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Chapter 49

Ezio woke up a bit late the next morning, but wasted no time in getting ready and visiting Antonio at the Palazzo della Seta. He found the thief standing in the courtyard speaking with Rosa. Upon Ezio's arrival, both looked at him, and Antonio spoke first.

"Ah, Ezio! I was hoping you would be here soon. Rosa was just filling me in about her mission. It seems your walk to the Rialto was productive." He waved the letter that Rosa had successfully stolen from the courier.

"I am glad," Ezio smiled.

"I trust you were able to locate Bartolomeo last night?"

"Bartolomeo d'Alviano?" Rosa interrupted, "I haven't seen him in a long time. How is he?"

"Better, now that he is out of a cage."

"Ah, so there was trouble," Antonio understood. "Just as I feared. I am glad it has been resolved."

"Not exactly. That is why I am here."

"He never comes just to see me," Rosa complained to Antonio with a smile, then turned to Ezio. "I'll let you boys talk. Some of the other thieves are having a race, and I don't want to miss it. Come find me when you are done, if you get the chance." Ezio was disappointed to see her leave again, but his business with Antonio was more important.

"So," started Antonio once Rosa had left, "what is the situation in l'Arsenale?"

"It could be better. Bartolomeo told me that many of his men have been captured."

"Do we know where they are being held?"

"No. I was hoping you and your thieves could help me locate them."

"Of course. Ugo is there as we speak. I'll send him a message. In the meantime, I'll send some spies to watch for trouble near Bartolomeo's quarters. If they captured him once, I'm sure they'll want to again."

"Grazie," replied Ezio.

The two men spent the next several hours finding thieves for these tasks and giving them instructions. When all was finished, Ezio began to make his way back to the thieves' den.

As he rounded a corner shortly after leaving the Palazzo, he was suddenly aware of somebody rushing at him from his left side. The person had evidently been waiting for him behind the corner, and Ezio had no time to avoid the attack. He was knocked to the ground as the person tackled him. His arms remained free, so he released his hidden blade in the hope that it would frighten his assailant enough to give Ezio time to defend himself. Instead, the attacker began to laugh as she got up and helped him to his feet as well.

"It was a dare from Franco," was Rosa's nonchalant substitute for an apology.

"Remind me to have a word with Franco," said Ezio, trying to appear composed as he recovered from the scare. "What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you were having a race."

"You've been talking to Antonio for a long time. We finished an hour ago."

Ezio looked around and noticed for the first time that the sun was beginning to set. He wondered how long she had been waiting to startle him. Such an effort must mean something, he thought with a smile.

"What's so funny?" she elbowed him.

"Nothing," he shook his head.

"Let's get back to the den. I'll race you there."

"Haven't you done enough running for today?" he asked hopefully.

"What's the matter, Ezio? Afraid you'll lose to una donna veneziana?"

He sighed. With a sudden stride, he was halfway up the nearest wall. She wasted no time in chasing after him.

He resolved to ask Rosa about her feelings when the proper time arose, but this was not it. Even while she hurled accusations (of cheating) at him as he ran ahead of her, he knew that this was a moment he didn't want to waste. For the present time, he would have to be content knowing that she cared enough about him to spend an hour preparing to scare him.