Hey y'all! So... Um... Long time no see... I'M SO SORRY! I got caught up in high school, I graduated, I started culinary college... And my best friend, she started a new story and I'm not sure what came over me but I suddenly got this HUGE wave to just write! Hopefully you guys haven't lost an intest or don't hate me for upating... well... three years later. OOPS. Sorry! I do not own any of the characters of Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft does. Well... Enjoy!(I hope...) and please comment! It really makes my day and it makes me want to write more.

Much Love,
Bree

Chapter 4

With a Catch

Two cycles of day and night had past when they were only a mere two towns away, or so the map said. "This map is horrible! I've never had a map been so wrong in my 17 years!" Amythist exclaimed as the old man chuckled to himself. "My apologizes Amythist. I did not have a lot of money for a proper map." Amythist sighed to herself, feeling bad for having insulted the man's possessions.

"I'm sorry Gregorio. I should not have said anything... I understand if you want to drop me off at the next village and no longer travel with me as your companion." She said with a small voice. "I said it was quite alright Amythist." The old man said, crinkling his eyes to protect them from the sun. "Y-you sure? Because I can always just stay in the next village. It is quite alright it that has to happen because you no longer want to travel with m-" "Amythist. Stop. I said it was okay my dear." She just nodded as a response. "I was a princess..." She blurted out after what seemed like an eternity of silence. "My daughter was a princess too." He replied, smiling to himself, remembering the games he used to play with the little girl. "No... As sweet as that is... I mean... I actually was one... Of Antakya... The town where you allowed me to travel with you.. My parents are rulers of that land." The wrinkled man nodded, listening. "Why would you run away from such a lavish life? I'm sure you had everything at the snap of your fingers, my dear."

"If only it was that easy... I would have stayed... But alas it is not that simple in the life of being a royal. Yes I did have a lot of clothes and presents were given to me just for waking up when the sun broke the horizon. But what I wanted more than anything was to be loved and that did not happen with rulers as parents. The castle felt like a prison. It might as well have been and I would never have known the difference..." She said chuckling sadly to herself. "I wish I didn't have to go back eventually." Gregorio glanced sideways at the teenager "Who said you have to go back?"

"Well I have to rule my people and also get married. Unfortunately. I wish I did not have to. But I have to go back and make sure my people are not harmed by the horrible people that have birthed me, who the kingdom calls king and queen."

"Oh. I see. So living with me in Florence, once we arrive, would be unthinkable?"

She looked at him, stunned. "Wh.. What?" She replied not sure if she had heard the man correctly.

"Would you be interested in living with me? I have enjoyed your company for our trip and would be honored if you would accompany me for as long as I live in Florence. I would be able to get us a small home for what I have saved up and also what I can sell once we arrive." The older man squinted as he looked at her, nothing but love in his eyes. "You remind me very much of Teresa and I would be very pleased if you would live out the rest of my life with me."

"I.. I do not know what to say Gregorio. I.. I would be honored to share a home with you and the memories of your wife and daughter. Thank you so much Gregorio. You're very sweet. Especially to a little girl who you just let come along on your journey."

"You're very much the same adult as I am. You are old enough to rule for heaven's sake-"

"Not too loud Gregorio! We're near the gates." She insisted as she firmly grasped her hood, throwing it over her head, the shadow of the hood covering her eyes.

"Hello Guards. My daughter and I are moving into Florence and plan to peddle. Would you like to see my inventory? There is quite the array of items! Jewelry, vases, even bridles for your horses!" Gregorio spoke at the men dressed in shiny metal armor that nearly blinded Amythist as they chuckled at the old man. Their tall swords helping the drunken, dazed guards stand tall. Amythist could not see his face through the small slot in the feather adorned helmet but she knew that he was drunk. He reminded her of that snake she was 'betrothed' to. 'Heh. Betrothed. Yeah. A husband is supposed to be loving… caring… and those things do not describe Mihale Waltz.' The dazed guards waved them on.

"That was easier than I had intended." Amythist softly spoke, leaning in towards Gregorio.

"Yes the guards of Florence are very much less problematic than those of Antakya." Gregorio replied with a heavy cough.

"Are you alright Gregorio?" She questioned, resting her hand on his hunched back.

"Si amore." He said with another heavy cough into a handkerchief. When he pulled it away, the young girl saw the cloth stained red.

"Shall I take the reins?"

"No. No. I shall be fine amore. Only a few fore alley ways." Gregorio stated, wiping his forehead free from beads of sweat. His wrinkling cheeks starting to turn rosy. Amythist glanced at the man, concern resting on her features. The carriage came to a halt after passing a few buildings in front of a porched building with another one identical to it connecting to the one side and on the other a leather and black smith shop. The porched adorned a crooked worn down sign that had three letters written in black paint. 'An inn…? Will that be suitable for us to stay in for a long time…?' Amythist had thought as she felt the dip as the elder stepped off of the carriages bench.

"Stay here while I go and reserve a room for us Amythist." Gregorio spoke to the teen as he was tying up the horse to one of the railing of the porch.

