While Vera slept for most of the flight, it was her who had to wake Eluveitie up once they arrived in Ireland. Of course, there was some 'new artwork' on his arm when he awoke, which consisted of a sleeve of Celtic knots. He decided not to argue with her as he grabbed their bags from the overhead compartment before exiting the plane and getting a cab. They were dropped off at a hotel about an hour outside of where Vera's family resided. The hotel was consisted of little two story cabins while the main check in area looked like a lodge. After they settled in, they quickly changed into their black outfits, complete with hoods and capes, grabbed their Codex weapons and any other weapons they felt would be necessary for the trip. Vera attached the bag to her belt and within moments, they were on their way out the door and into the dark forest that lay just beyond the cabins.

For the most part, the trip was a quiet one, besides a few birds. They had been startled a few times by the sound of deer and other creatures roaming about in the forest. They kept close, but kept hidden in the shadows. Soon, they came upon a large mansion that appeared to be on top of a hill that overlooked the forest. A large rot iron gate sealed the entrance with a matching fence that outlined the property. No lights appeared to be on, which was a good sign for the two of them, but they knew that they couldn't let their guard down. Vera went up to the fence and followed it all the way around to the back. The property extended much farther than they had thought and as soon as they reached the end of it, they saw the vault. The back of it acted as part of the fence line. The vault itself didn't appear big, but it was possible that it lead underground. Both of them were able to scale it with ease and land safely on the other side.

Vera looked up at the door that sealed the vault shut. There was a lovely Celtic pattern designed on the front of it with a vampire theme intertwined as well. She ran her hand along the door, but there was no handle to open it with. Above the door, she saw several square boxes written in Celtic ruins. She reached up and preceded to push the buttons in a random order. Nothing happened. She kept this up until she heard the door start to slide open. She peeked inside to see touches lighting a small room that lead to a staircase that went downward. She turned and looked at Eluveitie.

"You can come with me, if you'd like." She said.

Eluveitie turned his head to look back at the mansion to see that the lights were still out. He turned back to her, then stepped into the vault.

Vera looked down the staircase, which was lit by torch light, then began to ascend down them. Within moments, they were in a large chamber filled with family heirlooms and artifacts. Vera's eyes went wide as she stepped into the large, long room, "Holy…"

All the items that were within the room were ancient, but appeared to be in wonderful condition. Most of them were jewelry while some weapons were 'hidden' amongst them. The items almost appeared to have come out of a Middle Earth type setting by the way that they looked.

Vera stepped up to one of the walls and removed a sword, one that appeared to look like Aragorn's. She turned to Eluveitie, who was busy admiring a piece of jewelry that was inside of a glass case, "Hey! Look at this!"

Eluveitie turned his attention to her, then slowly walked up to her. He held out his hands and allowed her to place the sword into them. He studied it, his eyes widening at the detail of it, "There's no way…"

"It looks just like the sword Aragorn had. In fact, everything in here has a Middle Earth feel to it." Vera turned as she looked at the wall to see if there were more weapons around, "I see nothing fully Celtic about this place."

"I'm starting to believe that Middle Earth was a real place."

"I feel like you're right." Vera removed the gem from her bag, then walked over to a table, which was made out of beautiful oak wood, and placed it next to some other gems that had been laid out upon it and marked. She walked a little ways down the room and spotted a row of necklaces hanging from the wall. Each necklace had the name of an ancestor who had past. She assumed that their ashes were within the pendents on the necklaces, sort of like a piece of memorial jewelry. She saw one with Kida's name, then removed it from the wall. She stared at it for several moments before placing it around her neck. She stood there for several moments before heading back over to Eluveitie.

Eluveitie already had the sword tied to his built and was busy studying the other weapons that were hanging up on the walls. He pulled down a sash that held several throwing knives. Upon removing one of the knives, he saw that the blade was made out of gold and had the most beautiful Celtic designs carved into it. Even the hilts had the same designs on them. The sash was made of leather and had a ruin embedded near the top.

