Hey guys, after a week in the backwoods with no internet or computer all I can say is…it's the worst…

Anyway, today (Feb. 3rd) is my birthday, so as my gift to you guys, I am giving you a new chapter.

Enjoy.

Chapter 9: House Arrest

January 16th, 1791

Maison de la Serre

Just like my fall after Sivert's death, I wake with blurry vision and a headache that feels as though my skull has split in two. Silk sheets like satin flow beneath my fingers as I pull them from my body while attempting to sit up. The day is new, probably no later than eight in the morning as the sun barely peaks above the buildings outside the window. How long have I been out? And where is Élise?

As my vision clears, I take note of my new surroundings with confusion. The four poster bed I lie in sits in the center of the far wall while a cherry-wood night stand is to my left while a cabinet, open to show my assassin robes, stands tall along the wall to my right. I know this place. The green painted room with white trimming had once been a place I called home, but nine years have come and gone since I was an honored guest in the de la Serre château. This was no longer a familiar environment, but a reminder of what my life used to be…what it could have been…

The wooden floorboards creak outside the room as a shadow looms beneath the door. There is no need to enhance my senses since I already know who awaits on the other side. Élise said before that she has not had a servant in two years, and had it been anyone else, they would have opened the door already. There were many memories in this room, and much more in the maroon chambre that the red-head called her own.

I used to wonder what would have happened had I forgiven Élise after the fight. I had been so upset with her that after my visit to the hospital, I immediately returned to the Assassin Headquarters before joining my father in Austria. I wrote to her several times afterwards - some were sent while others were tossed - but she never responded. Had our relationship meant that little to her? With a broken heart, I quit writing the letters all together. If she no longer wanted me in her life, then I did not need her in mine.

Funny how fate plays the cards differently…

The door to the room finally creaks open only slightly while a curious emerald eye peers inside. I merely smile before gesturing the woman to enter. She does so meekly, an unusual trait for her, before striding to the left side of the bed. She takes a seat in a vanity chair made of brass with a green cushioning to match the walls. Her eyes examine my figure closely while I do the same with hers.

Judging by the dirt and grim on her coat, I can only assume she has not redressed since the incident. Blood stains the white sleeve on her left arm while a cut adorns her cheek. It isn't deep enough to scar, but enough to raise questions. She did not look like this after I killed le Roi des Thunes, so that only left one other answer…

"You went after Germain alone?" I question, throwing the woman off her guard.

Her lips press together in a thin line as she shakes her head slowly. "Not alone," she remarks. "I had two others with me."

"And where are they, may I ask?" I press.

"The situation…got out of hand…"

"So they're dead?"

Her attention falls to her lap. "We were only supposed to go in and question him. However, he had our plan predicted and countered our advancements, but now I know who killed my father."

My eyes widen out of shock. "The silversmith is the one responsible?"

Élise's eyes now narrow while her lips curl downwards. "The bastard had every want to see my father dead. Germain's goals are anti-idealistic and dangerous, but now he has the fools to follow him; which is turning him into a larger threat."

"How did you manage to escape?" I ask.

"Germain like to talk," she remarks with a smirk. "His arrogance hasn't changed. It's good to know."

"We have a name," I state while piecing the puzzle together. "I will contact the Brotherhood-"

"This is Templar business," Élise barks while finally finding the courage to glare at me. "Lafrenière has been anticipating the New Orders movements, and now that we have what we need, the Old Guard can assemble and defeat this corruption."

"And after you succeed?" I question with my anger rising. "The truce stays in place or do we go back to senselessly killing each other? Or what happens if you fail? I'm sure Germain would love to discuss matters with the Assassins over a cup of tea."

The woman's fist clench in her lap as she observes my features closely. "What are you getting at, Arno?"

"Let the Brotherhood help," I say which causes the red-head to roll her eyes. "We have the man-power and weaponry to provide a sufficient army against this crusade."

"So does the Templars!"

"And how many of your men do you trust?"

Eyes as green as lily-pads widen before they narrow once more. "Excuse me?"

Crossing my arms over my chest, I lean back against the headboard while matching her gaze. "If you think the traitors end at Sivert, then you have much more to learn. If Germain managed to get inside one head, how many more do you think he has corrupted?"

