Danika strode through the halls of the papal apartments, drying her hands on her skirt and alternating which hand held the folded letter that she carried. Lucrezia's maid was a common sight amongst the marble floors, tapestries, and statues. No one stopped her until she reached the wing restricted to the higher clergy. At this juncture, papal guards stood between her and her mission.
"I'm sorry, miss, but this area is forbidden to you."
"I have a message for his Eminence Cardinal Borgia, from his sister, Lucrezia, Duchess Consort of Bisceglia, Princess Consort of Salerno."
The guard on the left laughed slightly. "We know who the Cardinal's sister is."
Danika switched tactics, putting on her best 'relatable customer service face' and saying, "Then you'll know how much trouble I'll be in if I don't deliver this message."
The guards fidgeted in discomfort. Risk wrath from one Borgia or another, or both? They looked at one another and back to Danika
"If anyone asks, I will say that I don't know which guards were here. And it would be the truth," she pleaded with her eyes.
The looks between the guards increased as did their conflicted stuttering.
"Please. I will be sure to tell the Duchess how helpful you are, and she will see you are rewarded. You know how...close...the Borgias are."
"I thought you said you didn't know who we are?" the second guard countered. Danika smiled sweetly.
"I don't know your names, but surely I will remember the two tall...handsome...blue and brown eyed...chestnut haired gentlemen who work so hard at their job."
…
"Be quick, and remember your word," the first guard shook a finger in her direction and then stepped aside after checking the hall beyond for authoritative eyes. Danika nodded and sped past them, ducking behind statues and around corners as necessary to avoid the other Cardinals. After about 10 minutes she caught sight of Cesare's deep dark curls peeking out from underneath his red cardinal's cap. She made a clicking sound with her tongue and his head snapped her way. She put a finger to her lips and gestured for him to walk down the hall to a dead end corner with a particularly graphic tapestry of the crucifixion. A mischievous smile crept across his lips and, closing the book in his hands, calmly made his way to where she instructed.
"You don't have to do it if you're not comfortable. I dislike the idea of you being alone with that scorpion," Hvitserk assured her. Danika shook her head and reaffirmed her choice.
"You can't risk being seen, and I can con my way into the offices."
Hvitserk pulled her into one last hug before she left for the day, holding her just a hair longer than usual.
"I know you can't kill him, but don't be afraid to do everything but."
"He's just another Ivar, remember. And we know how to deal with such men." Danika kissed him goodbye.
"I wish that made me feel better."
Once Cesare was in place, Danika scurried around the corner, almost bumping into him as she turned. She stepped discreetly back and held up the letter in her hand.
"A letter from my mistress, addressed to you," she muttered, glancing around 'nervously' and shaking her hand ever so slightly.
"How...trustworthy," he remarked, taking the letter from her hand, taking her hand in the process. "You're trembling."
"It is not often I am so close to such a prominent person. One so close to the Lord and His Holiness. Can you forgive a maid her nerves, your Eminence?"
That smile was back. The sly one with schemes behind the eyes.
"I am afraid I cannot forgive you, young lady. For forgiveness requires a sin and surely God will overlook your stealth in getting here, since it was for such a righteous cause." The Cardinal slid his grip up from her hand to her arm, and he inclined his head in that special way. Like a lion lying in wait, like a cat about to play with its food. Danika removed her arm from his grasp but only stepped closer.
"Not here, your Eminence. Someone might see," she whispered in his ear, even though absolutely no one as around.
"How clever you are. Quite right. Perhaps we can continue this conversation somewhere else." He put a hand under her chin, his eyes flashing dangerously. She had successfully triggered the hunt. Gazing into his eyes like they held all the secrets in the world, although imaginatively replacing his dark eyes with familiar green ones, she nodded like a stupid gazelle, happy to go for a walk with the lion. But the chase could not be over so quick. Daniella the nervous maid suddenly came to her senses and put several steps between herself and the young, handsome cardinal.
"I should be returning to my mistress before she misses me. Before I'm seen! If my betrothed should hear of it!"
Cesare's face only became more determined. "Allow me to escort you out. No harm shall come to you, I swear it. No man can deny you a visit with a servant of the Lord." He set his hand on her lower back and ushered her quickly and quietly back to the door from which she had wheedled past the guards. His hand dipped ever so slightly and terribly lower but then he pushed her softly through the door and she was free. Servant of the Lord my ass.
