Hey there! I hope you enjoy the first chapter! Please review:) and thanks to JediMasterBianca for helping me think of the idea for this story.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and nobody but Bianca.
P.S. florin is the currency used in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance period.
I walked the bustling streets of my hometown, Florence, unseen in the crowd. I watched as people dragged their feet against the cobblestone paths and squint at the hot August sun. The streets came to life as vendors, merchants, and others walked around in the general chaos that was my home. Florence was the center for trade and commerce. Vendors shouted their fares, fighting to catch people's attention.
"Spices! Paprika! Only 40 florins a pound!"
"Silk! Of the finest quality, fresh off the Silk Road! 100 florins per meter!"
"Wine! Made of the finest grapes! Beautifully aged! 80 florins for a bottle!"
Quietly, I listened to the noise, a strange feeling of peace and security surrounding me. I was sitting on one of the steps leading to the palazzo, which overlooked the piazza. I fiddled with the hem of my thin woolen dress. A soft breeze tousled my hair, and I smiled slightly, feeling happy and content.
I watched my younger brother and sisters Enrico, Denise, Francesca, and Maria run around the piazza, chasing pigeons. They all ran up to me, their faces excited. Maria, the youngest, sat on my lap. " Bianca can you play with us? Please?". I smiled softly at her "Sorry signorina, perhaps later, besides, I'm too old for your games anyway." Enrico laughed "Ah, sorella, you are no fun! Come on Denise, Francesca, Maria, let's go!". They ran back to the piazzato continue playing.
Suddenly, the heavenly smell of bread baking wafted through the air.
I turned around to face the direction was coming from. A bakery.
Well, desperate times called for desperate measures.
I began to walk casually torwards the bakery, staying in the sidelines, hoping I was unnoticed and unseen.
As soon as the bakers back was turned I reached out and grabbed the biggest loaf of bread and walked away quickly, clinging to the shadows. No one had even glanced at me.
I smiled triumphantly and ran away with my prize. I had already stolen many times before, it was almost too easy. I was the self proclaimed master of stealth. I was seen only when I wanted to be seen.
My family lived in poverty. My mother, Gratiana, washed clothes for a few florins every week, and my father, Mario, was a humble vendor. They both received little pay and spent most of it feeding their hungry children's mouths. Papa's health had already began to take a turn for the worst. I had tried looking for a job, but no one hired me because I was too young. So, I stole. Nobody has ever caught me anyway.
But little did I know that someone was watching me the whole time.
Antonio Giovanni leaned against a wall examining the scene before him, waiting for a client. Antonio was an assassin, and the finest onaddy the business. Tonight he had come a long way from Rome to Florence waiting for a customer. He wore a black cloak, hood covering most of his face. People walked pass him unaware he was even there.
Then, something caught his eye.
A girl.
She had dark hair, and wore the clothes of a peasant. She moved in shadow, slipping past people, unnoticed.
Antonio watched as she expertly reached out and grabbed loaf of bread when the poor unexpected baker turned to face a customer. She walked away as if nothing happened. No one saw her or even looked at her.
Intruiged, he followed the the girl as she ran away. Going around unnoticed was a rare gift, that took years of mastery and training. Yet, this girl looked like she did this everyday.
He was looking for an apprentice.
Perhaps he had found one.
Sorry it was short, the next chapter will be longer, I promise :)
Oh, and don't forget to review!