Chapter 25

Dafne was awoken the next morning by Silvio bounding in.

"Wake up Dafne!" the boy chirped cheerfully, sitting down and bouncing on the edge of the bed, "Wake up!"

Dafne groaned into the pillow.

"I'm awake, I'm awake, please stop that."

Silvio became still,

"Sorry, Basta told me to come wake you up."

"Really?" Dafne sat up, massaging her temples, she had a slight headache, a result of last night's wine, "Well you succeeded."

"Are you okay?" Silvio looked concerned.

"Oh I'm fine," Dafne lowered her hands and smiled, "How was last night?"

Silvio grinned,

"It was great. We played fetch," adding worriedly, "Don't tell Basta that. I'm not supposed to do that with them."

Dafne ruffled his hair as she slid out of bed,

"I won't say a word."

"What did you guys do last night?" Silvio asked.

Oh we drank wine and I admitted he was handsome, Dafne thought to her chagrin, I won't drink anymore with him. Ever. Not when something like that slips out.

"I told him a story," was her actual reply.

Silvio looked disappointed,

"You told a story without me."

"I'll tell it to you another time, okay."

Silvio brightened,

"Okay," then his face turned serious, "What did the lady's note say?"

Dafne stared at him in confusion.

"What?"

"The note from the lady," Silvio said, "The mute lady, I put it in your pocket."

"Oh," Dafne said in realisation. She reached into pocket and drew out the crumpled piece of paper, "I forgot to look at it."

It was indeed from Resa.

I'll always be your friend Dafne, she had written, responding to the fear that Dafne had penned in own note, just be careful, I don't trust Basta. I still believe escape is possible. Monster night is coming soon and this will present an opportunity. If you can, please find DF and see what he says. We will need his help again. Take care Dafne.

Dafne frowned.

What was Monster Night? Whatever it was, it didn't sound good with a name like that.

She was also unsure how to go about meeting Dustfinger (obviously DF). For one thing she was confined to Basta's house and after the incident yesterday she was beginning to see that Basta had a point wanting her to stay put. Even if she did sneak out to find Dustfinger, she would have no idea where to look in the village for the man she had not even met yet.

She pushed the whole idea to the back of her mind. There was definitely more planning needed if she was going to attempt it.

She read on. The last sentence, messier than the rest as it had no doubt been scribbled in haste,

I knew you would get her back.

She meant Vanetta of course.

Dafne smiled, looking up from the note to Silvio's impatient face.

"Well?" he wanted to know the message's contents.

"She thanked me for getting Vanetta back," Dafne replied, folding the note more neatly and putting it back in pocket, "Though most of credit should really go to you."

She deliberately withheld the rest. As much as she cared about the boy, she didn't want to discuss the possibility of another escape attempt with him. He would no doubt be as against it as he had been the first one.

"Is that all?" Silvio said, looking unconvinced.

"Yes. What were you expecting?" Dafne said with some reluctance.

"I don't know," the boy replied, "An escape plan."

Dafne tried not to look guilty. There was no escape plan in the note, just mention of an appropriate occasion in which escape could be made along with a request Dafne doubted she would be able to see through.

"No, nothing of the sort," she reassured him, "I'm not going anywhere."

Her desire might have been rekindled, spurred by Resa's words but practically thinking she didn't see escape anytime soon in her immediate future.

"You're happy here, aren't you?" Silvio asked.

"Happier than I was in Capricorn's house," Dafne said, "It's not exactly the same as being free though."

"I think I know what you mean," Silvio said, surprising her, "This place isn't really as great as Basta said it would be. And the things we do, what Capricorn makes us do, they're..." he trailed off, looking pained.

"I know," Dafne said, encouraged by this unexpected admission.

"That girl Netta," Silvio said, naming the catalyst for his revelation, "She's an orphan like me now because we killed her family. When she yelled at me the other day, that was the worst feeling. And when I saw that Cockerell was going to hurt her yesterday, I lost it. I knew I had to help her. I used to be scared of Cockerell he picked on me more than anyone because he hates Basta. But when I went for him, I wasn't scared, even when he was kicking me. I knew I had done the right thing. I saved her. Like how Basta saved you only I got beaten up."

He rubbed his bandaged arm, wincing. Dafne watched him sympathetically.

"I've thought about it," he went on, "I don't want to start fires. I don't want to kill people. I don't know what to do," he looked at her helplessly, "I can't tell Basta. He wouldn't understand. He'd be disappointed."

That thought seemed to distress him just as much as the prospect of having to commit the abovementioned deeds.

Dafne sat down beside him supportively,

"He might be," she said, "The important thing is that you know in your heart that this isn't the life you want."

