[A/N]: Thanks for reading! Feedback is always welcome!

Chapter 33

20th January 1486

Dear Ezio,

As I've told you, I cannot read or write very well, so I have asked Antonio to write this for me. He insists on removing some of my profanity, but I hope my message is still clear.

After some talking, we think it is now safe for you to return to Venezia. Much of the city guard has given up its search for you and (after a few bribes) the city heralds have lost interest as well. You will still need to be careful if you want to get into the city undetected, but I'm sure you can manage. Besides, more important things have come up and we need your help to deal with them.

Leonardo often asks about you, but Antonio and I have told him nothing aside from the fact that you are safe. It is better that he doesn't know anything that could implicate him. Oddly, he has not asked about his machine. Knowing him, he was just happy to see it fly.

As for me, I have been bored. Antonio has sent me to pickpocket some corrupt nobles around the city, but they aren't as quick as the city guards. I hate to admit it, but you always seem to know where to find fun ways to get in trouble around here.

Come back as soon as you are able, and give my love to your family.

Rosa

Ezio folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He immediately began making preparations for his return, which included a letter to be sent back to the Venetian thieves to inform them of his intentions. It had been about four months since the death of Doge Mocenigo.

"What the hell happened?" Antonio had asked him that day upon his return to Leonardo's workshop. "I have heard a thousand different rumors. The entire city is on alert."

"The Doge is dead," he confessed. "I was too late. Carlo managed to frame me for the murder as well."

Antonio had not been expecting such news. Since Leonardo had left to attend to some important business in the city with his patron and Rosa was helping the thieves to put out the fires that had propelled Ezio to the Palazzo, he and Ezio walked silently back to the thieves' den that night and formulated a plan.

"You must leave the city," was Antonio's first order. "There will be a hunt for you."

"For how long? I still have work to do."

"I cannot say."

"Va bene. I can go to Monteriggioni with Rosa again."

"No," Antonio shook his head. "It is too dangerous to travel together. Go alone."

Ezio frowned, but he knew Antonio was right. While Rosa was fast on her feet (perhaps even faster than he was), it would be easier to travel discreetly without having to worry about a companion. He packed his things and found Rosa as he was about to leave.

"What's going on?" she asked. "What is all this?"

"There is no time to explain. Antonio will tell you everything. I must leave."

"Leave? Leave where?"

"To Monteriggioni. I am sorry, mia cara, but you must stay here this time."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know. Neither does Antonio."

"Merda!" she swore at him. "First you use that contraption to fly across the city, and now you leave without telling me when you'll be back! Do you think I'm joking when I tell you I worry?"

"What would you have me do?"

"At least give me a goodbye kiss."

He obliged for a few moments before asking, "Anything else?"

"Write to me when you can so I know you're alright. I'll have Antonio read your letters to me."

"As you wish," he bowed.

"And if you ever leave the city without saying goodbye to me, I'll break your nose."

Ezio had kept his promise to write, but this was the first letter he had received in return. He knew that Antonio, fearing the interception of their correspondence, would not want a letter to be sent to Monteriggioni unless, like this one, it was absolutely, necessary. Ezio was certain Antonio was not pleased about the letters he was sending to Rosa either, but Antonio's displeasure would pale in comparison to Rosa's wrath if he had broken his promise. Ezio's decision to keep it, therefore, was simple.

In any case, his return to Venezia was long overdue. As long as the Spaniard and the Barbarigo family remained alive, the city and his friends were in danger.

"Buona fortuna, nipote," his uncle told him as he mounted his horse. "I suspect there is much work ahead to be done."