Romagna Holiday



"Go! It's me they want!"

- Ezio ordered Leonardo da Vinci.

Romagna Holiday is a memory within Assassin's Creed II in which Ezio was at the reins of a two-horse carriage, Leonardo da Vinci was hiding within the carriage with his paintings and inventions, and mounted Templar guards were in hot pursuit behind them. Once completed, Ezio may visit the area in which he had driven the carriage, through the Appenine Mountains.

Gameplay
Ezio came across Leonardo with a broken carriage, at the very beginning of the trail to Forli through the Appenine Mountains. His friend greeted him joyfully and explained that his carriage had become damaged, and that though he knew how to fix the problem, he did not have the means.

Ezio offered to help and Leonardo asked him to lift the wagon. Ezio did so with no obvious sign of stress and noticed Leonardo's Flying Machine prototype inside, though at the time he did not know what it was. They discussed the invention until the wagon had been fixed, and the inventor claimed that he could make a man fly. Ezio laughed at the idea and offered to drive the carriage to Forli.

As the two drove along the Mountain path, Leonardo exclaimed about the beautiful weather and the countryside. Ezio suddenly quietened him and looked around. Without warning, a squad of horsemen begin to run down the slower carriage. Ezio whipped the horses into greater speed and urged Leonardo to hide inside. A chase began as they drove downhill, the horsemen attempting to climb onto the carriage and attack Ezio from behind and Archers firing arrows that exploded into pools of liquid fire that Ezio managed to avoid.

He shook the soldiers off the carriage by allowing it to rock from side to side, and forced the horses to gallop over a bridge at the point of collapsing, as ambushing men had set fire to it before their arrival. The chase continued for some time, but eventually Ezio threw himself from the carriage and ordered Leonardo to continue to Forli without him. As Leonardo obliged, the Assassin fought and killed the remaining Templar soldiers.

Dialogue
Ezio: Leonardo!

Leonardo: ''Ezio? What luck! I... er, have run into a bit of trouble.''

Ezio: Let me see if I can help.

Leonardo: ''I know how to fix it, but lack the means to do so. If you could just lift the wagon?''

(Ezio lifts the wagon, glancing into the interior.)

Ezio: What is this thing?

Leonardo: Eh?

Ezio: It looks like a giant bat.

Leonardo: Oh, nothing, just an idea I've been working on. *Ezio put the carriage down* I could not leave it behind.

Ezio: What is it for?

Leonardo: Well, I shouldn't really talk about it... al diavolo (To hell with it)'', I can't hold it in any more! Ezio, I think I have figured out how to make a man fly!''

Ezio: *laughs* Come on, I'll drive.

Leonardo: But I haven't even told you where I'm going? (Both climb into the carriage and set off.)

Leonardo: Venezia (Venice)'', such a beautiful city. So many sources of inspiration! Ponte de Rialto, Piazzo San Marco, L'Arsenale-''

(Ezio shushes Leonardo.)

Leonardo: What's wrong?

Ezio: We're not alone. (Ezio urges the horses into a gallop.)

Leonardo: ''What's happening? Who are they?''

Ezio: Rodrigo Borgia's men.

Leonardo: ''Why? What do they want with us?''

(An arrow strikes the seat between them.)

Ezio:'' I think they want us dead. Leonardo, hide!'' (Leonardo climbs inside of the carriage, Ezio stays out to direct the horses.)

Leonardo: ''They're trying to climb on board! Knock them off! Ezio, someone's on top! Do sharp turns to make the carriage roll! Ezio! Watch out behind you! Do something!''

Ezio: ''Hold on tight! This is going to be a little rough!'' (They ride over a burning bridge.)

Leonardo: ''Hold on, Ezio! We're almost there!''

Ezio: ''Go, Leonardo! They're here for me, not you! I'll catch up with you later!'' (Ezio jumps off to face the guards alone.)

Outcome
After the remaining Borgia guards are dealt with, Ezio continued his journey to Romagna.