This is a story centered around the activity of the Venetian Thieves' Guild, set between the time of Marco Barbarigo's assassination and the effort to re-secure the Council's loyalty to the people. Ugo and Rosa are tasked with maintaining the integrity of the thieves, but their forces are dwindling with each passing day. While the faith of Venezia remains divided between the cause of the revolutionaries and the existing Council members, Ezio fights to gain the support of the mercenaries, the remaining faction without an allegiance.

Chapter 1

Venetian Thieves' Guild, 1486

Diary Entry #42

Ezio's presence in Venezia has caused quite a stir. The guard forces have multiplied, and everywhere I go I can feel the unease. People no longer walk the streets freely as they used to – if they do, they are usually accompanied by others. As if the punishments weren't severe enough, pickpockets are now being brought to the gallows for questioning, tortured, and thrown in the canals. Our guild's overall activity has declined as of late, and I fear that the new recruits are having doubts about joining our dwindling forces. I watch as the quiet evenings pass by without our usual chatter at the docks about the day's accomplishments, as the ruffle of pigeon feathers accompany the sun's setting beneath the sea…

Ugo dipped his quill into the ink jar and sat up. He closed the diary in front of him, placed it inside an old pillow, and nudged it beneath his mattress – one pillow among many others used to provide for the elevation of his sleeping area.

As if endangering Rosa wasn't enough – he has to raise the alarm of the entire city and make life for us infinitely more difficult than it already is! Ugo thought angrily.

Just as he began reaching for the doorknob, the rickety panel of wood standing as the barrier to his room swung open.

"There you are," Franco sighed in relief.

"Was that really necessary?" Ugo retorted, stabilizing the door.

"Antonio's called a meeting. We meet at the palazzo shortly after lunch today."

"Yes, yes, I'll be there…"

Inside the palazzo, a small group of thieves sat waiting on the cold marble floor, wolfing down their lunches.

From a distance, they watched Ugo and Franco dash for the front door, only to have Rosa briskly shut it in their faces.

"Ow!" Ugo somersaulted backwards from the sheer weight of the force while Franco clutched his nose.

"No shoes in the palazzo! This is the fifth time already!" Rosa reprimanded them while re-opening the door.

The group of thieves in front of them laughed, acknowledging their leader's dramatic display of impudence.

Ugo and Franco sheepishly removed their dirtied shoes and placed them carefully apart from the others', since telling them apart was near impossible. Joining the others, Ugo dropped a small sack of bread in the middle of their circle.

"A guard went after me as soon as he saw the theft. This was all I managed to get." Ugo explained.

"Better luck next time, lieutenant," Dominico taunted, "at least I have fish sticks."

"A petty theft, compared to Ugo's," Rosa retaliated, "At least he has the dignity not to steal from poor fishermen!"

"Buongiorno, everyone!" Antonio called from the staircase. He received no reply as everyone was busy shoving their mouths.

"I see you have all acquired your lunches. Good. I call this meeting today to inform you all of very important business, so listen carefully."

"Lisheneeng," Ugo replied with a mouthful.

"As you all know, Ezio has graciously provided his aid to the Guild after Rosa's incident at the palazzo. From then on we have lost a few of our precious brothers – Giacomo, Sebastian and Ermanno – but their sacrifices are not to be forgotten. In the upcoming weeks, the soon-to-be new Doge has requested that we ready ourselves for the fight against those who would continue to suppress our freedom. Silvio Barbarigo and his henchman Dante Moro still live, and their selfish influence has not waned. The Council must know that if it wishes to continue to serve Venezia, it must pledge its loyalty – to the people!"

Antonio held his hand triumphantly up in the air. Noticing that the thieves did not follow suit and were still eating, he quickly cleared his throat and continued.

"So I ask for all of your cooperation. Ezio will be campaigning for the help of Bartolomeo and his men at L'Arsenale, and in the meantime I will expect all of you to spearhead his effort whenever he calls."

"What of the tightened security?" asked Ugo as he picked the floor clean of any breadcrumbs, "Ezio's done us a good deed since his rescuing of my brothers and sisters from the guards and the whole taking back of the palazzo, but that doesn't mean the city has backed out of the hunt."

"They know where we're heading, and they're working to imprison anyone who even mentions about a revolution!" Franco added, chewing on a fishbone.

"After Carnevale, everything's just gotten worse for us." Rosa said solemnly.

"Yes, I know," Antonio replied, bowing his head. "I know it hasn't been easy for any of us. But as we have seen, if one man, a foreigner, is willing to go this far for a cause he truly believes in for the benefit of our beloved city, then we have nothing but to look up to his efforts."

"Why is he so determined, anyway?" Rosa questioned.

"Meeting adjourned! You are all free to go." Antonio clapped his hands signaling the end of his speech, and the thieves departed except for Ugo and Rosa.

"How is your foot doing?" Ugo asked, concerned.

Rosa looked taken aback for a second, and then smiled.

"I'm fine. See? No crutches."

"You're only faking it, amica. You shouldn't put more stress on that foot."

"Ugo, I'm fine. There's no need to nag me about this." Rosa turned to leave, and as Ugo stood watching, he noticed a subtle limp in her gait. Shaking his head, he proceeded out the front door to return to his quarters.

As the afternoon heat bathed the streets, a flock of pigeons flew over a shimmering, freshly glossed poster of the assassin on a brick wall near a community well.

Chapter 2...