Magnificent Mr. Auditore

Since you have inspired a strong desire in me to revisit the archives of the past, and created a whelming yearn for me to write in doing so, I fear you may become weary of my letters. If my words become exhausted in duration, or verbose in detail, you may think best not to reply despite my good will. I am pleased that you have finished gallivanting around the Mediterranean and reside humbly with your family along the Tuscan countryside. Many astonishing works have been accomplished by your hands, and by your hands, shaped the future of humanity, and as such have stirred the affection in my heart.

I understand you and the compass by which you navigate, and if your actions could be condemned, which they cannot, I would not condemn them. I see the end these deeds have taken you and with what hope they nourish you. However, I cannot see with your mirror, where nothing is seen but prudence, but I see with the eyes of a player, who is obliged to judge the result of the affairs when they are finished. Each man according to his own imagination guides himself. And I see various kinds of conduct bringing about the same thing in the future, as by various roads one comes to the same place, and many who work differently attain the same goal. With that goal in mind, one must travel the road that best suits his ambition, and if that purpose is cruel or unmerciful, then the end must be justified. I offer commendation for your actions, and beseech you to view them with approval.

What sort of life have I been living you ask, I shall tell you. Although I pretend to work and do the biding of my employer, in reality I access the world wide consortium, there I ask about the recent news, learn of various new games, and compel myself with the interests of friends. Within the course of the hours I partake in the days events. Play immediately sinks into vulgarities, bringing upon a thousand insults with offensive profanities between those who have common interests. These disputes trifle over measly scores and paltry achievements. It is a wondrous thing to consider how blind players are to the things which they fail, and what sharp persecutors they are to vices they do not have. So trivial are these discussions that I must keep my mind from growing moldy and gladly return home.

Once I arrive home I fasten the door and confide to my game room. There, I delve into the great adventures that have endeared my inherent interests over the years. I am received with grand affection, I feed on those adventures which are only mine, and which I was born to play. For several hours I will not feel boredom, I forget every trouble, I do not dread solitude, and I am not frightened by death; I give myself entirely to play. There must be a beginning of any great matter, but continuing unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory. The games speak to me.

I do not wish to omit giving you notice of our dearest friend Niccolo. He demonstrated such fine qualities in life, and great love for his city of Florence. What better place and time for the birth of a man who looked into the hearts of men, saw much love and mire, and spoke of it to the ages to follow. He left behind many brilliant writings, the anthology of which I shall not make you suffer except for one. It is a short book, dedicated to a man who acts boldly and acts alone, a man who is tightfisted and generous, loved and feared, a true friend, and a true enemy. He is strong like a lion, and cunning like a fox. Ezio, you are the man Niccolo wrote about, you are the Armed Prophet--the prince. I feel certain that your virtue and fortune were posthumous inspirations.

Ezio, will it be, after a thousand years, a reprehensible thing to write something else than stories of your life? Will it be that the reputation of the past is overwritten by the esteem of the present? Are those who cannot remember the past condemned to repeat it? I lay aside every irrational hesitation and beg you to help me straighten out the confusion in my head. I say, let players be the victor by the means they see fit, and you shall attend to your affairs in your own way, I shall miss you.

Farewell,

Terrascythe