“E adesso? What is it now?” I asked as I sat down on the empty chair in front of my client’s desk.

“I need you to dispose of someone before he disposes me.”

I looked at the nobleman’s table, on it, the title of “Giuliano de Medici” can be clearly seen in bold letters. Ah, yes, the brother of the most powerful man in Florence, Lorenzo de Medici. Giuliano has assigned me to several tasks during the two years of my stay in Florence. That includes delivering letters to several people in the town and retrieving messages from pigeon coops and the like. The menial ones, I suppose.

I serve him and he serves under his brother. As long as the motive is money. It’s always money. They’re filthy rich, they own a bank, they can give it. But now, it’s about killing someone. How long has it been since I spilt blood of others on my own hands? Can’t remember. But all I know is that it was horrifying. It wasn’t glorious like men defeating good and evil. Battling in wars is not pretty. Something like that would scar you for life.

“Who threatens you, my lord?” I asked, getting interested in the matter.

He was standing with his back towards me, facing his window overlooking most of Florence. The light from the outside gave him a mellow aura as his shadow covers my face. He then turns around, looking at me with insecurity.

“Vieri de Pazzi. He is becoming an inconvenience to me. And I fear his family may come for me and Lorenzo.” He held his hand over his chest. As if he could feel the future ahead of him with the Pazzi’s blade through his heart.

“Just tell me where he is and your will be done.”

“Last reports of him were on the outskirts of Monteriggioni. You should start there.”

“Monteriggioni… You know I have a notoriety warrant there!” I immediately remember that time where I killed a guard that was getting on my nerves.

“Oi! If you know what’s good for you, I suggest you take your stroll somewhere else!” he said as he poked me hard on my right shoulder, causing me to stumble back a little. All I wanted to do was see if I could take the shortcut to the nearest exit.

I said nothing. This guy’s not even worth it for an argue.

“You should turn around before I scratch that pretty face of yours!”

Another poke.

“Giving me the look, eh? Well let’s see how you’ll look with my knife through your head if you’re not out of my sight in a—“

Before he could give me another poke to the shoulder, I whipped out my dagger and thrust it straight to his heart. His body weighed heavily on mine as he gave out his last breaths of blood-splattering demise. I took back my knife from his body as he fell lifeless with a thud on the granite floor.  I wiped the blood on my dagger on his clothes then sheathing it back to my holster. I didn’t bother putting away the body, knowing me, I don’t really clean up after my jobs. The government cleans them up for me.

I walked faster towards the new, open route towards my destination, pulling my scarf up higher to hide the lower parts of my face. What I didn’t see were two guards of the same uniform running towards the corpse I had left behind, taking one quick glance at me before I turned around the corner to escape from their field of vision.

“Valerie!” Giuliano snapped at me, his palms leaning on his desk to get a good view of me. “You were drifting away for a moment there.”

“I’m fine,  Messer Guiliano. I just wanted to know if there are other people concerning this task.”

“No. Not that I don’t know of. My brother doesn’t normally keep secrets from me so it’s all up to you.”

~

“OK, this is the place.” I said as I dismounted from my horse next to the Viaggio. I tied the reins to a nearby post and tapped my horse one last time on the back before I took my leave and went inside the main entrance, my bow and bag of arrows strapped behind my back just in case.

I wasted no time with the questions as I approached the nearest bystander I could see to ask about my target. He was just a typical man you could see on the streets, nothing special. I could even guess that he could be a drunk if I’m not mistaken.

“Excuse me, sir…Have you ever heard of a man named Vieri de Pazzi before?” I asked, trying my luck.

“D-Don’t ask me! Please!” he immediately replied, raising his hands up in surrender. I guess he has heard of him. Well, there’s no hope for me here. Better go ask the higher ups, then.

I can see a tower of barrels as I leave my sight of the begging-for-his-life civilian. I sighed and took a deep breath before I ran towards it and jump from a pole to a window leading to a rooftop with a good view of Villa Auditore. There were guards on the rooftop surrounding the Villa so this might get tricky. It only takes me seconds to run past the guards before they turn around. Rooftop after rooftop, I could see an opening of Villa Auditore that I can use.

