The steady beat of my horse's hooves against cobblestone accompanied me to the Frontier. The echoing claps melting into solid beats against the dirt trail. The trees swayed in the early autumn breeze allowing leaves to ride its pattern carelessly. I peered into the foggy darkness where the edge of the tree line ended and my negotiation awaited. I had received the letter a month ago setting up this meeting for exactly this night under the full moon in the eerie setting of midnight. Roughly I yanked on the leather reigns sending the beast beneath me into a frantic stop.
"Whoa girl," I comforted the grey animal with a pat to its graceful neck. The horse settled down as I dismounted and pulled her towards a nearby tree. Shakily I tied her reigns around the thick trunk my nerves beginning to get to me by the second. I will not fail…again, I mentally assured myself, and with a sigh I headed into the dark meadow in hopes of the cure. I shivered at the possibility of not getting the herbs I desperately needed, I would do most anything for them including leaving retirement. I had only just stepped out of the trees when I heard him,
"You are coming with me." The stranger had a native drawl to his voice that was far from European. I cringed as I felt the stranger advance on me. Roughly two hands grabbed my shoulders and spun me around,
"If you touch me again I swear you will lose a limb," I growled to the man. His face was hidden from my view by a white hood that flowed neatly into assassin robes, the same robes I had worn once. His grip on my shoulders tightened as he retorted,
"We both understand who has the advantage here, I advise you not to fight." His voice stayed completely calm making me even more frustrated. Anger over powered my better judgment as I round house kick the man straight in the groin he gave a satisfying groan as he doubled over and fell to his knees in pain. I felt satisfied with the effect I had on men these days.
"Now, now Isabelle that is no way to treat your fellow assassin," Archilles stated emotionlessly as he strode into the meadow dramatically. I couldn't help but smile at all of the memories associated with the older man- even of most of them were filled with grizzly deaths and screams of mercy.
"Archilles!" I exclaimed rushing forward and hugging him. He chuckled returning my hug graciously. I inhaled deeply, comforted by his familiar scent and the feel of his arms wrapped securely around me.
"Where are my manners? This is Conner," Archilles introduced pulling away and holding me at arm's length,
"How do you do?" I called without looking back at the other man. Conner grunted his response,
"Now we are not here to make friends Archilles I want to know the price for what I need from you," I reminded impatiently. Archilles nodded letting go of my shoulders entirely,
"Yes of course, I require the death of a particular man for the quantity of the substance you desire," He replied with a Cheshire smile. I swallowed hard,
"Name the price and you will have it, you understand how much I am in need of this," I said hoarsely at the thought of my golden angel,
"Haytham Kenway, he is to be assassinated by winter's end," Archilles stated matter-of-factly. My eyes widened at the familiar name,
"He lives in the same inn as I Archilles," I muttered already hating the plan. He shrugged and said simply,
"Work it out and get it done." I nodded,
"Wait just one moment, why does she get assigned this mission! He is my father! I should be the one to do it!" Conner exclaimed striding up beside me. I smirked and taunted,
"Maybe your skill level doesn't involve assassinating anyone!" Conner spun towards me and spat,
"Like a woman like you could, this is a man's job!" I laughed aloud and threw back,
"I fail to see how you apply for that role you're hardly a man yourself! Sure you have the costume but do you have the experience, hardly likely Conner!" I snickered at the horror on his face,
"You bring shame to the assassin's name," Conner began but Archilles cut him off,
"Conner that is hardly how you should talk to your superior colleagues, this wonderful woman has trained all of her life and had over five hundred successful missions and I will not hear you mock her!" I suppressed a fit of laughter as Archilles glared at me. As seriously as I could, I held up my hands as though innocent.
"Winter's end Isabelle; winter's end is all you have!" Archilles reminded before disappearing into the darkness with his boy soldier following close behind. I felt my confidence drain away slowly as the distant hoof beats of the two men faded into silence making me panic slightly.
"I. Will. NOT. Fail you baby girl, not again," I whispered to the stars hoping that I wouldn't be too late. A single tear dripped down my face as I trudged back to my nervous horse.
