Chapter 2: New Beginnings
Mirielle shot up from the desk and rushed to reclining girlfriend and inquired, "How are you feeling? Don't get up."
Kirika queried again, "I'm a little weak, but fine otherwise, but how are you?"
The Corsican blonde smiled as she held her arms out from her body and twirled in place. Kirika giggled a tiny laugh, which was a unique event. Mirielle had never heard Kirika giggle like a normal school girl, which made the statuesque assassin smile that her partner could relax so.
Mirielle sat down on the bed next to her small friend and started running her fingers through her short crop of silky black hair. Tenderly the worried blonde asked, "Are you up to some food or would you just like some broth?"
The weakened but proud Eurasian replied, "I would like some tea and some chocolate cake."
The response made the concerned Corsican feel so much better. This was the Kirika she had grown to love, so she answered the request, "I can do better."
The barefooted blonde in her black outfit went to her work area and poured a second cup of tea, while adding the dash of cream and two spoons of sugar her girlfriend preferred. Next the pampering partner took one of the chocolate éclairs left for them by their benefactors. Mirielle padded to the bed and sat on the bed next to her beloved friend.
The tender Corsican held out the cup of tea, but the smiling Eurasian swiped the éclair and took a huge bite and smiled. Smiles were never one of Kirika's habits and to see so many in one day was somehow comforting to the anxious young woman. Only after the small brunette had consumed the entire pastry did she take the hot cup of tea.
After finishing the tea, Kirika noticed her nakedness and queried her lovely partner with just a raised eyebrow. The embarrassed young woman blushed as she stammered, "Our hosts undressed us to better treat our wounds. Let me get you your clean clothing."
After taking the cup and placing on the side table between their beds, the blushing blonde rushed to retrieve the clothing left for the smaller slighter school girl. When the self-conscious beauty returned she noticed Kirika was examining a Glock and checking its weight to determine its load. It was time to tell her partner what she had learned.
After handing Kirika her clothes, Mirielle went over to the files and returned with several pieces of paper. Each document was one the intelligent Corsican felt necessary in explaining what she had discovered. While handing the still dressing Eurasian girl her first exhibit, she explained, "It seems Altena was more devious than we first thought. It seems she had always planned on you and I surviving and not Chloe. Additionally she also planned on her own demise. According to her letter, which is dated weeks ago, she foresaw everything that happened. The woman was a witch in more ways than one."
As Kirika read the first document, Mirielle busied herself with finishing the buttoning of her partner's shirt. The act felt so natural and spread warmth through the inexperienced Corsican's body. For Kirika's part, she was equally distracted and had to reread the same paragraph four times before the words registered in her foggy brain.
Kirika sighed as she said, "It seems we were played like puppets from the beginning. Altena must have arranged for me to find the watch and connect it to you, knowing I would find you and make contact. Naturally you would want to make contact with the person who had your father's old watch."
Mirelle nodded her agreement and asked the obvious question, "All true, but the question is what do we do with this information?"
Kirika shrugged her shoulders and answered, "We have no choice. We have to eliminate that element of the Soldat that threatens us. We cannot have any peace if they exist and want our abilities. Besides I want revenge for the destruction of our apartment in Paris. It was the first home I ever had and they took it from me."
Mirelle smiled a knowing smile, the statuesque blonde had never considered whether Kirika had come to consider the old apartment her home. Looking back it was only natural for a teenager who had never had a home attaching herself to the first place she felt comfortable.
The satisfied Corsican announced, "Then we must decide on our course of action and map out a plan to achieve it. We make a list of targets; refine that list to those most likely to achieve our goal and finally we devise a plan to eliminate each target in his or her proper moment."
Then the concerned partner noticed her friend shift her weight to relieve some of the pain of her wounds. So the troubled girlfriend said, "But first we must heal. I don't think we can stay here for long. The place is known to our enemies and I don't want to endanger these people any further. I think they have suffered enough. One day we are coming back and making it up to them a bit. But for now, I think we need to go elsewhere and lead the Soldat away from this village."
The sensitive Eurasian had seen firsthand the destruction the Soldat had inflicted on this quaint village and she too did not want to endanger them any further. So the savvy teenager replied, "I agree. I am ready to leave anytime you are. We can take the Peugeot to Italy and buy a new car in Naples."
The curious blonde wonder what was in her girlfriend's head, when she realized that one of the files had a reference to a villa in Naples where at three of the Soldat targets will be in residence at all times. The villa has never been hit. It is considered impregnable."
So now the young couple had a starting spot.