Panting, I dropped down from one house to run towards the grand staircase leading upwards the mansion. I swear I could feel eyes on me. Eyes of archers ready to aim and shoot at my sprinting body. As soon as I stepped foot inside the Villa, I knew I was wrong. A brightly lit room greeted my eyes and I looked for possible signs of someone I might interrogate for information. I managed to get myself in the library, fortunately, there was someone in there.

“Um, mi scusi, Signor Auditore, but…” I asked, my voice soft for I feel ashamed of just entering someone’s home like that. If someone were to do that to me, I’d talk them through with a sword close to their throat.

He turned around just as he heard me, his look was surprised as he returned a book back from his bookcase. Seeing that I was rushed in my appearance, he immediately came to me to lead me to a seat. I noticed his left eye was pretty much blind and had a scratch on the left side of his face. Battle scars, I thought.

“Please, sit.” He said as he pushed me down, letting me catch my breath back. “Why are you here, signora?”

“I want to ask if you knew something about Vieri de Pazzi…” I bluntly answered. I just want to get this job over with.

“Ahh, that codardo. Ran away from a fight with me recently, haha.” He chuckled. Not exactly the answer I was hoping for but at least he gave me hope that he knew him. Not like that first person I asked reacted.

“Do you know where I might find him?”

“Why? What is your business with him?” he asked, eyeing me completely. He must. A complete and total stranger just barging in his home and just asking is suspicious enough. “Do you work for him?”

I could see him lift his cape from one side, letting me see his long rapier ready for use. I calmed down and crossed my legs. I’ve seen bigger swords before and that doesn’t scare me.

“I plan to kill him.”

“Well, haha! That’s a relief!” he exclaimed as he immediately hugged me from my seat and gave me a hard pat on the shoulder as he ended. I was thinking about stabbing him as he pulled me into that unexpected hug but, at least I have his trust. “We plan to invade San Gimignano tonight, actually. You should come with us! Vieri is sure to be there.”

“Va bene. Just tell me what time and where. I’ll take care of Vieri myself.”

“Good, good. You’ll need someone to distract the guards while you do that.” By that time, I was standing up, ready to ask him what time and take my leave. I was getting tired of this place. “Meet us at the clearing of San Gimignano when the Mercenaries leave the city.”

I nodded and walked out of the library, hoping to get some fresh air that will clear my head before I kill again.

“Wait, before you go, there’s someone who may help you too--!”

Was the last thing I heard before I stormed out the Villa.

~

I sat on the edge of the towers surrounding Monteriggioni, hoping to pass the time with peace. The moon was full and bright. As if the night knows what’s best when killing someone. Like they know I’m going to kill a person I have never met today. That’s actually good. That means never having ties to anyone that might lead to greater troubles in the future.

The fading flag of Monteriggioni was waving slowly to the cool breeze at my feet. Crickets sang their lullaby as the night peacefully carries on with her silence. From the corner of my eye, I see a white figure about to sit right beside me. Hoping it’s not a ghost, I quickly took one glance before minding my own business yet again.

“How did you get up here?” he asked me, getting into a comfortable position with his right foot propped up the balcony and his right arm on top of it. I said nothing. “Be careful. You might fall.”

“I’m not.”

“So she speaks!” he joked which caused me to look at him.

It was rather pointless since I couldn’t see much of his face anyway. He wore a hood that covered his eyes and almost his nose. I can barely see the other facial features he has because of the night. Well, I guess he was rather irritated with my scarf covering half of my face too.

I smiled, but not evidently to his liking. I am not going to open up, especially when I’m about to get my hands dirty. And I swear if he tries anything fishy with me, I won’t have any second chances to get my dagger and get blood on my clothes early.

”Beautiful night, no?” he starts.

“For now.” I miraculously replied. I could have whispered it to myself but I must admit. The night was enchanting.  So enchanting that it blocked my insecurity for the stranger. I took one deep breath of the cool air and let my body relax.

“Found you!” we heard a faint shout coming from the right side of the tower. We both turned around to see a horde of armed guards with swords and arrows ready to strike.

