Bound By Madness

23. Gentle Rain

It took a full three days to convince him that I was able to walk on my own, even if I did have to take slow steps at first. The Jester Assassin divided his time between me and his mother, something I did not begrudge him of since it had been clear for some time that she meant the world to him.

I had been at this place for a week and today had been the first time I was allowed outside the room I'd woken up in. Honestly, for the first few hours I wished I hadn't bothered, the sight of a familiar pair of brothers having given me a sinking feeling that didn't go away until the shorter of the two finally left with a female for what seemed to be a job of some sort.

I still had no idea how he managed to talk these people into letting us stay here. I could only hope they never realized they had not just a thief, which was causing enough glares just on the suspicion that I was such a thing, but also an actual assassin in their midst. Just imagining their reactions had me breaking into a nervous sweat, but the Jester Assassin just grinned knowingly at me and sauntered about the place, grabbing a sweet roll from the table and taking a bite while everyone nearby glared at him.

It wasn't until after midday had passed that things seemed to get a bit better, having been lead outside to the courtyard behind the building as Cicero proceeded to grab a bow and a single arrow before barely taking the time to aim and still managing to hit the target dead center. Turning to look at me, he raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Does pretty Faith know how to use a bow? If so, she might want to practice for a while since it will not strain her as much as training with her blade. And if not, then Cicero wouldn't be against teaching her, since it is a useful skill to have in the Family," he nearly sang the words as he began walking toward me, grabbing a handful of arrows as he passed the table again.

Wait a second, what do you mean by that? I'm not part of your family, Cicero. I don't even know who your family is or anything about them. You wouldn't tell me anything, remember? So why would I suddenly need to learn how to use a bow? I'm a thief, not an assassin.

After subtly looking around to make sure nobody had snuck into the area, he gave a wicked smile and leaned over me where I sat. I'd never imagined a jester could look so intimidating before, but he managed to do so without even seeming to try.

"Ahh, but interesting Faith has already proven that she could be one if she wanted to. After all, she is already the puppet to one, yes? After she proved willing to protect Mother, Cicero started thinking while he waited for Faith to heal. And then he found Faith's special book. That is when Cicero decided he would... allow Faith to become part of his Family. If she wants to, that is?" Although he had started off sounding confident, he still ended up seeming unsure by the end, his eyes peering into mine as he leaned his forehead against mine in what was becoming a familiar action.

Bringing a hand up to run through his hair a few times before resting on his shoulder and pushing him back just enough he could see my lips, I stared into his eyes and nearly lost myself for a time before being jolted back to reality by the slow blink he gave me.

I... I don't know if I would fit in with your family. I mean, I'm a thief, I steal things. I don't know if I could kill people just because someone told me to. I mean, it was different with Loreius. He was a horrible man and he deserved it! He was willing to let you get cold and sick and maybe even die while he went home to a warm meal and a loving wife to take care of him! He made me so mad, I couldn't even think straight! And then I grabbed the farm tools from his hands and I could hear Ellery cackling and Amicus was whispering how to swing them... And then I was walking down the hill with the tools and you were there waiting, still healthy and you weren't afraid of the blood that was still on me.

The man gave a shrug before laughing softly as he patted me on the head.

"Interesting Faith should know by now that Cicero is used to such sights and wouldn't be afraid of them. But he does find it rather fitting that she used the man's own tools to do the job, yes, yes! Cicero thinks that Faith should ask Amicus to teach her more about his work if he is able to. Otherwise, Cicero is willing to teach her anything Amicus is unable or unwilling to? If she is interested, of course," the man spoke, his voice dropping low as the door behind me could be heard opening as someone came out of the building.

"Ah, there you are! Practicing with the bow, I see. So, who is the teacher and who the student?" One of the men called out curiously as I heard him walk towards us.

I am the student, right Cicero? After all, if I am to stay with you and your family, I have much to learn.

Nodding to the smiling Jester Assassin, I grabbed the bow and one of the arrows, pulling the string back as I aimed. I was proud that my arms only trembled a bit from the strain, although I could feel the stitches grow tight as my muscles flexed in ways they were unused to. Sadly, when I released the arrow, it flew to the side and hit the wall, snapping in half.

Cicero's shoulders slumped as he looked at the broken arrow before turning to me with a strained chuckle. "Cicero sees that Faith has much to learn before she is ready to use a bow outside of practice, yes. Luckily, there is still time to do so before she is strong enough to start practicing with her dagger. Let alone ready for us to leave on our journey again. It is a good thing Cicero is no longer in such a hurry to meet with his Family. No, Cicero thinks his sweet Mother would understand why he takes his time now. After all, it is not very often that such an interesting person comes into the Family."

And it hit me at that moment that this was how I would join his family. I would have a family again, even if not one by blood but by choice.

"Aren't those the best kind to be part of?" Came that familiar whisper from behind me, warm breath brushing over my ear.