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Chapter 9 ~Captivity~
-Where are we going padre? –You spoke as the rattle of the carriage made you swing from one side to another.

-We are going to see some friends of mine. –The kind soft voice of your father spoke and then gave you a smile. –They have a daughter a Little younger than you, I’m sure you would get along. –He continued and saw to the outside, you pouted and crossed your arms outraged.

-I don’t get along well with girls padre, you know it. –You heard your father chuckle and frowned.

-You should mio caro (my dear), I’m sure your mother would be happy to know you have more girls as friends. –You stayed quiet for a minute thinking, you haven’t seen your mother in two days and it was starting to worry you.

-When is madre (mother) returning? –You asked curiously, your father patted your shoulder.

-She is on a mission, she would probably be returning in a day or two. –You lowered your head to hide your disappointed and sad expression but it didn’t work. -… and maybe she will bring you a present, I Heard Roma has lots of beautiful antiques. –You looked up again with a bright smile in your face.

-Maybe she will bring you something too. –You said happily, any trace of sadness gone, you had to admit that it was pretty easy to change your mood, you loved presents, your mother always brought you something from her missions, last time she brought you a small mirror that belonged to a princess, you didn’t remember her name, but the mirror was so beautiful that you passed most of the time looking at its detailed golden frames than your own reflection. The carriage stopped and when you looked outside there was a man with two kids waiting for you.

-Let’s go mio caro. –Your father was already outside and was extending one of his hands to you, you took it and even though it was hard to walk out with the pale (F/C) dress you were wearing, you managed to do it.

-Fausto, my friend. –The old man walked over to salute both of you giving a hug first to your father.

-Giovanni, nice to see you too. –Your father corresponded the hug and when they were face to face again he grabbed you closer to him. –This is my daughter (Y/N), her mother is out so, I couldn’t let her alone. –You stepped forward and gave Giovanni your tiny trembling hand.

-Ni… nice to meet you Messer Giovanni. –Your little heart was pounding with nervousness, he smiled kindly at you and kneeled down to be at your height.

-Nice to meet you too bambina. –He kissed your knuckles and smiled again to then stand up. He looked behind and called for his children to come closer. –These are my sons, Federico and Ezio. –Both of them smiled happily at you and of course you answered in the same way.

-Nice to meet you ragazza. –The older kid got near you first and saluted you the same way his father did. –I’m Federico and this is Ezio, my fratellino (baby brother), he is not very good with pretty ladies like you, so forgive his shyness. –You flushed dramatically when you heard the compliment.

-sta 'zitto (shut up) Federico! –Ezio hissed at his brother whom laughed a Little, The brotherly fight caused you to chuckle slightly, thing that of course Ezio Heard. –I’m sorry; I’m not always like this. –He apologized shyly and gave you a small smile.

-It’s fine, you are funny, I like you. –You said kindly to him making a furtive flush draw across his face once again.

-Let’s go inside, Maria and Claudia are waiting. –Giovanni said to your father and then looked at you.

-Si, how is Maria? Did the birth go well? –Your dad asked and grabbed your hand.

-yes, she gave birth a baby boy, we called him Petruccio. –Giovanni started talking as you and your father followed him along with the other two children inside the house.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-Hasn’t she awake yet? - A distant whisper made you part eyes, seeing nothing but silhouettes dancing in the darkness.

-Not signore (sir.), she has been asleep since you brought her here. –Another voice answered the first one; a vague memory of horses trotting made you finally come to your senses again. –We fear she is dead, she hasn’t even move or made any noise since yesterday. –The man continued speaking; you wondered for a moment if you heard well, did he just say yesterday? You blinked a few times and proceed to make the first attempt of movement and as your muscles contracted Sharp knives of pain stabbed your flesh, every inch of it from top to toe, almost unbearable, you grunted loudly and alerted your captors.

-Seems like she is alive. –You heard a repulsive laugh after that and how metal clenched, a door opening. –Tell me one reason to not kill you right now troia (bitch)?–A heavy foot pressed your head against the Stone floor of the place, you whimpered and fought back to quit the weight wasting all the Little energy you had, it was then when you decided to piss him off a little, you laughed mockingly and heard him grunt. –What is so funny? –He asked irritated.

-Were you really expecting for an answer? –You replied very confident and from below the boot you glared challengingly at him.

-You whore. –He shouted and his boot met your face, your head and your abdomen dozens of times until blood and tears spilled all over the cold hard stone and caused you so much pain that the only biological response you could give was blacking out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

-Madre! –You shouted as soon as your beloved mother crossed the door, you ran from upstairs and threw yourself into her arms; she caught you and hugged you tight caressing your soft (H/C) hair.

