The sun began to tire in the wide Florentine sky, painting the landscape a mixture of oranges and pinks as sunset soon approached. Each of the party had been in their position for quite some time now, Elena and Emerico, having been hidden from the sight of most passerby, hadn't moved very much, and instead had stayed put to become familiar with their zones and note any suspicious change in them. 

Alessandro, however, was wide in the public eye sitting in the square. And, short of being a drunkard passed out on the bench, sitting in the exact same spot for hours upon hours staring at those who walked by made himself look quite suspect. So, he took it upon himself to move about the area every so often, from the small shops that were set up across the square from the Santa Trinita to even approaching the church when the priest appeared on the steps, making small talk with him and picking out any useful bits he could before bidding the Father farewell. 

All still remained calm, and getting even quieter as the square cleared with dusk arriving and the common folk heading home for the evening. Alessandro found his way back to the bench he started the afternoon on, sitting still and keeping a watchful eye for any interesting characters entering the square. 

At the back of the Trinita, Elena found it a suitable time to move to higher ground. The reddish-orange light that illuminated the Tuscan sky turned most things into a dark silhouette, giving her enough cover to climb atop the church without drawing any attention to herself now. Once there, she found a suitable place to watch the back entrance. 

It did not take long after the sun began to swing below the horizon before the stillness that came with the sunset was disrupted by some dubious looking characters. At the front of the place, two men approached the church rather direct and in what seemed to be a haste. They kept their heads low, and their voices too. Alessandro watched them carefully as they entered the church before giving a whistle from his lips. 

His call was heard by both Elena and Emerico. The latter of which had heard the footsteps and low voices enter the church, and was cautiously spying from the windows at the side as the two who entered walked down the aisles of pews and to the stairs that presumably led to the basement. He awaited a second call before moving in, but his hand was ready on his blade. 

Elena kept her eyes on the back entrance, knowing whomever was meeting the group at the front would likely be taking a different approach to the Santa Trinita. It took several more minutes, her eyes adjusting to the darkening courtyard, but a figure was spotted entering from one corner and approaching. She waited until they entered, giving a few more seconds, and then sent out her own whistle before dropping down off the roof. 

The three met at the side entrance of the building. 

"How many from the front?" Elena questioned Alessandro. 
"Two, and no more that I have seen bordering the area, though it is likely they are hiding around." 
"I saw them head to the basement of the church." Emerico provided. 
Elena nodded. "I had one enter from the back. This must be a real meeting, simple exchanging of information and orders. They had too many men that they lost last night I am sure. We should get in there and find out what we can." The other two nodded, and the three entered the church stealthily. "Alessandro, you remain here to quell any more late arrivals who could spoil the fun." Elena suggested. He nodded and took a spot hidden behind a curtain where the choir would sit. 
"We move down and stay out of sight, get as much information as we can, [i]si[/i]?" 
Emerico nodded and the two moved quietly downstairs until they could hear the voices convening.

[i]"Corradin, nice to finally meet you."
"Enough with pleasantries, la Volpe wants to know what progress has been made with stopping the Templar encroachment on our districts."
"Well, we are doing our best to undermine them. But they are growing in power, the are moving in faster than we can foil their plans. But the Brotherhood is corresponding with us, which is helping."
"Yes, la Volpe is working with one of the Assassins now to stop more of the heavy Templar influence in Florence. But it is you who needs to keep the petty growth from spreading through our streets. He is not happy. When he returns from Rome, there is going to be much change."
"W-w-well, he will be pleased to know! We successfully took out one of Borgia's top men! We led him to an ambush, Marciano tricked him, he thought it to be this meeting! That will certainly slow down the Templare growth with such a gap in the ranks!"[/i]

Silence followed this comment, and Elena immediately looked at Emerico, who's face had turned to stone. She shot him a look of warning, begging him not to blow their cover. [i]You will have your revenge.[/i] She mouthed. 

[i]"Is this certain?"
"Yes, he fell into the bubbling Arno with a knife in him. He did not resurface."
".... Very well, I shall tell la Volpe. He will be pleased, but expect him back from Rome in three week's time with more orders. I suggest we make more progress before then."
"Yes, signore."[/i]

Elena shoved Emerico to head back up the stairs. Amazingly, they did so quietly, and as they arrived on the main floor Alessandro joined them before they exited the building into the now dark night. 

Emerico looked as one would expect after finding out their friend and leader had met a tragic end. Elena looked at him and put a steady hand on him. 

"Emerico, we do not know if this is true. Either way, you can have your revenge. We did what we came here to do, got the information Luciano sent us to get. Now it is time for us to leave here before we get caught, then we will decide what to do with what we have learned. I beg of you to keep your head straight just a little while longer." 

The three ducked into an ally and headed away from the Santa Trinita.