Orfeo is a young orphan boy who was picked up by Vettorio when he was five. Vettorio trained him in the art of deception and made him play several characters to gain information from the different class of people in the town.
He sits back in his office today reminiscing about his past. Eleon a young sales boy in the town would daily bring a basket of supplies for an old lady who’s eyes were dimming but her mind was very sharp. Eleon enters into the old lady’s home this morning and bows gracefully. He knows how to talk like a patrician, but he can’t quite emulate the accent. Perhaps he will always sound like a pretender. The old lady Marcella is old but Eleon can’t quite predict how old she was. Her hair and nails are always well kept and her patrician’s outfit neat and classy.
Every patrician has a shrine in one corner of their home that features the six gods. Thariel holds a glowing orb, Aeona clutches a blooming flower and there’s Ludia, the god of deception, her face is turned away from the others and isn’t visible from any angle. Lady Marcella frowns as she watches Eleon empty that basket and arrange them on the table.
Having issues with your leg again boy? She asks. It’s the rain ma’am. My knees gives me issues when it rains but I’ll be ok. Thank the gods, says Lady Marcella. She proceeds to assist Eleon in the arrangement and when they’re done she politely requests as her manner is that he has breakfast with her. It would be my pleasure Eleon replies.
It’s the same process everyday, she politely asks and he always respectfully accepts her offer. They talk and laugh through the breakfast and Eleon feeds the old lady with gossips about what’s happening in town. Lady Marcella then pays back by telling him about her youth. When they’re done eating, Eleon politely stands up and says to her “I’d have to go now ma’am, time is far spent. Of course, says Lady Marcella.
She hands him a coin for the payment and some extra coins and candy wrapped in paper. Eleon puts them all in his pocket with a swift fluid motion and exits the compound.
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The young man walks into the olive press wearing a white and green robe. He’s fifteen years old and tall but his physique is not so imposing. A few strands of beards grace his face, his face is classically framed but he is by no means handsome. Handsome or not, he carries himself with grace like the only son of a noble family and his perfume is made of rose water, something to cause awe among the poor commoners.
The head of the press is a chubby man with big tummy called Silvio. As he walks around one of his workers shout something at him and he quickly notices the presence of the young man. He walks briskly to him and his whole countenance changes to fear and respect. Young Master Flavius! he says as calmly as he could but the young man noticed he had started to sweat on his head most likely due to the pressure of his presence. Silvio continues, I didn’t know you were in town! To what do we owe the pleasure?
Gaius Flavius Dio, eldest son of Gaius Flavius Sirinnius, looks at him like an angry shark ready to devour him. If my presence is pleasurable to you, says Flavius, then I am clearly not working you hard enough. He speaks like a true patrician. An honor, then, says Silvio with a bow, laughing slightly as though he had not just received a threat from the young master Flavius. Of course my presence here is an honor says Flavius. I’m here because of how much you returned lasted month. My father is greatly displeased about the figures of your turnover.
Silvio begins to explain uhmmm, that’s true young master but I’m afraid the guild is increasingly extorting us even with the protection your name offers...before he could finish, the young master interrupts him and asks him to show him around the olive press. Show me around this place, says Flavius. If your equipment is need to be fixed, show me. If your workers are not motivated, show me who. And if the Guild is giving you issues… I guarantee that not even they can escape my father’s wrath. Yes… yes, Master Flavius. Right this way.
The young patrician takes the lead even though he didn’t know his way around. He was counting his steps impressed by his showing and checking to see if he had time to clean up properly and get into his next role.
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Two matured women clearly upset about how late their delivery girl is. Iseult! I swear, Beatrice, if that girl is late one more time, one of the women begin to say when they hear a voice from around the corner. I’m here Iseult says, sorry for coming late. A tall young woman comes rounds the corner, dragging the leash of a stubborn mule, which in turn drags an old worn cart. She tries to explain but they wave her off not willing to listen to the silly excuses of a commoner.
She looks about seventeen, with dirt and freckles on her skin. She’s tall and skinny unlike most ladies from the north who like beautiful and big. She quickly goes to the back of the cart to get out their packages but she finds a man waiting for her. His name is Timion, one of the street boys that’s always around the corner. Hey, Iseult, he says, smiling like a hunting cat, any extra room in your wagon? Iseult rolls her eyes at him and says, I don’t even care what’s that supposed to mean. Don’t flatter yourself, he says. This is just business.
What do you want? Well, Timion says you run deliveries all around the city and I have some friends who want to move a few things around the city quietly and off the manifest. I’m sorry, but I’m not interested says Iseult as she gestured for him to move away from her wagon. Let me know if you change your mind, he says, winks and walks away.
