Chapter 12
(December 26th, 1465. Warners' House. Warners' Bedroom. Morning)
(Zack: Age 12. Sam: Age 10. Gabby: Age 8)
*Gabby wakes up and climbs out of her bunk and jumps into Zack's, leaping on top of her brother*
Gabby: Wake up! Wake up, Fratello!
Zack: Alright! I'm up! I'm up! *Slowly pushes Gabby off of him and out of his bunk* You're a nut, Sorella!
Gabby: Hey!
*Sam yawns then jumps out of his bunk and onto the floor. Gabby is slightly startled upon his impact*
Sam: Happy birthday, Sis! *Picks up Gabby and hugs her* What a special day for you!
Zack: Happy birthday, Gabby!
Gabby: Yay! What do we have planned today?
*Zack jumps out of his bunk and runs toward the bedroom door*
Zack: Why don't you follow me so we can start it? C'mon, let's go!
(February 16th, 1466. Warners' House. Living Room. Morning)
*Zack enters the house through the secret passage in the basement*
Zack: Sam, I got new bread.
Sam: Faboo! *Runs to Zack and takes the loaf of bread from his arms and breaks it into four pieces, then places them at the dining table* Sorella! Spazzo! Zack's back!
*Spazzo exits his office and approaches the dining table. Gabby enters the living room by sliding down the railing and swinging around the end of it, then runs to the table*
Spazzo: Excellent work, as always, Zacharias. After breakfast, it's off to training, Sam.
Sam: Got it.
Gabby: You guys have no idea how hungry I am! *Gobbles down her piece of bread in half of a second then belches* 'Scuse me.
*Zack smiles and chuckles. Sam stares at Gabby blankly then tosses the rest of his piece of bread in his mouth. Zack then places his piece in front of Gabby on the table*
Zack: Here, Sis. I'm not hungry.
Gabby: But you have to eat, Brother.
Zack: I'll be okay, I had an apple earlier.
Gabby: *Looks at Zack with a concerned look* Well, okay then…
Zack: *Sighs* Maestro.
Spazzo: What is it, Zack?
Zack: How much longer must we live this way?
Spazzo: Hm?
Zack: It's been many years. But we're still poor, and Vixenita is still alive.
Spazzo: *Smiles then excuses himself from the table, and walks toward the window in the living room* Well, I'm glad you asked. Our financial situation should be solved soon. I finally got a job that pays well.
*Zack smiles back at his teacher*
Zack: Well, that's good.
Spazzo: I'm sorry I didn't search sooner. Your parents' savings have been running low lately, and I should've sought employment instead of getting wrapped up in you and your brother's training.
Zack: It's alright, Maestro.
Spazzo: As for Vixenita… *Turns to look at Zack and sighs* Nevermind. Listen Zack, you need to take a break from going out to town for a bit. Your Assassin alter ego has been gathering some attention lately.
Zack: What are we going to do for food then?
Spazzo: My job should have it covered.
Zack: Well then, yipee! A break!
Spazzo: *Pats Zack on his head* Oh, you crazy boy. I start tomorrow, so take good care of your brother and sister while I'm gone.
Zack: Nessun problema. (No problem) So where are you working?
Spazzo: With Vincenzo at the fabbro.
Zack: I thought he closed up a long time ago.
Spazzo: He's been getting some business lately.
(February 27th, 1466. Warners' House. Living Room. Late Afternoon)
*Zack is pacing around the living room*
Zack: There's nothing to do around here! I can't stand being home all day! I'm going crazy!
Gabby: Fratello, there was no voyage to begin with.
*Sam laughs and Zack smirks at her*
Zack: When did your mouth get so smart?
Gabby: Who do you think I got it from?
Zack: *Pets Gabby on her head* I have to go get something to drink.
*Zack runs upstairs*
Gabby: But Spazzo said you can't go out!
*Zack returns to the living room, cloaked in his Assassin robe*
Zack: I know what he said. *Thinks for a moment as Gabby stares at him concerningly* I guess I'll just try a little harder to stay hidden.
Sam: That's a bad idea. I don't doubt your skills, Fratello, but it's not just the guards who are on high alert, it's everyone.
Zack: Uuuuuuhhhhhh… I guess I'll leave my robe here.
Sam: That's an even worse idea.
Zack: Don't worry. *Starts to disrobe* I'm not going to kill anyone today, I'm going unarmed. I'm just going out, making a stop, and coming right back home.
