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Chapter 55

It wasn't long before Ezio heard the commotion of combat below him. Silvio had undoubtedly heard it too, as a large number of his guards quickly came searching for its source. Within twenty minutes, the Arsenale district was once again the scene of a battle between two unrelenting groups of mercenaries.

Using his heightened senses, Ezio was quickly able to locate Bartolomeo in the streets below. He was fighting another large man who wielded an axe. Ezio recognized Bartolomeo's opponent immediately.

"Dante Moro," he muttered to himself with a frown. The man had gotten in his way before. He should have expected to find the giant standing between him and Silvio.

Dante, Ezio knew, was not of sound mind. Antonio had once told him about the attempt on Dante's life that had left him in his current state. Ezio knew that unlike killing Silvio, killing Dante would not be an act of justice, but he was dangerous, and could not be left unchecked. He hoped Dante would be taken out of the battle before he forced Ezio's hand (or rather, his blade).

He hurried down to the streets below and made his way to the fight. When he finally got to the square occupied by Bartolomeo, Dante was retreating into an alley.

"Salute, Ezio!" greeted Bartolomeo.

"Care for some company?" Ezio offered.

"By all means!" Then, indicating to his men the direction in which Dante had fled, he commanded, "After him!"

Ezio followed them into another courtyard, and there they found Dante with more of Silvio's men.

"A fine specimen, isn't he?" came a call from above him. "You should be honored to die by his hand."

Ezio didn't look up. He knew whose voice it was. Bartolomeo, on the other hand, could not resist producing a variety of obscenities in response to their enemy.

"You think I don't know why you're here, Ezio?" taunted Barbarigo, ignoring Bartolomeo's insults. "A noble effort, I grant you. But you're too late! There's nothing you can do to prevent us from obtaining it!"

Ezio, his attention focused on the two mercenaries approaching him, called back, "The city is lost to you! Agostino Barbarigo has already taken the throne!"

Silvio let out a little chuckle. "Ah! That's right, you still don't know, do you? Though, once Dante's done with you, it won't matter anymore."

Ezio was too busy to speculate on what Silvio meant. He had finished the two guards and was on his way to another one as Silvio continued.

"Do you miss him, Ezio? Your fool of a father? My greatest regret is I could not have been the one to pull the lever. To watch him kick and gasp and hang!"

For a moment, Ezio's anger got the better of him, and he swung too soon at the guard, who counterattacked, almost knocking Ezio's sword away. Ezio jumped back and repositioned himself to be prepared for the next strike.

"You'll follow him into the ground!" the Templar shouted. "You and that condottiero both! And after that, we'll come for the others. Your uncle, your mother, and your sweet, sweet sister."

Ezio (unlike the aforementioned condottiero) ignored him after that, knowing that he had no further use for the snake's words. With a third guard out of the way, he moved to help Bartolomeo confront Dante.

Dante fended off their attacks with skill (he was evidently a better swordsman than a fist fighter) but it was not a fight he could win. Silvio called to Dante, and he once again retreated.

"Ezio, go now!" said Bartolomeo. "That brute will no doubt lead you straight to his master. My men and I will remain here and keep the guards from giving chase."

Ezio nodded and sprinted after his target and into another street. It was only at this time that Ezio began to think about what Silvio had said. Whatever they were planning, Silvio was clearly convinced they were about to succeed. Ezio hoped he had not missed his opportunity to stop it.