Discoveries and Planning
Chapter 22: Discoveries and Planning
Cole P.O.V.
The burn mark of an Assassin. Is it the truth or a perfectly formed lie? It is astounding what enemies can do just to hurt you; there are no limits, no boundaries for their schemes.
And yet, my heart is telling me another. Here I am in a place, seemingly of no return, and opportunity is staring me right in the face with compelling evidence debunking the contrary.
Eagle vision may not be of use here. In my years as an Assassin, I've seen quite a handful of people who gave a saint's hue of blue then change to the devil's hue of red.
I have to rely on my judgment, though it hasn't steered me wrong. Yet. Let not this be the time it does.
"Very well, you have my attention." I spoke.
He let out a very audible, even through his guard helmet, relieved sigh he seemed to have been holding for ages. He then went to remove his guard helmet to reveal himself to me. He seemed to be around the same age as me, give or take one to three years; he had light skin, his eyes were a hazel brown; had black hair, sideburns, and groomed facial hair.
The feeling that I had seen him once before grew.
"Please, allow me to introduce myself, but we have encountered each other once before." He spoke.
"Remind me." I responded.
He chuckled a bit. "We briefly met in Venezia. I was the man you spoke to after silencing that fool of an eye witness. I told you to "keep up the good work"" He said with a small smile.
Now I remember! It's amazing what father time can do to a man. He appeared much younger when I first encountered him, and that was just a year or two ago.
"My name is Teo Frate da Venezia. I was a thief, working for Antonio. Antonio saw my potential as an Assassin and suggested me to Niccolò. After about a year or so, I was inducted into the order. I was to carry on my work as a thief, keeping a glove at all times on my left hand so I was never found out as I was tasked to work closely with the Templars."
"So why are you here exactly?" I asked him.
"Word had quickly spread that you had gone missing in Forlì. My specialty is tracking people down, whether they are targets, allies, or missing civilians. I was sent with the task to track you and find any leads as to where you have gone. Through careful eavesdropping, asking others for information, and using certain persuasive methods, I was able to narrow your whereabouts to this location."
"And where are we right now?" I asked.
"An underground prison della Campagna Romana."
Roma? No, no I'm not supposed to be here. I can't be here. Not after…
"Are you alright?" He asked, sensing my distress.
"I am fine. Please continue."
"Alright… anyway I was able to eavesdrop in numerous conversations among the guards and I heard your name brought up in almost every one of them. I was also able to listen in on a meeting Christopher was holding to discuss his plans. After hearing his twisted plans, I wanted to strike. End it all right before it had a chance to develop further. But I stayed my blade. I was very much aware as to what that man can do. Trying to confront him would be a death wish."
He can say that again…
"So I stole the armor of a guard in an attempt to get closer to you and possibly help you. I also come with good news."
"Enlighten me."
"Christopher will not strike for a while."
"Why do you say that?"
"The Assassins are a bit scattered, occupied with trying to alleviate Templar control not only in Italy, but in other parts of Europe as well. They are currently on a mission in Spain."
"How do you know that if you've been here the entire time?"
"These guards like to gossip." He replied with a roll of his eyes.
So these rough and tough guards are gossip queens as well? Sounds hard to believe, but I'm honestly not too surprised. They give off that vibe.
"So he basically wants to attack when all the Assassins are back together? In one area?" I asked.
"It would make his sneaking in much easier." He responded.
Makes sense.
"So when will it happen?" I asked.
"I cannot say. But I do have a bit of an estimate when. A monk by the name of Girolamo Savonarola currently has the apple of Eden you guys had in your possession."
"Cosa? What does that mean?" Can anything else go wrong here?
"It is quite unfortunate. From what I've heard, this man is not… stable. Not as unstable as Christopher but he is not stable. He claims that he will rid Firenze of its corruption and lead Firenze into a new era. With the apple of Eden, that doesn't sound too positive."
"I agree. So when the time is right, Christopher knows that the Assassins will get involved in an attempt relieve Firenze of whatever trouble she will certainly fall into."
"And they have no clue that they would be welcoming their demise with open arms."
"Cazzo. So what do we do now?"
We heard footsteps coming our way. Something tells me that my "friends" are coming back around for second round of annoy the hell out of the prisoner who could have them begging for mercy in no time flat.
Just saying.
"We will talk again. I shall return here at nightfall."
"Bene."
