Chapter 8
(September 19th, 1460. Warners' House. Backyard. Sunset)
(Zack: Age 7. Sam: Age 4. Gabby: Age 2)
Sam: Fabooooo!
*Zack looks back at Sam with his signature smile and takes his sword out of the practice dummy*
Zack: You like that move?
Sam: Show it again!
Zack: Alright.
Spazzo: *Shouts from inside the house* Dinner's ready!
Sam: Dinner! Great!
*Sam runs back into the house without hesitation*
Zack: Hey! What about- *Sighs then sheathes his sword and walks into the house* What are we having?
Spazzo: Pasta.
Zack: Oooh. Bene. (Good) Where'd the black hole go?
Spazzo: He's getting your sister. Even he knows that we all eat together.
*Sam walks into the kitchen carrying Gabby and sits her at the table*
Sam: Okay, we're all here!
Zack: I'm ready.
*Zack pulls out his chair and takes his place at the table*
Spazzo: It looks like your practice is going pretty well, Zacharias.
Zack: Thanks, Maestro.
*Spazzo presents their dinner and the brothers' mouths start to water*
Sam: Fooooooood!
Zack and Sam: Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! Food!
(December 26th, 1460. Warners' House. Warners' Bedroom. Morning)
(Zack: Age 7. Sam: Age 5. Gabby: Age 3)
*Zack wakes up to see Gabby kneeling on top of his belly. She smiles at him when she sees his eyes open*
Zack: Hey, Little Sister! *Gabby holds her nose as Zack yawns in her face* Got out of the crib by yourself again?
Gabby: Yeah!
Zack: Well, I know what you're waking me up about. *Hugs Gabby and stands out of his bunk* Happy birthday, Girl! *Sets his sister on the floor and rattles the bed post* Sam, wake up!
*Sam startles then yawns and stretches*
Sam: Oh yeah! It's Sorella's birthday! *Hops out of his bunk and onto the floor then picks up Gabby and hugs her* Let's have birthday cake!
Zack: You know the rules: The birthday girl decides.
Gabby: Cake first!
*The two younger siblings smile at each other as their older brother chuckles*
Zack: Heh heh. You're the boss.
(April 8th, 1461. Spazzo's Office)
(Zack: Age 8. Sam: Age 5. Gabby: Age 3)
Spazzo: You remember the second main-
Zack: Discretion.
Spazzo: Correct. And sometimes, using certain tools is required for such.
Zack: What kind of tools?
Spazzo: We have smoke bombs, throwing knives, or even poison. *Hands Zack his bracer* I hollowed out your hidden blade so that it can be used for delivering poison to your enemies. This is very useful for stealth kills.
Zack: Isn't the hidden blade enough for stealth assassination?
Spazzo: Sometimes, but people who are close enough can see you killing your target. Using the hidden blade alone might cause these people to react, therefore blowing your cover. No-one notices the poison blade. It will look like you just touched your enemy to bystanders. And your enemy doesn't realize that they're poisoned until it's too late. It's a horrible way to go, but it can get you out of a tight situation unscathed.
Zack: It just seems like poison is such a coward's tool, but if I still get to use my blade it's good enough for me.
Spazzo: Well, let me teach you a few things before going out and trying this on foes.
(August 21st, 1461. Warners' House. Warners' Bedroom. Night)
*Sam is looking out the bedroom window*
Zack: You coming to bed, Fratello?
Sam: Look at the sky!
Zack: What? *Walks over to the window and looks up. A red bright star shades the night sky in a dark crimson. Zack expresses his fascination with a gasp* Whoa! That's neat!
Sam: What's happening?
Zack: That's Mars, but I've never seen it like THIS before!
Sam: Is this bad?
Zack: No, It'll pass. It's really beautiful though, so I'm going to watch it while I can.
Sam: I'm going to bed.
Zack: You should watch this with me. Maybe something will change.
Sam: Like what?
Zack: *Gasps then points out the window* A shooting star!
Sam: Faboo!
(December 25th, 1461. Warners' House. Living Room)
(Zack: Age 8. Sam: Age 6. Gabby: Age 3)
Zack: Good job, Sibs! I think that Christmas jingle was a good one!
Gabby: Yay!
Sam: Really?