Iseult returns to her work, happy that he’s gone. There’s an extra bag in that’s marked for the two shopkeeps. It wasn’t on the manifest, but Iseult knows better than to ask questions. She unloads it along with the rest, collects her payment and drags her mule along with her.
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The boy is dressed in rags and very dirty, his hair looking like it’d never been touched by soap. His face is pale and dirty and he bends over like a dog that’s been beaten. He smells terrible and the obvious malnutrition makes it quiet impossible to tell his age. He crouches in an alleyway lit by the setting sun, a position from where he hears the voice of a man reporting a situation to another man
—so anyway, the Guild sends down a whole goon squad, says the voice. bruisers, slinkers, led by one of their weasely little captains who couldn’t have been older than sixteen. Merlin’s beard says the second voice. What did you do? It’s not like I have a choice, the first voice responds. Of course I gave them their percentage. But..... he reduces his voice to a whisper but the wind brings his words straight to the ears of the poor boy, they can’t get a cut from what they don’t know about. Do you understand?”
The boy waits and listens intently to their conversations all the while tossing a metal around in his hands. When the men are done talking about important matters the boy shoves the metal into one of his pockets and scampers away in the alley looking around for strangers.
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Orfeo gets in the bathroom to wash off all the filth from his skin with scented soap. What a day it had been for him. He was fifteen and becoming more masculine by the day but he was still able to play Iseult excellently today. He finishes up from the bathroom, dries up himself with a towel and hurries does to dinner with his benefactor Vettorio. Vettorio is the closest thing he’s had to a dad. He is already sitting at the dinning table when the boy walks in.
They get into conversations about his day and what he learnt. Orfeo went on to recount all of his encounters, trying really hard not to miss any detail. Lady Marcella is still very nice and old. Young master Flavius and his activities in the olive press. Even though he was confused as to why the Guild kept harassing the olive press for money when they secretly owned the place, he made sure to leave that out. It was his duty to carry out operations such as these and not to ask question. He goes on to report Timion’s smuggling offer and Vettorio said he’d look into it.
He finally spoke about the men in the alley he overheard speaking about hiding some business from the guild. Nice work says Vettorio at last. I wasn’t sure you could handle four faces in one day, but you did it nearly without a hitch. Apart from the fact that Iseult was late.
Yes, sir, orfeo replied looking apologetic. I made a plausible excuse. And why were you late? Vettorio asked? I think I spent too much time with Eleon, he replied. I suppose you did, says Vettorio. You need to take your job more seriously, Orfeo. And I mean your real job. All these your other names are just masks that you wear. You must remember who you are and what your job is. Never forget that. Orfeo breathes heavily, in and out, and nods in assent.
The both finished their meal in silence but Vettorio could tell there was something in Orfeo’s mind. He could see it in his face. He stares at him for a while and asks him, what’s on your mind boy? Orfeo has to think for a moment. After he puts off all his masks what’s troubling him and he had just one thing on his mind. He said, I was wondering why I do all of these, play these different roles and people. I mean it feels so pointless. How do you mean? Vettorio presses further. I mean, these are just practice right and honestly it’s beginning to get boring. I’ve been going over these same motions for a long time. I think I am ready for some real action now.
Vettorio goes on to give him a lecture about how it’s all these boring routines that makes you a professional and attentive to detail. However, he said, since you want some action, I think I might just have something for you Really? says Orfeo. Yes, Really, says Vettorio. Clear the table, then come to my office let me tell you what you have to do.
His first real job comes as a shocker to him and the revelations that came with it were even more stunning. But they prepared him for the man he was going to become, a real master of deception who even the goddess of deception would be careful about.
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Orfeo’s first mission would be to assassinate the old lady Marcella. He walked into her house that morning and the old lady was as nice as ever. Good morning Lady Marcella, Eleon said trying hard to hide his nervousness.
Lady Marcella looks the same as yesterday— she’s still very old, still very sharp, still immaculate, still nearly blind. She’s a bit more quiet than usual this morning. Or is that his mind? I know why you’re here,” says Lady Marcella quietly. Sit down, young man, she says And hand me my tea. Eleon had a clear panic look on his face now. He had just realized that he hadn’t played his role very well. The Old Lady had spotted him and knew exactly why he was there. He had decided to poison the Lady Marcella’s tea. I know what it is, says Lady Marcella. At least let me drink it while it’s hot. Orfeo passed her the hot cup of poisoned tea with his hands almost visibly shaking. It smells of cinnamon and honey, and she inhales deeply before taking a sip.
