Tuscan Tragedy (closed for Niceandbrutal)

[Poppinbubbles]

“No, but it is alright, I think I would slip more on these stairs were I wearing a pair” keeping her voice down, even now. People are often peculiar in such respects, whispering in the darkness the two seemed to go hand in hand, especially given their current situation.

“Listen!” she perked up a bit, and paused a moment to make sure she’d heard correctly “we must be close, I hear flowing water...” she concentrated on the silence once more “and nothing more than the water, so perhaps we are ahead of them yet.”

It would certainly be a good thing if they were able to get a head start, she was sure the High Inquisitor was not so foolish as to not think about finding all exits to secret passageways, it might take him a bit he would surely send his men out to look for them here.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"The water is cold and swift, Signora. Let me carry you!"

He'd braved the stream once before. The current was surprisingly strong and cold. He'd had his full measure staying on his feet. And it had only reached him to his knees. She was shorter and lighter than him and could easily be swept away.

 

[Poppinbubbles]

“Will I not be a burden to you?... if the current is so strong you will have to struggle to keep your footing, and carrying me would make it the more difficult, would it not?”

He concerns were well founded, and she truly did have these concerns though try as she might there was still a small hesitation in accepting him carrying her. It left her utterly vulnerable. She would have no way of escaping, what if he chose to change his mind and simply toss her into the water? There would be no defense for her and she would surely be drowned.

But then again were he not to carry her she might still be ripped down stream and he might hurt himself trying to save her, this would waste precious time and they might be captured… the choice was clear, the lesser risk lay in his arms, so after he assured her once more that it would be no problem she accepted his assistance and allowed him to lift her up.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Her warmth and the press from her body was a stark contrast to the icy cold water he waded through. As both her weight and his were concentrated in one form, his footing became surer as he crossed the riverbed. He almost slipped once, but regained his footing, but not before a startled squeal escaped from Sarafina's lips. He'd given her a start and she'd gotten a little taste of the water, but she should be fine.

When he climbed up on the riverbank he was hesitant to let her down, her light form and warmth enticing him. But he couldn't carry her for the rest of their days together, so he let her gently down from his arms, ready to catch her should she topple.

"We're close to the exit, Sarafina. Now for stealth! We must not talk or make any sound. Take my hand again and follow me."

 

[Poppinbubbles]

Fingers of moonlight stretched to reach them and seems to make her own silvery orbs give off a cool glow. Untangling her hands from about his neck as he brought her down she found her footing in the soft grass at the waters edge and nodded.

He did not have to impress the importance of her silence to her, their situation was risky for the both of them, perhaps even more so for him than her. He had resisted the orders of his superior and fled, were he to be caught there was no doubt a severe punishment awaited him, possibly worse than what she had received from his hand. And he had not her pleading eyes that might rescue him from his punisher.

Nodding, the motion visible in the light that reached them she slipped her hand in his and followed. She hoped he would lead them to Florence, for there they might seek protection within the cities walls. And as she looked up to the stars she thought that they showed them heading in the correct direction.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

As the High Inquisitor had little power in Firenze, it was the only logical place to hide. Right under his nose. Although his office lay in the city, the Medicis were the real base of power there, and they'd made the town a free haven for people deemed heretics and the like by the Inquisition. He knew the High Inquisitor to be an ambitious but unimaginative man. He'd never suspect such a bold move.

But they needed footwear for Sarafina. She couldn't get very far in the forest or on the road with bare feet. Especially at night. This he whispered to her. Although she was light as a feather he couldn't carry her all the way to Firenze.

"There's nothing for it, Signora Sarafina. We have to get to the village and, ah, borrow some shoes."

 

[Poppinbubbles]

“No...” she began to quietly protest his concerns with her current state of footwear, or rather lack thereof. “it is not so bad” But she spoke prematurely, since her eyes were at that moment fixed upon him and not the ground she was walking and almost as soon as the words left her mouth her toe struck and stone.

