Once again, I mixed history with fiction. A few of the things I've mentioned in this chapter actually occurred, but most definitely not all of it. And yes, I used a quote not owned by me) from Boondock Saints. 1000 points to the person that finds it first. Yay! Longest chapter yet. Reviews welcome! Thanks for all your support guys!
Chapter 10
I remember quite well the few times Senator Gallus visited our home in Rome; he always left my father feeling distressed and angered. Marciana and Domitia never paid much attention, but I knew the Senators bickered and quarreled whenever he came. He always at first pretended to be civilized when his arrival was announced, complimenting the three of us and smiling warmly at my father like a friend. But by the end of the evening father always escorted the senator out, his eyebrows smashed together in annoyance. Gallus always left equally as frustrated.
A knock at the door obliterated my thoughts and I sat up on the bed, sighing in fear of what was to come. The door to my quarters squeaked open and in entered the Senator, smirking the same way he did when he entered our house like when I was but a child.
Along with him followed two of his guards, their hands eagerly reaching towards their sword belts. I looked up at him in spite, staring him down.
"Ah, Arria, you look absolutely ghastly. Have you eaten any fruit?" he asked.
"The apples are bitter" was my reply.
He chuckled quietly and walked slowly towards me, placing his hands behind his back. "Do…you…have any idea why I have taken the liberty of bringing you all the way across the world back to Rome?"
I grasped the silk cloth with my fingers. I smiled courteously at my host. "Perhaps your grace felt obligated by my loss to help bring me back to my origin and once again establish my nobility among the Roman courtiers?"
To this he downright guffawed. "Honestly Arria, you haven't lost your humor. Perhaps that can be arranged, if certain information is provided."
"Regarding..?"
He glanced towards his guards, who shut the door firmly. "You wouldn't be in this situation if Germanus had kept his head, which I AM apologetic for." He stopped to lick his lips, then continued. "I very much hope you know of the information we require. And if you lie to us, Arria, we shall know. Now. Do you know of a man named Caelestius?"
I decided there was no point in lying, at least for now. "Yes. He was a friend of my father's, and Pelagius."
"He is a heretic, and the Pope has declared him dangerous and wishes his arrest. He and Pelagius have been spreading blasphemous ideas against the Roman Church, and must be stopped. It is rumored he hid the documents….the " Contra traducem peccati", with your father, documents we can use against him in trial."
He leaned in closer to me, his breath smelling of rotten eggs. "He is a criminal that must be stopped before any more of his teachings and documents reach the public. It is of utmost emergency that we catch him and quench these heathen ways against our Lord."
He stopped, staring intently into my face. For a moment I said nothing, my mind desperately trying to think. Then, to his great surprise, and my own, I started to laugh.
"You fool. You paid an assassin to kidnap me thousands of miles by the off chance that I know something of my father's business that regards a common criminal?" I continued laughing at the foolishness of it all. Was the Roman church this paranoid of heretics?
Suddenly a strong hand slapped against my cheek, and I fell from the bed to the floor. He gruffed and turned me over so that his body was on top of mine. "Know your place, girl" he whispered, and dragged me up so that I was standing against the wall. I clenched my teeth, trying to keep calm.
"Now. Please, child, do you know anything of Caelestius' whereabouts? Perhaps your father slipped something into your head?" It was clear that he made himself believe I knew something. And if I didn't at least make up anything, my head would surely be on a stake at dawn.
I narrowed my eyes. "My father never told me anything about Caelestius. Perhaps that incompetent beast of a bishop killed Caelestius without telling you….before he murdered my innocent family, that is." He said nothing, only turned his head slightly, indicating I better have something else. "Please, Senator…I do not know anything about your criminal heretic, but perhaps this document you speak of…the Contra traducem peccati…perhaps it is hidden within the chamber we do not speak of…" I looked down, pretending to be deep in thought. Of course there was no such thing, and I had to lead him down the wrong trail. Hopefully I was as good an actress as my sisters were around young males.
His eyes widened in hope and greed. "Chamber?"
I looked up, trying to appear afraid. "Never mind. It's nothing…" I couldn't seem too eager to give him information. He gruffed and took hold of my hair, gripping it so hard that my head cocked to the side as he presented a knife to my throat.
"You were saying?" he snarled.
I sniffled and let a small whimper escape my mouth. "The Chh..the secret chamber my father had. I once accidentally saw it, and father made me swear an oath to never reveal where it was." He slowly retracted the blade from my throat and snapped his hand off my hair, jerking my head in the process. I rubbed my scalp as he signaled the guards to leave.
"Very good, child. Now…tell me where this chamber is…"
I looked down at the ground, seemingly ashamed. "Promise you'll keep me safe?" I mumbled.
