‘Look,’ said Ezio as they blended in with the small crowd of shoppers.
‘I know what is going on,’ said Machiavelli.
‘I know you do, Niccolò,’ said Ezio. ‘Forgive me, but you see the big picture. You understand what is to be done politically to break the Borgia, and I for one do not doubt your sincerity in this.’ He paused. ‘But we must start at a more fundamental level. The Borgia take what they want from the people with complete impunity, to maintain their power.’
They watched the guards push the man to the ground, then, laughing, help themselves to what they fancied from his stall and move on. The man picked himself up, watched them go in impotent rage and then, close to tears, began to rearrange his goods. A woman came up to comfort him, but he shook her off. Nevertheless she stayed, hovering near him, care and concern in her eyes.
‘Why did you not help him?’ asked Machiavelli? ‘Send them packing?’
‘Look,’ said Ezio. ‘Helping one man is good, but it will not solve the problem. They will come back, when we are not here, and they will do the same again. Look at the quality of the stuff on offer here. The vegetables are old, the meat is flyblown and the bread, no doubt, is hard. The best goes to the Borgia. And why do you think so many people are drinking?’
Machiavelli said, ‘I do not know.’
‘Because they are in pain,’ Ezio replied. ‘They are without hope and they are oppressed. They want to blot it all out. But we can change that.’
‘How?’
‘By recruiting them to our cause.’ He spread his arms. ‘These people – these are the ones who will form the backbone of our resistance to the Borgia.’
‘We’ve talked of this before,’ said Machiavelli sharply. ‘You cannot be serious.’
‘I’m going to start with that stallholder. To win this war, Niccolò, we need loyal soldiers, however they fight for us. We must sow the seeds of rebellion in their minds.’ He paused, then continued earnestly, ‘By recruiting those whom the bullying state has made its enemies, we arm the people who have been disarmed by the Borgia.’
Machiavelli looked at his friend long and hard. ‘Go then,’ he said. ‘Go and recruit our first novices.’
‘Oh, I intend to,’ said Ezio. ‘And you will see that from the group of determined men and women I gather round us, I will forge a sword capable of cutting the limbs and head from the trunk of the Borgia – and of the Templars themselves.’
27
Ezio returned to the Assassin centre of operations on Tiber Island alone. He had done a good day’s work, discreetly converting a number of disaffected citizens to his cause.
Apart from the loyal attendants who staffed and guarded the place, it was deserted, and Ezio looked forward to a little quiet time, to think and plan; but as he approached, he found he had a visitor. One who wanted to be quite sure that his presence would not be noted, and one who, therefore, waited until the general staff had gone about their business elsewhere in the building before he made himself known.
‘Psst! Ezio! Over here!’
‘Who’s there?’ Ezio was instantly alert, though he already thought he knew the voice. Tall bushes grew on either side of the lane that led to their headquarters, which was known to no one outside their organization. If by any chance the secret had been penetrated …
‘Come here!’
‘Who is it?’
‘It’s me!’
Leonardo da Vinci, dandified and distracted as ever, stepped out of his hiding place into the lane.
‘Leo! My God!’
Ezio, remembering who Leonardo’s new master was, checked his initial impulse, which had been to run and embrace his old friend.
His reaction registered with Leonardo, who looked a little older, to be sure, but who had lost none of his élan or vigorous enthusiasm. He took a step forward, but kept his head lowered. ‘I’m not surprised you don’t show that much enthusiasm at seeing me again.’
‘Well, Leo, I must admit that you have disappointed me.’
Leonardo spread his hands. ‘I knew you were behind the break-in at the Castel. It could only have been you. So I knew you were still alive.’
‘Surely your new masters would have told you that?’
‘They tell me nothing. I am no more than a slave to them.’ There was the smallest twinkle in Leonardo’s eye. ‘But they have to trust me.’
‘As long as you deliver.’
