A/N: Hello again! I'm going to be posting three chapters in penance for my constantly forgetting to upload on time. I really like the introduction of these characters, and they will be playing a large part in the following chapters. I hope you enjoy!

Altairila: Thank you, dude! You as well.

Chapter 9: The Girl with the Secret

"The cook's out today. Break, I believe." Yvette had shown me a shoddy looking room which was kindheartedly called a "kitchen". For a second, I thought this was a storage room or something. Thank god, I didn't say that out loud. "But then, the dear deserves it, she works much too hard for her age! Imagine working constantly until the sun and moon were sound asleep!" Yvette continued adding commentary like a real tour guide, well, one that deserved a raise. I had begun to notice she had a habit of saying nice things about everyone. From her perspective, it seemed the world (even with Rosette) would be a nice place.

She turned to me, her eyes twinkling with a young girl's excitement. I didn't know what to expect."The lady Rosette is enormously against any hand servants of my people, I had thought I would be alone." She was still ecstatic about the fact that I could speak her language, and apparently French as well. I was a tri-linguist and I didn't even realize!

It was understandable, I suppose. I felt empathy for her loneliness, though my own wasn't as easily solved. Rosette's obvious hate towards the Arabian people was plain to those who knew her, even for just a few seconds. Where all the hate came from, I did not know. All I knew was that the girl made me feel ashamed for being so close in age.

"Don't get too excited." I warned her with a small smile. "I'm an odd conversationalist." My small smile immediately died at the thought of possibly spending the rest of my life in the same vicinity as Rosette.

"Oh, do not be so bothered." Yvette was like a doting mother, I noticed, and her uncanny ability to read emotions quickly reminded me of Amir. I prayed that he was safe, but even my prayers felt insufficient. I found myself mentally counting on Antoine to look after him. I knew he had a good heart, and hoped he had brought Ama away from that wretched place.

But even not knowing the cause of my worry, Yvette insisted kindly, "The lady Rosette is not as…" She tried to place an appropriate word.

"Monstrous? Bratty? Annoying?" I offered in a low tone. "…An insult to the human race?"

She laughed softly and instead said, "Complicated…As she makes herself out to be. The girl's heart has a conscience, you see, as everyone does." I nearly rolled my eyes. Wouldn't it be possible that Rosette was an exception to all that? The girl seemed capable of murder if it meant getting what she wanted.

"Yvette, let's try to think this over." I inhaled deeply. "She made me her PET! If she had a conscience somewhere in the black hole she has for a heart, she would have seen that holding people to a lower status than human is BAD!" Before she could interrupt me I continued, "And the same goes for you! She shouldn't be treating you like garbage!" I was about to take back my comment after thinking that she probably treated garbage better than both of us combined.

But I saw I had said enough. I shut my mouth as it looked as though Yvette was going to cry her poor heart out. Did I really go too far? Damn it, sometimes I need to learn to shut up…

Her smile faded. "Oh yes, I had forgotten. Forgive me, Cosette, you have my pity." She took my hand and patted it soothingly. I twitched at hearing my new name being used.

I sighed, feeling defeated. "It's okay. I'll try and deal with her. She hates both of us for a different reason…makes me wonder who she hates more."

I saw Yvette smile at my comment. "I believe you'll be quite fine, Cosette." As if she thought that Rosette hated her more than me. Well, after a few days here I was determined to make the girl hate me more so to save Yvette. At least I could deal with the verbal abuse; Yvette seemed too innocent for that.

"That's excellent news. I'll try and survive for 3 days and see what happens. Then I'll decide whether or not to commit homicide or suicide." I said monotone as we walked out of the kitchen.

Yvette looked scared out of her mind, like she thought I was serious. "Oh! Please, do not do that!"

I stared at her and said after a sigh, "I was…joking. Sorry."

"Oh." Yvette was such an adorable child, and her innocence made me feel soft around her. I suppose it was odd to think that about someone who was 10 years older than me. I just felt like hugging her, and wrapping her up to keep her safe from the world.

