CH 53: The chase

<The grammar mistakes in the conversation between the Templars is not my doing, it's from the game. This is Ali now by the way, if you didn't check out the previous chapter>

"Eccolo (There he is)." Ali let out as he and Ezio observed Carlo Grimaldi who was sitting on a bench, waiting for someone. The two were hiding in the crowd so that they couldn't be seen as Ezio nodded :"Right, he should be waiting for Emilio and his other allies."

"That one?" Ali nodded towards someone who walked towards Carlo and they began to talk while the two badass lovers eavesdropped on them.

Silvio Barbarigo :"Where is Emilio?"

Carlo :"I told him to be here."

Silvio :"You told him yourself? In person?"

Carlo :"Yes, myself, in person. I'm concerned that you don't trust me."

Silvio :"As am I. Perhaps he'll arrive with the others. Walk with me."

Ezio nodded towards them and Ali got what she was saying as he nodded back. They followed them from a distance so they wouldn't be noticed as Emilio and Silvio who continued their conversation.

Silvio :"So, how goes things at the palace?"

Carlo :"Honestly, it's difficult. Mocenigo keeps his circle close. I have tried to lay the groundwork, making suggestions, but he has other voices at his ears."

Silvio :"Then you must work harder. You must become part of his inner circle."

Carlo :"Sì (Yes). I understand. But it's harder than I expected."

Silvio :"And why is that, Carlo?"

Carlo :"I don't know! He's just a... the Doge doesn't like me."

Silvio :"I wonder why."

Carlo :"It's not my fault! I keep trying to please him. I learn what he craves, and I have it delivered. The finest jams from the orchards of Sardinia, the latest fashions from Milano–"

Silvio :"Yes, and that's called being a sycophant."

Carlo :"A what? What did you call me?!"

Silvio :"A doormat, a flatterer, a bootlicker. Need I go on?"

Carlo :"Bastardo! You don't know what it's like; you don't understand the pressure in there."

Silvio :"Oh, I don't understand pressure?!"

Carlo :"No, you have no idea! You are a government official! I am two steps from the Doge himself. I am beside him day and night! You WISH you could be where I am!"

Silvio :"Are you done?"

Carlo :"Hardly. You listen to me now! I am close. The Doge can be recruited to our cause, I'm sure of it. I just... I need a little more time."

Silvio :"Time is not a thing we have in great supply. Keep moving."

Carlo :"Is it much further?"

Silvio :"Don't be such a little girl!"

As Ali and Ezio followed the two while closely listening to their argument, the two idiots finally arrived at the Basilica di San Marco, where they were met by Marco Barbarigo and Dante Moro, an old man and a middle aged one.

Marco :"Buon giorno (Good day), cousin. Signor Carlo."

Silvio :"We thought Emilio would be with you."

Marco :"Emilio is dead." <Ded as hell XD>

Silvio :"What? How?!"

Carlo :"The Assassins... The same ones who hunted down the Pazzi! They're here, in Venezia."

Marco :"È così (It is so). Silvio, did you not know? They could be anywhere. They could be here right now and we might not even know. They struck Emilio inside his own palazzo!"

Silvio :"And so, what of our plans?"

Marco :"There is no longer time for subtlety, my brothers. We must act now."

Carlo :"But Marco, I'm so close! A few more days. If I can just–"

Marco :"No. It happens this week."

Dante :"We should keep moving."

And so, the four Templar conspirators continued walking while Ali and Ezio tailed them from behind with their focus on the four.

Silvio :"And what does the Spaniard have to say of this change of plan?"

Marco :"You can ask him yourself soon enough."

Carlo :"He's here? From Roma?"

Marco :"So I've heard."

Silvio :"Good! Then perhaps he's made a decision."

Marco :"About what, cousin?"

Silvio: About which of us shall step into the robes of the Doge, "cousin"."

Marco :"I didn't know there was a decision to be made. Surely the choice is obvious to all."

Silvio :"Obvious, indeed. It should be the one who organized the entire operation; the one who came up with the idea of how to save this city."

Marco :"There is no lack of value in tactical intelligence, good Silvio. But it is wisdom one needs to rule. Do not think otherwise."

Carlo: Calma, calma amici (Calm, calm friends), please. There is no need for this. You know, it's not up to either of you. For all we know, he might not even choose a Barbarigo."

The moment his words left his mouth, Marco and Silvio howled with laughter as even Ali snorted with a smirk at the dumbass. They might be their enemies and the people they would kill, but he still obviously paid attention to their enemies and how dangerous each of them were.

Carlo :"And why not me? I'm the one who's done all the hard work!"

Marco :"Basta (Enough)! We wait for his arrival."

Carlo :"Are you sure he's coming?"

Marco :"Yes."

Dante :"Signori (Gentlemen), we should move a little faster. I feel eyes on us."

Marco :"Thank you, Dante. We will move at your pace."

Silvio :"This guard's a good find, cousin. How much did you pay for him?"

Marco :"Perhaps not as much as he deserves. He's saved my life on two occasions, though he's not much of a conversationalist."

Ali raised an eyebrow in amusement and interest as he looked at the guard, Dante Moro :"Beh, lo guarderesti (Well, would you look at that)?

He actually managed to sense that we were spying on them, that's rare. Hahaha, immagino che sarà divertente ucciderlo~(Hahaha, I guess it will be fun to kill him~)."

Ezio didn't take her eyes off of the targets as she answered Ali :"Calma la tua sete di sangue (Calm down your thirst for blood). You will be able to kill him when the time comes, but we should be careful to not lose them at the moment."