A sharp pain shot up her leg causing her to take in a sharp breath and bite her lip. Thankfully she had enough presence of mind to know that she could not make a sound. The pain made her waver in the unfinished step and pitch her weight awkwardly causing her hand to slip from his grasp as gravity pulled her down in a flourish of limbs and fabric.

Her own vocalization of the pain she could keep quiet but unfortunately she was not able to silence the sound of her fall in the brush

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Damn!

It sounded like a thunderclap in his ears. He hunched down to check on Sarafina and he also kept an eye on their surroundings.

Yes. Just as he'd guessed, the soldiers knew of this exit. They'd arrived right after he and Sarafina had left the caves, apparently. They perked up and looked in his and Sarafina's direction. They started towards them, and Giuseppe leaned down and whispered fiercely, the steel back in his voice: "DO! NOT! MOVE!"

He crouched in the bush, waiting to launch himself against the soldier approaching.

 

[Poppinbubbles]

The brush in which they were seeking shelter moved and one of the guards fired a shot, it cracked through the air and Sarafina’s fingers white from clenching, held fast on Giuseppe's arm.

She kept low, her teeth clamped down on her lips, caging in any sound that might care to escape her throat, while serving at the same time as a damper between the teeth to keep them from chattering as she tried to still the trembles from fear that flowed through her limbs. She could hear his heavy feet as the Guard clomped over to them.

She willed them to be invisible to his eyes and hoped to God that it had not been Giuseppe that had been hit, but he made no sound, and his muscles were tightly coiled under her grasp, so that should be a good sign.

“It was just a rabbit…” She could see the man holding up the wounded animal that wiggled in hopes of escaping his iron clasp.

“I’m so sorry” she thought, feeling truly sorry for the rodent that had to pay for her flight, but at the same time she thanked the stars that they remained undiscovered.

“They must have been swift, and are headed into the town. We shall make our way.” The horse like tread of the man began to recede into the distance as he rejoined his partner and they made to get on the road in hopes of meeting the escaped pair.

Letting out a breath that Sarafina hadn't realized she’d been holding this entire time she fell limply back on the brush in relieved exhaustion. “We cannot go to the village now, they will be awaiting us.”

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"You are right. But we need something for your feet. There's nothing for it. Take my boots. They are too large for you but if I strip some leather off my pants to wrap around your feet it might be a tighter fit."

He pulled out his dagger and started cutting strips off his pants.

 

[Poppinbubbles]

“Oh!” the fact that he began to cut his pants surprised her, it was dark of course but the moon shone bright enough that she could see. Flustered she turned her head “B-but what will you wear, Senor?”

He would be slowed down greatly if he did not wear his boots and even with leather bound feet she was sure his boots would still be big on her, and could cause more harm than good were she to constantly trip about in the darkness.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I am used to walking barefoot. These?" He pointed at his boots. "Privilege of my position. I was raised a Dominican. Wooden sandals or barefoot, that was the rule in my particular monastery. I was a wild and wicked child, and they disciplined me by taking my sandals away. They toughened my feet. I'll manage." He shrugged.

"Of course, we could just wrap your feet in leather while I kept my boots. They'll give some protection against hard surfaces and the elements. Up to you, Signorina."

 

[Poppinbubbles]

Her fair features creased with genuine concern and feeling for what he told her of his past. It seemed terribly cruel to deprive a child of shoes, especially since she doubted he could have been so wicked as he claimed he had been. A truly wicked person would not have taken her down from the rack, would they?
“I am sorry to hear that...” she said quietly and then listened to his suggestion of keeping his boots while she simply wore what could only be described as leather like socks. It seemed to be the best solution “since you have already damaged your pants I think that will be the only thing to do, as I would only stumble more in your boots.”

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Then it's settled, Signorina Sarafina. But I will insist on checking your feet regularly. And don't try to hide from me if you're in pain. I will know. I can tell."