‘I think I’m just about bright enough to stay one step ahead of them.’ Leonardo took another step towards Ezio, arms half held out. ‘It is good to see you again, my friend.’
‘You have designed weapons for them – new guns which we will find difficult to match.’
‘I know, but if you will let me explain …’
‘And how did you find this place?’
‘I can explain …’
Leonardo looked so contrite, and so unhappy, and he seemed so sincere that Ezio’s heart warmed, despite himself, towards his old friend. He also reflected that, after all, Leonardo had come to see him, no doubt at great personal risk; and that if he sought a rapprochement, it would be a foolish leader indeed who would turn down the friendship and the partnership of such a man.
‘Come here!’ cried Ezio, spreading his arms wide.
‘Oh, Ezio!’ Leonardo hurried forward and the two men embraced warmly.
Ezio led his friend into the Assassin headquarters, where they sat down together. Ezio knew that Caterina had been moved to an inner room, where she could complete her recovery in peace and quiet, and the doctor had given orders that she was not to be disturbed. He was tempted to disobey, but there would be time enough for talk with her later. Besides, Leonardo’s appearance dictated a change of priorities.
Ezio had wine and cakes brought for them.
‘Tell me everything,’ said Ezio.
‘I will explain. First of all, you must forgive me. The Borgia commandeered my services, but under duress. If I’d refused to serve them, they would have subjected me to a long and painful death. They described what they would do to me if I refused to help them. Even now I cannot think of it without trembling.’
‘You are perfectly safe now.’
Leonardo shook his head. ‘No! I must go back to them. I am of far more use to you if they think I am still working for them. As it is, I have done my utmost to create the minimum possible number of new inventions to satisfy them.’ Ezio was about to interrupt, but Leonardo held up a nervous hand. ‘Please, this is a kind of confession, and I’d like to complete it. Then you may judge me as you think fit.’
‘No one is judging you, Leonardo.’
Leonardo’s manner became more intense. Ignoring the refreshments, he leant forward. ‘I say I work for them under duress,’ he went on, ‘but it is more than that. You know I keep out of politics – I like to keep my nose clean – but men who seek power seek me out because they know what I can do for them.’
‘This I do know.’
‘I play along to stay alive. And why do I wish to stay alive? Because I have so much to do!’ He took a breath. ‘I cannot tell you, Ezio, how my poor brain teems!’ He made a gesture that seemed partly all-embracing, partly despairing. ‘There is so much to discover!’
Ezio was silent. This he also knew.
‘So,’ Leonardo concluded, ‘now you know.’
‘Why have you come here?’
‘To make amends. I had to assure you that my heart is not with them.’
‘And what do they want of you?’
‘Whatever they can get. War machines are the main thing. They know what I am capable of.’
Leonardo produced a packet of papers, which he handed over. ‘Here are some of the designs I’ve done for them. Look, here is an armoured vehicle capable, if correctly constructed, of moving across all terrains, and the men concealed within it can fire guns – big guns – while remaining fully protected from all assaults. I call it a tank.’
Ezio blenched as his eye scanned the drawings. ‘And
is it … under construction?’
Leonardo looked artful. ‘I said, “If correctly constructed.” Unfortunately, as the design stands, the thing is only able to swivel on its own axis.’
‘I see,’ Ezio smiled.
‘And look at this.’
Ezio perused a drawing of a horseman managing two horses, harnessed side by side. Attached to their traces by long horizontal poles at front and rear, where there were also wheels, were rotating scythe-like devices, which could be used to cut down any enemy at which the horseman rode. ‘A fiendish device,’ he said.
‘Yes, but unfortunately the horseman himself is … fully exposed.’ Leonardo’s eyes twinkled some more.
Ezio’s smile broadened, then faded again. ‘But what of the guns you have given them?’
Leonardo shrugged. ‘One has to throw a sop to Cerberus,’ he said. ‘I have to give them something of actual use or they will grow suspicious.’
‘But they are very efficient guns.’
