A man in hooded gray robes stalked angrily through the foliage, cursing under his breath. He had awoken in a cave, unsure of where he was or how he got there, and had spent several hours exploring his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was. So far, he had learned nothing, except that he was in some kind of forest. With a frustrated sigh, he sat down at the base of a tree to think. "This isn't possible," he murmured. "Just yesterday I was in Constantinople. How could I have awoken in this place, so far from home?" He pondered this for several moments, stroking his gray beard. "Perhaps the Apple of Eden had something to do with this." Something snapped overhead, and the Ezio rolled to the side just as an arrow pierced the tree where he had been sitting.
Looking upwards towards the noise, he spotted a man in white robes, similar to his own, perched on a branch. The man gazed down at him, another arrow nocked in his bow. "Those robes...an assassin?" Before Ezio could question his assailant, the stranger released the bowstring, and he had to throw himself to the ground to avoid having the projectile pierce his heart. "Cazzo," he cursed. Before he could get to his feet, the strange man leapt from the tree and landed in a crouch in front of the Italian assassin, jamming a pistol in his face.
"Where are we, and why have you brought me here?" Up close, Ezio could see his attacker more clearly. He was young, and had dark, fair skin.. "Answer me, templar, before I lose my patience."
Ezio smiled, kicking the man's feet out from under him. He landed on his back with a grunt, his pistol flying out of reach. Ezio rose to his feet, drawing his sword. The stranger also stood, two blades extending from his wrists. Ezio chuckled, sheathing his blade. "So I was correct. You are an assassin."
"Of course I am. You should know this, you're the one who brought me here!"
"That is where you are wrong, my friend. I am just as lost as you. I awoke here several hours ago, with no idea as to how I came to be in this place. I too, am an assassin." He extended his own hidden blade.
"Very well," the stranger said after several moments. He approached Ezio, holding out his hand. "My name is Connor. Who are you?"
Ezio took his hand and shook it warmly. "I am Ezio Auditore Da Firenze. You may call me Ezio."
"It is nice to make your acquaintance. I am sorry for attacking you, but It was unnerving to wake up in such a strange place. Under such circumstances, one cannot take chances."
"I understand. I bid you no ill will," Ezio smiled brightly. "So. What shall we do now?"
Connor gazed around, spotting his pistol. He retrieved it, returning it to its holster. Then, he ripped his arrow from Ezio's tree and, after he determined that it was still usable, stuck it in his quiver. He turned back to his new associate, smiling. "Now, we find out who brought us here. And why."
The pair of assassins walked in silence for some time, and finally Connor spoke. "Strange."
"What is it?"
"So far since I have been here, you are the only other person I have met."
"And you, I. What is your point?"
"Not only does there seem to be no people here, there are no animals, either. A place like this should be teeming with life. But I have heard no birds, seen no deer or squirrels. It is unnaturally quiet, and that makes me uneasy."
"Now that I think of it, you have a point. Where manner of place exists, that would appear so desolate?"
"I am not sure. But I do not like this place."
They walked on for several more hours, growing more and more uneasy. Finally, they came to a small clearing, and decided to rest for awhile. It is here, in this clearing, that the purpose of their arrival is revealed.
A/N: Dun dun duuuun. Gotta love cliffhangers. :)