Rise (11 page)

As Victoria was feeling unusually giddy, she launched into her story with enthusiasm, but leaving out Roman. She knew Grace wouldn’t say anything about it, but if it ever got back to Sister Katherine, she wasn’t sure how she would react. “It sounds like you had a good time. A really good time.” Grace wiggled her eyes suggestively once more, and Victoria was sure that Grace knew exactly what she had left out.

“
Drink up, though. You’ll need your strength for the night. We’ve got a meeting.” Victoria’s jaw dropped. “We, as in the Other Sisterhood, have a meeting tonight?

But why? It’s been so long.”

“
I know” Grace said darkly. “It means that this meeting might be pretty important.”

Grace stood up, and returned to packing and folding the bandages, as Victoria sat there, sipping her tea, and fantasizing about the night ahead.

VII.

As dusk turned to nightfall, Victoria waited anxiously in her room. It felt like it had been so long since she even thought about the Other Sisterhood. Her dagger, which she held in hand, felt slightly dull. In reality, it was likely as sharp as ever, but it had been a few days since she had run her hand along its tip, just for the fun of it.

After twirling it around a bit, in frustration, Victoria sheathed her dagger and headed towards the door. It was nearly eight o’clock, and the sun had gone down over an hour before, so what in the world was the hold up? As her hand made for the doorknob, it turned of its accord and the door inched open. Expecting to see Raela’s offensive gap, Victoria took a step back, but to her surprise and relief, she saw Grace’s warm brown eyes peering back at her. “Come on, girl. It’s time.”

Victoria felt her heart skip a beat, as she followed Grace from the room and into the main hallway. The main hallway was eerie looking as it usually was at night, and looked as if it was bathed in thin coat of blood. Victoria liked to believe it was only the reflection of the crimson torches on the wall, but she couldn’t be sure. She followed Grace down the familiar cobblestone pathway, and her breath quickening with every step. Victoria had forgotten how much of a rush this type of activity could be. She gripped her dagger in anticipation, and willed Grace to move faster. Speaking of Grace, Victoria thought, as her thoughts turned to the large nun, she was being rather quiet throughout this whole ordeal. Victoria couldn’t see her face very well, only the outline of it, courtesy of the wall torches, but she could swear Grace was wearing a scowl, and Victoria couldn’t imagine why.

Grace was a part of the Other Sisterhood by choice, wasn’t she? Victoria contemplated, as her feet hit the grass. You’d think that when someone had a choice to be a part of something, they would be happier about it. When the cobblestone path ended, Grace took a sharp right, heading towards the area where the campfire had been last. As they neared, instead of hearing the chanting that Victoria had become so accustomed to, she heard a flurry of noise. She couldn’t see anything yet, but she could feel the tension buzzing about in the air.

When she finally arrived camp side, she found the atmosphere to be as tense as she expected, but as to why it was that way, she couldn’t say. The Other Brotherhood was there as well, but instead of the laughter and merriment from the time before, anxiety permeated the air.

Victoria stepped near the fire and rubbed her hands together to warm them. As she did, she felt a soft touch on her shoulder and a presence to her right.

“
Hey.”

Roman was dressed completely in his Other Brotherhood attire. Like her own robes, his were black and blended in seamlessly with the night. He had his hood up, so the most Victoria could see of his face was his nose and chin, illuminated by the fire light. He inched closer to her, so that their shoulders were touching. Grateful for the warmth, in the midst of the frosty night air, she huddled closer. “Hey. What’s going on?” Roman held his hands over the fire, and leaned closer to her.

“
Something big, I’m guessing. Political, too. I’m not really sure, to be honest, I just know that before tonight’s over, somebody’s going to die.” Victoria shivered at his words.

Victoria and Roman stood by the fire, gazing into the flames for what felt like hours before she felt a gentle tug on her hand.

“
Come on, Victoria. The meeting is starting.” Victoria let him lead her to where a circle of nuns and monks were gathering. She and Roman squeezed into an open space, and looked expectantly over to Sister Katherine, who with Brother Ammon, was waiting for the commotion to die down before speaking.