***** SE *****
Mirielle found a set of nice suitcases in the closet in her room and started packing all their new clothes she found in the chests of drawers and the closets. The Corsican blonde located toiletries and vanity items. Kirika was still lying in bed reading all the files left by Altena.
As the statuesque blonde transferred their bags into the hallway, she was greeted by Madame Fouche and Madame Dubois. Madame Fouche asked, "Is Noir leaving us? Surely you should wait at least a week before moving your partner. Her wounds are not very serious, but she has lost a lot of blood and any reopening of those wounds could result in them bleeding once again. Should they start bleeding again she will be in grave danger."
The beautiful Corsican replied, "We do not wish to endanger your village any further. You have already lost too much because of us. We can take care of ourselves without endangering our friends."
The two old women looked at each other and exchanged a silent conversation. After several moments of silent exchange, Madame Fouche reminded the young blonde, "We are here to serve Noir. We do it not out of some misbegotten loyalty. We do it, because we think it is the right thing to do. We are the real Soldat, not those fat aristocrats who call themselves Soldat so they can abuse their power.
What was done to this village was because those lost souls have forgotten the reason the Soldat was founded. They are lost and most be put back on the right path. That is the purpose of Noir. You are the chosen ones to lead the Soldat back to its proper place and we want to help you accomplish that aim in any way we can."
Mirielle tried to explain, "We appreciate that, but this village has suffered enough. You need to heal as much as we do. You need to know peace long enough to make this village alive again."
The village leader shook her head from side to side and answered Noir statement, "We are Soldat and proud to be so. We respect the old ways and fight for that which we believe. We need you here to prove we are right to fight for our beliefs. You may leave at anytime, but don't leave to protect us, when we are here to protect you."
The tall Corsican responded, "I would love to stay for a couple of days to give Kirika a chance to get her strength back. However I know she is concerned with all the people that were killed the last time she stayed with you. I think she is concerned the Soldat leaders will take revenge on your village for what happened the last time."
Madame Dubois interjected, "Why not let us make our own decision? Why not let us help you as is our function in life. I can only speak for myself, but I would give my life for Noir, not because I wish to die, but because I want the world set right again."
Madeleine appeared as if by magic and pick up a bag and started back into the room, only to freeze in the doorway. Mirielle didn't have to turn to see that the youngster was facing Kirika's Glock. With a satisfied smirk the blonde half of Noir called out, "Kirika, it's okay. The girl is helping return our luggage. These fine ladies have convinced me to stay while you heal. We will leave in a couple of days. So please lay back down."
Kirika did feel weak and tired. A little rest would do her a lot of good. However the young Eurasian was not comfortable staying in this village. The experienced assassin had seen too many of the citizens of this town die on her behalf. In no way did she want a repeat of that event. So the anxious warrior responded, "We have to go before they come after us. I do not want to make these people suffer anymore than they already have. I can rest in the car while you drive."
The blue-eyed Corsican replied, "These ladies have pointed out it is their right to do what they think is right and it is their choice on the course of their village. I think it would be disrespectful to the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for our sake to leave and not allow these people to perform the function for which they have devoted their lives. Kirika, if we can't protect this village then we can't defeat the Soldat hierarchy."
Kirika didn't want anyone else to sacrifice anything on her behalf. Too much guilt was already weighing down her soul. The only thing keeping her living was standing before her pleading for her to rest and heal. If not for her love of her blonde half she would have joined Altena in her fiery grave.
Kirika looked at the women so eager to help them and the pleading rich blue eyes of her beloved and decided to lay down for a few more hours, then they could leave. After all in her depleted condition, the Eurasian fighter would have difficulty protecting her loved ones.
The weakened brunette returned to her bed and laid down while snuggling into it to get in a comfortable position. Mirielle smiled in relief. Her concern for girlfriend was visible in her every gesture. Neither young woman was familiar or comfortable with their feelings, yet, but they were what was controlling each of their actions at the moment.
One day they each may come to their former detached personalities, but it wouldn't be while they both live. For in that dungeon in the old Manor, two souls were merged into one. Mirielle and Kirika became one…Noir.
***** SE *****
Madeleine brought a tray with hot tea and warm bread to the room a few hours later. Both the recovering assassin had slept while the world moved on without their presence. The arrival of the young preteen had awoken both experienced warriors to instant alertness with Glocks in hand.
The smiling girl seemed undisturbed by the guns pointed at her as she calmly placed the tray of goodies on a convenient table. The polite blonde poured two cups of tea and placed two cookies each in two separate saucers, then asked, "Cream, sugar?"
The two assassins looked at each other and smiled at the absurdity of the situation. Kirika responded, "Cream and two sugars, please."
