Unforgivable Page 12

  “By the Gods woman what are you doing outsider?” Boldo gasped running around the counter just as Sofia slammed her blade into the shopkeeper’s chest, again ending his feeble suffering.

  “He was reaching for a blade!” Sofia replied her voice shaky as she pointed to the knife that the shopkeeper had hidden in the wall.

  Boldo pulled her back and inspected the scene. “No he wasn’t! The knife hasn’t moved!”

  Sofia could feel her hand tighten on the elk bone handle of her dagger. “I know what I saw! Now grab the coin and let’s go. The sooner we return the sooner I can be free of you people.” She barked.

  Boldo’s’ chest puffed out in anger. “Do not think you can order me around like a dog, bitch? We will return but I will tell of the truth - you murdered him in cold blood! You will consider yourself lucky if Talamar allows you leave with the skin upon your flesh!”

  Sofia’s nostrils flared in anger. She had hoped this would be an easy pickup so she could get what she needed and continue on her course, clear headed. But now Boldo stood in the way of her getting what she needed, her other blade slide from its sheath. She had promised her father as she had buried him…that she would allow nothing to hinder what needed to be done, as he had once done for her. She set her stance - she would not break that promise.

  “Are you mad, woman? You think you can just be rid of me too?” Boldo barked snatching his own worn dagger from his belt. “You got lucky the first fight - you will not be so lucky this time!” He came at her.

  Sofia stepped back, hitting one of the shelves behind her - she lost her balance and stumbled, grabbing onto the wooden shelf. She barely kept herself upright. Boldo did not miss an easy opportunity and scored a deep slash to her exposed side. He reversed his blade and stabbed down just as Sofia kicked back. Her boot smashed into his knee and he fell forward, his blade sunk into the back of her thigh as he crashed to the floor. Sofia caught herself on the adjacent shelf and pulled herself upright. Her wounded leg screamed at her as it refused to hold her weight.

  Sofia’s head jerked back as Boldo grabbed a handful of her long blonde hair and pulled her away from the leverage of the shelf. His other arm closed around her neck with such strength, she could hardly draw breath.

  “Drop your blades bitch!” He hissed in her ear as he released her hair and grabbed his knife that was entrenched in the meat of her leg and twisted.

  The pain that erupted from her thigh was enough to force her to drop one of her blades without thought, but her right hand was able to hold on. She could feel the lack of air beginning to take its toll on her already deprived body. In desperation, Sofia swung her arm back behind her head and felt her blade sink deep into the soft flesh between Boldo’s shoulder and neck. She quickly pulled herself from his weakened hold.

  Boldo’s’ eyes bulged in shock as he stumbled back, blood already dripping from the corners of his mouth. “You...you stupid bi..!” He coughed out as he reached up for the blade.

  Sofia wrenched the blade from her leg, the waves of pain that shot through her nearly caused her to blackout but she lunged forward, gritting her teeth. The gypsy’s knife embedded into his side again and again as her free hand reached up for her own bone hilted blade. Boldo elbow came down onto the top of her skull and she crashed down, his knee snapped up and caught her under the chin and she flew back to the floor her blade tearing free from his neck in a spray of thick blood.

  Sofia vision distorted and blurred as she tried to force her body to get up but could not, she heard a loud crash before she succumbed to the welcoming blackness.

  Unforgivable II

  Part Five

  Delicate Deception

  “You! Wake the hell up!” An angry voice growled.

  Sofia gasped awake, having suffered the nightmare that haunted every time she slept without the aid of Valerian. Her face burned with a fresh pain that she could not place, she tried to sit up but couldn’t, her eyes quickly came into focus, Talamar, Harman and Zindelo stood above her their expressions murderous.

  “What happened? Where the hell am I?” Sofia cried out as further panic took her. “Why am I tied down? What is going on, damn it?”

  “I would ask you the same thing and I expect the bloody truth.” Talamar replied his tone on the edge of rage as he slapped her again jarring her head to the side.