"Yvette! Yvette!" Our heads turned in time to witness a lanky, skinny boy nearly trip and nearly fall through the doorway. His face was red like he had finished running a marathon, and from his heavy breathing, it sounded like so too. He gasped as he dropped to his knees in exhaustion. I had to sympathize; I couldn't really run very well either. "Y-you…need to…re-return…" The poor boy sounded as though he wasn't capable of finishing his own sentence.

Miraculously, Yvette somehow knew what he was trying to talk about as realization dawned upon her face and she turned to me. "That's right! Forgive me, Cosette, but it seems I cannot accompany you any longer. I must leave for work."

"You mean slave labor." I insisted.

She looked to the young boy, with a sincere smile. "Thank you muchly, Gervaise! You do Yvette favor, yes?" Her speech seemed more broken when she spoke to other people. I assumed that it was her attempt at French…or English. I couldn't really tell the difference. It was like everyone was dubbed, but very well and without the fake acting.

Yvette gently took my arm and pulled me forward, closer to Gervaise so that I could practically see the pupils in his eyes. I felt a little antsy with him so close to me, staring like he'd never seen anyone like me in his life. Yvette seemed unaware of how uncomfortable I was feeling and continued with her request. "Cosette new here, she need someone look after her."

"Um, hi. How's it going?" I spoke as casually as I could before I gave in to my anxiety and backed away a little. Those eyes of his were just unnerving, they seemed like they wanted to delve into the deep parts of my soul. I nearly asked him if he required me to punch his eyes closed since he was having so much trouble closing them himself. Fortunately, I only said, "It's nice to meet you too."

That seemed to break the trance he was under as he started blushing furiously, embarrassed. "Wha-?" He recovered as gracefully as he could manage. "Oh, yes, please forgive me; it is an honor to meet you…Cosette." Sure it is. I didn't want to think badly of him, but there he was still staring at me oddly. And when he said that name…God, I hate that name!

"Um…Yeah…" I looked away, but could still feel his gaze on me.

Suddenly, Gervaise gasped to himself. "Yvette! Wait! Before you leave, my brother told me he needs to speak with you!" Gervaise seemed pleased with himself, as though remembering such a small task was a huge feat. Yvette was only standing a meter away from him, so I didn't see any real reason why he needed to shout.

Yvette's smile seemed to falter for a moment when he told her, but it was so brief, it was like it didn't even happen. "Good! Tell Baret, Yvette will meet him in the morning!" Gervaise quickly nodded in response and looked very serious as though it were a life or death mission. I figured he held his brother, Baret, on a high pedestal. I wondered what his relationship was with Yvette…What if he was her boyfriend?!

I suddenly felt a need to inspect this Baret.

I was careful not to show any of my intentions on my face. "OKAY!" I turned to Gervaise, who seemed startled by my exclamation. "Let's go on the tour!" I started walking in a direction.

Then I paused and turned around. "Where are we going?"

"The stables." Gervaise answered as he tried to lead the way, still stealing not very subtle glances at me. I wasn't sure what he was up to, but I wished he could at least pretend to be secretive about it. I wondered if he was deliberately trying to taunt me.

A couple steps later I turned around and waved Yvette goodbye, giving her a smile. I wanted to run back and tell her that I could do whatever it was she was needed for. It seemed unfair that she had to work while I was basically just sightseeing, and I felt someone needed to protect that adorable human. But the smile in return that she gave me reassured me and I was on my way before my pause was noticed.

Gervaise did not seem a very talkative person, at least, not around me. I would have felt offended, but then I realized that maybe the guy had problems talking to people he didn't exactly know well. It doesn't really help that I'm such a weirdo. So, I decided it would be best to be patient and let him speak in his own time. After 5 seconds passed, my patience couldn't handle the silence anymore.

"SO! What is up with you? How'd you end up here?!" I was being a little too loud than necessary, but DAMMIT I hated awkward silences! They were right up there with spiders, and just a little below creepy old men kidnapping me and having his guards beat me up.

