AC2- Calliope's Story

I opened my eyes and they slowly adjusted to the brightness in the room. The sun was barely over the buildings. I slowly stood up and stretched and looked at the table next to me. I saw my candle in its holder, its wick slightly charred from last night's flame. Next to it, I saw my knife.

Its silver hilt glinted in the sunlight pouring through my window. It had bold, intricate details all over the hilt, but the designs became lighter towards the tip of the blade. My gaze slid over to the actual blade.

The edge was wickedly sharp and menacing. "Funny," I thought, "It's such a beautiful, yet devastating tool. Tonight, I'll show them all what the blade can really do…"

I watched the sun slowly rise over Rome, its golden light pouring down the Coliseum. Spring was in the air. The air was warm and slightly humid. You could hear the merchants setting up their shops and begin to lure in passing customers. I slid a loose strand of my brown hair behind my ear and got ready to go to work.

I washed my face, brushed my hair, and put on fresh clothing. A content sigh left my mouth as I walked outside my house, closing the door behind me. I slowly started my trip to the blacksmith shop for another day of selling and making tools.

Women are usually not allowed to work at blacksmith shops because they are considered to be too "fragile" or "weak." I smiled. Despite this, I finally got Antonio, the owner of the store, to let me work there because I made him see my talents and knowledge on many of the weapons.

I walked some more, admiring the beauty of Roma. I saw children running through the streets, being followed by agitated mothers. There was an older woman beating the dust off of a rug with a broomstick. I saw a couple strolling down the brick road, holding hands and smiling.

All the happiness of the morning seemed to vanish as I saw the people I mostly despised.
I walked past a group of Borgia, frowning as I did. In my head I thought, "Murderers, cowards, they don't deserve to live. Tonight, I will show them all to fear me…" I sighed. "Well…not me, but Il Fantasma."  

The Borgia… They were truly horrible. I wanted them to get out of Roma. That stupid Spaniard, Cesare intends to rule all of Italy! I wished that dirty lowlife all sorts of future agony and illness as a Borgia captain, on horseback, pushed through the streets, disturbing any peace that was left in this poor harassed city.

After a few more minutes of walking, I finally arrived at the store. The sun was now well over the horizon. I saw Antonio, my boss, working in the back of the store. "Good morning Antonio! Beautiful day, is it not?" I said with my slight Greek accent. Antonio looked up from a sword he was fixing. "Ah, Calliope, it's wonderful to see you get here on time for once!"

I chuckled. "Is there anything new you want me to put on display, signore?" The older man scratched his beard before saying, "Hmm… I am almost done with this sword." He pointed to a half-finished sword on the table next to him. "I just need to make the designs on it and attach the blade to the hilt. Make sure to leave a place for it in the display bin. I also need you to polish the weapons. The strong winds last night made a large amount of dirt gather on them."

I slightly bowed and went to work. Every now and then, a customer would look at the displays and ask a few questions about the weapon. I always knew a lot about weapons and answered all of the questions with ease. Most of the time, a customer would buy a weapon, but on some occasions, the person would thank me and leave.

By the time I was finished polishing and selling the weapons, it was slightly before noon. I returned to Antonio. "I am finished, signore." Antonio nodded in approval. "Good job, Calliope. Go stand outside and attract more customers." I stood outside and waited, scanning through the crowds, trying to find possible customers.

I picked up a blade and caressed it in my hands, admiring its beauty. There was beautiful detail on the hilt. I studied the blade some more when a dark shadow loomed over me.

I slowly looked up at the person in front of me. He was a tall man, wearing white robes. A hood covered his face. I could barely see his golden eyes. I was a little intimidated by the man, and wondered if he was out of town. His type of clothing was strange, even though it was a popular trend for scholars. After studying the man and seeing him with many weapons, including two knifes, a sword, and a crossbow, I was pretty sure he wasn't a scholar. He was in his 20s, I guessed, like me.

"May I help you, signore?" The man observed the weapon in my hands. He pointed to it. "What type of blade is that?" His voice came out as smooth and sweet as chocolate. His rich Italian accent flowed to my ears.

