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Chapter 64

The next morning, Ezio and Rosa searched the Palazzo to no avail. They then tried La Rosa della Virtù, where, as they had hoped, they found Leonardo and Antonio. The two were still asleep, obviously passed out from the previous night. Sister Teodora was tidying up the brothel when they arrived.

"Buongiorno! Benvenuti!" she greeted. "Have you come to collect your friends?"

"Sì, but they seem quite content where they are," Ezio observed.

Teodora picked up a wine bottle from the table next to them and inspected it. It was empty. "Indeed, I'm sure they are. I, on the other hand, need to run an errand. This was the last of the wine around this place. I'll need to purchase some more. Would you care to come with me?"

They shrugged and accepted, so she led them outside and they began to make their way to the nearby market.

"It is a wonder you still let them visit, Sister," Rosa said. "They aren't very considerate guests."

"A brothel rarely sees any guests that can be called considerate," Teodora reminded her. "Ezio has seen one of the worst of them."

Ezio nodded solemnly.

Teodora smiled. "I suppose I should be more upset with them, but one must always forgive friends, no? I've known Antonio for many years, as I'm sure he's told you. He helped me break my ties with the Church. I haven't known Leonardo as long, but he is a fine young man."

They arrived at the market and Teodora went directly to speak with one of the merchants. After some haggling (and flirting), she returned with an armful of wine and they began to head back.

"Our types are ostracized by the elites of the city," she went on. "Venezia has no use for thieves and courtesans and mercenari, even though we care for her more than any Doge could. We must seek friendship from those who accept us, so we are fortunate to have each other. I think you both understand this." She looked in their direction and at their hands, as Rosa's was placed comfortably inside Ezio's.

"Sì," they replied together, now conscious of their hands and a bit embarrassed.

"If keeping them around means replenishing my wine every once in a while, then so be it," she said as they reached the door of the brothel. "It is a small inconvenience in exchange for the happiness of the ones I love. I find it more fulfilling than any sacrifice I made for the Church."

They opened the door as their companions were beginning to wake up.

"Good morning!" Antonio called to them.

"It isn't morning," Teodora scolded.

"I have such a headache," Leonardo complained

At Rosa's suggestion and after collecting their belongings, the four of them bade Teodora farewell and made their way back to the Palazzo, where Ezio and Rosa explained what they had discovered.

Leonardo was troubled. "Poor Ludovico," he said. "I'm glad he is alright."

"It's too dangerous for you to stay in the city," Antonio told him. "These Templars clearly don't know where you are. We should keep it that way."

"They'll keep searching," Ezio said. "Who's to say they aren't in Milano as well?"

"Well he certainly can't go back to his workshop here," Antonio replied.

"Can he stay in the Palazzo?" Rosa suggested.

"That might be a possibility," Antonio said

Leonardo interrupted. "That is very gracious of you all, but I cannot impose like that. Besides, I have quite a lot of work left to do in Milano. I only wanted to make sure my assistants here were safe."

Each of them would have protested, but they could tell his decision was made.

"Then buona fortuna, my friend," Antonio patted him on the back. "You are always welcome here."

The next day, they escorted him to the docks to see him off on a ship they had chartered for him. They each gave him a hug, and Ezio passed him a few rolled up Codex pages.

"For when you need a distraction from your work," he explained.

"Grazie. If- er, when I return, I will have them solved for you."