"Why not threaten him outright in the letter?" Hvitserk, ever the confrontational one, asked.
"And risk him showing up with an army, and knowing I'm somehow involved. If it goes wrong it leaves us with no options. No, the letter is just to get him to the meeting. THEN we threaten him," Danika replied.
"A letter from his sister, eh?" Hvitserk rested his chin on his hands in thought.
"A fake one. Do you think he'll take the bait?" Danika wondered aloud.
"Stroke his ego and dangle something he can't have in front of his nose? He'll come." Hvitserk hissed out the words.
"Emphasis on CAN'T have."
"Definitely can't."
Your Eminence, Cardinal Borgia,
Once again, I must ask for your forgiveness regarding my deception, but I could discern no other way to communicate with you. I am enamored with you, ever since the first moment I saw you. I am but a maid, but then on your sister's wedding day, you saw me. You truly saw me. Nothing less could make me so bold so as to put something like this in writing. My betrothed does not please me. He is a violent and abusive man, so much older than I that he must be an artifact. But you are more than my imagination could ever create in my dreams. I know I cannot escape my husband-to-be, but perhaps I can find some happiness in my life. If my words move you at all, meet me at the Piazza Navona tomorrow at midnight. I will wait in the darkness for the light of your sweet face.
Daniella
"A little heavy handed, isn't it?" Daniella set down her quill, looking at what Hvitserk had dictated to her.
"Cesare believes himself lost in the shadow of his father, who does not trust him to make any moves of his own, even after Juan's death. Flatter him hard enough and even his focussed mind will become distracted and complacent in the face of compliments."
"You'd know all about that wouldn't you?" she commented, folding the letter in on itself and carefully creasing the edges.
"Hey!" he flicked her hair in revenge. "Besides, I know what a man wants to read in a love letter."
"Funny, I've never read any viking love letters. I certainly never wrote you any!"
"No you were too busy writing other things. Notes from my interrogation!" he shook the back of her chair, making her drop the quill and hold onto the seat.
"It was hardly coercion, your highness," she stammered out her voice bouncing as the chair legs hit the floor.
Cesare Borgia read the letter once, and then once more, before neatly folding it and sticking it into his pocket. The neat script of the note made him smile, the words penned even more so. In his chambers, he traded his opulent cardinal robes for more subtle attire before slipping out into the cool night air of Rome. As always, Micholetto was not far behind. As night fell, Hvitserk roused himself from his hiding place in a nearby building where he'd been all day in case someone came to scout the meeting place in advance. He had his axe, his sword, a crossbow courtesy of DaVinci, as well as an experimental prototype that DaVinci was working on.
"It's based on the technology coming out of the Near and Far East. It's called a hand cannon. Aim well, I'm still tinkering and you'll only get one shot, assuming it even fires straight."
Danika on the other hand was only now just creeping out of their apartment moving loudly and obviously so that any followers would see.
Hvitserk scanned the plaza before ducking back down under his window sill. He wasn't looking for Cesaré. He was keeping an eye out for Micheletto. The goal was that Hvitserk would deal with both Cesaré and Micheletto and neither would ever know that Danika and he had anything to do with each other. It left avenues open if this didn't work. But first he had to deal with Cesaré dangerous shadow. Cesaré was clever and no doubt dangerous, but Micheletto… Micheletto was Hvitserk where Cesaré was Ivar.
As of yet, nothing.
He continued to check periodically, being sure to look at rooftops as well as alleys. If he's anything like me, then he'd take the high ground like me.
A familiar tune, hummed by Danika, heralded that she had eyes on Cesaré. He peered just enough over the window to recognize the swagger of the Cardinal approaching the silhouette of Dani, whose back was to the wall he was directly over.
Your arm cannon can't miss at this distance, Athelstan. If it does, one of us deserves to be shot.
"Hello, little dove," Cesaré crooned. Hvitserk twisted his hands around his axe.
"I didn't think you would come," he heard Danika's exaggerated whisper.
"There is no need to whisper, no need to be afraid. Nothing will happen to you." There was a creak in the wall. Hvitserk imagined that the Cardinal was leaning towards her, his hand on the wall. He couldn't tell whether he or claustrophobic Dani wanted to punch him more. Making sure not to lean out of the window, he kept looking outwards for Micheletto. It was strange that Hvitserk had seen neither hide nor hair of the man. He went everywhere with Borgia, even on his...non-religious escapades. He should be here. Somewhere.