“Well, I guess our conversation ends here, signora—“

“They’ve come for me.” I whispered to myself as I stood up even before he did. I ran on the edge and climbed up to a tower as quickly as I could. I hear a dozen footsteps getting closer. I finally reached the rooftop and notice that unmistakable wheelbarrow of hay below me.

Confused that the guards have completely passed right by him, the man stood with his eyes up on me, watching and waiting for my next move. I could see his teeth grit as his muscles tensed up at the position I was in. I smiled at him one last time before taking that leap of faith from the tower into the haystack below.

I landed faster than I would have expected with hay surrounding me from every area possible. I slowly looked up above me to see the furious guards cursing words at their lost target. Luck was probably on my side since I saw a gang of what I thought was mercenaries and I got out of my hiding place to join the caravan.

“Whoa, there, principessa! I’m sure you’re father’s expecting you at home!” one of the rather built guys said as they noticed me, his other friends laughed with him.

“Is this the army going to San Gimignano?” I asked, trying my best not to spill my anger on the jarheads.

“Well, it is so scram back to whatever courtesan brothel you came from!”

I growled and didn’t take any second chances to whip out my hidden dagger and had it positioned right in front of his throat. It took his friends a second after my move to raise their weapons in defense. The stronzo that foul-mouthed me dropped his spiked hammer and raised his arms. I didn’t let him go just yet. I want him to get the picture that I have killed a man all by myself and not with conniving mercenaries like him.

“Emilio! You shouldn’t be like that to our guest!” I’m guessing that was Mario’s voice. I looked at the so-called ‘Emilio’ with a ‘You’re in trouble now’ look.

“T-Tell that to her!” Emilio pleaded as I still had him on that death position.

“Signora… He’s one less person to worry about. Let him go.” Mario said as he puts his hands on my shoulders, slowly moving down my arms from Emilio.

I sighed and walked over to the already waiting mercenaries outside. I could still hear Emilio panting that his throat was spared.

“How could we trust her, boss?! You don’t even know her name!” I could hear Emilio’s voice from behind.

I stopped. He seemed to have noticed since I hear him gasp at some point. Maybe he fears that I might turn around with an arrow in my hand and ready my bow for aiming straight in between his eyes.

“My name is Valerie Ambrosi. And I am going to kill Vieri de Pazzi tonight.”

~

“Well, this is a dead end. They seem to be expecting us.” Mario said as we arrived at the front gate of San Gimignano, moments away from bloodshed. Only the gate is closed shut. “Forcing it open won’t do it. We need someone to open it from the inside…”

I huffed. “I can do that.”

“You will? But how--?”

I grabbed my bow and arrow behind me which made him get the idea. Mario smiles and, like a gentleman, moves out of his way to let me through. I easily spotted a mountain of crates and knew that that was my way in. Focusing only on the direction before me, I ran towards the abruptly ascending pile of wooden boxes leading to one of the walls.

 I could hear men gasping in awe as they saw me climb with ease and grace. It’s not every day they get to see a woman climb just like a thief.  Maybe the picture of a woman in their heads were always in dresses and corsets with jewelry and high-heeled shoes. But not me. I lived a woman’s life the hard way. As if being in a tight suit of cloth isn’t enough for a lady.

As soon as I reached the top, I wasted no time in choosing the nearest target and aiming for their hapless heads. That sudden feeling of utter regret and disgust as a human being hit me as I fired my first arrow. That familiar thud of dead bodies falling reminded me of the mad person I was. I closed my eyes shut for a moment, hoping my sanity will get used to killing my own kind.

Two, three down. Everything’s clear now. I dropped down on my ledge and landed on my own two feet like a feline. Cautiously, I looked for more guards to worry about. Guess I’d better find them before they find me. But seeing that I’ve eliminated every possible threat, I went to the crank keeping the gate closed and released it from its lock.

Dozens of cheering mercenaries and ruffians came flooding inside San Gimignano. Mario stepped inside, giving me a grateful look in his eyes—uh, eye. He approaches me. I would have expected a compliment but this one came with a free hug.

“I guess I have underestimated you, Valerie. You are welcome in my villa anytime!”

