ii. Valley of the Wolves
Forged from the fire.
The wolves begin to howl.
Flying high in the sky, where the warm wind blows against the dark feathers of the one-eyed raven; she glides carefully with all strength within her body. The feeling of the wind against her feathers was a calm feeling. The call of freedom from the heavens was heard to any and all avian species that could fly to the gods. Gifted with flight, the raven could see all the land and all habitants that called it home.
Farmers plowed the fields for the harvest. Wolves prowled the tree lines in search of deer for nutrients in the war-torn land of the Greeks. One could say they are simple folks who believe in the gods on the mountain, but the raven was not one for tales of something old. She flapped her wings when she saw a familiar figure roaming the lands.
She had come to know the figure. Like the eagle that followed him; that guides him through the world, the raven had her own uses. With her only eye to see far beyond any mortal's sight, the black raven sat perched upon a branch. The heat of the sun harsh against the land that was occupied by living and dead things. She had to be cautious as to not grab the attention of the large eagle.
The predatory birds' sharp talons had caused the raven her eye. She would be a fool to lose the other eye. Her master would dispose of her and find another more worthy companion to be his spy; to be his sight when he was away. Hiding in the shadows like a scavenger waiting for lions to look away as he takes a piece of his prey.
The raven let out a low croaking sound. Best to keep to herself when the eagle was circling above her; watching his master with those eyes of knowledge.
He knew that he was being watched. There were always eyes watching every move or decision he made. Always watching from the shadows and stayed silent. He noticed these strange details of outlines of figures. Since Dakota had come into his life, he was always weary of what he saw. When Dakota told him she always felt these shadows following her, Alexios did not believe her. Now, maybe he was going on a bit of faith of what she said.
Something or someone was constantly watching them both.
The shadows moved within their line of sight. Guiding them through the struggles, yet they remain silent.
Phobos gave a snort to catch his masters attention. The day has been one event after another since departing from his ship. Phobos was glad to have dirt underneath his hooves. Captain- a rather stubborn horse just like Dakota- did not fare with being away from his master. Alexios had watched the woman for a moment as she lightly snored in her hammock. Exhausted from fighting and arguing with him about matters that should not concern her, but Dakota would always pry her way into his affairs. She was concerned for his wellbeing and that him resting would not be seen as deserting from his path.
She was right, but Alexios was going to do what he wanted anyway. Dakota could continue to be angry with him all she wanted. Give her a few days and she will pester him with something else. He took both horses from their stables to the beach where the Spartan stronghold had just concluded a bloody battle.
The bodies of Athenians on display as a warning did not deter Alexios from reaching his goal. The horses seemed rather curious of the blood soaked sand. They could smell the death and anguish that had accord. Alexios could feel his heart beating hard against his chest. The battle, the blood, the dead; just obstacles to the figure up ahead. Seeing- just in the distance- his father. Older, but much of a true Spartan warrior as he had remembered as a child.
But memories of that night would surface and the anger would numb him. Nickolaos was just another target.
Would you even have the strength to kill your own father? His thoughts voiced through the fog or anger and revenge. Alexios pushed the thought aside when he saw a man coming towards him. A blank expression, but cautious eyes.
Everyone was the enemy- never friend.
"You. You destroyed the Athenian blockade?" a Spartan warrior had seen Alexios walking along the sands with two horses at each side. There were questions forming in the mans head. Alexios was not much in a mood to deal with people.
Maybe he should of listened to Dakota. Exhaustion was slowly creeping through his bones. Irritation at being interrogated was not Alexios's strong point. It was of any wonder why he bothered with people at all; nothing but trouble. Always asking him for favors or something worse. Exhaustion was the least of growing irritation.
"They were in my way." Alexios answered simply. Both Phobos and Captain stopped when they noticed the man before Alexios. Always one to go straight to the point.
The Spartan seemed baffled by Alexios blunt answer. Taking a moments pause before speaking, "Sparta owes you thanks. Thyce, has blessed you my friend. You arrived in time to watch my pater achieve a glorious victory."
It had come to a surprise to see the young man claiming to be Nickolas' son as he looked fondly upon the man not too far away. Captain flicked an ear and stomped his foot to the sand. Alexios tightened his hold on the horses reign, but not enough to hurt him. Just enough to keep him calm like Phobos. If Dakota were to be here, her mouth would get them both into trouble.
Alexios decided to pry into this further. Everything just seemed suspicious. As much as the pieces were missing, Alexios was far from the answers he needed. Every turn just lead him further into darkness with no light in sight.