If I was following my man to a rendezvous, I'd choose someplace close, so that the darkness couldn't hinder me. I'd choose a place with many exits, with a good view of the meeting point. I'd choose exactly where I am.
A second creak, barely louder than the first, caught Hvitserk's attention. He didn't even bother to second guess himself. Sword in one hand and axe in the other, he collided full force with Micheletto who barely had time to register that the best watch spot had already been taken.
Their bodies slammed into the wall just beside the door Micheletto had entered from, surely shaking the whole structure. Neither of them were slight of stature. Hvitserk was doing his best to cause as little permanent injury as possible, Micheletto needed live. Micheletto was not extending him the same courtesy. Hvitserk saw the flash of the knife and was able to divert it before he felt it. He brought the shaft of his axe down on the wrist holding the knife, but Micheletto tossed it to the other hand, forcing Hvitserk to block with his sword hand. Hvitserk pulled back, removing himself from the close range that gave Micheletto's short knife the advantage. Micheletto rushed to close the gap but one long step from Hvitserk was enough to give him the breathing room he needed. He kept his sword pointing forward, which forced Micheletto to dance to Hvitserk's sword side. Hvitserk threw his weight to his left foot, catching Micheletto with a shove before he could truly get behind Hvitserk. Twisting backward like an unwinding spring, he slammed the blunt end of his axe into the top of Micheletto's chest, effectively clotheslining him and sending him flat onto his back, his knife clattering to the floor out of reach. Before he could step too far away, Micheletto peeled himself off the floor and latched onto Hvitserk's knees. Hvitserk went tumbling down, being sure to land on his back, and the two began to grapple on the floor. Micheletto's slightly smaller size made it easier for him to worm his way inside of Hvitserk's extensive reach, but Hvitserk was all too familiar with fighting a crawling opponent. Keeping one knee up close to his chest to prevent Micheletto from getting his arms all the way around him, he rolled backward, putting himself on his feet and Micheletto on the ground. What he didn't anticipate was that their wrestling had pushed them through the door to the top of the stairs. Hvitserk may have landed on his feel but not for long as both of them crashed down the stairs, landing in a heap in the entryway below. Micheletto lay unmoving. Hvitserk put a hand to his wrist. He was alive.
Danika and Cesaré would have had to be deaf or dead to not hear the sudden explosion of sound in the rooms above them. Both of them jumped and Cesaré clamped down on her wrist. She made to run but he held on tight.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. She looked around frantically.
"My betrothed! He must have followed me! He'll kill me for this!"
"Or my friend, Micheletto, has found him and your troubles will soon be over." Cesaré pulled her closer, interpreting her squirming arms as fright instead of revulsion.
I need to get out of here, before he suspects that Hvitserk's approach and my departure have anything to do with each other.
She fought and twisted even harder, which is surprisingly difficult when she couldn't hit the person restraining her. She needed to escape him, not convince him she hated him.
The clattering overhead continued, but there was no clear sign who was winning. The sound travelled to her right and then down, getting closer.
Before she could extricate herself from the handsy Cardinal, Hvitserk's broad shoulders muscled themselves between them. He pushed them apart, though she was sure that the shove he gave her was much lighter than the one he gave Cesaré. Regardless she made a big show of falling to the stones of the plaza and scrambling back.
Without looking back, she heard Hvitserk angrily shout.
"Get lost, bitch, I've got business with the Cardinal. Don't give me a reason to have business with you. Or do. I might enjoy it." He laughed through the last line.
Though she kept her face fearful, inside she mused, What I wouldn't, well did, do to have business with you. However she disappeared down an alleyway and out of sight before doubling back to keep an eye on things.
"And here I thought you were dead. How disappointing. I did wonder where your body had wandered off to." Cesaré crossed his arms as Hvitserk loomed before him.
"It would seem that you can't kill a man unless you stab him an inordinate amount of times," Hvitserk responded, axe and sword still in hand and held out from his sides in a show of force.
"I'll be sure not to repeat the mistake." Cesaré teeth appeared from between his teeth like a hyena's grin. Hvitserk scoffed at his bravado.
"We both know you can't beat me, Your Eminencccccce," Hvitserk drawled mockingly.