Ali shrugged nonchalantly as they watched them while they stopped and someone finally came to them, Rodrigo Borgia, or commonly known by most people as Spaniard.

Rodrigo :"Enough with your inane prattle! The choice of Doge was never up to any of you, and you were never given permission to make plans."

Marco :"Forgive us, Maestro. We wish only to serve."

Rodrigo :"The plan is this. Doge Mocenigo will die tonight. And once the deed's been done, Marco shall take his place."

Marco :"Vi ringrazio umilmente, Maestro (I humbly thank you, Master)."

Rodrigo :"Good. Messer Grimaldi <Carlo, the old guy who was talking with Emilio>, you are closest to Mocenigo, your work, the most vital. Serve us well, and it won't be forgotten. Walk with me."

"bastardo..." Ezio clenched her fists at the sight of Rodrigo. Ali sighed softly as he gently grabbed her hand, causing her to relax as she interlocked their fingers and continued tailing them.

Rodrigo :"I don't want any blood spilled, you understand? It must appear to all that he goes quietly."

Carlo :"Certo, Maestro."

Rodrigo :"When are you closest to him?"

Carlo :"I have full run of the palace. He may not care to hear what I have to say, but he trusts me by now as one of his own."

Rodrigo :"Bravo. Then I want you to infiltrate the kitchen and poison his meal."

Carlo :"So be it."

Rodrigo :"Marco, can you furnish us with a suitable toxin on short notice?"

Marco :"I defer to my cousin. That is really his area of expertise."

Rodrigo :"Ah, Silvio..."

Silvio :"I am at your service, Maestro."

Rodrigo :"What can you bring to get this done?"

Silvio :"I will confer with my associates in the streets, but chances are good that I can procure some Cantarella."

Rodrigo :"Yes, and what is that?"

Silvio :"It is a most effective form of arsenic and difficult to trace."

Rodrigo :"Ah, va bene, va bene (good, good). Then it's decided."

After a little while, they finally reached the Ponte di Rialto and came to a stop with the two lovers some distance away from them.

Marco :"Forgive me, Maestro, but is this not a tad dangerous for you, involving yourself so intimately with the minutiae of our plans?"

Rodrigo :"I feel the need to involve myself more directly. The Pazzi disappointed us in Firenze. I pray you will not do the same."

Silvio :"Do not worry this time. The Pazzi were a bunch of foolish–"

Rodrigo :"The Pazzi were a potent and venerable family, reduced to rubble by two young Assassins. Do not underestimate these troublesome foes who now haunt your city, or the same fate will befall the Barbarigo. I want this done promptly. Bene, I must return to Roma. Time is of the essence. Do not fail us."

Rodrigo turned to leave, scaring away some pigeons and distracting the two. <Hey, not my doing, it's the plot of the game>

"Shit!" Ezio cursed as she sighed :"Che idiota sono (What an idiot I am)! I should have kept my eyes on them! We need to go and see Antonio if I've any hope of salvaging this mess."

Ali sighed as he patted his lover on the shoulder :"Ehi, va tutto bene, gli errori capitano a volte (Hey, it's alright, mistakes happen sometimes).

Blaming ourselves won't fix anything. Proprio come hai detto, dovremmo incontrare Antonio per vedere se può aiutarci a fermare quei bastardi (Just as you said, we should go and meet with Antonio to see if he can help us stop those bastards). Now let's go."

Ezio nodded as they made their way to the Palazzo della Seta, which was now taken over by the thieves guild. As they walked in, they luckily saw Rosa who seemed to be walking somewhere, but stopped when Ali called out to her with a smile :"Hey, Rosa!"

Rosa stopped as she smiled back at the two when she saw them :"Salute, quelli belli, come stai (hello, beautiful ones, how are you)? You two back to see me already?"

Ali and Ezio kissed her on the cheeks as greetings as Ezio explained with an apologetic and serious face :"Desolato, mia cara (Sorry, my dear), but we are not here to play. We must speak with Antonio. It's urgent."

Rosa nodded as she called out to Antonio who seemed to be in his new office :"Antonio! Ezio and Ali are here!"

Antonio quickly came out of his office and walked to the open space of the palazzo as he greeted :"Ali, Ezio! Is everything alright?"

Ezio :"Carlo Grimaldi and the Barbarigo are in league with the one they call The Spaniard. They're going to murder the Doge and replace him with one of their own. They will have all of Venezia, her entire fleet, in their grasp."

Antonio :"And they call ME a criminal!"

Ezio :"Then you will help us?"

Antonio :"You have me on your side, my sister and brother. And the support of all my men."

Rosa :"...and women."

Ezio :"Grazie, amici (Thank you, friends)."

Antonio :"But, Ezio, I must warn you. It's not going to be so easy this time. Palazzo Ducale is the most heavily-guarded building in Venezia."

Ali snorted with a smirk as he folded his arms in front of his broad chest :"Nothing is impenetrable, I can guarantee that."

Rosa chuckled as Ezio shook her head in amusement :"This is why we like you two." Antonio nodded as he turned around and beckoned for the two to follow him :"Come! Let's go take a look. We'll come up with a plan."

As the three made their way to the Palazzo Ducale to find a way inside, Antonio sighed as he started a conversation :"This business with the Doge...

terrible. Though, treachery like this no longer surprises me. When I was a child, we were taught that the nobles were just and kind. I believed it, too.

Though my father was only a cobbler and my mother a scullery maid, I aspired to be much more. I studied hard, I persevered, but the nobles would never have me."