Zack: Yeah!
Sam: It's too bad Spazzo wasn't around to hear us this morning.
Zack: He's probably in his office. I'll have him make us some breakfast.
*Zack literally lifts himself to his feet by his ears and walks into Spazzo's office. Only a few candles light the room. Zack sees Spazzo leaning on his desk before he turns to face Zack. Spazzo's eyes are bloodshot and his facial expression shows nothing but disappointment*
Zack: Maestro, what are you doing?
Spazzo: Oh nothing.
Zack: What's that on the table?
Spazzo: Just a dumb idea. *Comes to a realization* Wait. You're ambidextrous, correct?
Zack: What does that mean?
Spazzo: It means your right and left halves of your body are equally dominant. It seems to me that you switch each hand off constantly. Whenever I see you practicing with your throwing knives, you always switch hands.
Zack: Wait, slow down… There are people who are dominant in only one half of their body?
*Spazzo bursts into laughter*
Spazzo: Zacharias, ambidexterity is very very rare. Seeing as though you possess it, I think you won't have any problems adjusting to this.
Zack: Adjusting to what?
Spazzo: I suppose we can give it a shot. *Hands Zack a bracer* I made a second bracer for you. This one you wear on your right arm.
Zack: A hidden blade on each wrist! I like it! *Puts on both of his bracers with haste and entusiasm and tests out the blades* This is incredible!
Spazzo: I'm glad you like it. Go tell your brother and sister I'll be out in a bit.
Zack: Okay. Thanks, Spazzo!
*Zack runs out of Spazzo's office, ecstatic to tell his siblings about his new blade*
Sam: Is he coming?
Zack: He'll be out in a bit. Check out what he gave me!
*Zack shows both hidden blades*
Gabby: Oooh, shiny!
Sam: Two of them! Lucky!
Zack: Yup. Let me help you guys with presents.
Sam: You seem pretty happy for it being Christmas.
Zack: *Puts a puzzled look on his face* Is that bad?
Sam: No. It's just… weird.
Zack: Weird? In our family? There's a shocker.
Sam: *Sits on the couch* But Brother.
Zack: Where's all of this coming from?
Sam: Don't you still miss Madre e Padre?
Zack: *Frowns then sits next to Sam on the couch, while unequiping his bracers* Of course I do. That doesn't mean shouldn't be unhappy forever.
Sam: What about Vixenita?
Zack: What about her?
Sam: Do you still plan to… kill her?
Zack: Sam, what she did was unforgivable. Nothing will convince me otherwise, and she must meet a painful end.
Sam: Can we kill her together?
Zack: *Smirks* Heh heh. Of course, Bro.
Sam: Faboo!
*Sam hugs Zack. Zack hugs back then stares at Spazzo's office door with a stale face*
Zack: Spazzo isn't coming, he probably fell asleep. Let's just open presents right now.
(February 14th, 1462)
(Zack: Age 8. Sam: Age 6. Gabby: Age 4)
*Zack opens his eyes and sees that he is outside, standing on the gallows platform in front of a vast crowd of people with a noose around his neck and a fiery orange sky above. Zack glances to his left and sees his brother and sister with nooses around their necks as well, their heads lowered shamefully. Sam's teeth are grotting while tears are flowing from Gabby's eyes and dripping off of her round red nose. Zack then looks back and sees Vixenita next to a lever laughing maniacally. Vixenita pulls the lever and the siblings drop*
Zack: No!
*Zack wakes in cold sweat and springs himself up. He breathes heavily with widened eyes frantically looking around his bedroom. He speaks to himself quietly*
Zack: What… Was… That!
*Zack continues to breathe heavily then clasps his hand to his chest and feels his strong racing heartbeat. Zack lies back down and tries to calm his breathing. Spazzo enters the Warners' bedroom and walks toward the bunk bed*
Spazzo: Buon giorno! Sveglia! (Good morning! Wake up!) It's time for breakfast!
Sam: Yay, breakfast!
Gabby: Coming!
*Zack sits up in his bunk. Sam jumps to the floor. Instead of mimicking her brother, Gabby decides to climb down the ladder*
Spazzo: Come on down.
*Spazzo walks downstairs. Gabby follows him, but Sam stops in the doorway*
Sam: C'mon, Fratello!