Gervaise seemed hesitant to answer, but finally said, "My family has been serving here for years. I think it's a matter of loyalty." Well, it wasn't much, but I took it and I became absorbed in my desperate attempt to try and muster up an actual conversation.

"Loyalty? Oh, so I guess your family's been here a while. I wonder if they did Regal Lady's ancestors a favor or something. Something honorable like saving the last heir or something…" I was beginning to take a turn for the dramatic. Ah, those adventure stories were finally starting to catch up to my brain. "Maybe they were part of some conspiracy."

Gervaise was quick to answer this time. "M-miss, what you're saying is sullying the family name!" Whose family name, he did not mention. But I listened with a big grin at his panicked look. "I am sure my family or the Basset family would never be involved in such things!" He paused with a gasp and looked around as though Rosette or Regal Lady were going to jump at us and slit our throats.

Before I could say anything else he said with a thought. "And who is this 'Regal Lady', you speak of?! You couldn't possibly be speaking of our selfless Lady Clemence?!" He thought my nickname for her was scandalous. It was interesting hearing her name for the first time though, and seeing Gervaise's expression was a small bonus.

We walked the rest of the way in silence, side by side, and every time I glanced at him I would catch him staring at me again, blushing and turning his whole face red. I didn't understand it at all.

"You know, it's rude to stare." I said, glancing at him.

He turned beet red again. "F-forgive me." He quickly looked away and I did too, but out of the corner of my eye I saw he was staring again. I nearly facepalmed and let out an irritated groan. It was just so noticeable! I wished he would just tell me what he found absolutely fascinating about me. I was at the point where I didn't care what his opinion of me was anymore, ready to retort in whatever manner I felt.

"My, my, this is absolutely delightful!"

I stiffened at the voice, my anger already building up. Oh my, my, isn't this absolutely NOT delightful? People like her made my blood boil. Just hearing her voice set me off, I was already thinking of ways to get rid of her.

"Hello Rosette." I replied in monotone and gave her a mock bow to show how very not impressed I was. She just ticked me off. Why had she followed us? What a stalker!

Gervaise, however, bowed humbly, to my great disgust. "My lady." As if there weren't already other qualities he had that made me annoyed. I didn't want to hate the guy, but, OH GOD, did he really have to grovel like that? She didn't deserve respect! That was something one needed to earn, and I sure as hell know she didn't earn it.

"Aren't you both just an adorable couple?" She teased us playfully, laughing to herself. I think she just wanted an excuse to get punched by me.

Gervaise blushed (yet again) and started to jabber his protest. Okay, it was clear that this guy was the submissive type. I knew that he was just scared of offending her, but if he didn't notice, I wasn't exactly being respectful, and I hadn't had my tongue cut out or a hand chopped off. This girl had no authority to do that anyway. Regal Lady did.

I sighed and immediately took over. "We have no idea what you're talking about." It was difficult keeping all that anger plugged in.

"Of course." She smiled, finding it amusing that it bothered me. Of, course. "Do not deny it; you two are a vision of love." Ugh, where's a barf bag when you need one?! I'd be sure to dump it on her later.

I rolled my eyes. "Keep your fantasies to yourself cause' I don't need them." I glanced at Gervaise and pulled him up and started dragging him as he prattled on his apologies to Rosette. "We're leaving." Not that I needed to announce it.

Gervaise apologized to me, blushing. "I'm sorry, Cosette. I'm not like you; I can never speak up to anyone…" My anger softened as I slowed down and looked at him. This guy didn't deserve my fury.

I sighed. "It's okay. I'm not saying you need to insult her, but she doesn't deserve your respect, you know? You're better than that." I was surprised that he didn't chastise me for saying that. He only nodded, as though taking it to heart.

We arrived at the stables without Rosette following us, but came to a very angry and infuriated stableman. I think I'll take my chances with his so-called "wrath".

"You were supposed to be out here half an hour ago." He resembled Gervaise in appearance, but his eyes were a bright blue.