-My principessa (princess)! –She said softly and put you on the floor, she was smiling from ear to ear with her hazel eyes sparkling with happiness. –I miss you so much honey. –She kneeled and hugged you again; you of course returned the hug and kissed her cheek.

-I missed you too madre, me and Padre were awaiting for your return. –You continued talking as she put down the hood of her robes.

-I see you did, where is your father my love? –She asked you tenderly and caressed your head.

-He is in the studio, some men came earlier and since then he has been locked up inside, I told him to go out but he didn’t answer. –You saw your mother’s face tense along with her body, you were afraid that you said something wrong. –Mother did I say something bad? –You asked her doubtful, she snapped out of her numbness and smiled again.

-No principessa, you didn’t but… do you remember how these men looked like?-She asked as she stood up and started to undo her boots stepping out of them.

-Well father told me to stay inside of my room all the time but I peeked on them, there were 3, very well dressed, I don’t think they were nobles; they must have been very rich people. –You mumbled and followed your mom upstairs holding her hand. –One of them gave him a letter and they started to argue because my father refused to take it, they shouted and I think they threaten father, after that they left and he locked himself up, he said you were returning today so I waited for you in the stairs. –You scratched a little the back of your head as you waited for your mother’s response, both of you now standing in front of the studio’s door.

-Thank you honey, I will talk to him you go to your room. –She kneeled down again and kissed you in the forehead, her eyes as kind as ever, she was the only one that knew how to calm you down. –And don’t you think I forgot about your present. –She said playfully and directed her hand to the back of her neck undoing something; she took it off and fisted it in her hand without letting you see what it was. –Close your eyes and give me your hand. –you did as you were told and in seconds something slightly heavy was placed in your hand. –Open them. –When your lashes parted you saw a golden necklace with a pendant engraved with the letters S.P.Q.R.

-It’s beautiful mother I love it! –You affirmed and jumped excited over and over as you admired the object.

-It’s called reliquary, see. –She said and opened it in your hands. –Everyone in Rome has one, even men, they put inside the dearest thing to them so it is close to their hearts. –She placed one hand in your chest and smiled, you hugged her again with extra effort this time.

-Grazie madre, grazie, grazie (Thank you mother)! –You thanked her again and again until she laughed and had to push away.

-Go to your room, I will see you in a few bene?-You nodded eagerly and went straight to it, you threw yourself on the mattress and stared at the reliquary admiring every single detail, its texture, its weight and even its metallic smell, you lied in there for an hour or so until the slumber dragged you into the nothingness.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The grunting of your guts woke you up, they sounded like they were eating each other, all your body hurt, it made look the bruise as a child’s play, in your face were the remains of dry blood and you were sure even more bruises, you were hungry, tired and thirsty, so thirsty you could drank a fountain right now.

-Is… is anybody in here? –Your voice went out wobbly, and made you think how much time had passed since you talked, the clenching of metal boots alerted you.

-Grazie dio (thank god), you are finally awake signora… -A somewhat young voice spoke to you, there was very poor illumination that you couldn’t see his face. –We thought Messer Francesco had beaten you to death. –You dragged yourself across the floor to get closer to him.

-Where am I? –You asked waiting for a mean response or for bitter silence but instead he gave you a regretful look and shook his head.

-Mi dispiace signora (I’m sorry Ma’am)… I… I cannot give you such information. –He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them, you sighed, of course he wouldn’t say anything that was a stupid question.

-Don’t worry… it’s not your fault, but could you bring me some water I’m really thirsty… - The man left you without saying anything and returned minutes later with a wooden recipient full of water and a loaf of bread. He kneeled and passed it through the bars but you were too tired to even take them, you couldn’t even sit up, you needed his help. –I’m sorry but would you feed me?, I can’t move very well my hands, my body is killing me… -You received a doubtful look from the guy, now that you were focusing better he had really beautiful green eyes and his skin was pale, almost as if it was marble. –I have no weapons and no energy, I won’t attack or run away, and even if I did, you would catch me easily, so what’s the point? –You said to calm him down and it seemed to work because after it the kid nodded and opened the cell, he walked over, kneeled and leaned you against the bars, you hissed due the pain but tried not to make any abrupt movements to not alarm him.

-My god he really hit you hard. –The guy started saying as he pulled down your hood and saw all the dry blood in your face along with the bruises and cuts in your lips and cheeks.

-Please tell me I still look pretty… -You joked gaining a small chuckle from him.

-Maybe you just need a wash and some medicine and you will be as pretty as ever signora. –He laughed and took the recipient with the water.