Vera took the knife from him and studied it. She replaced the knife, "That's going, too." She moved around the room, then saw two short swords hanging up on the wall. They appeared to be the same kind that Legolas used. She pulled those down and placed one of them on the floor. She pulled the other out of the case and marveled at the beautiful weapon before her. It almost looked like the knives, only the blade was made from onyx. She placed it back, then placed them onto her back. Then, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. She picked up her head and saw, across the way, a large wooden cabinet with stained glass doors. Slowly, she made her way over to it.

Upon reaching it, she slowly opened up the doors, then froze in her tracks as she stared at what was within. Inside were at least thirty Codex bracers, each a different style. She reached inside and pulled one out. After removing the one she had on, she placed it on her arm to see if it would fit, which it did. She flicked her wrist and out came an onyx long dagger. She marveled at it before removing it and trying on another. This blade was made of gold, but a small drip came from the tip and landed on the ground before her. A small sizzle could be heard. She was pretty sure that this was a blade meant for poison. Carefully, she removed the bracer and placed it back.

Eluveitie had joined her not too long after and was in complete awe by all the weapons that were within, "So…how do you know which ones to take…? And, can I have one…or two?"

"I don't think we have the kind of time to try all of these." Vera saw little gold plated labels in front of the weapons. The labels had the names of the ancestors who used them and what kind of blades they were. She removed two and passed them to Eluveitie while she took two of her own and placed them into her bag, "Gosh! I'd love to take more of these!"

"Too bad we didn't bring a bigger bag, or we could have just shoved them all in there. There's still some more weapons around here. I was able to grab a dagger." Eluveitie passed it over to her, "You can use that one."

"As if we already don't have enough weapons on us." Ver accepted the dagger, then attached it to her belt. She closed the cabinet, then took another walk around the room, "I don't think I need any jewelry. I have enough of that stuff at home."

"What about this?" Eluveitie held up a beautiful onyx circlet that had an Elvish style to it.

Vera's eyes widened at the wonder and detail of the circlet. She went up to him, then removed her earring. She allowed him to place it on her head, "It's a nice fit." She said while placing her earring inside of the bag. She figured she'd keep it off in case they ran into her family. Just then, she heard Eluveitie take in a sharp breath and quickly looked up at him, "What?! Please don't…"

"Look!" Eluveitie pointed behind her, "I…I can see you! In that mirror!"

"What?!" Vera was too shocked by what she heard that she was afraid to turn around to have a look, "You…you have to be kidding, right?"

"No, I'm not. Turn and see for yourself."

Vera bit her lip slightly, "No, I can't. I don't want to know what I look like. I've already got a good self esteem with my human side. If I see this side…I don't even what to know what'll happen."

"It won't hurt you to just look this one time."

"I just can't do it."

Eluveitie put his hand on her shoulder, then guided her towards the mirror, "Just have a look."

Vera, who had put her head down, nodded a little, then slowly lifted up her head to have a look. The mirror was outlined in gold with tiny crystals. The mirror itself seemed to have a misty feel to it. She stared at herself for several moments before turning her head to Eluveitie, "You…you don't appear in the mirror!"

"Maybe it's just meant for vampires. It's alright. I don't need to see my reflection. But, what do you think about yourself?"

Vera glanced back at the mirror, "I feel my self esteem going down the drain." She held her hand up to the mirror, "So much for killing off half the hair on my head."

Eluveitie looked down at her, then placed his hand under her chin and made her look up at him, "You are beautiful in both forms. Do not let this bring you down. Don't let anyone bring you down." He kissed her on the cheek.

Vera nodded a little as she glanced back at the mirror, then almost screamed when she saw what had appeared next to her, "What the bloody hell is that?!"

Eluveitie quickly looked up and saw his reflection starting to appear, but it wasn't him. What had appeared in the mirror looked almost like a dragon mixed with a demon. It looked like something that could have came out of Middle Earth. While Eluveitie was shocked by the image that appeared, the image itself began to take on a life of its own and made an illusion that it was going to jump out of the mirror at them.

Vera grabbed a scepter that was sitting on the table right in front of the mirror and used it to smash the mirror to pieces. The impact was so violent that it not only knocked the mirror off the wall, but other surrounding objects. Some of the objects were glass and had shattered as soon as they hit the concrete floor. She panted heavily, then went over to Eluveitie and shook him.

Eluveitie shook his head, then looked down at her, "What happened…?"