Teo rushed to put his guard helmet on and his glove back on his hand. He quickly regained his composure; standing up straight and tall, hands at his sides, and looking forward diligently.
The two incoming guards eventually reached us. They stopped to look at me, looked at Teo, then looked back at me again. They looked at each other and began laughing.
"Ease your worries soldato. We'll pass the message on to the others to not touch your new toy." One of them stated.
Teo's fist tightened at his side and shook, clearly fighting the urge to knock the guard's lights out. But he had no choice but to restrain himself, because he would risk blowing his cover. He knows as well as I do that cannot happen at this point.
The guard patted Teo on the shoulder and the two of them burst out laughing again. They walked away with their obnoxious laughter echoing throughout the place.
What is with these sick stronzi?
~AC~IF~
As promised, Teo returned at nightfall. This time he brought a key with him, unlocked the door and came into my cell, making sure the door closed behind him. That way if someone were to come by that we weren't able to hear, Teo could easily blend into the darker part of my cell to hide.
And I could always plead insanity and say that I was talking to myself. Gives those gossip queens more to talk about.
He removed his helmet and sat down in front me, his hazel eyes glowing in the darkness. "Now where did we leave off?"
"Before we begin, I'd like to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was unacceptable. I know it's not an excuse but I have some trust issues. I was also frustrated and it was wrong of me to take it out on you. Please accept my apology. Mi dispiace." I said. Now that I think back, I shouldn't have told him off the way I did. I should have been more patient and I shouldn't have let my frustration get the best of me.
"Do not worry. Those guards wore your patience thin. They do that even to me. It takes god's will from stuffing my swords down those big mouths of theirs."
Glad to see we're on the same page.
"Now… ah yes. Now we should discuss the plan of your escape."
"Va bene. Do you have anything in mind?"
"I do, but it may be a bit tricky. This area is heavily guarded. Christopher made sure of that. But when there's a will, there's a way."
"These guards work on a dawn to noon to night shift basis. If we can get you the armor of a guard, you and I can leave at night, when the shifts change. We can leave, no questions asked."
"Alright sounds good. But where would we go once we escape? Surely we cannot remain in Roma."
Seriously, we can't.
"I haven't thought that out yet but I agree. We cannot stay in Roma."
Really glad we're on the same page here.
Bells began to ring.
"Oh merda. Speaking of which, the shifts are changing now. I will return at noontime tomorrow. Stay safe." He put his helmet back on. He went over to the door, unlocked it and left the cage, making sure the door closed softly behind him and walked away.
Then a question crossed my mind.
"Wait!"
He came back. "What is it?"
"What year is it?"
I'm fairly notorious for sleeping longer than average human being does.
"1492, why?"
Of course.
"I've been out for four years?"
"Most likely, I don't have too many details as to what Christopher may have done to you all these years, seeing as I infiltrated this place just five months ago. But from what I saw, he waited in front of your cage. He sat there watching and waiting. He wanted to be the first person you saw when you finally awoke. He's even come into your cell at some point and would remain in there for hours at a time."
I don't care how much it would torture me. I need a bath. Now.
"I recall a time he went into your cell and I walked by. He sat beside you, stroking your face and whispering something I wasn't able to catch…"
I will scrub myself until I'm red.
"Eh Roberto! It's time to go! You'll see your new amico tomorrow for seconds!" A guard shouted followed by a laugh.
We simultaneously emitted a shudder.
He saluted me and ran off.
I lay back down on the floor with my hands behind my head. I closed my eyes deep in thought; processing all that Teo or "Roberto" had told me. Then the thoughts of Christopher Valence coming into my cell and doing unthinkable things to me in my sleep slithered into my mind. As much as I tried to make them go away, they wouldn't leave; permanently burned into my mind and will stubbornly refuse to leave each time I try to.
Looks like another night of restless sleep for me.
As usual.
uisghooifrhufhwofda 5K VIEWS! I'm going to cry ='D.
A lot of crude humor in this chapter and I have no idea where it came from xD
Teo Frate originally appeared, unidentified of course, in chapter 10 (re-read it if you need to). An Assassin on the inside? There's hope! XD Does he remind you of anyone specifically? ;D
So sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I had an unexpectedly busy week; had to go to a required overnight college orientation and the take care of some important stuff regarding finance so I can pay for college. Derp xD
Please review if it isn't too much trouble =)