"So then why are you here? For the shallow validation of besting a man you already know you can beat? I thought higher of you, Giuliano."
"As fun as that would be, I'm here because you still owe me for the job you hired me for."
"You come all this way for some coin, and not even all that much coin?" Cesaré laughed out loud.
"I wouldn't say that. The price has gone up seeing as you killed me." Hvitserk tilted his head tot he side and tightened his grip on his axe.
"And yet here you stand. Besides. Dead men don't pay debts," Cesaré said.
"No but scared men do."
"Am I to be afraid of you? A lovesick soldier who wants money to marry his little maid?"
"Are you afraid of your father?"
That made Cesaré's facade crack a little bit. Hvitserk could see the self doubt and anger mix on the Borgia's face.
"You will give me double what I'm owed, and you'll let me and my 'maid' leave the city unharmed. Otherwise I'll tell your father how you killed your own brother. He'll never trust you again."
Shaken but not deterred, the Borgia did not back down easily. "Why should my father, His Holiness, believe a common stranger in comparison to me, a Cardinal of the Church."
"We both know you won't be a cardinal much longer."
"How would you know that?!" In all honesty, Danika told me before we came here. But he obviously didn't share that little gem of knowledge.
"And I can always drag at the little 'maid' you were meeting tonight to testify that you are hardly priestly in conduct." Ha little does he know.
"She respects my position more than she fears you. I can intercede on her behalf with God."
And I can..."I can threaten to send her to God so quickly you won't have a chance to."
"His Holiness is aware of my… evening predilections. Nothing you say could surprise him or turn him against me."
"Not even that you killed the son he liked best, the son that EVERYONE liked best?"
That was the button he needed to push. Cesaré was seeing scarlet as red as his cardinal robes. That famed Machiavellian mind overridden by rash emotion.
"I'll kill you for this."
"You're welcome to try. Again."
"I'll need time to collect double what I originally offered."
"One month. No more."
"Two."
"One or I kill you and steal what I'm owed. That's more work, but if you intend to be difficult."
"One then."
"Midnight, outside your sister's apartments. And forget about bringing Micheletto or any soldiers. Come unarmed or the deal is off. If I sense any problems it will be your sister who pays the price for your duplicity. And I'll kill the maid for good measure."
"Fine," the Borgia was practically spitting.
The twang of a crossbow sounded out, and Hvitserk heard something go thump. He looked up to see Micheletto running out of the building and Cesaré taking the opportunity to flee into the darkness as well.
He ran up to the small room to find Danika curled on the floor, the bolt from the crossbow lodged in her stomach. He gently pulled her towards him, uncurling her limbs so he could see.
"Where did he get you?"
"Gut shot. Unavoidable. He came to and ran upstairs. I guessed he was gonna shoot you and I was right. I swung down from the roof just in time to get shot."
Hvitserk took off his sword belt and folded it in half. She wrapped her mouth around it and bit down hard.
"Did he see your face?" he asked, distracting her. As she shook her head no, he gave the bolt a swift tug. It had back facing points. She inhaled hard and curled up tighter, but the bolt was out.
"You want me to try and slow down the bleeding, or speed it up?" Hvitserk asked.
"Speed it up. We can't stay here. He'll send for soldiers to search and you'll travel faster if I'm not wincing every step of the way."
He nodded quickly and before she could think about the pain any further her opened a deep gash near her underarm. She was fading out quick, and he was already gathering her and the gear into his arms.
She was out before he'd taken one step out into the darkness.
One Month Later
"When are you getting married, Daniella? You've been waiting an extraordinarily long time. You're surely older than I, and I am twice married."
"Just waiting on some last pieces to fall into place, my lady."
"Well your wedding night had better be worth the wait, that is if you intend on waiting."
Lucrezia and Danika laughed hysterically as Danika put the finishing touches on the day's updo.
"Well even if one must wait, one can dream," Danika replied.
"Indeed. Dream of brown hair and green eyes."
"Isn't your husband blonde?" Danika questioned, smiling.
"Did I not say blonde? I'll confess I didn't sleep much last night. My mind is scattered." Lucrezia stood and walked to her mirror to check her state of appearance.
"Hopefully for all the right reasons. I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight." Danika thought forward to their second meeting with Cesaré that night. But Lucrezia just smiled through the mirror at her ladies' maid.