"I do like it here though," Silvio said miserably, "I like being with you and Basta and the dogs. But if I don't do the other things, I'll be kicked out."

Or worse, Dafne thought, recalling Capricorn's philosophy on usefulness.

Those he didn't consider useful were disposable in his eyes. But she didn't want inform Silvio of this, he was upset enough with the idea of banishment.

"If you had to leave, I'd go with you," she told him.

She wasn't sure how, they couldn't simply stroll off into the sunset. There were people who find fault with that, Capricorn for one, Basta for another. She also couldn't leave Resa behind. Perhaps if she could convince Silvio it was best to leave of his own accord, she could task him with seeking out Dustfinger. A plan could be concocted for all three of them, Dafne added Vanetta to make four (she couldn't leave her behind either), to escape.

But she was getting ahead of herself.

The boy looked at her uncertainly.

"What about Basta?" he said.

Dafne bit her lip wistfully. Basta. Yes, he wouldn't be too happy about his maid absconding with his apprentice.

"If we both left, he would be alone," Silvio said.

This thought concerned him more than the prospect of earning Basta's wrath. Silvio saw Basta as some of kind of father figure so he felt conflicted about abandoning him. That he worried about Basta's loneliness was touching but at the same time it presented a problem. She couldn't force the boy to cut ties, that wouldn't be fair. Basta was his equivalent of Resa, it wasn't going to happen.

She also felt guilty. Did she care so little about Basta that she could only see him as obstacle? He was no longer simply the knife-waving spectre. She had gotten to know him, he had confided his past to her. He cared about her in his own heavy-handed way. Yet she hadn't considered his feelings at all.

"Do you think he would come with us?" the boy asked hopefully.

Dafne was taken aback by the question.

"Oh Silvio, I really don't know," she said doubtfully, "Basta likes being here. He likes serving Capricorn."

Silvio's face fell.

"But he would pick us over him, wouldn't he?" he said, sounding unsure himself.

"Basta has been with Capricorn since he was just a boy," Dafne said, "He's very loyal to him."

"I know," Silvio said despondently.

"But who's to say," Dafne said, doing her best to sound more optimistic, "Basta keeps surprising me. I never would have guessed that the man who kidnapped me would one day come to my rescue. Speaking of which we should head down, he's probably wondering why we're taking so long."

"He's not here," Silvio said, "There was something he needed to do. I'm supposed to take you to Giulio's house. His wife makes clothes or something."

So that was why he had been so candid, knowing Basta was not around to hear. Maybe it would have been good for him, to listen to the boy's heart-felt opinions. Dafne had given up trying to convince him that Silvio didn't belong here. Just now he would have been able to hear it straight from the boy's mouth.

Dafne gave Silvio's shoulder a reassuring squeeze,

"We better get going then."

Silvio mustered a smile,

"Okay."

"Oh Silvio," Dafne said as they were leaving the room, "Do you what the deal is with the bricks on the dresser?"

She hadn't gotten round to asking Basta.

Silvio eyed the bricks warily,

"Each brick is from a house that the men burnt down," he said, looking reluctant imparting this information, "I don't why Basta takes them though."

Mementos? Dafne thought and shuddered.

The bricks were indeed blackened with soot. They were tainted with death. And she had been sleeping in here the whole time unaware. It disturbed her.

What possessed Basta do such a morbid thing?

"Let's go," she said, wanting to leave the room as quickly as possible.

Before they departed for Giulio's house, Dafne drunk a glass of milk and left it in the sink unwashed. That would teach Basta to let her sleep in a room with haunted bricks. She also tore a piece off a loaf and bread, not bothering to sweep up the crumbs. She took that with her along with a handful of grapes.

"Basta is going to go mental," Silvio warned her though he couldn't hold back his grin.

Dafne flicked a grape onto the floor.

"Let him," she said carelessly, "He needs to get over this obsession with cleanliness. It's not healthy."

Satisfied with her handiwork, they set off for their destination.

Giulio's house stood out in its street. It was the only one that appeared to be looked after. There were no broken windows or holes in the roof.

When they knocked, the door opened slightly, just enough for a woman's head to peer out at them.

"Isolda?" Dafne said.

The woman nodded a little unsurely. She didn't look like she had been expecting visitors. Basta obviously hadn't bothered to send word ahead of their arrival.

"I'm Dafne. Basta's maid. And this is Silvio."

A look of recognition crossed the woman's face. The door opened further.

"Oh yes. What can I do for you?"

"I need a new dress. I was told you could help me with that."

The woman bobbed her head,

"Yes yes I can," she hesitated a moment, "Please come in."