"I don't know. I don't even know what that was. I've never seen such a thing like that before. But, it obviously wanted to attack you."

"Could it have?"

"I really hope not. I know that I made you immortal, but I can't see how that thing would have any connection to you." She allowed the scepter to fall to the ground, "I think we've overstayed our welcome. We should leave."

"I couldn't agree more." He took Vera's hand, then followed her up the stairs and towards the entrance of the vault.

Once they were outside, Vera typed in the code and watched as the door closed. She sighed a little, "Ok…that was more fun than I wanted to have for the night."

"I think you spoke a little too soon." Eluveitie whispered to her as he drew his sword and unleashed one of his Codex blades.

Vera's hairs stood on end as she could hear the sound of feet moving amongst the grass. She released her Codex blade and grabbed one of the two swords before spinning around and seeing a large some of her vampire family approaching them. She hissed under her breath, "Oh, bloody hell!"

One of the members, who appeared to be the oldest of the group, rode up to them on a horse while the others came up on foot. He sat tall in his saddle and wore a very regal outfit that had Gothic elements mixed in with Celtic, "It would be wise of you to hand over those weapons at once!" He spoke in Irish.

Vera hissed a little for she could tell that his Irish was much older than what she was use to speaking, so she replied in Celtic, "I have every right to enter this vault!"

The man quickly backed up on his horse when he heard her language, "You know the language of our ancestors? How is that possible?"

"I had to teach myself! And, Irish wasn't really cutting it for me."

"Who are you and what do you want with our family treasures?!"

Vera bit her tongue so hard that it started to bled. She was pretty sure she just gave herself a tongue piercing, "Oh, ancestors of the Brotherhood so help me…"

"An Assassin! You must be from…"

"I'm Vera Dubhthach, you idiots!" She knew she shouldn't speak to her family in such a manner, but the fact that someone from her family thought that she was from their family rival really burned her up inside, "By the gods of this land, how could you not know it was me?! I'm pretty sure I attend a wedding for someone here who use to live in the states!" She glanced over at one of her relatives, who had quickly hidden behind a tall male vampire.

As soon as Vera had said her name, there were gasps coming from all around, then several whispers. The group slowly parted as her parents stepped forward. Both appeared to be in their fifties and wore the same regal clothing as the elderly man, only her mother was dressed in a beautiful Celtic gown. Vera looked more like her mother than her father. Her father was taller than the two of them and had brown hair. Vera quickly stood slightly in front of Eluveitie as she lowered the sword. She could feel her stomach starting to turn within her. She turned her head away slightly and felt Eluveitie place his hand upon her shoulder. She quickly put the sword onto her back, then flexed her wrist as the blade went back into the bracer.

Her mother slowly stepped forward, "Vera…is that really you?"

Vera stayed silent for a good long while. Right now, she wished she could just wave her hand and make them all disappear, so her and Eluveitie could leave in peace, but she had a feeling that wasn't going to happen. She turned her hand slightly and looked her mother in the eyes.

"Yes…it is." She replied in a low voice. She was about to reach for her hood to pull it over her head, but she felt Eluveitie stop her. She looked up at him for a second, then leaned on him slightly.

"W-what are you doing here? And, inside the vault?" Her mother asked.

"And, who is he?!" Her father asked in a stern voice as he pointed to Eluveitie.

Vera tried to keep it all inside of her, but she just couldn't. She quickly spun out of Eluveitie's grip and threw her hood over her head, "He is a fellow Assassin who lives in Finland. Several years ago, he was with a group on a mission in the states and they were taken by Templars. Me and a group went out to find them. He was badly wounded and we brought him back to our camp to recover. We've been 'speaking' to each other since then. His name is Eluveitie."

She quickly turned her attention to her mother, "As for your questions, it's simple really. I was returning a gem to the vault that was within the main cathedral in Rome. Stupid thing almost killed me before I had the chance to bring it here."

There were more whispers amongst the group as the elderly man rode up closer to them, "You mean the gem that Kida placed over the vault that holds the Treasures of Eden?"

"Yes, that one. Too bad the vault was broken into. There's a group of fine, young Assassins searching for the treasures. They were the ones who came across a piece of paper that had the gem on it and they called me out to have a look at it. Whoever got into the vault redid the hex that was on the gem. Damn thing could have killed me in there and almost did kill me when I sealed up the vault. The gem has had the power and life sucked out of it, so I don't believe anyone will be making any use of it."