"You cant be his son. I heard his children died in Sparta many years ago." Even if Alexios were to say the truth, who would believe him? He was just a sword for hire, nothing more. A Spartan disgrace. Another orphan. Maybe physical traits would be convincing, but who truly looks at that? A son always looks like his father.
Captain bit the side of his arm lightly, but Alexios glared hard at the horse. Phobos kicked Captain to cause him from getting into trouble. No sense in recklessness and in danger his master.
The Spartan soldier ignored the horses to further focus on the misthios. There was a reason he was standing before the son of the wolf and not dead like the Athenians. There was just something odd, but useful about the stranger.
"He adopted me into his household after his previous family failed him. I would never bring dishonor to him." That smirk. His head held high. Not a care in the world for who he was speaking too.
To say it had hurt Alexios hearing that he was a dishonored family member was far beyond reason and there was nothing he could do about changing any of that. He made peace with that long ago, but some wounds just never heal. Just hearing this man speak so highly of himself rubbed Alexios the wrong way. Enough to let Captain bite him. Such nasty thoughts must stay hidden.
At this point he thanked the gods for Dakota's absence. For all Alexios knew, Dakota would have punched the man and live to tell the tale. Still, it would not have made Alexios feel any better.
For someone who sees her as an annoying woman, you think too much about her. Again, his thoughts stirred. Captain was still, yet, eyed Alexios for a moment. Sensing as if he read his thoughts. Best to keep an eye on Captain. Only Dakota knew what kind of antics the horse could come up with.
"Some things happen in the way you don't plan or expect. History has a way of remembering things differently." Alexios said.
"You tall as if you were there." The soldier wasn't convinced. Of coarse he would not know of the truth. Only Alexios is alive as proof of that night. If only he could say it. Say what kind of man Nikolaos is.
"Maybe I was." Alexios tone wasn't changing its coarse.
"Nonsense. You're too young to have witnessed such things. But enough of the past, let's talk about the future." One can always gain from the other.
Sounds troublesome and much more.
Kamir watched closely as the misthios completed his task. Athenian soldiers were being disposed of; quietly. He was not sure what the task was, but since the misthios came out of the Spartan stronghold, the dead Athenians had something to do with it. The way he disposed of the soldiers was clean. Years of training maybe, but nothing was cut into stone.
The man was stalking his prey like a silent lion in the overgrowth. No one aware of the danger that was at close hand. One man would go down. Another would be dragged into the bush. An inspecting eye would miss him, if one was not weary. Like a predator, camouflaged so his prey could not see when the final strike would come down upon them. A deadly advocate of the hunt. Perfect, yet there was a flaw in it. Nothing was permitted when it came to the hunt.
Kamir continued to follow his target on light steps. Even on horseback, Kamir had his most trusted friend to follow. Small, but rather noticeable. The raven was fast, could conceal herself when needed, and many know of the raven as a messenger of the gods.
The raven was perched upon the tree trunk. Basking in the sun's heat. Her black feathers ruffled as she sensed the eagle near by. Always constantly watching his master for danger. It was a simple task that ended in bloodshed. Nothing to daunting for the misthios as payment was a sure to be made. One would always assume that Alexios would do tasks for money- some parts true as he had to make a living. In order to get close to Nickolaos, Alexios had to play the game.
What would he get out of it? He was already giving half the payment. He already knew who his target was. He had to keep his enemies close, but at arms length. There was no telling who to trust. The strings of fate were being pulled in every which direction.
Stentor- the name of the Nickolaos's adopted son. The man prided himself a warrior. Walking with his head held high, but when Alexios agreed to do their dirty work, he gave Stentor Captain's reigns. Told him to take care of the horse or face the wrath of someone much worse then he. Alexios meant every word and Stentor was at a loss for words.
Dakota should be waking soon and wondering where her horse went. Gods know I am going to feel her wrath. His thoughts humored him. It felt strange to not have Dakota by his side, yet it was a simple relief to not have to have a constant eye on the woman. Dakota was a capable woman; proven time and time again. So, why would he think of her when she annoyed and irritated him so?
One moment, he was glad for Dakota's absence. The next, he missed her being around. Has he grown accustomed to that strange woman who came from the sea?
