Rings of Love

Nahdia woke from the smell of blood and realised that she forgot to wash her bloody armour. As she got out of bed pain rushed throughout her body making her cringe. As Nahdia recovered she remembered the dream that she had the night before and recalled the first time when her mother told her that she was an assassin and that Nahdia was the next in line. Nahdia remembering the dream remembered the ring on the chain. Nahdia forgot where she put it and couldn't find it among her blood stained clothes. Nahdia started to panic and rummaged through all her draws and even her cupboards but she didn't succeed in finding the necklace. Nahdia searched and search but couldn't find the ring. Nahdia fell to the ground in distress, calculating the probability of where it could be. As Nahdia figured out the probability she remembers that necklaces were worn not lost. Nahdia reached towards her neck and felt the cool metal of the chain. She pulls at the chain and dangling in front of her is the ring.

One again father Landau sent Nahdia out on another errand, this time to search for a painter. As Nahdia inspected each painting and artist she finally chose the best. The artist was named Radon George; he was a tall but slim man and wore a black and silver vest with black tights. Nahdia found his clothes funny but dared not to laugh. When Nahdia gave the artist the address of the church she left without saying goodbye just in case the artist wanted to paint her. Instead of walking straight back to the church Nahdia decided to take a walk through the southern suburbs. She saw many stores and shops selling jewels, food, hats, silk but she only took interest in one store. Nahdia walked towards the shop keeper and inspected the table full of books and spotted a yellow spined book with a picture of a girl with long hair standing on a balcony of her tower. Under her was a man, hand raised towards her.

"Ahhhhh, Rapunzel. It's a beautiful book." said the shop keeper watching Nahdia carefully.

Nahdia held out three cold coins to the keeper and waited till he took them before she left. As Nahdia walked through the nearest gardens she read the story of how a beautiful maiden named Rapunzel was shut away in a tower by an evil witch and kept her there till a handsome prince came and rescued her. Nahdia read the book many times and refused to put it down that is until she ran into the stranger.

"Well look at what I just found" said the stranger with a smirk on his face.

Nahdia look up from her book and saw the stranger from when her purse was stolen. She turned around and started walking in the opposite direction but the man grabbed her arm and turned her back.

"You can't just leave, you haven't said hello yet" said the man still clinging to Nahdia's arm.

"Hello, there I've said it, now please let me go" replied Nahdia softly.

The man let go of her arm but stopped her from walking away. Nahdia was really getting annoyed with this man and wanted to just pierce his heart with one of her blades.

"Please, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Demitri Gavino." The stranger bowed and kissed Nahdia's hand.

As the man straightened Nahdia bowed to him with respect and took her hand from Demitri's. Demitri spied the book Nahdia was reading and got an idea in his head that would impress this unknown maiden.

"Is that book Rapunzel, I remember reading that, in fact I would like to show you something if I may?" Demitri grabbed Nahdia's hand before she could even reply and led her towards a high tower with a clock; its hands were black while the rest of the clock was gold and silver.

Demitri led her into the clock tower and climbed the stairs with a quick pace, he still holding her hand as they both ran. When they both reached the top of the clock tower Demitri and Nahdia found it hard to breath from running up the stairs. As Nahdia recovered her breath she looked out through the clock window and saw all of her home city. Nahdia gasped at the view of Salamanca, her home, her birth right lay here in this city, the city of Spain. Demitri watched Nahdia as she looked through the window and gave a small smile when she looked at him.

"It's beautiful." Nahdia leaned out of the window and gazed down upon the square full of people. She looked far and wide and spotted out the church where she and father landau lived.

"Want to get a better view?" Demitri asked politely but cautious.

Nahdia gave Demitri a look as if he was joking but he wasn't. Demitri climbed out of the window and waited on the ledge for Nahdia to follow him. As Nahdia followed she found it hard to climb over the window's sill in a dress so she took off her shoes and undid her dresses straps. When Nahdia finished and climbed out through the window Demitri was surprised at her sudden change in clothes but marvelled at the shape of her body the corset gave Nahdia. When Nahdia stood beside Demitri she gave him a look as if she didn't care but she knew it wasn't appropriate for a stranger to stare. Demitri was in the lead and climbed the clock and sat on its hands and waited for Nahdia to follow. Nahdia finding it easier now just dresses in her corset and skirt climbed the clock a lot quicker than Demitri did. Surprised at her skills Demitri continued climbing the tower till he reached the very top. Nahdia having the skills from being the Black Mask made it to the top without any mistakes, not even out of breath. Demitri held out his hand and offered Nahdia help but instead she hopped up herself.

The wind blew through Nahdia's long brown hair, making it flick in all kinds of different directions. Demitri was telling the truth, the view from the clock tower was amazing. They both sat admiring the view until it got quite dark, the wind getting colder as the moon rose. Nahdia began to shiver at the sudden drop of temperature and decided to climb back down. When they both where safely back inside the tower, Demitri watched as Nahdia redressed herself and even offered help to tie up the straps. When Nahdia was ready to set off home gave a warm smile to Demitri and walked through the door.

"Wait, I still don't know your name" Demitri rushed after Nahdia but he was too late. He stood in the door way of the clock tower and shook his head. How did he wonder about this girl, he even came up with an answer, he must be love drunk with this secret girl. Nahdia was late back to the church but she didn't mind, she had an amazing night with this stranger Demitri but every time she thought about him she felt her heart beat harder. She too became in love.