Speranza rides towards Siena, Tuscany. Tarso's men had a base set up there the last time she went.

She clenches her teeth as she remembers what happened that last time.

"Speranza, mio amore..."

"Cease your worrying. I'm fine," Speranza snaps, not meeting his gaze.

He sighs heavily, placing a hand on her neck, his thumb grazing her cheek. He looks the same, with his stormy grey eyes and raven hair.

"Is that the truth?"

"Piero, I lost my grandfather. My whole family is gone. What do you think?"

"I'm sorry. I'm being insensitive." He drops his hand, but she grasps it again.

"No. You're caring for me." She smiles and gives him a small kiss on the cheek.

They head away down the street. The dress she's wearing doesn't allow for much movement, but she manages to keep up with Piero's powerful strides.

"How about food?" Speranza asks, pointing to a produce cart.

"Sì. I'm quite hungry."

She walks ahead, pulling a few florins out of her pouch and counting them.

A strangled noise is heard and she spins around.

Piero drops to the ground, his throat slit open in a horrid red smile. A few guards stand behind him, and the man in front grins evilly, his bloodstained sword in hand.

Speranza doesn't have any time to mourn or go to Piero. She turns and dashes away, weaving among the terrified civilians. She hears Tarso's men following her, and she leaps into an alleyway as they thunder by, Tarso barking orders to find the girl.

She sinks to the ground, tears running down her face as she mourns for her fiancé.

"Everyone I love is dead."

A sudden calm comes over the young assassin, and she stands, wiping her face as she steps out of the shadows. Her enemies are long gone, and she feels a new sense of determination pounding through her veins.

"Grandfather, it's time to put what you taught me to the test," she says, smiling dangerously.

Speranza reaches the city swiftly, slowing the horse as she trots inside. The people of Siena pay her no heed, but she doesn't mind. Staying unnoticed is always better.

She leaves her horse at one of the many hitching posts. She pulls her hood farther down over her face, moving through the crowds effortlessly.

She stops and climbs up one of the buildings, leaping onto the roof. She pads across the tiles, her boots making only the smallest sound every now and then.

"Tarso's base...Tarso's base..." she mumbles.

You know, four eyes are better than two, her conscience mutters. Two assassins are better-

"No. I can't think like that. He's better off without me," she insists.

My, now you're talking to yourself again, she says. Immediately, she responds with, I would always talk to Ezio before...

She stops and presses her hands to her temples. She needs to keep her wits about her. Tarso needs to be the only man on her mind right now. No thinking about extremely handsome Italian assassins.

"Cazzo." She clenches her teeth together.

This is going to be harder than she thought.