Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 35

Emilio Babaig might not be able to make it to the Piazza San Stefano for the appointment in person, but Ezio was not about to miss it. On that bright morning in 1485, he came to the already crowded square.The battle against the Knights Templar will be hard and long.Ezio gradually realized this, as he would probably have to fight for it all his life, in addition to his father and uncle.

He put his hood over his head and blended into the crowd.But he stayed close, watching as Carlo Grimaldi approached another man: a stocky man with thick auburn hair and beard that didn't quite match his pale, cyan-tinged skin, and wearing a city-state suit. Officer's red robe.Ezio knew that it was Silvio Babaig, Emilio's cousin, also known as "The Man in Red".He didn't seem to be in a good mood.

"Where's Emilio?" he asked impatiently.

Grimaldi shrugged. "I told him to come here."

"Did you tell him yourself? From your own mouth?"

"Yes!" cried Grimaldi. "I told him myself! I don't think you believe me at all."

"I feel the same way," muttered Silvio.Grimaldi gritted his teeth, but Silvio just glanced around blankly. "Well, maybe he'll come with the others. Let's walk around."

They walked around the rectangular square, passing the church of San Videl and the palaces on one side of the Grand Canal, to the church of San Stefano on the other side, stopping now and then to see the stalls that the stallholders were beginning to place. Merchandise on the stall.Ezio followed, but it was not easy.Grimaldi was nervous, turning around suspiciously from time to time.On several occasions, Ezio could barely keep enough distance to hear their conversations.

"Since we have to wait for someone, why don't you tell me the latest situation at the Governor's Palace." Silvio said.

Grimaldi spread his hands. "Oh, to tell you the truth, it's not easy. Mocenigo's circle of contacts is very small. I wanted to lay the groundwork as you said, and make some suggestions that benefit our organization, but there are others who are talking to I compete for his attention, and he's old and cunning as hell."

Silvio picked up an intricate glass figurine from a stall, examined it, and put it back. "Then you have to work harder, Grimaldi. You have to be his confidant."

"I've become one of his closest and most trusted partners. It took me years to pull it off. Years of patient planning and waiting, and suffering."

"Yes, yes," said Silvio impatiently, "but what progress have you made?"

"It's been harder than I expected."

"What is this?"

Grimaldi gestured angrily. "I don't know. I work hard for the city, I do my best... But the truth is, Mocenigo doesn't like me."

"I wonder why," said Silvio coldly.

Grimaldi was so absorbed in his thoughts that he was unaware of his indifferent tone. "It's not my fault! I've been trying my best to please that bastard! I'll find what he wants the most, and present it to him—the best jam in Sardinia, the latest fashion in Milan..."

"Maybe the Governor just doesn't like sycophants."

"You think I'm a sycophant?"

"Yes. And the punching bag, the pug, the shoelicker—need I go on?"

Grimaldi looked at him. "Don't insult me, Inquisitor. You don't understand the feeling. You don't understand the pressure..."

"Oh, you think I don't understand pressure?"

"Yes! You don't know anything. You are indeed a city official, but I am always two steps away from the governor every waking day. I wish you could change places with me. You think you can do it better, but—”

"Are you finished?"

"No! Listen. I'm close to that man. It's taken me my whole life to establish myself in this position, and I'm going to tell you that I believe I can convince Mocenigo to join our organization." Grimaldi paused. After a while, he added, "I just need a little more time."

"In my opinion, you've wasted too much time." Silvio paused, and Ezio saw him raise a hand to greet an old man with a white beard and expensive clothes, The old man was accompanied by a guard - no one so tall as Ezio had ever seen.

"Good morning, my cousin," the old man greeted Silvio, "and Grimaldi."

"How do you do, Cousin Mark," replied Silvio.He glanced around. "Where's Emilio? Didn't he come with you?"

Marco Babaig's expression was first surprised, then serious. "Oh, it seems you haven't heard the news yet."

"what news?"

"Emilio is dead!"

"What?" As usual, Silvio was annoyed that his cousin was more informed than he was. "How?"

"I can guess why," said Grimaldi bitterly, "the assassin."

Marco looked at him sharply. "Indeed. They pulled his body out of a canal last night. He's been at the bottom for a long time. They say the body swelled to twice its original size. That's why he floated to the surface."

"Where is that assassin hiding?" Grimaldi said. "I must find him and kill him before he can cause more damage."

"He could be anywhere," Marco said, "so I take Dante with me wherever I go. I don't feel safe without him." He pauses, then adds, "Oh, who knows , maybe he's here."

"We had to act quickly," Silvio said.

"You're right," Marco replied.

"But Marco, I'm almost there. I can feel it. Give me a few more days," Grimaldi begged.

"No, Carlo, we have given you enough time. We have no leisure for caution. If Mocenigo refuses to join us, we must get rid of him and replace him with one of our own, and we must Do it within this week!"

The tall guard named Dante—who had been scanning the crowd since accompanying Marc Babaig—said at this point: "It's time for us to move on, my lords."

"Yeah," Marco agreed, "The grand master should be waiting for us. Come on!"

Ezio advanced quietly, like a shadow between the crowd and the stalls, trying to keep within earshot of the people speaking, and followed them across the piazza and onto the street leading to Piazza San Marco.

"Will the Grand Master agree with our new plan?" Silvio asked.

"If he doesn't agree, he's a fool."

"You're right, we have no choice," Silvio agreed, looking back at Grimaldi. "This would make you redundant," he added irritably.

"It's for the Grand Master to decide," retorted Grimaldi, "as he will decide who will take Mocenigo's place—you or your cousin Marco. In this matter Now, the most suitable person to advise him is me!"

"I don't think he needs to make a decision," Marco said. "It's so obvious who's the right fit."

"I agree," said Silvio sharply, "he will choose the man who arranged the whole operation, and who proposed to save the city in this way!"

Marco replied quickly: "I don't underestimate the value of tactical means, my good Silvio. But in the final analysis, it is wisdom that is needed to rule a city. Nothing else."

"Gentlemen, please," said Grimaldi, "the Grand Master may be able to advise the Committee of 41 on what new Governor-General to choose, but he has no influence over their decision. And for all we know, the Grand Master may think Someone other than you..."

"You mean yourself?" said Silvio suspiciously, while Marco laughed flatly and contemptuously.

"Why not? I did all the dirty work by myself!"

"My lords, please keep going," Dante put in. "You'll be safer when you're indoors."

"Of course." Marco agreed, and then quickened his pace.Others followed suit.

"He's a good fellow, your Dante," said Silvio. "How much do you pay him?"

"It's less than he's worth," Marco replied. "He's loyal and dependable—has saved my life twice. But he really doesn't talk much."

(End of this chapter)