Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 51

Ezio rode on horseback during the day, only resting briefly when changing horses, but it still took a long time to reach the Apennines.Once there, he knew immediately that the long search for Checo Orsi would continue.But he also knew that if Checo returned to his family's stronghold in Nubilaria, he could intercept Checo on the long and winding road to Rome.No one can guarantee that Cecco will not rush directly to the Holy See, but Ezio believes that since his opponent is carrying such a valuable cargo as the Apple of Eden, he should first go to a safe place to avoid the limelight, and then from A messenger was sent there to confirm that the Spaniards had returned to the Vatican before heading there to meet the Cardinal.

Ezio therefore decided to make a trip to Nubilaria himself, entering the city covertly and began to investigate where Checo was.But Checo's own spies were everywhere, and it didn't take long for Ezio to learn that Checo had heard the news of his pursuit, and planned to organize a convoy of two carriages to leave with the Apple of Eden, using this A way to evade Ezio and sabotage his plans.

On the morning of Checo's planned departure, Ezio got ready, keeping his eyes on the southern gates of Nubilaria, and soon the two carriages he expected were driving out of the city.Ezio mounted his horse and prepared to give chase, but at the last moment a third, lighter carriage driven by Orsi's lackey rushed out of a side alley, deliberately blocking Ezio's path, allowing his The horse stood up and threw him to the ground.Knowing that time was running out, Ezio left his mount and climbed into the carriage, knocking the driver off with one blow.He swung his whip and chased after him.

It wasn't long before his enemy's car came into view, but they saw him too and sped up.Just as they drove up the rough mountain road, Checo's escort carriage full of crossbow soldiers failed to slow down in time when turning.The pulling horses broke free and galloped around the corner, but the wagon lost its means of turning and plunged hundreds of feet into a ravine.Ezio lowered his voice, thanking fate for his favor.He urged the horses on, fearing he would burst his heart by pushing them too hard.They pulled less weight than Checo's wagon, though, steadily reducing the distance between Ezio and his prey.

When the two carriages moved side by side, Checo's driver swung his whip at him, but Ezio caught it with his hand and tore it away.Then Ezio saw the timing, let go of the reins, and jumped onto the roof of Checo's carriage.The horses of his car, suddenly without a driver, sped up in panic and set off on the road ahead.

"Get the hell out of me!" cried the coachman in a panic. "In the name of God, what do you think you're doing? Are you crazy?" But without the whip, he had trouble even controlling the horse.He no longer has room to fight.

Cecco yelled from inside the carriage: "Don't do anything stupid, Ezio! Or you won't get away yourself!" Leaning half out of the window, he stabbed Ezio with his sword, while the coachman went wild trying to control his horse. "Get out of my carriage!"

The coachman wanted to shake the carriage and throw Ezio off, but feared for his own life.The carriage swayed from side to side in a thrilling way. When it passed an abandoned marble quarry, it completely lost control and turned over, throwing the driver heavily on a pile of abandoned stone slabs of different sizes.The horses were dragged down by the wagons, pawing the ground in panic.Ezio sprang up just in time to land in a crouching position, then drew his sword and met Cecco, who climbed out of the car, looking furious—he was panting, but unhurt.

"Give me the Apple of Eden, Checo. It's over."

"Stupid! It won't be over until you die!" Checo slashed at Ezio with his sword, and they immediately started a fierce fight on the edge of the dangerous road.

"Hand over the Apple of Eden, Checo, and I will spare you. You have no idea how terrifying its power is!"

"You don't want to get it. When it returns to the Grand Master, he will have unimaginable power, and Lodovico and I will have a share!"

"Lodovico is dead! Do you really think that your grand master will keep you alive after you are useless? You already know too much!"

"You killed my brother? I want to avenge him!" Checo rushed towards him.

They clashed swords, and Cecco charged at Ezio again, but the blade bounced off the metal bracer.The fact that the blow he had been preparing for so long had been in vain overwhelmed him for a moment, but he recovered quickly and thrust a stab at Ezio's right arm, which pierced his bicep, causing him to drop the weapon .

Checo let out a triumphant growl.The point of his sword was aimed at Ezio's throat. "Don't beg me for mercy," he said, "I won't show mercy." Then he poised for the fatal thrust.At that moment, Ezio flicked out the double-edged dagger from his left arm, swung it with lightning speed, and hit Cecco in the chest.

Checo stood still for a long time in shock, looking down at the blood dripping onto the white road.He dropped his sword and fell towards Ezio, grasping his body with both hands for support.Their faces were only inches apart.Checo laughed. "It seems that you can get your baby back again." He whispered, the blood that represented life welled up from his chest.

"Is it really worth it?" Ezio asked, "so many people dying for it!"

Checo made a sound that was half a chuckle, half a cough, and blood dripped from his mouth: "Look, Ezio, you know how much trouble carrying such a valuable thing can cause," he struggled. Trying to breathe, "I will die today, but you will die tomorrow." The smile on his face faded, his eyes rolled up, and he fell limply on the ground at Ezio's feet.

"We'll see, my friend," Ezio told him, "rest in peace."

He felt dizzy.Blood dripped from the wound on his arm, but he made his way to the wagon, soothed the horse, and cut the harness.Then he searched inside the carriage, and soon found the teak box.He quickly opened the box to make sure its contents were safe, then closed the lid and tucked it under his uninjured arm.Ezio looked towards the quarry, where the driver lay motionless on the ground.There was no need to confirm whether he was alive or dead: the horrible bend in his body told Ezio everything.

The cart horses were not far behind, and Ezio walked over, wondering if he had the strength to mount the horse and ride it at least part of the way back to Forlì.He wished his stuff were still there, because tracking Checo was taking longer than he expected.He never thought his mission would be easy, but the Apple of Eden was back in the hands of the Assassins.His time was not wasted.

He looked at the horses again and decided on the leader.He grabbed its reins and tried to use his strength to climb onto the horse's back, because it had no stirrups, but at this moment, his body shook.

The extent of his blood loss was more serious than imagined.He had to bandage the wound before moving on.He tied the horses to a tree and cut a piece of fabric from Checo's shirt to use as a bandage.Then he dragged the body out of sight.If anyone passed by, as long as they didn't look carefully, they would probably think that Ezio and the coachman had suffered an unfortunate car accident.But it was getting late, and the number of pedestrians passing by at this time would be greatly reduced.

But bandaging the wound took the last of his strength.Even I need a break, he thought, and couldn't help but find the idea alluring.He sat in the shade and listened to the soft grazing of the horses.He put the teak box on the ground beside him, and glanced around warily one last time, for he was afraid he would be here for a while: but his eyelids were already fighting, and he couldn't see anything on the mound behind him. Beside the tree, someone was watching him quietly.

(End of this chapter)