A/N: I don't own Assassin's Creed. I thank Sorafi Lynn Mioto for letting me use her ocs Fenice and Eagle in this story, and this is the sequal to Test of Loyalty, also by Sorafi Lynn Mioto, so go read that first, then read this and R&R please.
It had been seven years since Fenice and I were blessed with our little daughter Gabriella Anna, whom we just called Bree. She had already begun basic assassin training, nothing too dangerous, mind you, and I had deemed it time she learn the ways of my family – the art of conning our foes. Though I had become quite good at the art myself, I knew there was one person who would be able to get her started better then I, my father, Gabriel, who has lived with my mother and brother, Caine, before he moved out with his own wife, in Jerusalem since we had to flee from our home in Romania. So that meant one thing, and one thing only, a family trip to the center of the Holy Land.
Bree was quiet excited as we walked to the stables from the fortress, running ahead of Fenice and myself some ways before turning around and shouting for us to hurry up. I chuckled, not worried about her so long as I could see her, much unlike my husband. Fenice was two years younger then I, though he acted older, always worrying about Bree and myself. Even when we are together, safe and sound, he worried about us. Perhaps it was because of what happened before Bree was born, but there were other things too, that, though at the time, didn't seem that significant, could very well have lead to his state of mind that I must remain safe. Then I laughed at myself for being so absent minded as to forget his promise to protect me, realizing Fenice put too much stress on his own shoulders, only sharing the burden now and again.
We reached the stables and I placed Bree on a black mare that seemed to only behave when I rode it, then I climbed on myself behind her, taking the reigns in my hand before following next to Fenice once he got on his own horse.
"How long until we are at bunică and bunic's (grandmother and grandfather's)?" Bree asked, looking up at me.
I smiled back at her, "A couple of days, sweetie. Jerusalem is a ways away."
She pouted slightly at me, which earned us both a slight chuckle from Fenice. Both Bree and I gave mocking glares to him, turning his chuckling to laughter, which got us laughing too.
"I see someone's a little excited," he said with a smile, "But be patient dear. Try not to think about it and the trip will go by faster."
Bree nodded energetically and gave her most determined look to the horizon ahead as we took off towards Jerusalem.
We had been on the rode a week and a half when the walls of Jerusalem came into view. Bree had grown restless during the ride and Fenice and I had run out of ideas to keep her entertained. We had been switch off back and forth as to who Bree rode with, so neither Fenice nor I were in any sort of discomfort in our saddles for too terribly long. She seemed to enjoy that a lot and would ask to ride with whom ever she wasn't already riding with when she got board as it seemed to entertain her.
I prayed that our lack of assassin uniforms would allow us to slip into the city without any trouble from the guards as we approached the stables. Bree had been placed back on my horse before we reached the city, so I reached up and pulled her down off it, setting her on the ground. Fenice and I each took one of her hands in our own as we walked towards the entrance of the city, not wishing to lose her in the crowds.
"Mommy," Bree whispered as she tugged at the hem of my tunic, "We need to hide. There are guards. They'll see us."
Fenice and I smiled down at her. "Don't worry," I said, "We're safe."
She gave us both a confused look, but remained silent as we walk through the streets. As we continued on, I got the feeling we were being followed. I turned my head slightly and gazed at the person following us from the corner of my eye. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I saw it was my brother and I turned around, letting go of Bree's hand as I did so. She reached back for it, her fingers brushing mine as I walked.
"Um, Gabri, where are you-," Fenice began until he saw my brother and I embrace one another in a hug.
"Daddy, who is that?" I just barely heard Bree whisper to Fenice.
Kneeling so he was at Bree's level he said, "That's mommy's brother, Caine."
"Oh…" she said, "Daddy, do you have a brother?"
Caine let go of me and looked down at little Bree before speaking, "Who's the kid?"
Looking between Caine and Bree for a moment before responding, "Um…that's my daughter, Caine."
Caine remained silent for a long moment, "Oh, Doamne! (Oh, my God!) Are you serious?!"
"Da. (Yes.)" I said, before turning back to Fenice and Bree and the three of us continued to my parent's home, Caine following close behind.
"Wait! You didn't tell you parents about Bree yet?" Fenice almost shouted at me.
Nervously I rubbed the back of my head, "Ah…no…I was a little more concerned with taking care of her and it slipped my mind. Now you two stay here and I'll tell them then let you in."
"Fine," Fenice said, sounding quite irritated as he leaned against the wall and I walked in.
"Mamă! Tată! (Mother! Father!)" I called out in Romanian as I walked in through the main room.
My mother came in the room first, wrapping me in a hug, "Gabriella! Este atât de bine să te văd din nou! (It's so good to see you again!) What brings you here?"
"Mamă, I have a surprise for you and Tată," I said, returning the hug.
"What sort of surprise," I heard my father say from behind me.
I turned around and faced him, "I ask for you aide in training my little girl in our family's trade."
He looked slightly confused at first, but it was interrupted by a joyous sound of some sort from my mother, "Oh, my little girl is a mother! When did this happen?"
"Heh," I said, nervous now, "About seven years ago."
"What?" the asked in unison, attempting to glare at me, but not doing a very good job, "And you waited this long to tell us?"
"Imi pare rau. (I'm sorry.) I didn't mean to not tell you, but every time I was here I was focused on my mission so I could get back home to her and Fenice faster," I walked over to the front door, "They're here with me now. I wanted to give you a heads up before bringing her in."
I opened the door and motion for Fenice to bring Bree in. He nodded and walked in, believing the girl was right at his heels as normal. When he entered the room, my parents looked between us, confused.
"Um, Gabi, where is this daughter of yours?" my mother asked.
Turning my head to look at Fenice, my eyes scovered the area around him quickly, "Fenice. Where is Bree?"
His eyes grew wide and he turned around, looking to where she should be, "Oh fuck."