Siege of Monteriggioni

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The Fall of Monteriggioni was a series of events leading up to an engagement between the Borgia, under the command of Cesare Borgia, and the Auditore which took place in January, 1500.

Return from the Vatican

"Steel yourself, Ezio. They will have many questions."

―Mario to Ezio, before returning to the villa.

After Master Assassin EzioAuditore had encountered Minerva, one of Those Who Came Before, who, through Ezio, deliver the mysterious prophecy to his future descendant Desmond Miles in the Vault under the Vatican. Ezio emerged from the inner Vault to he main camber, where he battled Rodrigo Borgia before proceeding to open the Vault. However Rodrigo was missing, and the Staff still secured in the camber floor, attempting to force to Staff from the ground Ezio activated something, forcing the Staff into the heart of the Vault. Subsequently the whole chamber plummeted down, to which Ezio was then greeted by his uncle, Mario Auditore.

Climbing up from the Vault Ezio and Mario made there escape through Rome until they reached a nearby tower, upon climbing it Ezio held the Apple over Tiber river, however he was unable to get rid of such a powerful artifact, deciding to temporarily give the Apple to Mario until decided it's fate the two quickly peformed a Leap of Faith and returned to their home, Monteriggioni, in the Tusany countryside.

Ezio and Mario conversed about what Ezio had learned in the Vault, though Mario assured him that many of the things that the mysterious figure had mentioned would occure in the future, thus they need not worry about it. As they came within sight of the town, Ezio was slightly startled by a cannon ball impacting the ground near them, and Mario explained that his mercenaries were merely testing out the cannons they had installed during Ezio's absence. Entering Monteriggioni, Ezio and Mario were joyously greeted by the townspeople on their return.

Ezio and Mario, riding back to Monteriggioni.

Arriving at the foot of the Villa Auditore, the two were welcomed by Claudia Auditore, Ezio's sister, who told Ezio of Caterina Sforza's presence in Monteriggioni. Claudia then asked if what Ezio had started was finally finished, to which Ezio replied that he would explain everything to both her and the others later in Mario's study. As Claudia left, Mario told Ezio to prepare himself for many questions, before going back into the Villa.

Before entering the Villa, Ezio helped some of the townspeople; and while doing so, he learned of Claudia's birthday party that would take place the next day in the Villa. After helping the townspeople and some of Mario's mercenaries by delivering flowers to the Villa Auditore and testing out the new cannons himself, Ezio headed off to the Villa. Caterina Sforza stood waiting in the main hall of the villa, and she greeted Ezio with glee. Caterina explained that she had come to Monteriggioni seeking the assistance of their mercenaries to defend Forli against the Papal army. Ezio told Caterina that they would discuss things after the meeting at Mario's study, to which she agreed.

Reunion

Ezio arrived at the study, where Claudia, his mother, Mario, and Niccolò Machiavelli were waiting. Ezio told them of what he had seen in the Vault, and of his confrontation with the Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia. He spoke of the "moving portrait" of the goddess Minerva, who had told Ezio about a disaster that would occur in the distant future, as well as the existence of Temples that could aid humanity. After her message, she had called out to a phantom named Desmond, much to Ezio's confusion. After this, the goddess had disappeared.

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Ezio and Caterina, in Ezio's room.

The others were astounded by Ezio's discoveries, and Claudia asked if the goddess had appeared human. Ezio told her that she had, though her words proved otherwise. Mario asked who Desmond was, and where the Temples that Minerva mentioned were. Ezio could not provide the answer to either. Machiavelli asked Ezio how it had ended with Rodrigo, if he had begged for mercy or had offered him power. Ezio told him that none of these happened, for he had allowed Rodrigo to live. Enraged, Machiavelli told Ezio that sparing him was a mistake. Ezio attempted to explain why he had spared Rodrigo, saying that they should forget the past and focus more on the future, but Machiavelli disagreed vehemently with him, and abruptly left for Rome.

As Machiavelli left, Mario tried to comfort Ezio with his decision, stating that he trusted his decisions. After this, Ezio left the study and returned to his room. There, he undressed and bathed, and was soon by Caterina, who "comforted" him. After the bath, Ezio and Caterina continued their "activities" in bed, which lasted until dawn.

Siege

"We've had too much bloodshed. I think a cleansing is in order. So consider this as an invitation from my family...to yours!"

―Cesare Borgia, moments before killing Mario.

Monteriggioni under fire.

As they finish, Caterina asked Ezio if he wants to "go again". Ezio replied that she need not to ask. As they were about to begin, cannon fire can be heard from the outside. When Caterina wondered aloud what it was, Ezio assumed it was just the mercenaries training with the new cannons. This was proven wrong, as a cannon ball tore through the windows of Ezio's room, hitting the armor of his ancestor. Surprised, Ezio got out of bed and dressed himself for combat. Taking up a common sword and his hidden blade, while dressed in common clothes, Ezio headed out of the villa through the wall blown open by cannon fire. Caterina leaves the room through the stairs and tells Ezio that she will assist the civilians. After this, the two part ways.

