'He cannot be serious,' Zelda thought to herself as her aging father droned on about sending her from Florence while the avid looters were sacking homes for their bonfires. She glanced vaguely in the direction of her escort, a hood hid his face but she knew him to not be her usual companion Link. "You must go until the people get over this madness." Zelda sighed but nodded, knowing there was no way to change his mind.
"Where am I to go with this hooded stranger?" she asked and her father motioned for him to step forward.
"I am to take you to your family villa near Venice," his voice lacked the learned air of a man of wealth, he sounded like a rough man and Zelda looked to her father. "Now please, let us hurry," he said and Zelda nodded.
"Bring out your vanities!" a young voice shouted on the other side of the ornately carved front door and her father gave her a look.
"Get going!" he whispered frantically and her cloaked companion held out a cloak for her.
"Why-"
"We need to keep your face and dress covered," he explained as he draped the cloak over her shoulders and pulled the hood up. If he noticed her shy from his touch, he didn't show it as he grabbed her arm and led her up the stairs.
"Are we not leaving?" she asked, confused and worried as he led her down the hall to her room.
"Shall we waltz out the front door?" he counter-asked as he opened her window and pulled her onto the balcony after him. She scowled and watched him hop lithely onto the railing, catching his balance quickly. He then turned to her, hand outstretched. She took it warily, noting the callouses of years spent wielding a blade, and he hauled her up next to him before pushing her onto the rooftop. She let out a little frustrated noise, annoyed at him as he climbed up next to her. "Come on," he said as he took her arm, leading them along the rooftop to the edge. Zelda glanced down, seeing nothing but a cart filled with hay two stories below her.
"Now what?" she asked and he turned to her. She could see his grin under his hood and she hated to admit she wanted to see what else the hood hid. "Well?" she asked and he shook his head. Out of nowhere he shoved her roughly, sending her over the side with a startled yelp.
She landed on the scratchy rough straw and glared at him as he landed next to her. "I cannot believe you just did that!" she exclaimed loudly and he fell back into the hay laughing. His hood fell back and her eyes widened in surprise at the strong features and hair the color of a smoky sapphire. He looked at her with mischievous eyes that matched his hair.
"There are many things about me you would not believe," he said in a mock-serious tone. He hopped out of the cart, pulling her with him and she watched him brush the hay from his cloak. "You need to change."
"I suppose I do after being shoved into hay," she said with an annoyed air and he just shook his head as he stepped up to her, pulling her hood up once more.
"You do not wear the clothes of a wealthy lady while traveling, we'll have enough trouble as it is with you being so beautiful." She blushed at his words, not used to such blatant talk.
"And where does one go to get suitable clothes for travel?" she asked and he turned to her with a little grin.
"La Bella Rosa will do," he said and turned back to continue. She paled cleared her throat.
"I'm not going into that... that-"
"Brothel? Whorehouse? Den of sinful and pleasurable acts?" he offered as he turned back to her, one dark eyebrow raised as he spoke.
"Do you frequent such establishments?" she asked and he pulled her to him, those beautiful eyes searching hers. She tried to keep her breathing even, but being in his arms made it almost impossible.
"You haven't even bothered to ask my name and yet you dare to ask me such a question?" he asked, humor in those mesmerizing eyes. "Look at me and answer this honestly: do I have need of one?"
"No," Zelda barely managed and he grinned.
"Smart girl," he let her go, hand falling into hers. He laced their fingers and she blushed under the hood as they continued on their odd journey.