Chapter 11

Franchesca was surprised to see her father not dressed in his usual Assassin garbs that next morning. Instead, he was dressed in the standard clothes for a man in the middle district. But the raven haired girl knew he would have a knife or some other sort of blade on him somewhere.

"Cameron's awake." He stated as the raven haired girl stepped into his office that morning, wearing the green dress (much to Demetri's surprise). "If you wish to go and see him before we leave."

She smiled and ran out of the office, ascending the stairs quickly in her rush to get to the top. But she stopped when she reached his door, composed herself, and knocked quietly on the wood. Upon hearing her brother's voice granting her entry, she stepped inside and smiled when she saw his figure sitting up in bed.

She felt tears welling up in her eyes, but fought hard not to let them fall, "You're still alive then."

He laughed lightly, "You can't be rid of me that easily, Chesca."

The raven haired girl made her way to his side, and sat on the chair next to the bed which the maid had previously been sitting in for the past week.

He frowned, "I could have sworn you don't have lessons at the weekend."

"I don't." She replied.

"Then why are you wearing a dress?" He gasped, "You're trying to impress someone." A smirk made its way onto his tired features, "I always thought you had a thing for Altair-ouch!"

The raven haired girl thumped his arm, but immediately apologised in case she had opened any of his stitches.

"Do you want me to die?" He exclaimed, his question falling on deaf ears as Franchesca couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you wearing a dress?"

She shrugged, "Father's taking me into town."

The blonde looked surprised, "How did you persuade him to get out of the mansion?"

"I didn't." She replied honestly, "He offered to take me."

"I'll talk to him later." Cameron stated, picking at the bandages across his stomach. "He can't take my responsibility away from me. Aside from Altair, I'm the only one allowed to escort you through Jerusalem."

It was then that the man of the mansion entered the room, looking at both his children with a raised eyebrow, "Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked his son.

Cameron shrugged, "Nothing." He responded, "Just that you're taking over my role of escorting Franchesca into the town."

Demetri rolled his eyes, "It's only for today, Cameron." He reassured his son. "As soon as I meet the young man who appears to have become infatuated with your sister, and on the condition that you are well enough to get out of bed, you may return to your protective responsibility. For now though, I'm sure Franchesca has the advantage of protecting herself more than you can protect her."

Cameron pulled a face, causing the raven haired girl to smile. "Alright," The blonde rolled his eyes, "You've made your point. Now go before I make a comment as to how powerless you look, father."

"I'll see you this evening if you'd like?" Franchesca asked, getting up from her chair.

Cameron smiled, "Of course."

"But you'll bring your reading book." Demetri stated, "Your tutor has told me that you do not do your homework."

"I have," She defended herself. "Ask Altair."

"Yes." Demetri replied as they left the blonde assassin's chambers, "I have, and he said that you tried to escape. The only way you will do your homework is if someone sits with you. You can read aloud to Cameron, and he can help you…unless you'd prefer to sit in a quiet room with Altair?"

She pulled a face, "I'll sit with Cameron."

Demetri nodded in acceptance, but couldn't help the small smile that broke out on his face, "If it is because you're still worried about his possible ties to the Templars, Franchesca, you needn't worry. Altair is as opposed to Templars as any other assassin-"

"-I know that now." She stated.

"Then what is the problem?"

"I just think he's arrogant." She mumbled shyly, but honestly. "And he's quite rude."

Demetri waved a hand, "That is his way with people." He didn't need to tell her it was because she was a woman who would not lie with him. "I'm sure you've noticed he is the same around Runam, Shof, and sometimes even Cameron."

"It's because I'm a woman, isn't it."

"Well…in a way, I suppose." Demetri replied honestly, "But – like I said – you needn't worry. He's there to make sure nothing happens to you, and if it does I can assure you I've already made him feel as though he will be held responsible."

Franchesca shook her head, thinking it quite funny how Altair had been threatened by her father.

They quickly stepped into the town, and already, Franchesca felt safe once more. Perhaps it was because she knew her father would not leave her side, or allow her to wander from his sight. But for some reason, she didn't want to run into Dominic. It was because she would feel slightly embarrassed introducing him to her father, who she barely knew herself.