“
Attention, Sisters and Brothers. It is good to see you all again. I know some of you have been out enjoying all that life has to offer, and I cannot blame you for that. But the time has come again, for us to come together and make a decision regarding our purpose in this changing world.”

“What is she going on about?” Victoria whispered, to no one in particular. Sister Katherine was always solemn, but if possible, she seemed even more frigid than usual on this night. “Just listen” Roman replied, as Sister Katherine continued.

“We have been asked, by a reliable source, to carry out our most high profile assassination to date. The assassination of a Mr. Alexander Gloucester, otherwise known as the Crown Prince of Gracelia. A collective gasp rose from the audience of nuns and monks.

Victoria elbowed Roman in the side to get his attention, producing a faint “oww” from somewhere next to her in the darkness. “Why is this a big deal? Don’t we assassinate people all the time?” “We don’t assassinate people who have done nothing wrong, Victoria. I know it’s hard to believe, but even assassin monks have morals.” Victoria rolled her eyes.

“As I’m sure you can understand, this assignment is one that brings our very morals into question. If we accept this assignment, the compensation that comes along with it, will be extraordinary. With the money received, we will be able to entirely renovate our respective facilities, and purchase a plot of land, on which to expand. While the majority of our reward will go towards the facilities, a substantial amount will be offered to individuals who are willing to help us complete our tasks.” Sister Katherine cleared her throat, and looked down, apparently done speaking for the time being. Brother Ammon stepped forward into the circle, and began to speak.

“
In addition to the actual assassination of Mr. Gloucester, there are several other jobs, relating to it, that need doing. We need several volunteers to deal with technicalities, to insure that the assassination goes smoothly.” Brother Ammon rumbled in his deep voice.

“
What are technicalities?” Victoria whispered. “Just simple things, like intercepting mail, observation, etc. We should volunteer for that. It’s pretty easy. But we’ve got to hurry, everyone will want that job.” Roman whispered back, nudging Victoria as he did.

As Roman predicted, there was a sudden scramble towards Brother Ammon, from both nuns and monks alike. “Come on, Victoria. Let’s do this one. It’s easy money, really. We could just—what are you looking at?” He stopped short, and looked into her eyes. There was something particularly unnerving, about the way she was staring at Brother Ammon, who had gone on to ask if there were any volunteers for the actual assassination.

“
Victoria, what are you doing?” Roman grabbed her forearm and held it in a vice-grip. “Let’s do the assassination. That’s easy money too. Lots of easy money.” “Victoria, no. Stop. Just leave it to someone else. You heard what Sister Katherine said. We don’t do that sort of thing. YOU don’t do that sort of thing, remember? If it’s thrill you want, I can show you other ways. What are you trying to prove?” Roman asked, with a hint of rising desperation.

Victoria ripped her arm from Roman’s grip and strode forward. “I will. I volunteer.” The chattering of other nuns and monks in the background ceased immediately. Her eyes darted back and forth between Brother Ammon and Sister Katherine, who were staring at her, with open disbelief. “I said, I accept. Tell me what to do.” Brother Ammon opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“
I’ll do it too!” A voice rang out from the darkness, and Victoria turned around to see Roman striding forward. “I’ll partner with her.” “What are you doing, Roman?” Victoria whispered, and she felt the sudden urge to kick him as hard as possible. “I’m not going to let you do something this stupid. You’re just going to get yourself killed.” “Victoria, just—She ignored Roman’s protests, and stared back at Sister Katherine. “I’m going to do this. Tell me how.”

Sister Katherine stared back for a moment, and pursed her lips. Finally, she sighed, a sigh that sounded strangely like rattling bones, and she said wearily, “Fine, Victoria. It is done. You can see me tomorrow for more details. Meeting adjourned.”

Slowly, nuns and monks began drifting away to their respective homes, leaving behind only Victoria and Roman standing together in the center of the campfire.

