Trying To Help

28th June 1753

Silence.

That is how it had felt for me for the long amount of time we had been here. I hated being here but it was insisted upon me that we moved here for safety reasons. We were currently holed up in a farmyard on the island of Corsica located in the Mediterranean. It didn't help that there was currently a revolution that was taking place. What I would give to be anywhere but here.

I was currently in a room located in one of the houses on the plateau that surrounded a large farmhouse. Opening yet another book I was trying to research a sort of artefact which I had been told was a 'Piece of Eden', an artefact left by Those Who Came Before, whatever that meant.

I was not entirely sure why I was asked to research this artefact but I agreed to it nonetheless. I felt the need to help my Assassin companion. It also helped that I knew how to properly defend myself thanks to his training. I was stirred from my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door and said Assassin poked his head through the door.

"How are you faring Milla?" he asked as he walked through the door.

"I'm doing fine," I said with a smile as I gave up on studying and closed the book in front of me and started to put my things away. "Although to be honest I can't wait to leave this place," I added which caused him to laugh slightly.

"Don't worry Milla. We will leave soon," He said as he watched me pack my things. Once I packed what little I had I turned to him and held out the amulet for him to take.

"I think I am done studying for the day. Would you like to hold onto it for now?" I asked to which he took that amulet from me eagerly.

"Have you found anything new?" he asked me hoping for good news. We hadn't had any good news since an affiliate code-breaker of the Assassins had been captured by the Templars. I never learnt who the Templars were but I had heard that name from time to time.

"No I have found nothing new sadly. It does not helping either that our code-breaker is decoding the journal that contains detailed research on this artefact for the Templars," my companion gave a low hum and he seemed to be in deep thought for a second. "I have never asked before but perhaps I should. Who are the Templars?" I asked. My companion turned to me to answer before we heard someone call out to him.

"Miko I could use you help out here," My companion, Miko, turned his head toward the sound of his name.

"Sorry Milla I am needed elsewhere it seems. I will try and tell you some other time," He said before leaving the room. I sighed at the interruption and thought it for the best. I assume from the tone of conversation the Templar's are 'the bad guys'. I don't like to think negatively about others if they have given me no reason to view them in a negative way.

Heading over to my satchel I made sure that everything I own is in there. This place we have come to is only for temporary stay until Miko decides that it is no longer safe. We cannot expect the Genoese soldiers to sit and wait forever and Miko anticipates that they will strike this place soon for the rebels here are well equipped and have support which makes them a large target.

I turn to the windows now and make sure that the curtains cover them up well. I could always feel eyes coming from the hills and I don't want anyone to spy on me. Feeling satisfied that everything is in order I smile to myself and pick up a book and sit on the bed as I began to read.

I liked to read, I also liked to learn, they were some of my favourite things to do. I started to become lost in my own little world while I read and time flew by just like that.

It was soon night time and before I knew the cries from the sentries had went up and the lights from the farmhouse went on. I heard shouts coming from the rebels as they armed themselves with their swords and muskets. I knew now was the time to leave as I threw my book down and grabbed my satchel. The door to the room flew open as Miko ran in.

"The Genoese soldiers are coming so we must leave now," Miko explained as he spoke with haste. "Head to the barn and help the rebels with the cart," I nodded and we both headed outside.

The night was lit with torches as the Corsican rebels met the Genoese soldiers with steel and gunpowder. The soldiers were coming up from the sides of the hill as they rushed to fight the rebels. As I came out of the building I was in I looked around at the chaos. Soon a rebel came up to me and threw me a sword which I caught in my right hand and nodded my thanks.

I rushed to the barn where I saw the doors had been thrown open, the cart had been dragged out and was full of supplies, two rebels were bringing out horses and another two were firing their muskets.

I had to cut down one soldier that made it past the cover fire and saved one of the rebels who gave a quick thank you. I then noticed Lucio, the young man that we had to 'babysit', running up to the cart as well. I didn't have time to say anything as I noticed that a soldier was coming through one of the side doors of the barn. I ran to him and drove my sword through his neck.

