I wiped the sweat from my face as I grinned at my pile of wood.
"Done." I sighed "Oh yeah. Tens points to Ravenclaw." Conner got up from where he was watching me work.
"Well done." He complimented. I flashed a bright smile.
"It was a piece of cake." I brushed off casually. Conner didn't react and I felt disappointed, he could at least smiled or something.
"Now it is time for the hard part." He said. He handed me a stick and I looked at it in confusion.
"Ok?" I asked "What is the stick for?" Conner picked up his own stick, studied it for a moment, and then proceeded to whack me.
"OW!" I cried "What was that for?!" Conner gazed at me evenly.
"I want you to defend yourself." He explained simply. He whacked me again and went in for another blow, I quickly blocked his attack to avoid anymore stinging pain. He whacked me again quickly and I growled in frustration.
"That hurts." I whined. Conner rolled his eyes.
"Do you think a blade will be less painful?" He said sharply "Or perhaps a bullet?" I scowled and whacked him as he was lecturing me. He looked at me in surprise and then whacked me again.
"OW!" I breathed "Jesus Christ!" He whacked me a few more times before I got really frustrated. I went in for a series of attacks, all of which Conner deflected calmly. He started to bombard me with hits and an idea popped into my head. I crippled under his attacks and curled into a ball. Conner stopped his attacks.
"Get up." He scoffed. I quickly kicked his legs, causing him to fall and got up.
"Get up." I mocked. I started to hit him with my stick relentlessly. A few minutes later, a foot shot out and I stepped back quickly. Conner took my surprised moment to get up and faced me.
"That was a dirty trick." He pointed out. I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, because I wouldn't want to break the rules even if it might save my life." I scoffed "Get real. Now are you a man or aMorceau inutile de chou (useless piece of cabbage)?" Conner glared. I guess even though he didn't understand French, he got the general insulting message. I had to react quickly to block his next whirlwind of attacks. I grew agitated as he kept coming and eventually lost concentration, not to mention the grip on my stick. Conner swept me off my feet (And not in the Romantic sense. First off- GROSS. Second off- This hurt. A lot.) and held the stick to my face threateningly.
"And now you're dead." Conner said with a smirk. I glared at him.
"You're the worst." I hissed at him. Conner removed his stick from my face and helped me up.
"Again." He ordered. I groaned.
"Your stance is wrong." Conner told me. I lowered the bow and looked at him, exasperation evident in my expression.
"What?" I demanded "Again?" Conner adjusted my feet slightly.
"Show me again." He said. I groaned.
"Now when someone runs at you, grab their arm like this, twist, and- Alice are you even listening?"
"...Yes."
"What did I just say?"
"UM...My stance is wrong?"
"No."
"Oh."
"But it is. Adjust your feet slightly wider."
"MOTHER OF A TURKEY!"
"Let's get down to business! To defeat- The Templars! Did they send me daughters when I asked for- You know what? Nevermind."
Conner handed me a small hunting knife.
"What's this for?" I asked him. Conner smiled evilly (Which is terrifying. Like think Joker and Godzilla had a baby and it was high on sharpie).
"You're going to go in the forest and hide." He explained "I will look for you and you'll have only this knife to defend yourself. If you last until sunset, then I won't make you chop wood tomorrow. If you don't, then you have to run laps around the Homestead until I say you can stop." I widened my eyes.
"A-Are you going to give me a headstart?" I squeaked nervously. Conner smiled evilly again (Again. Sharpie high Godzilla-Joker baby).
"Of course." He replied "Starting now." I registered what he said and took off immediately. I was running for a while and I stopped, panting and wheezing. Of all the times for my asthma to kick in. I gave myself a while longer before taking off again. I came across a river and an idea popped into my head. I got in, shivering from the cold current, and walked down the stream for a good half-hour, then I got out and kept running. That might throw Conner off a bit if I'm lucky. Another idea popped into my head and I climbed a tree. Conner had taught me how to jump from tree to tree and I was terrible at it, but here goes.
I got up a fair height and jumped to a different tree, I clung onto the trunk quickly and recovered my blood. I looked to the sky. The sun was still above the horizon and Conner would have already started following me. I jumped to another tree, then another, and another. With each jump, I paused to catch my breath and check the position of the sun. I had just jumped to a new tree when I heard a branch break. I looked down quickly and was relieved when I didn't see Conner. It was a wolf.
Wait a WOLF?!
"Oh jeez." I stressed quietly "Two predators on my tail." The wolf's ears twitched and I fell silent immediately, hoping it wouldn't hear me. The wolf looked up and I bit back a scream when it looked directly at me. It's eyes were locked with mine. We stared at each other for a while before the wolf broke eye contact and left. I sighed in relief and gazed up at the sky. The sun was sinking behind the horizon.
"YAS." I whispered "I am the champ!" I climbed down from the tree and put my hands on my hips.
"I declare this a victory for the citizens of Wonderland!" I said "I, Diana Alice Keen have defeated Conner Kenway!" I turned around in circles.
"Now which direction is to the Homestead?" I asked myself. The sky darkened and I was slowly plunged into darkness.
That was a two months ago and I have grown in my training since. For all that are curious, Conner found me not long after the sun set and true to his word, I did not have to hack at wooden logs or run laps. It was the first moment I felt proud of what I had learned from the Native. I have certainly grown, but my spirit is still childish as ever...
