Il Settimo Storia: Colmare il Divario
"Land Ho! Land Ho!" the crewman shouted down from the crow's nest. His calls punctuated by the clanging bell. Liberta peered through his spyglass to see the faint shadow on the horizon. He panned across the sea, pausing as the form of the snowy- haired youth that invaded his scope, obscuring the view of the approaching island. He stood at the bow. His shadowed eyes stared into the vast expanse of the sea. So it had been since their departure. Each day that passed, the leader of the Coins grew more sullen and moody.
Liberta collapsed his telescope, and frowned as he deposited it into his belt loop. In several long strides, he closed the distance between himself and his old friend.
"With an expression like that, you're likely to ruin your reputation with the ladies. What's gotten into you anyway? I haven't seen you smile in about a week. Don't tell me the Invincible Debito gets seasick," Liberta playfully jeered, and clapped his hand on Debito's shoulder. The other man didn't acknowledge Liberta in the least. Unfortunately for Debito, Liberta was unabashed. His reputation for stubbornness was not unfounded. "Invincible or was it invisible? Hmmm... No matter. Or maybe there just aren't enough girls on board. Withdrawals? Don't worry there will be plenty of young women at port."
Liberta noticed the leader of Coins' jaw tense, and the tow-headed young man swallowed hard. This wasn't gearing up to be a pleasant exchange.
"We're wasting time here. Why are we stopping?" Debito responded coldly. "Shouldn't we make straight for her hideout?"
"Eh? Yeah, about that. I thought we would make a stop in Fortuna. See if there wasn't any word first. There's no saying that she is going right to ground," Liberta explained. He eyed Debito warily. Maybe some time off the boat would do him well.
La Santa Teresa lowered her sails as they approached the harbor. He expanded his spyglass, again and panned the harbor. His breath caught in his throat at the sight before him. A familiar ship tied down at the moorings, it's enormous black sails fluttering lazily in the breeze.
"Maledire tutto, she's here," he muttered.
It failed to register in the blonde man's mind, that an encounter on shore was the most preferable. He wanted to avoid any run-ins between Debito and the pirate. They were under orders to recover her alive. When the words that followed were "at all costs", he imagined whatever excuses he could muster for presenting Papa with Amica's corpse would somehow be insufficient. Liberta was good with a sword, but not quite good enough to stop a bullet.
"What did you say?" Debito asked in a low growl.
"Eh? Ah... Er... Well, you see, this side of the harbor is all full up. Yes. That's it. We're going to have to approach from the West, and right now, we're on the East. And so, I'll be going now," Liberta said, quickly.
He made a beeline for the quarterdeck. Nova leaned on the railings, the picture of constant vigilance. Liberta wasn't exactly surprised to see how well he had adapted to life on the sea. He expected no less from his rival.
"Hey Nova," Liberta whispered. "Come here. We've got a serious situation here."
"Really? What would that be?" Nova asked.
"She's on Fortuna. Il Diavolo del Mare is at the moorings. We have got to change course. Right now," Liberta replied, still keeping his voice low. His gaze nervously darted between Nova and Debito, who kept his eyes locked on the approaching harbor.
"And why would we do that?" Nova asked irritably. "She's right here."
"Do you really need to ask?" Liberta said as he subtly gestured towards the bow of the ship. Nova nodded, his expression darkening. Liberta wasn't the only one to notice their friend's dark mood. It was a topic of many a clandestine conversation. The mission became less of how to capture the pirate, and more how to ensure her survival. Nova theorized Debito might still be suffering the effects of the girl's Arcana. Of that, Liberta was unsure. The only thing he was sure of, was that his instability was a complication to their mission that they really could not afford. Wordlessly, he took the helm from the crewman and steered towards the opposite harbor. This might put them back a ways on their mission, but with Amica del Diavolo in their sights, they were closer than they were before.
Before long, La Santa Teresa was lashed to the moorings, and the companions stood on the harbor discussing strategy. The foreman of the dockworkers approached their group. It was obvious that he was an ill-tempered man from the way he carried himself. He exuded an aura of hostility.
"Oi, Regalo!" he greeted. "You got trade?"
"No, sir. We're here on… uh… pleasure," Liberta answered warily. It wouldn't be wise to run around spouting their intentions, with the chance that it may be catch the wrong ears.
"That's the other docks, over on the west-side. This harbor is for cargo only," the foreman explained irritably. "Ya best shove off."