Zack: I'm coming.
*Sam takes notice of his brother's pale complexion and his saddened eyes*
Sam: You okay?
Zack: Yeah, go eat breakfast. I'll be down in a bit.
Sam: Okay, but I can't promise I'll save any for you.
*Sam smiles then leaves the bedroom. Zack sighs and buries his face into his hands. He then vacates his bunk and follows his brother downstairs to the dining room. Gabby turns her head toward Zack in response to hearing the creeking staircase*
Gabby: Zack! There you are! Buon giorno, Fratello!
Zack: *Looks at Gabby then smiles* Buon giorno, Sorella.
*Zack lifts up his younger sister and hugs her tightly. Gabby at first has a confused look on her face but then smiles and hugs him back*
Sam: Aw, don't I get a hug too, Zack?
Zack: *Sets Gabby back in her chair* Of course you do!
*Zack picks up Sam and hugs him*
Spazzo: Sit down and eat, Zack.
*Zack sets Sam back in his chair then sits down at the table*
(April 19th, 1462. Warners' House. Backyard. Sunset)
(Zack: Age 9. Sam: Age 6. Gabby: Age 4)
Spazzo: Excellent work, Zack! Such skill! Such grace! Your mother and father would've been proud of you, boy!
Zack: Thanks, Maestro! *Spazzo swings his sword at Zack and Zack dodges at the last possible moment* Whoa!
Spazzo: Don't falter now, Zack! Never leave an opening for your opponent! *Swings vertically at Zack, but Zack blocks it then kicks Spazzo in the crotch* Agh! *Takes a deep inhale through his teeth* Ouch! Argh!
Zack: Sorry!
Spazzo: *Breathes heavily* Let's take five.
Zack: Five what?
Spazzo: Let's just take a break. *Sits on the ground* Agh! I can't believe you kicked me there!
Zack: I'm sorry!
Spazzo: It's okay. That was good, actually. Never hesitate to kick your enemy in his- you know. It's a very effective way to bring him to his knees and it makes an opening. Agh!
Sam: That was awesome!
Zack: You sure you're alright?
Spazzo: Yeah. Just remember, it doesn't work on the opposite sex.
Zack: How come?
Spazzo: *Stares at Zack with a stale face* You know well how come.
Zack: Heh heh. Hey Sam. Why don't we fight? Get in the ring!
Sam: With swords? I'd rather not. I only reserve fighting with my fists.
Zack: Come on! You're an Assassin! You can't rely on your fists all the time! You must learn how to use a blade.
Spazzo: Show him what you're capable of. You can borrow my sword.
Sam: But swords are pretty sharp.
Zack: *Stares at Sam blankly then speaks satirically* Anche tuo cervello. (So is your brain)
Spazzo: They're just practice swords, Sam. You'll be fine.
Sam: Well… Okay then.
*Spazzo slowly stands up and hands Sam his sword. Spazzo then walks out of the ring uncomfortably, still suffering from Zack's kick*
Spazzo: Don't try to hurt each other. Just practice.
Zack: Let's see how you do, Sam.
Sam: Go easy, I'm no good at this! You know me!
Zack: Are you afraid?
Sam: You're asking for it! *Swings the sword at Zack and Zack dodges*
Zack: Hey! That was good! I bet after a few years, you'd be a lot better!
Spazzo: The both of you are just like your father. *Breaks up their fight* Hold on, boys. How about I show you a few tips, Sam?
(June 14th, 1462. Warners' House. Bathroom. Sunset)
*The Warners are taking a bath together. Zack is playing with a toy boat. He starts to talk with a pirate accent*
Zack: Arrrrrrgh! These waves be brutal!
Sam: *Salutes Zack with a smile* Permission to come aboard?
Zack: Permission granted, First Mate Sam.
Sam: Faboo!
Gabby: Can I play too?
Zack: Sure thing! Welcome aboard, First Mate Gabby!
Gabby: It's First Mate Gabrielle Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fana Bo Besca the THIRD to you, buster! Tee hee.
Zack: Buster? Sis, I'm not a rabbit, I'm the captain of the ship.
Sam: Wait, I thought I was your first mate, Captain Zack!
Zack: You both are my first mates.