Gabby: Be careful.
Zack: I will.
*Zack exits the house, closing the front door behind him. He looks toward the sky, no cloud in sight, and takes a deep breath through his nose to embrace the weather. Zack makes his way to the bar and enters. Upon walking in, Zack sees a few guards sitting at a table to his left. The guards look at him and Zack stares back until they look away. Zack takes a seat at the bar*
Bartender: What can I get you?
Zack: *Puts some florins on the bar in front of the man* Eh, just some latte (milk).
Bartender: *Counts the florins* Small?
Zack: Sure.
*The Bartender takes the money and returns, handing Zack a glass of fresh milk*
Zack: Grazie.
*Zack takes a drink and then a short exhale of relief. After Zack finishes about half of his glass, a girl walks up to the bar and sits next to him*
Girl: Salve, bello. (Hello, cutie)
Zack: Hellooooooooo nurse.
Girl: *Giggles* You have pretty eyes.
Zack: Thanks.
Girl: My name is Ameda.
Zack: Zack.
Ameda: Zack? *Giggles* What an odd name.
Zack: Yes, well… *Looks at the clock on the wall* I've got to go.
*Zack drinks the rest of his milk and stands up. The girl frowns at him and sighs*
Girl: Leaving already?
Zack: I just came by for a quick drink. It's not you; I have two siblings at home I have to get back to. It was nice meeting you, Ameda.
Ameda: It was nice to meet you too… Zack. *Giggles* Arrivederci.
Zack: Addio.
*Zack starts walking out of the bar when a boy wearing rich clothing stands in his way*
Boy: What do you think you're doing?
Zack: Is something wrong?
Boy: Of course there's something wrong! You can't just hit on whatever girl you wish, especially when that girl belongs to me!
Zack: Don't get your panties in a knot. We just talked.
Boy: I don't want you talking to her again, you got that?
Zack: And what if I do?
Boy: You don't want to know.
Zack: Listen, I don't want any trouble. Now just get lost, or I'll have to escort you out.
Boy: Escort ME out? I'd love to see that. *Shouts at everyone in the bar* Hey everyone, we have a real tough guy over here!
Zack: Che un screwball. (What a screw ball)
Boy: You want to go, you furry freak!?
*The boy throws a punch at Zack. Zack quickly ducks and hooks the boy on the bridge of his nose. The boy falls over, nose bleeding*
Zack: That'll teach you.
Boy: No. I'll teach you! *Stands up while clasping his nose* You will regret messing with me! I'm the son of one of the queen's cabinets. *Runs over to the guards at the table* Arrest him!
Guard #1: Yes, sir. *Stands up and walks over to Zack* You need to learn your place, you insolent furball!
*The guard grabs Zack by his right arm. Zack struggles to escape*
Zack: Let go of me!
*Zack punches the soldier in his nose. The guard releases Zack and holds his nose as blood runs from it and pools onto his palm. The guard furls his brows while growling then unsheathes his sword and readies it*
Zack: Did you really just draw your sword? You can't take a 12-year-old without using your weapon?
Guard #1: If you don't shut your mouth, you will die here!
Zack: Oh, just try!
*The guard's face turns pink and he prepares to strike*
Guard #2: Stop! He's just a boy!
*The guard attempts to stab Zack. Zack dodges to the right and kicks the guard in the crotch. Zack clutches the guard's wrist, pushes his index finger into the guard's meridian pressure point, and pries the sword from the guard's hands. Zack slashes him across the chest. The soldier falls while clutching to the gash. The three other guards at the table rush to the fight and unsheathe their swords*
Guard #2: Um… Okay, nevermind. You have just made your last mistake!
Guard #3: You can't take all of us!
*One of the men takes a vertical swing at Zack. Zack blocks then immediately strikes back. The man blocks Zack's first few swings, but Zack lands a vertical hit, chopping into the guard's left shoulder. Zack retracts the sword and the guard falls to the ground. The other soldier then charges at Zack with a thrust. Zack ducks and spin dodges from it. Using the backhand energy of the spin, Zack jumps up and slashes the guard's neck. The guard drops his sword and holds his wound as he falls backwards to the ground. The last remaining soldier starts to cower*
Guard #4: Oh, God! This isn't happening!
Civilian: Run away! Run away! Run for your lives!