"Hopefully for all the right reasons, Daniella."
Danika had been actively avoiding Cesaré ever since that first night. If she did see him she made sure that it was in contexts where he could show her not a single ounce of attention. He had resigned the Cardinalate as expected and now was living the life of a soldier, noble man, and all around tool. Under daddy's watchful eye of course she snidely thought to herself. He'd even gotten himself married, not that it stopped his vulture eyes from seeking her out every time their path's crossed, usually due to Lucrezia. Only a few more hours and then you never have to look at his stupidl, cocky face ever again. Then it's only what? 30 years until he dies? Maybe less? She smiled at the thought. However, this avoidance was driving him mad. And she knew it. He wouldn't hesitate to let her die, she had no doubt, but until the day he felt it necessary to let her die, he was like a dog with a bone.
But in regards to the woman he actually cared about, Cesaré had tried to convince Lucrezia to leave for her husband's estates outside Rome but she would hear nothing of it. With subtle support from Danika, Lucrezia had taken to the notion that she was not a chess piece to be played by her brother and father. She sent him out with a harsh reminder that her husband's political standing was currently the power behind the Borgia name.
"Go win something and then come back and offer me suggestions."
So that night, high off her defiance, she and Danika stayed up late laughing and reliving the confrontation while entertaining a portrait artist who had to keep asking Lucrezia to sit still as she shook with laughter at her success.
Danika kept her distracted with wine and music, even singing for her to keep her engaged and ignorant of the game being played just outside her door. Lucrezia even sent her guards outside the room so that 'the women might enjoy some peace without their oppressive, controlling gaze.'
Everything was set.
In the darkness, Cesaré and Hvitserk came face to face once again. Hvitserk was armed. Cesaré was not, at least not obviously.
"Do you have what I asked for?" Hvitserk crossed his arms tightly, looking down at the shorter Borgia.
"Yes, I have what's coming to you." Cesare threw the bag down on the ground. The contents rattled and clinked like coins, but Hvitserk took nothing at face value. He walked carefully towards the bag, keeping his hand on his sword and his eyes on the Borgia. He kneeled down and opened the bag. At least no venomous snake jumped out. He slipped his hand inside only to withdraw it quickly as his hand stung and burned. Whatever was on the coins made his skin feel like it was on fire. He winced but kept one hand on his sword. He blocked Cesare's oncoming kick with his sword but he was off guard and the kick pushed him off balance.
"Did you really expect me to keep my word, Giuliano?"
Cesare raised a shout and Hvitserk heard the running feet of guards.
"No I didn't. But I thought you cared about her sister enough to not let her die over some silly coins."
"There's just the part where you need to get to her. And even you can't beat all my men with one hand tied, or should I say burned, behind your back."
Danika was the assurance behind that, but there was the problem that neither he nor Danika had any intention of actually killing Lucrezia Borgia. They couldn't, or risk really screwing with history. But Cesare didn't need to know that.
"We'll see about that." Hvitserk charged forward and knocked Cesare off his feet, enough to knock the wind from him.
Then he slammed the pommel of his sword against the closest window latch. The wood splintered and despite his burning hand, Hvitserk hauled himself through the window and into the house just as the soldiers came running outside. Cesare was on his feet again in a flash and sped into the house, leaving the confused soldiers to follow him back inside.
"Did you hear something, Daniella?" Lucrezia set down her wine glass and turned her head to the hallway where noise was becoming increasingly loud. Danika did.
"The wine makes the senses and mind do strange things at night. It's probably just the cook clattering bowls in the kitchen. Don't give it another thought."
"But I hear voices." A shout and resounding crash rang out. "Well that certainly wasn't the cook!"
Lucrezia was on her feet and walking towards the door, until Danika caught her hand."
"My lady, it sounds dangerous, we should stay here, the guards can handle anything out there." Danika needed to keep Lucrezia in a controlled environment. She was the one thing holding Hvitserk's threat together. Lucrezia pulled her hand free and her fair face flushed red from anger and wine.
"I refuse to be afraid and ordered about any more, by my ladies' maid no less! Remember your place!" the Borgia daughter stormed out of her rooms, tipsy enough to not realize that the guards outside her door were gone. Danika chased after her, but Lucrezia locked one of the anteroom doors behind her. Danika groaned in frustration before taking off at a run to try and go around the long way and catch her before she found her way to her guards or worse her brother.
