The Vixen of the Thieves – Chapter 1 – Life on the Streets – Venice 1485
She pulled her hood up to shield herself from the light rain.
She looked at the homes. She pulled off her apron as she walked. She had once lived among the gentry not just as a servant, but as a member of the elite. She now worked for them. For her first two years she had worked at a laundry until she had been injured, and then met and charmed a young aristo who asked her to be his housekeeper after finding out she was a widow and a mother. She had taken the job and now made a modest, but decent living. Her hands were no longer being burn by lye and her eyes no longer burned from the steam. She could afford the books and medicines her children needed as well as a small home across town from where she worked.
She hide her name well, simply going by Isabelle. As a De' Medici she would be returned to her family. She had kept in contact with Lorenzo De' Medici, her cousin for all practicality, to inform him she was alive and well. He had been pleased, but then she moved away from Florence afraid that either the Borgia or Ezio would find her. She well knew he had returned to Florence as well and she wanted desperately to move on and forget the pain of the past.
She wanted to leave her life behind there. She was a widow with twin children. Giovanni and Giana would soon turn nine years old. Both were beautiful children. Giovanni looked very much like his uncle Ezio, shoulder length dark hair that was tied back from his face with a ribbon and clever golden eyes. Gianna had a more refined look that reminded Isabelle of her mother-in-law Maria's dark beauty.
She knew, however, her life would eventually catch up to her.
She sighed as she walked down the narrow street of the poor district of Venice. It was here where the thieves, cutthroats, and others lived. The elite of Venice had marginalized them. Isabelle was safe from being robbed, however. Living here, the people knew she had as little as they did, though she often made a pot of soup to share with her neighbors. Some were worse off that she was. She fed them and her family. In exchange for feeding some of the families of the city thieves, Antonio, a thin wiry man in his thirties, had offered her protection, which she gladly accepted in exchange for helping out the local families in the area when she could.
She opened her door and spotted Rosa, one of Antonio's thieves and his adopted daughter of sorts, sitting with Giana who was weeping.
"What happened?"
"Il Serpente." Rosa hissed.
The Snake. He was a local crime-lord whom had taken over the district. Part of her was suddenly missing Ezio. She could ask him to remove the threat. She looked at her daughter.
"Did he hurt you?" She asked.
"No, but he wants to talk to you momma." Giana said. Isabelle sighed and kissed her thick hair.
Rosa rose to her feet. "You cannot let him win. He is a thug. No more, no less."
"I know, but I most protect my family."
"What are you suggesting?"
"I am thinking to relocate and then speak to Antonio on the matter."
"Antonio has enough on his plate." Rosa looked at him. "What do you think he wants?"
"Me. He has always wanted me. He harassed me when I first came here, but he was nothing now. However, now he rules though intimidation."
"What do you plan to do?"
"Show the coward for what he is." She looked at Rosa. "Can you take the children with you to Antonio? He will see them safe."
"And you?"
Isabelle took a breath and went to her room. She let the question drop as Rosa went to the children's room to gather their school supplies for homework, some supplies to draw on, and a toy each. Rosa nodded to them to walk out as she turned to Isabelle who lifted a bracer. She was strapping it under the sleeve of her rough spun dress. The sleeve dropped and Isabelle flexed a muscle in her arm. The blade sprang forth with a small sound of metal on metal.
The hidden blade, an assassin's tool of their trade. It had been given to her by Ezio sometime ago for her protection. He had meant for her to stay at the villa with her children. Mario had understood and had seen her off with a kiss to the cheek.
That had been seven years ago. She still wrote to Mario often and Claudia, her beloved sister-in-law. She sighed as she pressed her muscle again retracting the blade. She smiled at Rosa and nodded.
Rosa shepherded the children toward the thief den.
Isabelle walked to the square where the Snake, Fabio, was said to be. She saw him as she walked into the square. She coiled a little. He was a handsome enough man, but having been born to a whore who did not want him and an aristo who had a wife, he literally raised himself. After suffering from the abuses living on the street, he became a man of cruelty.
Isabelle approached. She was nearly thirty now, but she looked no different than she had when she had first come to this city when she had barely been over twenty. The wisdom was in her eyes as she walked with purpose to the man who had a courtesan under his arm.
"Isabelle." He greeted.
"Fabio."
"What brings you here?"
"You threatened my daughter."
His face had been jovial until then. He blinked and then dismissed the group. "Walk with me, Isabelle."
"No, I will speak to you here."
"Very well. The rest of you leave."
The others left and Isabelle looked at the man who attempted to placate her with a smile. She was having none of it.
"Why did you threaten my daughter?"
"Because you owe me rent."
"You are not my landlord."
"You are here and you live on these streets. They are my domain. Your neighbors pay me."
"I am not afraid of you." She said.
"Perhaps you should be." He said drawing a small stiletto. He held it. "I could take a finger and no one would know or care."
She smiled and flexed her arm as she lifted it level with his neck. The blade came out and was only a couple inches from the vulnerable flesh. "Oh you think so, È inutile cane." She said, smiling without humor.