"On my word as a Roman, you will suffer no more pain. Tell me."
"I assume you have extensively searched my father's house. But I wonder, how well did you investigate our courtyard?"
His eyebrow pricked upward, his mouth slightly open, begging for more. "Under the high statue of the virgin Mary is a passageway that leads somewhere. I've seen my father use it. I've never been down there myself, senator. That is all I know."
His eagerness shined on his face. "How do you open it?" he enquired, his excitement much like a child.
"Press our Mother's praying hands toward you, senator." I stated, willing my lower lip to tremble. Inside I was actually quite proud of myself for concocting such a story. It was actually one I pretended when I was young and bored. Now all he had to do was buy it. And his eyes were already grinning with delight.
"If I may be so bold, senator, how long do you intend to keep me hostage?"
He wasn't even looking at me anymore. His left eye was twitching with thoughts, and he rolled his fingers in a drumlike fashion on his chin. Just then the door opened, revealing that snake, Archbishop Ferdinand. "Titus Sidonius has just arrived."
My stomach felt instantly queasy. If he had made it here than that meant…no….it couldn't be true…
We filed out of my quarters and proceeded to the balcony. Below us at the gate was Titus, smiling delightfully. "Senator, if you will be so kind as to open the gate." he yelled up to us.
By now it seemed both the senator and the Archbishop had forgotten about me. Gallus gave the signal to his guards and raced downstairs to meet his employee. I hurried behind. The front door was opening and Irina was racing towards the front, eager to see her brother.
Upon seeing his face, I felt a hard stab go through my chest. My eyes became dark as a gust of cold whisked through my body. I felt my hidden knife inside my boot beckon to me, ailing to be thrown into the bastard's bitter heart. Patience…I told myself. He will suffer soon.
"All went as planned, Senator. Tell your Emperor the job is done" he stated, as the three of them edged closer. No one took notice of me in the background, tears begging to rush out once more from my worn eyes, the reality hitting me hard. I glanced around. Two guards stood at the door, while a few patrolled the outside. I imagined the traitor, waling into each of their bedrooms as they slept peacefully, gutting them up one by one. Bors. Galahad. Gawain. Guinevere. Arthur. Lancelot. Lancelot….images shot through my head of Titus laughing evilly, sinking his sword deep in his chest. And here I was, the killer right in front of me. I was standing diagonal to the Senator, his back towards me.
Ferdinand smirked and chuckled to himself. "Well done! You see, Gallus, I told you he was the best!"
Gallus nodded while Titus came forward, bowing his head slightly.
Titus looked my way, though he was not smiling in triumph anymore. I noticed his left eye was blackened. Irina came over and gave him a huge hug, with which he returned, though his grip around her seemed light.
Ferdinand chuckled once more. "From your eye I'd wager you met some resistance. Care to explain?"
Titus almost looked fearful, but soon put on a strong face. "A few guards. Nothing I could not handle. I'm sorry to be so upfront, senator, but I am weary. I came immediately to ask for our earnings."
To this Gallus raised an eyebrow, and Irina gave a questioning look towards her brother. Nevertheless, Gallus nodded and sent a servant to acquire the desired reward for murdering my friends.
Titus turned to his sister. "Get your things. We leave tonight." His cold tone made Irina bitter and she first stared him down, then did as he requested. Titus then turned to me.
I decided to speak, though my voice was hoarse with rage. "The stealthy priest who forever changed his expressions and knew far too much on Eastern swords. I should have guessed something wasn't right."
I expected him to smirk and ridicule me, but he did neither. Instead he glanced towards both Ferdinand and the Senator, and then walked towards his sisters' quarters. I lowered my chin, my knife begging to be thrust into his back.
Ferdinand took hold of my arm. "Senator, shouldn't you be keeping your prisoners bound?" he asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Gallus simply scoffed and pointed to a guard to do as the Archbishop suggested. Ferdinand nodded his approval and looked upon me with his head cocked. "Senator, is it strange to look upon this mere girl and wonder how it is that she received such a noble title in Britain?"
Gallus sat down on a cushioned pillow and exhaled loudly. "Not particularly, Archbishop. Her father did school his children, I'm told. She is most likely as skilled as a man. Nicoteles was a fool in that regard. Never give women power, I say. After all, it is from which sin was born from the wicked Eve that all women appear devilish." I contracted my eyes from his statement. They were looking at me and talking as if I were an animal, too dumb to understand what it is that they were saying. My blood boiled within me, my wrath willing to be unleashed. Then I could show them how an animal behaves if treated like one. They knew how to push me to my limits.
"Hmm, you make a good point, senator. You know this Arthur has a round table?"
"Round, you say? Whatever for?"