What greeted Ezio was the site of Monteriggioni, under cannon fire, with buildings and structures burning and falling apart. As his eyes wandered, Ezio sees a cannon ball headed his way, which he barely dodged. Ezio falls off the roof of the Villa, but was able to recover quickly. He was then helped up by his uncle, quickly informed Ezio that the Borgia were the invading force. Ezio wondered they did not see the this coming during the night, to which Mario replied that they must have taken a alternative route to the east. As the Villa sustained more damage, Mario instructed Ezio to climb the battlements of the city and assist the mercenaries as the villagers flee. Mario told Ezio that he will lead a frontal assault against the Borgia infantry.

Ezio asked his uncle if he had the Apple, to which he replied that he is keeping it safe. After this, the two bid each other safety and farewell, before Ezio tells Mario to be careful, with Mario reassuring him that he will be, the two then departed. Ezio, with haste, dropped off the villa's courtyard and landed onto nearby a horse, where he rode across the city as it fell apart. Arriving at the side of the city walls, a building collapsed, which caused Ezio's horse to trip over and die. Ezio dismounts just in time, and proceeds to climb up a ladder leading directly to the battlements, after a small delay from a cannonball impacting the walls. Ezio then made his way to the mounted cannons.

Ezio proceed the use of the cannons to destroy the Borgia cannon while also hitting approaching siege tower, which after sustaining enough damage collapsed. As Ezio and the mercenaries defended the city, the townspeople flee to safety of the villa. After all the townspeople fleed to safety, the inevitability of the Borgia to breach the city walls happened sooner that expected, as one siege towers successfully breached the oppisite side of the city walls. One of the mercenaries took Ezio's place as the cannoneer, Ezio then directly ran through the battlement to aid the mercenaries being assaulted be attacking soldiers.

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Cesare Borgia, holding the Apple of Eden alongside his sister

Ezio killed the commanding soldier from above and disposed off the remain attacker. As he did, the inevitable happened, the Borgia breached the city gates, his uncle Mario arriving at the city gates, barely alive. Who followed was Cesare Borgia, aside him his sister, Lucrezia, also being accompanied by his general and a large number of soldiers. Cesare called out for Ezio's attention, stating that he knew of him and his "little group" of Assassins, and also the Apple. Ezio rushed to Mario, as Cesare quickly snatched the Pistol fashioned by the assassin's friend, and points it to Mario's head. Claiming that a cleansing is in order, Cesare shoots Mario with the gun, serving as the invitation of the Borgia to the Auditore. Subsequently, Ezio was shot across the left shoulder and stomach by several of the arquebusiers positioned at the city walls, which causes Ezio to fall of the building unconsciousness.

Escaping the city

"Basta! (Stop) I can walk."

―Ezio to the mercanaries dragging him, Monteriggioni 1500

Waking up, Ezio is greeted by the site of two mercenaries, dragging him across to safety. Ezio abruptly demanded them to let go, stating that he can stand on his own. As he did, the Borgia's soldiers arrive to finish off what they began. Knowing he cannot handle the guards alone, Ezio called for the mercenaries to aid him, without much effort, Ezio and the mercenaries made their way to the villa, to meet up with Claudia.

The escape passage constructed at the Sanctuary.

As he made his way through the city rubble, Ezio arrives at the villa, at the site Claudia and a group of mercenaries are being assaulted by more soldiers. Ezio and his group of mercenaries assisted them, and successfully fended them off. With haste, the group made their way to the Sanctuary, still being constantly assaulted by Borgia guards. Eventually, Ezio made his way to the Sanctuary, after being greeted by one of the thieves of Monteriggioni. The thief told Ezio that they thought he was dead. Before Ezio closed the passage to the sanctuary, the thief left to aid the other factions assisting Ezio. After this, Ezio locked the secret door to the hidden passage, before meeting up with Claudia, Maria and the towns people

Ezio, there, led the escape through a long, perilous passage constructed behind his ancestor's statue, that leads to the outside of the northern walls. After a long journey, navigating through the complex structure and dealing with the guards that managed to catch up with the group, Ezio and the other civilians managed to escape the city, by that time the Borgia assumed Ezio was dead and began to recall their invading forces.

Aftermath

Claudia: "You're not coming with us? Where are you riding?"

Ezio: "To Roma."

—Ezio and Claudia, before Ezio rides off to Rome.

While asking for a horse, Ezio instructed Claudia to take their mother back to Florence. Claudia asked where he was headed, to which he replied that he was going to Rome. As the civilians leave the area, and as Maria bids her son farewell, Ezio rides off to Rome.

As Ezio travels the countryside, he grows weaker and weaker from his injury, and falls off his horse and passes out on the road. After a while, Ezio woke up, dazed and covered in bandages. He was greeted by the sight of a kindly woman, who nursed him back to health. There, she told him that a man took him there and left new equipment for him to use. After this, the woman instructs Ezio to meet up with Niccolò Machiavelli at the Mausoleo di Augusto.

The liberation of Rome has begun.

Trivia

• In the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel there are some significant differences during the siege: Mario is shot in the nape then later beheaded. Cesare then finds Ezio escaping the Auditore Family Crypt and reveals the head to him, screaming: "You'll be next!". Ezio and Cesare first confront each other during the siege instead of 1503 in Rome. Ezio is shot by Octavian de Valois instead of the arquebusiers.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood