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Chapter 42

"I'm sorry, Ezio."

Ezio, who was pacing the floor, looked up at a solemn Teodora.

"We could not have known Silvio would cheat as he did."

Cheat. The word hung in the air. They had all been cheated in some way or another. Ezio had been robbed of his family and his innocence. Teodora had lost her ties with the Church for committing acts that its cardinals practiced regularly. Antonio's opportunities were limited from birth, and Rosa's even more so. Now, in their attempts to better the world for those who would suffer similar fates, they were being cheated again.

Antonio scoffed. "You should have," he told Ezio. Ezio knew he was right.

"It doesn't matter now," Rosa snapped. "We need to come up with another way into the party." She turned to Teodora. "Our thieves and your girls could distract the guards while one of us - "

"No," Teodora cut her off. "The guards will be especially vigilant tonight. Distractions will not do."

Just then, one of Teodora's courtesans barged in and exclaimed, "Sister! You told us to let you know if we saw that rottinculo who stole the Golden Mask!"

Teodora turned quickly to her. "Yes? What have you found?"

"He's on his way to the Doge's party!"

"I will go," Ezio resolved before even a second had passed. "I can catch him before he arrives and take back the mask."

He was on his way to the door when Antonio called after him.

"How? By killing the poor stronzo?"

Ezio bit his lip. As much as he valued Antonio's opinion and shared his concerns, he was frustrated with the (still slightly drunk) thief's lack of optimism over the course of the night. Ezio was tempted to confront him on it then, but decided to hold his tongue and opt for a firm tone instead.

"Yes. You know what's at stake," he reminded the thief.

"No! If you kill him, they'll cancel the party, and Marco will retreat back into his palazzo. We'll have wasted our time AGAIN!"

Ezio glared at Antonio, ready to hurl an insult or two, but he knew, once again, that the master thief was right. Antonio had acquired a knack for pointing out problems with their plans, but not for fixing them. Perhaps taking note of Ezio's response, he made an exception this time.

"Steal the mask instead. Quietly."

Teodora, hoping to ease the tension, put a hand on Antonio's shoulder. "My girls can help," she said. "They're already on the way to the party, all along the route." She looked at Ezio, who was calming down. "They can help you distract him while you acquire the mask."

"Va bene. I can do that."

"We will be there as well, in case you need help getting it away from him," Rosa offered.

"I'm beginning to wonder if any of you have any faith in me," Ezio complained.

"We don't want to take any chances this time, Ezio," said the other thief.

This time, Ezio couldn't suppress a roll of his eyes.

With that, he was off. The courtesans led him to Dante, who was plenty preoccupied, so Ezio had the mask in no time. He made his way to the party, taking Teodora as his guest so that she could utilize any of her girls who were already in attendance, should Ezio need a distraction or a place to blend. The guards quickly checked his mask at the doorway, and they were inside.

"That was easier than I expected," Ezio remarked.

"The night is far from over. Stay alert, and keep an eye on the guards. If they suspect you at all, we may be finished."

Ezio nodded, making sure his mask was fastened securely.