She swung the door fully open and Dafne took in her total appearance. The bear's wife was a small woman, pale with small dark eyes, plump cheeks and a round chin. She resembled the women in Flemish paintings. There was a measuring tape draped around her shoulders like a scarf. She led Dafne through the house to her sewing room. Silvio had insisted on waiting outside, he seemed shy around strangers unless they were animals.

"I've seen that boy before," Isolda said, "Walking past the house I mean. I don't go outside."

She was very soft spoken. Dafne had to strain her ears to hear her.

"Why? Because it's not safe?"

Isolda nodded.

"Yes, the men my husband works with are no good. The man in charge is no good either."

Dafne was surprised by her forthrightness.

"You don't agree?" Isolda said, misreading her expression.

Dafne shook her head,

"Oh no, I agree plenty," she said, "You just surprised me because your husband is one of them."

The sewing room was cramped but Isolda didn't have difficulty manoeuvring through it. There was a sewing machine on a little desk accompanied by a chair. Finished jackets and shirts were hung around the room like a flock of black birds. Rolls of fabric lined the wall.

"My husband is not one of them," Isolda said, drawing Dafne's attention back to her, "Capricorn forced him to work for him. Please stand up straight. I need to take your measurements."

"What do you mean he forced him?"

Isolda glanced up from measuring Dafne's waist, her face was sad,

"We used to have a farm. We lived very happily with our son and daughter, Antonio and Claudia. That was until Capricorn's men came. They said our family had to pay tribute to Capricorn. Giulio refused of course. The farm only produced enough for us to live on. Then one night they came with guns, Basta was one of them..."

Dafne flinched at mention of his name. Of course he had been involved.

"They ordered us out of the house," Isolda continued her grim tale, "Giulio, myself and the children. Spread your arms out please. They made us watch at gun point as they burned everything. Then Capricorn arrived in his car. He said to Giulio, you have nothing now so you will work for me. If you don't, I will have you all shot. What else could Giulio do? He had to say yes to save our lives. So we moved to the village. It was too dangerous for the children to live here so we sent them to live with relatives. Giulio begged me to go too but I refused. I couldn't abandon my husband. I miss the children but I know they are in safe hands."

Dafne's heart went out to her. Giulio too. No wonder he was as taciturn as he was. He had to endure the humiliation of serving Capricorn, the man who had stripped him of his living and torn apart his family.

"I'm so sorry," she said.

"What is is," Isolda said, stepping back, "All done. If you don't mind, I'll use the cotton I use for the men's shirts. The jacket wool is too coarse."

"That's fine," Dafne said, "I appreciate you doing this."

"I'm glad to have the work," Isolda said "it keeps me occupied while Giulio is out."

"Do you get lonely?"

"Lonely?" Isolda considered this, "Yes, I suppose I do get lonely."

"Maybe I could visit you," Dafne offered, wanting to befriend the woman.

Isolda looked conflicted.

"I'm sorry," she said after a moment, "I don't think my husband would approve of that."

"Why?" Dafne asked, "Why would he not want you to have friend?"

Isolda's lips tightened,

"It's because of who you are."

"Who I am?" Dafne said confused.

"You're Basta's woman," the other woman said.

Dafne snorted. Basta's woman?

"I'm his maid yes. But what's that got to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with it," Isolda replied, "Basta was there when our farm was burned. He pointed his knife at my children. I simply cannot be friends with you given your... involvement with him."

"Involvement? You make it sound like I'm dating him or something," Dafne said, crossing her arms defensively, "Which I am not."

She only had to look at Isolda's face to see she didn't believe her. Hadn't the woman recognised her by name? Dafne suspected that Giulio had passed on whatever assertions he had of her onto his wife. She was appalled to be judged this way without proof. It hurt too, to be rejected by this woman because of it.

"Look, whatever Giulio told you, it isn't true."

"I may not leave the house but I know what goes on around here," Isolda said, "Women only go to live with the men if they are in some kind of relationship."

"Then I'm the exception to the rule," Dafne snapped.

"There is no need to shout at me," Isolda said firmly in her soft voice, "I don't want any trouble. The dress should be ready in a couple of days. I think you should leave now."

"Gladly," Dafne cried exasperatedly, "Obviously there is nothing I can say to change your mind."

She stormed off, leaving the woman and her opinions to herself. She flung the front door open and nearly smacked into Basta.

"Hello Dafne," he said, smiling at her, "Have you finished?"

She glared at him, brushing past.

"What's that look for?" he asked.

Dafne ignored him.

"Where's Silvio?" she said, looking around for the boy, "I left him out here."

"I don't know," Basta said, "He probably ran off. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Dafne snapped.