‘Indeed they are, but they are not half as efficient as that little pistol I made for you once, years ago, based on the design from the Codex page. A pity really – I had trouble reining myself in on that one.’
Ezio thought sadly of his lost Codex weapons, but he would come back to them.
‘What else is in this packet of papers?’
Although they were alone, Leonardo lowered his voice. ‘I have copied the plans not only for the largest of the machines, but also for where they are to be used in battle.’ He spread his hands ironically. ‘Alas, that they should not be more efficient.’
Ezio looked at his old friend admiringly. This was the man who had designed a submarine for the Venetians to use against the Turkish galleys. If he had chosen not to build in defects to these designs, there would be no hope at all against the Borgia. How glad he was to have welcomed Leonardo as he had. This man was worth more than two armies.
‘For God’s sake, Leo, have a glass of wine at least. I know I can never reward you enough for all this.’
But Leonardo waved the proffered beaker away. ‘There is far graver news. You know they have the Apple?’
‘Of course.’
‘They have given it to me to study. You and I already know something of the extent of its powers. Rodrigo knows a little less, but he has more intellect than Cesare, though Cesare is the one to watch.’
‘How much information on the Apple have you given them?’
‘As little as possible, but I have to give them something. Fortunately, Cesare seems satisfied, so far, with the limited applications I have vouchsafed him. But Rodrigo knows there is more and grows impatient.’ He paused. ‘I had considered ways of stealing it, but it is kept under close guard and I am only allowed access to it under the strictest supervision. I was able to use its powers to locate you, though. It has that facility, you know. Quite fascinating.’
‘And you taught them that trick?’
‘Of course not! All I want is to return it to its rightful owner.’
‘Fear not, Leo. We will recover it. In the meantime, stall them as far as you can, and if you can, keep me posted on how much you have let them know.’
‘I will.’
Ezio paused. ‘There is something else.’
‘Tell me.’
‘I have lost all the Codex weapons you once fashioned for me.’
‘I see.’
‘Except for the original Hidden Blade. The pistol, the Poison Blade, the Double Blade, the miraculous Bracer – all these are gone.’
‘Hmm,’ said Leonardo. Then he smiled. ‘Well, re-creating them for you may not be a problem.’
‘Really?’ Ezio could scarcely believe it.
‘The designs you let me have are still in Florence, well hidden with my old assistants Agniolo and Innocento. The Borgia will never have them. If they ever took Florence – heaven forfend! – or even if the French did, Agniolo has strict orders to destroy them, and even he and Innocento – not that I do not trust them absolutely – would never be able to re-create them independently of me. But I … I never forget a design. However—’ He hesitated, almost embarrassed. ‘You must pay me for the raw materials I will need. In advance.’
Ezio was astonished. ‘Really? They are not paying you at il Vaticano?’
Leonardo coughed. ‘Very … very little. I suppose they think that keeping me alive is payment enough. And I am not such a fool as to think that the minute my services become … superfluous to requirements, they will not kill me with as little reflection as they might kill a dog.’
‘Hardly that,’ said Ezio. ‘They would rather you were dead than have you work for anyone else.’
‘Yes, I’ve been thinking along the same lines,’ said Leonardo. ‘And there’s really nowhere to run. Not that I want to. I want to see the Borgia crushed – I’ll engage myself so far in politics as to say that. But my beloved Milan is in French hands,’ he started to muse. ‘Perhaps … later, when all this is over … I might even try my luck in France. They say it’s a very civilized country …’
It was time to bring him back to reality. Ezio went to an iron-bound chest and from it produced a leather pouch, bulging with ducats. This he gave to Leonardo.
‘Payment on account for the Codex weapons,’ he said briskly. ‘When can you have them ready?’
Leonardo considered. ‘It won’t be as easy as it was last time,’ he said. ‘I must work secretly, and alone, for I cannot wholly trust all the assistants I have working for me here.’ He paused. ‘Let me contact you again. As soon as possible, I promise.’ He hefted the heavy bag in his hand. ‘And who knows, for this much money I may even be able to throw in a couple of new weapons – my own inventions this time, of course, but effective, I think you’ll find.’
