Chapter 4 - Ambidextrous

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The Officers of the Night broke through the door and turned heads of everyone in the brothel. Voices became louder and more obnoxious when all the drunks started cussing and the women started screaming. Vanessa was quick to react, her stance strong and voice firm.

"What is your business here, gentlemen?"

"None of your business, whore" the eldest among them answered

"Easy there, captain Dragonetti" Leonardo spoke up

"Artista" the bearded captain hissed "Stay out of this. This is not your fight"

Frustrated artista took a deffensive stance as he walked towards the officers.

"Every fight that involves my friends is my fight"

"Take your leave while you still can, artista" a chubby officer slurred

As the officer drew his sword, Leonardo already paced back two steps, leaving the ginger man dumbfounded. Da Vinci was an agile man, he evaded the first two swings of the officer before the captain pushed him aside.

"Give us the thief and we'll go our way"

"But we don't know which one you mean" Vanessa replied

Dragonetti stared at a man in the back of the Barking Dog, pointing a finger at him. Leonardo's company turned to see the man and once they did, Stella's jaw dropped. Leonardo noticed and stood in between the man and the officers.

"You'll have to get through me first"

"I already told you, step aside, scribbler" the angry ginger spoke again "Go finish one of your paintings"

"I cannot step aside when I see stupidity in action, signor"

Zo gasped as the officer swung at Leo. But the artista seemed nonchalant. A broadsword's metal glistening around his body. He effortlessly evaded every swing before drawing his own sword. Nico was sitting at the edge of his seat while Stella's worried looks flicked from the swords to Leonardo. He was quick to parry the officers and swing back.

"Now that was stupid." Metal grazed against metal "By now you should know that I am ambidextrous and can easily fight a man..."

He now had another sword, a thinner and shorter one, in his hands, the right one now, as he fought off a second officer.

"Or two, and perhaps even three at a time" he groaned

The officers charged at the painter two at a time and he fought them off with ease. When the last of the officers who attacked had been disarmed, Da Vinci tapped the blade against his neck.

"Like I said, stupid"

"He ran, go get him!" The roundbodied captain exclaimed and ran towards the door.

"Next time, artista, you will lose" the last officer threatened, picking up his sword

"I would gladly do a rematch, I need target practice" the stubbled man winked before the officer ran after the others. He fiddled with his long black cloak, masking him in the dark night on his way out.

"You have officially lost your fucking mind, Da Vinci!"

"Come on, now, Zo, it wasn't even a challenge" the proud man replied, placing his swords back into their holsters.

"Thank you, maestro"

Stella's words were barely audible when she spoke, earning a small smile from Leonardo. He took a seat next to his best friend again and gave Nico and his new apprentice quick glances.

"You should be more careful, maestro, they could have arrested you" Nico warned the painter

"And they would release me straight away, my friend" Leonardo patted the blond's head "I haven't done anything wrong"

Displeasure was visible on Nico's face but he kept quiet. Stella moved in her seat and caught everyone's attention.

"You're welcome, signorina, but what for?"

"Th-that was... Leo, that was my father..."

"What?" Leo jumped from his seat and turned to run out the door.

Stella grabbed his wrist and made him look at her, confusion staining his face as he stabilised his breathing.

"I have to go on my own"

"Stella, have you lost your mind too?" Zo shouted

"No, signorina, you can't go at all" Nico chimed in

Stella's stare never left Leo's as the company exchanged looks and gasps.

"Please..." she pleaded her teacher.

Looking down, tiresome man groaned and shook his head. He couldn't believe his next words even before they left his lips.

"Go on, signorina" he pointed at the door and let his shoulders hang low.

"Don't follow me. You mustn't, maestro." She tugged gently on his bound wrist "Promise me"

"Just go, I have a drink on the table anyhow"

The two young men at the table were left speechless at his words and watched silently as their friend rushed out the door.

"What was that?" Zo complained

Leonardo took a seat, again, and exhaled loudly before punching his ale. The golden liquid coated the dark wood of the table they were sat at. Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth he watched the ale stream through the cracks.

"What do you think that was?" He argued "She went after her father!"

Nico stood up and placed his hands on the maestro's shoulders. Both men trembled, but Nico was taken back by the rage in his absentminded teacher's eyes.

With a loud huff, the tanned man explained "You weren't going to stay here, you're going after her"

Disbelief shown on both his friends' faces as Da Vinci shook his head and reluctanly stood up from the table. His feet moved slowly and with seemingly no motivation.

"Save me a drink" he joked

His companions looked at eachother with worried eyes as they heard the door open. They decided they couldn't leave him alone and were about to go after him. A light voice stopped them im their tracks.

"Zo, will you read my future?"

Vanessa joined the conversation all of sudden, the other two only just now realising she wasn't there before.

"Who was that man?" Zoroaster demanded, completely disregarding her question

"Like she said, her father"

The three of them sat silently for a moment before accepting that there was no way of convincing either of them to stand down from the chase.

"Fuck me!" Zo trashed his ale as well and groaned, his head falling into his hands, pulling at his hair.

The chatter of the brothel drowned out their thoughts as they ordered new drinks actually finishing them this time. Their heads heavy with worry over the two troublemakers lurking somewhere in the dark.

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