  Sofia spat out the fresh blood - memories of what had transpired at the shopkeeper’s place flooded back to her. She had killed the shopkeeper by mistake, she knew that now. She had saw a flash and assumed it to be a knife - not the man’s’ silver cuffs - she had acted on instinct. Then Boldo had confronted her and threatened to impede on her receiving the Valerian she had been promised, she could not allow that. They had fought... had he survived and this is why she was here now? She couldn’t remember, she had succumbed to unconsciousness before she could be sure if he had died.

  “Boldo, what happened to him?” Sofia cried out doing her best to sound concerned. “Is he all right?”

  Talamar glanced over to Harman and then back to Sofia. “What transpired back there?” Curiosity crept into his tone.

  “She killed Boldo is what happened!” An angry woman’s voice hissed from somewhere. “My sweet son is dead because of that outsider! I want her heart Talamar! You owe it to me!”

  “Get that woman out of here, damn it!” Harman hissed over his shoulder at the doorway and two men were quick to comply, regardless of the woman’s angry protests.

  Sofia felt the panic in her dwindle as her mind raced. She needed to formulate a plan that might see her out of here alive. “We went in and confronted the shopkeeper as intended. He was quick to lie about having the coin. I threatened him and he finally decided to pay up. He was about to hand over the payment when that bastard from Fiddler’s Market showed up.”

  “Who showed up?” Talamar asked, his tone not holding such a hard edge.

  Sofia smiled inwardly. “I forget the bastard’s name, but I went to him to find more Valerian, he tried to steal what little I had left and I severed a few fingers for his efforts.”

  “Morris is who you speak of.” Zindelo stepped in and all eyes darkened at the mention of the merchant’s name.

  “Yes, that was it, nearly broke down the door with two armed guards shortly after we entered,” Sofia’s eyes widened in mock realization. “You set me up!” The gypsies exchanged blank expressions. “Was that were they arguing about, the bounty for that herbalist’s fingers?” Sofia gathered as much rage into her voice as she could manage, kicking out at the group for good measure.

  “What are you talking about?” Zindelo asked in complete surprise.

  “Don’t play coy with me.” Sofia snapped back letting herself fall into the story. “You know damn well what I mean - you set me up in hopes for a reward!” She tugged at her leather bindings. “I knew I shouldn’t trust you gypsies, I should have killed you when I had the chance!”

  “We did no such thing.” Harman spat. “We have no dealings with the likes of them.”

  Talamar looked down at her, searching her eyes for any hint of betrayal in her words. “I want you to know that if I find out you are lying to me, I will peel the flesh from your bones a strip at a time and feed it to my dogs!” A thin, curved skinning knife flashed within his hand.

  Sofia returned his hard stare. “What purpose do I have to lie to you? All I wanted was the Valerian - not any of this.”

  “I believe her.” Zindelo said. “I see no reason why she would kill Boldo and the shopkeeper. To do something so foolish would mean she would never get what she wanted and her life would be forfeit.”

  “If Morris had such a grudge with you, why are you still alive?” Harman questioned, his tone unwavering.

  “I don’t know, maybe he thought me soon for death.”

  “From a few cuts and bruises and a minor stab wound? I think not girl.” Harman countered with a snort.

  “We both know why Morris let her live Harman. Cut her free.” Tala
mar grabbed a drink from the table, his mood darkening further.

  Sofia rubbed the blood back into her wrists as she tested her weight on her wounded leg and found it would not hold much. “Talamar I am sorry - because of me, Boldo is dead.”

  “Don’t fool yourself girl.” Harman muttered crossly. “Do not think you are of such importance to Morris as to have caused this. You were just an easy pawn in the right place at the right time. He abandoned you in the hopes of leaving you with the blame.”

  “But why else would he attack us if not to get to me?” Sofia asked, her interest peaking.

  “Because Morris is part of the Merchant’s Guild,” Zindelo cut in, his voice seething with hate, “and I will see him pay for what he did to my brother!”

