Sequence 2
Claudia stretched out onboard the ship. Women had to stay inside for the most part and were only allowed out on deck for about half an hour in the evening, weather permitting. There were not many of them onboard anyway. So Claudia felt like she was missing out on all the action. The problem was, she had brought passage on this ship as a woman, not having had time to steal a new male guise. So now she was confined. It was dreadful.
"I think we are nearly there." A kindly voice said and Claudia turned her head slowly to look at a ginger woman. She had more weight on her and Claudia felt a pang of jealous over the younger woman. It was an old wound that made her so worried over her weight but not one she had lost.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." The woman said hastily, seeing Claudia's expression.
"No, no worries." Claudia said, taking her feet off a chair and moving to sit up, gesturing for the other woman to take a seat opposite her. She hesitated and then joined Claudia.
"What brings you to Istanbul?" She asked.
"Family." Claudia said with a shrug before switching from Turkish to Italian. "What about you? I can hear in your accent that you are Venetian." Claudia didn't like Venetians. They were the enemies of Florence in terms of trade and her brother had spent many years in that city. It occurred to Claudia suddenly that this woman was the kind that Ezio might like. She shared features with Caterina. The hair, the better body … this woman just looked kinder. Claudia's head turned slightly as she examined the woman. Any Christina in her features… Ah, lips and quite possibly dress sense, although Christina was more autumnal while this lady was spring.
"I plan to open a bookshop." She said, sifting under Claudia's gaze uncomfortably. "And I'm not Venetian. I moved there when I was twenty three."
"Forgive me." Claudia said, going back to Turkish.
"Don't worry. My parents were Venetian." Sofia said with a smile, keeping in Italian.
"Ah." Claudia said, pausing in thought. This lady was just the sort for Ezio. Claudia thought that she was travelling alone. And if she was planning to run a business alone, well... Claudia could understand that. This woman matched Ezio's aesthetics as well. He just needed someone who would be loyal to him and not die. Thankfully, this woman was younger than him. The only drawback to this would be she was moving to Istanbul and Ezio was in Italy. Claudia sighed, ah the difficulties of being a matchmaker.
"If you lived in Venice, you must have heard about the assassin who roamed those streets." She said.
"Ah yes. A public menace." The Venetian said. Claudia mentally cursed. That would make pairing them up more difficult.
"Is it just because he's Florentine and so obviously better?" She asked with a small smirk.
"Ah, so you are from Florence."
"Born and bred. And I'll dare say my Florentine blood is as pure as his." Claudia said with a grin.
"He was from a noble family, I seem to recall." The woman's eyes switched to Claudia. "Signora."
"No need to hold by formalities. Call me Claudia." She said.
"Sofia."
"Are you travelling alone?" Claudia asked.
"Si. Now that my family are gone, I feel it is only right that I reopen my father's old bookshop. What about you?"
"I travel alone as well. My brother wanted to come but he had business to attend to in Rome." Claudia said with a small shrug.
"Oh, what does he do?"
"He dabbles in politics." Claudia said. "Mostly as an advisor."
"I doubt I would have heard of him." Sofia said with a small shrug.
"It's good money." Claudia said with a smile.
"Has he paid for your journey, then?"
"No. I have my own business."
"What do you do?"
"I help manage public health." Well… it was true in a way… She did do her best to keep the girls clean. Although Rosa had mostly taken over after those Borgia fanatics caught her and her mother dying not long after. When Claudia had been ready, Rosa had not been too keen to release the reigns. And Ezio had been too fond of her to send her back to Italy. Claudia suspected the two had a fling at one point. Rosa had made a few attempts on him but he was hurting from Caterina still. After all these years. He didn't speak to anyone about it. But Claudia knew that they had slept together on the eve before Monteriggoni fell. And that Caterina never looked back on him. At first she had been glad that Ezio felt the loss that his conquests likely felt. But he never seemed exactly the same afterwards. Completely focused on his work.
"Public health, in Rome?" Sofia asked, shaking Claudia from her musings.
"I know, you'd be surprised." Claudia said with a smile.
"Why did you move to Rome? If you and your brother are Florentine?"
"Work." Claudia said. "We had a friend there and after our father died we needed a male hand."
"Strange to think of nobles working." Sofia pointed out.