"Ah, well… you see…" Liberta stammered. He cast a nervous gaze towards Debito.
"We got business, here," Debito snarled. "And this dock seems good enough to me. If you want to make trouble, I'd be more than happy to discuss it with you privately." The snowy-haired young man's hand dropped to his pistol, and the foreman swallowed hard.
"I… well… I guess that I can make an exception, this once. So… uh… be quick about your business," the foreman said with a half-hearted gruffness as he nervously retreated. Liberta cast a wide-eyed stare at his friend.
"Well, now that that's settled… Chickpea, you have the most experience with information gathering, so I'll leave that to you while Debito and I make our courtesy visit in to the Governatore," Liberta suggested. Nova nodded and stalked off in the westerly direction, leaving a scowling Debito behind.
"The Governatore? I'd say, we start looking for a tavern. We're wasting time," Debito said.
"Er… Well, while you're probably right, it's something that has to be done," Liberta said. In light of Debito's recent display of hostility, Liberta reckoned, it was, the sooner the better.
The left the wharf together, and walked a distance into the city. Eventually, the ramshackle buildings gave way to the more grandiose residences of the more prestigious members of Fortuna's élite society. They stood at the wrought iron gates of the sprawling compound of the Governatore's mansion. Two well-armed, uniformed guards stood at attention, most likely they were among the ranks of the Governatore's personal guard.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am Liberta, a senior member of Regalo's Arcana Familgia. We are here as a courtesy to the Governatore. We have business here in Fortuna, and would like his express permission to conduct it unhindered," Liberta announced with a practiced politeness. Liberta was certainly the first to shoot off his mouth and the first to make a fool of himself, but these exchanges of courtesy were part of his job description as a senior member of the Intelligence Division. Whether he liked it or not, there were times that he must act as the face of Regalo. It was a weighty burden for one such as he to bear. The guards gave a curt nod.
"This way," one of the guards said, and turned on his heel, brusquely walking up the large hill that preceded the Gorvernatore's mansion. As they crested of the hill, the mansion came into view. The lower levels boasted the small painted arches so typical of the Florentine style of architecture, which it so blatantly copied. The guard led the way up one of the two grand staircases that focused attention on the Greco-Roman fountain in the center of the square. The statues were of twin gladiators frozen in brutal dance of spears and sword. It was truly a sight.
Once inside the expansive foyer of the mansion, the guard paused.
"Wait here for the Govenatore to receive you," he said as he disappeared into the mansions. After what seemed like an eternity the guardsman reappeared.
"The Governatore welcomes you, Liberta of Regalo. I will be taking possession of your weapons. You can retrieve them once your visit has been concluded," the guard said. Liberta and Debito both swiftly deposited their weapons into the guard's outstretched hand. He nodded respectfully and led them to the Governatore's office.
The Governatore of Fortuna was dwarfed by his enormous mahogany desk. At their entrance, he quickly stood and greeted them, smoothing his golden brocade jacket flamboyantly, almost as if to draw attention to it purposely. Liberta fought keep the incredulity from his face.
"Thank you for receiving us unannounced, Governatore," Liberta said.
"Please, please call me Giuseppe. And think nothing of it, Signore Liberta. As a man of my station, I expect the visits of foreign dignitaries such as yourself. Now, please, do tell, what brings Regalo to this fine island?" the Governatore said with an extravagant bow. Upon rising, Liberta's attention was drawn by his ragged wheezing of the finely dressed overweight man. The Governatore wiped the perspiration from his flushed, swine-like face extravagantly with a luxuriously embroidered silk handkerchief.
"We have come seeking information of the whereabouts of the pirate known as Amica del Diavolo," Liberta stated.
"Ah, yes. What a charming woman! She was here, recently, you know? She has pledged to join forces with the Fortuna Navy. You may have heard the rumors. We seek assistance in fighting the Venice. They have unlawfully attacked my fair nation, and so her visit her was a tremendous blessing to us. Some of the villagers have taken to calling her La Signorina Benedetta, such is the fortune she brings," Guiseppe said, smiling. Liberta winced. This was the last possible event he could have imagined. Debito accompanied him for the purpose of distracting him from the presence of the girl. He never would have imagined that brining him here would result in exposing her. Not to mention that she managed to ingratiate herself to such a degree.
"She's here?" Debito asked. Liberta glanced at his friend, the lines of his body taut with tension.
"Ah, yes. She just left," the Governatore explained. "See here is her contract, binding her to the service of myself and the proud peoples of Fortuna."
