CH 51: Everything Must Go

Another day had arrived, and another mission along with it. Antonio had finally decided that the moment to strike had arrived, and had told the two that their greatest opportunity to assassinate Emilio Barbarigo had come.

Ali and Ezio had hired a caretaker to take care of the few months old Gabriel while they went to the thieves guild.

They had actually hired her a long time ago for these kinds of times where they needed to go out and take care of some "businesses".

After all, they couldn't just leave Gabriel alone and they couldn't tell the caretaker who they were and what their jobs were.

Ezio knocked on the door of Antonio's office where Ugo's voice answered :"Please, enter!" And so they both entered to see Antonio, Ugo and Rosa standing around the wooden buildings that were like Emilio's palace.

Antonio :"Your good work has restored us to our former strength, Ali, Ezio. We are ready to strike."

Ezio :"Just tell us what needs to be done, and we'll see that it is."

Antonio :"You'll approach from above, under the cover of night. Emilio has posted archers around the Palazzo. Kill them, but do so quietly. As they fall, my men shall replace them."

Ezio :"What about the guards?"

Antonio :"When you've finished with the archers, we'll regroup in front of this building here, and discuss next steps."

Ezio: Nessun problema (Not a problem). We'll take care of the archers and return to you."

Antonio :"Then it's settled. In bocca al lupo (Good luck)."

Ezio: Crepi il lupo!

The two exited the office and made their way to the palazzo. Ali smirked as they walked and raised a teasing eyebrow at Ezio :"quindi finalmente sei tornato in campo, eh (so you're finally back on the field, huh)?"

Ezio chuckled as she nodded :"yeah, I am. I hope I haven't lost my edge. Dopotutto, sono passati alcuni mesi dall'ultima volta che ho svolto una missione così importante (After all, it's been a few months since I did such a big mission)."

Ali chuckled as he shook his head :"don't worry, you're fine. Le competenze e le esperienze che abbiamo acquisito non si arrugginiranno in pochi mesi (The skills and experiences that we have acquired won't get rusty in a few months)."

A sweet and fond smile formed on his face as he gently held her hand :"E inoltre, non devi preoccuparti, dato che farò sicuramente qualsiasi cosa per proteggerti (And beside, you don't need to worry, since I will definitely do anything and everything to protect you), Ashkim (my love)."

Ezio smiled back as she moved her fingers and interlocked them with Ali's as they walked :"I know, Ashkim (my love), because it's the same for me."

As they walked towards the palazzo in the beautiful and familiar darkness of the night, they didn't speak, just enjoyed each other's company and the silence of the night.

After they finally reached the buildings where the guards were on, Ezio smirked at Ali :"let's do it separately.

You go to the building on the far left, and I will go to the one on the far right. We will kill them this way and meet up in the center."

Ali nodded before they kissed for a moment :"Qualsiasi cosa tu dica (Whatever you say) Ashkim (my love). Let's begin then!"

And so, that's what they did. They both ran towards their own targets and Ali assassinated his first target by hanging from the edge of the building and then killing him with the hidden blade.

There were a total of archers, after Ali and Ezio killed the four of them, they both killed the last two with their throwing knives.

With the archers dead, the two climbed down to the streets and ran to where Antonio had told them to meet. When they arrived at the destination, they saw Antonio, Ugo and Rosa waiting for them.

Antonio :"Well done, you two. Everything is going according to plan. As we speak, my men are replacing the archers you removed. The way to the Palazzo is clear now."

Ezio :"But not the building itself. Emilio's guards still patrol its border."

Ugo :"Use my men. They can distract the guards; save you from having to fight."

Rosa :"And when it comes time to storm the place, remember what I've taught you."

Antonio :"Sii cauto (Take care), Ezio, Ali. We await word of your success."

They both nodded and got to action once again. They used Antonio's thieves to lure away the guards, and then climbed the walls of the Palazzo.

After killing a few more guards to clear their way to the rooftop, they overheard a conversation from within.

Carlo Grimaldi :"Your little house of cards is crumbling, Emilio."

Emilio :"A minor setback. It will be dealt with. This povero scemo (poor fool) Antonio and his thieves..."

Carlo :"Never mind them! It's the Assassins you should be worried about!"

Emilio :"Why? Are... Are they in Venezia?"

Carlo: They've been here for weeks! How could you be so blind?!"

Emilio :"Unlike you, I've been busy! Someone had to provide weapons to our brothers in Firenze!"

Carlo :"Yes, and we all saw what good that did..."

Emilio :"Enough with the barbs! What is it you want, Carlo?"

Carlo :"Maestro has called a meeting; three days from now at Santo Stefano."

Emilio :"Very well. I'll be there."

Carlo :"Assuming you still live. If you want my advice, I'd find a less conspicuous place to wait. Seta is a target now."

Emilio :"Seta is a fortress!"

Carlo :"If you say so. Goodbye, Emilio."

As the man walked away and exited the building through the water , Ali couldn't help but snort in a ridiculing manner :"Weeks, heh. These idiots have no idea that we've been here for years now."