"We get bored. My mother although noble, opened a bakery. And my father met her through that."
"And have you met a husband through your work?"
"Before I started working, yes." Claudia said with a nod. "He's been dead these past eleven years."
"Oh, I am sorry. I did not realise." Sofia said. Claudia gave a small shrug.
"Are you single as well?" She asked, feeling that it was only polite to ask, even though she knew the answer.
"Never married. My father cherished me too much to marry me off. He never found a man he thought suitable." She said, a hint of pride.
Claudia wondered whether it was Sofia's beauty or independence that her father had cherished. This woman certainly must be strong willed to make this journey by herself to set up a business.
There was a calling from above. They were nearly there!
"Finally." Claudia said, getting up and stretched out her limbs. "You excited to get out?" She asked.
Sofia was staring at her short dress and leggings. Claudia realised they had been hid beneath the table.
"Oh." Sofia said. "Public health." She hastened away and Claudia felt herself go red as she realised Sofia must think she was a prostitute and probably lying about everything rather than just exaggerating the truth. She looked down at her assassin gear. It wasn't her fault that she lost her luggage on the way here. She probably looked half-starved after her ordeal in Masayaf. Now how was she going to win Sofia for Ezio?
Suddenly feeling quite trapped with Sofia knowing, Claudia went to the door to get out. Surely everyone would know what Sofia thought in a few moments. It wasn't like some men hadn't already thought that. She made sure her powders were all safely sealed in their waterproof bag and hurried up the stairs, ignoring the shout of surprise from one of the sailors and the order she go back inside. Taking a running leap, Claudia jumped and dived into the water and started to swim towards the shore. It was a long way but she was strong. Her muscles rejoiced with the exercise after confinement. The sun felt warm.
And suddenly she was grabbed and being pulled back onto the ship. A sailor had her in his arms. She resisted but had to give in to the superior strength.
They dumped her back on the deck and she glared at them balefully until a young man in fine dress came over and put a towel over her.
"Come, arkadaşım*." He said, pulling her up and taking her into a cabin. Claudia looked around at the finery as he sat her down on a chair and her head thumped against the ship's wall. She could sense one of her black moods coming on. The first time she got one of these moods was in Moteriggioni. She'd been merely upset when Duccio betrayed her. Horrified, shocked, greatly upset and bereaved when she lost her father and brothers. But when she got stuck in that villa, she started to get these.
She eyed the man as he fumbled in a luggage case. No doubt after rescuing the skinny girl he wanted some payment. Or he'd send her out to the sailors who'd feel the same. And then she'd have to kill them all. But because they were men and naturally stronger, she'd probably loose in the end. And Sofia would definitely think she was a slut.
"Here." The man said, handing her a long robe. She blinked, shocked.
"I do not think you are from around here." He said, placing the robe at her feet and moving to look out the window. "But you will undoubtedly attract attention in such clothing. I don't think you would want that." Claudia stared for a few moments more before undressing and quickly towelling herself dry and pulling on the fine gown. She shuddered with delight at the richness of the fabric.
"I'm changed." She said softly and he turned, smiling.
"Here, a bag for your things." He offered, handing over another rich item.
"Thank you." She said, taking it and putting her gear into it, doing her best to make sure he didn't see the hidden blades. Even the bracers might give an idea to what they were.
"Where do you come from, to wear such clothes?" He asked her.
"Italy." Claudia said, drying her hair. "But truth be told I was attacked on my journey to Constantinople. But I can write home and get them to send money to repay you for your kind deed."
"Think nothing of it." He said with a gesture of his hand. Claudia shifted, the black mood still not gone. And now she was weaponless.
"I won't harm you." He said, noticing that. He took a seat at the other side of the room, keeping away from the bed. Claudia wondered if he now thought she was a victim of rape on her journey here. Her mind flashed back to the night the guards had taken her family and had done that to her mother. To when the Borgia diehards had captured her and thankfully just beat her. She hated the black moods.
"What brings you to Constantinople?" He asked.
"Family." Claudia said softly. "My father. He had business he wanted to finish here. But age took him."
"That is a tragedy. What business did he have?" The man asked gently.
"Overdue library book." Claudia said.
