Assassin’s Creed®

by Oliver Bowden

  ‘So what did you do?’

  Egidio spread his hands. ‘I wrote to the Venetian ambassador, giving him all the information I’d got from Francesco. Warning him. But one of my letters must have been intercepted.’

  ‘Won’t that implicate your brother?’

  ‘He’s managed to keep himself in the clear so far.’

  ‘But what possessed you to do such a thing?’

  ‘I had to do something. The Senate has nothing to do, really, these days, except put its imprimatur on all the Borgia decrees. If it didn’t, it would cease to exist altogether. As it is, there’s no independence. Do you know what it’s like not to have un cazzo to do?’ Egidio shook his head. ‘It changes a man. I admit that even I have taken to gambling and drinking …’

  ‘And whoring.’

  The senator looked at him. ‘Oh, you’re good. You’re very good. What was it that gave me away? The scent of perfume on my sleeve?’

  Ezio smiled. ‘Something like that.’

  ‘Hmm. Well, anyway, as I was saying, senators used to do what senators are supposed to do: petitioning about real issues, like – oh, I don’t know where to start – unlawful cruelty, abandoned children, street crime, lending rates, keeping some kind of rein on Chigi and the other bankers. Now, the only legislation we are allowed to draw up independently concerns stuff like the appropriate width of the sleeves of women’s dresses.’

  ‘But not you. You try to raise money for false causes in order to pay off your gambling debts.’

  ‘They’re not false causes, my boy. As soon as we have a proper government again, and as soon as I am on an even keel financially, I intend to pursue them vigorously.’

  ‘And when do you think that will be?’

  ‘We must be patient. Tyranny is unbearable, but it never lasts. It’s too brittle.’

  ‘I wish I could believe that.’

  ‘Of course you’ve got to stand up to it, whatever happens. You obviously have to.’ He paused. ‘I’m probably – what? – ten or fifteen years older than you. I must make the most of my time. Or have you never looked at a grave and thought, This is the most significant thing I will ever do: die?’

  Ezio was silent.

  ‘No,’ continued Egidio. ‘I guess not.’ He turned in on himself. ‘Maledette letters! I should never have sent them to the ambassador. Now Cesare will kill me as soon as he gets a chance, debt or no debt, unless by some miracle he decides to vent his anger on someone else. God knows, he’s capricious enough.’

  ‘Someone else? Like your brother?’

  ‘I’d never forgive myself.’

  ‘Why not? You’re a politician.’

  ‘We’re not all bad.’

  ‘Where is your brother?’

  ‘I’ve no idea. Not here, thank God. We haven’t talked since he found out about the letters, and I’m enough of a liability for him. If he saw you …’

  ‘Can we get down to business?’ said Ezio.

  ‘Of course. One good turn, and so on … Now, what was it you wanted again?’

  ‘I want to know where Cesare’s banker is. Where he works. Where he lives.’

  Egidio was suddenly all briskness. ‘Right, I need to arrive with the money.’ He spread his hands again. ‘Problem is, I have none.’

  ‘I told you I’d get it for you. Just tell me how much, and where you are meeting this banker.’

  ‘I never know until I’m actually there. I usually go to one of three prearranged points. His associates meet me and take me to him. I owe ten thousand ducats.’

  ‘No problem.’

  ‘Sul serio?’ Egidio almost beamed. ‘You have to stop this. You might actually give me hope.’

  ‘Stay here. I’ll return with the money at sunset.’

  Early in the evening, Ezio returned to an increasingly incredulous Egidio. He placed two heavy leather bags in the senator’s hands.

  ‘You came back! You actually came back!’

  ‘You waited.’

  ‘I’m a desperate man. I cannot believe you would just … do this.’

  ‘There is a condition.’

  ‘I knew it.’

  ‘Listen,’ Ezio said. ‘If you survive, and I hope you will, I want you to keep an eye on what’s going on politically in this city. And I want you to report everything you find to …’ He hesitated, then said, ‘To Madonna Claudia, at the bordello they call The Rosa in Fiore. Especially anything you can pick up on the Borgia.’ Ezio smiled inwardly. ‘Do you know the place?’