"This," I said while handing it over to the man, "Is the notched Cinquedea. It is fast, and is able to give lethal blows. It is better for more experienced fighters. It's also important to use a great amount of force while attacking. You can easily take someone's limb off with it."

The man tilted his head, surprised. He chuckled slightly. "I see you are quite familiar with weapons, girl."

I became slightly annoyed with the man. I hated when people called me "girl."

"As a matter of fact, I am, signore." I proudly said. The man shook his head. "Please, call me Ezio." I raised an eyebrow. "Ezio Auditore… Da Firenze?" The man's eyes widened, and a nervous, yet edgy tone came from him; "How do you know my name?" He quickly said.

I really didn't know why it was a big deal. I only heard a herald yelling out his name… "I heard someone say your name once… but I don't know what it was for." Ezio relaxed slightly. "Oh… never mind then. This blade is quite nice, girl."

UGH! There he goes AGAIN with the "girl."

A sly smile stretched across my face. "Well, Ezio, this will probably shock you, but this girl also has a name." Ezio crossed his arms. "Oh really, what is it then?" I looked him straight in the eyes. "I am Calliope Marino dalla Grecia."

Ezio seemed amused by my harsher tone. He smiled. After taking in what I said, Ezio raised his eyebrow. "Impressive… you are from Greece, yet have an Italian last name."

I thought for a bit, and then said, "My mother was born and lived in Greece. My father was from Italy, and had a job transporting goods by boat. He met my mother one day, and they both fell in love with each other. They married and had me. We lived in Greece for a while, and then traveled to Italy; Roma, to be more specific."

Ezio nodded. "I see… My brothers and I always thought about going to Greece. Federico, one of my brothers always wanted to meet a Greek girl. He would've liked you…" I bit my lip. "What do you mean would have…? What happened to him?"

Ezio sighed and shook his head. "Those idioti! Those pathetic Borgia are the reason my father and two brothers aren't here!" He banged his fist on the table and scowled.

"The Borgia…" I have had my experiences with them also, "They destroyed my family," I solemnly said. Ezio had a look of pity on his face. "What happened?" I sighed and told Ezio about the day that changed my life.

"We were a very poor family but managed to get through the daily struggles. One day my father, mother, and I went out to buy some food. I was sixteen at the time. A group of Borgia soldiers stopped us and yelled at my mother and father for not paying their taxes. My parents assured them that they would give the Borgia the money. We just needed more time. The soldiers took them away. The next thing I saw was their bodies…" I stopped myself. A tear rolled down my cheek.

I was bringing back painful memories.

I thought about what happened on that horrid day...
I remembered seeing their lifeless bodies hanging from the bloodied ropes. I heard the crowds cheering for more blood… the hate burning on Il Carnefice's expression as he locked onto my eyes me for only a second. I screamed at them to stop, even though it was too late. I pushed through the crowds and tried to reach the bodies, but soldiers held me back and threw me to the ground. They were about to attack, so I had no choice but to run away. I sold the house that I lived in... it just held too many memories.

Ezio looked at me with a look of concern on his face, as if he knew what happened next. "I know how you feel… I have seen the treachery of the rope… the lives it takes. I saw my family being hanged before my eyes… The Borgia must be stopped."

I nodded but quickly wiped away my tears and changed the uncomfortable subject.

"So, Ezio, about the blade..." Ezio smiled. For the first time I noticed a scar on his lip.

"How much for it?"

"Seven hundred florin."

Ezio took out some money from his pouch and handed it to me. I counted the coins and gave him the blade. The hooded man turned it in his hand. "Perfect, thank you for helping me find what I needed." I wanted to ask what he wanted to do with it, but considering that that would have been rude, I instead smiled and nodded. With that, the mysterious Ezio left as quietly as he had come.

As he left, I looked at him and realized that I truly enjoyed this man's presence. I shook my head slightly, coming out of my daze. "Stop it, Calliope!" I thought, "You just met this man… you can't honestly like him…" I sighed. There was something about him that seemed important, like he would change my life.