Hvitserk was doing his best to move efficiently towards Lucrezia's rooms. He tried to remember the layout of the house that Danika had drawn out the night before. Right. Straight. Up the stairs.
SLAM!
He rushed through a doorway looking back for pursuers only to collide with a small person, a woman. For a fleeting moment he thought it was Danika so he reflexively wrapped his free arm around her before she hit the ground. The woman gasped. Danika didn't gasp. He looked down to see Lucrezia Borgia wrapped in his arm, looking up red faced and...smiling.
"Well, not how I expected to find you, but nonetheless…" He whispered to himself.
"You were looking for me? I thought you were just a dream," Lucrezia murmured.
"What?" he began to pull, if not slightly drag her, through the house to find a better place to make his standoff. But she didn't seem to care all that much.
"I saw your face on my wedding night. It's haunted my dreams ever since." Lucrezia brought her hands up to his face, and between holding onto her and his sword, all he could do was lean his head awkwardly away from her.
"I'm surprised you remember anything from that night," Hvitserk said.
"So you were there!"
He sighed and continued their trek through the house. Dani must be around here somewhere searching for this girl. And if she can't find her, then she'll find some high lookout to get the lay of things. Which means I need to be somewhere she can see from the roof. Hvitserk navigated to the small central courtyard with its small garden. All the while Lucrezia kept trying to make him look at her and talk to her, muttering small things about how she was so glad he was real, that she was happy to see him, something about angels. At least he wasn't fighting to make her come with him, she seemed more than happy to follow him as they marched through the house.
"Aren't you married?"
"If my family has taught me anything it's that marriage and desire are mutually exclusive."
"Well," he dodged her hand about to go through his hair, "Well, I'm married so if you would please just-"
"Weren't you listening? Besides I doubt the wife of a commoner such as yourself is as lovely or as wealthy or as enthusiastic as-"
They reached the courtyard and she was managing to pull herself closer and closer. No matter how hard he leaned her couldn't stop her lips from making contact with the side of his face.
"Hey!"
Danika raced around corridors. The guards paid her no mind as they scrambled through the house, looking for either Hvitserk or Lucrezia. The maid was the least of their concerns. But if they weren't finding Lucrezia, and neither was she? She didn't have time to process too much further as she rounded a corner to see Cesare stalking through the hall.
"You!"
Danika resisted all natural urges and ran towards him, instead of for the hills. She summoned some tears and collapsed into his arms. He held her on her feet and stared imperiously into her eyes.
"Where is my sister! You go everywhere with her! Where is she!"
"Please, my lord, a man came he grabbed her, I tried to stop him I- I tried but- but he-" Once she put on the stutter the tears came quick and easy. She clutched at his jacket and shot her eyes around wildly. He shook her to bring her focus back to him.
"Which way did he take her?" his face was grave and serious, dark and dangerous. Ummmm...good question. If I had to guess, he'd pick someplace with lots of exits but not the front door. The courtyard!
"They were headed towards the gardens, my lord, please I tried…"
Cesare's face softened just slightly. He set her on her feet and squeezed her shoulders. "He won't be able to escape. He'll be surrounded." Not if you count going up. "Worry not, sweet little Daniella. But you will come with me until the guards can be found. I'd hate for you to meet misfortune in these halls tonight." That's exactly what I'd hoped you'd say.
"I'm frightened, I should run, or hide, or-"
"No harm will come to you as long as you're with me."
Cesare took her hand and Danika allowed him to pull her towards the gardens.
"When this is over, I will help you forget this distasteful business." He pulled her hand up to his lips as they rounded the corner to the gardens, only to find Lucrezia trying desperately to kiss Hvitserk.
"Hey!" both Cesare and Danika shouted simultaneously.
"Hands! Off! My! Husband! Danika shouted.
"Husband?" Cesare's head shot to the side, to see the not-frightened, tear-free face of a very different person than the maid.
Shit.
Still holding her hand, Cesare yanked her in so hard she felt lucky her arm didn't dislocate in the process. Sliding a knife out from under his shirt, he had it up to her neck as fast as Hvitserk could wrangle Lucrazia into the same position.
"When you said you were married, you meant my maid?!" Lucrezia screeched, from fear or indignation, it was hard to tell.
