Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective owners. I do not own Ezio, the canals, or Italy (yet). However, I do own Clara.
Flamers will be persecuted, so flame at your own risk!!
Ezio Auditore was not having a good day.
Only a few hours ago he had gotten a mission, an assassination of course. Everything had been going fine, the target(some overstuffed noble that had the brain of a flea) had been taken care of, Ezio hadn't suffered any injuries (the noble's bodyguards…not so much), and his escape was in plain sight (just walk out of the front door). Then that archer had appeared…
At the sight of the bow, Ezio had immediately jumped out of the closest window into the canal below. But he hadn't been fast enough. Right before his body had hit the dark waters, an arrow punctured his arm, sending a jolt of pain racing through his body.
Kerploosh!
Hitting the water hurt, but the pain in his arm was worse. Ezio gritted his teeth but kept his mouth closed. With one swift movement he plucked the arrow out of his arm and let it drift off into the unknown. That done, he kicked his legs and stroked. In all honesty, he had no idea where he was going. For all he knew he was swimming back towards the mansion, or was about to smash into a canal wall.
He didn't know how long he stayed under, although it was probably only a few minutes. The water passed through his fingers like silk. The water was cold; it numbed the pain in his arm until the pain was only an annoying glow. It was not until his lungs felt like bursting did Ezio surface.
He had ended up in some back alleyway. There was a small cluster of shops and homes that lined the canal, but most were boarded up. The canal waters were dirty and random, rotted gondolas floated about, empty of people. It was completely quiet – no one seemed to be around – except for the cooing of some pigeons.
Ezio grasped the edge of a dock to his right. He lifted his other arm to pull himself out of the water. He got half way out when he came face - to - toe with a pair of brown boots.
Mary, Mother of God what now?
The assassin froze, his dark eyes transfixed on the worn. Absently he noted that this person had small feet. Slowly, his gaze lifted to see dark blue material in the shape of the skirt. He craned his neck back to see better, and met the shocked eyes of a women.
A sigh of relief escaped from Ezio's lips. It was just a woman, no older than he was by the looks of her. He blinked and took a second look at the female. Her dark brown curls fell below her shoulders and framed her face nicely. By the look of her clothing she was most likely a commoner; her dress was made from rough cotton, nothing special.
The girl's hazel eyes were wide with shock. Ezio couldn't blame her. It wasn't every day that someone just popped out of a canal brandishing every type of weapon known to man and bleeding heavily from the shoulder; this was probably the most interesting thing that had ever happened in her entire life.
Neither person said a word, the girl too startled to do anything, and Ezio not sure what exactly to do. Eventually, the noble decided that it would be best if he just slipped back into the water and swam away. Before he could move though, the girl spoke.
"If you're running, er, swimming from the guards, you should head to the market area." The girl's voice was soft and gentle; one would never guess that she was probably scared out of her wits.
Ezio only stared at the girl, surprised that she had spoken.
"They already went through there," the girl continued, "The guards are too lazy and undisciplined to check an area twice. Besides," her eyes settled on his wounded arm, "there's a good doctor there. Just ask for Prosper."
Ezio nodded and decided to take her advice. She was a commoner and had no reason to wish him harm. And with what he had seen of the security in his late target's home, she was probably right about the guards.
The assassin pushed off of the dock and once again was surrounded by cold water. He kicked his legs a few times, then stopped. He pushed back up to the surface and looked back at the dock. Girl had her back to him, about to walk off.
"Thank you!" Ezio called before submerging himself and swimming off.
Clara Vitellio spun around at the "thank you" and stared at the spot where she had seen the white hood sink back into the canal's murky waters. She took a step forward and scanned the surface of the water, trying to find the mysterious man. After a few fruitless minutes, she gave up. He was probably long gone by now.
She turned from the dock and started home. But before she left the street she looked back over the now placid surface of the canal. A small smile crept across her face. "You're welcome." She whispered.
End of chapter 1: Canal Surprise
So what do you think? Love it, hate it? Sorry it's so short, but my computer deleted part of it and I can't remember everything I wrote. Chapter 2 will be longer! I promise!!
Chapter 2 will be up soon. Please review!!