  “Zindelo, that’s enough! You will do no such thing without my sanction.” Talamar countered turning a stern eye on the young man. “This has nothing to do with you girl. Now leave here before I change my mind about you and kill you anyways.” He handed back her blades.

  Sofia replaced her daggers on her belt, but did not move. “What of my Valerian Talamar?”

  “You would dare bring such a thing up now?” Harman growled, but Talamar held up his hand to stop him.

  “I didn’t touch what was yours.”

  Sofia pulled the pouch from her belt. “You promised me more if I went along with this.”

  “No. I promised you more if you went and collected what was owed to me!” Talamar snapped back. “I do not see the coin that was owed to me, do you?” His eyes bore dangerously into hers as he spread his arms wide expressing his point.

  Sofia knew if she pressed the issue she would not leave the room alive and she was not foolish enough to believe she could take the trio of gypsies even if she wasn’t wounded. “Harman, if I get you the seven silver, will you sell me the Valerian?”

  “You’ve a lot of nerve girl! Get out of my sight.”

  Sofia limped her way out of the rundown house onto a dark street somewhere within Gypsy Alley that she had not been before. The sun was setting and the shadows of the high ravine walls were consuming the city in an eerie gloom. She gritted her teeth as she limped down the debris riddled street, her hand fidgeted with the leather purse that held the dried, crumbled remains of her drug. She knew she had to take it tonight - she needed dreamless rest more now than ever before, if her body was to heal. She needed to be fully focused and prepared if she were going to find a way to kill King Delafon.

  “They killed one of ours Talamar…we cannot stand for this.” Harman said, packing his pipe with fresh tobacco. “If we don’t act they will take it as a sign of weakness.”

  Talamar stared out the filmy window up at the half moon that hung proudly in the darkening sky. The death of his nephew tore at his heart, yet he knew he could not just act on the rage that filled him - more of their people would die needlessly if he responded so recklessly. It had been a while since blood had been spilled on either side of this silent war, but now the streets would run thick with the blood of their enemies. “Boldo’s death will not be in vain Harman, of that I promise. We shall revenge such transgressions.”

  Harman lit his pipe and exhaled the thick, sweet smoke. “We cannot simply strike in private as they have done. We must make an example - and show that we are not to be trifled with again.”

  “What do you have in mind old friend?”

  The smouldering tobacco glowed brighter in the dim room, as Harman drew in at length. “A public execution in Fiddler’s Market.”

  Talamar turned from the window to look at his old friend. “That is a bold idea indeed.”

  Sofia pushed open the flimsy door to the inn room and was greeted with the smell of cheap love and cheaper ale. She closed the door behind her and surveyed the filthy room. It was small and cramped - the furniture was close to rotting and the straw filled mattress was likely full of mites and mould but she didn’t care. She tossed her cloak across the bed and pulled the boots from her sore feet.

  Sofia poured her remaining Valerian into her shaky palm. Most of it was powdered now, only a small nugget of the yellowish herb remained intact, that didn’t matter - it was the herb’s resin that was vital. She dumped it into a tin cup by the bed and poured water from a clay pitcher - she doubted the water was fresh, but couldn’t be bothered to fetch more. She set the cup on a metal stand and placed a burning candle beneath. The drug always worked better the warmer the water was.

  A sudden knock at the door nearly caused her to tip the tin cup over as she stirred it. Sofia’s heart began to race with anxiety at who might be at her door? Had Talamar discovered she had lied? “Who is it?” she called out, both her blades now tight in her hands.

  “Zindelo.”

  They have discovered my lie! She thought to herself as she paced the small room, there was no way out, the small room didn’t even have a window for her to attempt escape. “I have no desire to do further business with the likes of gypsies!” She called back trying to keep her voice calm.

  “I come alone. I need to speak with you.” Zindelo called out. “It is about my brother.”

  “I told you all I know and remember.” Her heart sank as she thought, he saw through my story and was here to avenge his brother with my death. She had bested him once already - she could do it again she told herself. Her body screamed at her in defiance of the possibility of having to fight again.