"Apparently he thinks that all men are equal and therefore a table should accompany those teachings."
"Then we have rid the world of a mad man." Gallus praised.
The Archbishop continued, pacing as he glanced my way. "Yes, indeed. His Sarmatian knights certainly lived up to their names though. In fact, I had to kill one before he spread the alarm of our actions."
Gallus looked up from his seat, intrigued. "Really? Pray tell."
My stomach lurched. I started backing away slowly, not wanting to hear, but found a guard pushing me to sit in a cushion next to the Senator. He smiled.
Ferdinand continued. "Our friend Titus had killed the guards and went to release me from their inhospitable dungeon. Your assassin went one way while I went down another corridor to keep watch. I thought the tonic would have worked by then, but I saw one of the knights pacing around. The drug began to take effect and he dropped to the ground, crawling on his hands. I couldn't risk the chance of him exposing us, so I quietly slipped in from behind. Upon seeing me, the fool tried to yell something, but luckily the tonic hindered him from doing so." I bit my lip, my eyes staring hard at the ground. The Archbishop cruelly continued, his voice boasting. "I bent down slowly and taunted the fool. He was still awake, his eyes wide with rage, I believe. Making sure no one was nearby, I took hold of his arms and dragged him back into his room, which was right next to us. I prayed to our Lord to forgive this pagan sinner, and stuck his own dagger into his chest." He began to laugh. "The Sarmatian was still alive, and barely awake. I wonder if he even felt the pain? Hmmm…anyways, I needed to make sure he died." He was now staring only at me as he talked. "It was so easy I almost felt sorry for the boy. I grabbed his hair, holding up his head. Taking his own dagger I held it up to his neck. A bloody mess, that was. His eyes rolled back as his sins spilt all over the floor. One less filthy pagan."
Gallus looked at him, amused. "Your first kill, I'd imagine?"
"I was simply doing the work of God. Ridding the world of its evils." I couldn't take it. He was provoking me, and he did what he intended to do. I leapt up from the seat and knocked him down.
"Murderer!" I screamed, biting him as my hands were bound. Soon a soldier was upon me, and hit my with the hilt of his sword upon my face. I fell back, my forehead instantly started to bleed. My eyes blurring, I shook my head awake as the same soldier lifted me up, holding me back.
The Archbishop started laughing as he stroked his wounded face from my bite.
"You are no man of God! You are not even a man! You are the devil! A beast that has no compassion for human life!" Still smiling, he punched me in my stomach as the guard held me. My legs gave way for a moment, but the guard wouldn't let me drop to the ground. My nose flared, my breathing harsh.
Gallus held up his hand. "That's enough! Archbishop, I still need this girl for the Pope's purposes. By now Titus and his sister returned, a servant carrying her things. They looked on to our act with surprise.
"Ferdinand, I had no idea of your skills with fighting a defenseless girl, bound no less. You are quite the warrior now." Irina stated, her voice icy with superiority and mockery. He scowled in return.
Gallus had his servant bring forth their reward. As the lavish chest opened, Titus Sidonius and Irina smiled in delight. "I added a nice bonus for bringing the girl back unharmed. I trust you will stay for a rather delightful feast my servants have put together to celebrate our victory. Surely you need nourishment before your journey. Irina looked at Titus, who nodded.
"Lock her in her room," Gallus told the guard, and he pushed me forward, as I kicked and struggled in resistance. Back in my room, I screamed and kicked anything I could find, my rage too powerful to overcome.
"Lancelot!" I yelled, knocking a rather lavish urn to the ground as it smashed into a thousand pieces.
I had gone mad. Absolutely insane with anger. And I continued on like this for what seemed like hours. Finally I was too weary to go on like that, and I crawled into bed. I had to be calm.
Thinking quickly, I knew this was my only chance for escape. My hands were bound behind my back. I bent my spine back, inching my fingers closer to my boots. Upon reaching it, I gained hold of my knife and began cutting the ropes fiercely. Soon I heard the bindings snap and I released my arms forward, rubbing my wrists.
Now all I could do was wait for someone to open the door and thrust my knife through their gut, and hopefully sneak off.
I waited, pacing around the room. Finally, about an hour later I heard soft footsteps approaching. I hid behind the door. The key turned, and the door opened slowly. As a person emerged into the room I shot forward, my knife raised.
A second person quickly kicked my chest, knocking the knife out of my hand as I fell to the ground. I had failed.
I looked up, not believing what I saw. Irina stood by the door, with her brown cloak and hood hiding her identity. Titus held a sword to my throat and put a finger to his mouth, willing me to be quiet.
I had no idea what was happening, and I narrowed my eyes as I let him help me up. "Please, Arria, there is no time for talk. Do you want to get out of here?" he asked, whispering as he gripped my arm firmly. I nodded, figuring I'd at least see what was going on before I slit his throat.
