SHORT STORY - Lena and the Band of Assassins - Part 01

Lena woke up with a headache. The most wonderful of aches. She yawned and stretched, before her staple smile got plastered on her face. Still not fully awake, she got up from her big fluffy bed and strolled on the finely crafted wooden floor and out her open balcony. She emerged to the best view in the world – the open sea. The sound of birds chirping greeted her as they did every morning. Glancing to the side, she noticed she had forgotten her stand with painting supplies out last night. Oh and what a night it was. Her smile broadened remembering a night filled with friends, love and wine. Lena looked out at her street, and the blue plane stretching as far as the eye could see. She wished she had the skill to paint it proper. So that others may experience what she’s been experiencing every morning for the past several years.

Lena leaned on the balcony railing, breathing in the delicious smell of freshly baked goodies from her auntie’s bakery two houses over. She waved to two passing sailors on the street below, she knew they were sailors by the striped shirts they were wearing. They returned the wave, albeit hesitantly. She often wondered if her joyous persona made outsiders act weird around her. But Lena payed no mind to those that didn’t understand her serenity. She just felt sad for them. Felt sad for the people that couldn’t find the beauty in what they were doing, in life.

She could stand there and listen to the sounds of the early morning all day, if she was allowed, or if the early morning ever lasted the full day. She sighed as lucidity brushed away the clouds of sleep. And the pounding, caused from overexerted joviality, intensified. It was time to start the day. And as familiar as she was with her early morning headaches, she still needed to take some elixir to make them go away so she could start the day proper.

She turned –

“Lena! Lena darling!” A feminine voice called her from the street below.

Lena turned to see auntie Falice waving. Lena returned the wave enthusiastically. “Good morning auntie!”

“Tell your mama that breakfast will be later this morning darling!” Auntie Falice shouted. She was a short woman and had the customary plump build Lena associated with all bakers. They just loved food so much! And why wouldn’t they? Their food was the most delicious after all. “We have guests from far away dear! I have to go and attend to them! Come and say good morning if you want!” And with that auntie Falice bustled back to her bakery.

Visitors? How exciting! Best tell mother right away.

Lena entered her room with her usual enthusiastic step. She took off her undergarments and rushed to the closet. She found three dresses waiting for her this morning. Had she really destroyed two last night? No matter. She would have new ones soon enough. She chose the slick blue dress she wore three days back. The populous surely had forgotten about it by now.

After dawning her dress Lena exited her room in search of her mama – she didn’t need long to find her. Her mama was where she always was in the morning: in the parlor, sipping her morning wine and reading the latest house dealings from a parchment. When she spoke, she didn’t look up from it.

“I heard her Lena.” Her mama said. “I swear; it boggles the mind that we are related to that woman.” She took a sip from her wine. “Do you know what we must do now, darling?”

“Save her from the hungry visitors?” Lena asked, hands clasped at her back, face beaming.

“Astute as ever.”

Mama lifted her glass and gulped the rest of her wine in one go. Before laying the parchment on the table and standing up. She was, still, immaculately beautiful. Her slim frame and heart shaped, albeit slightly wrinkled, face. Her black hair was done in an intricate curl going up this morning, it looked splendid. She propped her elbow and Lena grabbed it eagerly.

“Your head doesn’t hurt?” Her mama asked as they walked out the parlor and into the admittance area.

“It does.” Lena admitted. “Not as much as other times however. Last night was truly wonderful mama.”

“Yes, I could hear.” Mama said with longing in her voice. “I envy you Lena. To be young and full of energy. What I wouldn’t give to relive those days.”

“But mama. You still love as much as any person I know.” Lena said.

“Not as much as I would like my dear.” Mama said. “The duties of the house must come first, you know this. Always remember it, as it is your future as well.”

“Yes mama.” Lena nodded. She knew this of course. A day didn’t go by without her mama reminding Lena that she would be High Mistress one day. And that she should enjoy these frivolous times as much as possible while they lasted.

“I wonder which visitors Falice wishes you to see.” Mama said. “Maybe they are from a distant land and are offering tribute?”

“Maybe not.” Lena said with a coy smile. They both laughed. As they strolled down the street, the people they passed bowed their heads in respect.

The two mistresses entered the bakery.