  “Please, you are the only one who can help me in this. No one else knows I am here.” He called in. “I have brought Valerian with me as payment for your help.”

  The mention of the herb nearly caused her to drop her weapons and she had to fight back her better judgement. She slowly opened the door to the tall, braided haired gypsy. “What is it you seek from me gypsy?”

  Zindelo’s face was hard and full of anger. “Vengeance,” he dropped a small pouch into her hand. “I will get you more after I have killed Morris and the two guards that murdered my brother!”

  Unforgivable II

  Part Six

  Manipulated Deeds

  Sofia shifted slowly through the crowd. She was favouring her wounded leg, which caused a pronounced and recognisable limp. She needed it to get as much rest as she could, because when the time came she would need it to work without fault. She may only get one chance to achieve her revenge and she could ill afford any more delays.

  It was late morning - she had finally gotten dreamless rest, thanks to the Valerian. Her mind was clearer than it had been in days. Sofia’s fingers fidgeted with the small sack of herb - she felt more at ease knowing she had more at her disposal. Zindelo had come to her the night before wanting her help in finding the men that had killed his brother. He had brought with him a small amount of the herb - not much, enough for three more doses if she was careful. But the promise of a full purse for her assistance was more than enough to gain her agreement, even though it meant embellishing her dangerous lie. Once she was done with this task, she could focus fully on her revenge.

  Sofia spied Zindelo on the other side of the street, moving through the crowd with ease, awaiting her signal. She was to signal when she spotted the guards that had come with Morris and killed Boldo. She grinned to herself - she was fortunate that her lie had turned to her favour so easily. All she had to do now was finger two innocent guards. The thought soured her mood a little, yet she could see no way around it now. She hardened her resolve, remembering all the guards and soldiers that had come after her and her father. Innocent is what a child was before the cruel hands of life corrupted them. None of the Kings’ guards were likely innocent of crimes deserving death.

  “Hey you!” A male voice called from behind her. “You there in the red cloak - halt a moment!”

  Sofia turned back and noticed a short, balding guard working his way towards her. Immediately she remembered him as one of the guards at the gate that had questioned her when she had arrived with a wagon of bodies…something she had almost forgotten about. She stopped and waited for him wondering i
f this regarded payment for the highwaymen she had slain. “What is it?” She asked once he had reached her.

  “Been looking for you.” He straightened himself his sword hand resting easily on the hilt of his blade. “We went up to investigate where you claimed to have killed those highwaymen.”

  “Did you recognise any of them?” Sofia asked impatiently.

  “No, see the problem is we didn’t find any of their bodies.” The guard replied, a sliver of suspicion crossing his features.

  “Someone must have moved them.” She countered quickly.

  “See we thought that too. So we investigated the area and nothing was found to support that claim either. In fact, what we found didn’t match your story at all.” The guards hand rested obviously on the iron hilt of his short sword.

  “What do you mean?” Sofia asked confused not liking the guards changing demeanour.

  “The tracks don’t add up to the number of people you claimed to have been there. There was only four sets of prints that were anywhere near that area.” The guard stepped closer to her. “I have to ask that you come with me to the barracks for some further questions.”

  “I don’t understand. I told you what happened - you must have missed something.” Sofia caught sight of Zindelo coming up behind the guard - his eyes hungered for her signal. Yet, she wanted to finish hearing what the man had to say about the disappearance of the highwaymen. She felt a hand grab her arm and her attention went back to the guard. “What are you doing?” Sofia pulled her arm free panic set off within her. “Don’t touch me!” The sight of steel being raised from scabbard finalised her decision - she gave Zindelo the signal.

  “I said you’re coming with me!” The guard snarled, his blade almost clear.

  “You killed the wrong gypsy!” Zindelo hissed, his eyes burning with hate. Before the guard had time to react, Zindelo’s blade opened his throat, sending a light spray of blood across Sofia’s face.