Year: 1476
Repubblica Fiorentina, Italy.

"I'm going to go find my Father. I'll catch up with you later." Ezio says to me with a smile.

"I'm going to go find Claudia." I respond. "She may need a friendly smile."

As I turn to walk away, I feel Ezio's hand claps on my shoulder. I look back at him with confusion.

"Thank you." Is all he says before walking away.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I stand, hiding with Madame Maria and Claudia. My mind is swirling, my heart is pounding, and my breath is becoming more rapid every second. My legs feel like jelly as I lean against the wall of the room we are all in. Madame Maria sits on a chair looking dazed and confused. She does not move a muscle. As for Claudia and I, we either pace the room or stand still, taking in everything that has just happened.

The sound of the front door opening can be heard. My breath stills as I listen to footsteps entering the house. Have they come back?

"Father? Federico?" The voice of Ezio Auditore calls.

I listen as I hear the sounds of shoes moving quickly.

"Oh! Ser Ezio! (Sir Ezio!) Thank God!" The voice of the maid calls out.

"What happened? Where is everyone?" Ezio asks in a panicked tone filled with confusion.

"They took your father and brothers to the Palazzo della Signoria- to prison!" The maid shrieks.

"And my mother? My sister? Valentina?" He asks even more panicked.

Claudia quickly opens the door. "Ezio.." She calls.

"Claudia! Are you alright?" He asks, embracing his sister into a hug.

"Yes. But mother.." She says quietly. I kneel next to the chair, looking at Madame Maria's scared and dazed face.

"Valentina." Ezio whispers, walking over to me. I stand up and we embrace in a hug.

"She's in shock. They... When she resisted..." The maid pipes up.

"It's not safe here. Is there someplace you can take them?" Ezio asks the maid as he releases me from the embrace.

"Yes. Yes! To my sister's." She responds.

"Good. Do that. In the meantime I'll go see my father." Ezio says as Claudia rushed over and hugs the maid.

"Be careful, Messer Ezio! The guards were looking for you as well." The maid warns.

I stare at Ezio with compassionate and sorrowful eyes. "I'll go with you." I say.

"No. You will go with Claudia and my Mother." He says, staring back down at me. "I need to make sure you'll be safe."

My breath becomes trapped in my lungs. "Please, Ezio." I whisper.

"I'll see you soon, I promise." He says quietly.

And with that, he takes off out the door, out of sight.

"Come along, we must hurry." The maid says quickly, as Claudia and I help Madame Maria out of the chair and onto her feet.

We are soon out the door, and on our way to the safe haven.