sky, painting the landscape a mixture of oranges and pinks as sunset soon approached. Each of the party had been in their position for quite some time now, Elena and Emerico, having been hidden from the sight of most passerby, hadn't moved very much, and instead had stayed put to become familiar with their zones and note any suspicious change in them.

Alessandro, however, was wide in the public eye sitting in the square. And, short of being a drunkard passed out on the bench, sitting in the exact same spot for hours upon hours staring at those who walked by made himself look quite suspect. So, he took it upon himself to move about the area every so often, from the small shops that were set up across the square from the Santa Trinita to even approaching the church when the priest appeared on the steps, making small talk with him and picking out any useful bits he could before bidding the Father farewell.

All still remained calm, and getting even quieter as the square cleared with dusk arriving and the common folk heading home for the evening. Alessandro found his way back to the bench he started the afternoon on, sitting still and keeping a watchful eye for any interesting characters entering the square.

At the back of the Trinita, Elena found it a suitable time to move to higher ground. The reddish-orange light that illuminated the Tuscan sky turned most things into a dark silhouette, giving her enough cover to climb atop the church without drawing any attention to herself now. Once there, she found a suitable place to watch the back entrance.

It did not take long after the sun began to swing below the horizon before the stillness that came with the sunset was disrupted by some dubious looking characters. At the front of the place, two men approached the church rather direct and in what seemed to be a haste. They kept their heads low, and their voices too. Alessandro watched them carefully as they entered the church before giving a whistle from his lips.

His call was heard by both Elena and Emerico. The latter of which had heard the footsteps and low voices enter the church, and was cautiously spying from the windows at the side as the two who entered walked down the aisles of pews and to the stairs that presumably led to the basement. He awaited a second call before moving in, but his hand was ready on his blade.

Elena kept her eyes on the back entrance, knowing whomever was meeting the group at the front would likely be taking a different approach to the Santa Trinita. It took several more minutes, her eyes adjusting to the darkening courtyard, but a figure was spotted entering from one corner and approaching. She waited until they entered, giving a few more seconds, and then sent out her own whistle before dropping down off the roof.

The three met at the side entrance of the building.

"How many from the front?" Elena questioned Alessandro.
"Two, and no more that I have seen bordering the area, though it is likely they are hiding around."
"I saw them head to the basement of the church." Emerico provided.
Elena nodded. "I had one enter from the back. This must be a real meeting, simple exchanging of information and orders. They had too many men that they lost last night I am sure. We should get in there and find out what we can." The other two nodded, and the three entered the church stealthily. "Alessandro, you remain here to quell any more late arrivals who could spoil the fun." Elena suggested. He nodded and took a spot hidden behind a curtain where the choir would sit.
"We move down and stay out of sight, get as much information as we can, si?"
Emerico nodded and the two moved quietly downstairs until they could hear the voices convening.

"Corradin, nice to finally meet you."
"Enough with pleasantries, la Volpe wants to know what progress has been made with stopping the Templar encroachment on our districts."
"Well, we are doing our best to undermine them. But they are growing in power, the are moving in faster than we can foil their plans. But the Brotherhood is corresponding with us, which is helping."
"Yes, la Volpe is working with one of the Assassins now to stop more of the heavy Templar influence in Florence. But it is you who needs to keep the petty growth from spreading through our streets. He is not happy. When he returns from Rome, there is going to be much change."
"W-w-well, he will be pleased to know! We successfully took out one of Borgia's top men! We led him to an ambush, Marciano tricked him, he thought it to be this meeting! That will certainly slow down the Templare growth with such a gap in the ranks!"

Silence followed this comment, and Elena immediately looked at Emerico, who's face had turned to stone. She shot him a look of warning, begging him not to blow their cover. You will have your revenge. She mouthed.

"Is this certain?"
"Yes, he fell into the bubbling Arno with a knife in him. He did not resurface."
".... Very well, I shall tell la Volpe. He will be pleased, but expect him back from Rome in three week's time with more orders. I suggest we make more progress before then."
"Yes, signore."

Elena shoved Emerico to head back up the stairs. Amazingly, they did so quietly, and as they arrived on the main floor Alessandro joined them before they exited the building into the now dark night.

Emerico looked as one would expect after finding out their friend and leader had met a tragic end. Elena looked at him and put a steady hand on him.

"Emerico, we do not know if this is true. Either way, you can have your revenge. We did what we came here to do, got the information Luciano sent us to get. Now it is time for us to leave here before we get caught, then we will decide what to do with what we have learned. I beg of you to keep your head straight just a little while longer."

