Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 33

Although it took time, and the conversation with the treasurer of the Thieves Guild was not pleasant, Ezio used the skills he had learned from Paola to steal as much as possible with the best members. Take the money of the citizens of Venice who are allied with Emilio.A few months later, with the help of other thieves—by this time he had become an honorary member of the guild—he brought back two thousand ducats, allowing Antonio to restart his plan against Emilio.But their success has not come without a price.Some guild members were arrested by Babaig's guards.Therefore, although the Thieves Guild has the necessary funds, there is a shortage of manpower.

But Emilio Babaig erred in his arrogance.In order to make an example to others, he locked the captured thieves in narrow iron cages, and hung the iron cages in those areas under his control for public display.If he had locked these people in the dungeons of the palace, even God himself could not rescue them, but Emilio, to show off, kept them from eating and drinking, and made his guards wait until the prisoners fell asleep. Waking them with sticks, intending to starve them to death in full view.

"They can't last six days without water, let alone food," Hugo told Ezio.

"What did Antonio say?"

"He said the rescue plan is up to you to arrange."

How many times does he want me to prove myself?Ezio thought.Only then did he realize that he had gained Antonio's trust, and the prince of thieves had even entrusted him with the most important mission.It's just that he doesn't have much time.

Ugo and him hid in the dark, carefully examining the guards coming and going.It appears that there is a group of guards who will be constantly walking back and forth between several cages.Although each cage was surrounded by a crowd of curious spectators, possibly including Babaig's spies, Ezio and Hugo decided to take the risk.At night, most of the spectators dispersed, and they approached the first cage while the guards were walking towards the second cage.By the time the guards were out of view, they had managed to pick the lock, and their courage was cheered by a few onlookers: they were just having fun and didn't care who had the upper hand.The spectators followed Ezio and Hugo to the second, and even the third cage.The men and women they rescued amounted to 27. After two and a half days of torture, they were in bad condition, but at least they weren't individually shackled, so Ezio led them to a well that was found in almost every square. , so that their most important needs are met.

It was dawn when the mission was completed, and both Hugo and his freed companions looked at Ezio with admiration. "Rescuing my brothers and sisters is not just an act of mercy, Ezio," said Hugo, "my... colleagues will play an important role in the next few weeks. And—" His tone was serious Rise up, "—our Guild is forever in your debt."

The group of them returned to the guild headquarters.Antonio hugged Ezio, but with a serious expression.

"How is Rosa?" Ezio asked.

"It's much better, but her injury is worse than we thought, and she is too impatient, she wants to run before she can stand still!"

"Sounds like her."

"Indeed," Antonio paused, "she wants to see you."

"I'm flattered."

"Is it necessary? You are our hero!"

A few days later, at Antonio's request, Ezio visited his office and found Antonio intently looking at a model of the Palazzo Seta.The wooden figurines were placed around the palace, and a stack of paper full of calculations and notes was placed on the table next to it.

"Oh! Ezio!"

"Your Mightiness."

"I have just been involved in a raid on enemy territory. We have successfully liberated the ordnance of three ships which were destined for dear Emilio's little palace. So I thought we could organize a small Well-armed troops, dressed as Babaig's archers."

"Excellent. This will give us easy access to his stronghold. When do we start?"

Antonio raised a hand. "Take it easy, my dear. I have one more question, and I wish I could ask you for advice."

"You think too highly of me."

"No, I just trust your judgment. In fact, I learned from reliable sources that some of my staff have been bribed by Emilio and are now his spies." He paused, then Say, "We can't attack until those traitors are taken care of. You see, I know you're a solid guy, and you're not a familiar face in the guild. If I give you clues about where the traitors are, do you think you're Can you handle them? You can take Ugo for backup, plus whatever you need."

"Mr. Antonio, Emilio's downfall is as important to you as it is to me. Let's work together."

Antonio smiled. "That's exactly the answer I wanted to hear!" He motioned Ezio to the map table near the window. "Here is the plan of the city. My trusty spies tell me that my renegade men will meet here at a tavern. The name of the tavern is the 'Old Mirror'. There they will meet Emilio spies to communicate, exchange information, and receive orders."

"How many are they?"

"Five."

"What do you want me to do with them?"

Antonio looked at him. "Certainly kill them, my friend."

At sundown the next day, Ezio summoned the guild members he had handpicked for the mission.He started to implement his plan.He made them all wear the uniforms of the Babaig family that Antonio had seized.Ezio learned from Antonio that Emilio thought the stolen equipment had all been lost at sea, and therefore would not suspect them of anything.He took Ugo and four others into the Old Mirror Tavern shortly after dark.It was a haunt of the Babaigs, but there were few customers at night, only the renegades and their contacts in the Babaigs.When a group of Babaig guards entered the tavern, they hardly even looked up, until the group of guards surrounded them, they turned their eyes away.Ugo raised his hood, revealing his true face in the dim light of the tavern.The traitors stood up, their faces full of surprise and fear.Ezio placed a strong hand on the shoulder of the nearest traitor, and with a deadpan air, thrust the dislodged wrist blade between the man's eyes.Ugo and a few others followed suit, executing their treacherous old colleagues.

In the meantime, Rosa continued her slow but restless recovery.She was able to get out of bed, but had to use a cane and her injured leg was still bandaged.Ezio spent nearly all of his spare time with her, while involuntarily apologizing to Cristina Calfozi in his head.

"Good day, Rosa," he said on an ordinary morning, "how is it going? I think your leg is almost on the mend."

Rosa shrugged. "It took a long time, but I'm getting better. How about you? What did you find in our small town?"

"It's a big city. But how do you stand the stench of the canals?"

"We're used to it. We don't like the dust and mud in Florence either," she paused. "Okay, what do you want from me this time?"

Ezio smiled. "You should know the reason." He paused, then said again, "I hope you can teach me the tricks of climbing."

She patted her leg. "I'm afraid not now," she said. "My friend Franco's climbing skills are about as good as mine, if you're eager to learn." She raised her voice. "Franco!"

A nimble dark-haired young man appeared at the door almost immediately, and Ezio was ashamed to find that he could not help but feel a surge of jealousy that even Rosa sensed.she laughed. "Don't worry, sweetheart, he's gay like San Sebastian. But he's also as strong as an old boot. Franco! I want you to teach Ezio some tricks." She looked out the window.On the opposite side there is an empty building surrounded by bamboo scaffolding tied with leather ropes.She pointed. "Let's start by taking him to climb that first."

Ezio spent the rest of the morning - a full three hours - chasing Franco, while Rosa shouted instructions at him from the window.In the end, he was able to climb dizzying heights with almost the same speed and dexterity as Franco, and learned to jump from one support to the next, but he doubted that he would ever reach Rosa. standard.

"Eat less lunch," Rosa didn't give him a word of praise, "I still have to practice today."

When it was lunch break, she led him to the square in front of the red brick Frari Church.Together they looked at the tall church. "Climb that," said Rosa, "up to the top. I want you to be back here before I count three hundred."

Ezio was sweating profusely and panting, his fatigue making him dizzy.

"430 Nine," Rosa announced, "Again!"

By the end of the fifth attempt, Ezio was exhausted and wanted to punch Rosa in the face, but that thought disappeared with her smile and the words that followed.She said, "290 three. You barely made it."

The small crowd gathered around applauded.

(End of this chapter)