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Chapter 56

Sure enough, Dante was trailing behind Silvio. Ezio followed at an even greater distance behind Dante, but that distance was closing quickly.

At this point, he had to make a decision. Silvio was his intended target, not Dante. He was almost certain he could outrun Dante and get to Silvio, but to stop and deal with Dante would take time and energy he couldn't afford to lose. On the other hand, Dante posed a formidable threat, and if Silvio were to decide to pull out a sword and defend himself when Ezio reached him, Dante could prove deadly when he caught up.

In another second, his decision was made. He ran past Dante, pushing him over in an attempt to buy himself some time.

Silvio was quickly approaching some docks. Ezio's first thought was that they were reaching a dead end, but he saw a large boat preparing to set sail from the docks.

They were planning to leave.

Ezio's questions would have an answer momentarily, he thought. Silvio was soon in his reach, and with a last lunge of his body, Ezio released his hidden blade and plunged it into Silvio's neck. Silvio fell to the ground, and Ezio knew there was only a short time for an interrogation.

"What's happened here? Why the boats? I thought you sought the Doge's seat."

"Just a distraction," coughed Silvio. "We were meant to sail."

"Sail where?"

"I'll never tell. You can make my final moments as agonizing as you wish, you can make me pay tenfold for you father's death, but nothing will open my mouth any further."

"Your offer is tempting, but you are not worth the time." Ezio told him. "Either way, you are no longer a burden to me. Requiescat in pace."

Ezio turned to see a large figure coming toward him. He put his hand on his sword to face Dante Moro, but pulled it away at the sight of Bartolomeo d'Alviano.

"Come quickly!" was all he said.

Ezio followed him to the aftermath of a terrible fight. Men from both sides littered the square, but Bartolomeo directed Ezio's attention to one in particular. Dante Moro was still breathing, but that wouldn't last long.

"He fought with honor," Bartolomeo grunted. Ezio noticed the wound in Dante's chest and the blood that covered Bianca.

"You left him alive," Ezio tried to understand.

"He asked to speak to you," Bartolomeo explained. "I'll give you a moment alone." He disappeared into a group of his men.

Ezio approached cautiously, but he could soon see that Dante was no longer a threat. He was struggling to get words out, so Ezio leaned closer.

"Cyprus…Cyprus is their destination."

From where he stood, Ezio could see the boat pulling away from the docks. There was nothing he could do to stop it now.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"They want…they…want…" Dante managed, but it was no use. He breathed his last, and Ezio closed his eyes, pushing his hidden blade into the giant's neck to make sure he was finished.

"Non temi l'oscurità…accetti il suo abbracio. Requiescant in pace."

Ezio went to join Bartolomeo, who was eager to rejoice with his men.

"Well done, Ezio! Silvio is defeated and the military district is returned to us. Perhaps now Venezia might finally enjoy a bit of pace e tranquillità. We should celebrate this victory!" Bartolomeo's voice boomed with the last sentence, and his men cheered.

Ezio smiled, but victory was not the most pressing thing on his mind. The boat (and therefore his best chance at tracking down the Spaniard) was receding into the distance. To him, it was no victory.

"I am glad for you and your men, Bartolomeo, but I cannot join. I fear my work has just taken a rather strange turn."

"What do you mean?" Bartolomeo frowned.

"Silvio wasn't looking to replace Marco as Doge. He was about to leave Venezia, in fact. This whole thing was just a distraction."

"Why?"

"That is what I need to find out."

"Dante told you this?" Bartolomeo realized.

"Sì," Ezio confirmed, "and Silvio, but with both men dead, this will not be easy."

"Then buona fortuna, my friend," Bartolomeo embraced him. "Should you ever find yourself in a good fight, my men and I are in your debt."