"He couldn't have-"

"Couldn't have what? Met with those who felt oppressed or insignificant under your father's reign? This man clearly had some years to plan this endeavor if he chose now to enact his schemes rather than sooner."

At first the woman seems angry at my outburst, but her expression soon falls into defeat. I was right once again. "I've already sent a letter to Mirabeau concerning your health, but I will send another for an appointment… This better be worth my time."

I smirk at my victory. "I can assure it."

A glint of a smile graces her lips, but it does not linger long. "What does happen after this?" she mutters.

My expression also falls as I too am at a loss. "We do what we always have: meet only for political affairs and argue over who will take control over certain matters. We will then find middle ground and agree to terms we dislike, and then have grey hair by the time we are thirty."

She smiles while shaking her head causing her curls to sway. "Sounds like you have the future planned."

"It's not what I want," I say. "But France needs stability and our two Orders bickering in the middle of the chaos will not solve anything."

"What is it that you want?" Élise questions which surprises me.

"I'm not quite sure," I reply truthfully. "A normal life would be nice."

"You're an Assassin, when is life normal?"

A crooked smile plays at my lips as my eyes close in thought. "Normal is when it's just my target and I, his fate judged for him, and there is nothing left but his execution. I do not enjoy the killing, no - quite honestly I hate it - but knowing his death will save thousands puts my mind at ease."

"You would rather be a soldier than a politician?"

"It's…easier," I say while meeting her gaze. "I was always meant to be an Assassin, there is no denying it, but I was never meant for stuffy rooms and old men who will do anything for more coin."

"You believe your place is chasing rats through sewers rather than fighting the source of the problem?"

I nod. "There are those born to lead, those who take the title when it is needed the most, and then there are those who do not rise at all. I like to think of myself as the second category, but I will gladly hand off any power if it means returning to my former life."

"So you would gladly leave me with someone else?"

"If they fit the purpose, why would you want me?"

Élise presses her lips together while her eyes narrow. "I've already told you that I do not trust anyone else in the Brotherhood but you. I could tolerate Mirabeau as my father had, but I would rather avoid it."

"And what if something goes wrong like it did at Notre-Dame and luck does not favor my actions? Who will you turn to in my passing?"

She shakes her head. "Do not say that-"

"We live a dangerous occupation," I interrupt. "We can not pretend it will not happen. There is a man out there who wants you and your associates dead, and I'm sure he will not stop once the Old Guard is eliminated."

Élise stands from her chair before moving towards the bed and sitting on the edge. "That may be true," she says as she locks her green eyes with my brown ones. "But I plan on living through this."

And there it is again: that confident smile of hers. It was her signature. Her call to action. I used to love that smile. It is her definition, something no one else could mimic. Now it is only a reminder…

"Good to know," I retort while sitting up straighter. "But may I ask how you managed to get me here?"

"I paid for a carriage. For an Assassin, you are quite heavy."

"I do not know if I should take that as an insult."

"Do not think too much on it," she says as she stands from her seat. "And you are not to leave this bed for the next few days. Mirabeau's orders."

"What?" I exclaim.

"Your injuries worsened after what happened which is what caused your fever."

It's my turn for my eyes to narrow. "And you want me to stay bed ridden in your home?"

She smiles. "I don't, Mirabeau does. He will be here after his trip from Versailles to speak to you about what happened."

The back of my head hits the headboard as a sigh escapes my lips. The last thing I need is to continue resting. "I'm sure I don't have to be locked in this room until then."

"I will chain you to the bed frame if it keeps you in it."

I nearly laugh at the statement. "Sorry, but I don't do ropes without a watchword."

With a frown on her lips and her cheeks scarlet, the red-head turns her back towards me before exiting the room. Getting the last word is probably going to be the greatest victory I am going to receive during my stay here, but it was worth it.

X

The tassel of red hair is the last thing I see before the door closes, leaving me in the dark. A fur coat brushes my face, but I am too afraid to push it away in fear that the man outside will hear me within the closet.

"Élise, have you seen Arno? His carriage is here," the voice of Monsieur de la Serre speaks up.

"No, father. Not since dinner," she replies with honey in her words. If only she could sound this innocent when speaking to me.

"When you see him, send him to the foyer."

"Yes, father."

