Time: Modern Day
Location: Rome

Netty took Ken from his sheath. She caressed him lovingly. The black blade shone with reflected light under the blazing theatre lights. The handle was carved red ivory which had its orange tinge base enhanced with bright red ochre to strengthen the handle and provide the perfect colour match to the blade. These were the colours of the House of Schimmer, namely Jet Black and Blood Red.

Her father had explained not long before he had died at the Vatican, that the Black represented the Dark Secrets that the Family protected. The Red . . . the Blood Oath that bound the family for generations in service to the Black Pope. The handle was in the shape of an eagle with wings spread ready to swoop. Swoop and fell an enemy in flight or sweep up an enemy from the ground and fly high and release him to be dashed to pieces against the White Cliffs of Dover.

The Red Eagle reminded each family member that their duty was to fix things selflessly and if necessary to shed blood in service to the Black Pope. The blood would preferably belong to an enemy but there would come a day whereby a family member may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.

So it had been with her father, Andre, who had warned them both that this might happen someday. And now that day had come and gone, and her father was no more. Her father had valiantly tried to defend the Cardinal and paid the price.

Anton had explained to her what really had happened that fateful day in Enrico's office. It was totally at odds with the crazed bodyguard narrative espoused by the Main Stream Media at the time. When told that it was Cardinal Peter Margate, the heir apparent to the most powerful position in the world, that had killed their beloved father, and all over some girl! She was at once both horrified and morally indignant. She listened intently to what her brother was saying trying with all her might to contain the red rage burning from her loins and welling up her spine and threatening to burst through her skull. Her head throbbed. She would need paracetamol - and a scotch.

Finally, Anton finished, "And there you have it Sis, that is the truth about father's death. That is why I cannot avenge him even though I once tried. I have taken an oath, a blood oath, to defend and obey the Black Pope . . . Graziano. He will not allow it."

"But I have taken no such vow!" Netty declared self righteously.

"Don't go there, Sis. You know you are not cut out for this life. There is your living proof!" Anton gestured towards Whisky. Whisky was playing with Soda, Netty's cat. They tumbled and ran past their owner in mock battle. Soda jumped effortlessly onto her elaborate living quarter's and scratch pole. As Whisky raised his head in pursuit, Soda wheeled around and unleashed her vicious claws. One swipe across the nose was all it took to signal to Whisky that the jig was up. She was bored now, and it was time for him to let out the usual yelp and retire to his comfy bed and await the longed-for attention of his owner. Netty never disappointed.
She strode over and patted Soda while castigating her lightheartedly for hurting Whisky. Then wandered over, sat on the floor, and gave Whisky a cuddle.

"And there you have it. Father always said you took after Mum. You have a huge heart Netty. Find some guy and settle down and have kids, that is what father would want for you if he was still here. Find someone, not in our line of work, but someone who loves you enough not to care what we do."

"You expect me to forget about Dad. To settle down and live in the suburbs with my perfect little family? Knowing he will never get to see his grandchildren because of what those bastards in black have done! No way! Jesus!"

"Look Sis. I took your Dare. I've come clean. You now know everything about Dad's death that I know. You must see now that any thoughts you had about seeking revenge are futile."

"Why did Dad train me then? If was not to ever use my martial arts skills. Why send me to Japan for two years under Imoto? Why waste all that money? What better use of my skills than to right a wrong? To avenge my family! To avenge his death!"

"Please drop it, Sis. Don't you think I have plotted revenge? It's all I thought about for the first few months after it happened. I have had many opportunities. I could have broken my vow on many occasions. I could easily have avenged Andre but just as assuredly died in the attempt. Where would that have gotten the family? They would kill us all as an example to others. Mum and you would die excruciating deaths. You don't think I haven't weighed up the consequences? Only every day for the past six months. Just drop it. It's impossible. They are too powerful. They know too much!"

'You finished yet?" Netty said cuddling Whisky as she lay beside him on the floor. He rolled over onto her lap and raised up to lick her face, "Yuck!" She laughed out loud, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

"They are protected twenty-four-seven Netty. They have the Star children. They see everything. They read minds. I think the one they call Anita suspects me already. The way she looks at me in meetings. She sees straight through me, it's like she is raping me, raping my soul! It's unnerving, even I'm afraid I might slip up. You wouldn't stand a chance. You'd be dead before you raised your weapon. And then we would all be dead! Mum, uncles, aunts, cousins you name it. We are all, also expendable to them. Their fucking secrets and keeping control, that's all that matters to them. Dad knew that, so should you! It's over. I beg you. Let sleeping dogs lie!"

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