‘Great! I have found another codex page.’ Walking out of the building, I look to see that the fraction I had hired was still taking care of the soldiers that had been placed in front of the door. I nodd my head in appreciation to the leader of the group and swiftly make my exit.
I make my way to the nearest fast travel station. Paying half the amount now, I thank driver for his assistance, and climb into the back of the carriage. Adjusting myself for the long ride ahead, I am left with my thoughts.
It has been many weeks since my last trip to Monteriggoni. Sadly, mama was still in a state but Claudia assured me that she was getting better with every passing day. Claudia has been doing well while I’ve been gone also. Managing the villa and the towns people. She’s no longer the little girl that used me to fight the boys for her, that’s for sure.
Closing my eyes, I was jostled awake by the carriage stopping. I must have fallen asleep while in thought.
Climbing out and doing a quick stretch to get the blood flowing again, I pay the driver the rest of his well deserved money and head into the town.
The sun must have set while I was asleep. Torches were lit in the many corners of different buildings and shops were closed for the day. Just a few hard workers were in the streets, perhaps finally making their way home after a long day.
Walking up the vast amount of stairs, I am greeted with the site of the villa. A few candle lights were lit in some of the windows, meaning a few people were home. Making my way inside, I went directly to the study to the right. I highly expected to see Leonardo and Claudia still awake. But it was just Claudia.
Still managing that blasted book.
I chuckle silently. Not wanting to startle her, I make my presence known.
“Salute Claudia."
She jumps slightly but gives a warm smile as she looks up at me. “You here to look at the book?" She says as she turns the book my way. I wave it off and she turns it back to face her.
“How have you been Claudia? And mama?"
“I have been well. I have been able to get the necessary imports to help the town and we have just begun to start exporting certain goods."
“That is wonderful news! I knew I could count on you to bring this place back on it’s feet."
“Grazie. And mama…well she still grieves for father, Federico and Petruccio. But she is getting better. The feathers you collect for her help her greatly."
“That is great to hear. Where is Leonardo?"
“That man."
She laughs quietly and shakes her head.
“He can be a trouble maker. I have to force him to eat sometimes. He gets so caught up in his experiments that he refuses to. Says that if he stops working now, he will lose his thoughts. As if that will ever happen." My heart clenches for a moment at the thought of a malnourished Leonardo. “But you do make him eat, yes?" “Of course I do. I wouldn’t be a proper keeper of this town if I let own of it’s citizens starve." I nodd, greatful that he is not dying of hunger. “Anyways, you should find him in his room. He went there not too long ago. Though if he is awake or not, I cannot tell you." “Thank you Claudia." “A presto, Ezio." She says while going back to the book. “And don’t stay up to late." I say to her as I make to leave the room. She only waves me off and goes back to writing. I go out into the foyer and head upstairs towards Leonardo’s designated room. I knock lightly on his door only to be returned with nothing but silence. I knock again but with the same results. “Leona—" I cut off my words as soon as I open the door. At the desk by the window is Leonardo. In his hand is a writing quill. A candle, lit next to him. I step into the room and go towards him. With the steady rising of his back and slow breaths it is clear he must have fallen asleep. Without realizing what I was doing, my fingers suddenly trail down his sleeping face. Leonardo shifts position and I freeze, hoping he doesn’t wake up. I didn’t want to explain this situation. Not that I knew where to begin. "…Ez…io…" Leonardo quietly says as he gets comfortable in his chair again. My heart flutters in my chest as he says my name and I can’t help the little smile that appears on my face at that moment. Saving the codex page that is currently in my pocket for another day, I go up to Leonardo’s bed and take the blanket off. I take it an gently place it on him. “Goodnight Leonardo" I say quietly as a place a light kiss on his forehead. I blow the candle out and go to the door. Just as I close it, I hear a faint “Goodnight Ezio." And the smile is back, though I couldn’t say if it ever went away in the first place.