1476. The dawn of a new era for Italy.

Art, culture and science are flourishing under the guidance of inspired minds.

Renaissance.

This is probably the way history will remember us.

But in the shadows far from the gold, and the knowledge, lies another truth.

Corruption.

Betrayal.

Murder.

Secrets.

Secrets so dangerous that I must hide them even from my own family.

Family, justice, honor.

These are the values guiding my blade.

This truth is written in blood and the shadows are where I strike.

I am Giovanni Auditore,

and like my ancestors before me,

I am an assassin.

You're coming with me. Avanti (Come on)!

I stopped them before they left Florence. Unfortunately, Your Magnificence, the 4th man escaped.

What have you heard, Giovanni?

Rumors.

About an important event that will cause a shift of power.

That man you captured, has he spoken yet?

He will tell us what he knows.

When?

Tell me when!

In Milano, on the day of Christmas.

The high mass for The Feast of Santo Stefano.

When?

When the echo of the choir becomes louder. At the altar.

When the bell rings for the 12th and last time.

Sic transit gloria mundi (So passes the glory of the world).

At the altar, the echo of the choir becomes louder.

When the bell rings for the 12th and last time,

The Duke of Milano

will die.

Hurry!

Stop! Stop!

Don't kill him!

Amori (Darling).

Ezio's learning fast.

He reminds me of you.

Ezio, remember, you need to think ahead.

Don't wait for your opponent to move. Anticipate and surprise him.

How are you, father?

Good, good.

- Father. - Federico.

With the death of the Duke of Milano, Lorenzo de Medici has lost a powerful ally.

I am sure that his enemies already plot their next move.

Sforza's death was not the end.

It was just the beginning.

And I know where to fight my next battle.

You have served us well in the past.

That is why we are entrusting you to send this letter to our master.

Perfect. It's just perfect.

After all these years, our time has come, cousin.

Yes.

You must protect this letter with your life until it is delivered, do you understand me?

Go to Campo San Anzolo.

Next to the wine merchant there is a statue.

Our man will be waiting for you there.

Do not fail us.

In faccio fiducia (I have faith in you).

What are your masters plotting?

Speak!

God as my witness, I will cut your throat.

My life is not yours to take. And my secrets come with me.

See you in hell!

Fool.

Giovanni, did you find anything in Venice?

I intercepted this letter.

Take a look, your Magnificence.

It bears the seal of the Barbarigos.

I never trusted them.

Gonfaloniere (Chief Magistrate).

An encrypted letter.

It will take several hours to unlock its secrets.

I'll send for you when it's done, Giovanni.

Get some rest.

Father Maffei.

You broke the code. That's good.

I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, Father Maffei.

Go fetch Giovanni.

Tell him he will need to travel shortly.

I will wake Lorenzo. And Father...

Remember, you owe us your silence.

Secrets are born here.

And they die here.

No one is to know about the content of this letter.

Capisce (Understand)?

Good, you can go now.

Grazie (Thank you).

Come back to us soon.

I promise.

Our son is watching.

I know.

You should talk to him.

I will.

Tell me, papa, why is it that a banker leaves so often in the middle of the night?

- Business calls, son. - Let me come with you.

No.

Why not?

I need you to assist your brother.

Take care of the family while I'm away.

I want to help you, father.

You help me more than you know, Ezio.

More than you know.

Because we broke the seal of the original letter,

we had to make an exact copy.

Father Edmundi is working on one as we speak.

- Why? - We were unable to decipher it.

The only way to unlock the secrets of this letter...

and find out who masterminded Sforza's assassination...

is to deliver it and see where it will lead us.

Your Magnificence...

I know exactly where in Rome the Barbarigos wanted the letter to be delivered.

I can go.

Father Maffei, is it ready?

Rome is a dangerous city, my dear Giovanni.

Are you sure you want to carry out this mission without any help?

Yes. For the safety of Florence.

And the honor of the Medici.

So be it.

Go and find the pit where these snakes hide.

And be merciless.

May the Father Of Understanding be with us.

Amen.

Has Rodrigo Borgia become a messenger now?

Not necessarily, Your Holiness.

The death of the Duke of Milano changes many things.

- Is it really? - The alliances of men are fragile.

Even the cities can change hands as easily as money.

As long as God is on our side.

Amen.

I am told that...

Lorenzo de Medici does not show much respect for our position.

That is true. But you can force them to obey you.

Florence is weak now. We should take advantage of it.

- With your help... - It is not part of my office to consent to the death of anyone.

But my concern is the greater good of the Republic of Florence.

Therefore I am prepared to offer my spiritual support.

And military help.

To ensure order is maintained.

Preserve the honor of the Holy See, Rodrigo.

You can count on me, Your Holiness.

I'm looking for the man who just came in.

You must have seen him. Where did he go?

It has been very quiet here today.

I have seen no other man besides you.

A hood covered his face. He wore black clothes.

I cannot help you. Maybe God can.

Pray.

And you will find the answer.

Your blade won't be enough, assassin.

What happens now is up to you.

You have a unique set of skills.

Giovanni. That's your name, isn't it?

A set of skills I'd be delighted to have on my side.

And what side is that?

The side that is going to win a war you don't even know has begun yet.