Oliver Bowden: Renaissance

"And you, Ezio, what do you do? Leonardo asked.

"He works for his father," said Mary.

"Oh. A financial! You were born in the right city for that!

"It's also a good town for artists," said Ezio. There are many wealthy clients.

"But we are many," muttered Leonard. Stress is complicated. That's why I feel so indebted to your mother. Indeed, it has a very demanding test!

– Do you concentrate on the painting? Ezio asked, thinking he had seen diversity in the study.

Leonardo was thoughtful.

"A difficult question to answer. If you want to tell you the truth, I find it difficult to focus on one thing, now that I've installed it on my own. I love painting and I know I can, but… I see the end before reaching it, and sometimes I find it difficult to get things done. They have to push! But that's not all. Sometimes I have the feeling that my work is missing… I do not know… a purpose. You know what I mean?

"You should have more faith in you, Leonardo," said Mary.

"Thanks, but there are times when I think I should do more practical work, a job that has a relationshipreal tion with life. I understand life: how it works, how everything works.

"In this case, you'd be a hundred men in one," said Ezio.

– I wish I could be! I know what I want to explore architecture, anatomy, even engineering. I do not want only to capture the world with my brush. I want to change!

Ezio impressed his passion more than annoy. It was evident that this man was not a braggart, but in any case, it seemed almost haunted by the ideas seething inside. "Now we say that is also dedicated to music and poetry," he thought Ezio.

– Will you stop esto and rest a moment, Ezio?Pre-Leonardo gunt. Perhaps too heavy for you.

Ezio gritted teeth.

"No, grazie. Anyway, since we are almost there.

When they reached the palazzo Auditore, put the box in the dressedlobe and placed in the ground as slowly and gently that allowed his aching muscles, and felt more relieved than he would have liked to acknowledge, even to himself.

"Thank you, Ezio," said his mother. I think from now we can get along without you, though, of course, if you want to come and help hang pictures…

"Thanks, mom… I think it's better that you leave this workjo you two.

Leonardo offered his hand.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ezio. I hope our caterms cross again soon.

– Anch 'io.

"Call, please one of the servants to drive him a hand to Leonardo," said Mary.

"No," said Leonardo. I'd rather deal with it myself. Imagine if someone had dropped a box! "And stooping, cargo the carrying case Ezio and sat on the bow of his elbow. Are we going? "Said Mary.

"This way, Mary said. Goodbye, Ezio. See you tonight at dinner. Come, Leonardo.

Ezio saw them leave the hall. Such that Leonardo was a guy I respect.

After lunch, late afternoon, she came Giulio appreciablesuradamente (as always) to tell his father requested his presence in his office. Ezio struggled to follow the secretary down the hall with paneled walls of oak leading to the rear of the mansion.

– Hello, Ezio! Come in, my son.

Giovanni's tone was serious and formal. He stood behind his desk, on which there were two letters bulky, wrappedTAS on vellum and sealed.

"They say the Duke Lorenzo will be back tomorrow or pasado, not later, "said Ezio.

"I know. But no time to lose. I want you to give it a couple of my partners here in the city. He pushed the cards on the table.

"Yes, father.

"I need also to pick up a message that a pigeon has to be deposited in the loft of piazza there at the end of the street. Try that nobody sees you pick it up.

"I will make it so.

"Well. Come back here right away once you've finished. I have important matters to discuss with you.

– Mr.

"And this time, behave. No fights.

Ezio decided to deal first with the loft. Soon yearcheceria and knew that there would be fewer people now, a little later the place would be packed with Florentines giving his passeggiata. When he reached his goal saw some graffiti on the wall behind and above the loft. He was surprised: what would it be recent or was already there and had not noticed it? Carefully written apreciprocal recognized as a phrase belonging to the Book of Ecclesiastesenthusiasts, "WHO INCREASE INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGEAT YOUR PAIN. " A little further down, someone had added a jocular remark, "WHERE IS THE PROPHET?".

But once again thought the task at maus. Instantly recognized the dove that was looking for: it was the Unitedca with a note attached to the leg. He took the bird quickly returned to the bar where he was lodging. Then the doubt assailed him. WhatBeriah read the note? It was not sealed. Quickly unrolled the peflute parchment and discovered that all it contained was a nameber, that of Francesco de 'Pazzi. Ezio shrugged. He imagined that his father would rather have something more meaning for him. Completely escaped him why the name of the father of Vieri, one of the possible conspirators in a plot to overthrow the Duke of Milan, Giovanni facts I already knew, had to have a relevancia. Unless it were a sort of confirmation.

But I had to hurry and get on with their work. GuarDO note safely in the bag from his belt and went to the address appearing in the first envelope. The location was surprised because he was in the neighborhood of brothels. Had often been there with Frederick before he met Cristina, of course, and never felt comfortable. When he began to approximatelyMarsa al sinister alley that his father had told him, put his hand on the hilt of his dagger to calm down. The address turned out to be a humble tavern, dimly lit, in which cheap Chianti served in clay jugs.

When more was lost on what to do then it does not seem to be anyone, he heard a voice at his side:

– Are you the son of Giovanni?

He turned and found himself facing a tough-looking man whose breath smelled of onions. He was accompanied by a woman who once had to be pretty, but it seemed as if the last ten years that had been loaded on the back had finished with all its charm. If any beauty was, I had it in his eyes, clear and intelligent.

"You look like an idiot," the woman told the man. If it is nailed to his father.

"You bring something to us," said the man, ignoring the remark. Get it to us.

Ezio hesitated. Verified the address. Was correct.

"Get it to us, friend," said the man, closer to him.

Ezio received a wave of your breath. "The man would live only onion and garlic?

She put the letter in the open hand of man, who immediately closed it to transfer the document to a leather bag strapped to the side.

"Good boy," she said and smiled.

Ezio noted that, surprisingly, gave a smile to your face certain nobility. But not his words.

"And do not worry," he added. We are not contagious.

He paused to look askance at the woman and said:

– Or at least I not!

The woman laughed and pinched her arm to the man. And immediately disappeared.

Ezio eased out into the alley. The direction of the second letter led him to a side street just west of the baptistery. A baRRIO much better, although very quiet at this time of day. Ran through the city.

Waiting under an arch covering the width of the street was a large man who looked like a soldier. He wore leather clothing typical of the field, but it smelled clean and was rehundred shaven.

"This way, he gestured.

"I have something for you," said Ezio. In…

– ?… Auditore Giovanni? "The man spoke in a whisper.

"Yes.

The man looked around to either side of the street. Only saw a lamplighter, at a distance.

– Do you have followed?

– No… Why should I have?

"Never mind. Give me the letter. Fast.

Ezio handed.