‘You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen, Uncle.’

‘Just be sure to stay alive, then, that I may hear of them. Listen: I’ve stabled some horses just beyond Saint Peter’s, outside the precincts of the Vatican. Once we reach them we’ll be able to make our way safely from here.’

‘The Borgia will try to stop us, I expect.’

Mario flashed a broad grin. ‘Of course they will - and I expect the Borgia to mourn the loss of many lives tonight!’

In the chapel, Ezio and his uncle were surprised to find themselves faced with a number of priests, who had returned to complete the Mass interrupted by Ezio’s confrontation with the Pope as he and Rodrigo had battled for control of the Pieces of Eden they had discovered.

The priests confronted them angrily, surrounding them and clamouring, ‘Che cosa fate ’qui? - What are you doing here?’ They yelled, ‘You have desecrated the sanctity of this Holy Place!’ And: ‘Assassini! God will see that you pay for your crimes!’

As Mario and Ezio pushed their way through the angry throng, the bells of Saint Peter’s began to ring the alarm.

‘You condemn what you do not understand,’ said Ezio to a priest who was trying to bar their way. The softness of the man’s body repelled him and he shoved him aside as gently as possible.

‘We must go, Ezio,’ said Mario urgently. ‘Now!’

‘His is the voice of the Devil,’ another priest’s voice rang out.

And another said, ‘Turn away from them.’

Ezio and Mario pushed their way through the mob and out into the great courtyard of the church. There they were confronted by a sea of red robes. It seemed that the entire college of cardinals was assembled, confused, but still under the dominion of Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, captain of the Association of the Templars.

‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,’ the cardinals were chanting, ‘but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, and the shield of Faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.’