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Marco and Cirllo keep pace behind Giacomo and Blasio without giving away their position.

As the group all converge at Saint Antonio's bridge it becomes obvious that three men (Cirillo, Marco and Ferran) are all stalking the same prey (Giacomo and Blasio).

Unfortunately, Marco does not have enough time to question the stranger. Instead Marco bolts down a side street, using his knowledge of the local area to find an alternate route home before his brother.

[see Scene 5 for Marco at Acerbi household]

[Cirillo and Ferran continue scene in this thread. It is obvious you are both following Giacomo/Blasio, but neither of them see you]

Cirillo does his best not to raise any attention and so he doesn't stop and ask the stranger who he is. In fact he fears that the stranger is on of Rocco's thugs and he has to divide his attention between the stranger and the two ahead. After a while Cirillo remembers seeing the stranger at the fencing school, where he met Rocco. "Damn! I hope he doesn't make a scene and compromise me...", Cirillo thinks silently.

I suspect that Rocco and his goons could have taken an alternate route and they could be laying in ambush, so I don't let my guard down. Also I pick at my pace, walk up next to Cirillo and and when within earshot I whisper to him

"Greetings señor Cirillo.You can call me Isolotto. I just happened to witness that interesting conversation within the school, and when I realized those five where out the moment you and Marco left... Well, I thought I could even the odds for you and your friend."

"Damn!", Cirillo thinks when the stranger begins to whisper to him...

"Nice to meet you, Isolotto.", Cirillo whispers back out of courtesy as he has had his share of hostility already. Cirillo tries to keep the two in sight as he talks to Isolotto.

"We have barely met and yet you already offer to help me and I suppose you know the opposition. It means you are either a very brave man or you're not totally honest here. I mean no disrespect, senor, as I hope you see things from my position. But you can tell me more as we walk casually without causing anything that would raise suspicion, right?", Cirillo continues hoping that this stranger isn't in the league with Marco's brother or Rocco.

In mid-step Cirillo gives a cry of pain and almost collapses as his left knee suddenly protests with sharp pain.

With a swift move I support the falling doctor and help him keep his pace.

"Easy senor. Lets try to keep up with those two and I'll explain. As for your concern, yes, its only natural that you don't trust me, any sane man would be suspicious of a stranger. Especially when something foul is at play. I have a gut feeling that you and your friend are in over your heels and I felt that I could aid your cause. I understand that you are investigating the circumstances of a vile act against a lady, and by the looks of it you should watch Blassio and Rocco more closely than you do. As for my motives, well, I'm new to your fair city, I'm a competent swordsman and man of action, looking to establish myself here, and finally I loath... unpleasantries, especially against women. Hence the whole ordeal caught my attention and I approached your side because I feel that you need all the help that you can get and I might be able to provide just that."

Cirillo accepts Isolotto's help even if the need for his help stings almost as badly as his knee throbs now as the worst pain begins to recede.

"Thank you, Isolotto. My damn knee acts up now and then, an old injury that never healed properly. Ah, the irony of it, eh? Yes, let's keep on moving so we don't loose the track of those two. My knee should be fine after a while.", he whispers to the man keeping him up and watching in concern if their quarry has been alerted.

"As a sign of good will I'll tell you what I've learned. I overheard Giaccomo and Blasio inside the school, saying that Marco is making a move against his brother. However Giaccomo doesn't believe Marco is acting on his own, and I feel that Blasio is trying to pin that on you. Hence Giaccomo goes to meet his father.

As far as Rocco is concerned, he said that he and his minions had work to do. I believe that you also saw that his party went in a different direction.

Call me paranoid senor, but if Giaccomo, Blasio and Rocco are in league, we could be walking into an ambush. So better have your blade ready as I do, and illuminate me in the matter at hand as we go."

Giacomo and Blasio continue, now obviously talking to eachother as they go. If it wasn't obvious before, it is now almost certain that their destination is the Acerbi household a few streets away. The route they took home was slightly different to the one Francesca was attacked on. Neither appears to take notice of the two of you following behind.

"Quite an interesting fellow that Bladio, it seems. Feels like he's the one making a move or two of his own, doesn't it?", Cirillo answers and gasps a bit when the sore knee takes too much weight.

"I certainly hope that Rocco is not part of group because that man is seriously dangerous. I have met him and some of his crew a few times and he is not to be trifled with. Still, he accused me to be a liar and a cheat when I won the game fairly. I hope Giacomo doesn't believe his lies. But you are right, it is possible that there will be an ambush but I really doubt that it will happen when we are at the Acorbi household. So, as long as we get there smoothly, we will be safe for now. Thank you for sharing that information, I am sure Marco would like to hear this, too.".