"But…how could anyone get past it and into the vault? Kida's spell was a strong one."

"I don't know and I don't care. While my job back home is to teach young Assassins the skills they'll need to survive, I'm also on the hunt for any of our family heirlooms that might have gone missing. Of course, another has been located and will stay in my possession until further notice."

"And, what item might that be?"

Vera backed up slightly as she moved the hood back a little, "It's not in my power to say." She paused when she noticed her father taking a step forward.

"I have noticed that your 'friend' here isn't a vampire, nor does he appear to be human. But, he doesn't carry the scent of our rivals, and you know which ones I speak of. So, what is he?" He questioned her as he moved closer to them.

Vera quickly blocked her father from Eluveitie's path, but made sure to keep a good distance between the two of them, "He was a human, but I give him the power of immortality."

"And, how could you possibly have done that?"

Vera grinned slightly, "My little secret."

"It must be the work of the medallion!" One of the members cried, "She can't possess the power to do that on her own!"

Vera quickly shot a nasty look in the direction she heard the voice coming from.

"Vera, do you have the medallion?" Her father questioned.

Vera slowly turned her head back towards him, "Yes, I do and it's staying with me until we can figure out a way to keep it from being stolen from us, since being an Assassin is not anyones cup of tea here. It'll be safer with me and the other Assassins I work with."

"Young one, it would be wise of you to return it as you have done with this gem." The elder said.

Vera hissed angrily, "Then tell me, how did it end up in the hands of thieves in New Orleans?" She waited for a response, but got none, "Then, it stays with me."

"But, you have used it to change a human into a mortal!" Her father hissed at her.

"I had every right to do so! He is one of several Assassins who deserve to live a good long life in order to serve the Brotherhood! I know of two more people who are deserving of that right as well! While I have the medallion, I'll do with it as I please!"

"What if our rivals show up and take it from you?"

Vera turned her head slightly as if to get a better look at the group, "You mean the family we're 'destined to marry'? Yeah, I already had my run in with Daniel, more than once, and he did get his hands on the medallion, but it has already locked in his fate. And, by the way, thank you OH SO MUCH for giving me a heads up on this guy because I was stuck with him for a good portion of my life and he trained me to be an Assassin as well! But, with his fate sealed, then he's no use to me. Besides, I learned another trick with the medallion, so my fate is sealed with someone else. Oops! Sorry to trigger this rivalry even more."

There were more gasps and whispers amongst the group.

"You ran into our rival's son?! How could you allow him to train you?!" The elder asked as the horse reared up slightly.

"Better yet, who did you seal your fate with?!" Her father's eyes began to beam a deep red color.

"First off, no one told me that Daniel was our rival!" Vera glared at her mother and father before continuing, "I had a little help several years down the road from a cousin who came to the states to study. And, yes, I did train with him because he was an Assassin and willing to train me. But, it appears that I have more Assassin blood running through my veins than anyone else here, seeing as how my loyalty to the Brotherhood is very strong, just like Kida's."

She stepped back further until her back was slightly up against Eluveitie, "And, father, as for your question, he's been here the whole time." She took Eluveitie's hand in hers and gripped it tightly. With her other hand, she removed her hood, "If there's anyone I would want to be with, it's someone who has the heart of an Assassin and knows where his loyalties lie. But, more importantly, I want to be with whomever I please. I'm sick and tired of living under the notion that I have to follow what our ancestors started, and this being forced to marry someone whom I don't love and trust ends here!"

The voices of the group got louder and louder as her father's rage grew. He began to make his way towards them, but was quickly stopped when he saw Eluveitie hold the sword between them.

"I've been quiet up till now, but I can see why she's been hesitant about coming here all this time." Eluveitie replied as he kept the sword up, "I've known your daughter and family member for about thirteen years, if not a bit longer. I accept the fact that she's a vampire, but what I care most about is how damn great of an Assassin she is! These days, it's hard to find an Assassin who has a loyal heart and sticks to the more traditional side. Only us and a few others follow the traditional ways of the Assassins while everyone has turned to more modern advances. We have fought side-by-side several times and I've had a run-in with Daniel before, but because he is an Assassin, I couldn't kill him, for I know the consequences of killing a fellow brother."