The stranger blinked. Claudia couldn't keep the straight face anymore and the man laughed.
"You had me there!" he grinned.
"So why are you here?" Claudia said, turning the tables.
"I am a student." He said. Claudia noticed a slight shift.
"Wealthy parents make students." She commented. "My brother should have been one but he never had the temperament."
"So you come from noble stock?" he asked.
"A noble family in Italy. It won't mean much. We had several in the city that I lived in." She said.
"An interesting place." The man commented.
"If you are a student, you should visit. The history of Roma is rich."
"So is Constantinople." He commented. Claudia gave a small smile.
"I hope it is."
"So you come seeking knowledge?"
"Si."
"A worthy cause."
She could see that the man wanted to ask more about her, but he was being considerate. Like Sofia, he was probably wondering how a noble woman could end up in her condition. Normally someone of her blood would travel with guards and servants. She had none. It occurred to her that he may have been worried that she was planning to drown herself.
"Do you have somewhere to stay, hanımefendi**?" He asked.
"I have plans." Claudia said. He looked at her expectantly. "I had hoped to find a good inn." She explained.
"It will cost." He said. "Do you have enough money?"
Claudia searched in the bag for her belt and looed in the pouch that contained her money. Most had been spent on getting onto this ship.
"That is enough for only a meal." He commented.
"I shall write home. They shall send me money." Claudia said with a small shrug.
"And until they can, take this." He said, handing her over a pouch. "It is left over from my journey." He explained.
"You have been too kind." Claudia said softly. "How can I repay you?"
"There is no need." He said, getting up. "Now I believe we have docked. May I suggest some suitable inns?"
"Thank you." She said with a small nod.
He took out a piece of paper and scrawled some names down before handing it to her.
"The guards should be able to point you in the right direction if you get lost." He said.
"Thanks again." Claudia smiled.
The man led her out and she saw Sofia picked up some packages. The red-haired woman looked up and saw her. The lips pressed together in distaste and Claudia knew what she was thinking. She was well aware she was wearing a man's robe's and her hair hung loosely and matted from her swim. She hurried off the ship before Sofia could say anything and bring her black mood back in force.
She was outside and free. Fresh air. Solid ground. A new city.
A hand grabbed her shoulder and she jumped.
"Hoşgeldin kızkardeş!***" Her eyes fell on a man with a full head of long black hair and a nice beard. He wore assassin robes. "Unless the legend is a lie, you are sister to the man I long to meet. Renowned master-"
"If you say another word about my brother, I'll punch you in the face." Claudia said, shrugging the hand off her shoulder. The stranger took a step back.
"I meant no offense." He said, raising his hands. Claudia sighed.
"It's been a long journey. And I get enough of that back home. Forgive me?" She asked.
"Ah, of course. I am sorry, Claudia." She gave a sigh as he at least knew her name.
"Puttana." A voice muttered, walking past her and Claudia saw the red hair and green dress move into the crowd. She sighed and Yusuf looked at her.
"Long day." She explained with a wave of her hands, shoulders slumping.
"Of course. I shall take you to our hide out. You should be able to get some rest. I am Yusuf Tazim." He said with a smile. Claudia returned it and followed him.
"That woman, she did not say anything kind?" He asked as they started walking.
"It's nothing. Just a comment on my clothing." Claudia replied calmly
"Did you lose your blades in your fight in the holy land?" Yusuf asked. Claudia gestured to her bag and assumed holy land meant Masayaf.
"I am without a sword as I had to sell it. But I shall sort that out soon." She replied.
"We have a blacksmith near the base. I'm sure he would be happy to help you. And some spare assassin robes as well as a tailor." He offered. Claudia thought about her beautiful robes and decided that while here, it might be best to wear the local stuff. All the women had their head covered. She'd stick out like a thumb in her short dress and tights.
"I have money to pay." Claudia said, having already received enough charity. Yusuf smiled at her.
"The robes, you can have for free. Everyone gets there's for that." He told her.
"Then I shall buy a dress."
"I am sure you will look beautiful in it."
Claudia stared at Yusuf for a second. Was he… flirting? His face just looked earnest though and a small sense of disappointment filled her. She shook her head. She was not a teenage girl anymore with thoughts of handsome men in her head. But Yusuf was very easy on the eye.