“
I can’t believe you just did that. Why, Victoria?” Victoria shrugged. “I just wanted to, I guess.” “But why? What happened? I thought you were over that.” “Over what?” “This..this need to thrill seek in the most dangerous way possible.” “Who told you I was over that?” “No one. But I remember, when I first met you, it seemed as if your penchant for killing scared you, almost.” “Maybe it did.” “But then why would you do this, Victoria? I know what it’s like, looking for a thrill, looking for something to complete you. I’ve been there. I AM there. And I thought, I just thought that perhaps we could find some other way…” Roman trailed off and looked down at the ground, the anguish on his face more evident than ever before.

Victoria stared at the back of Roman’s head, her thoughts now a tangled mass of emotion. In truth, she could not explain with words what she had just done, and why. She didn’t know what she wanted, but Roman’s pleas struck a nerve. Victoria felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, at how well he had read her followed by a brief surge of annoyance, which rose next. She felt invaded. How dare he know what motivates her, and tell her what is best? Who did he think he was? Victoria huffed, irritated. And just what was he getting at by “showing her another way”? As in the city?

The city. Her time with Roman in the city had shown her an entirely different type of thrill. One that felt good, wholesome, and innocent. It certainly wasn’t as bad as she’d expected it to be. It was enjoyable, even.

But as always, she had to return to the convent, and eventually, to the Other Sisterhood. The city wasn’t where she belonged. It felt wrong. Her thoughts returned to the little boy. Wes, was his name. He didn’t have the best of both worlds. He lived in one, pathetic, depressing world all the time. As important as the city was becoming to her, she could not ignore the darkness that she had become so accustomed to. It wasn’t fair to take a little of both.

And then, there was the matter of Roman. He was like her, in a way. At least, he said he was. But Victoria wondered if Roman felt the paradox that reigned supreme in their now shared lives. Or if he cared. How could he justify helping the poor, killing those who are “evil”, and go about living his life as carefree as he seemed. Didn’t it weigh upon his very soul at night, like it did hers?

Beneath it all, she wondered if he was scared. She wondered why he volunteered alongside her. Was it because he saw a part of him within her? He was so desperately trying to show her the “other way." Victoria was unsure of what the other way was, but she had an idea. Would this other way fix all the problems in the world? Would it bring balance, and peace? She didn’t know.

She wasn’t sure what she felt for him, but him volunteering alongside her stirred up some very uncomfortable emotions. She could feel unshed tears welling up behind her eyes. She tried to blink them away, but one escaped and rolled daringly down her cheek. Victoria made to wipe it away quickly, but she felt another finger brush across her cheek before she could. She looked up, to see Roman gazing back at her. “Victoria, please talk to me. Please tell me why.” She didn’t say anything at first; she just gazed back, basking in the concern radiating from his eyes

“
Victoria—“He was cut off. She suddenly pressed her lips against his, trying to impress upon him all the things she couldn’t bring herself to say. His shock, at first, was clear, as his limbs went rigid, but as Victoria only increased the pressure on his lips, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. As they held onto each other for dear life, clinging to each other for reasons they themselves didn’t even understand, the world around them began to stir.

VIII.

The following day found Victoria and Roman sitting side-by-side in the orchard that they both so lovingly referred to as the “Sanctuary." Roman’s arm was draped lazily around Victoria’s shoulder as she poured over the mess of maps she had in front of her. “Roman, I still don’t know how we’re going to do this. You should have just bound and gagged me last night. What was I thinking?” She rubbed her forehead in frustration and looked towards the sky. It was still dark out, and a sliver of the moon still hung about idly. A few chirps, from the early birds could be heard here and there, echoing throughout the surrounding forest, but for the most part, all was quiet.

On the ground in front of her lay several maps of the Gloucester Estate, home to the Crown Prince. Since the wee hours of the morning, after she’d gotten over the shock of her reckless behavior, on all fronts, Victoria had been sitting in the sanctuary, trying to make sense of what she now had to do. Roman was no help of course. He simply nodded his head, and smiled. It was a goofy grin, and it had been plastered on his face for the last several hours. She suspected that was focusing very hard on trying not to mess “this” up.