Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 30

The Doge of Venice in 1481 was Giovanni Mocenigo, and under his steady policies the city was generally quite pleasant.They lived in peace with the Turks, their cities prospered, their trade routes, both by sea and land, were secured, and the banks charged notoriously high interest rates, but investment remained favorable and depositors were satisfied.The church there is also very rich, and the artists also have both spiritual and material support.The city originated from the plundering of Constantinople after the Fourth Crusade, when Governor Dandolo conquered the Byzantine Empire with the power of the Crusaders, and shamelessly displayed their spoils: Among them The most conspicuous are the four bronze horse statues lined up along the front wall of St. Mark's Basilica.

On that early summer morning, Leonardo and Ezio, visiting Venice for the first time, were unaware of the city's sordid and treacherous past.All they saw was the pink marble and masonry of the magnificent Doge's Palace, the wide square stretching forward and to the left, the astonishingly high brick bell tower, and the slender Venetians in dark clothes: they seemed Shuttle across the land like shadows, or sail up and down the maze of fetid canals, in elegant gondolas or ugly barges loaded with all kinds of goods, ranging from fruit to bricks.

Count da Pesaro's servants took over Leonardo's luggage, Ezio's horses at his cue, and promised to arrange suitable accommodation for the Florentine banker's son.Then the servants dispersed, leaving only a sallow, plump young man with blistered eyes, his shirt soaked with sweat, and a smile that would put molasses to shame.

"Your Excellency," he stepped forward with a smirk, "please allow me to introduce myself. I am Nero, and I am dedicated to receiving guests for the Earl. My duty is to take the two of you for a short tour of the place we are proud of. City, and then the count will..." At this point, Nero's eyes moved nervously between Leonardo and Ezio, trying to confirm who was the artist who accepted the commission, and finally he chose to look Not so Leonardo of action. "...to receive you, Mr. Leonardo, and have a drink with you before dinner, and the location is chosen in the servant hall." He bowed and added: "Our gondola is waiting for you ..."

For the next half hour, Ezio and Leonardo half-forced to admire the beauty of Venice.They toured the city from a vantage point on a gondola skilfully steered by bow and stern gondoliers.But the fun was spoiled by Nero's eloquence.Although Ezio was intrigued by the unique and beautiful architecture here, he was drenched and exhausted from his previous rescue of Lady Caterina.He wanted to take a nap while taking advantage of Nero's dull monologue, but he woke up suddenly.Something caught his attention.

Ezio heard shouts coming from the embankment of the canal, not far from the Palace of the Marquis de Ferrara.Two armed guards are harassing a trader.

"Sir, you should have stayed at home," said one of the guards.

"I've paid the rent. I have the right to sell here."

"Sorry, sir, but this violates Lord Emilio's new regulations. I'm afraid your violation is quite serious."

"I want to appeal to the Council of Ten!"

"You don't have time, sir," said another guard, kicking over the awning of the stall.The man sold leather goods, and the guards pocketed the best ones and threw the rest into the canal.

"Don't say such absurd words next time, sir." After finishing speaking, the two guards swaggered away.

"What's going on here?" Ezio asked Nero.

"Nothing, sir. It's just a small local problem. Please ignore it. Now we are going to pass under the famous Rialto bridge, the only bridge on the Grand Canal, with... "

Ezio didn't mind the poor man continuing to talk, but what he saw disturbed him, and he heard the name "Emilio".The name was fairly common among Christians, but it reminded him of someone: Emilio Babaig.

After a while, Leonardo insisted that the boat stop so that he could visit the market where children's toys were sold.He walked straight to the stall that had attracted him. "Look, Ezio!" he shouted.

"What did you find?"

"It's a mannequin. It's a small handmade model that we use as a model for our drawings. I'd like to buy a couple of them. Could you please--I seem to be sending my purse and luggage to a new studio went."

But just as Ezio reached for the wallet, a group of young men pushed past them, one of whom tried to cut the wallet from his belt.

"Hey!" Ezio yelled, "Bastard! Stop!" and he gave chase.The man he was looking for turned his head briefly, pushing a strand of auburn hair out of front of him.It was a woman's face!She then got into the crowd with her companions and disappeared without a trace.

They continued sightseeing in silence, but Leonardo was holding two mannequins with a contented look.Filled with impatience, Ezio wanted to get rid of the clown as a guide, and even Leonardo.He needs time to be alone, to think.

"Now in front of us is the famous Seta Palace," Nero continued, "that is the residence of Lord Emilio Babaig. Lord Babaig is currently working on unifying the merchants in the city." Famous for management. It's an admirable job, only to face resistance from the lower classes of the city..."

A formidable building surrounded by high walls rose beside the canal, and in front of it was a stone-paved clearing, where three gondolas were moored by the pier.As they passed, Ezio noticed that the vendor he had seen earlier wanted to enter the house.He was stopped by two guards at the door, and Ezio noticed that the coat of arms on their shoulders was a red chevron on a yellow background, with a black horse beneath it and a dolphin, stars, and grenades on top of it.It must be from the Babaig family!

"My stall was destroyed, and my goods were ruined. I demand compensation!" said the vendor in an angry tone.

"Sorry, sir, we're closing." One of the guards stabbed the poor man with his halberd.

"It's not over. I'm going to sue you in Parliament!"

"Go if you want!" Another older guard snapped.But at this time, an official appeared with three other people.

"You're picking trouble, aren't you?" said the official.

"No, I..."

"Arrest him!" roared the officer.

"What are you doing?" said the peddler in horror.Ezio watched the scene angrily and helplessly, but he registered the place in his mind.The guards dragged the peddler toward the building, where a small iron-clad door opened and closed quickly after he entered.

"The place you have chosen may be the most beautiful, but it is certainly not the best," Ezio said to Leonardo.

"I'm starting to wish I had picked Milan," Leonardo replied, "but a job is a job."

(End of this chapter)