  Egidio coughed. ‘I … I have a friend who sometimes frequents it.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘What will you do with this information? Make the Borgia disappear?’

  Ezio grinned. ‘I’m just … recruiting you.’

  The senator looked at the bags of money. ‘I hate to give this to them.’ He fell into a thoughtful silence, then said, ‘My brother has watched my back because we’re family. I hate the pezzo di merda, but he is still my brother.’

  ‘He works for Cesare.’

  Egidio pulled himself together. ‘Va bene. They sent me word of the meeting place this afternoon while you were gone. The timing’s perfect. They’re impatient for their money, so the meeting’s tonight. I sweated blood, you know, when I told their messenger that I’d be sure to have their money ready for them.’ He paused again. ‘We should go soon. What will you do? Follow me?’

  ‘It wouldn’t look good if you didn’t seem to be alone.’

  Egidio nodded. ‘Good. Just time for a glass of wine before we set off then. Will you join me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Well, I certainly need one.’

  31

  Ezio followed the senator through another maze of streets, though as these led to the Tiber, they were more familiar to him. They passed monuments, squares and fountains that were all familiar to him, as well as building works – the Borgia spent lavishly on palazzi, theatres and galleries in their quest for self-aggrandisement. At last Egidio halted in an attractive square formed by large private houses on two sides and a row of expensive shops on a third. On the fourth was a well-tended little park that sloped down towards the river. This was Egidio’s destination. He selected a stone bench and took up a position by it in the gathering gloom, looking left and right, but apparently unruffled. Ezio admired his poise, and it was also useful. Any sign of nervousness might have put the banker’s minions on their guard.

  Ezio took up position by a cedar tree and waited. He didn’t have to wait long. Minutes after Egidio’s arrival, a tall man dressed in a livery he did not recognize came up to him. A badge on his shoulder displayed a crest; one half showed a red bull in a golden field, while the other had broad black and gold horizontal stripes. Ezio was none the wiser for this.

  ‘Good evening, Egidio,’ the newcomer said. ‘It seems that you are ready to die like a gentleman.’

  ‘That’s hardly friendly of you, Capitano,’ replied Egidio, ‘as I have the money.’

  The man raised an eyebrow. ‘Really? Well, that makes all the difference. The banker will be most pleased. You came alone, I trust?’

  ‘Do you see anyone else here?’

  ‘Just follow me, furbacchione.’

  They moved off, retracing their steps eastwards, and crossed the Tiber. Ezio followed them at a discreet distance, but staying within earshot.

  ‘Is there any news of my brother, Capitano?’ asked Egidio as they walked.

  ‘I can only tell you that Duke Cesare wishes very much to interview him. As soon as he returns from the Romagna, that is.’

  ‘I hope he’s all right?’

  ‘If he has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear.’

  They continued in silence, and at the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva turned north, in the direction of the Pantheon.

  ‘What’ll happen to my money?’ said Egidio. Ezio realized that he was pumping the captain for Ezio’s benefit. Clever man.

  ‘Your money?’ The Captain snickered. ‘I hope all the i
nterest’s there.’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘It had better be.’

  ‘Well?’

  ‘The banker likes to be generous to his friends. He treats them well. He can afford to.’

  ‘Treat you well, does he?’

  ‘I like to think so.’

  ‘How generous he is,’ observed Egidio, with such heavy sarcasm that even the captain caught it.

  ‘What did you say?’ he asked threateningly, breaking his stride.

  ‘Oh … nothing.’

  ‘Come on, we’re there.’

  The great bulk of the Pantheon rose out of the gloom in its cramped piazza. The tall Corinthian portico of the 1500-year-old building, constructed as a temple to all the Roman gods, but long since consecrated as a church, towered above them. In its shadow three men were waiting. Two were dressed similarly to the captain, while the third was in civilian dress: a dry, tall, withered-looking man, whose fine robes sat ill on him. They greeted the captain, and the civilian nodded coldly at Egidio.