"Forgive me, Brother, we came across Lady Rosette along the way and we must-…" Gervaise looked forlorn and wounded that he had disappointed his brother; I nearly petted him and told him everything was going to be ok. He clearly had a confidence issue.

"No, right now we must tend to the stables." He glanced at me, giving me the look. "And who, pray tell, are you?" Your worst nightmare, buddy. I didn't say that of course, but I gave him a challenging look. What exactly was it that made him so high and mighty?

Gervaise answered for me. "She is Cosette."

"Only temporarily." I grumbled.

His brother looked at me oddly. "That name, does it not mean…'little thing-'…"

"...'-of no importance'. Yes, we all know." I finished for him, glaring at him and hoping, by some miracle, that lightning would come and strike him. Damn it all! That name didn't bother me at first, but with everyone using it I was beginning to feel like my identity was being painted over.

"Yes…Well, let us take our leave with haste. The horses will not wait forever." He led the way, all of us walking in silence. I nearly said that they could have, but it would have been animal cruelty. Still I expected Baret wasn't one to take a joke. He looked so serious that I didn't even bother trying to joke with him.

"Hmm…" I pondered on what to talk about. "…Nice weather we're having." Now, that was just pathetic. I wanted to say something to Gervaise but he was so concerned with following his brother, he didn't even look at me this time. It was weird, no longer being the object entrapped in his gaze.

They both disregarded my attempt at conversation and I felt very aggravated, I wanted to punch something…someone. I hated silence. I felt I needed my earphones with me so I could listen to music along the way. What was the point of having people walk with you if they didn't strike up conversations? I felt a horrible pang as I thought of what my brother would do.

Baret turned to me suddenly when we arrived. "Please, will you allow my brother and I a word alone?" It was like he thought I was going to gossip about them.

I raised an eyebrow and answered. "Okay." I shrugged and went into the stables, spotting a lovely palomino. I loved horses, they were so adorable. I loved looking into their enormous eyes and seeing my own reflection in them.

Baret wasted no time lecturing his brother, who looked more nervous than usual. Whatever…I shouldn't even care. I began petting the horse gently as it snorted in approval, nuzzling its nose to me. They're probably talking about me. I shouldn't even try to think of…Ah, what the hell.

I gestured the horse to stay as I snuck over to their meeting spot. I hung back behind a stall door, the Mission Impossible theme song playing in my head.

"…Forgive me, but she seemed so insistent-…" Gervaise…obviously.

"No, I required Yvette to be here. I needed to speak with her." Baret.

"…So you did not require help after all? Brother, what are you-…"

"Hush, not so loud! It is a secret, brother. I cannot tell you." Baret interrupted again, whispering.

Gervaise whined. "B-but brother I-…"

"No. No more." There was a pause as though he were listening for something. I held my breath, my heart beating so fast I was afraid they would hear it. "Now, let us go and send that girl back. Tell her that the problem is no more."

I quickly made my escape, taking deep breaths to calm my heartbeat as I watched them come back to where I was brushing the horse.

"What took you guys so long?" I asked casually as I combed the horse's mane. The palomino was so calm, it seemed like I never left it. I felt like praising it and giving it a treat. What a good horse!

Gervaise came to me red faced after much encouragement from his brother. "P-please forgive us, the problem is-…"

"Already fixed, right?" I continued looking at the horse's frayed mane and combed through it. It was so dry. I wanted to keep on petting it forever.

"Yes. How did you know?" I predicted his surprised expression.

I smirked. "It was just a guess." I paused a moment as I remembered. "Oh, goodbye Gervaise. It was nice meeting you." I was quite relieved to be able to leave. I loved horses, but Baret watched me like I was a slug, or an idiot who stepped in manure, and it wasn't exactly doing wonders for my confidence. I was sure he didn't really like me. It certainly wasn't nice to meet him, so saying so would've been a lie. I ignored him as I walked back towards the house.

I was tempted to break into a sprint after my first steps.

"Yvette! I'm back!"

"Oh, how was everything?" She looked a little tired and I figured Rosette must have worked her to death after our encounter. I made a mental note to make her life miserable later.

