Paolo and the Hidden Noise

Adrianna's player has decided to write a series of short vignettes about her childhood and her relationship with her mentor Paolo. Here's the first one: Paolo and the Hidden Noise!

Paolo glared at the map in front of him, his eyes darting to and fro as he took in the city. He needed to set up another safe spot from those bastard Dragons. They had caught Fulvio and his body had been displayed close to the safe house which he protected. Paolo had managed to evacuate, however he now had too many close to the orphanage and he did not want to draw attention to the children.

They could not go close to the main land as the gates were being watched and Paolo had not paid off enough of the so called guards to sneak out some of his men to raise support in the underworld of other cities.

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his weary face where he heard it, a small scratch against wood. His body tensed as his keen eyes took in the room. His men had left ten minutes ago, after Paolo had given them their mission. No one else should be in here.

He took several steps back and glanced around the room. There was one door entrance, two secret doors to the basement and a air vent. They were all locked however perhaps someone had been hiding in here for days.

He kept his steps casual as he went to the books and there was the sound again. He glared at the table but no one was underneath it. The two trunks were locked and only he could open them with the code. The closet could be where they hid but as Paolo took a step forward, he heard a small giggle.

His heart rate slowed as he turned his glare back to the table. He stepped forward and reached under, grabbing the soft cloth which was clinging to the underneath of the flat surface. A small girl with bright red hair and glowing gold eyes gave him the shit eating grin that he had grown use to over the last four years.

“You took ages that time Paolo,” Adrianna bragged as she dangled in Paolo’s grasp. Her long limbs were slack as Paolo gave her ‘his’ look. The four year old was growing too fast and was getting far too mouthy.

“How much did you hear?” Paolo asked as Adrianna started reaching for his golden brooch he wore in remembrance of his wife. He kept her at arm’s length, thanking his lucky stars that she was light even with her limbs.

“I didn’t listen because you all have boring voices. I was playing,” Adrianna pouted as she couldn’t quite reach the shiny pin. Paolo only let her have some of his shiny things and she wanted more. Paolo sighed as he placed the child on the floor.

“I think it’s time to tell Sofia what you have done,” Paolo decided and he watched with a small amount of delight as Adrianna paled and shuffled her feet, resigned to being told off for sneaking into meetings she didn’t yet belong in.

‘This girl will be the death of me,’ Paolo thought as he took her arm and lead her to the Matron of their World. 


Art: 'Young man holding a letter.' Bernardino Licinio, c. 1530.

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