"What if we do run into the Duke's son?" She asked quietly. "I'm sure Altair told you that we overheard the guards-"

"-Yes." He interrupted her. "We shall just leave out the part where you're from Damascus, and not long been in Jerusalem. We shall say that you've lived here since birth. That would be best."

They walked aimlessly throughout the market, not really bothering to look at anything. Well, Franchesca pretended to glance over at stalls, whilst feeling the presence of Demetri behind her. He had no interest in anything, merely walked along behind her as though he was her bodyguard; which in a sense he was.

Franchesca thought it almost strange that he ignored the herb stall, when he had specifically stated the night previous that he needed to get something for Cameron. It was as though they were only in the town for one purpose.

And that purpose was watching them from beside the fountain.

"Ah, I do believe we have found your gentleman friend." Demetri stated, placing his hand on the small of Franchesca's back and gesturing towards the fountain. "Do you want to introduce me?" He asked. Or shall I introduce myself, Franchesca knew was the end to his unfinished sentence.

She smiled before making her way towards the man in the sapphire blue cloak, "It is lovely to see you again." Dominic began as soon as she was within earshot.

"Yes, and you." She replied, coming to stop in front of him. "My father is over there," The raven haired girl stated, "Would you like to meet him?" She made herself sound as though she didn't mind either way, but secretly hoped that the meeting would not happen.

He smiled, "Yes, of course." He walked beside her as they approached Demetri, and Franchesca couldn't help but feel nervous as the assassin watched the Duke's son's movements with a hawk-like, calculating gaze as they introduced themselves.

"I have heard a lot about you." Demetri stated, shaking the sapphire cloaked man's hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"And you, Sir." Dominic nodded his head as he took the assassin's outstretched hand, and shook it pleasantly with his own. "I have wanted to meet you for a while, to tell you what a beautiful daughter you have raised."

Demetri smiled, a sly glint shone in his eyes, "Thank you," He replied. "I just wish my wife were here to be able to listen to your kind words." He turned to face the raven haired girl, "You wouldn't mind if this gentleman and I departed from your company, would you?"

Franchesca was startled slightly, but nodded her head all the same and faked a smile, "Of course."

"Would you like me to escort you anywhere?" Dominic asked, a concerned look upon his face.

"One of our guides is around," Demetri stated, his eyes quickly darting towards the rooftop to alert Franchesca to the fact that there was an assassin waiting to walk her back to the mansion. "He will continue the walk around the market with her, and return her home safe whenever she is ready."

Dominic smiled and nodded his head, before bowing and taking Franchesca's hand in his own, "It is always a pleasure to see you, Franchesca. I do hope to see you again soon." And with that, he and Demetri made their way along the cobblestoned road, and out of sight.

Franchesca's fake smile immediately fell from her face. What the hell was that? For the first time, she heard the booted feet before the assassin's voice.

"So you believed me to be a Templar spy?"

Slowly, she turned to look up at the amber eyed assassin, "I had to think of all possibilities." She replied, moving past him and towards the market once more.

"Even the most insane and repulsive ones." Altair snapped, catching up with her. "What is it?" He asked, taking note of her solemn expression.

"Nothing." The raven haired girl replied, glancing towards a tavern once she saw a sapphire blue cape disappear inside.

The rest of the walk back to the mansion was silent. But again, not at all uncomfortable. But when they were halfway along the dirt road towards the mansion, Altair stopped, and put his arm in front of the raven haired girl to halt her.

"What are you doing?" She asked. When she made to walk off once more, he grasped her wrist and pulled her to his side. Again, she went to ask him what was going on, but her eyes widened when his gloved hand clamped over her mouth. But not hard.

He was looking towards the trees, and she made sure she kept quiet. "Pull up your hood." He murmured, waiting until she had done so before he released her once more.

Then he carried on walking as if nothing had happened, but Franchesca couldn't help but notice that his hand kept itching towards the hilt of his blade. He was on alert. And she realised that he had asked her to pull up her hood in case they were Templars who would recognise her from Dominic's mansion. He took hold of her elbow, and led her along a different path. But confused her when it led them back towards the market.

"We're being followed." He murmured quietly, so that only she would be able to hear him. "Go down that alley, remove your cloak and go to the docks. I won't be long."

Before she could even blink, Altair had vanished.