Mirielle remembered a not so pleasant tea party not long ago, late at night in Paris and requested, "Just a little cream, please."
The young preteen fixed the tea as requested and then served each young woman their tea and then their cookies. The little girl was about to leave when Kirika asked, "Would you like to join us?"
The blonde child beamed in delight as she took a cup of tea and added cream and four sugars. Then the youngster sat a chair next to the table and began drinking the sweet tea. Kirika took a bit of the sugar cookie and smiled. The shy Eurasian enjoyed desserts more than anything and these sugar cookies were delicious.
Mirielle knew of her partner's fondness of sweets and chuckled under a placid façade as she sipped some tea. Then the Corsican blonde placed her cookies on her beloved plate and announced, "I am not particularly fond of sugar cookies. I prefer cake."
The young girl started to rise as if to get some cake, but the statuesque blonde stopped her by saying, "Finish your tea, child. I can eat cake later. Right now, I would like to talk to you about you."
The youth shifted her weight in order to regain the comfortable position she had earlier and smiled. Then Mirielle queried, "Madeleine, I understand your parents were killed in the fighting. With whom do you live?"
The question caused the girl some discomfort as she frowned before she answered, "I live in our house with my cat, Whiskey."
Kirika loved cats and commented, "What an unusual name for a kitten? How did you ever think of it?"
The sharp little girl answered, "When I was little I had trouble saying Whiskers, it came out Whiskey, so the cat became Whiskey."
The two young women chuckled as they each took a sip of tea to hide their laughter from the serious child. Mirielle followed her previous question with, "Besides Whiskey, with whom do you live?"
The lovely young girl shifted in her seat a bit, obviously a nervous habit, as she replied, "Nobody…."
The suddenly concerned Eurasian, who was very sensitive about children without any parents asked, "Who takes care of you?"
The petite yellowed hair youth responded proudly, "I take care of myself. I don't need a babysitter."
The slight brunette continued her inquiry, "How do you survive? Did your parents leave you any money upon which to live?"
The skinny girl took a cookie from the tray and replied, "My papa had money in the bank and Madam Dubois uses it to pay my bills for me. I work for Madam Fouche in her clinic as a messenger girl. She pays me enough to buy milk, bread and other necessities."
Mirielle silently resolved to talk pair of matrons later about manufacture of this urchin and the other orphans of the village. It was the least they could do after they saved Kirika while she was nursing hurt feelings.
Kirik knew the village elders were doing the best they could, but it was not enough to save this village. So the bright brunette looked to her partner and silently talked to her about how they could help the situation without putting its people in danger.
Mirielle knew her love was reluctant to talk in front of people and felt a lot of guilt about what happened to this village. So the savvy blonde started formulating a plan to save it. In preparation of her plan, the calculating Corsican asked, "What do people do to make a living in the village?"
The intelligent child answered sincerely, "Some people raise pigs. Some raise cows. Some sew. A lot of things."
The bright Corsican then asked, "Are there any factories, mines or large mills?"
The equally intelligent child answered, "No, why would there be any factories? There is a small gristmill for making flour about a mile from town. All the farmers in the area use it, except most of them died in the big fight."
Kirika smiled as she saw where her partner was taking this idea and asked Madeleine, "Madeleine could you get Madame Fouche for us, please and tell Madam Dubois that I would like something to eat now, other than these fine cookies."
Mirielle followed that line of thought with, "Yes, and something other than soup. I would love to have a nice piece of veal or liver. I think we both could use something that will help us get our lost blood back a little faster and take a couple more cookies with you."
The child jumped from her seat grabbed a hand full of the tasty treats and dashed off to complete her mission. Kirika looked at her girlfriend and asked, "What type of factory do have in mind for a village of old people and children?"
Her better half smiled back and answered simply, "Textiles. They must have sheep and goats on most of these farms that lost their farmers. Sheep and goats are easily herded. I know because as a child I watched my father's people herd large flocks of them with only small boys and dogs. We had many sheep on our lands in Corsica."
Kirika thought for a moment and then saw a flaw in the idea, "Who will shear all these goats and sheep?"
A huge smile graced the lovely blonde's face that took Kirika's breath away for a moment as she replied, "Why that will have to hire men from other villages, who can live in the empty houses with their families. There must be other Soldat villages close by and Noir can get them to relocate here. After all this village is strategically located for protecting the Manor from the north and we need the Manor, if for no other reason for the knowledge Altena left behind."
Again the pert Eurasian saw a immediate flaw in her beloved's plan, "The Soldat leaders must have control of the Manor by now."