Lady Marcella continues to speak, this is what will happen, we are going to have a conversation about everything that’s happening here while I drink my tea. Orfeo still dumbfounded manage to find his voice and asks, how did you know? Well, your affection today was extravagant especially since who’s trying to deceive someone who’s nearly blind. We’re supposed to create specific details for people to focus on, says Orfeo. I picked one you could see. I mean, not see, but—You picked one I could see through, says Lady Marcella. It would have been much better if you weren’t trying to get a perfect performance. So you’ve known all along that I wasn’t who I said I was? I suspected you from the start, says Lady Marcella. But don’t be too hard on yourself, dear, I suspect everyone.
What about today... how.. how did you know about the tea? You added too much sugar, Lady Marcella said. I could smell it from where I was standing. I guess you were trying to hide the bitter taste. Next time try a pinch of salt.
Salt? Really? Yes! It Masks bitterness without affecting the flavor. Ughhhh....What does Vettorio teach you lads! An even more stunned Eleon or Orfeo asks wide eye. You know Vettorio? Lady Marcella gives out a small laugh and replied, I trained Vettorio.
And he should be punished for sending a child up against me. You’re Guild, says Orfeo. Retired, she says, as much as one can be.Vettorio allowed me fade away as long as I kept my mouth shut. But he obviously used you to keep an eye on me. I may have violated the terms of our agreement. Meddled in his business and that’s why he sent you here. If you already know I poisoned the tea Eleon asks why are you then drinking it? Lady Marcella smiles slightly, the effect of the poison already kicking in, and replies if it’s not you, it’s going to be someone else.
What’s your name, young man? she asks. Orfeo Is that your real name? For as long as I can remember yes Orfeo replied. Her breathing is starting to slow down and getting heavy. She grabs the young man by his arm and says to him. I’m sure he’s given you the lecture about how all the roles you play are just masks, and you must not get attached to them. He heard that talk from me, and he took it to heart. Orfeo responds with a nod. But you must remember this always, she says Vettorio’ is just another mask. It’s the one he shows to you, and it’s as fake as all the rest. He’s not family, no matter what he tries to tell you. He’s the closest thing I have,” says Orfeo. If I can’t trust Vettorio , who then can I trust? Trust no one, my dear, she whispers And make sure Orfeo is just a mask too.
Lady Marcella falls to the ground and the last thing Orfeo hears is her praying to Ludia to protect him. He quietly packs his bags and leaves her house.
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The boy gets back to the house and knocks on Vettorio’s office. It’s done, he said. Just as you instructed. Exactly as planned? asks Vettorio. She complained that I put too much honey in her tea, he says. But I did it, just like you taught me. How do you feel about this? Vettorio asked the young lad. I was a little nervous at first, but I’m very fine, much better than I thought I would be, Orfeo says. Don’t you want know why I asked you to kill her? Not really, Orfeo says. All I do is play my part, I don’t concern myself with the reasons. Good, that’s really good. That’s exactly what I expected.
Thank you, says Orfeo.
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Present Day
Orfeo sneaks into his office through a secret door he only discovered three years ago when he inherited the office from Vettorio. He declines on his chair and starts reading reports of espionage and extortion accounts. He still puts his deception skills to work but not very often.
He hears a knock on the door , Come in he says. He doesn’t hear the door open instead he hears a slight cough behind him that startles him for a split second. He wheels around with a knife in his hand and finds the figure of a lady standing behind him. She’s wearing a regal purple dress and a silver mask, and she holds one finger up to her lips.
Hello Orfeo was the greeting she gave him. I’m sure you recognize me. And then he did recognize her. The unmistakable face of Ludia, her face is always hidden but he knows it anyway.
Ludia he replies. The knife disappears back into his sleeve, and he slides forward into a kneel. Lady of lies, he says, how may I be of service? Feigning servanthood doesn’t suit you, so stand up first, she replies. You’ve had quite a career, says Ludia. So many faces. So many lies. How many people have you been, Orfeo? Do you even know? Many he replied, dozens of larger ones and hundreds of momentary ones my lady. What is this visit about if I may ask my lady? It’s about you and all the multitudes of masks that you have she replied. There’s a contest among the gods and I’ve observed you and chosen as my champion.
Orfeo thinks about all the power he would wield and how exciting and maybe even dangerous this tournament would be and finally replies.
I accept, I will be your champion.
She stretches out her hand and he reaches out for it. There’s a purple smoke and they both disappear into the thin air.
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