*The bar patrons scatter and rush toward the exit. Amid the chaos, Zack walks toward the cowering soldier while effortlessly twirling the sword at the hilt like a drum stick. The soldier runs out of the bar, screaming, pushing Ameda's boyfriend out of his path, knocking him over. The rest of the patrons follow the guard out. The boy, breathing heavily and sweating bullets, stares at Zack, standing still centered by three bodies and blood covering most of the floor and some of the tables*
Zack: If you still don't feel like leaving, my offer to escort you out still stands.
*The boy attempts to run out of the bar through the swinging door. He hits his right hip on the knob and falls to the ground, then quickly gets up and flees the scene. Zack leaves the sword at the scene and sprints as fast as he can home. When he arrives, he looks around before running into the yard. Zack attempts to calm himself then walks through the front door, pretending to be casual. The sun is setting*
Gabby: Fratello! *Runs over to Zack and hugs him with a smile, but then loses her smile, releases Zack from her hug, and steps back* So… *Smiles again* How was the trip?
Zack: It was alright. *Walks over to the dining table and sits down* They still have pretty good milk there.
Gabby: *Loses her smile* What did you do?
Zack: Nothing.
Gabby: Liar! You're breathing heavily and there's blood on your gloves!
Zack: *Looks at his gloves to see the partially dried blood of the slain guards* Well, whoops.
Gabby: You killed without wearing your robe!? This is bad!
*Sam runs into the living room from upstairs*
Sam: What's bad? *Notices the red stains on Zack's gloves* Whoa, what happened, Fratello?
*Zack sighs. Gabby points out the window*
Gabby: Spazzo's home! *Zack quickly hides his hands in his pockets* Fratello, you have to tell him.
Zack: No, I don't.
Gabby: Zack, we can't keep something like this a secret from him.
Zack: Me and Sam can. You can't.
Gabby: What's that suppose to mean!?
*Spazzo walks through the front door*
Spazzo: I'm home!
Gabby: Spazzo, Zack-
*Sam, from behind Gabby, covers her mouth with his hand and restrains her arms*
Sam: You talk too much, Sis. Why don't you give it a rest?
Zack: Heh heh… Is the job still going well, Spazzo?
Spazzo: Going great! We should be out of this slump in no time.
Gabby: *Breaks from Sam's hold* That's good! *Smiles then stares at Zack with a concerned look* That's very good.
*Zack sighs. There is a pound at the door and the voice of a city guard is heard*
Guard #5: Aprite la porta! (Open the door!)
*The guard continues to pound on the door until Spazzo opens it*
Spazzo: Can I help you?
*The guard pushes Spazzo aside and walks into the house, brows furled. He is accompanied by a larger silent guard. He points at Zack*
Guard #5: There he is! Grab him!
Zack: Yikes!
*Zack runs around the living room while the two guards chase him. Sam and Gabby run to the stairs*
Spazzo: What is going on!?
Zack: No time to explain!
*The large guard corners Zack and captures him; restraining both his arms back*
Zack: Argh! *Struggles to escape the large guard's hold but fails* Let me go, you priest!
Spazzo: Wait. I'm confused. Care to explain, Zack?
Zack: Not really!
*Zack looks at Gabby, who stares back with her concerned look*
Zack: Okay. I maybe littered a little bit.
Guard #5: Littered!? You killed three guards!
Zack: What's the difference?
Guard #5: Shut up! *Directs his voice to the large guard* Let's go.
Spazzo: Wait. Let him go. I'll make sure he's punished severely.
Guard #5: No can do, Spazzo. I have orders from the queen. Have a good day.
Zack: Let me go! Spazzo, do something!
*The guards exit the house through the front door while forcing Zack to come with them. Spazzo remains still, eyes widened*
Gabby: Spazzo, what's going to happen to Zack!?
Spazzo: *Sits on the couch and buries his face into his palms* Dear God. *Stares at Sam with a concerned look and then at Gabby with the same look* ...I don't know what to do…
Sam: What do you mean!? We have to go help him!
Spazzo: Calm yourself, Samuel. I'll find a way to fix this.
*Spazzo starts walking upstairs. Sam stares at Gabby*
Gabby: Sam… He'll be alright… Right, Fratello?
*Sam doesn't respond. Spazzo rushes back downstairs and through the front door. Spazzo walks down the street toward Vixenita's castle with Sam and Gabby following him*
Sam: Where are we going?
*Spazzo gives no response. Spazzo, Sam, and Gabby see a large crowd and start making their way through it*
Gabby: We have to hurry!
