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Chapter 66

As they made their way back to the festivities, Ezio had a sense of déjà vu from the previous year. Although the new Doge had declined to throw a party, the competitions Ezio had won were still being held with the promise of a golden mask for the winner. They watched as a several young men timidly approached a group of women in the hope of acquiring a few ribbons. A few children ran past them, chasing one another.

The new Doge Barbarigo sat on a makeshift throne on the platform where Ezio had been robbed of his prize the previous year. Surrounding Barbarigo were eight of his most trusted guards. Ezio and Rosa observed some other thieves wandering through the area, but they didn't dare approach the Doge. Antonio had given them all orders not to interfere or even make their presence known unless it was absolutely necessary.

"It's as if nothing happened last year," Rosa sighed. "Life goes on, I suppose."

"Not even an assassination will stop Carnevale," Ezio remarked.

It was true. Nobody seemed to have a care in the entire world. Even Barbarigo's guards seemed to crack a few jokes about the revelers. If Barbarigo himself was nervous, it wasn't showing. Everything seemed to be going perfectly, perhaps even beyond expectation.

Perhaps this was what made it possible for them to notice that something was out of place.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ezio caught a glimpse of a man who, at first glance, seemed to simply be uncomfortable in such a large celebration. He stood away from the dancing and the drinking, against a nearby building with little lighting. Ezio couldn't make out his facial features since the man was wearing a mask, but he seemed oddly familiar. While he couldn't see the man's eyes, he seemed to be facing the Doge.

Ezio was about to forget about the man when he noticed that Rosa was looking in his direction too.

"We should get closer to him," she suggested. "I'll go to the left and you go to the right."

As they did, Ezio noticed a dagger hanging at the man's side. He turned to look for Rosa in the crowd to see if she had caught it too, but he couldn't see her. When he turned back, he made the mistake meeting their target's eye. With that, the man began to run.

Ezio pushed through the crowds and bolted after him through an alley, wondering where Rosa had gone. His question was answered when he heard her footsteps on the roof above him.

After a minute of running and once they were in a secluded area, Rosa jumped down from the roof and into the man's path, drawing a dagger of her own. It slowed him down just enough that Ezio was able to tackle him to the ground. The tackle felt familiar, and Ezio immediately knew who was behind the mask.

"Maffeo, was it?" he asked as he removed the mask for Rosa to see. "A pleasure to see you again."

"We should have killed him when we found Ludovico," Rosa hissed.

"Everything is clear in hindsight, no?" Maffeo grunted.

"Not everything," Ezio growled. "I thought the Templars were no longer interested in Venetian politics."

"Ah, perhaps not two years ago, but did you not think they were returning?" Maffeo grinned. "Why do you suppose we sought Maestro da Vinci?"

"Returning? When?"

"It is of little consequence," Maffeo continued. "They have their treasure. You cannot stop them."

"What treasure?" Ezio demanded.

"Such impatience for a man who has waited so long. You'll find out soon enough, Assassin," he coughed. "A p-pity I w-won't."

That was when Ezio noticed the pool of blood forming below them. When they had tumbled to the ground, Maffeo had landed on his own dagger, which had pierced his back and drawn blood during their conversation. Ezio closed the dead man's eyes.

"Requiescat in pace."