For once, she did as she was told. But not wanting to rid herself of her cloak, she did the only thing she could do with it; stuff it up her dress. She made her way towards the docks, receiving admiring looks from other women and wishes that she shall have a healthy son, as she passed by.

As soon as she was at the docks, she slipped inside one of the cabins and hid behind a stack of wooden crates. It wasn't long until Altair found her, and when he did, he looked down at her fake stomach and sighed disappointedly.

"I wasn't going to get rid of it." She stated, rolling her eyes at him.

"Never get rid of a child!" Startled by the voice, not only did Franchesca almost leap towards the assassin, but his hand immediately flew towards the hilt of his blade. An old woman rushed forwards and took the girls hand between her own, "Yes…" She cooed, staring intently at Franchesca's palm. "You will have four sons, all of them strong like their father-" Franchesca tore her hand from the woman's grip, and the glint from Altair's silver blade caused the woman to make a move towards the entrance to the cabin.

Franchesca removed the cloak from under her dress and held it tightly to her chest. Whatever that woman had done had creeped her out a little bit. Frowning, Franchesca looked at her own palm with confusion, "What?"

Altair ignored the question and grasped the raven haired girl by her elbow, "Let's go. I managed to lose those who were following us and checked the path again, which is clear – for now. We must return before it gets dark."

"Four?" Franchesca murmured to herself as she lay on her bed. Still staring at her palm in confusion. What was that woman on about? She would ask Cameron about it.

For now though, she erased all thoughts of the woman from her mind and stood up from her bed to grab her homework book. She changed into a pair of her breeches and an old shirt before leaving the privacy of her chambers and crossing the corridor towards Cameron's.

Gently, she knocked on the door, and stepped inside once she heard his acknowledgement of her presence.

He smiled at her as she made her way towards the chair at the side of his bed, bringing her feet up to hug her knees to her chest as she sat down; tossing the book on the table in front of her and to the left of Cameron's bedside.

"What's wrong?" The blonde asked, frowning.

"Nothing," She replied, "I'm just confused." She told him about the stalkers in the woods, to returning to the market, the cloak going under her dress, all the way up until the incident with the old woman. "And she said I will have 'four sons, who will be as strong as their father'. I don't understand how she would think that just by looking at my hand."

Cameron frowned, but nodded his head anyway, "She's one of those women." He stated, "Some of them read cards, some read your palm. They're called 'Fortune Tellers' or something, I think. If they're found by the guards, they're killed for witchcraft."

Franchesca shivered, "But whatever she is; do you think she's right?"

Cameron shrugged, "Well, it sounded like she was referring to an Assassin when she said 'as strong as their father', so I'm assuming you'll marry into the Brotherhood. That's what most Assassin's daughters do."

"But, the guards said that daughters were killed."

"That's nonsense." Cameron waved his hand and rolled his eyes, "Shof has a sister, who's actually getting married to Raan. But it's all arranged by their fathers." Cameron cleared his throat, "Father would probably marry you to Tas or Runam."

She wrinkled her nose, "Really?"

"But," He smirked, "I'd see you off to Altair."

She thumped him on the arm, hard. "I will leave you to your lonely misery if you start this insane romance story again."

He raised an eyebrow, "Did you say romance?" He teased, "I didn't say anything of the sort, Chesca, but now that you come to mention it-" She got to her feet "-Alright!" He laughed, "Sit down and open that book, and I'll leave it."

She did as she was told, and as she read through the thin paged book, Cameron listened and corrected her on any words she didn't pronounce properly. Once they were done, Franchesca couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. She was proud of herself for getting through it, and Cameron smiled as well, "You're doing well." He praised, "Soon you'll be writing your own novel."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, "I doubt it."

They sat in a comfortable silence for short moment before Cameron began to speak again, "Do you want to learn how to wield a sword?"

Her eyes raised to meet the ones of her brother, which mirrored her own, "What?"

He shrugged, "When I'm better, I can teach you if you want?"

Franchesca smiled, "I'd like that, thank you."

"Obviously we won't tell anyone other than father." He stated, "Altair will probably throw a fit. Tas and Shof wouldn't be up for the idea either, neither would anyone else I don't think. Except for maybe Malik."

"Which ones Malik?"

"The Dai, in the Bureau. You met him when you first arrived here. He doesn't like Altair. One arm?"

"Oh yes," Franchesca nodded her head in understanding. "And I asked why, I remember now."