-(Y/N)… call me (Y/N) -You said and sought for the edge of the recipient feeling how the fresh water passed through your throat cooling all your inwards.

-Well nice to meet you (Y/N) My name is Ciro Mosconi. –He said and smiled as he pulled back the recipient from your lips.

-That’s a pretty name; maybe I will call my children after you. –You joked again, you were basically half dead but still you were joking around, you weren’t like this with anyone but Ezio, either way you felt something about this guy, you felt he was good, not like the other guards you have met.

-I’m flattered (Y/N), here. –He put a piece of bread in front of your mouth and waited until you took it, your mouth became water the instant the bread touched your tongue, even your guts growled louder and harder at the sensation, you saw how he giggled and flushed in shame. –I don’t blame you, after 2 days of unconsciousness I would be the same for a loaf of bread. –You almost choke with your own saliva; you coughed so hard that your whole body submerged in pain again.

-2 days? How much have I been here? –You asked him horrified, he looked at you astonished by the explosion of energy you just had.

-4 days, well I think is midnight already so 5 basically. –You gasped, almost a week, you have been here for almost a week, Ezio must be looking for you everywhere, you felt anxious and tried to calm down but it didn’t work, in seconds you were already panicking mumbling things to yourself and cursing.

-How… how the heavens… mio dio I have to get out of here… -You said without thinking and made Ciro tense. –Sorry…. I know I can’t but…. –Ciro shook his head and sighed.

-Let’s finish with this and then rest a little, you need it. –The guard feed you carefully, giving you first water and then pieces of bread being one bigger than the last until you finished it completely, he carried you and put you on a pile of hay that was inside the cell, he adjusted you and made his way out locking the cell behind him, you looked over as he did all of this and before he disappeared you called him.

-Ciro wouldn’t you like to be an assassin? –You didn’t have the authority to do such invitation, you weren’t a master assassin yet but something was telling you to do this, something was telling you this was the right thing. –You can come with me, I can train you, make you even better than you already are, we can be brothers, we can leave this place right now… -You made promises that you weren’t sure you would be able to keep but it was worth trying.

-I’m sorry (Y/N) I can’t… I owe these people my life, I’m sorry… -His voice was pure sorrow, you felt your heart sink with the statement, poor kid stuck with this kind of men, it made you feel pity for him, he was barely starting his life, he couldn’t be more than 3 years older than you and still he has his life screwed already. You closed your eyes and waited in the dark until the numbness came blocking any signal of the world around you.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It became an habit to go to the Auditore Villa for you, whenever you were bored or just because you wanted, you went there and passed most of the time playing with Ezio and Federico, the three of you had became very good friends; you got along with Claudia too but she was way more delicate than you so the kind of playing you always tried to do with her ended either with her crying or being upset with you, honestly you avoided her as most as you could.

-Father today is Ezio’s birthday, let’s go see him please! –You asked your father who was in his studio archiving some letters and documents.

-Just wait for me 5 minutes mio caro, five more minutes and we will be off. –He replied and put a handful of documents on a shelf, specks of dust flew around making you and your father cough. –I assume you are very excited to give him your present, aren’t you? –You coughed a bit more and nodded happily, you have been preparing his gift since his last birthday, he was turning eleven today after all, and well he had everything he could wish for, so you tried to make something special, you weren’t very good at making crafts so you opted for writing, and not a story or a poem, but a song, even though it didn’t have a title yet, you had composed it with help of your father and your mother and refined it every time you played it in the clavichord, polishing any sharp edges of the melody making it soft but memorable and touching, actually when you finished it and played it complete for the first time to your parents they both cried and that was exactly the kind of reaction you wanted. –Ready, off we go. –You father finally told you after keeping some letters in the cabinets of his desk.

-Let’s go, let’s go! –You grabbed his hand and raced downstairs going out of your house and getting in the carriage. –It’s a shame mother is working, I’m sure she would love to hear me play it and even more with this dress. –You chuckled as you caressed the soft (F/C) dress she brought you from Toscana for this specific moment.

-I’m sure she would love it mio caro, you look beautiful in it. –Your father complimented you and smiled making you flush slightly.

-Thank you padre. –You answered and remained silent the rest of the trip.

As the way shortened the slight feeling of nervousness invaded you, you knew the melody forwards and backwards but this was actually the first time you would play it for an actual audience, it was going to be in front Ezio’s family, your heart was pounding so hard it seemed it wanted to take a walk and just when you started to relax the carriage stopped.

-We arrived my dear. –Your father said and went out of the carriage his palm extended to hold yours and help you go out.

You were received by the maids first and they lead you to the main room in which everyone was hanging around, when Ezio saw you he ran directly to you and gave you a great hug.

-(Y/N) I’m glad you came!-He said and let you go. –You look like a girl in that dress for sure. –He mocked and grinned at you playfully.

-Very funny Ezio, you really look like a boy with that clothing too. –You returned the mock and gained the satisfactory response of irritation from him.

-Anyway, did you bring something for me? –Ezio said and searched around you for any kind of container or object finding nothing. –You didn’t have anything as far as I can see. –He said and looked at you somewhat disappointed; he was much more spoiled than you that was for sure.

-I do have something but I cannot give it to you now, after we eat maybe… -You said trying not to sound nervous or too excited.

-Let’s eat then! Mother! –Ezio called for his mother who was talking with your father and Giovanni, she answered his request and in short time everyone was eating, chatting and laughing, Federico among them all making fun of his baby brother.

-Well now that we have eaten I think it’s time to see (Y/N)’s present! –Maria spoke out loud calling the attention of everyone; they all seemed very interested in the matter and looked directly at you.

-Yes (Y/N) what is it!? –Ezio recalled the question once again and made you sigh.

-Excuse me signora Maria but… -You looked around at everyone. –Do you have a clavichord? –You smiled shyly and looked down when everyone started looking at each other confused.

-Si, there is one in my husband’s studio, but what for? –She asked as confused as everyone.

-I need it to play the present. –You said almost in a whisper barely audible to the woman, she looked at your father and when he nodded she knew exactly what to do.

-Let’s head to the studio then. –She smiled at you and took your hand to make you relax. Everyone walked calmly until entering the studio and made themselves comfortable, All the Auditore family was sitting in a couch, Petruccio and Claudia in Maria’s lap and Ezio in Giovanni’s while Federico was sitting in his own space, meanwhile your father was standing right next to you.

You closed your eyes and focused by taking deep breathes and imagining the notes in your head, tasting the melody with your memory and feeling the sound in your chest, you opened your eyes and with the subtlest smile you started playing, first your fingers pressing slowly against the keys, feeling the texture and stiffness of the instrument, you gradually raised the pace letting your fingertips fly from one key to another without any delay, almost doing it automatically as if your body was programmed for it, you swung softly forwards and backwards with every high and every low note, feeling how the rate invaded your system becoming one with the song, you didn’t notice but you were unintentionally singing a piece of it, the most critic one, even though it was only a letter of the alphabet that composed the lyrics, it was still beautiful, you had been thinking and practiced it but never intended to play it along with the finished product.

The time came when the room became silent, only the echoes of the chords fading in the air, you looked at your father who was with his mouth half open and then to the Auditores who were just as perplexed as him.

-Ho…how… was it? –Your voice broke the steadiness in the air snapping everyone out of their temporary muteness.

-That was utterly and touchingly beautiful bambina! –Giovanni was the first in speaking up, pure admiration in his face and voice.

-That was perfect! –Federico said with teary eyes.

-Mio dio (Y/N) where did you learn to play like that? –Claudia questioned totally enchanted by your skill.

Lots of compliments and flatteries flooded you instantly, from everyone, Ezio was shocked for his present, totally charmed by it, by you.

-And how is it called (Y/N)? Did you name it? –Maria asked you excited and you froze for a second.

-Well… -You mumbled and chew your lip a little. –I don’t actually have a name for it but… since I wrote it for Ezio and for you, I think I will call it Ezio’s family.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

An incessant itch on your back forced you to move and open your eyes, you certainly felt a little better but not enough to stand up.

-Ciro! Ciro are you there? –You called the noble guard that took care of you yesterday, within seconds he papered in front of your cell.

-(Y/N) how are you feeling? –He asked kindly and opened the cell entering it. –Can you get up? –He asked and kneeled near you.

-No, I can’t… can you bring me some water to clean my face? –You requested softly and gave him a smile; he nodded and left you lying still in the hay. When he returned he did not only brought a recipient with water but a rag too. –Grazie mile (thank you so much). –You said.

-I will help you. –Ciro wetted the rag in the water and rubbed it carefully all across your face, it squeezed and you even hissed a few curses to him but he seemed very entertained by them rather than upset or hurt. –There you go. –He said as he cleaned the last cut.

-Now I pray for that bastard not to come and ruin your job my friend. –You sighed and adjusted yourself once more in the soft hay, Ciro chuckled and stood up.

-You don’t have to worry (Y/N) Messer Francesco is dead. –You opened your eyes like plates when you heard the affirmation.

-What? –you muttered shocked as the green-eyed guard left your cell.