{"id":7804,"date":"2017-06-01T10:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T17:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/?p=7804"},"modified":"2017-06-01T08:47:37","modified_gmt":"2017-06-01T15:47:37","slug":"giovanni-auditore-da-firenze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/giovanni-auditore-da-firenze\/","title":{"rendered":"Giovanni Auditore da Firenze"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

(Re-post of Teaser from Advent 2015 – Story sets in distant Sylum Timeline)<\/p>\n

He moved with ease.<\/p>\n

For he had walked these steps a hundred thousand times before.<\/p>\n

The crowd parted.<\/p>\n

First the media.<\/p>\n

Then the people.<\/p>\n

Finally the Cardinals.<\/p>\n

The mass of red swept itself aside as he continued his journey to the steps of the Basilica.<\/p>\n

He stopped a few feet past the Pillars of the Church, his focus on the Pope who stood before him.<\/p>\n

Alexander VII.<\/p>\n

Rodrigo Borgia.<\/p>\n

Returned once more.<\/p>\n

He had worked his way through the ranks of the Clergy, all the way to Cardinal. Bribed, threatened, and manipulated the College to win election at Conclave. Within six weeks of his taking office, his corruptions spread through the Church.<\/p>\n

Indulgences sold for a price.<\/p>\n

Mercy given for a favor.<\/p>\n

He claimed that the plague of Vampires on this world was due to the sins of the Church.\u00a0\u00a0 Declared divorce once again unforgiveable, homosexuals were to be banned, children of unwed mothers not to be baptized. Forgiveness was not a blessing, but could only<\/em> be earned.<\/p>\n

The hungry grew hungrier.<\/p>\n

The outcast became more disgraced.<\/p>\n

The sick became sicker.<\/p>\n

Alexander VII lived in luxury, wearing fine silks and gold crowns. His favorite Cardinals got cushy jobs, and extravagant homes, while those who opposed him were exiled and destroyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho do you think you are?\u201d The Pope stared down at the Man in White.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was given the task of protecting St. Peters Church from those outside who would bring Her harm.\u201d He paused, head raised as he looked brazenly at the Pope. \u201cOr from those who choose to corrupt Her from within.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGiovanni Auditore!\u201d<\/p>\n

He smirked wickedly. \u201cI will not have you corrupt the Vatican any further with your greed. You have no place in His Church, Rodrigo. You did not before. You do not now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you<\/em> have no power here!\u201d he growled snapping his fingers.<\/p>\n

Vatican Police and Swiss Guards moved between their Pope and the well-perceived threat.<\/p>\n

With a flare of the dramatic, the Assassin threw his hood back, revealing a familiar face to them. \u201cMy name is Ernesto Olivetti, Inspector General of Vatican Security. You know who I am. I command you men to put down your weapons, for this is not a Holy Man who was divinely Chosen, but a man who has sought power and greed for his own earthly desires.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Square went quiet.<\/p>\n

The first to bow their heads in respect and walk away were his Vatican Police. For the story was legendary within their ranks, that on the day after Pius XVII had been buried, Inspector Olivetti\u2019s office, along with his rooms in the Apostolic Palace, had been Sealed. The only thing he left behind, were his badge and gun, which were now located in the Vatican Archives.<\/p>\n

It had been rumored that when the Church most needed Her protector, he would return.<\/p>\n

Many had laughed at those who still believed.<\/p>\n

But they held onto the hope that one day it would prove true.<\/p>\n

That the Inspector would once again take charge of the Vatican, and prepare it for the safe return of Pope Patrick.<\/p>\n

The Swiss Guard hesitated, but the steel of determination in the Inspector\u2019s eyes, made them take a united step backward. They knew of the myths and legends just as much as the Vatican Police. Their histories had been intertwined for generations. It had only been until recently, with Alexander VII, that the two forces were once again separated.<\/p>\n

The few men who continued to move forward, were easily disarmed and tossed aside.<\/p>\n

None were killed. Only their pride was wounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think I would rely on loyal<\/em> guards?\u201d Rodrigo snapped his fingers, and out from the main doors behind him spilled mercenaries, armed with military grade weapons, and all wearing body armor. \u201cKill him!\u201d<\/p>\n

From the sea of Cardinals came the \u2018Brotherhood\u2019.<\/p>\n

Ezio took his place at his father\u2019s right.<\/p>\n

Alta\u00efr on Ernesto\u2019s left.<\/p>\n

Nikolai slid next to Alta\u00efr, his rifle resting on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Javert stood quietly next to Ezio, sword in hand.<\/p>\n

Aveline took point next to the Frenchman, while Shau Jun closed the flank next to the Russian.<\/p>\n