"Oh yes it certainly sounds like nothing," Basta drawled, "Come on, what's the bee in your bonnet now, little mouse?"

"You!" she hissed, "It's you!"

"Me?" Basta said defensively, "I haven't done anything."

"Yes you have. You forgot to mention that you helped burn down Giulio's farm."

"Oh," Basta said dismissively, "That. I was there yes but I didn't light the fire."

"No but I bet you took a brick from there and added it to your ghastly collection," Dafne said.

Basta frowned,

"Who told you about the bricks? Silvio?"

"Did you think I wouldn't notice them? That I wouldn't be the slightest bit curious as to why there are random bricks in your bedroom?"

"If you wanted to know why didn't you just ask me?"

"Why didn't you tell me beforehand? I don't want to sleep in a room with cursed bricks."

Basta flinched at the mention of curse.

"They aren't cursed," he argued, "They're..."

"Mementos? That's really sick, Basta."

"I'm not sick," he snarled, "Don't say that."

"What else am I suppose to think? It's not normal. It's not normal to burn people's houses down and take a brick afterwards."

Basta took a step toward her, bringing his face close to hers,

"I told you I don't light fires," he hissed at her, "I haven't lit a fire in years. You want to know why? Here I'll show you..."

He pushed his sleeve up, exposing his arm. Dafne sucked in a breath at the sight of it. It was terribly scarred, the whole arm.

"Not pretty is it?" Basta said through gritted teeth, "The other arm is the same. It happened when the fire I had started got out of control. I'm not Dustfinger. I couldn't tell it not to burn my arms," he pulled his sleeve back down "I haven't lit a fire since."

"So you just get other people to do it for you?" Dafne said, thinking Basta should have learnt a lesson from his disfigurement rather than just relegating the duty, "You think that makes you any less culpable?"

Basta sighed,

"No," he said wearily, "Look I'm sorry about the bricks. I can move them if you want."

"It's not just that," Dafne said.

Basta groaned,

"There's more?"

"Isolda, she..." Dafne gritted her teeth, "I don't why I let it get me. It's completely untrue."

"What are you talking about?" Basta said.

"She thinks we're involved," Dafne said, "At least that's what her husband told her to think."

"Oh," Basta said, contemplating a moment, "What's so bad about that?"

"What's bad about it?" Dafne said exasperatedly, "It's not true. I'm your maid. Not your girlfriend."

"What are saying, little mouse," Basta said in quiet dangerous voice, "that you're too good for me?"

Dafne sighed. She had simply been stating the facts. Why was he acting so offended?

"I'm not saying that," she said slowly, "I'm saying we aren't together. Because we're not."

"Yes but you say it like the idea is completely absurd to you," Basta growled.

He looked hurt as well as angry.

Maybe he is in love with me, Dafne thought, why else would he acting this way?

"It's not absurd," she said placatingly, wanting to diffuse the situation, "I didn't mean to imply that. It's just I don't like people assuming I'm some kind of..."

She couldn't say it.

"Some kind of what?" Basta demanded.

"A woman like Fiammetta," Dafne said.

Basta understood.

"You mean a wench? People think you're my wench?"

Please stop saying wench, Dafne thought embarrassedly.

To her surprise, Basta burst out laughing.

"That's stupid. If you were my wench I'd have to pay you," he shook his head in bewilderment, "Honestly people have nothing better to do around here than to gossip. You shouldn't worry what other people think."

It was a sage piece of advice, more of a contradiction really coming from a man who was quick to take offence. But he was right.

"Yes I know," Dafne said, "Sorry."

Basta smiled,

"Friends?"

Dafne nodded,

"Friends."

"Good," Basta said, "I can give you your present now."

"Present?" Dafne said.

"Yes, so close your eyes and hold out your hand."

Dafne did as he asked.

Something weighty and cool hit her palm.

"You can open them now."

It was a horseshoe.

Dafne starred at it, puzzled.

"Um, thank you."

Basta frowned,

"You don't like it?"

"No, I do," Dafne said quickly, "I've just never been given a horseshoe before."

"It's a good luck charm," Basta explained, "It will protect you, when I'm not around that is."

"Oh," Dafne smiled, "That's really thoughtful. Thank you. I'll keep it in my pocket."

Basta nodded approvingly.

"We should get going," he said.

"Where are we going?"

"Capricorn's house," he answered, "You have a lesson remember?"

"Oh yes," Dafne said unenthusiastically, "That's right."

She hoped Basta was right about the horseshoe.

To be continued...

Edit note: Some of you who read the original version might notice that Isolda is no longer pregnant. I did have a storyline planned for that but it didn't fit in with the overall plot so I made her not pregnant this time around. She still has Tonio and Claudia though.