The three ducked into an ally and headed away from the Santa Trinita.

The rest of Luciano's day mostly passed uneventfully and...ineffectually. His investigations into the whereabouts of Marciano yielded few results: while he found a tavern close to the Basilica that likely served as the place for the thieves' celebration after ‘killing’ him, he could not extract any valuable information from the bartender, the man only confirmed his already existing suspicions. Only having a name to go by made things more difficult, but what was an even greater blow to the Templar's ability and pride was the fact that his intimidation factor was woefully lessened by his accident. Truth be told, a sizeable bandage wrapped around the shoulder and a strained and still somewhat pale face did not quite give off the image Luciano hoped to give and that made his tried soul furious.

He had to realise though that his condition was...suboptimal, at best. If he wanted to stick to his mission and have any hope of successfully completing it—and after what he had gone through for it, he would not have abandoned it for anything—, he had to approach it from a different angle as complete recovery was impossible in just a day.
‘A different angle...’ He spun the thought through his mind repeatedly while sitting on a bench by himself on a lesser-walked street. He still had some time until the blacksmith was done forging his second sword and until that he felt...incomplete and unprepared to take on any serious pursuit. He tensed his muscles to stretch the bandage on his arm every now and then, but the response was still sharp pain every time. He would not have thought a single knife could leave such a mark on a fit and hardened man like him, in fact he had always thought the weapon as weak and throughoutly inferior to other, larger blades—like the ones he swung with great might and skill. But alas, he had to admit that when wielded by skilled users, like the rogues whose combat style was perfectly complemented by the small and easy-to-wield knife, it was as deadly of a weapon as any. Luciano had to consider himself lucky the impact of one made him fall—any more metal struck into his flesh would have very well meant the actual end for him.

An actual death or a supposed one—it mattered little as long as the enemy did not know the truth. Just like they had done with Elena and Alessandro, faking one's own demise was a hard to execute but very effective trick to keep the opposition's guard down and strike when they least expected it. It was what the Templar was intending to do in this case as well—recalling the details the young woman collected for the meeting tonight at the Santa Trinita. He also remembered what he told her: they were to progress as planned and not worry about him.

With that, his thoughts shifted to the three people he left behind. While he never considered himself a good leader in a sense that he preferred doing tasks on his own—he only took on Emerico after ostensible pressure from the Grand Master—, he found himself concerned about them. Granted, it was more because he did not want them to fail and his trust to turn out misplaced rather than actually worrying about their well-being. Yet still, he felt some kind of...connection forming towards the three. Perhaps the lone wolf mentality was not always the best way to go about matters...?

He shook his head and rose up with a grunt. These thoughts were temporary weakness, just like his injuries. He reminded himself he did not get to where he was by relying on others. He could not allow his ambitions to lapse into content. In the cutthroat world of the constant struggle between the Order and the Brotherhood, that was a death sentence. There already have been too many good Templars lost to failed collaborations and haphazard cover-ups. Luciano knew he could not make the same mistakes.

He headed back to the blacksmith to pick up his second blade.

————

The last rays of sunlight were biding their farewell to Florence and someone was watching them while reclining to the wall of a house. The house had an extended awning, effectively covering him from anyone who might be snooping around on the roofs. Safety first. Of course, the mesmerising orange shades were not the only things in his attention. As soon as movement was heard near him, he broke away from the house, springing with a silent, hopefully unheard hiss of pain onto the street. The figure there regarded his appearance with a momentary, albeit unanswered gaze and then a small nod before resuming the purposeful walk. He stepped a little closer and kept the tempo, wordless, soundless.

The two figures moving in the growing darkness looked very much alike. Ragged pieces of cloth fastened together provided a light but comfortable and versatile outfit. Their cowls hid most of their faces—especially so for the second one, who seemed to have a gaze fixed on the ground—, only the glint of their daggers were somewhat noticeable for onlookers. Not like there were any, though.
“You got your hands dirty again, didn't you?” The initial person spoke—whispered, more like, taking a brief glance at their partner.
Ah yes. They must have caught the faint scent of blood that permeated from the other's robes. Violence was a best-avoided, but sometimes inescapable matter in their profession. Some were...more bound to resort to it than others.
The accosted man nodded, breaking neither his vow of silence nor his gaze of the floor.
“I wonder why you were even invited...”
There was not even as much of a reply to this heckling. He made it obvious that he was in no mood of a discussion right now. The point was taken.