“Va bene, but now, we kill Vieri first.”

“Ah, si, si… Where is my damn nipote?”

“You have a nephew?”

“That boy is late!”

~

Oh, Vieri? Where are you, you figlio di una cagna! I just want to get this over with nice and easy. I was scouting for possible signs of the suspect from a ledge on a random house. After several seconds of thorough inspection, I gave up looking at the spot. I saw below me, the mercenaries having a hard time with the guards. Mario didn’t look too good. I was thinking about to drop down and help the poor men defeat the overwhelming guards but at the corner of my eye, I see a group of people entering the gate I opened not too long ago.

I couldn’t risk my main goal here. I went to take a closer look of the crowd. Some suspicious-looking upperclassmen was conversing something below. I heard the name, “Vieri” and there I knew, I didn’t need any more validation.

“May the Father of Understanding guide you.”

I was about to jump down to his level but the people he was talking to walked away and a panicked guard approached him. “Mario Auditore has invaded the city! He comes for you!”

“Then, let’s not keep him waiting.” Vieri said as he was about to join in the fight with Mario up ahead.

Alright, better end this now before it escalates into something worse. I already have Mario fighting for his life. It’s best if we don’t risk anyone else anymore. Instead of just jumping down and running after him, I grabbed my bow and arrow and took a deep breath with one eye open to focus on my target.

I was about to let the string on my bow go when suddenly this…. white blur comes slashing at Vieri, making me lose concentration. I grunted and squinted to see that hooded man from Monteriggioni fighting with my supposedly, owned kill.

I murmured curses under my breath about keeping Vieri still because Giuliano assigned this task to me. I’m not letting some stranger with a sword do it for me. Irritated and totally pissed off, I jumped down from my perch, slinging my bow back behind me. The hooded man got Vieri in a headlock which kept him still. The hooded man finally notices me but still doesn’t let go of Vieri.

“You!” the hooded man manages to say as Vieri tries to make another escape.

I approached the two struggling men, unsheathing my dagger from its cover. The hooded man widened his eyes as he thought that I was in league with Vieri and was about to attack him. With that, he lets go of Vieri and got his sword to parry my short weapon. Vieri immediately got away, running outside San Gimignano.

“What the hell are you doing?!” I shouted as he pushed me, metal clashing with metal. “Why did you let Vieri go?!”

“You were trying to kill me!”

“AGHHH! I was trying to kill HIM, idiota!”

With that split second that he let his guard be overtaken by shock, I kicked him away from me, trailing after Vieri. He saw me running after him as he was about to get close to a horse. He panicked and left the horse, going with the idea on running on two legs instead. Then I felt a tug on my scarf, causing me to pull back. In a flash, I see the man clad in white passing by me, smirking.

“That kill is mine.” He declared.

“You don’t understand! I’m getting PAID to kill him!!” I exclaimed as I got a grip on his long, flowing cape and pulled hard, making him turn around abruptly. I ran as fast as I could. I don’t have the nerve of going back to Giuliano saying that another man beat me to Vieri. I would hardly call that a pay if I was the client.

Forget the horse. Now I know how Vieri feels. For I know if I take the time of mounting the horse, there’s always the chance of the hooded man pulling me back down and HE gets the horse. I could see Vieri’s silhouette slowly fading by the turn of the route exiting San Gimingano. He must be laughing his butt off by now. As I was to give up all hope, I hear that alternate sound of hooves coming straight towards me.

“Care for a lift?” the hooded man surprisingly said as he rode the horse Vieri and I was supposed to go for. He held out his hand for me to take as the horse inches closer to my aching and running body. He pulls me up, my legs perfectly mounting the horse.

“Here, take this.” He said to me as he handed me his sword.

Puzzled, yet I held on to it. We made the curve. Vieri panting but then freaks out again once he sees the horse with two angry people coming to get him. It was too late for him to run now.

I readied my arms for the swinging stance of possibly chopping his head off. I could hear his terrified scream as he got closer to him. As we finally got in range, I swiped the sword with all my might, closing my eyes for a split second as the deed was done. When I opened them again, I saw the horror of one important body part rolling down away from its decapitated body. The horse whinnied, freaking out as Vieri’s blood was now on his brisket.

