10-17-2013, 01:37 AM
"That's your half. You whined so much last time that I set it aside before I started courting Fortuna." The friar settled down across from them and collected a handful of grapes from their pile. "And you shouldn't worry, it's not far. It's just outside of Naples."
He fell silent while devouring the grapes, relishing the half-wild taste. He also relished the resentful looks from the boy as he ate the food. He needed them, but he didn't have to let them know that. "And it's not really a ghost. We'll have to find our competition-- maybe cut them in-- but it will be worth it. The mark is a noble family. The Gabriellis. We'll make a fortune, and you can buy all the shoes you want."
Marisa's prayers faltered when Nazario began talking about the next town. It sounded like trouble. Their method so far had always been the same, and always simple. She and Marzio would go into town and find positions as menial servants, usually at an inn. Then they'd listen to local gossip and select someone neither of them felt guilty about tormenting. That was a rule they had established immediately. If they were going to ruin the reputation and livelihood of someone, it was going to be someone who deserved it, and none of the ersatz priest's arguments could sway them. Once a subject had been chosen, the twins would use their powers to make things happen. Missing items would be found in impossible places, items would be seen floating through the air, animals would get loose or find their way into houses... one time, in a fit of creativity, they had drained several hogsheads of wine and replaced the contents with plain water. Never anything that would cause harm to anyone, simply mischief that couldn't be explained by natural means. After a few weeks of buildup, Fra Nazario would come into town and the siblings would quit their jobs, claiming fear of the demon. They would make a show of leaving, and then sneak back to create one last wild episode while Nazario prayed. It was simple, and it was safe.
This was neither simple, nor safe. She clutched the rosary to her chest and cried out in dismay, "In the city there will be many people watching. There will be priests everywhere-- real priests! What if they catch us? What if this 'competition' finds us first and turns us over to them? And how are we to get anywhere near a lord's house? They have special servants. Trained servants. Marzio and I wouldn't get past the gate before being turned out as beggars or thrown in jail as thieves!"
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