The towering Santa Trinita soon unfolded before them. It hid behind it a dying sun that would soon totally retreat for the day. The cloak of darkness shrouded the two figures and a few others too as they converged in the courtyard and made their way towards a secret entrance. The thieves, for that was what they were, filed down a staircase into a cellar-like area under the church. There they formed a sort of half-circle and began their discourse with one another, but mainly with a man who stood in front of the rest. Just slightly better dressed but with graspable authority, he was like a priest before the flock.
“Corradin, nice to finally meet you...”

The man who was waiting under the awning just a couple minutes before was now standing at the edge of the half-circle, cowl still on. He listened to the discussion and the sayings of the leader, Corradin intently, but really was only seeking one word.
“...We successfully took out one of Borgia's top men! We led him to an ambush, Marciano tricked him, he thought it to be this meeting! That will certainly...”
At the mention of this particular thief and his exploits, a couple others let out a hearty laugh, one even gave him a pat on his back. The man on the edge took a very brief glance to the side to see who actually was the receiver of the compliments. Fortunately, Marciano made himself easily visible: with his chest puffed out and his face bright with a toothy grin, there was no mistaking the ‘hero’ of the recent days.

That was all he needed. The rest of the meeting was somewhat of a blur to the man, as his thoughts were already wandering into the future. He only truly snapped back into reality when the present thieves started moving out of the cellar en masse, then spreading out on the surface and finally disappearing into the night. It was no small task to identify someone from all the brown-clothed and hooded figures, but he would not let such a trail go cold. He followed after Marciano who walked with casual but still careful steps—he seemingly had nothing else to do for the night but as any skilled thief, he did not let that lull him into a false sense of security. He took side paths and ducked under the cover of buildings frequently, all with ease as if it was routine. The man behind him did not know if he was aware of being pursued, but his choice of directions actually served his cause in this case. He sped up while trying to keep his movement quiet.

Marciano's senses tingled. As he was passing by a wall, he stopped for a brief moment and looked behind him. His eyes widened and his mouth opened, but only a strangled cough came out. The man rammed him like a horse, grabbing hold of the his neck with his left hand and shoving him into the wall. The eyes of the once brash and sly thief now shone with shock in the moonlight. He would not be denied knowledge for long, for the man who kept him in this chokehold flipped up the cowl. Though his outfit was very much unlike and his hair was also tied up, there was no mistaking that face...nor that expression.
“A true Templar never goes back on his word,” he whispered and plunged his dagger into Marciano's wide open throat...and twisted it, for good measure.

A gargling, bloody heap fell onto the ground, breathing its last laboured breaths. The latest to cross Luciano de Vicari.

The dim moonlight provided just as much guidance as it did cover for the three companions as they snaked their way through the dirt and stone streets of the San Giovanni district of Florence. As it should be, the journey was a quiet one. Unfortunately, Elena could see Emerico's face was wrought with emotion that he had been doing his best to hide since they had left the old church. The news was shocking to her as well, but of course Luciano was not her mentor and friend. Even so, the Templar did well to hold in what she suspected was a great sadness and an even greater feeling for revenge.

Late into the night the group arrived back at the home in which they had spent their short time together convening in. Something about the Templars owning every shop, inn, and home on the street... proof of their growing influence in Florence. And of course, Alessandro and Elena could not go back to their own homes, as they were still dead to the world... for now at least.

Alessandro opened the door at the back entrance of the small house, lighting first a candle to lead the others in and then using it to light the others around the small commons area. Elena took a seat at the table that occupied the living area, joined then by Alessandro and by Emerico.

"We have the information we were seeking. La Volpe will be in Florence in three weeks time."
"But what do we do...?" Alessandro questioned. Realizing that up until this moment, they had been pursuing orders given down from the Knight Templar. Who now... was absent.
"I suspect Borgia will have some ideas of what to do with the Fox. And of course, he should know about what happened." Elena spoke towards Emerico. "If it is the wishes of the Templars, we shall not rest until all those present at the Thieves' ambush are found and disposed of. We owe at least that." Whether due to being raised with the attitude of the Brotherhood or having been born with a naive sense of obligation, Elena felt that she and Alessandro at least had a duty to repay Luciano by finding those who ended him with such cowardice.

Alessandro nodded, the orange glow from the candlelight showing the strain on his face. "Perhaps now we can get some rest? I suspect we'll need it come tomorrow." He questioned.

Elena nodded, "There is nothing more we can do tonight. We should get our sleep and come back with fresh minds in the morning." The pair rose from the table, looking on at Emerico before turning to each head towards their respective rooms.