A wiry smirked replaced the broad smile as her bright blue eyes turned to steely blue as she responded, "Then Noir must show them they are unwelcome. What better way to announce our intentions? I think Madam Fouche will replace Altena quite wonderfully don't you think. She can restore the Manor and start a school there for young ladies; Young ladies who will learn the charms of life and how to defend themselves in a very violent world. From those young ladies will become the next Noir, after all we will not live forever, can we? Only Madam Dubois will see that the young ladies are groomed with a much less heavy hand."
Kirika sipped her tea with an equally wiry grin and stated emphatically, "Only orphans, no girls will have their families torn apart to find just the right Soldat. I am sure there are enough orphans in the world to fill the Manor to the brim with potential Noir."
Mirielle knew Kirika was thinking of the her family, the one she had been forced to kill and agreed with a shake of head and tear in her eye as she replied simply, "Of course, I would kill anyone who tried to do it differently."
***** SE *****
At the Manor the members of the Inner Circle called the Sanctum were leaving for their homes while leaving one of their own in charge; a Russian by the name of Rostislav Belov. He was a trusted member of the Sanctum and a longtime opponent of Altena. For years Belov warned his fellow members of the danger of her old fashion ideas and that the idea that a pair of young women could ever be more than a fancy toy.
Women were for marrying and having children, not assassin. They were to weak and frail for such manly activities. Sure anyone could be trained to shoot a gun, but there were many times in a battle when you did not have a gun. What would a weak woman do against a real man?
Sure Noir had killed many of their minor operatives in combat but with crass guns and without the finesse of a knife or garrote. Many times as an assassin for the KGB, he had taken out an opponent with nothing more than a convenient scarf or a coil of wire of which he always carried a sample.
Rostislav was a behemoth of a man. The physical giant stood 6' 5" tall in his stocking feet and weight over 300 pounds without an ounce of fat. The power sold war warrior was proud of his strength and physique. The huge Russian thought of himself as a man's man and a lover of women.
In reality the brutal beast hated women and wanted to destroy them all. He loathed their weakness and their soft bodies. Over the years the Beast of Kiev had crushed the life out of many of the women he took to his bed as he pounded them for his pleasure.
Over the years his brutality had gotten more sinister and sadistic. His manhood needed more cruelty and torture to get the sexual arousal he desired. With more and more difficulty the evil man had trouble finding willing partners; not to mention partners who could last very long in his less than tender embrace.
Now his sweet dreams were of possessing the bodies of those two who call themselves Noir. The brute of a man fantasized what he would do to them and marveled at their endurance, but alas such endurance was only a daydream. Women were too weak to really endure his ministrations.
***** SE *****
A dinner of Pate de Foie Gras, roasted goose with herb stuffing, fresh greens and steamed potatoes was served to the two hungry young women. Madam Dubois told the healing couple that these dishes would do much to restore their depleted reserves.
While the happy duo sat at the table in their room, Madam Fouche came as requested. While Noir ate, the pair outlined their plan to restore the village and to get the input of the wise older woman. The village elder really was intrigued by the idea of a textile mill, knowing it would attract many new citizens, all loyal Soldat.
The older woman began to formulate a plan in her head of whom and how to approach other Soldat in villages of mixed sentiments. It would have to be a slow and careful process, because not every Soldat had the traditional mindset and not every village was totally populated by the Soldat. However in time all things can be done.
After this limitation was explained to the young couple, Mirielle stated, "No problem, it will take time to build the mill, but do you have the 'manpower' to gather the sheep and goats from the outlying farms. My understanding is many of your farmers were killed in Kirika's defense."
The head elder smiled as she responded, "Several of our herders were boys of ten and eleven and they are make a gather and hold the sheep and goats in the lower pastures and none of the sheep dogs were lost. We can handle it until the mill is built."
Minutes later Madeleine ran into the room panting, "A convoy is coming. The scouts are saying an armed convoy of four trucks and two jeeps are only two miles away."
Kirika saw the rifle in the young girl's hand, got up from her seat and took it from the child. Mirielle went to the chest of drawers and retrieved two Glocks and put a third in her belt. The cold eyed Corsican commanded, "Gather your villagers and find a safe place. We will handle this."
Madam Fouche protested, "We are swore to protect Noir and will do what we can to help you. We have plenty of weapons and we know how to use them."
Kirika shook her head from side to side and ordered emphatically, "No. We work better alone. If everyone out there is an enemy then we do not have to worry about killing a friend. Now go and gather everyone in the church."
As Kirika gathered her weapons, she looked to her partner and smiled. It was time for Noir to go to work.
