As they gathered pace, Sofia leaned from the window and blew him a kiss. He raised his arm in farewell then, without waiting to watch them out of sight, returned to the villa and closed and locked the door.
89
Ezio and Jun sat facing each other on wooden benches, drawn up in front of a roaring fire. Waiting.
‘When I first fought the Borgia, it was revenge that drove me, and my first impulse was to aim for the head,’ Ezio was telling her. ‘In time, however, I learned that those who inspire fear have more devoted followers than those who preach love. Killing Rodrigo and Cesare would have achieved nothing if I had not been able to replace their reign of terror with one that involved some measure of fraternity.’ He paused in thought. ‘So I spent many years teaching men and women to think and act for themselves. First in Rome, and then among our Brotherhood in Constantinople.’
‘I long to read of your deeds. You must finish your book.’
‘The important thing to realize is this: love binds our Order together; love of people, of cultures, of the world.’ He was silent again for a moment. ‘Fight to preserve that which inspires hope, and you will win back your people, Shao Jun.’
Jun stared into the flames, thinking, as the grand scope of her future widened in her imagination. ‘It will take a long, long time,’ she said quietly, at last.
‘But if you do it right, it will happen.’
Jun took a deep breath and straightened up, a determined expression on her face. She looked at Ezio and nodded. He leant across and patted her on the shoulder.
‘Get some rest,’ he said.
She rose, and bowed slightly, then left the room.
Ezio turned to the fire, its glow reddening his face.
Deep in the night, disturbed by stealthy sounds outside, Ezio made his way to the kitchens. From high in the sky, the moon shone through the barred windows. Ezio approached the knife blocks and pulled several knives out, testing them for balance. Not satisfied, he put them back and cast around for some other weapon. An iron ladle? No. A chopping board? No. A poker, perhaps? Yes! He went over to the stove and picked one out, three feet long and made of heavy steel. He tested it, making two or three practice passes with it.
He tensed at a noise from above. Seconds later, a body dropped past the window. Ezio saw Jun land in a crouch, then bolt into the night. He made for the door and unlocked it, flinging it open.
A Chinese man stood there, poised for attack, who instantly lunged at him with a dao. Ezio stepped back and slammed the door on the man’s arm, smashing the radius and ulna. The sword dropped from his hand, as the Chinese howled in agony. Ezio threw the door open again and brought the poker down hard on the man’s head, splitting the skull. He jumped over the corpse, and dashed outside.
He soon found Jun, engaged in combat with three attackers. It was going badly for her but he’d arrived in time to turn the tide, and the servants of the Jiajing Emperor retreated in the direction of the vineyard. There, they took a stand. Jun, fighting with only her fists and feet, took one of their opponents out almost immediately. Ezio brought down a second with his poker, ramming its point squarely into his attacker’s face. But the third Chinese managed to knock the poker from his grasp, and it was only by reaching out fast for a wooden dowel, which he plucked from the vines, that he managed to regain his advantage, beating the man to the ground and then striking him hard on the nape of the neck, crushing the cervical vertebrae.
It was over. Ezio collapsed on the gentle slope among his vines, exhausted but uninjured. He caught Jun’s eye and tried to laugh, but his laughter turned into a wheezing cough.
‘I sound like a dying cat,’ he said.
‘Come on, I’ll help you.’
She helped him to his feet, and together they returned to the villa.
90
They were awake long before break of day. The morning was cool. Some watery sunlight found its way through the haze.
Shao Jun stood in the road, her pack on her back. Staring into the distance, she was ready to depart. She seemed lost in thought, and only turned when Ezio approached from the villa. His breathing was still laboured and heavy.
He came up to her. ‘It is a long way home, no?’
‘But there is much to see along the way. Dashi, xièxiè nin – thank you, Mentor.’ She bowed slightly.
Ezio was carrying something. A small ancient box. He held it out to her. ‘Here. This may be of use one day.’
Jun took it, and turned it in her hands. She began to open it, but Ezio stopped her.
‘No,’ he said. ‘Only if you lose your way.’
She packed it away. Ezio squinted past Jun, peering up the road. He saw the banners of approaching soldiers.
‘You should go,’ he said.
Jun followed his gaze, nodded, and set off towards the vineyards that grew on the other side of the road. Ezio watched her as she made her way quickly over the brow of a nearby hill.
The soldiers rode up soon afterwards, and Ezio greeted them. When he looked in Jun’s direction once more, she had disappeared.
A few weeks later, the harvest done, and Marcello’s ninth birthday behind them, he was back in his den, trying to write again. He hadn’t made bad progress this time. He stared at the last blank sheet in front of him, then dipped his quill, and scribbled a few words, concentrating hard. He read them back, and smiled. Then he dropped his quill as a shooting pain in his chest caught him off guard.
There was a knock at the door.
‘Yes?’ he said, collecting himself, and replacing the quill in its stand by the inkwell.
Sofia entered the room.
‘Just taking the children down to Fiesole. We’ll be back just after dark.’
‘Good.’