"Where is she now?" Debito asked. Liberta felt his control over the situation slipping through his fingers.
"If you're so keen to see her, a gala event will be held in her honor tonight. The lovely girl, she tried her utmost to discourage me, but this is something to be celebrated, you know? Were you aware that this young woman commands a fleet of thirty battle-ready ships? Ah, but I have digressed, the gala event. Yes, yes. The only way the girl would agree, was to hold a masquerade ball. What a devilish little thing, she is! Holding a carnival in the midst of war! Ha! That will show those Venetians! Don't you agree?" Giuseppe said in excitement.
"Then I will assume you were unaware of her criminal past. We have come her to detain her and return her to Regalo for judgment. We were hoping for your cooperation in this," Liberta stated.
"Not possible. What you ask is simply impossible," the Governatore screeched.
"Regalo will be sure to remember this. Then, if there is nothing more you wish to discuss, I bid you farewell," Liberta said. His empty threat hung in the air. The Governatore fidgeted nervously. "Thank you for meeting with us."
"Wait! Wait, gentlemen. Surely, we can come to some sort of agreement, no? In an effort to further the beneficial relationship between our two proud nations, I have a proposal," The Governatore said.
"An agreement?" Debito asked, frowning. "Do you mean to betray the girl?"
Liberta's eyes widened as he regarded his friend. He didn't seem as pleased by this as Liberta would have expected.
"No, no. Of course not," Guiseppe back-pedaled. "However, the terms of my agreement to Signorina del Diavolo are for the length of this conflict. If, perhaps Regalo were to pledge their support as well, I may be persuaded to revoke her protection, yes?"
"This is the breadth of your loyalty. Governatore?" Debito snarled. The Governatore's mouth widened with shock, and his face began to grow flush with irritation.
"That's enough, Debito. I apologize for my companion's insinuations," Liberta quickly said.
"As you should be! I have never been so insulted," Giuseppe balked.
"My apologies, Governatore. You have given us much to consider. Please give us time to respond. We will have you answer on the morrow," Liberta said, bowing slightly. "Thank you for your willingness to cooperate."
With that, the two men left the mansion. They walked in tense silence back towards the ship.
"Debito, I have to ask," Liberta began cautiously. "Why were you were you so upset at the Governatore? I would have thought you would have been happy."
The leader of Coins was silent for a long moment, a pained expression etched in his once carefree face. He sighed wearily.
"I am. But at the same time, for some reason, I'm not. Honestly, I don't know…" Debito gritted out.
"What do you mean, Debito? Is everything okay?" Liberta asked, concerned.
"That's all you're getting. I'm done talking about this," Debito snapped and stalked ahead towards the ship. Liberta frowned. Confusion and concern railed against his respect for Debito's emotional space. He only hoped that his friend would reach out to him before something terrible happened.
When Liberta made it back to the ship, Nova stood on the wharf, waiting for him, with a pensive frown knitting his brows.
"Debito filled me in," Nova said flatly.
"Just goes from bad to worse, doesn't it?" Liberta said as he sat down, physically and mentally exhausted. "Well, the Governatore is willing to barter for her, but honestly, she's not worth it. I say, it's better left alone than to drag us into a war that we've got no part of."
"You say that, but I'm not so sure," Nova muttered.
"You holding out of me, chickpea?" Liberta asked, irritably. It seemed like everyone was keeping a secret from him, and it was starting to get on his nerves. With Debito, at least, he understood, somewhat, but with Nova… What was his deal?
"No. Nothing. I just have my suspicions that there's more going on here than we know about," Nova replied.
"Yeah, you're telling me," Liberta groaned, and flopped backwards on to the docks to stare at the peaceful blue sky.
"I'm going to send a pigeon back to Dante. He'll want to hear of this," Nova said.
"Yeah, you'd better," Liberta said to Nova's retreating figure.
Alone, Liberta stared into the clouds, and blew out a weary sigh.
"What have I gotten myself into this time," he mumbled.
A/N: I'm so strung out from all this binge-writing, I don't even know what to say. I guess I'll start with my heartfelt appreciation for all the readers! I can't say it enough: Thank you! Your interest and reviews are my inspiration!
On to translation:
This is the Seventh Story: Closing the Gap.
Also the villagers are now calling Amica 'The Blessed Lady"
I hope you're looking forward to the masquerade ball! I know I am!
That is all! Sincerely, shotgunhero.
4.23.14