I am here to tell a tale that has never been revealed until now. As you read this story imagine me sitting on a tiny bridge next to the bakery, not too far from my husband as he tells a story of a different sort. I'm a petite woman of 32 with long flowing locks of hair and an ample bosom- oh who am I kidding, I'm a small lady with bushy red hair and grey eyes, pale as a sheet and I could do with a dunk in the river for getting paint all over my hands and possibly a smear or two on my face. I am merely a humble artist who uses her knowledge of painting and sculpting to get by. Later if you like you could brows some of my wears. I have some fine paintings to captivate even the most dulled gaze.
Oh I am sorry I have been distracted, silly me! Enough of this sort of talk that is not why you are here is it. You want to hear a story so I shall tell you one.
Why you ask? Because just recently I had an experience I cannot put into words. I thought had lost my husband… and it tore me apart, that he could have died so easily with nothing to remember him by.
One day we will all be gone and forgotten, but do not fear my friend our stories live on. If I tell this I can be happy that I and the ones I love live on in this book, letter, voice or whatever is telling you my message.
I extend my hand to you and ask that we travel through this together. Step into an early summer morning as the city dopily awakes to the sweet bells of Notre Dame herself 12 years ago in the year 1470, where a young Gypsy man of 23 was in the process of getting robbed blind.
The little children who had escaped from their parents clutches to see the gypsy man perform his puppet show were enthralled by his paternal knack and energy as he practically danced his way through stories with glee and enjoyment. So much so it seemed he had enthralled himself into the stories he told. He did not seem to notice his coin bag had gone missing from the ground where he had put it for begging.
A cloaked woman had been standing to the side of the performance. Watching the man's swaying movements closely before using her toes to guide the bag close enough to her skirts for a little white paw to snag the bag shut and lift it under her skirt inconspicuously. She stayed to watch the show to the end so as not to draw suspicion but noticed that under the guise of a smile and bright colours, the story being told was a grim one. A murder story set on the steps of Notre Dame herself! She wondered if this was at all appropriate for children, but came to the conclusion that this was a very clever piece of propaganda with a very simple and charming moral. And if that wasn't enough she grew slightly jealous of the man's singing voice. It was a treasure in itself the talent of song, one which this girl did not possess.
After the story had finished she smiled and gave the man a clap before heading off into the street. Imagining what sort of reaction he would have to discover that his money bag had been stolen. A thief's reaction was always the best when they found out they had been robbed themselves. Some guilt always slid its way into her stomach when she stole but it was a fact of life, women didn't have any dignified jobs out there and she was a young woman of 20 in a world where people do what they must to get by.
She looked around to gain her bearings, not noticing the inevitable collision course until it was too late. Bumping shoulders with a seemingly familiar face roughly her hand flew up to her hood in alarm.
"Excuse me," the stranger apologised sincerely, "I did not intend to alarm you petite. I keep a sharper eye in the future."
As the two drifted apart the girl turned to glance back at the charming man with a faint blush across her cheeks. It wasn't often someone spoke so politely to her so this meeting had softened her heart somewhat.
That was until she realised who had been so polite to her. Her hand went to her sash to find her own money purse missing.
That damned puppeteer! He had just taken advantage of her shyness and pulled off the oldest trick in the book! He was now sauntering away with her money bag swinging form his gloved fingers merrily. Still keeping the aura of amusement about him while watching her reaction with the broadest grin he could muster.
The furious need to chase him down blazed angrily in her chest. Oh he would have just loved that! The fact he was also baiting her like a cat to string did not help her situation. However, a much more entertaining idea crossed her mind. If he wanted a challenge he could have one! A war of whit and thievery would commence between the two young adults.
She turned round to face the young man and yanked down her hood with a flourish. Her stone eyes infamous for being able to scare even the most hardened soldiers away skewered the gypsy boy into place. The smile vanished, being replaced with a mixed expression of awe, shock and his own potent brand of confrontation. As her enthralling glare changed into a sharp smirk, she bowed her head before turning and walking away.
The Game of Thieves had begun!
Hello there you all! Review if you like :D I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it :3 New chapters shall be up soon!