"Good job." Conner complimented as I hit the target accurately with an arrow. I am proud to say that I was skilled with the bow, although not as much as Conner, but I had a knack. I liked fighting with it too, it made me feel powerful without reminding me of its purpose with a heavy weight like swords did. I haven't officially joined the Brotherhood yet like Conner, but he tells me that I'm close.
"I think that's enough training for today." Conner decided "Let's go inside where it's warm." I nodded happily and followed him to the Homestead. As soon as we entered, the ice seemed to melt off my clothes. I take off my shoes so I don't tread water everywhere. Conner however, ignores my example and taks the weapons we trained with back to the basement. I found Achilles in the living room, next to a warm fire.
"Did you train well today?" Achilles asked. I kneeled in front of the fire, holding out my hands to warm them.
"I dunno." I answered uncertainly "You'd have to ask Conner, it's not my place to say." Achilles chuckled.
"Then let me rephrase my question." He decided "Do you think you did well?" I shrugged my shoulders.
"I believe I did satisfactory." I replied "Although I'm sure I can improve." Achilles nods thoughtfully.
"You've taken your training very seriously." He told me "I'm impressed with your focus and from what Conner has told me, you are progressing greatly." I blink at surprise at his compliment and the fact Conner thought I was doing well.
"I have a good mentor." I replied "Conner is very good at teaching me." Achilles stands up and hobbles to the table in the room. He picks up a box that I didn't notice before.
"I can believe it." He said "But training can only go so far." Conner walked in at that moment and went to stand by Achilles. He was holding dark green robes. He and Achilles exchanged glances and Conner held out the robes for me.
"Put them on." Achilles told me.
I walked back into the living room, adjusting to my new attire. I still had my blouse on, but you really couldn't tell because I was wearing my new dark green robes over it. I had buttoned the front of the coat and the buttons on the sleeves. The tail of the coat was longer than the front and it fell a little lower than my knees, the front stopped at my waist. I wore a belt with gun holsters around my middle and it bore the assassin's symbol in the center front, reminding me of Conner's own belt. Achilles and Conner turned around when they heard my approach.
"Very nice Miss. Alice." Achilles said with a curt nod. I turned to Conner, wanting some form of approval from my mentor.
"It's very...nice." He told me at last. I smiled, typical Conner.
"You've trained for months now Alice." Achilles said "You have honed your newfound skills as an assassin with a passion that is very admirable. It usually takes years for one to be accepted into our Brotherhood, but time is not on our side. Our enemies become deadlier with each passing day and if we don't act soon, they may overpower us. That is why I've decided you are fit to become one of us...officially." I looked between them in disbelief.
"I-I..." I started, but Achilles held up a hand.
"There was once a ceremony for this." He continued "But, I don't think it suits you, or me for that matter. You have your training and your goals. And here are your tools." He handed me the box and I glanced at both the assassins before opening it. Inside were a pair of hidden blades. They were smaller and more intricate than Conner's, but beautiful nonetheless.
"Beautiful." I whispered. Achilles smiled.
"Welcome to the Brotherhood Alice."
I looked at both of them and smiled gently.
"Thank you." I said softly "This might be a bit unprofessional but..." I hugged Achilles and he chuckled, patting my back.
"You're welcome my dear." He replied. I pulled away and looked at Conner. I raised an eyebrow and held out my arms.
"Permission to hug?" I asked. Conner rolled his eyes and pulled me in for the biggest bear hug I've ever gotten.
"Aw you do care!" I laughed, then I grunted as he tightened his hold.
"Conner, you're...crushing...me!" I gasped. He let go and I made a dramatic scene about it.
"Yes! Sweet air!" I cried "How I've missed your gentle embrace!" Achilles and Conner rolled their eyes in perfect unison, it was scary to say the least.
A/N- Alice is now a certified people-murderer! Yay! This calls for the party!
Conner- What are you doing?
Savespot- UUUUUMMMM
Alice- Conner! She's just having some fun!
Savespot- What she said! hehe...
Altair- I thought it was humorous.
Savespot- THANK YOU! Wait a minute...
Ezio- Concordo con la bella signora (I agree with the beautiful lady)
Savespot- Ezio?! You and Altair shouldn't be here! Beat it! But thanks for the compliment! ; )
Speaking of compliments! REPLIES TO REVIEWS!
Ezio- Can we do these bella?
Savespot- UM. SURE?
Ezio- Ahem. In response to Konnoronhkwa- I am pleased to hear that my friend Savespot was humorous enough to bring you joy. Although, a night with me might be better than any old story. We could tour Italy, just you and me.
Savespot- Stop flirting with my reviewers! (BTW Konnoronhkwa I love your story Forbidden! It's sooooo good!)
Ezio- Fine.
Altair- In response to BlackAndWhiteLoverForever- I'm glad that you think Alice and Conner are cute together, I myself think them foolish for not-
Alice, Conner, and Savespot- Altair!
Altair- Apologies.
Conner- And last but not least, in response to jkls39- Savespot would like to thank you for your kind review. She also wants to encourage you to publish your Assassin's Creed stories because not only would she like to read them, but she loves to see writers express themselves on the site.
Savespot- ...No weird things to say Conner?
Conner- No...
Savespot- Ok then! Remember to favorite, follow, and review!
Edward- What do you do with a drunken sailor?
Savespot, Other Assassins, and Alice- *Stare*.
Savespot- And on that note... Bye!