"So, you heard that I had visited Masyaf?" She checked. He laughed.
"Who hasn't. The news carries fast with the Templars and the Brotherhood has hears. I had never thought an assassin would use… tricks such as yours to get the target." Yusuf said carefully.
"Tricks such as mine?" Claudia asked. She was willing to test this man.
"Disguises." He said with no concern or pause in his voice.
"Maybe you should try it some time." Claudia said with a grin.
"Oh, I doubt I would be as successful as you. I am too cheerful to put on any other kind of face."
Claudia laughed. He did look pretty cheerful.
"It's just as well. Lets me stay ahead if I'm the only one."
"Then that is how it should be."
Suddenly the wall exploded behind her and Yusuf had thrown a blade. It whistled through the air and hit a gunman with a thud. She scarce had time to watch him fall to the ground when a group of soldiers was upon them. Claudia cursed and dodged an attack, the mace smashing into the ground beside her. She grabbed the handle and gave the man holding it a solid kick so he went stumbling back, losing the weapon.
Hefting the weight, Claudia wished she could have got the sword that came towards her instead of this lump of a weapon. Dodging the blade, she swung the mace and missed but her arms had enough strength to turn the swing around and as he went in again, the metal cracked the sword man's hip and he stumbled to the ground. Claudia switched weapons and parried another sword before jabbing the man in the soft belly. She turned to finish off the third but Yusuf had taken care of him.
He broke into a run, leaving the pile of bodies behind and Claudia followed, dropping the sword and hefting her bag more firmly onto her shoulder.
"Here comes another wave!" Yusuf called, entirely too excited for this. Claudia groaned and started to pull out her hidden blade to slip it onto her wrist.
"Don't worry. Watch." Yusuf instructed.
Claudia glanced up at the approaching men. They were nearly upon them! Then another contingent of armoured people formed a line in front of them. They charged the guards and Claudia found herself and Yusuf calmly walking away from the near battle.
"Well… that's different." Claudia commented as she hurried to keep pace with Yusuf.
"Ottoman soldiers have a special loathing for these Byzantine thugs. That gives us some breathing room."
"Some?" Claudia inquired.
"Oh, they'll still kill you if you look the wrong way at them, but they'll feel bad about it later." Yusuf said cheerfully.
"Are you always so happy or is it because I'm visiting?"
"Bit of both? Although it's been good here recently. We've been able to establish the assassins once more. And strongly. Under the Byzantine Emperor, assassins were hunted down on the spot."
Claudia bit her lip at that thought. Italy had been nearly that although now they too were thriving. Perhaps there was a future for peace. Then she thought of the Templars that had caught her in Masayaf. How long it had taken for them to remove the stain in Italy.
That topic had put a downer on the mood and they continued in silence, Claudia's mind going over the stories Ezio had brought back from his travels around Italia. A small part of her wondered if she was ready to take on such a burden. She felt like that might be the case here. Even if Yusuf claimed peace was reigning. They had been attacked nearly twice already and there were Templars after the keys of Altair. It felt like a struggle. Just not one to liberate a city from their grasps. Perhaps it was more of a race.
"I could kill for one of those Turkish baths." Claudia muttered as she felt the tension knot in her muscles. Yusuf laughed.
"There will be plenty of time for that. But for now, we have arrived." He opened the door to what Claudia assumed was the hideout and they went in.
"Claudia, say hello to your fellow assassins!" Yusuf introduced as they entered the darkly lit den perfumed with incense.
"Salute." Claudia said with a small nod of her head. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."
She faded out of the conversation as Yusuf organised a sweeping of the area. Despite being a social creature, she felt like she could do with some time alone to relax. A hot bath. A massage. Pampering. But she needed to show herself to be as tough and as dedicated as these men here.
"Claudia, let me show you to your room. You may get changed in there. It's not very big but the best I could do at short notice." Yusuf said, leading Claudia further into the den. She wasn't sure how she felt about all the smoke. It made the place feel somewhat seedy and put her in mind of her business. The den went back a way and thankfully only the main hall suffered from incense. The room that was to be her own was smoke free although tiny. She changed into the provided robes quickly and looked at herself. She'd have to dye it red. She had seen one of the other assassin's in red. White just looked awful on her. But the hood fit snugly around the face. She could probably walk about casually in this gear without attracting attention. Then again, Yusuf already had. Was there any question about it?