He released Vera's hand, then wrapped his arm around her and held her close to him, "Your daughter is a very brave woman and always puts others needs before herself, even on missions. When I was wounded by the Templars and her team came to rescue us, she was the first one out the door and the first one to take down the Templars firing at us, even though she was wounded herself. She made sure that we got out safely before leaving the building. When we were in Rome the other night getting that gem, she said that if something happened for us to flee and that she'd catch up. She's had way more years of experience than myself, but I don't understand why you all would try and keep her from becoming what she truly is, an Assassin and a natural born leader. Whatever your reasoning is all I can say is, why would you hold back on teaching her when she had to learn from your enemy to become what she is? Why would you let that happen to you own flesh and blood?"

Vera turned her head slightly as she allowed her hair to fall along the side of her face, for she was afraid to hear what her father had to say, or what anyone else had to say. She leaned her head slightly on Eluveitie's chest and could hear his heart beat. She had no idea how he was able to remain calm through out all of this, but she heard it skip a beat once her father had spoken up.

Her father stepped closer to the sword, then knocked it out of Eluveitie's grip. The blade was sharp and had cut the backside of his hand slightly, "We were trying to protect her from him and his family! By coming here, then we wouldn't have to worry about them, since most of their family moved to the states back in the early 1800's! We would have taught her the ways of the Assassins, but not to the extent that the Mentor would call upon us if havoc broke loss! No Templars would dare step foot here unless they wanted to become a meal to us or any other vampire within the area! She's safer here than anywhere else in this world!"

"I don't think you understand the fact that her heart is true and loyal to the Brotherhood and by keeping her here, it would only make her lust for becoming what she truly is much worse. And, who knows, she could have fled the country in order to get the training she deserves."

"You speak as if this has happened to you! Tell us, young man, were you born with Assassin blood running through your veins, or did you have a reason to become an Assassin?"

Eluveitie's heart picked up speed when he heard him speak. His eyes widened slightly and began to fill with anger. He was about to unleash one of his Codex blades when he felt Vera turn in his arm.

"Father, please! Leave him out of this! He doesn't have to tell you anything!" Vera hissed angrily, "I knew it was a bad idea to come here! Now I'm trapped here until daylight comes! Just let us go in peace."

"Let him answer the questions, Vera!"

"He doesn't have to do your bidding!" Vera broke free of Eluveitie's grip and quickly unleashed one of her blades. Within seconds, she was right in front of her father with the blade to his neck, "I would never harm anyone in my family, but I think you all understand why I never come here. My loyalties are with the Brotherhood and they'll remain as such! While I despises teaching the students from time to time, I would never give it up for anything, for I know that I'm training the Assassins of tomorrow. The Assassins that will lead us to victory against the Templars who cause harm to anyone and everyone. We work in the dark, to serve the light. Nothing is true, everything is permitted. That is the oath I took when I became a true Assassin and that's what I'll live under. If you all don't like it, then I have no problems with you disowning me, but my loyalty stands as is."

She looked back at the others, who were watching in horror at the scene before them, "All I ask is that you allow me and Eluveitie to leave in peace. I will never return to this land unless otherwise noted." She lowered the blade, then stepped back, "My apologies to you, mother and father, but I have made my decisions and they'll remain as such." She spread out her arms, then gave a deep bow, "Victory to the Assassins." She spoke before rising. She reached down and picked up the sword, then walked back over to Eluveitie and passed it to him, "We will take our leave." She walked up to the vault, then swiftly climbed it. Within moments she was on the other side of the fence with Eluveitie close behind her. She raised her hood and made her way back into the forest.

She inhaled a sharp breath when she heard her father shout to her, in Irish, "Your mother and I love you dearly, Vera, but you have dishonored our family. We cannot forgive you for that." She leaned her head back slightly as a tear rolled down her cheek while those words rang through her head like the sound of a church bell ringing throughout the Irish hills.

Eluveitie noticed this, then put his arm around her, "Do you want me to carry you?" He whispered to her.

