Chapter 9: Surprise, Surprise
A/N Well here it is! The new, long awaited chapter! Sorry if some of you have thought I was giving up. I've been really busy believe it or not... Anyways I'm not giving up because I have to much fun writing this story. If your reading this right now, thanks for sticking around so far... so without further ado, Chapter 9!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Assassin's Creed series, just my own characters such as Teresa, Gemma etc.
"Elda,do you understand how much trouble you have caused?" Ezio stated firmly.
Elda just stood there, staring out the window in the back of Ezio's office. She shook herself from her little trance and turned to look at he Maestro. Slowly she began to speak.
" Si Messere, I only did this because I feel it is right to get a message across to the people. We have hidden long enough, and it is time to take action."
"Taking action doesn't always mean doing something drastic, like drawing unwanted amounts of attention to yourself and the brotherhood.."
" Ezio I-"
" Do not even begin to argue with me. You are being taken out of the field for two weeks as punishment. You will be allowed out for an hour a day, but accompanied by Maria."
" No please anyone but Maria, I beg of you Signore!"
"My mind is made up. You are dismissed Elda."
" Grazie Messere,mi controllo da ora en poi." ( Thank you, I will control myself from now on.)
Elda left quietly, head hanging low. Ugh one hour of roaming the city, with Maria of all people. This couldn't be happening to her. Oh, and the best part? No field work for two weeks. Oh joy.
She made her way up to the rooftop of the guild and sat down, gazing into the setting sun. Picking a throwing knife out of her pocket, Elda began to twiddle it in her fingers. Grasping the thin handle, she stuck the knife into the ledge next to her, and began to drag the knife along the stone. It made a dreadful noise, but she continued. Soon she sat alone in the dark staring at the stars. She had calmed down quite a bit, and the adrenaline had finally stopped flowing through her veins. She felt like her normal cheery self again, and headed towards the stairs to head to bed.
/
Teresa knocked on Marco's workshop door... No answer. She knocked again. Still no answer. She opened the door slightly, and walked in. No one seemed to be around at the moment, but it looked as if Marco had left recently due to the still burning coals in the fireplace. Looking around the room, she saw a set of robes, that seemed to be torn and blood stained. "Of course...Padre. Always starting a fight. " She thought to herself. Teresa gave a yawn and sat down on a tattered old armchair in the corner. If Marco wasn't back yet, she could wait, and with that she drifted off into a comfortable slumber.
Two hours later Teresa awoke with a jump, startled by the sudden contact of someone's hand on her cheek. It was Marco.
" Did your mother ever tell you to never startle a sleeping girl?"
" Oh, um I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I- the cut on your cheek..." Marco said looking slightly flustered, and pink in the face.
" It's alright Marco really, I was just kidding. You have to lighten up a little," Teresa chuckled. "I came down here to ask if you wanted to have a cup of tea, but when I realized you weren't here, I thought I would make myself comfortable."
Marco smiled at Teresa. He loved how bold she was, and how she was never afraid to speak her mind. Wait did he just say he loved her?No,no they were strictly friends Even if he did like her, he would have to deal with Ezio. Besides she rejected every man that ever asked her.
His eyes drifted over her face, which was staring right back at him waiting for him to say something. His eyes came to settle on the large gash and bruise that covered the girl's right cheek. " I wonder if she is alright, that seems like a pretty nasty cut. Even with that mark, she is still beautiful... STOP THAT! Strictly friends that is all."
Marco became red in the face once more, and Teresa gave a surprised look.
" Um, why are you blushing might I ask?" she stated, quite amused.
" Oh um nothing, just thinking ; please let me go get some tea. I shall be right back."
And with that he headed out the door to the kitchen, still red faced, and flustered.
/
Elda climbed down the ladder into the woman's quarters. A fire had already had been started, a kettle was hovering over the fire, and the table had been shifted closer to the fire. The soft glow of the torches on the wall gave it a comforting feeling.
" Probably starting a card game up once again." Elda muttered to herself.
She headed back to the weapons rack and placed her sword, dagger, crossbow and throwing knives in their proper places. They would remain there for two weeks, until she was able to head out on her own again. A clank of boots alerted Elda that other assassins were making their way down the ladder. A murmur of voices was heard, and Gemma's voice could be heard over all others.
" I'm telling you all right now that you are going to lose to me. I'm pretty good at cards and I don't give up that easily. Oh Ciao Elda."
" Good evening to you Gemma." she said sweetly picking a book off of the bookcase in the corner of the large room.
The evening continued with shouts of protest from the other assassins, thinking that Gemma was cheating. Elda sat with book in hand with a cup of tea in one of the armchairs by the fire. She stayed silent most of the night, only looking up from her book when an argument would break out, stating that Gemma didn't win the round, and that she was pulling cards from the sleeves of her shirt. This made Elda laugh, considering that everyone was taking it so seriously. They were acting like a bunch of men.
Slowly, one by one the other women headed to bed, frustrated, and with empty pockets. Gemma had successfully won over four hundred florins in one night, which was an accomplishment considering the other assassins either spent it on food, or wine and tea. Gemma motioned to Elda, telling her to come and sit with her.
" So what is the punishment from Ezio?" Gemma said in a hushed tone.
" No field work for two weeks, and one hour of free time on the streets... accompanied by Maria."
" Maria? Really? That annoying spreco di spazio?" ( waste of space)
" Mhmmm, that seems like fun doesn't it? It kind of feels like Ezio wants me to go insane." she said lightheartedly.
After a quick conversation about her punishment, the two assassins were greeted by Teresa who silently slipped into the room, unnoticed, and headed to her bed.
/
The next morning, Teresa was woken up by the clattering of swords, shouts for assistance, and the sound of scattering people.
"Quick Teresa, wake up, the Borgias, they are attacking one of the other guild buildings! Hurry, we must help them!"Gemma shouted.
As quickly as humanly possible, she was out of bed, running to the weapons rack. Grabbing everything she needed, Teresa sprinted across the room and up the ladder with the others following her. Entering the main room, she heard her father giving orders.
" I shall lead a group to the west so we may come up behind the enemy, while Teresa shall lead a frontal assault which should weaken their defenses. Then we shall strike together, and bring our enemies to their knees!"
Battle cries sprang from the throats of the assassins as they scrambled to the exits to head into the streets. Once outside the two groups split up. Teresa took her assassins to the rooftops where, they ran across the rooftops in the morning sun. She tore across the rooftops quickly, dispatching of any guards in her way. She plunged her blade into their necks before they could cry out in pain or for help. Her veins ran cold with anger, and hatred. How had the Borgia found the guild? Was there an undercover agent? So many questions burned through her head as she approached the guild.
Stopping on the rooftops just before the guild, Teresa raised her sword high into the air, the morning sun making it sparkle.
The others jumped off the roof to the streets below while she stood there, sword in the air, screaming
" Vittoria per gli assassini! (Victory to the assassins.)" before diving into the streets below.
Well that's all for now! Leaving comments is appreciated. Those are what keep me going forward in this story. The more reviews I get, the more updates! Plus, I can use a few ideas, and I like to know what my readers what to see. So come on people! Tell me whatcha wanna see!
~DarkWolf745