‘Market day tomorrow. Are you coming with us?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sure?’
‘I’ll be fine.’
She closed the door behind her. Ezio sat brooding for a moment, then, satisfied, began gathering the papers on his desk, stacking them neatly, and tying a ribbon round them.
91
The next day was fine and fresh. They had stayed in Florence for lunch, and now Sofia was bent on making just a few more purchases before the journey home. Ezio, walking down the street a few paces behind his wife and children, suddenly winced as a fit of coughing took him. He leant against a wall for support.
In a moment Sofia was by his side.
‘You should have stayed at home.’
He smiled at her. ‘I am home.’
‘Sit down, here.’ She indicated a nearby bench. ‘Wait for us. We’ll be right over there. Only take a minute or two.’
He nodded, watching her rejoin the children and wander off a little farther down the street. He made himself comfortable, letting the pain subside.
He watched the people walking to and fro, going about their daily business. He felt pleased, and enjoyed watching them. He breathed in the smells of the market as it broke up around him. He listened to the sound the traders made.
‘I love it here,’ he said to himself. Home. Home at last.
His reverie was interrupted by the peevish voice of a young Italian who plumped himself down on the bench near him. The young man was talking, apparently, to himself. He didn’t look at Ezio.
‘Al diavolo! I hate this damn city. I wish I were in Rome! I hear the women there are … mmm … like ripe Sangiovese on the vine, you know? Not like here. Firenze!’ He spat on the ground.
Ezio looked at him. ‘I don’t think Florence is your problem,’ he remarked, distressed at what the young man had said.
‘I beg your pardon?’
Ezio was about to reply, but the pain seized him again. He winced and started to gasp. The young man turned to him. ‘Steady, old man.’
He grabbed Ezio’s wrist as Ezio caught his breath. Looking down at the hand that held him, Ezio thought the grip was uncommonly strong, and there was something strange, almost familiar, about the man’s expression.
But he was probably imagining it all. He shook his head to clear it.
The young man looked at Ezio closely, and smiled. Ezio returned the look.
‘Get some rest, eh?’ the young man said.
He rose to his feet and walked away. Ezio nodded in belated agreement, watching him go. Then he leant back, seeking Sofia in the thinning crowd. He saw her at a stall, buying vegetables. And there beside her were Flavia and Marcello, baiting each other, playing together.
He closed his eyes, and took some deep breaths. His breathing calmed. The young man was right. He should get some rest …
Sofia was packing the vegetables she’d bought into a basket when something cold crept into her heart. She looked up, and then back to where Ezio sat. There was something about the way he was sitting. Confused, not wanting to admit what she feared to herself, she put a hand to her mouth, and hurried across to him, leaving the children playing where they were.
As she got closer, she slowed her pace. She finally sat down by his side, taking his hand, and then she leant forward, pressing her forehead against his hair.
One or two people looked in their direction, and then one or two more with concern but, otherwise, life in the street went on.
92
Much later that day, back home, and having sent Machiavelli away, Sofia took herself into the den. The children were in bed. She didn’t think what had happened had sunk in for them, yet.
In the den the fire had gone out. She lit a candle and walked to the desk, picking up the neatly stacked sheaf of papers, tied with a ribbon, which lay on it. She began to read:
When I was a young man, I had liberty, but I did not see it; I had time, but I did not know it; and I had love, but I did not feel it. Many decades would pass before I understood the meaning of all three. And now, in the twilight of my life, this understanding has passed into contentment. Love, liberty and time, once so much at my disposal, are the fuels that drive me forward. Love, most especially, my dearest, for you, our children, our brothers and sisters … and for the vast and wonderful world that gave us life and keeps us guessing. With endless affection, my Sofia, I am forever yours.
Ezio Auditore
Glossary of Italian, Greek, Chinese and Turkish Terms
a presto see you soon
adi herif pig
al diavolo to the Devil
affedersiniz excuse me
affedersiniz, efendim excuse me, sir
akçe old Turkish coin
Allah ashkina God willing
Allaha ismarladik! may God bless you!
aman Allahim oh dear!
amore love
apistefto unbelievable
arrocco castling
aynen oyle exactly
ballata ballad
bastardo bastard
bene good
beyfendi your excellence
bir sey degil you’re welcome
bistecca alla fiorentina Florentine steak
brutti ma buoni ugly but good
buffone idiot
buon giorno good day
buona donna good lady
buona sera good evening
canaglia scoundrel
carciofini sott’olio baby artichokes cooked in olive oil
castagnaccio chestnut
cazzo dick/shit
che sucede? what’s happening?
çok üzüldüm very good
dao sabre
dashi, xièxiè nin thank you, Mentor
dio mio my god
duìbùqi I’m sorry
duomo cathedral
è incredibile it’s incredible
edáxi ok
efendim sir/mister
evet yes
fettunta garlic bread
finito finished
fratello mio my brother
fuori outside/get out!