Vera shook her head, "No, I'll be fine." She whispered as she broke free of his grip and walked ahead of him slightly.

Eluveitie watched her for several moments before glancing back in the direction of the mansion. He wasn't sure what had been spoken, but he was fully aware that it had stung Vera like a wasp. If he could, he would have gone back and destroyed her family for hurting her, but he knew that he couldn't because it wouldn't only break Vera's heart even more, but it would look back to the Brotherhood. He inhaled a deep breath, then slowly let it out before following after her.

By the time they reached the cabin, a small bit of sunlight began to appear over the horizon, but that didn't stop Vera from laying in front of the fire place with a warm fire going. Upon returning, she had made a quick clothing change, then retreated into the small living room and rested herself upon the warm rug. Eluveitie had decided to leave her alone for about an hour before he approached her with a blanket and something warm to drink. He seated himself next to her, then put the blanket over her. He stared into the fire for several long moments before deciding to speak up.

"Do you want to put your earring back on?" He asked.

Vera waited a few seconds before replying, "As long as no sunlight gets in, then no. I'll wait a bit longer."

Eluveitie turned his head, "Are you going to be alright?"

"I don't know." Vera pushed herself up, then wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She even put it over her head slightly, "I mean…I guess I was asking for it. I just…I don't even know anymore."

Eluveitie put his hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry about what your father said to you. You know that you're better than them."

Vera grinned slightly before picking up the mug, "Too bad it's going to haunt me for the rest of my life. But, at least I was one, well, probably the only one, who was brave enough to follow our Assassin bloodline. And, I wouldn't trade it for the world." She brought the mug to her lips and took a sip. Then, she made a bit of a face and moved the mug away from her, "What did you put in this?"

"I tried to mix some blood in the hot chocolate. I figured you'd probably need some."

"This is nasty!" Vera shivered a little as she placed the mug on the floor and moved it away from her, "Blood mixed with anything is nasty!"

"I was trying to make that hot chocolate drink you like. I'll remember not to do that next time."

"I guess it's a good thing they dye the drink red, because I think it would gross a lot of people out if they tasted blood in the drink."

"I'm pretty sure that would make a lot of people sick."

"Yes, it would." Vera stood up, then walked into the small kitchen. She pulled out a bottle of blood and drank it. She shivered a little, "Yuck! I can still taste the chocolate. Man! I'm just not having a good week."

Eluveitie turned and looked at her, "You have to admit that it hasn't been all that bad…kind of."

Vera washed the bottle out, "Well, let's see…in the past several days I've been hurt three times and almost killed once…I'll include the killed part as being hurt. I've had to travel three times and came face to face with family who I've either never seen or haven't seen in a long time. Yeah, great week."

Eluveitie picked up the mug and walked over to her. He dumped it out in the sink, "Sounds almost like a normal week for us Assassins."

"True. Only, normal Assassins aren't vampires and don't have to deal with family like mine."

Eluveitie grinned a little, "Do you plan to win this war?"

Vera bumped him slightly with her hip, "You know I like to win the war." She walked back over to the fire place while swaying her hips. Then, she seated herself back onto the rug.

"Someone's being a little sassy this morning."

"Aren't I always?" Vera turned her head and watched him come over and sit down next to her, "Um…what my father said to you back there, don't worry about it. He doesn't need to know your past. He just likes to play mind games."

"I'm trying not to let it get to me."

Vera could tell that it was, indeed, bothering him for she could see it in his body language. She turned slightly, so that she was facing him, "Do you want to talk about it? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to."

Eluveitie looked at the fire for several long moments before speaking, "He wasn't wrong about what he said. I was in that situation before…it nearly killed me."

"What happened?"

"I was a teenager at the time and grew up in northern Finland. My family didn't associate with my parents because they refused to become Assassins and went into the trade business. My father hunted and my mother would turn the animal skins into clothing which we would sell. But, I didn't want to follow in my father's footsteps. I wanted to become an Assassin because I knew deep in my heart that I was one. However, my father wouldn't teach me. He said being an Assassin was dangerous work and that I'd fall at the hands of the Templars as soon as I came face to face with one."

