SHORT STORY - Lena and the Band of Assassins - Part 02

Lena’s smile turned to a grin. The aromas of the bakery – If there was one thing she felt like she couldn’t live without, it would be her auntie’s baking. Even her mama, who always put on a stoic face for the populous, couldn’t help but smile as she and Lena greeted the guests.

This early in the morning the place was packed. Most came for the food. Some, a very small group, came because they knew that Lena and the High Mistress frequented this place during the mornings. Catching a glimpse of their leaders fulfilled some people’s days. Lena didn’t understand it, but her mama insisted that it was important to “show face” – whatever that meant.

They moved behind the counter, passing and greeting the salesmen with curt smiles. Lena grabbed a scrap of honeyed bread and stuffed it in her mouth. Sublime. She grabbed another.
They entered the backroom. This was where they usually ate their breakfasts. The room was plain, far plainer than most rooms Lena had seen, and yet far prettier. Everything, from the walls and floor, to the furniture, was made out of stone. The stone was warm because it was surrounded by the bakery’s furnaces on both sides. Behind the room lay the stairway to the upper floor, and auntie’s personal quarters.

Lena licked her honeyed fingers as she saw the four strapping gentlemen sitting in the middle of the room. Each of them had an inviting smile on their faces. The men probably had no idea who they were. That suited her just fine – in fact she preferred it. Alas, it was hard to find capable men that didn’t know who she was on the island. These men however, were not from the island. Moreover, Lena deduced, that they would prove very capable if put to the task. They were all of dark skin, muscular, and tall. A combination Lena was obviously not ready for. She stuffed her other honey bread in her mouth.

The backdoor opened. Her auntie entered carrying two trays of baked goodies. “Oh, Kristine, I wasn’t expecting you. I told darling Lena that breakfast was to be held later.” She looked at Lena. “Didn’t you hear me dear?”

“I heard you Falice.” Her mama said. “How many times have we talked about the shouting, hmm? Anyway, me and Lena wanted to meet your exotic guests.”

Her auntie smiled, although she narrowed her eyes at mama. “Of course you did.”

“Is this your famed sister then?” One of the men, a brute with long dark hair, stood up. His step was surprisingly light for a man of his size. His dialect was something Lena had never heard before.

The man knelt on one knee. “It is an honor to meet you, Mistress.” He took mama’s hand and kissed it. She nodded. The man got up, and slightly bowed his head to Lena. “My lady.” The rest of them did the same in turn, each going and kneeling for mama, while showing respect by bowing their heads to Lena.

Lena and her mama were still standing in the entrance of the room. The men sat back down on the table, now joined by her auntie. “Welcome to my island.“ Mama said, voice authoritative. “I trust you were sent here to trade? I must confess. I am bemused by the fact that I have not heard your dialect before.”

Lena found herself joining them on the table. The man to her right - a thin, muscular figure, with a huge scar on his left cheek and short white hair - smiled back at her. “Yes Mistress.” The brute said. “This is our first time on this island. I must also confess our amazement at this place, and how it has stayed hidden from the world.” He grabbed a loaf of bread. An entire loaf of bread. “You have reached the stars and brought back heaven.” The brute concluded his statement by taking an enormous bite out of the bread.

Their dialect was gruff, and yet they used such ardent words. Lena reached for the tray her auntie brought – for the honeyed bread on it. The man with the scar took the bread and handed it to Lena. She gave him a sly smile as she nibbled on the slice. Oh. This could be dangerous.

Lena glanced at the brute. He seemed agitated. Mama had yet to respond to him. Lena knew that mama was still waiting, she liked to let others talk. The man to her left – a man with lighter skin than the others, and curly red hair, nodded to the brute. The brute then pulled out a small black box from one of his pockets, placing it on the table.

Lena leaned forward to see what it could be. “I believe this will prove the seriousness of our visit, Mistress.” The long haired visitor opened the small box, and the white room suddenly became even brighter. Inside of the box was a single glowing sphere the size of Lena’s knuckles.

She heard her mama letting out a small gasp. A most uncharacteristic response from her. “I see.” Her mama said. Lena turned and saw that her mama’s face was composed as ever, whatever her outburst was, it passed. “You must forgive me gentlemen. I was not convinced of your intentions. However, now I see that you are here to conduct real business. Would you wish to discuss it over at our Estate?”

The brute bowed his head, closing his eyes. “It would be an honor to conduct business with you, Mistress.”

The white haired man offered another slice of honeyed bread to Lena. She grabbed it - with her teeth – and subsequently started chewing on the slice, all the while intently looking at the dark skinned stranger.

“Well,” her mother said “it seems like my daughter is anxious for us to get started. Falice would you be so kind as to send a boy with food over to the Estate? We will be having our breakfast there today.”