Ernesto smiled.<\/p>\n

Behind them, two men \u2013 one who had carried the name of Pius XVII and the other a Monseigneur \u2013 bowed their heads in prayer.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

*** *** *** (Re-post of Teaser from Advent 2015 – Story sets in distant Sylum Timeline) He moved with ease. For he had walked these steps a hundred thousand times before. The crowd parted. First the media. Then the people. Finally the Cardinals. The mass of red swept itself aside …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[721,137],"tags":[712],"class_list":["post-7804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ernesto-olivetti-week","category-sylum-events","tag-ernesto-olivetti-week"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Da1M-21S","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7866,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/roads-untraveled-cast-of-characters\/","url_meta":{"origin":7804,"position":0},"title":"Roads Untravelled: Cast of Characters","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"June 4, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Ernesto Olivetti *** Andrew Kiernan *** Ezio Auditore *** Pierre Chartrand *** Isabella Olivetti *** Carlos 'Cougar' Alvarez *** Nicolaus Meridius *** John Rhys *** Bonus Image: Pius XVII","rel":"","context":"In "Ernesto Olivetti Week"","block_context":{"text":"Ernesto Olivetti Week","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/ernesto-olivetti-week\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sylum_ernesto-without-name-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7345,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/update-ernesto-olivetti-week-starts-may-29th\/","url_meta":{"origin":7804,"position":1},"title":"Update: Ernesto Olivetti Week Starts – May 29th","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"April 11, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Ernest Olivetti Week \u00a0 We are officially announcing Ernesto Olivetti Appreciation Week. It will begin on May 29th. There will be a new fanmix, specialized jewelry from the Vault, an Interview with the Inspector, and a re-introduction of Roads Untraveled. To all our\u00a0Ernesto lovers, want to\u00a0contribution to Olivetti Week. \u00a0Make\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Information"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Information","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-information\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sylum_ernesto-without-name.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7883,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/ernesto-olivetti-week-wrap-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":7804,"position":2},"title":"Ernesto Olivetti Week: Wrap Up","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"June 4, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Ernesto Olivetti Week has comes to a close! *collapse onto couch* Please no one mention the name Ernesto for a while .... This became bigger than we anticipated, but have to say it turned out extremely well. Thank you to Timothy Quinn for all the hard work dealing with this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ernesto Olivetti Week"","block_context":{"text":"Ernesto Olivetti Week","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/ernesto-olivetti-week\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tumblr_inline_nlvj6hHeHx1rbyl51.gif?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7820,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-aesthetic-ernesto-olivetti\/","url_meta":{"origin":7804,"position":3},"title":"Sylum Aesthetic: Ernesto Olivetti","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"June 3, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sylum Aesthetics: Ernesto Olivetti Ernesto sighed, \"His Holiness is behind me, isn't he?\" They all nodded. \"You are so fired.\" He turned around and smiled gracious at Pope Pius XVII. \"Good morning, Your Holiness.\" \"Ernesto, have we not talked about threatening the troops?\" His reprimand apparently came with a small\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ernesto Olivetti Week"","block_context":{"text":"Ernesto Olivetti Week","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/ernesto-olivetti-week\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ernesto-Aesthetic-800x580.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ernesto-Aesthetic-800x580.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ernesto-Aesthetic-800x580.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7136,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/coming-soon-ernesto-olivetti-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":7804,"position":4},"title":"Coming Soon: Ernesto Olivetti Week","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"March 11, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sylum Blog Presents: Ernesto Olivetti Week! We'll be dedicating a whole week to our favorite Italian ... no not Nico Nico: Wait! Excuse me! Ernesto: *smirks* Ezio: Somehow I got dissed in the middle of this! \u00a0Am I not handsome? Nico: No one can see your face *flicks the hood*\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Information"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Information","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-information\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/green-screen-2-777x437.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/green-screen-2-777x437.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/green-screen-2-777x437.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/green-screen-2-777x437.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7917,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-vault-last-chance-ernesto-olivetti-collection\/","url_meta":{"origin":7804,"position":5},"title":"Sylum Vault: Last Chance – Ernesto Olivetti Collection","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"June 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Last Chance! For Sylum Vault we created a series of Jewelry Pieces for Ernesto Olivetti Week. Each piece is designed with Ernesto and Roads Untraveled in mind. \u00a0These are all unique items, and will not be duplicated. For Sylum Members, we\u2019re giving away a Free Pair of Meridius Tree Earrings\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Vault"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Vault","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-vault\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ernesto_Week_Jewerly-800x533.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ernesto_Week_Jewerly-800x533.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ernesto_Week_Jewerly-800x533.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7804\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}