Ezio didn't talk as she focused on Emilio who was acting just like every other target they had in years, fearful and anxious.

Emilio :"Cazzo (Fuck), what if he's right?"

Emilio :"You! Call my boat, it should be close. When it arrives, load these crates and prepare to sail. I'll be right back.

If Carlo speaks true, I must find a place to hide, just until the meeting. Then we'll deal with the Assassins.

They must be working with Antonio. That means the attacks... No! I've worked too hard for this! Don't they understand...

There is so much less crime... The people have better lives... So some must leave... It is the price of progress...

Why must the Assassins always interfere... Like Giovanni... If he had just left well enough alone... Is the ship loaded? Are you ready?"

Guard :"It is done. Let us go."

Emilio :"Yes. And quickly."

The two nodded at each other before Ali air assassinated a guard, alarming Emilio who immediately started running :"Guardia (guards)! Guardia (guards)!"

However, Ezio immediately rushed towards him and killed the bastard before he could run. As she stabbed Emilio with her hidden blade, arrows rained on the palazzo and killed all the guards!

Ezio :"Do not be afraid."

Emilio :"I feel no fear, assassin. Only regret. I sought unity... stability... order."

Ezio :"At too great a cost."

Emilio :"Progress demands sacrifice."

Ezio :"Non trovo alcuna gioia in questo, ma non c'e altro modo (I take no joy in this, but I see no other way). Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace)."

As she laid him on the ground and stood next to Ali, an arrow was shot right in front of their foot. They were alarmed, but Rosa's laughter sounded on the rooftop as she took off her helmet and threw it away :"Sorry! We couldn't resist."

She climbed down to the ground and walked towards where they were :"Come! Let's open the gate for Antonio."

They walked towards the gates and Rosa opened the door for Antonio to walk in along with his thieves :"Seta has fallen and Emilio is no more! All thanks to you two, Ezio, Ali!"

The two smiled and nodded as Antonio turned to his thieves :"Go! Tear down Emilio's banners! Return what he has stolen from the people."

Antonio turned towards the two with a smile and looked from one to another :"Tell me, you two. How can I repay you for your service?"

Ezio chuckled as she shrugged :"Ali buys me whatever I need, so we don't need any items. So money is nice enough."

"Easy enough." Antonio beckoned to a thief, who handed Ali a bag of florins before he spread his hands :"What else?"

Ezio :"Emilio was meeting with a man named Carlo. He looked to be a government official. Do you know him?"

Antonio :"Carlo Grimaldi. He sits on the Council of Ten. Why do you ask? What are you up to?"

Ezio and Ali smirked as she answered with a slight bow as a farewell :"We have a meeting to attend. Goodbye."

As they walked out of the palazzo and walked towards their home, Ali interlocked his fingers with Ezio's with a smile :"See?

Te l'avevo detto che non hai perso il filo e non avrai problemi (I told you that you haven't lost your edge and won't have a problem)."

Ezio nodded with a smile as they walked side by side, and hand in hand :"yeah, I'm happy that nothing bad happened.

È stata un'avventura e un'eccitazione sufficienti per una sola notte, ora dovremmo tornare a casa (That was enough adventure and excitement for a single night, we should return home now).

Sigh, Improvvisamente mi manca Gabriel adesso, ma sono sicuro che ora sta dormendo (I suddenly miss Gabriel now, but I'm sure that his asleep now)."

Ali chuckled as he playfully swung his hand along with Ezio's :"yeah, I get what you mean. Quel nostro figlio carino è proprio simpatico, mi manca anche lui (That cute son of ours is really likable, I miss him too)."

Ezio chuckled as she didn't pull her hand back :"Well, I guess he has taken after his mother then."

Ali looked at her with a nock offended look :"hey, what does that mean?! Stai dicendo che non sono simpatico (Are you saying that I'm not likable)?"

Ezio laughed as she shook her head :"no, no, that's not what I meant. Ma devi ammettere che intimidisci gli altri con quanto ti comporti in modo selvaggio e folle (But you have to admit, you intimidate others with how wild and unhinged you act)."

Ali chuckled as he shrugged nonchalantly :"I have to act like that so idiots won't try to flirt with you or anything.

E inoltre, sei tu quello che si è innamorato di questo me selvaggio e sconvolto (And besides, you're the one who has fallen in love with this wild and unhinged me) Ashkim (my love)~."

Ezio nodded gently with a gentle and loving smile on her gorgeous face :"yeah, that's true. And I'm happy every second of the day knowing that you're my husband, Ashkim (my love)."

The same loving smile appeared on Ali's bearded face :"I have to say the same thing, Ashkim (my love).

Incontrarti doveva essere uno dei momenti più fortunati di tutta la mia vita (Meeting you had to be one of the luckiest moments of my entire life)."

Ezio nodded gently with a beautiful hum before she playfully raised an eyebrow :"then what was the luckiest moment?"

Ali gently squeezed her hand, as his smile grew even more loving as he looked into her eyes :"marrying you."

A happy smile appeared on Ezio's mesmerizing face as she hummed gently and squeezed Ali's hand as well :"me too, Ali. Me too."