"I thought you said your betrothed was an ancient, abusive artifact," Cesare brought his knife even closer to her throat, the warmth of his breath rippling across her skin.
"You should see him first thing in the morning," Danika said right back, dropping the act.
"It's a shame a traitorous viper such as yourself is so pretty," Cesare pressed a mocking kiss to her cheek and she made an open sound of disgust, "Giuliano, it would seem we are at a stalemate. I have your wife, and you have my sister."
"Kill her. What do I care? I plan on marrying again very soon anyway. I'm not leaving without my money."
Danika laughed, "Do it. He means it."
"Was what I gave you not enough, or did the oleander sap on it detract from its appeal?"
"And you call her a viper!" Hvitserk smiled.
A basic skin irritant. That should have healed in minutes.
And it seemed to have done so. Hvitserk was holding onto Lucrezia with little issue. Cesare noticed too. Hvitserk's hand was no longer red and inflamed. Danika could feel the gears turning inside his head. Lucrezia struggled and squirmed to no avail, her upset interrupting Cesaré's train of thought. But he had put enough of it together.
"Alright maybe I don't kill her, but there are other ways to deal with problems. There is no place on this continent where you can hide from me. I will expose you, I will make your lives a living hell from here until you do eventually perish. You've made the poor decision of having me as an enemy."
"We just want to get married, for crying out loud!" Danika whined, only to have Cesaré grip her tighter and bring that knife ever closer.
"Good luck finding a priest to perform that ceremony, little dove."
That does it. Danika slipped her knife out of a hidden pocket in her skirt. She plunged it into the top of his hip bone, a good place to only minimally damage muscle, nerves, and blood vessels, but still quite painful. He was clearheaded enough to try and slash her throat despite the pain, but the distraction was enough for her to slip her hand between her knife and the blade. She felt it sear through the back of her hand, but slammed her elbow into his gut, turned around and delivered a kick to the chest which sent him into a pillar. The guards who at this point had surrounded the courtyard, rushed in. Hvitserk removed his knife from Lucrezia's neck and immediately took both of them down to the ground to dodge the swing from an impulsive soldier.
"My sincerest apologies about all this, my lady." Hvitserk stood her back up and with a well timed push sent her careening into the arms of the awaiting guards who this time recognized who was hurdling at them. She squeaked as she was safely caught and immediately escorted away.
"Hvitserk!" Danika shouted over the noise. She nodded up. Thankfully none of the guards had crossbows tonight. He nodded. They fought their way towards a wall, where Hvitserk took a lunge and basketed his hands. Throwing a knife as she went to keep the soldiers at bay, Hvitserk then launched Danika upward. She caught her hands on the edge of the mezzanine and hooked her knees over the side before dangling head down to help Hvitserk climb up. Most of the guards were exhausted or injured at this point, and when Cesaré finally got back into the fray, he was too late to stop the two of them from scrambling onto the roof and into the night. He threw his sword down in fury.
"My lord, your sister is unharmed. What are your orders."
"Lock down the city. Turn Rome upside down and find them!"
We all knew it couldn't be that easy right? Lucrezia Borgia was actually chosen to be governor OVER her husband's territory, and became a notorious political player herself. I like to think the events of this night could have contributed to her future shrewd dealings. We aren't done with her or Cesaré just yet. I imagine them as played by the cast of The Borgias TV show if you would like a reference. I've been watching a lot of period dramas working on this. Poison Ivy doesn't grow in Europe, but poison is Borgia game, so after a little research I settled on Oleander which does grow in Italy and whose sap can have a similar burning effect as poison Ivy when touched, although its most famous effects are as an ingested poison. The Borgia poison of choice, Cantarella, is unknown to this day. No one knows if it was arsenic or some other substance, or if it was even real at all. It was described as a white powder which could cause all manner of terrible symptoms, many of which can be induced by toxic oleander which is fast acting. However human mortality from oleander is generally pretty low, so unless they were concentrating it, probably not. Still, it can be fun to speculate.
SEASON 6 SPOILER) Did anyone else think that Hvitserk looked remarkable like Season 1 Ragnar in the final episode when he's sitting talking to Ivar beside his grave? Everyone says that Ubbe looks the most like Ragnar, and they're right, but Hvitserk nailed the look in that scene. Marco and the costume/make-up departments should be commended for that! People too often treat Hvitserk like he isn't a Ragnarsson and it was good he got his due.
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