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Chapter 12

A few months later, Ezio and Rosa ventured out to the Frari to test Ezio's retention of Franco's lessons.

"You think you are ready for a bigger challenge?" Rosa teased.

"Nessun problema!" he scoffed.

"Si," Franco said as he walked with them, "Ezio is quite impressive. You may have met your match, Rosa."

"Franco! Don't you have somewhere else to go? Or someone else to piss off?"

"Antonio said I was free to join you two, provided my other tasks were complete."

"And ARE they?" Rosa glared at him.

"Not yet, but a lecture from Antonio is a small price to pay to see this."

"You think I am going to fall?" asked Ezio.

"No, I think you are going to impress Rosa, and Rosa doesn't like being impressed."

"So he is here to watch me punch you," she told Ezio, then turned to Franco. "But you trained him, didn't you? I believe that would entitle you to a broken nose."

After a nervous laugh, Franco pardoned himself to attend to his duties, adding, "You two probably need some alone time anyway."

Rosa curled her free hand into a fist, and Franco was quickly on his way.

"Now," Rosa began as they reached their destination, "we will find out how good of a teacher that stronzo is. Climbing a bit of scaffolding is all well and good, but let's see how you do out in the open."

Ezio looked up and shrugged. "Top of that tower, then?"

At Rosa's nod, Ezio told her, "Torno fra un attimo."

Ezio ran around to the back of the Frari and began to climb. He immediately understood why Rosa had chosen it to test him, as many protruding objects on the building were difficult to reach. After a few missed steps and second tries, Ezio managed to make his way up the tower and catch an excellent view of the city. After a moment to reorient himself, he remembered where he had left Rosa and noticed a pile of hay nearby. With a quick leap, he found himself back on ground level. He jumped out of the pile and wiped off the hay as he met back up with Rosa, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"So? You seem pleased. Is that because you're proud of me?" he raised an eyebrow.

"No, it's because I'm still the better climber," she elbowed him.

"How fortunate for Franco's nose."

"Si, but still, you did quite well.Looks like you've learned all I have to teach you. I'll let Antonio know of your progress."

"Speaking of Antonio, I have heard little from him in a while. What news of Ugo? And finding Emilio?"

Rosa sighed. "He is still busy rebuilding the guild. Information comes slowly, and he doesn't like it. It hinders us considerably."

"Then I should be helping somehow."

"There is little we can do until we have more men. Finish your other tasks. We're almost there," she tried to reassure him.

"Si, I have heard that before," groaned Ezio, "and I am quickly running out of other tasks."

"Enjoy the peace while it lasts," Rosa told him, "Soon you will have work in abundance."

"Peace loses its charm after a year and a half," Ezio returned.

"Try being on crutches," Rosa reminded him.

"A fair point, amica mia. Now, shall we return to the den?"

"Va bene." she accepted as they turned back.

"How is your leg?" Ezio glanced at the hobbling thief as they made their way through the city.

"I think I'll be off this crutch within a month," she reported.

"You should do it slowly at first," Ezio warned her, "and keep the crutch nearby in case you need it."

Rosa chuckled. "How have I put up with you for a year?" she thought out loud.

"My arm has suffered for it," he reminded her as he rubbed his most recent bruise.

She shrugged as they approached the den. A thief who had been leaning against a building ran to meet them when he spotted them.

"Ser Ezio," the thief began when he reached them, "Antonio wishes to see you whenever you are free. He says it is important."

"Lucky you," Rosa told Ezio as she left them to speak with some of the other thieves.

"I'll see to it at once," Ezio told the thief, who immediately led him to Antonio's office.