"Baret is kind of…a jerk."

"Really?"

"Yes, Yvette." I didn't know how any more obvious I could get with this. "He wouldn't strike up a friendly conversation with me about the weather!"

"NO, he didn't!" She acted surprised.

"I KNOW! How dare he think the weather be too insignificant to talk about!" We laughed. "His brother couldn't stop staring at me, the weirdo. Must be my clothes."

"Oh, please, do not speak ill of the boy. He has taken a liking to you." Her last sentence hit me like a spontaneous snowball.

"W-what…?" I choked, suddenly feeling tongue tied.

She smiled knowingly. "You did not notice?"

"Hell no! It wasn't like I was asking for his attention!" I blurted out, feeling my cheeks burn with mortification. "How do I make it stop?!" I felt so stupid asking the question. I wasn't even sure it could stop.

She gave me a playful frown. "You do not like him?"

"My feelings are kind of neutral right now. I haven't known him long enough to hate him." I retorted, embarrassed beyond reason. How in the world was I supposed to face him later?!

"Hmm, and yet you met Rosette for a mere minutes and presume your hatred for her." She said, pondering.

"That's because I know for sure, it's there. The hatred, the anger, Oh yes, it's like a burning fire in my body, let me tell you!" I waved my arms around and leaned against the wall, overcome.

She sighed and patted me for comfort. "Perhaps it is only a liking; he does not wish to marry you." But I knew she found it amusing. Yvette was secretly sadistic underneath that sweet exterior.

"I sure hope not." I muttered as I groaned, putting my hands to my face.

Just then, I remembered something and grinned, relieved that I could change the subject from me to her. "Yvette. Did you know Baret wanted to talk to you?"

Yvette blinked and looked around. She checked the door and then closed it, an anxious expression on her face. "For what reason?" She asked.

"I don't know." I answered truthfully. "I eavesdropped…You aren't going to tell on me, are you?" I seriously doubted she would, but if Baret ever found out, I was sure he'd made me silent permanently. The guy was a little intimidating.

She let out a breath, as though relieved. "No, no, I would never think of such a thing."

We sat together, leaning against the wall, in silence. "Do you know?"

She gave me a grim look. "We should not speak of this." Now, that's just going to leave me curious. I wanted to know even more than before.

"Come on, how bad can it be?" I asked. Yvette had a secret, that was something I couldn't ignore. What, did she have a secret past? Was she a spy? Oooh, I had to know!

She bit her lip, looked around again then whispered softly into my ear. "I am preparing to run away...back to my homeland."

I nearly cheered for her. Yay! Good for you! Where's the confetti when you need it? I was so happy for her. Finally, after all this time she would be able to have a chance to run away from Rosette and back to her home and family and friends. But I was curious where her homeland was. Hopefully, it'd be close. The closer the better.

"Where is that?" I whispered in reply.

She gazed into my eyes, looking for any reason for me to betray her. She found none.

"Masyaf."

I found myself whispering back. "Take me with you." MASYAF. The home of the assassins. Perfect!

A/N: Yes, finally! Kaylyn has a chance of making it to where her brother, and (notably) where the assassins are. Nothing really of cultural note here, though for people who aren't aware, Masyaf is a real place that you can visit, and the castle in Assassin's Creed was based on a real castle built at around that time.

The castle was briefly the headquarters of an ancient assassin group called the Hashashin (this is where the word "assassin" comes from), and they were very well known during the Crusades. They were called Hashashin because it was rumored that they used hashish (ancient form of weed, more or less) before each contracted kill. The words "nothing is true, everything is permitted," were supposedly the dying words of their founder.

Note: There were some huge differences between this group and the Brotherhood we know and love. For one, the Hashashin were an extremely religious Islamic group, and a lot of their philosophies were based off of those of Muhammad. In addition, most of their assassinations were done for personal gain and power, rather than for the freedom of the people.

Anyway, I just found that fascinating and thought you'd like to know. Hope you enjoyed!