"The cart's ablaze!" I heard someone shout in a sloppy Corsican accent. Confused I turn around and notice that indeed that cart was catching fire. Running back out to the front I found that the two rebels sorting the horses were dead and the other two firing muskets had run off as with other rebels. The soldiers started to set fire to the buildings.

I noticed that Lucio was no longer there either and I knew that there was no point being here anymore. I ran back through the chaos and found Miko fighting off three soldiers at once. I helped him with one and he made quick work of the other two.

"Lucio was with me at the barn but now he is nowhere to be seen," I told him to which he cursed. He then looked to me and placed a hand on my shoulder in an almost pleading manner.

"I will try and find him. I need you to leave here. Head to Bastia just like I told you," I nodded and we both went off in separate directions with me heading north to Bastia and Miko looking for Lucio.

I managed to slip away with a horse before leaving the farmyard. It's probably all burnt down to the ground by now and the soldiers would have all but moved on. Heaving a sigh I decide to veer of the road I was travelling and rest up on the hill within the trees.

Morning was soon coming about. I made sure that the horse and I were hidden before settling down and looking at my arms. I had sustained many cuts and bruises fighting through the soldiers. Although I did know how to defend myself I was never all that great when actually fighting others with a sword.

I had few medical supplies with me but they were enough when dealing with minor cuts. Reaching into my satchel I pulled out a cloth and some disinfectant, or what was the next best thing which was alcohol, and proceeded to pour the alcohol onto the cloth and wipe it over the cuts. It stung a little but at least the cuts wouldn't become infected and the bleeding had stopped thankfully.

Satisfied with my work I placed the alcohol and cloth back in my satchel and leaned back against the tree that I was sitting in front of. I relished in the sound of peaceful silence for a few moments until I heard the sound of wheels against the rocky terrain.

Carefully I looked around the tree to see two men driving a wagon slowly down the road. They then slowed down even more to a stop as they looked up along the road. I looked to where they were looking and I saw a man carrying a younger unconscious man with him. I quickly noted that the unconscious man was Lucio.

A few words were exchanged and the one of the men in the wagon jumped down and gathered the unconscious body of Lucio. The man placed him in the wagon and covered it up then got back on the wagon. Soon the two men suddenly moved their cart along at a faster pace than what they were going before and were soon out of sight.

I soon realised that these men were probably Templars. I had been told by Miko that the Templars would try and catch Lucio and 'reunite' him with his mother as she would have probably told them that she needed his help to be able to decode the journal. Obviously to stall while the Assassins kept a close eye on Lucio to make sure he doesn't fall into Templar hands. Too late for that now I suppose.

The man that had brought Lucio to the wagon now stood alone as he watched the departing figures for a moment. I had never seen a Templar but I expected a somewhat menacing sight the way I had heard some of the Assassins talk about them.

If this man was indeed a Templar then I had no idea what the Assassins were talking about for he did not seem all that menacing to me at all. He seems to just be a regular person, a regular man. Before my eyes could wander further I heard him mumble to himself.

"Time to head to Italy," and with that he kept on walking in the direction that I would be heading. I watched on as he walked on foot and I felt bad for him. To get to Italy he would have needed to head to Bastia to charter a ship. Bastia was still a good day's ride, but this man was not horseback riding, he was walking on foot.

I thought about helping him right then and there, I really did, but If I just walked out from my cover I feared that he thought I would have witnessed too much and killed me. I didn't like to think that way but nonetheless I let him go one for a while in front of me while I rested. Once I have rested then I will just happen to stumble upon him on the road and offer him my help.

Just a few minutes are what it took for me to feel rested again. Standing up I stretched my arms over my head feeling satisfied. I picked up my satchel, untethered my horse, and headed back down the hill and along the road again. I made sure to have my horse only at a walk so I don't come upon the Templar too quickly.

A few more minutes.

Soon I came to a stream that ran across the road and out over the cliff where the water ran out to the Mediterranean sea. A small bridge ran over the stream and connected this side of the road to the other side. The stream made a peaceful sound and I enjoyed the atmosphere.

Noticing the same man as before by the stream I dismounted my horse and lead it over to get some water. The horse made a soft noise at the sight of the water which caused the Templar to quickly spin around as if he were ready to attack. I held up my hands to show that I was no threat, and realising that I was just a young girl, he relaxed instantly and went back to washing his face in the stream. Once I reached the edge my horse began to drink greedily and I pulled the waterskin down from the saddle and began to fill it.