Heavy footsteps further from our location before the sound of a door closing echoes off the maroon walls of the red-head's room. Several moments pass before the closet door opens, Élise steps inside, and closes the aperture behind her. Small hands press against my chest, knocking me back against the wall of the cabinet before she stands on her toes to seal her lips on my own. My right hand reaches up and flows through her fiery locks while my other wraps around her waist to bring our bodies closer together. Her fingers grip at my cravat while her other hand holds our heads closer together. We're both clumsy with our movements, but we do not care.

After months of separation, my father had returned from Austria to visit for what was going to be a short six months. Although Élise has her studies here in Paris, I fear that we will not be able to see one another for some time. The red-head held very few people with the title of friend, and the majority of them were living in Versailles. By leaving, she was going to be alone until my return.

"I think it's time I go. Bother of our fathers will be furious if we keep them waiting," I mutter against her lips as I separate from her.

"After you just professed your love to me, I don't think so," she retorts before kissing me once more.

"They will find us eventually, and I do not think they will approve," I say.

"And what if they do?" she questions. "We will never know until they do."

My hand cups her cheek while our noses brush gently together in the darkness. "I love you," I mutter and she seals our lips together in response.

X

January 17th, 1791

Maison de la Serre

Sweat trickles down every inch of my body as my left arm holds my form above the tiled floor before bending and slowly lowering my form until my nose barely scraps the ground. The push upwards is trickier, but I manage it before repeating the motion. My useless right arm lies still on my back, and my ribs cry out in agony, but I was not about to lie in bed while Élise has me under house arrest. She may have convicted me here, but I was not about to let her have the satisfaction of my defeat.

Two raps echo off the wood of the door before the red-head enters the room. A sour look crosses her features, but this isn't the first time she has caught me out of bed.

"Must you endanger your health to prove a point?" she questions as I finish my last push-up and stand to my feet.

Her emerald eyes stray from mine as she examines my bare chest and mudded trousers. I must look a mess with my hair tangled and matted to my face while the stench of a long day lingers on my skin. Ever since I was a boy, I had always wondered how women were able to do what men did, but still keep their beauty afterwards. Élise was one of them. When we used to race through the maison and fence in the ballroom, it did not matter how dirty we became or how much sweat drenched our clothes, the red-head always had her hair perfect and her skin glowing.

"It's better than lying around," I retort as I move pass her to fix myself a bath.

Since my former room was only considered a guest chambre, it was not fashioned with a washroom. However, I was lucky enough to be given the room across from the bath that all guest would share. Élise follows close behind as I enter the sky-blue chamber and begin stocking the fireplace with logs.

"I know this is difficult for you to swallow, but I need you alive," she states as the flames rise from beneath the wood.

I stride pass the woman once more and make my way down the hall, descend the stairs, and enter the courtyard where a well awaits. The red-head stays close, and despite my silence, she says nothing more as she observes my actions carefully.

"I'm not using my arm and my ribs were only fractured. I had been resting long enough before I went searching for you and the only reason why I blacked out was due to a fever," I retort as I fill a bucket and begin my ascension back to the chambre.

"A fever caused by exerting your body too far," Élise remarks.

I sit the bucket over the fire before turning towards the woman who is currently invading on the little personal space I have. She isn't much shorter than I, but she seems so small compared to my broader form. "I appreciate the concern, but it isn't needed."

"When will it be needed? When you black out again or when you are on your death bed due to your stupidity?"

My lips curl downwards. "If I recall correctly, I once gave a similar speech when we were younger. A talk you often ignored."

"And if I remember correctly, we were both brash as children. It seems only one of us grew up!"

My anger is rising, and before I could stop myself, the words pour out of my mouth in malice. "Why must you be so persistent with my affairs? I never asked for your worry, nor do I need your involvement with my status!"

Élise presses her lips together into a thin line as her eyes shimmer beneath her furrowed brow. She shakes her head slowly before giving me a disgusted look. "Well I'm sorry to annoy you with my concerns," she mutters in a low tone. "If you need me, I will be attending a meeting with Lafrenière this evening, so do not expect me to be home until late."

I open my mouth my apologize, but she has already turned her back to me and is half-way out the door. My eyes close as I realize how much of a connard I have been to the woman. I honestly do not mean to be so hateful, but how do I give her my trust again? And when have I given too much?