Cameron nodded, "I'll ask him if we can visit one day. It will be somewhere no one will think to look. If he does happen to disagree then we'll have to be careful and use the stables."

"Use the stables to do what?" Demetri asked as he stepped into the room.

"I suggested teaching Chesca how to use a sword."

"Feel free." The older assassin stated, "Just be wary about when. The stables are used on a daily basis, so you'd have to monitor your time."

"I suggested the Bureau with Malik first." Cameron stated, clearing his throat.

Demetri shook his head, "More and more assassin are being sent to Jerusalem. No, the Bureau will be too busy. I suppose the stables will have to do; only when you're better though Cameron. Until the doctor says you are ready, you will have to wait." He turned to face his daughter then, "Dominic seems to be a nice young man," He began. "And he speaks very highly of you."

Franchesca smiled, but she didn't know what for. She wasn't exactly pleased but then again she wasn't unhappy either. "Okay." Was all she said, turning away from a father as she blushed a little in embarrassment? She wasn't sure why she blushed, but Demetri took it as a sign that his daughter was fond of the Duke's son.

"He asked me if he could court you." The raven haired girl looked up at him, giving her father her full attention. "I said 'haven't you been doing so already?' To which he looked a little embarrassed. I do not think you have anything to worry about with him, Franchesca." The girl frowned a little at that – the tone her father had used signified that he could have been lying – he did seem very interested in what she had to say, when she accused Dominic of not being the Duke's son.

Franchesca looked to her brother suspiciously once Demetri vacated the room, "What's that look for?" Cameron asked with a frown.

"Nothing." The girl shook her head and grabbed her homework book. "I'm going to go to my room."

"What's wrong, Chesca?"

"I don't understand." She began, sighing. "I said to him that I did not believe Dominic was the Duke's son, that he was his nephew at the most – and he appeared to be really interested in what I had to say - almost as if I had made a valid point." She shook her head, "But now he's almost dismissing that, and almost…" She searched for the right word. "I feel that he is encouraging me to keep on seeing Dominic…and for that, I'm not sure that I want to. It makes me feel like there's some sort of underlying problem."

"So, you don't want to go out with him because…no one's telling you that you shouldn't?"

Franchesca shrugged, "It appears so, doesn't it? It's just that you're Assassins. Anytime that I go to do something, I get given an opinion…but with Dominic there isn't one."

"So…why not take it as a good sign?"

She shot her brother a suspicious look, "I think you're forgetting, Cameron, that he associates with Templars. That's what I'm getting at. He's associated with Templars, yet I'm pretty much being told that Dominic is alright."

"He's not a Templar himself, you know."

"But he's tightly knitted with them." She explained, "Isn't it dangerous anyway? Especially as the guards have heard about 'an assassin's daughter fleeing from Damascus and stepping into Jerusalem'? They've seen me before, Cameron, and they suspect that I'm that girl. I am that girl! Shouldn't I stay away from Dominic because they might find out for real?"

"You're looking too much into this." He shook his head, "Listen to this, right. As assassins, we are to 'hide in plain sight'. That is one of the three tenants of the Creed. If you continue to see Dominic, then the guards will think less and less of you being an Assassin's daughter, whereas if you suddenly stop seeing him, it will rouse suspicion. Understand?"

"I suppose so." She replied after a moment or two of silence, "But I'm not fully convinced that there isn't something…you know…going on."

"I wouldn't worry about it for now," Cameron began, shifting his position so he was sitting up a little higher. "I'll talk to father later, if you want?"

She shook her head, "That's okay, thank you though. I'll just keep my eyes open, I'm sure to spot something eventually…that is…if there is anything I should be worrying about."

"If there was a problem, Chesca, Altair would step in."

"That's one of the problems though, Cameron." She stated, turning to look at him when she reached for the door handle. "If there wasn't anything to worry about, then why is he there in the first place?"

A/N: For those who read my other Assassin's Creed story 'The Exception of Curiosity', there are two updates there as my way of apologising for the lack of updates. For this story however, there is a lot of hints in this chapter about upcoming plots. And I mean a lot of hints! And we will be seeing the palm reading lady from the docks again, (a plea from my best friend because she loves fortune tellers).

Please review and let me know what you think, why not have a guess at the hints?