I got a better look at him now that I was closer to him. He had a well sculpted face, strong jaw and cheek bones, dark hair that was tied up with a red ribbon and hazel eyes that you could get lost in. His attire was something that I took note of too. Brown boots, dark pants, a navy jacket and a white undershirt. A sword at his side he seemed to take the part of a Templar I think. I had to stop myself before he caught me staring.

"Sorry for startling you," I said politely and smiled towards him. He nodded an apology before wiping the water off of his face. "Where are you headed traveller?" I asked after some time hoping to steer the conversation towards me offering help.

"Bastia," he simply said after sometime. His voice was smooth like velvet and I like the sound of it. I was stirred out of my thoughts when he rose up. "I best keep myself moving. You have a nice day," he said as he started heading back along the path.

"It is a long way to Bastia on foot," I called out to him, rising up as well and turning towards him. He looked back towards me as I continued, "I too am heading to Bastia, perhaps I could help you get there," I offered motioning to my horse. He stared at me, contemplating the offer that I had laid out to him, then after a while he nodded and I smiled as I stepped towards him. "My name is Milla," I said as I extended my hand out for him to take. He hesitated for a slight moment before he took my hand in his and shook.

"Haytham," he simply replied. His hand was warm and it left a cold feeling once we both let go. I got on the horse and helped him up as he sat on the saddle behind me. Soon we were heading down the road to Bastia.

We continued at a steady pace and there was an awkward silence between Haytham and I for quite some time. I was trying to come up with ways to start a conversation but nothing seemed to come to mind. Suddenly I thought of asking about him being here and wondered what he would say.

"So Haytham, what brought you to Corsica, if you don't mind me asking," I asked in a polite way and hoped that I didn't offend him somehow.

"I travelled here for business reasons," he responded. I could feel his breath down my neck and I then remembered as to how close he was and hoped that he didn't notice me shiver slightly. I wasn't sure why I was acting this way around him, but it was a pleasant reaction, and I didn't mind.

"Your accent, it is British, no?" I asked veering away from the topic of business.

"It is. Your accent has a slight tinge of Spanish to it if I am not mistaken," he noted and I immediately admired how perceptive he was. I only have a slight accent that no one seems to notice.

"It is. My parents are from Spain but we moved to London where I lived most of my life," I responded. I have never had the chance to openly speak to someone like this and I was grateful to be able to share that with someone. Even if that someone was a complete stranger.

"London is quite a distance away. I take it you are not from here either Milla," he stated and I hummed in response.

"I guess you could say I was here on business too Haytham," I replied. I smiled then, thinking the conversation to be going very well.

"Business with the Assassins," he suddenly said. I knew he would have figured that out sooner or later but it still made me laugh lightly.

"I guess you could say that," I said after finish laughing and I knew he would have been giving me a confused look. "So you saw me last night. I guess you were the one who set the cart on fire. I heard your sloppy Corsican accent," I remarked as I gave another laugh.

"Are you not concerned that I might kill you? Me being a Templar, you an Assassin," I couldn't help it as I laughed a little harder. I could only imagine the face he might have been making right now.

"I'm not an Assassin Haytham. And truth be told, I have no idea what Templars are, I only know Miko that's all," I said. I could feel Haytham tense behind me as he tried to find the words to say. "Let us travel to Bastia in peace ok?" I asked as I put my focus back into getting us to our destination.

"Why help me?" he asked and I could hear the confusion evident in his voice.

"Did you not want me to help? I could happily leave you on the side of the road if you like?" I asked in a playful tone to which I heard him scoff and I grinned at that.

"It's fine. Let us get to our destination," he huffed and I hummed in response.

"Oh and Haytham… I really am just trying to help you," I said softly and I could feel him finally relax after a few minutes.

"And for that I am most thankful Milla," he responded. And after that we melted back into silence as we moved along at our steady pace to Bastia.

So I wanted to see how well this goes. Yea, that is all I have to say about that pretty much, so I hope you guys enjoy this.

Happy reading

-Midnight