Heading out of her room, she found Yusuf waiting.
"You look just like one of us now!" He declared in near triumph. "Now to improve your weapons and armour."
Claudia looked down at herself. She never really wore much in the way of armour other than leather vambraces and shoulder pads. Both of which she had on her although she doubted the shoulders would go well with the outfit. The vambraces and blades were already fitted on. But a sword, she could do with. She found that easier to wield than the hidden blade in open combat.
Heading to a blacksmith's was easy. Merely a couple of meters from the entrance to the den. She brought a sword and ordered some leather armour, paying half now and the rest for when they were completed. Then she returned to Yusuf.
"Aha! You are back. We had worried we might have lost you to the vices of the big city!" Yusuf said, several other assassins around him, grinning.
"I've seen and resisted more city vices than you'll know. Remember, I come from Roma." Claudia countered.
"The vices of the 'Holy City' as I hear it being called, eh?" Yusuf quirked back.
"We practically invented vices." Claudia replied. "Read the history books. Constantinople may have been called Nova Roma but I am from the original."
"Very well" Yusuf grinned. "So, what are your plans now, Master Claudia?" There was teasing in his voice.
Bath! Claudia screamed internally but she did not have the privacy to ask for luxury time to herself. She supposed she was the bigshot from Italy. And she needed to prove herself over her brother.
"I will probably explore. Get a lay of the land. An idea of the people." Claudia said. That might even give her time to sneak to the legendary baths.
"I shall show you!" Yusuf said with a smile. "I know the city better than anyone. Probably."
Claudia suspected that Yusuf was interested in her. She considered his body again. How much it pleased or displeased. She found that at her age, she didn't feel as much desire as she once had. He was fine in form but could he move anything else within her? She started to follow him, watching the way his body moved. Smooth, well trained, muscled.
"Claudia, where's your hooked blade?" Yusuf asked as she climbed up a building next to him.
"Hook blade?" She asked.
He flicked his wrist to show off the weapon.
"I have never seen something like that." Claudia commented.
"Tsk tsk." He said. "You Italians need to move with the times. I've been using this since I was a lad!"
Claudia couldn't tell whether he was exaggerating or not. Regardless, a large portion of the day was spend learning how to master this new weapon. She wasn't sure how good it was for killing. It didn't extend to that in her lessons. But it certainly helped with climbing. She found it made the ground more even between her and the men. While it gave reach it had to catch on something and for the most part, she could utilise the full length to catch up with the slight extra distance men got.
After that, they put her to work with trying to defend a den and bring one back into the fold. Defending was easy. She could always tell where to place her assets and thankfully no one died. Reclaiming the den had been more problematic. But with the use of the new bombs that Yusuf had introduced her to, she managed to successfully draw the boss into a secluded area and assassinate him without any witnesses.
"You know, I feel like I've been doing all the work." Claudia commented to Yusuf as he lead her to the baths. Apparently it would soon be time for women to bathe. The sun was setting on a busy day and everything was cast into a golden light.
"We all want to know what you are." He suggested. "After all, you've beaten your brother at keeping your skills set a secret."
"That or I'm not good enough." Claudia muttered, staring ahead at the strange street.
"I hardly think that. A good assassin doesn't live in fame." He commented.
"But there are many bad ones who will never be mentioned." She retorted. "Only the best and the worst get recorded."
"Stop seeing yourself in your brother's light. He was given a stage on which to reveal himself. That wasn't given to you."
"You don't know that."
"I think if you had been given a stage you would outshine all."
"I came from the same world as my brother. I just didn't step up. I was stupid and selfish."
"I don't believe that of you."
"It was a long time ago. I am not the same girl."
"Whoever you are, you have done well. Be proud, Claudia."
And he left her there at the Bath House. Where Claudia made sure she received a great pampering after the months of journeying to get here. And on the way back to the den she brought clothes to flesh out her wardrobe.
A/N
*Friend
** My lady
*** Welcome sister!
I hope you have all enjoyed the second chapter of Claudia's explorations. I've had lots of fun figuring out how things are going and getting to know her a bit better.