The ravens call echoed into the sky, causing Alexios to look up from cleaning his spear in hand. The one eyed raven was staring down at him. Phobos was not far from his master, but if something where to happen, the horse would not be able to protect his master. The sound of footsteps coming close alerted him to the sense of danger. Ikaros swooped down from the sky, landing above a branch; keeping his eyes on the raven. Both birds kept caution of each other. The raven would not want to lose her last remaining eye. Her feathers ruffled in intimidation.
Alexios could see a dark figure stand just some distance from him. The wind of the rolling hills moving the grass beneath his boots. Within that moment, Alexios could see the man's grey eyes staring intently at him. Those grey eyes that made Dakota scared to ever be weak again. Anger boiled in his blood by just looking at him.
The stranger was a tall, well built man, in black robes. He seemed to have appeared from out of nowhere, but it might have been when Alexios had his guard down. Observing the stranger closely, he was not of this land. This very man was haunting Dakota to the core, along with those memories of war. This man was another target, yet to have a price on his head.
"I have always imagined you to be, rather intimidating. Do not take offense in my own disappointment. Stories of the eagle barrier are rather, underwhelming." He said in an accent Alexios never heard before. The way he spoke was also strange; like the language was stumbling off his tongue. Grey eyes shined against the light. Mischievous, dangerous, and cautious- all hidden behind them. A dangerous kind of man who hides behind a façade. Could he be one of the people pulling the strings?
Alexios was cautious of the man walking carefully towards him. Every step had to be precise when two enemies meet each other for the first time.
"You." The stranger raised a brow at the sound of Alexios's voice. He wasn't surprised at having been identified so easily. He would have laughed at the sight of a not-so surprised misthios. In truth, the meeting between the two men was bound to happen. Better to tell the infamous eagle bearer something that would change his fate. The question is, would he believe it? The gods have a funny way of fucking with mortals.
"Me? Seems like you know me. I wonder who could have told you about someone like me? Ah, but it matters not. Kamir is my name if you care enough to know about the man who knows much about you." Kamir looked to the side of the tree. His horse was grazing on the grass, but who was to say the horse was protecting his master, just like the eagle above?
Alexios stood from his place on the ground. His spear held tightly in his hand. More and more were the strings of fate intertwining together. More and more where Dakota and his own fate leading down a path they did not know. All seemed so complicated in the grand scheme of things. Alexios should curse the gods for making things complicated, but what was the use? People were testing the waters and pulling them both into deeper and darker seas.
Kamir placed his hands at his sides. Looking at the infamous misthios before him. They were of similarheight, not so much of the build. Kamir was thinner, but not one would call men stared down each other; possibly thinking the same thing. Sizing and comparing each others strength and weaknesses.
"Now, no need to be hasty." Kamir stated. "Killing me may not be what the gods have in mind."
Alexios had to place his steps carefully. Dakota was attacked by this man. Something he did to her had caused the woman to lose control of her body. There was no telling if Kamir would do the same harm to him. Alexios would have to keep his eyes on Kamir's hands and feet. They were in an open field, but so few traffic came by. This was getting dangerous.
"Do the gods want you to beg for mercy then?" The way Kamir was slowly walking towards Alexios with hands raised had unnerved him. It was not so often a person could bring in so much fear in him. Those grey eyes kept its hold on him. Underneath that scarf, Alexios could see his face move in- what he assumed- to be a smile. Kamir wasn't begging for his life.
"Does a man like you even beg for mercy?" Alexios did not see any fear or worry within Kamir's eyes. This type of man was not going to be an easy foe to deal with. Kamir seemed other worldly; rather strange.
"Mercy? What is it with you two and acting as if the gods have chosen you for a great destiny?" The stranger was mocking him. His voice loud for all the land to hear and his hands stretched out for the dramatics. The stranger was not stupid. He knew exactly who he was dealing with and with much of the stories being told, it was best to see the eagle bearer in the flesh.
"The gods may be mistaken if they believe me to have a great destiny. Should I be thanking them for having you come to me instead of hunting you like a wild boar?" Alexios was keeping the stranger at bay. The broken spear was sharpened and ready to slice through his flesh. The stranger cocked his head to the side with a low chuckle.
"This is not a situation where you need to be laughing at. Should I consider you a foolish man or a man with a dying wish for what you did to her? The woman who ran after you sometime ago in an open field." Kamir eyed the broken spear in Alexios hand. The man was griping the broken weapon in a tactical manner. What kind of damage could the old weapon cause, but it was also sharp by the glint of the shine. Alexios took care of the weapon as if it were gold.
"And a man who was aboard an Athenian ship. Did you have anything to do with him or are you both working together with others who want her?" Alexios was stern.
