"My uncle lives out in the country," Ezio replied. "Our first stop is going to be there." Because he wanted Mario to test Anna before they went anywhere else, just to make sure her skills were up to par.

Anna nodded with a little sigh. "When are you planning on leaving?" She still wasn't pleased, but she was resigned. Although getting out into the countryside would be beautiful, she was sure.

"Within the week," Ezio replied. That would give him enough time to have Leo give his weapons a once-over to make sure they were in good shape before they left.

Anna nodded. She'd have to pack up her things and find a bag to shove them all in, but she could deal with that. It wouldn't be too bad. And she'd get to see the Italian countryside.

Iris also wasn't sure what she thought about splitting up to travel. She liked to travel, of course, but she wasn't so sure about going without Anna. That hadn't ever happened since they'd become friends, so it was strange.

Anna was reluctant to leave, but she got her things packed up and was ready to go when Ezio told her it was time to go.

"Well. I guess I'll see you in a few months." Anna looked at Iris.

Iris nodded, and went over to hug Anna, being careful of both her blades and Anna's.

"Tell me all about it when you get back," she said. "I want to know everything."

"Same with you." Anna hugged her tighter briefly. "Besides, we still have meet up in France somehow to get good chocolate and that pastry chef."

"Belguim's chocolate is better," Iris reminded, grinning. "And Switzerland's. And Germany's. But yeah, we have to find a way to France to find a pastry chef. I want a proper crepe."

"No kidding." Anna grinned and let go. "I'll see you in a few months, then."

Altair waited patiently for Iris to be done so they could get going. He had a few horses waiting for them already anyway.

Once Anna was gone, Iris grabbed her own bag (filled with what little she had) and met Altair outside. And promptly thanked every deity she knew of that she knew how to ride a horse.

Altair looked over at her after getting up onto his horse, waiting for her to be ready to go. They had a ways to go, so he wasn't going to set a gruelling pace.

Iris got up onto her own horse as well, sitting remarkably well. At least, she thought so. She was no expert horseman or anything. Once she was settled, she looked back at Altair.

Altair nodded and started his horse at a trot, leading the way. It would take them a few days to get to their current destination, but he didn't mind the journey. And Venice was closer than he'd thought to Masyaf.

Although there was no way he was taking a boat over there. It just wasn't going to happen. He preferred horses now, thanks much.

Iris turned her horse and followed him. Oh yes, she was going to be sore tomorrow. She wasn't used to riding horses as transportation. For fun, yes. To get somewhere, no.

As expected, it took them a little while to get to the first stopping point, and then Altair decided they could rest for a few days. Iris was starting to look road-weary already, and he'd noticed her wincing a lot. So he'd give her muscles a day to recover, and then she wouldn't hurt so badly for the next leg of the trip.

Anna had to stop and stare a little at Monterriggioni. "Your uncle lives here?" This was pretty out in the country. And the town really wasn't that big.

Oh yes, Iris was sore. She swore that when she got back to Venice she would personally explain how a combustion engine worked and would make Leo build her one. She needed a car.

Ezio nodded.

"Indeed," he replied. Monterriggioni was home for a little while, and he knew he was always welcome.

Altair got them a room at an inn for the next two days and tied their horses up. "Come. We're staying here for the moment." He looked at Iris for a few moments.

"Huh." Anna shrugged and nudged her horse into a walk again, heading further into the town. She could see a few people greeting Ezio cheerfully, and she just shrugged it off, glancing at him for directions.

Iris gratefully handed off her horse to him and followed him inside. As soon as she saw her empty bed, she flopped over onto it with a soft groan.

Ezio returned the greetings he received as he headed towards the manor. Once they got close, he detoured towards the stables, gesturing for Anna to follow him.

Altair looked at her for a few moments, going over to his own bed. "A bath will help," he said, hoping that would be enough to prod her over towards the bathroom.

Anna followed him and got off carefully. Yeah, she was sore, and she was not pleased with having been on a horse for that long. She grimaced and took a few moments to just stretched out so she wouldn't be walking quite so funny.

"I don't want to move," Iris mumbled into the pillow. She had muscles throbbing all over the place.

Ezio was much more used to traveling by horse, and walked easily up to the main doors of the manor. Time to say hello to his uncle.

Altair shook his head and went to go prepare a bath. By the time he had the water heated he figured she'd be feeling energetic enough to get in.

Because if she wasn't he'd just have to help her, and he doubted she'd appreciate his brand of help.

It took Anna a few moments longer to be able to get up and follow him inside, grimacing in discomfort. Ow. She was going to stab him for this.

Iris managed to move herself enough to strip off the first layer or so of her clothes, but not more than that. She still didn't want to drag herself off the bed, not until her legs stopped screaming at her. And that might be a while.

Ezio paused at the door to wait for Anna. He wouldn't let her get lost in the manor, and besides, his uncle would want to see her.

Altair moved back into the bedroom. "Bath's ready," he said, looking at her and raising an eyebrow. "I suggest you move before I make you."

Anna scowled at him again, only the littlest bit wobbly as she followed him inside. She was blaming him for this, completely and entirely.

"But that requires getting up," Iris mumbled as she made herself sit up. She winced a bit.

"You will be allowed to go rest soon," Ezio said as he went with her through the halls. "We just need to let my uncle know we are here."