The Girl From New Venice

Chapter 01

We were watching the ships glide into the fog on that fatal day. I held her hand tight, hoping that my sweaty palms didn't bother her too much, as a few dock-workers bustled by us. Some of them craned their necks at us (if they dared break rank) or muttered curses under their breaths about "damned streetwalkers". Their breaths stank of old brandy and lingered. Heaving crates or balancing boxes, each of them shuffled towards their ship and disappeared up the gangplank.

I always wondered what it would be like to stow away on one of those ships, escape the dismal docks of New Venice, and discover a new world once we came to shore. There had to be better places beyond Illéa, right? I remember Dr. Thaddeus talking about temples that glittered gold in the sun, about cerulean rivers that stretched wider than the sea, and about endless fields of freesia flowers. In my dismal moments, I thought of these fantastical places, and promised myself I would visit one day. All of those wonderful places. Perhaps the strangest places (to me, at least) were the ones where there was no caste system. If you were born into a family of maids and decided to become an actress, you could do that - you could do anything if you'd dreamed it.

I adjusted the hood of my rain-slicker and squinted into the crowds. One of those miserable-looking men had to be the envoy. Perhaps he was the one slouched slightly with a cigar perched between his lips, or the one with the crumpled hat and disheveled suit? Maybe he was the one spitting into the canal, upsetting a nearby couple in a gondola.

Then a man, wearing a trilby pulled low over his eyes and a heavy-looking coat that billowed in the sharp sea wind, began approaching us. His strides were purposeful and there was a menacing air about him. Delphinia recoiled at the sight of him. I had to steady her, and with my free hand waved the man over.

"You're Helena, right?" He looked me up and down.

"Yes, sir. You must be here on behalf of that esteemed fellow?" I answered with clarity in my voice. He nodded slowly, chewing on his bottom lip before inspecting Delphinia intensely.

"Yes... Yes, I think he would like her. He's always liked brunettes. She's a very pretty creature. Unlike yourself. No offense, but you look like a ghoul."

I laughed. I had to keep him on side, after all. "So I've been told. Did your master give you our patronage?"

The man handed me a briefcase in a stunted and swift motion. I opened it and checked it thoroughly, running my bony fingers over the bills, occasionally lifting one to check it in the light.

"Those are real." He snapped quickly.

"I don't doubt it, sir. I still have to check, elsewise that's one of us failing our jobs. And we're both professionals here, aren't we?"

Delphinia tugged my arm, whispering, "Please don't, Hel..."

I ignored her and shut the case with a little 'clack!' and smiled at the envoy.

"Everything seems to be in order here, sir. I suppose you'll be on your way? Do give your master mine and Seth's warmest regards. It's been a pleasure."

I released Delphinia's hand and reached to shake the man's. Her eyes widened and she grabbed my arm again, tighter this time,

"Please, Hel, don't do this..."

"Indeed." He muttered, offering his hand to her. She took a trembling, tentative step back, looking between the two of us. Her eyes grew wet.

"Del, you need to go with the man."

She stared at me for a few moments, her shocked expression slowly contorting into one of fear, then of hatred. Her eyes narrowed, and she bared her teeth like a beast ready to gore its prey. I'd never seen someone look so hateful in all my life, and I was an Eight.