Sam: C'mon! Move it, people!
Spazzo: Calm down, you two. I'm going to fix this.
Sam: How?
Spazzo: No time to explain.
*Spazzo, Sam, and Gabby get about half way through the crowd when they find the attraction; Zack standing on the execution platform with a noose around his neck*
Gabby: Zack!
Spazzo: Calm down.
Gabby: Calm down!? This is no time to be calm!
*The two siblings and their guardian push their way through the crowd faster. Meanwhile, Vixenita is standing next to Zack, conversing with him*
Vixenita: I thought you would've learned your place by now, but I guess I was wrong. *Walks in front of Zack and stares at him with an evil smile. Zack stares back with an angry glare. Vixenita furls her brows and loses her smile* Don't make that face at me; I'm your queen.
Zack: You hold no authority over me. Go eat dirt.
Vixenita: Now that wouldn't be lady like.
Zack: Then it wouldn't be anything new.
Vixenita: *Growls then clams herself* You inherit your father's… special stubbornness. Let's get on with your execution now then.
*Spazzo, Sam, and Gabby emerge from the front of the crowd*
Spazzo: Wait!
*Spazzo runs onto the platform and confronts Vixenita*
Vixenita: Spazzo! Normally I'd be mad at someone for interrupting one of my executions but, my God, it's been so long! How've you been?
Spazzo: Save it. You know I'm not here to catch up with you. Let him go.
Vixenita: What!?
Spazzo: Release Zack Warner.
Vixenita: Not going to happen. He must be punished. Not just for murder but for disrespecting me.
Zack: Then you must punish a lot of people.
Vixenita: Shut UP!
Spazzo: Could you please just find it in your heart to let him go? He's just a kid; it was just a mistake.
Vixenita: I am required to bring out justice here. An example has to be set for his crimes.
Spazzo: Vixenita, everyone deserves a second chance.
Vixenita: For his disrespect towards me, I'd say he already blew his second chance.
Spazzo: *Sighs* If an example needs to be set and the deaths of those guards atoned… Then let me take his place.
Zack: Spazzo! You don't have to do this!
Spazzo: Quiet, Zack… Please.
Vixenita: You would really give your own life to save him?
Spazzo: Yes.
Vixenita: *Gives a skeptical facial expression* Hrm… I didn't think you meant you owed Nicolas your life so literally.
Spazzo: This has nothing to do with my debt to Nicolas. The entire Warner family is like my own and I'd do anything for them.
Guard #5: My Queen, the crowd is getting impatient. Make an example of this demon!
Vixenita: Give me a few seconds! *Thinks for a moment* Give me a good amount of florins and I'll allow it.
Spazzo: Hrm? *Sighs then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handful of florins and gives them to Vixenita* It's always about money with you, isn't it?
*Vixenita counts the florins then puts them in her pocket*
Vixenita: Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? It's not like he's worth saving or anything.
Spazzo: He is to me.
Vixenita: Very well then. *Directs her voice to Zack* Have you learned your lesson, boy?
Spazzo: Zack…
Zack: *Sighs* Yes.
Vixenita: Very good. *Shouts to the guards* Release him! He's lucky today!
*The guards untie Zack and take the noose off his neck. Zack jumps off the platform and rushes to Sam and Gabby*
Spazzo: Wait. Could I have a few words with them?
Vixenita: Fine.
Spazzo: Grazie.
*Spazzo walks off the platform and crouches down to Zack, Sam, and Gabby*
Zack: You don't have to do this. This is all my fault.
Spazzo: Zacharias, you still have a whole life ahead of you. Besides, I've already devoted my life to help you three in any situation.
Zack: Isn't there another way?
Spazzo: I'm sorry. I did all I could.
Gabby: But it isn't fair.
Spazzo: I know. *Opens his arms. The Warners give him a group hug then speaks in a hushed tone* Zack, please listen to me. I know you think Vixenita deserves death, and she probably does, but I know that in the end, you won't follow the path of retribution. There are other ways to find peace, and you will find them.
*Zack only gives a slight huff in reaction. The Warners release Spazzo from their hug. Spazzo walks onto the platform and puts the noose around his neck*
Vixenita: Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? This is the last time I'll ask, you can still change your mind.
Spazzo: Yes.
Vixenita: *Sighs* What a shame. It was nice knowing you, Spazzo.
Zack: Sibs. Don't watch.
*Vixenita pulls the lever*