[A/N]: Thanks for reading! As always, feedback is very welcome! I'll respond to comments, PMs, carrier pigeon notes, etc.

Chapter 13

"Ézio, come in!" invited Antonio, "I assume you received my message?"

"What is this about?"

"Ugo has sent confirmation of his plans. He is attempting to locate some of the thieves that were captured. Are you still able to help him?"

"Si, when will he be ready?"

"Tonight," Antonio informed him, "You will need to leave immediately."

"Va bene, I'll be on my way. Where might I find him?"

Antonio gave him a general description of the area, but advised Ezio to search the rooftops to find the thief. With that, Ezio was on his way.

As he ran across the rooftops, the sun touched the horizon. Ezio knew his time was short, as he was needed quickly and Ugo would be difficult to find in the darkness.

He scanned the rooftops and eventually noticed the thief sitting over the edge of a nearby building, so he made his way over, relieved to find as he got closer that the man was indeed Ugo.

"You're late," the thief informed him bluntly when he was within earshot.

"Ben trovato, Ugo. Mi dispiace, I came as soon as I could," Ezio told him, out of breath, "What's the trouble?"

"You and Rosa managed to escape from Seta. But the others were not so lucky. Emilio's captured them and now they await execution."

"I assume we are attempting to rescue them."

"Si," the thief confirmed, "which is why your tardiness upsets me."

Ignoring Ugo's complaint, Ezio asked, "Do you know where they're being held?"

With a sigh, Ugo admitted, "I know they're still in the district, but beyond that, no. You'll have to look for them."

"Va bene. I'll start now."

"Ezio, this plan has been coming together for a year. This is our only chance. Don't screw anything up."

"I get the feeling you don't trust me," Ezio jested.

Ugo frowned a bit more as he told Ezio, "I don't know you. Trust is earned."

Ezio then remembered that Rosa had told him once that Ugo was slow to trust outsiders.

"Then allow me to earn yours. I'll have your brothers back here in no time," Ezio promised.

He made his way across the rooftops and scanned the streets below. He spotted a few cages containing the missing thieves. He stood over one for a few minutes as he planned his attack on the four guards below.

He fell from the rooftop, extending is hidden blades before he hit the ground. They plunged into the backs of two of the guards as the others pulled out their swords. He quickly pulled a knife from his belt and threw it into the nearest guard, knocking him down. As the fourth guard swung his sword, Ezio grabbed his wrist with one hand and the hilt of his sword with the other, kicking him away so that he released the weapon. Ezio prepared to swing, but the guard scrambled to pull out a key to the cage, threw it at Ezio, and ran away. Ezio opened the cage and released the thieves, then threw a smoke bomb at approaching guards to cover their escape.

Fortunately, the thieves were capable of running along the rooftops with him, so they made good time back to the rendezvous point. Ezio tried similar tactics at the other locations, freeing the thieves and leading them back. After hours of searching and ambushing, Ezio managed to lead all the thieves he found back to Ugo.

"I haven't found a cage in hours," he eventually told Ugo after a long search yielded no leads.

"Si, neither have I," Ugo told him, "and I know the area better than you. I think we've found them all."

"Bene, I am glad they are safe."

Ugo folded his arms for a moment and went to sit over the edge of the rooftop. After some thought, he admitted, "I'm impressed. I didn't expect you to succeed so quickly."

"I aim to please," Ezio shrugged.

"I'll let Antonio know of our progress. Come find me later, I've got another job for you."

"What sort of job?"

"Meet me near the docks, and I'll explain," Ugo told him as he stood up.

"When?"

"I'll send word through Antonio like last time. Try not to be late," the thief told him, then jumped to the next rooftop and moved quickly out of sight.

A good idea, Ezio thought, as the guards would likely be looking for them.

"He's using you for another job?" Rosa asked him later.

"Si, but who knows when that will be?" Ezio threw his arms in the air.

"That means he trusts you," Rosa said, confused. "You must have made quite an impression. The thieves are safe, then?"

"Si, every one we could find."

After a pause, Rosa responded, "Thank you, Ezio. This past year has been difficult for us. You've done a good thing."

Ezio detected an unusual note of sincerity in her voice, and assured her he was happy to help.