The Assassins, rightfully, realised that they did not have much of a meaningful choice in this situation. They could no longer go back to the Brotherhood, they were effectively exiled and worse, hunted. Staying without allegiance in the perturbed and chaotic Florence was not just foolish, but also incredibly wasteful for two young talents who could have aided the righteous cause instead. Thankfully, the decision did not come too difficult for them and soon enough they both accepted Luciano's offer.
“You chose well.” The Templar's expression shifted into a small smile now that the tensions were relieved and he shook hands with both of his new associates. His plan worked out perfectly. Not only did he successfully mislead the entire Assassin Brotherhood to go against their own, he also managed to rat out their informant [i]and[/i] gain the—at least partial—trust and the willing partnership of Elena and Alessandro. It could not have gone better for the Order. [i]Finally[/i] something. Luciano knew he needed many more of such victories if he was to fully re-establish the imbalanced Templar hold over Florence.

He was even more delighted to hear that the two were already thinking about the next move. It seemed like their sense of duty was greater than their sense of belonging—which made the acquisition even better. They would prove to be valuable allies and invaluable assets, he was certain.
“Good thinking.” He nodded when presented with Elena's idea. “It is a common interest for us and the warden to have this matter dealt with discreetly. I would assume he wishes the two of you to be out of his watch as soon as possible. He will gladly carry out this last little request...”
They were so carried away with the immediate planning that they even forgot about the basics, such as an introduction.
“Luciano de Vicari. [i]Il mio amico[/i] is Emerico Azzopardo.” the Templar requited the gesture. “Although I believe names only matter when one cannot be defined by their actions. None of us have that problem here.” With that, he turned, but did not beckon them to follow again. “I think nothing else remains to be done here. I will go ahead and speak with the warden. Succeed where those two Assassins failed, so to say. You should go and get ready to leave the [i]Le Stinche[/i] for good. Get a better outfit or maybe some food and drink. I'll leave it up to you. I shall meet you at the gates.”

He waited for them to leave first, then stepped out of the door himself. The guarding Emerico was waiting for him.
“They've just left. Did everything go well?” he asked.
“They are our allies now. We'll work together from now on,” Luciano replied, clearly satisfied.
“[i]Ottimo.[/i] Where are we heading now?”
“Back to the warden. Not everyone needs to know that they have made it through the attack unscathed...”

In their rather uneventful search for the prison leader throughout the fairly large facility, they discussed many matters, from the mundane to the important. The two Templars have not seen each other for several days, there was plenty to catch up on.
“Are you sure we can trust them?” Emerico asked suddenly, switching the topic in question.
“Trust who?”
“The Assas—[i]former[/i] Assassins. I mean... They turned fairly quickly. I've been to...the dungeons before. Some needed to be kept there for months before they broke and even then it was better killing them off sometimes.” The apprentice, though not as seasoned of a member as Luciano, has already been to many Templar-affiliated places throughout Italy as part of his journeys.
“Do you have any specific reason to think as such?”
“Nothing in particular. I just need to know I can trust those I work with...”
“That's just what betrayal does to people, Emerico. It opens their eyes to see the world in a different way.” Luciano did not see it fit to reveal his pivotal role in the situation. Some things were simply better off not known. “Something similar happened to me as well. And look at where I am now. Sometimes, all people need is a spark...and then they can take it from there.”
“Wise words, [i]mentore.[/i] What matters is where you end up, not where you start.”
“Exactly.”

In the end, they did finally stumble upon the warden, who just finished talking with another, seemingly important prison officer.
“Not you again, [i]tagliagoli...[/i]” He sighed upon seeing the two Templars. “What can you bother me with this time?”
“[i]Mi dispiace veramente, Messere,[/i]” Luciano apologised. “You will not have to bear our presence for much longer, I promise.”
“So? What is this about?” The man did not tolerate others wasting his time, especially not now when he still had so much to do.
“Our two prisoners.”
“They've brought nothing but trouble and ruin.” He motioned dismissively. “If you want to take them away from here, go and do it.”
“We will. But first we have one final thing to ask...” 
Luciano leaned closer and whispered the next words.
“Is that it?”
“Yes. If you can assure us that you can create a believable cover, you'll never have to hear from them again—they'll be dead, after all.”
“It can be done. But it'll cost you...”
“How much?”
“Not in [i]fiorini[/i], mind you. I want you and the rest of your agents to draw out of the [i]Le Stinche[/i] for good. This is a place for exerting justice imposed by the holy tribunal of Firenze. It will not be used in your diabolical schemes...”
“You might...overestimate your power here, [i]buon signore,[/i]” Luciano warned him. Though weakened, the Templar Order was still a force to be reckoned with. Not something one wanted to anger if they held their life dearly...
“Do you want your precious friends covered or not?” The warden clearly took delight in being able to negotiate on his own terms.
“Fine. Just do it. The Order will stay away from this place...while you are in power.”
That latter fact might have needed to be changed shortly, Luciano thought before thanking the man for the cooperation and leaving towards the gate with Emerico.

They were the first to arrive outside. Elena and Alessandro were still busy within the walls, it seemed. As they waited for the two at the large prison gate, they were suddenly approached by a wheezing young man in simple clothing, a small bag attached to his side. A courier.
“[i]Ser[/i] de Vicari!” he called out to Luciano.
“What is it?” The Templar stepped down to the courier in surprise.
“You have a letter.” The boy handed him a sealed message. “They've asked me to carry it to you with the greatest urgency. But I was stopped at this gate. The guards didn't want to let me in!”
“A letter, hmm? From who?”
“That I can't know. But it is strictly only for your reading. But if you excuse me now, I have more to deliver. [i]Buon giorno, Messere![/i]”
“Just a moment, please...” Luciano turned to Emerico, who nodded, then went on a slow walk as he opened up the seal.

[i]De Vicari,

Antonio Maffei is dead. The Auditore Assassin killed him, just like he murdered Francesco. He is a man with nothing to lose...and now that that bastardo Lorenzo cleared his name, he is free to hunt. The rest are still hiding, but I am afraid it is only a matter of time. I would send you after him, but I cannot afford to lose another good man. At least while he is busy with the conspirators, he will leave the rest of our operations alone. Mainly, your search for another Piece of Eden, which I am certain is already fruitful. Those fools have disappointed me more than enough...do not follow in their stead.

Contact me only if you have something to show. Otherwise, hurry up. Time is ticking and I want results.

R.B.[/i]

Luciano angrily folded the letter back into his pocket. He did not like being rushed, not even by the Grand Master. He would have results, but it could not happen overnight. Though the news of this already-infamous Assassin worried him as well... He wondered how dangerous he could be if even Rodrigo did not dare sending someone directly after him. He wished their paths would only cross once...an encounter only one of them would walk away alive from.

He headed back to Emerico.
“What was in it?” the apprentice asked curiously.
“We need to get to work immediately. Where are those two...?”
As if they were called, he suddenly spotted the two Assassins approaching them, done with whatever business they still had to do in the Le Stinche.
“Excellent. Come, we cannot waste another minute.”
He was still unsure of [i]what[/i] exactly they would set out to do...but they were going to do it regardless. The group of four headed to the gate, the patrolling guards opening it for Luciano.

It was time to begin.