Oliver Bowden: Renaissance

"You do not deserve my effort," said Ezio. But if Quieres change your mind about that arm, stay away from Claudia. And stay away from me.

After the incident, Ezio returned home following the camino longer walk along the river to the orchardTAS. When turned, the shadows began to lengthen, but his mind was calmer. Convert never endbe a man, he said, if allowed his fury complete control.

Near his house, he saw his younger brother, who had not seen since the previous morning, and greeted him warmly.

– Ciao, Petruccio. What are you up to? Have you given the slip to your tutor? And, anyway, would not be in bed?

"Do not be silly. And I'm almost an adult. In a few years for youjare knackered! "The brothers smiled. Petruccio holding a carved wooden box against his chest pear. Ezio was open and inside was a pile of white feathers and hammertions. Are eagle feathers, "said the child. He pointed to the top of the tower of a nearby building. Up there is an old nest. The pups must have changed the plumage and long gone. I have seen many more feathers attached to the masonry. "Petruccio looked at his brother with pleading eyes. Ezio, would you cogerme a few more?

– And why do the want?

Petruccio looked down.

"It's a secret," he said.

– You will enter the house if you get it? It's late.

"Yes.

– Do you promise?

"I promise.

"So, okay.

Ezio thought: "Today I did a favor to Claudia, there is no reason why it could not also make another Petruccio."

Climb the tower was fine, because the wall was slippery and had to concentrate on finding handholds and footholds in the joints between the stones. At the top, it also helped ornamental moldings. In the end, it took half an hour but managed to collect fifteen feathers-all he could find, and gave them to Petruccio.

"You've left a Petruccio said, pointing upward.

– To bed! "Growled her brother. Petruccio went flying.

Ezio hoped his mother would be pleased to receive this regait. Did not take much to guess the secrets of Petruccio. He smiled to enter the house.

Ezio next morning woke up late and to his relief he discovered that his father had not prepared anything urgent hascer. Out into the garden, where he found his mother overseeing the worklow that they were carrying out with its cherry trees, whose flowers justo begin to wither. She smiled at him and beckoned him to come closer. Auditore Mary was a tall, elegant woman who had just come in quarantine, her long black hair trainZada in a spotless white muslin bonnet trimmed with black and gold colors of the family.

– Ezio! Buon'giorno.

"Mother.

– How are you? Better, I hope. "I played with the wound careda head.

"I'm fine.

"You said your father to rest as much as you could.

– I have no need to rest, mamma!

"Well, in any case, this morning do not expect anything excannot. Your father has asked me to take care of you. I know perfectlyyou the mess you up.

I do not know what you mean.

"I do not pretend to cajole, Ezio. I know about your fight with Vieri.

"Go out there telling filthy stories about our family. I could not let go unpunished.

"Vieri is under pressure, especially since his father was arrested. He paused thoughtfully. It is possible that Francesco de Pazzi is many things, but I never would have thought it could join a conspiracy to assassinate a duke.

– What will happen?

"There will be a trial. I imagine that your father will be a key witness when you return the Duke Lorenzo.

Ezio was restless.

"Do not worry, you have nothing to fear. And I will not pedirt do anything you do not like… In fact, I want you to accompany me on an errand. We did not take long, and I papray that even you will like.

"Glad to help, mamma.

"Come then. Not very far.

They left palazzo walk, arm in arm, and headed to the cathedral to the small neighborhood near the same giftMost of the Florentine artists had their workshops and studios. Some, such as Verrocchio and the young prodigy Alessandro di Moriano Filipepi, who had acquired the nickname of Botticelli, were large and crowded local assistants and apprentices where afaNaban to grind and mix dyes, pigments, others were more humble. It was at the door of one of these where Maria stopped to call. Almost immediately there was a young attractive and well seesense, almost Slick looking but athletic, with a mop of dark brown hair and beard. It would be six or seven years older than Ezio.

– Madonna Auditore! Welcome! I was waiting for you.

– Leonardo, buon'giorno. Formal-exchanged kisses.

"We have to see how this artist rubs shoulders with my mother 'penSo Ezio, but he liked the way he looked young.

"I present to you my son, Ezio," continued Mary.

The artist bowed.

– Leonardo da Vinci, "he said. Onorato molto, signore.

– Master.

"Not yet, Leonardo said, smiling. But what I will be thinking? Come in, come! Wait here, I will ask my helpserve you some wine while I find your pictures.

The study was not large, but the fact that it was so crammed with things made him seem even smaller than it really was. There were tables full of skeletons of birds and smalldren mammals, bottles filled with a colorless liquid or objectsganic all types that had trouble recognizing Ezio. In a large bench at the back there were some curious structuressas carefully made of wood, and on top of two horsesTES had unfinished paintings darker tones than usual, with poorly defined contours. Ezio and Mary settled down and then, from an inner room, a handsome young man appeared with a tray with wine and cakes. He served the aperitivo, smiled sheepishly and walked away.

"Leonardo is very talented.

"If you say so, mother… Art I know little.

Although Ezio thought his life would follow paresources of his father in the background had a wild streak and adventurous that it was very uncomfortable for the character of a banker floRentin. In any case, like his older brother, withconsiders a man of action, not an artist or a scholar.

"You know very well that the expression of one's feelingsCough is a vital part of understanding how life and enjoyedTarla in its fullness. "She stared at him. You should inagainst your own safety valve, dear.

Ezio pricked.

"I have many exhaust valves.

"I mean something other than the hookers," her mother prosaic tone.

– Mother! "But the only Mary's response was to shrug and a grimace. Would be nice you could cultivate the friendship of a man like Leonardo. I think he has a bright future ahead.

"From the looks of this place, I feel not that they strongly agreed with you.

– Do not be impertinent!

The reappearance of Leonardo, loaded with two boxes, interruptedchirped their conversation. He put one in the ground.

– Would you care to pay it? Ezio he asked. I would have asked Agniolo, but has to stay to watch the workshop. Also, do not think the poor is sufficiently strong to reaLizar this type of work.

Ezio stooped to pick up the box and was surprised to see her weight. He almost let it fall to the ground.

– Carefully! "He warned Leonardo.The paintings inside are delicate and your mother just paid a fortune for them!

– Are we going?"Said Mary. I can not wait to coling them.

Then, addressing he added:

"I selected the sites and wait for your approval.

Ezio was internally a bit reluctant to the idea: Ireally reciprocal deference and a novice artist?

As they walked, Leonardo began to talk friendlyEzio mind, very reluctantly, was overcome by the charm of the man. And although there was anything that was troubling him, he could not identify it. "Some cold? A sensationtion of detachment in relation to other human beings? Maybe it wasra simply had his head in the clouds, as was the case with artists, or at least that was what he had heard Ezio. Ezio, however, felt an immediate and instinctive respect for the man.