  ‘Luigi! Luigi Torcelli!’ said Egidio loudly, again for Ezio’s benefit. ‘It’s good to see you again. Still the banker’s agent, I see. Thought you’d have been promoted by now. Desk job and all that.’

  ‘Shut up,’ said the withered man.

  ‘He’s got the money,’ said the captain.

  Torcelli’s eyes glittered. ‘Well, well! That will put my master in a good mood. He’s having a rather special party this evening, so I’m delivering your payment to him personally, at his palazzo. I must hurry – time is money – so give it here.’

  Egidio clearly hated to comply, but the two underling guards levelled their halberds at him and he handed over the bags. ‘Oof!’ he said. ‘It’s heavy. Glad to get shot of them.’

  ‘Shut up,’ snapped the agent once again. To the guards he said, ‘Hold him here until I get back.’

  With that, he disappeared inside the cavernous, deserted church, closing its mighty doors firmly behind him.

  Ezio needed to follow him, but there was no way he’d get through those doors, and, anyway, first he had to get past the guards undetected. Egidio must have guessed this, for he started up a line of banter with the men in uniform, irritating them, but also distracting them.

  ‘Why not release me? I’ve paid up,’ he said indignantly.

  ‘What if you’ve sold us short?’ replied the captain. ‘The money has to be counted first. You must see that.’

  ‘What? Ten thousand ducats? It’ll take all night!’

  ‘It has to be done.’

  ‘If Luigi’s late, he’ll get stick. I can imagine the kind of man the banker must be!’

  ‘Shut up.’

  ‘You people certainly have a very limited vocabulary. Look, think of poor old Torcelli – if he doesn’t show up with the money soon, the banker probably won’t let him join in the fun. Does he let his lackeys join in the fun?’

  The captain cuffed the senator impatiently round the head and Egidio fell silent, though he was still grinning. He’d seen Ezio slip past and begin to climb the façade of the building in the direction of the dome behind it.

  Once on the roof of the circular edifice, which the classical frontage partially concealed, Ezio made his way towards the round opening – the oculus – he knew was at its centre. It would be a test of all his climbing skills, but, once inside, he would find the agent and put the next phase of the plan, which was rapidly forming in his mind, into operation. The agent was about his size and, though far less muscular, his flowing robes would hide Ezio’s physique, if all went well.

  The trickiest part was lowering himself through the aperture at the dome’s apex, then finding some way of descending from there. He’d been to the church before, and knew that censers hanging far below were suspended by chains from this very roof. If he could reach one of them … If it would take his weight …

  Well, there was no other way. Ezio knew full well that even he couldn’t climb, fly-like, across the inner curve of a dome, coffered though it was, that hung 140 feet above the cold grey flagstone floor.

  He hung over the edge of the oculus and peered into the gloom beneath. A pinpoint of light far below showed where the agent was, seated on a bench that ran round the edge of the wall. He’d have the money next to him and would be counting it by candlelight. Next, Ezio looked round for the chains that held the censers. None was within reach, but if he could just …

  He changed position and lowered his legs over the edge of the circular opening, gripping it with both hands. It was a huge risk, but the chains looked solid and old, and far heavier than he’d expected. He looked at their fixings in the ceiling, and as far as he could see they were set fast in solid stone.

  There was nothing for it. Pushing hard with his hands, he threw himself forwards and sideways into the void.

  For a moment it seemed he was suspended in the air, as if the air was holding him up, as water does a swimmer, but then he started to fall.

  His arms flailed forward and he willed his body towards the nearest chain – and caught it. The links slipped under his gloves and he slid several feet before he was able to get a firm grip, then he found himself swaying gently in the darkness. He listened. He had heard no sound, and it was too dark for the agent to see the chain swinging from where he sat far below. Ezio looked towards the light. It still burned steadily and there were no calls of alarm.