A darkness engulfed his features. As a practiced torturer and soldier he knew only too well when people were in pain. It was as if he was waking up from a nightmare where he was the monster.

Damn the Dominicans! Damn their narrow sadistic minds! He'd given in to their doctrine, his hatred of them vented on his victims. A sudden anger at the memories gushed through him.

Then his eyes settled on Sarafina's soothing silver eyes and he felt himself calmed. The brothers always talked about the peace of God. Giuseppe started to wonder if he hadn't found it.

 

[Poppinbubbles]

“I will be fine.” She said beginning to stand now that he’d bound her feet in the soft leather from his trousers. But then his eyes caught hers and for some reason, that she could not name or make sense of, she hesitated.

His eyes made her feel self conscious, or was it self aware? She wasnt entirely sure but he seemed to be remembering something. Something dark and dangerous, no doubt painful from his past. Something that she did not feel she should be privy to but then, just as she tried to turn away his face softened towards her. ”B-but if not I will let you know” her voice slightly softer.

“We should hurry though and perhaps we can secure an audience with the cousin of my mother. Signor Lorenzo Medici, perhaps he will be willing and able to help.”

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Lorenzo Medici is your mother's cousin? That's a stroke of luck. If anyone can help us, it's the Medicis."

He set off, trusting her to follow him.

"We'll have to keep off the road as much as possible. Odds are the Inquisition's soldiers are out and about, looking for us."

Every time they came to a rough patch he held out his hand for her to take so he could guide her through safely. He secretly relished and longed for the warmth of her touch, the tenderness she emitted being something new and unknown to him. After about an hour of walking, they rested in a copse of wood.

"I need to examine your feet, Signorina. I will hear no arguments."

 

[Poppinbubbles]

“Si, Signor ” she nodded, following him, keeping out of sight and feeling her confidence slightly boosted by the fact he believed her family relations could in some way help them. And before they knew it, they’d walked an hour and covered a good distance.

“My feet are fine.” She protested even as she allowed him to help her take a seat on a log in the small copse to allow him to examine her feet, which were well protected against the road they traveled thanks to the leather. But she understood that he needed to see for himself and would give her no rest till he had made sure.

It amazed her how gentle his strong hands were as he held her dainty feet. There seemed to be no trace of the ruthless strength they had possessed hours ago. It was unsettling somehow…
“Are you well pleased then?” she asked, clearing her throat and begining to pull her leg back, after he had inspected her feet for a few moments.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He marveled at her feet. So small and delicate yet still posessing a lithe sinewy strength. The skin of her soles was soft and smooth, the arch clearly accentuated. He felt the same way when he looked at her as he'd done as a boy of eight when he'd discovered a mewling kitten in the monastery's courtyard.

No-one knew where it'd come from nor how it had gotten there. But it was a frail creature asking for food, protection and love. One of the brothers had discovered Giuseppe with the kitten. He'd wrung the poor creature from Giuseppe's hands and snapped its neck before his eyes, admonishing him for his weakness. Witches were like kittens, the furious monk had told Giuseppe. Sweet and seductive but ultimately treacherous.

The sudden rush of that memory caused Giuseppe to choke. He gently set Sarafina's foot down and went a few yards away hoping she would wrap her feet with the leather herself. This was becoming unbearable. He was overcome by guilt and anger by what he'd done as an Inquisitor and he was further confused by the tender emotions overcoming him.

 

[Poppinbubbles]

He didnt answer, but simply stood, turned and put some distance between them. It was odd behavior certainly and before he was out of her sight she saw the strangest expression cross his features. It was a cross between turmoil and wonderment. What, Sarafina thought, what could be tormenting his mind? Whatever it was it must be beyond awful.

She might have commented, but he took his leave, quickly. He naturally needed a moment to himself. Looking to his retreating form she felt a mix of feelings herself, she was torn between lingering distrust and hurt feelings but also a ever more prominent softening towards him. This was all so confusing and… A long yawn stretched her jaw all these thoughts, the nights excitements were begining to catch up with her, and they had a good ways ahead of them yet.