“I’m Ezio… You?” the hooded man finally said, panting.

I was too horrified to reply. This feeling was way worse than before. The others were just impaled by weapons and spikes and arrows but this one… I had to lop off something. More blood was spilt than I had imagined.

“N-No… No names…” I managed to say as I gave him back his sword.

~

“I see you’ve met my nipote, Ezio…” Mario said as we made our way back to Villa Auditore to rest.

“Apparently…” I murmured, but loud enough for Ezio to hear.

“Aw, come on, signora…. After having the privilege me giving you a ride and your job done.” Ezio snapped back, pulling away his hood for me to get a good look of his… Stunning face.

“Hey, I got my own job done!” I shouted back, pulling down my scarf to get a better sound of myself scolding the steam out of him. “He died by MY hand.”

“Well, he died by MY sword.” Ezio countered.

“Alright, alright, you lovebirds… That’s enough drama for now..” Mario butted in.

“Drama?” Ezio repeated.

“Lovebirds?!” I questioned.

“But if you want to continue, I suggest you leave me be and proceed outside…” Mario added as he stepped out of his way like a gentleman before to let us through.

I gripped Vieri’s hat which was my only evidence that I killed him and put it in my satchel. I just want to go back to Florence and get my money.

“Well, if signora wants it outside, then fine.” I heard Ezio grumble. Hah, does he still think I’m going outside because I want to continue this argument? “Alright, we’re outside, now what?”

I didn’t stop walking and I’m already at the staircase leading down towards the streets. I didn’t even bother look at him.

“Hey!” He called out to me again. No response.

I was already passing by the Fabro shop by then and I suddenly heard a loud thump on the sign. I looked over to it and there was a small throwing knife plunged hard in the middle of the small letter ‘o’ in the word, Fabro which was right next to my head.

“Mama mia!” I heard the shopkeeper shriek as he dove under the counter.

I jumped at the close proximity of the knife to my head. I finally turned back to Ezio. He has surely caught my attention.

“What?!” I exclaimed, waving my arms in the air.

“At least say ‘thank you’ to me.” He shouted back for we were a little far away from each other.

“Ugh. Fine… THANK YOU.” I said, my heart not really put into it but then again, he did help me with Vieri.

“Uh-uh-uh… Say that again to my face.”

What? Seeing that he is totally serious and clearly won’t stop bugging me until I do it, I slowly walked towards him once more. I could swear my face was getting completely warm. We were finally about an arm’s length away from each other. I looked up at him since he was a bit taller than me.

“Thank you.” I said softly.

“Haha… I meant in another way.”

Calculating the words he had just said, I let his finger capture the tip of my chin and brought my face close to his. Our lips were sealed and at that moment, everything just snapped. Like I had not just executed someone a while ago.  Everything felt right. He was an assassin, I am an assassin… It could work. Then again…

Oh, what am I thinking? This was heavenly. I whole-heartedly welcomed his tongue into mine and he knew that I had given in to him. Obviously enjoying with ourselves, we didn’t notice the shopkeeper of the Fabro slowly poking his head out of the counter to utter a faint, “Aww.”

We finally pulled away, panting as we both took our slow gasps of air. He looks into my eyes of confusion, innocence and lust. My head was swirling with emotions right now. I don’t want him to get wind up in my work. And I bet he is also for me. Well, I might be wrong since he wanted me to be with him in the first place.

“Thank you.” I said again, thinking if that was for the kill or for the kiss now.

Pulling myself together, I turned around before he could start another heart-warming kiss with me. I could feel him smile behind my back as he took back his throwing knife from the wooden sign that once caught my attention. But then I stopped, thinking about what to say before I took another step.

“… My name is Valerie Ambrosi. And I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

Glossary:

E adesso – What now?

Messer – Mister

Mi scusi – Excuse me

Signor – Sir

Signora – Ma’am

Codardo – Coward

Va bene – Alright

Principessa – Princess

Stronzo – as*h*le

Si - Yes

Nipote – Nephew

Figlio di una cagna – son of a b*tch

Idiota – Idiot