Irina entered the hallway first, then I did. Titus followed behind me, his sword now pointed at my back. I looked down to see a guard dead by the door.
"What is going on?" I whispered, and Irina hushed me. When she got to the end of the corridor, she stopped and peered left and right, signaling the coast was clear. She lead us down a few more corridors, until finally we stopped inside one of the rooms. She locked the door and pulled off her hood.
"Listen to us, girl, and perhaps you will live through the night. Your king is alive, and caught Titus attempting the assassination. He made him a deal, to spare his life and get his reward money from Gallus if he promised to bring you back." Irina kept her voice low. I wouldn't believe it. Arthur was alive? My heart wanted to leap with joy, but so many questions rose through my mind.
"I thought you were loyal to Gallus." I stated dryly.
She smirked. "An assassin is servant to no master. We serve only what benefits us."
Titus whispered firmly, "This Arthur spared me on the condition I swear to bring you back. I may kill for a living, but I keep my word…and he promised me a wealthy compensation…plus the one we just received from the senator…"
"Where is Gallus?"
Irina smirked. "Dead. The fool thought he could have me in his bed."
"What of the rest of the knights? Ferdinand killed one…is Lancelot de-"
Titus cut me off. "All will be explained later. Now, can you promise not to run if I take my sword away from you and give you a weapon?"
I nodded, wishing he had answered my question. But I suppose getting out of this palace was first priority. He handed me a small dagger.
Irina opened the door and we stealthy ran into the kitchens and out a back door. I noticed another guard sprawled out on the ground with an axe protruding from his back. Finally we were at the stables.
"Only two guards remain on the towers by the gate" Irina stated, looking up.
"Actually, first you have to get through me." We all turned around as Ferdinand emerged from the shadows by one of the horse stalls.
"Very cunning of you, Titus. When I saw Irina go into Gallus' quarters I knew something was awry. I never would have guessed you would take the girl, though." His sword was unsheathed and he edged towards us. "Do not worry. The guards have not been alerted. I have a feeling I might be framed for our dear Senator's murder if I linger. So…give me the girl, and be off with you."
Titus held his own sword out. "Why do you need her?"
Ferdinand softly chuckled. "Really, Titus Sidonius, do you care? The Pope requests certain information from her, and only Gallus knows what she said. Now that he's dead, this puts me in quite a mystery. Hand her over and find your next employer."
For some reason, I trusted these two not to give me up. I edged forward towards him. "If you want me, Archbishop, perhaps you should fight me."
He grinned viciously and outstretched his sword, willing me to come. Titus and Irina took this time to unhook their bows and arrows from his bag and take out the tower guards. It was just me and Ferdinand.
"No sword, milady?" he smirked. I raised my dagger, keeping my fist level with my chest as we circled.
"Do you even know how to use one, priest?" I stated, my confidence returning.
"We'll find out now, won't we?" And with that he lunged forward, and I ducked out of the way. A horse whinnied her repulse, and I slashed forward on my knees. The Archbishop blocked my dagger and thrust forward again, swinging from left to right. I parried and plunged my dagger forward as he swerved out of the way. The guards on the gate tower must be dead, because we were now very loud.
He clumsily tried to slice me vertically, and I easily blocked his blow and kicked his chest. He fell backwards into the hay. I threw my dagger as he tried to get up, and it landed straight in his stomach. He cried out in pain, his right hand still clutching his sword.
I put my right heel on his wrist and picked up his sword. "You underestimated me, Archbishop." He looked up at me, spitting out blood.
"You bitch-" he stated. I held his own sword to his throat. Titus and Irina were back, their own swords drawn.
"You have murdered a friend. You have renounced the Lord as your Savior. You deserve death." At this his eyes widened.
"Be merciful, child!" He pleaded. "Your right, I have sinned! Please, forgive me!" I stared at him, disgusted with his charade.
"Perhaps I should recall some of your teachings in the church, Archbishop. 'And shephards we shall be…" He started shaking his head, his fear great. I continued, reciting the speech carried out by priests when those who committed crimes were punished by death in the square. "For thee my lord for thee. Power hath descended forth from thy hand. That your feet may swiftly carry out thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to thee. And taming with souls shall it ever be. En nomine patris, et filiis, spiritus sancti-" I took both my hands unto the handle, and plunged it into Ferdinand's neck. Blood splattered unto my clothes as tears fell from my eyes. My rage withdrew as the priest died, his eyes wide in shock, his mouth open. I shakily lifted the sword out of his body, and fell to my knees. I had just committed murder in cold blood, to a dying man who was pleading with his life. And I did not care.