Gennaio January
gerzek fool
ghazi holy warrior
Giugno June
grazie thank you
güle güle very good
güzel excellent
hajj pilgrimage
haydi rastgele good luck
hristé mou goodness me!
il diavolo the Devil
inanilmaz incredible
janbiyah Arab dagger, with a curved, broad blade
kanun law
karesi square
kargasha mayhem
kesinlikle absolutely
kouráyo courage
kyrie Lord
la Crociata Segreta the Secret Crusade
levatrice midwife
ling chi death of a thousand cuts
lokanta cafe/restaurant
maccaroin in brodo maccaroni soup
magnetismo magnetism
masa’il kher good evening
merda shit
merhaba welcome
messer sir
mia cara my dear
mio bel menestrello my handsome minstrel
mio principe my prince
moleche soft-shelled crab
molto curioso very curious
nessun problema no problem
pandiramerino rosemary bread
panzanella bread and tomato salad
pecorino a type of cheese
pek güzel quite beautiful
pekala all right
perdonate, buon signore pardon me, good sir
perfetto perfect
piena di vita full of life
poi kalà very good
prens prince
prego please
presuntuoso presumptuous (person)
principe prince
qián coin
raccolto harvest
ragazzo boy/kid
requiescat in Pace rest in peace
rixoto de gò goby risotto
sagliginiza! see you soon!
salame toscano Tuscan salami
salsicce di cinghiale wild boar sausage
salute a voi, Assassini greetings, Assassins
salve hi
sayin da Vinci bey Mr da Vinci, sir
se solo if only!
serefe! cheers!
sharbat sherbet
shehzad/shehzadem prince
sì yes
sì, da molto tempo yes, a long time
sinav icin iyi sanslar! good luck to you, my friend
souk market/bazaar
sövalye knight
spaghetti allo scoglio seafood pasta
tesekkür ederim thank you
Tesekkür, Mentor. Chok tesekkür ederim! Thank you, mentor. Thank you very much.
tesoro my darling
ti distihìa what misery
tonno al cartoccio freshly baked tuna in breadcrumbs
un favore a favour
una tortura torture
va bene all right
vendange grape harvest
veraison grape-ripening
List of Characters
Abbas: enemy of Altaïr ibn-La’Ahad
Al Mualim: Mentor of the Brotherhood in the twelfth century
al-Scarab: pirate captain, scourge of the White Sea
Altaïr ibn-La’Ahad: Mentor of the Assassins
Bartolomeo d’Alviano: friend of Ezio
Bekir: Larnaka agent
Captain Tarik Barleti: Captain of the Sultan’s bodyguard the Janissaries
Claudia Auditore: Ezio’s sister
Darim: Maria and Altaïr’s son
Dilara: Tarik’s principal agent
Dogan: Assassin lieutenant to Yusuf
Domenico Garofoli: governor of Cyprus
Duccio Dovizi
Ezio Auditore da Firenze: the Mentor
Haras: traitor to the Brotherhood in the twelfth century
Leonardo da Vinci: artist, scientist, sculptor, etc., 1452–1519
Ma’Mun: shipping agent
Manuel Palaiologos: Byzantine prince, heir of the last Byzantine emperor, would be emperor
Maria Thorpe: Altaïr’s English wife
Niccolò di
Bernardo dei Machiavelli: Assassin, philosopher and writer, 1469–1527
Piri Reis: admiral and manager of the Turkish merchant fleet
Prince Ahmet Osman: Prince Suleiman’s uncle, the Sultan’s favourite son
Prince Selim Osman: Prince Suleiman’s father and brother to Ahmet
Prince Suleiman Osman: Sultan Bayezid’s grandson and Governor of Kefe
Shahkulu: Manuel’s bodyguard and Türkmeni renegade
Sofia Sartor: bookshop owner
Sultan Bayezid
Yusuf Tazim: Leader of the Istanbul Assassins
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to
Yves Guillemot
Jean Guesdon
Corey May
Darby McDevitt
And also
Alain Corre
Laurent Detoc
Sébastien Puel
Geoffroy Sardin
Xavier Guilbert
Tommy François
Cecile Russeil
Christele Jalady
The Ubisoft Legal department
Chris Marcus
Etienne Allonier
Maria Loreto
Alex Clarke
Alice Shepherd
Anton Gill
Guillaume Carmona
Clémence Deleuze
Oliver Bowden
* * *
ASSASSIN’S CREED®
Forsaken
Contents
Prologue
Part One: Extracts from the Journal of Haytham E. Kenway
6 December 1735
7 December 1735
8 December 1735
9 December 1735
10 December 1735
11 December 1735
Part Two: 1747, Twelve Years Later
10 June 1747
11 June 1747
18 June 1747
20 June 1747
2-3 July 1747
14 July 1747
15 July 1747
16 July 1747
17 July 1747
Part Three: 1753, Six Years Later
7 June 1753
25 June 1753
12 August 1753
18 April 1754
8 July 1754
10 July 1754
13 July 1754
14 July 1754
15 November 1754
8 July 1755
9 July 1755
10 July 1755
Assassin’s Creed® Page 134