Sam: You can't do that!
Zack: But I'm the captain.
Sam: But you can't have two first mates!
Zack: Like I said; I'm Captain.
Sam: *Stares then laughs* Okay- I mean, *Speaks with a pirate accent* aye aye! Hm? *Looks around* Captain! The sea! She be calming down!
Zack: Ye be right!
Gabby: Zack!
Zack: It's Captain Zack!
Gabby: *Laughs* Okay! Captain Zack! There's someone sneaking on the ship!
Zack: Uuuuhhhh… Sis, that's not the right lingo at all. You gotta' sound more like a pirate.
Gabby: Oh, sorry. *Speaks with a pirate accent* Arrrgh! Captain Zack! There be a stowaway on the ship!
Zack: Capture the stowaway and throw him in the brig!
Gabby: Aye aye! But it be not a he, but a she. It's the evil queen of Venezia; Vixenita!
Zack: That's no stowaway, that be a captured whale!
*Sam and Gabby laugh hysterically. Zack laughs along*
Gabby: What shall we do with her, Captain?
Zack: I don't take kindly to stowaways, and I certainly don't take kindly to her at all. She shall walk the plank!
Sam and Gabby: Plank! Plank! Plank!
Sam: Let's tie her to the anchor!
Zack: No! That'd be a waste of a perfectly good anchor! Besides, her own weight will pull her down pretty quickly.
*The siblings have another laugh and continue their game*
Zack: Arrrrrgh! Down to the briny deep she goes!
Sam: She's dead!
Zack and Gabby: Yaaaaaay!
Zack: Sam, take us to our next destination!
Sam: Why me?
Zack: Because you're the navigator!
Sam: But you're the geography wiz! You should be the navigator!
Zack: I can't be the navigator, I'm the captain!
Sam: So you can have two first mates, but you can't be the navigator as well?
*Zack laughs then splashes water at him*
Gabby: Hey, watch where you're splashing!
(August 22nd, 1462. Warners' House. Living Room. Afternoon)
*Gabby is laying on the floor on her belly, drawing and swinging her legs. She has slight drops of different colored ink on her cheeks, on her white-gloved hands, and even in her hair. Zack walks by, causing the floorboards to creek beneath his feet*
Zack: What'cha drawing?
*Gabby quickly glances up at her brother and glares angrily then covers up her paper*
Gabby: No peeking!
Zack: What! I- Why would I- Oh, the drawing. Heh heh. Yeah, I should already know how that works. Mi dispiace, Sorella. (I'm sorry, Sis) I won't look.
*Zack smiles at her then walks into the kitchen. She quickly finishes her drawing and stands up with the drawing in her hands*
Gabby: I'm done! *Runs to Zack and gives the drawing to him* Here, Fratello!
*Zack takes the drawing and stares at it. The parts of the paper where she was holding it were slightly wrinkled and smeared with the ink from her hands. The drawing itself is a very impressive picture of the three Warner siblings hugging each other*
Zack: Wonderful job! *Hands the drawing back to Gabby* Go show Sam!
Gabby: Okay!
*Gabby hugs Zack then runs away with the drawing*
Zack: Wait, get back here real quick!
*Gabby returns still holding the drawing. Zack takes a rag and licks it. He uses the rag to clean the ink off her face*
Gabby: Ick! Brother spit!
Zack: You have ink on your face!
Gabby: Okay, but you don't have to clean it with spit!
*Gabby flees upstairs. Zack pursues her*
(September 3rd, 1462. Warners' House. Backyard. Night)
*Spazzo, Zack, and Sam are camping outside, and sitting next to a fire. Gabby comes outside with a bag*
Zack: Did you get the buns, Sis?
Gabby: I got the buns alright. *Starts shaking her rear at them*
Zack: *Smirks* Says you.
*Gabby giggles then takes her seat in between her two brothers*
Gabby: Come on, you know I'm cute.
Zack: Yes, I know. I'm just a bit used to it, that's all.
Spazzo: Ready to eat?
Sam: I'm always ready to eat!
Zack: Me too!
Gabby: Me three!
Spazzo: *Takes out a lute and starts playing it* How about a little song first?
Zack: Uuuuuuuhhhhhh… I think we can do one.