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Chapter 36
"You've done me good, brother!"
Ezio did not doubt Leonardo's genius, but before he had tested it on a few dummies that the inventor had set up near his workshop, the idea of a firearm so small seemed laughable. But Leonardo had built it, and despite the grim purpose the device was to serve, Ezio tried to give Leonardo a playful smile with his gratitude.
"Ma certo, but I'm sure your return was not just to play with new toys," Leonardo replied solemnly. "Is it about this terrible new Doge they've installed…Marco Barbarigo?"
For Leonardo's sake, Ezio did not like to involve his friend too intimately with his plans. He struggled to find an answer that would satisfy the man without revealing too much, but his silence betrayed his thoughts, and Leonardo turned away to think.
"Then you'll want to speak with your friend, Antonio," he spoke after a moment. "I've seen him quite a bit lately at a…um…mutual friend's."
"Funny. I have not been able to find him since I arrived."
"Yes, well, I er…" Leonardo scratched his head. "I ran into him shortly after you left. He asked about you and Rosa…not prying or anything, only being friendly. We talked a bit, and he seemed to enjoy my company."
"Really? That man has many more secrets than friends. You must have made quite the impression."
"Well, so did he. He helped me find some supplies for a few of my projects. Apparently he knows just about every merchant in the city." He paused. "I suppose those connections would be helpful in his line of work."
Ezio turned from his focus on his new gadget, startled. "His line of work? He told you that much about himself?"
"Eventually, yes, but I could have guessed it. I've had my coin purse stolen enough to know a thief when I see one. Anyway, he visits once in a while, or we meet with our friend. I'd look for him there, in the Dorsoduro district. Ask for Sister Teodora."
Ezio raised an eyebrow at the thought of either of those men associating themselves with a nun. "Sister?" he asked.
Leonardo rubbed his chin and looked away. "Well, um…in a way, yes…Sister."
He handed the translated Codex page to Ezio and warned him to keep his weapons concealed, as the guards would be on the lookout for anything suspicious.
"They are right to be worried," Ezio told him. "Once I have a plan, Marco is as good as mine."
Leonardo nodded and patted him on the back, reassuring him, "I'm sure Antonio will have an idea. He's a brilliant man" then adding, "Charming, too."
Ezio chuckled at this. "Seeing him for more than just supplies, are you?"
Leonardo shook his head with a nervous smile. "It's not quite like that, but I would be lying if I told you I don't enjoy seeing him."
"Well, just be careful around your charming friend," Ezio warned playfully, making his way to Leonardo's door.
"Strange advice, coming from you," Leonardo pointed out to him.
Ezio offered a light shrug and grin in return, and walked out into the evening.
He made his way to the Dorsoduro district and asked around for the whereabouts of this Sister Teodora. To his surprise, the courtesans he met were able to give more of the information he needed than he received from anyone near a church. When he was sure he had the right building, he cautiously entered.