"Yes sir. Would you want me to set up shop? Just so that we can start peddling in this town..?"

"If you so please me amore."

"Okay." She smiled at him, hopping off of the wooden bench, feeding the horse, and opening the hatch of the peddling carriage. Some women showing interest as they walked by, telling their husbands about it, then returning a few moments later asking about the jewelry that Amythist had made. 'My mother would never approve of my hands ever crafting something that was not an heir to the throne. I could just hear my mother's voice now. "A woman should never be taught something that a man should know. It will make her not eligible to be wed and I cannot have that for my daughter," I am thrilled that I am no longer in that forsaken palace.' She thought as she made a transaction with the couple. She heard the squeak of the wooden stairs and Gregorio's voice calling to her. Her thanking the customers saying she will be back in the morning to sell more items. After locking up the hatch, she petted the horse and walked up the stairs, following the old man. Gregorio coughing with what seemed like every step he took. He gripped at the banister and paused, heaving.

"Is everything alright?" She questioned, rushing up the stairs next to him, taking his hand, offering support to him.

"Si amore. Just has been a long day of traveling and I need to rest."

"Okay. I shall help you and then what would you like me to prepare for supper?"

He hacked into the cloth again, now tinged pink. She quickly went to the room that they would be vacating for the next few months and put him in the bigger of the two beds. Before she could turn around, he grabbed her hand and put a few coins into her pale palm.

"Go and buy some vegetables and return and I shall get water." The elder said, sitting up.

"No. Please stay in bed Gregorio. I will go and buy the vegetables and fetch the water. I will start a fire before I leave to keep our bed chamber warm."

"Alright Amythist, but I beg you. Please be safe, amore."

"Yes sir." The teen exclaimed as she poked at the logs until she as satisfied with the look of them. "I'm glad that one of the maids had taught me how to start a fire behind my mother's back." She said aloud while lighting the fire. With a triumphant smile, she stood up and continued outside. She walked towards a stand that had fruits in a wooden basket atop a stand with an elder woman standing behind the stand.

"Hello. I will have two potatoes, three carrots, a stalk of celery and a few herbs please." She told the woman. The woman told her a price and as Amythist was about to dropp the metal discs into her wrinkly frail hand, a man behind her cleared his throat. "Now that is not a fair price Marie. She is a friend of mine. Please do not take the money that you do not need." The man said in a scratchy voice. The elder woman scoffed and told the girl a lower price. Amythist changed the amount she was giving the woman and smiled at her, telling her to keep the rest of the money. She turned to her side to see who had defended her and who her new "friend" is. There stood a man in red cap that contrasted his silver blonde hair. His facial hair trimmed and suited his features quite well. He was dressed in such a way that made Amythist have a chill rake down her spine. He had golden and charcoal robe with a pouch hanging off of this man's waist. His brown boots covering most of his deep brown fabric that encased his muscular legs. A cape that matched the blood red hat hung from the man's broad shoulders.

"Grazie, signore." She spoke softly towards the man.

"Anytime for a beautiful lady." He spoke back to her. "Your tongue is not accustomed to speaking in Italian, no?"

"No… Apologies if I have offended you signore."

"The only way that you have offended me is by not enlightening me with your beautiful name."

Amythist blushed and she told him her first name.

"Mmm. Just as the gem. Although you are the more beautiful of the two."

"Grazie. I must be going now. My… Father is expecting me to return soon to start supper."

"I hope that the stars will align once more for me to admire your beautiful features, Amythist."

She smiled at the metal blue eyed man, turning around, moving her hips in such a way that she had only seen the women of the brothel move their hips while walking through the streets. She returned to the inn, placing the cloth bag atop a counter and reached for a wooden pale for water. She turned towards the sleeping Gregorio, assuring herself that she can manage another trip to the well before he rises.

A few moments later, she returned and set a pot overtop the fire and filled the iron with water. She added the vegetables and herbs and went to Gregorio's bed side.

"How're you feeling Gregorio…?"

"I have felt better at other times in my life."

"Supper shall be ready in a few moments." She smiled at him. "Thank you… again."

"For what mi amore?"

"For teaching me. About jewelry crafting, the language that the people spoke here, for being nice."

"You do not have to thank me by using your words but by showing another person the same kindness I have shown you. That is what I wanted for Teresa and that is what I want for you"

The teen smiled at the man that was gazing at her with such love that she had wished her own father had even glanced her way with such gaze. She started to hear the top of the cast iron pot jingle indicating that the stew was ready. Amythist reached for the dining set that she had brought up with the water. She filled a bowl and passed it to the man that was now sitting straight in the bed. She filled another bowl and sat the steaming liquid aside for herself. She gave Gregorio a spoon, with a grazie he began eating the bowl. Amythist grabbed her bowl and heard ceramic shattering against the wooden floor boards. She whipped her head around to see Gregorio slumped against the head board and his hand outreached leading to the shards of ceramic and the splatter soup.