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Chapter 51

"Ugo!" Rosa snapped. "Can't you see we're busy?"

"Yes," Ugo answered, which only annoyed her further.

"Then go bother someone else, culo!"

"It's important, Rosa. Your little romance will have to wait."

"Have you found Bartolomeo's men?" Ezio asked before Rosa could raise her clenched fist.

"We have. They are scattered throughout the Arsenale district. Come back to the Palazzo della Seta, and I will have a map drawn for you."

"It is a little late. Can we do this in the morning?" Ezio suggested.

"No. By tomorrow afternoon, they'll be gone again. Silvio has been moving them around every week. I expect he'll do it again tomorrow. We act now, or we wait a week. I can only imagine what might happen to them in that time."

"Va bene, then we'll get it done. Have you spoken to Antonio?"

"Not yet, but I sent word that I'm coming. He'll be awake and waiting for us."

Ezio turned to Rosa. "Mi dispiace, mia cara. I need to find these men."

"And I need to find a man who doesn't go running off on dangerous missions with Ugo," Rosa retorted. "Until I find one, I'm coming with you."

Ezio rolled his eyes, and the three of them raced to the nearby rooftop and ran to the Palazzo della Seta to find Antonio waiting for them.

None of the other thieves were available to help, so they waited patiently as Ugo sketched a map of the Arsenale district from memory. This greatly impressed Ezio, but not the other thieves, who could do the same, given the chance. Antonio explained that he had trained them to be familiar every inch of the city by doing this, among other things. Such knowledge, he explained, was an advantage over the guards, and an even bigger one over visitors to the city. It had also proved valuable in situations like this.

Next, Ugo began to circle several locations within the district.

"Merda! There is no way for me to get to all of these places in time," Ezio complained as Ugo drew an eighth circle.

"No, there isn't," Ugo agreed, "but you'll have help. You can take two of them. Antonio and I will each take two also. We're capable fighters, but it would be easier for us to distract the guards."

"I'll see if some of the other thieves in the district can draw them away," volunteered Antonio. "Perhaps Teodora's girls can help too."

"Bene. If we coordinate our efforts, we should be able to do this without much opposition from Silvio's men," said Ugo.

"You're forgetting about these last two spots," Ezio pointed.

"Sì," Ugo thought aloud. "Franco is an excellent climber, even with his recent injury. We should-"

"I'll do it."

All eyes turned to Rosa, who was the one responsible for the interruption.

Ugo frowned. "It's too dangerous. The cells are heavily guarded."

"I can fight," she insisted. "I learned a few tricks from Ezio and his uncle in Monteriggioni. Tell them, Ezio."

It was Ezio's turn to frown. "We are hoping to avoid a fight."

"I'll be quiet if I can, but I can fight and run, just like all of you. Franco is still recovering. If you send him, he may hurt himself again…or worse."

With a collective sigh, they all acknowledged that she was right. Ezio would have preferred to wait for Franco's injuries to fully heal, but that was not an option.

"Va bene," Ugo decided, "these last two places are yours."

"This palazzo is full of weapons and armor from Emilio's occupation," said Antonio. "I'll find us some." He glanced at each of them. "We leave before sunrise."