Against All Odds
Every part of my body ached in the morning, and I was parched. At least my kidnapper had the sense and decency to leave flasked rice wine by my bedside. Even if it was left on the wooden floors with no tray – and it would not dull the pain from my head, either. Who wanted me? And for what? What was so important about my existence, that my life be torn apart by politics and crime. What had I ever done to deserve such a fate – I was well-behaved, competent, even compassionate, I would argue. The cruel hand of destiny had placed me in the arms of those I was trying to avoid.
The room I had been sleeping was well-adorned, but dark. There were no windows, only several flickering candles in the corner sat upon a rough four-legged wooden table, and my own bed simply consisted of a futon, cushions of various sizes and sheets which appeared to be unwashed. There was only one piece of artwork to brighten the dull chamber; an exquisite hanging scroll featuring a teeth-baring tiger (far too crass for my tastes, but the art was excellent nonetheless). A pity there was no signature.
I poured myself some of the fiery drink and swilled it in my mouth, the taste was far too severe and it burned the back of my throat as it passed. I would never usually drink alcohol so early after awakening, but, since it was all I had been offered; I was therefore forced, through lack of respectful and proper hosting, to consume the appalling substance. It was at this point that I was interrupted, without a knock on the door, by a man barging his way into the room and staring down at me, as if I was some lesser being.
"I'm not an animal." I spoke, before he had chance. Though his face was covered in shadows, I could just about decipher the expression of anger which followed.
"You do not belong here." He rebuffed, as if I had been given a choice. From last night, I was wearing little more than my undergarments, and the way he glared unnerved me. I had born witness to a gaze like that too many times, and I would not allow it here.
I stood, slowly, gripping the sheets tightly around me, my eyes boring into his own. "You have entered a woman's chambers." I began, stepping closer. "Without sanction." I moved towards him once more. "And now you dare tell me, I do not belong." My voice was deafening now, and I was red in the face, I could feel the flush. But I no longer cared; I am human. Am I not deserving of respect!
I opened my mouth to continue, but a voice called from behind the open door. "Zhu!" That voice, it was female!
At this, the fool left me and, I assume, returned to whatever his duties may have been. He was away from me, and that was all which mattered to me during those moments. Then a woman appeared in the doorway, I assumed it was her who had spoken. She stepped past me, into the room and light and I noticed she was slightly smaller than me, and, it seemed, a little older. I could see evidence of stress detailed across her face, and my heart jumped.
"I am sorry," when she spoke, it was in broken Italian. A language I hadn't spoken in so long, I almost felt as though I couldn't understand it when she continued. "… Lady Auditore." At this, she pointed to a pile of clothes, bowed, and then departed.
It was as if my past had returned to haunt me, and I was no nearer to understanding my whereabouts and reasons of capture. But, the door was currently unlocked, and it seemed as if it would stay that way. Which is a positive note, I suppose.