With a soft sigh she took this time to massage her feet a bit, to trying to reinvigorate them for the rest of their journey before forcing herself to bind the leather around her feet quickly and get up. “Signor Verdura” She called softly as she carefully made her way in the direction she saw him go off in “... are you well enough to continue?”

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He slowly managed to compose himself. He'd suppressed that memory for so long, the force of it catching him off guard. He realized now that this was where his innocence had started to crumble. Before that time he'd been silently defiant, he remembered. After, he'd slowly been ground down into a ball of hate, trusting no-one. It helped to have a clear purpose and goal to vent his hatred on.

The tender and compassionate angles of his nature had been reawakened by this young woman. He wasn't sure whether to thank her and curse her for it. It hurt.

"I am ready to continue, Signorina. We will check your feet again in a while. I don't think we'll reach Firenze tonight, though. We should find a place to sleep, I think." Despit his inner turmoil her yawn hadn't escaped him.

They set off again, this time looking for a suitable place to hole up for the night.

 

[Poppinbubbles]

She worked hard to keep up with Giuseppe but her eyes were beginning to get heavy. So heavy, it was getting harder and harder to see where she was walking and this made her slow in her steps, beginning to trip upon obstacles that were easily visible in the moonlight.

She was able to catch herself the first two times but by the third time she was unable, her arms flailing before her she reached to catch whatever she could to slow if not stop her topple. Unfortunately for Giuseppe, that whatever just happened to be his cloak and arm.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Giuseppe was a strong powerful man. But he was not prepared for Sarafina's full weight on his cloak and arm. Being tired himself, his reactions were on the slow side. He toppled and fell on top of Sarafina.

Oh.

He was on top of her, having managed to arrest his fall before he crushed her. She lay on her side, then she rolled over. Their eyes locked. He sank into those silvery orbs, so full of compassion and life. Her eyelids were heavy, giving her an alluring aura. He felt himself drawn towards her, his face closing in on hers...

 

[Poppinbubbles]

Realizing this her eyes shot open and she made to sit up and remove herself from under him. “Oh!” she cried in alarm, as she did so, but the warning was too little too late by the time she moved and she only managed to head butt him in a most painful way.

“Signor! I’m so sorry” she winced rubbing her head, which vibrated ever so uncomfortably due to the collision. “Are you alright? I think we should find somewhere to rest soon, you are so tired.” She in all her innocence thought nothing of his face nearing hers other than that he of course was tired and giving in to the call of sleep.

That her heavy eyes, and the feel of her warm body beneath him coupled with her gentler nature could have stirred other feelings in him did not cross her mind.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

The unintended headbutt knocked some sense into him.

"Yes. Shelter. Sleep. Tired."

His voice strained, his words clipped, he got up. He wondered what had gotten into him. She was captivating, plain and simple. Without acknowledging the fact that she was tired, without asking if she was allright, he set off.

After another twenty minutes they chanced across an isolated farm. They could sleep in the hayloft, he thought.

"Sarafine, behold our sleeping quarters for tonight."

 

[Poppinbubbles]

Scurrying to her feet Sarafina hastened to follow Giuseppe once more. The fall and collison had served to wake her up a little and aided her in being able to keep up with him without tripping over her feet.

“Why do you suppose it is empty?” She asked as they neared the barn when they came up on it. Somehow it felt strange for such a big property in the middle of nowhere abandoned of all signs of life. No cows or pigs seemed to make their presence known as they entered but there was plenty of fresh hay in the loft.

It didn’t seem to make sense but she was too exhausted and grateful for a dry place to lay her head in moderate safety that she dismissed the ningling little voice in the back of her mind with a yawn as she ascended the ladder to the loft.

With a small smile she made herself a little nest in the hay and laid herself down, though shivered “We should lay closer Signor, it would be warmer.”