Eluveitie leaned back slightly as he kept his eyes locked to the flames, "After I turned sixteen, I decided to run away. Sadly, I picked a bad time to leave home because it was in the dead of winter. I grabbed whatever weapons I could and left home. My hope was that the snow would cover my tracks and they wouldn't be able to find me, but the snow was harsh. I had to camp out in a cave until it passed and I continued the next morning. I had made it pretty far by the end of the week and that's when I ran into trouble. There were a few Templars out that evening hunting and I was making my way to the next village. I don't know how they knew I was an Assassin, but they quickly came after me. I couldn't hold my own against the six of them and was badly wounded. They left me in that cold forest and the snow was starting to pick up again."

He leaned his head back slightly as he looked up at the ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes, allowing the memory to flow through his mind, "I seriously thought I was going to die, until a young man, about my age, showed up and helped get me to the village, which was at least fifteen minutes away. I don't know what happened after that because I had lost consciousness along the way. All I remember was waking up in a small cabin with the man, his parents and brother. They cared for me and, after explaining my situation to them, allowed me to live with them and they trained me to become an Assassin. They were from down south, so I was far enough away from my parents as possible. Luckily, I had family who lived down there, so they welcomed me with open arms, but I lived with the young man and his family. Over the years, we became best friends and we got lucky to get jobs at the same camp."

"I take it you're talking about Torstein."

Eluveitie nodded, "Yes. It was him who saved my life and I can never repay him enough for doing that."

"Have your parents ever tried to find you?"

Eluveitie grinned slightly, "Yes, they did. They came down south after winter had ended and my family told them that they shipped me off to Italy to train to become an Assassin, which, of course, wasn't true. After they told me, Torstein decided that I should cut and color my hair, just in case they decided to come back down south to get me. I swear I've had my hair dyed so many times for at least fifteen years I almost forgot what my natural hair color was."

"How long was your hair before this?"

"I'd say close to half way down my back. We did something stupid the first time we cut my hair…Torstein used a knife. Can I just say that was living hell! It was a little shorter than it is now and we dyed it blonde."

Vera's eyes widened, "What?! No way! Are there pictures floating around of you with that long hair?! And, with your blonde hair?! Seriously, where are they?!"

Eluveitie laughed, "If there were pictures, they probably don't exist anymore."

Vera pouted a little, "Well, that sucks. But, I'm glad I didn't have to go through all of that after my parents went back to Ireland. Well, I did cut my hair in the 80's…I kind of miss my long hair, but, at the same time, I really don't."

"How long was it before?"

Vera threw up a peace sign, "That's all you need to know."

"So, let me guess, your hair was down to…" Eluveitie gently hit her on the butt.

Vera screeched a little, then glared at him slightly, "Yes, it was. And, can I just say that it's a mortal pain in the ass to wash! On top of the fact that it doesn't help when you're fighting off Templars."

"I can see how that could be a problem. I guess I should be glad that I cut my hair cut, but, at the same time, I miss it a little."

"I'm happy with the way my hair is now…well, in my human form, that is." Vera laid down, then rested her head on his lap as she looked at the fire, which was slowly starting to burn out, "Anyways, we should probably think where to go from here, since it seems that this mission has come to an end."

"I'm guessing I'll be needed back in Finland and you'll be needed back in the states."

Vera pouted a little, "I always hate it when it comes to this."

"Sadly, that's the way it goes."

"Can I move to Finland? No offense, but I have more fun at your camp than I do back home. Lucas still isn't convinced on letting us shoot arrows at each other…I mean, at targets."

"I'm pretty sure that's why he won't let you have archery at the camp."

Vera rolled over and looked up at him, "Still, I want to come live with you."

"Talk to Lucas about it, but I'm pretty sure he's not going to let you go."

Vera groaned a little, then removed the necklace from around her neck and held it up. She looked at it for several moments before saying, "You know what? I think we need a vacation."

"And, what kind of vacation are you thinking about?"

"Contact Torstein and tell him to meet us in New Zealand. And, to bring our costumes with."

Eluveitie grinned slightly, "You do know that the heads of our camps are going to kill us when we get back, right?"

"Last I remember, I didn't care. Plus, I get in trouble all the time, so this should be no shock to Lucas." Vera sat up, "But, before we go, we're going to make a quick pit stop, and it'll be on our way out there anyways."