He swallowed. "Where did you get such a blade?"
"My brother-in-law." She answered.
"You really should be careful with that…it is sharp…" He said reaching up.
She flicked her wrist and he jumped back, his fingers bleeding. "I do not owe you any rent." She hissed at him. "You will leave my family alone."
"You are not one to…" His words were broken off by the back of her hand sending his face to the side with a snap.
"Do not interrupt. You are a coward. If you do not leave my family be, I will hunt you down, you will have nowhere to run where I cannot find you, and I will kill you." She said. "Just as I would any snake."
She flicked her arm and the blade withdrew and she walked away. He looked after her a hand on his cheek. He narrowed his eyes at her retreating form. He would see she would never embarrass him again. She was a strong woman, but would be more fun to break. He wiped the blood from his lip.
ZzZ
Isabelle walked into the courtyard the thieves of the city used as their headquarters.
Antonio saw her walk in. It was after dark and he came to her. "Belle." He said coming to her. "Come." He said directing her to his rooms. She followed him.
"My children?"
"In the care of Rosa and Bianca." He said as he opened the door. "Come have some wine, my friend."
She took the glass gratefully, but her hands shook and he steadied it for her. "Thank you." She managed.
He put his hands over hers. "Hey, easy, Isabelle." He said gently. "Stay here tonight. You can return home in the morning."
She took a breath. "You are always kind, Antonio."
"Beautiful women are hard to come by in this town." He shrugged letting go of the cup to allow her to sip. "Besides, a sister in need of help will always gain my attention." He said nodding to her burn.
"Thank you for everything." She said.
"Sleep here. I am going out with some of the boys. You will be safe."
"I am going to live at my employer's home. He has offered my family rooms."
"That is kind."
"He is a good man."
Antonio nodded. Isabelle sighed and turned lost in her thoughts. Antonio smiled as he watched her move about the room a little. She would be a catch for whom ever could bring her into the fold. Perhaps this aristo could weave a spell over her. She was an assassin and would protect his thieves if he needed it. He would encourage any relationship she had with the aristos so she could gain information.
He left after he watched her fall asleep. She was in his bed and oddly the idea of being with her was alien to him. He would gladly have her as a lover, but she was too proud, like Rosa. No wonder the two had become fast friends when Antonio had brought the woman here after injuring herself saving Bianca's son from the guards' horses. She had been nearly crushed, but the boy was safe and the thieves had been grateful.
The guards had left the poor woman in the mud with a broken leg and hand. She was useless for the laundry she worked at. Antonio had Bianca and a doctor they trusted help her recover. She had taken a kick to the head as well, but that had only bruised her, thankfully.
When she had recovered he had found her work as a housekeeper for the aristo. She had become friends with Antonio and Rosa by that time and she had worked with them when they needed information for something.
He blew out the candle to let her sleep. Isabelle was an assassin and one who wished to hide. He knew little of her history, but Sister Teodora seemed to know more about her than he did, but she also knew the value of keeping secrets. Antonio would ask, in time.
Isabelle heard the door close and sighed.
ZzZ
Isabelle came to her employer's home.
She entered though the back with her children. Alexander walked into the room and smiled at her. "Welcome, Isabelle. I am expecting some company, some men from the bank, can you plan accordingly?"
"Of course Messere."
"And who are these beautiful children?" He asked looking at them.
"My son and daughter, Giovanni and Giana." She took a breath. "I need to have my friend outside take them to school, but then I will start on some pies for you." She smiled a little.
"Of course. Of course." He said.
She kissed each and then led them to the door where Ugo stood waiting. He took their hands and smiled at Isabelle. She thanked him and sighed as she pulled on her apron and put on her cap to keep her hair out of her eyes.
Alexander came into the kitchen, surprising her as she hummed. She had gasped and he lifted a hand. "Forgive me, I did not mean to give you a start, my dear."
"It is well, sir. Sorry."
He smiled. "You were early and you seemed out of sorts. What was the matter?"
"I…" She lifted her head. "Is there any way your offer still stands?" She asked playing with her apron.
He cupped a hand under her chin. "The one where you come and live here with the children?"
"Yes." She said looking up into his bright blue eyes.
"Naturally." He said.
She took a shaky breath. "Thank you." She whispered.
He pressed a kiss to her brow. "I will leave you to it." He cocked his head. "I think I need to give you a raise or perhaps a bit of extra coin this month."
She looked at him in the doorway. "Why?"
"Giana is in need of new shoes the poor dear." He said. He smiled. "When the bell rings can you answer the door?"
"Of course." She smiled. "I will have tea ready."
He nodded. "Always one to think ahead. Thank you." He smiled and was gone.
She took a deep breath and pressed a hand to her mouth. She was going to be safe again. She was going to have a home. This wonderful man would see she was safe and well and her children as well. She wiped the singular tear from her eye and started to spread flour to roll out the dough.
Security.
She had that now.