  Steadily, he lowered himself down until he was perhaps twenty feet above the floor. He was quite close to the agent, and could see his silhouette hunched over the money bags, the gold coins glinting in the candlelight. Ezio could hear the man muttering, and the gentle, rhythmic click of an abacus.

  Suddenly, there was an awful, tearing sound from above. The fixing of the chain in the roof could bear the strain of his extra weight no longer, and had ripped loose. Ezio let go of the chain as it went loose in his hands and threw himself forward towards the candle. As he sailed through the air, he heard a startled, ‘Who’s there?’ from the agent, and a seemingly unending rattle as 140 feet of chain fell snaking to the floor. Thank God the church doors were closed: their thickness would deaden any sound from within.

  Ezio fell upon the agent with his full weight, knocking the breath out of him, and both men sprawled on the floor, the agent spreadeagled beneath Ezio.

  He wriggled free, but Ezio had him by the arm.

  ‘Who are you? Christ protect me!’ said the agent, terrified.

  ‘I am sorry, friend,’ said Ezio, releasing the Hidden Blade.

  ‘What? No! No!’ the agent jabbered. ‘Look, take the money! It’s yours! It’s yours!’

  Ezio adjusted his grip and drew the man close.

  ‘Get away from me!’

  ‘Requiescat in Pace,’ said Ezio.

  Ezio quickly stripped the agent of his outer robes and put them on over his own, drawing a scarf over his lower face and tipping the agent’s hat down low. The robes were a little snug, but they weren’t a noticeably bad fit. Then he finished transferring the money from the bags into the metal box the agent had brought for the purpose, and where much of it was already neatly stacked. To it he added the account book and, abandoning the abacus and the leather bags, he tucked the heavy box under his arm and made for the door. He had heard enough of the agent’s manner of speech to be able to emulate it tolerably, he hoped. Anyway, he’d have to chance it.

  As he approached the door, it opened and the captain called through it, ‘Everything going well in there?’

  ‘Just done.’

  ‘Well, hurry up, Luigi, or we’ll be late.’

  Ezio emerged into the portico.

  ‘The count is complete?’

  Ezio nodded.

  ‘Va bene,’ said the captain. Then, turning to the men who held Egidio, he crisply ordered, ‘Kill him.’

  ‘Wait!’ said Ezio.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Don’t kill him.’

  The captain looked surprised. ‘But that’s … that’s hardly u
sual procedure, is it, Luigi? Besides, do you know what this guy’s done?’

  ‘I have my orders – from the banker himself – this man is to be spared.’

  ‘May I ask why?’

  ‘Do you question the commands of the banker?’

  The captain shrugged and nodded to the guards, who let go their hold of the senator.

  ‘Lucky you,’ he said to Egidio, who had the sense not to glance at Ezio before hastening off without another word.

  The captain turned to Ezio. ‘All right, Luigi. Lead the way.’

  Ezio hesitated. He was stumped, as he had no idea where to go. He hefted the box. ‘This is heavy. Have the guards carry it between them.’

  ‘Certainly.’

  He passed the box over but still didn’t move.

  The guards waited.

  ‘Ser Luigi,’ said the captain after a few moments. ‘With respect, we must get this to the banker on time. Of course, I am not questioning your authority … but should we not hurry?’

  What was the point of buying time to think? Ezio knew he’d have to work on a hunch. It was likely that the banker would live somewhere in the vicinity of either the Castel Sant’Angelo or the Vatican. But which? He plumped for the Castel Sant’Angelo, and started off in a westerly direction. His security detail looked at one another, but followed him. Even so, he sensed their disquiet, and indeed, after they had gone a little way, he heard the two guardsmen whispering, ‘Is this some kind of test?’

  ‘Not sure.’

  ‘Perhaps we’re too early?’

  ‘Maybe we’re taking a roundabout route deliberately – for some reason.’

  Finally the captain tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘Luigi, are you all right?’

  ‘Of course I am.’

  ‘Then – again with respect – why are you taking us towards the Tiber?’

  ‘Security reasons.’