On Bloody Wings

Disclaimer: Do not own characters from Hetalia axis power or assassins creed, just the situation they were put in.

Prologue

The sound of swords clashing was something that was forever etched into young Gilbert s' mind; a most comforting sound, though one he never expected to hear inside the Acre's hospital walls.

"Assassin!" One of the many Hospitalier knights called out. Swords were instantly drawn and the man accused, wearing his white monk robes drew daggers up to defend himself. The ringing of steel could be heard throughout the hospital, it sent people into frenzy . Many stopped to watch, others fled.

Gilbert was rooted to his spot near the tall columns, he watched as the guards corner the man, but was quickly defeated by the assassins' skill. He could hear more guard shouting from the other chambers, their rage apparent in their voice as the clanking feet drew closer to where the action was. After defeating his opponents the assassin fled, fast as lightening he disappeared up the rafters and out through a broken stained window , a trail of blood following .

He watched until the white disappeared from his sights. The other knights coming too late to help, some flew to the streets, hoping to catch the assailant, others went to ring the bells; an alarm to warn guards a criminal was on the loose.

"Are you alright m'lord?" A bearded Teutonic knight asked him, Gilbert slowly turned his eyes from the scene to the knight nodding in affirmation. "We heard the commotion and ran here as soon as we could, it seem we are too late."

Two younger Teutonic Knights joined the first as they all stood by watching the Hopsitalier knight's exam the damage. Cursing in French the Hopsitalier knights gathered the four fallen guards, who were victim to the assassins' blade. Then they moved on to inspect the assassins' target.

"The target was Garnier de Naplouse , the grandmaster of the knights…" Gilbert muttered in German to his fellow knights'. "The assailant was very skilled, I wonder what the good doctor has done to warrant him to be killed so." He flicked imaginary dust from his own robes before moving away from the columns.

"Captain, find out what you can, we shall be doing our own investigation." Gilbert told the older bearded Teutonic knight, as he started to inspect the damage done.

" But we have no authority here ." The captain replied.

"Well get it by other means then…I hardly trust these men to figure out what happened." Gilbert ordered the knight, as he started to walk out through the arch doors. "Something does not seem quite right."

"It will be done mi lord," The Captain replied. " But first I must see to it that you get back to your quarters safely."

"I am not some child you need to watch-"

"On the contrary, you are a child and one who I have been charged to keep safe." The captain told him softly trying to calm the boy before him.

"I am fifteen years old, I am no child!" exclaimed an irritated Gilbert. "And may I remind you Captain, you have been charge to follow my orders!"

"My first duty is to your safety, I will get a report done once I walk you back," The annoyed knight told him.

"We could lose vital information that way…" Gilbert said. "I do not need three guards walking me home, as I recall Acre is still our city, I hardly think I will come across any danger, unless you have so little faith in the guards posted here. Though if need be, you and Lutz can stay here and gather information, while Albert walks me back."

"I will get the young lord back safely Captain, you have my word," Albert, one of the younger Teutonic knight said coming up beside Gilbert in preparation of leaving.

"There are other dangers than that of the Saracens armies! As you can see, assassins roam this city…it is not as safe as it looks," The Captain said crossly, but upon seeing a resolute stare on Gilberts' face he yielded. "Alright, I see we will get nowhere with this. Albert, watch him closely. Or I will have your head."

With that the two knights bowed and went to survey the damage. Gilbert then proceeded to leave as well, the other knight following closely.

"Something must be done with the architecture around here," Gilbert exclaimed to his guard, as the pair walked down the crowded streets of Acre. "I know this is the poor district but even in Prussia's poor district, the houses do not look as dilapidated as they do here."

"Well m'lord, with all the constant fighting happening, there really is no time to worry about such things," The knight replied. "No money as well, seeing as it is being used to finance the war."

"And yet everyday it seems we are not covering any ground at all." Gilbert muttered.

"Indeed… It seems the search is still going strong, what dedicated guards." The knight said, as he noticed the ringing of the bells still strong as ever.

" Twenty minutes is not much; there is still have plenty of time to search," Gilbert replied, as he walked up to a market stall to purchase some items.

"The guards will be more alert now, no doubt…" Albert, the knight told him. "…Anyways I am surprised we have not reached the base by now…if we keep dawdling, the Captain will be there before us."

"Is it so bad for me to explore for a bit?" Gilbert asked the knight. "I have things to get from the market either way, and as I see it, I might as well get them done here…their stuff is cheaper in any case."

"Not as good, I would gather." Albert said offhandedly.

Offend the merchant replied, "Why good sir, are products is as good, and dare I say even better than many other merchants!"

Surprise and embarrassment coloured Albert's face as he did not think the merchant would understand what they were saying, seeing as most residents spoke French. "I am surprised that you can speak in german." He told the man.

"As a merchant, its better if I know more than one language, that way I can barter with anyone, making it easier for me to earn money," The merchant replied, Albert nodded understandingly and Gilbert continued to browse. "Will you like to purchase those vellum sheets , sir?"

"Yes, about thirty will be good," Gilbert said, while looking at other merchandise. "And ink as well, please."

"How many things are you planning to get?" Albert asked, which he then indicated to the bags he was holding to make a point. "If we get anymore items, I will not be able to defend you properly, then Captain will surely get my head and my deceased body… if someone does decide to attack us."

"Do not worry my dear knight, I shall protect you," Gilbert chuckled. " This sword is not for decoration you know."

"I would have never known," The knight muttered teasingly , before he was slapped behind his head.

"I heard that!" Gilbert exclaimed, before turning back around to the merchant and paying for his items.

"Ow." Albert muttered, rubbing his head with the one hand, while the other held onto bags of food and supplies.

"Thank you, good sir!" The merchant said. "And if you need anything else, please come back again!"

"Good day," Gilbert responded, before they walked off, to the direction of their lodgings.

"Shall I be carrying that baggage as well m'lady?" The knight asked in humour.

"I swear if you were assigned to anybody else, you would have gotten a flogging for your attitude!" Gilbert joked with the knight, drawing his face into mock anger.

"Well good thing I am with you," The knight happily replied. "But in truth, shall I be carrying that m' lord?"

"I shall carry it," Gilbert smirked at him, as they continued to walk back to their district. "You shall need that sword arm to protect me remember?"

"Of course, I am so glad you can see to reason

"It's him Albert! It's the assassin !" Gilbert whispered harshly to his companion, before breaking into a run to follow the white robed man.

"Wait! Gilbert, No! Come back here!" Albert yelled, trying to catch up with the young lord. The bags of items , weighed him down though and by the time he decided to leave the bags behind, Gilbert had disappeared up the rooftops. The knight climbed up and looked for him, but could find him nowhere.

"Scheiße ! He's going to kill me!" Albert muttered, thinking about the Captains warning as he finally given up searching.

Important note for the story: When Gilbert speaks to himself or his guards or any Teutonic Knight they are usually speaking in German, to anyone else in Acre they are speaking in french and to Altair or any other assassin either in French or Arabic. When speaking to Richards' Knights in French and English...mostly French, for it is known Richard can't speak an ounce of English, I will try harder to differentiate in later chaps.