‘Whatever you can do for us will earn my undying gratitude and my protection, wherever you are,’ said Ezio. He made a mental note to delegate a handful of his new recruits, as soon as they had finished their training, to keep a watchful eye on Leonardo and to report back regularly on him. ‘Now, how shall we maintain contact?’
Leonardo said, ‘I’ve thought of that.’ He took out a piece of chalk and, on the table between them, drew a man’s right hand, pointing.
‘It’s beautiful,’ said Ezio.
‘Thank you. It’s just a sketch of part of a painting I’ve been thinking of doing, of St John the Baptist. If I ever get round to it. Go and sit where it’s pointing to.’
Ezio obeyed.
‘That’s it,’ said Leonardo. ‘Tell your men to keep their eyes peeled. If they see one of these – it’ll just look like a bit of graffiti to anyone else – tell them to let you know, and follow the direction it’s pointing in. That’s how we’ll rendezvous.’
‘Splendid,’ said Ezio.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re forewarned. In case you’re thinking of charging off on some mission or other.’
‘Thanks.’
Leonardo stood. ‘I must go. Otherwise I’ll be missed. But first …’
‘First what?’
Leonardo grinned and shook the bag of money.
‘First, I’m going shopping.’
28
Ezio left the hideout shortly after Leonardo, to continue his recruiting work, but also to keep himself busy. He was impatient to have the replacement Codex weapons back in his hands.
When, later in the day, he returned for a prearranged meeting, it was to find that Machiavelli had preceded him. Caterina was with him, sitting in a chair, her knees covered with a fur rug. As usual, Machiavelli did not stand on ceremony.
‘Where have you been?’ he asked.
Ezio didn’t like his tone. ‘We all have our secrets,’ he replied, keeping his voice level. ‘And, may I ask, what have you been up to?’
Machiavelli smiled. ‘I’ve been refining our carrier-pigeon system. We can use it now to send orders to the new recruits scattered about the city.’
‘Excellent. Thank you, Niccolò.’
They
looked at each other. Machiavelli was almost ten years Ezio’s junior, yet there was no doubting the independence and ambition behind those veiled eyes. Did he resent Ezio’s leadership? Had he hoped it might have fallen on him? Ezio put the thought aside – surely the man was more of a theorist, a diplomat, a political animal. And there could be no doubt about his usefulness – or his allegiance – to the Brotherhood. If only Ezio could fully convince La Volpe of that.
As if on cue, La Volpe entered the hideout, accompanied by Claudia.
‘What news?’ Ezio asked him after the two had greeted one another.
‘Bartolomeo sends his apologies. It seems that General Octavien has had another stab at attacking the barracks.’
‘I see.’
‘They redoubled their assault, but we are holding our ground.’
‘Good.’ Ezio turned to his sister, coldly. ‘Claudia,’ he said, inclining his head.
‘Brother,’ she rejoined with equal frostiness.
‘Please sit down, all of you,’ said Ezio.
Once they were settled, he continued. ‘I have a plan prepared for the Borgia.’
‘I suggest’, Machiavelli put in immediately, ‘that we go either after their supplies or after Cesare’s followers.’
‘Thank you, Niccolò,’ said Ezio evenly. ‘My plan is to attack both. If we can cut off his funds, Cesare will lose his army and return without his men. How does he get his money?’
La Volpe said, ‘We know that he depends on Rodrigo for much of his money, and Rodrigo’s banker is Agostino Chigi. But Cesare also has his own banker, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, though we have our suspicions.’
Ezio decided, for the moment, to keep his own thoughts in that direction quiet. It would be best to have them confirmed, if possible, by La Volpe’s men.
‘I know someone – a client of ours at The Rosa in Fiore – who owes that banker money. The senator Egidio Troche is complaining about interest rates all the time.’
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