"Clever. I see why she chose you. Truth be told, I am better suited, but they called to her. She listened and found her way to you. Tragic, really." He looked to the sky to see the eagle circling around them. Alexios was silent, but kept his hold on the broken spear tight. The stranger was talking in riddles and mocking him; as if there was something Alexios should understand.
"What do you want with Dakota? Answer quickly, for my patience runs thin." Alexios should just kill this man that harmed Dakota. Save her all the trouble of having to take a life, but in reality, Dakota would be angered for not doing it herself. If he could get the answers from him, maybe she could be at peace.
"Dakota? Such a strange name for a beautiful woman. Tell me, eagle bearer, did the man accomplish the deed? Did he reveal something to her that would alter the future or did he die like the pathetic dog he was. Starving in the streets until I given him some coin?" Those grey eyes burned deep into Alexios. His hands at his sides, hiding something beneath his sleeve.
The raven's call was loud as she flew from her perch, but the large eagle intervened with a strike of his sharp talons. Alexios swung the blade quickly, but the stranger was sure to keep a safe distance. He dodged the swing and kicked Alexios back with his boot. From the dark sleeve of the stranger, a dagger shined against the darkening sky. The raven pecked at Ikaros- to escape from his talons.
Unlike the woman- who was brash, yet skilled- the misthios was more observant, somewhat calculated in his next action. The stranger was not going to give him the chance to strike again when he got back on his feet.
Dealing with Spartans were a headache.
"Tell me what you want with Dakota?!" Alexios was impatient. There were many other tasks that needed to be done. Kamir was just the roadblock he did not want to pass through. Something wasn't right. Something wasn't adding up. "What importance is her blood to you and those that want her?"
"I want many things, but now is not the time. I followed you. Been keeping my eye on you both, for sometime. Strange how you both walk the same path, but Dakota has her purpose. As much as I will not like the idea, the gods deem it necessary to," Kamir through the knife towards Alexios. Quickly, the broken spear deflected the knife. The clangs of the weapons screeched against his ear. The irritation caused a slight ringing sound that would fade momentarily.
"She is not the only one we want. Soon, you shall see when all reveals itself and those who hide in the grass will bite you. There are forces beyond you and I that want something. Blood is just the story of how they work. Hiding in the shadows until all falls into their hands." Kamir circled Alexios. Two powerful predators waiting for the attack. One's defense would have to be strong, but Kamir could see many openings.
Kamir ran towards Alexios with the intent to kill. His grey eyes darkening when he was close enough to strike. Alexios swung the broken spear towards Kamir's midsection, but the man grabbed hold of his arm. Alexios could feel the pressure being placed upon his protect forearm. He threw a punch at Kamir and made contact with the lower part of his right jaw. It was enough to let him go from the pressure.
Kamir scuffed, "Dakota is destined to birth your child."
A strong wind blew past them and through the field where the tall overgrowth swayed with its rhythm. Like the gods have miscalculated their prediction, Alexios was baffled and at a loss for words to even speak.
Words of a snake trying to deceive you. What was true? Kamir did not have to waste time telling him about something that is not possible. No one should know the future! Even if Alexios's feelings towards Dakota were of a tame nature, he could not help the anger rising within him.
This was all a game to Kamir. Their lives were only a game. It was sickening to hear that Dakota's purpose in this land was to be used. Alexios was not going to be a part of a delusional man's game.
With this confusion, Kamir quickly reached for a hidden pocket in his robe. Ikaros had called out loudly enough for his master to regain all control. This was not the time be open to attack. Ikaros swooped down to protect the man he was destined to guide. Phobos had heard the commotion and began to race towards them. Alexios ran towards the man, when he threw dust to the ground. Smoke filled his lungs, causing him to cough uncontrollably. Phobos called out for his master in the chaos. The raven called out for Kamir when thunder rolled in the distance.
When the dust settled to the ground, Kamir was gone. The sky had darkened with rain slowly falling upon the land. Leaving Alexios both confused and frightened for what was revealed to him. He closed his eyes when the cooling rain drops fell upon his skin.
AN: I've replayed Black Flag recently on my switch. Major adjustments for me, ha ha. Forgot how much I'd love Edward's story and read the books as well. The Kenway bloodline is probably my favorite of the series: Altair and Bayak a close second. Connor will always be my number one because the games did not get as much love, coming off of Enzio's story.
Who is your favorite assassin? Would love thoughts and opinions.