Ch 7
Kiran smiled as she spotted her family's farm in the distance. She broke into a run towards the building, jumping over the fence, "Mama! Papa! Mes soeurs! Frères!"
A pair of twins, one a young boy and the other a young girl looked up from their spot on the porch before running over to Kiran. An older woman emerged from the house, "Darrel? Danae?" She froze when she saw Kiran, "Kiran!"
"Bonjour, Mama!" Kiran smiled as she scooped her young brother and sister into her arms, "How has everyone been? Fauve and Laurent have been behaving well I hope."
Her mother rushed over and hugged her, "It's so good to see you again! We've missed you dearly!"
"Well, I can only visit for a short amount of time... There's something really important my friends and I have to do." Kiran said sadly, "But once everything has settled down, I will try and make time for a proper visit.
Her mother looked at Kiran's companions and smiled, "Well, why don't you all come inside for lunch? Laurent got the day off, but Fauve is out of town with a lovely young man. Your father should be home shortly."
Inside Kiran introduced her friends to her family. The twins played with Araceli in the living room while Matteo sat close by, feeling content with the atmosphere. He was surprised when he saw Laurent, the second eldest child of the family. The twins and Kiran looked so much like their mother, but Laurent had dark brown, almost black, hair and sharp hazel eyes. He was well built, having been working as a smithing apprentice for a few years now. Laurent took a seat beside Matteo and chuckled, "De Felice, right?"
"Hm? Ah, yes." Matteo nodded.
"So, are you an Assassin as well?" Laurent asked, leaning back in his seat.
"Uhm, not really. I am more of a... Helper. I find information, track, help with problems..." Matteo shrugged, "Gondoliers don't often work outside their own group, but back home we work well with the Assassins. When they need back-up, we're there to help. We don't cause as much of a fuss, so the guards and Templars tend to overlook us." He laughed, "It keeps us modest, I suppose."
Laurent chuckled and nodded, "Humility is important." He looked up as the front door creaked open then shut, "Ah, Père is home."
A man looking like an older version of Laurent strode into the house and greeted his wife fondly, "Everyone seems in high spirits."
His wife nodded happily, "You won't believe who's come to join us for lunch."
The man looked up as Kiran entered the room and waved. He dropped his bag and pulled her into a hug. Araceli stood in the doorway and smiled as she watched the scene. Matteo came up beside her and smiled as well, but felt a twinge of envy in his stomach as he watched the happy family. Kiran's mother, whom her father, Jean, had addressed as Lucille, motioned for everyone to gather around the table for lunch.
Everything was going well; people were chatting contently and Kiran was giving her family an update on how her life had been, though she brushed over the darker and more dangerous details of recent events. Her father and mother looked in shock when they noticed the sword at her hip. Jean arched a brow, "Ma petite, where did you get that?"
"The Duke of Joyeuse gave it to me. I saved his children from some attackers." Kiran said, flushing slightly that she was given the sword for her act.
"Vraiment?" Lucille gaped, "Kiran... That is amazing!"
"Sister is amazing!" Danae and Darrel cheered in unison.
Jean cleared his throat, "Kiran... Have you ever thought of settling down?"
Matteo and Araceli exchanged looks as a tense hush settled over the table. Kiran shrugged, "I have thought about it, but right now I have things I need to do."
"I was just saying... Fauve is already engaged to be married within the next few years, and Laurent has had an eye on a young lady... I was thinking that by now my eldest child would have a suitor or be married." Jean said.
"I will marry when the time is right." Kiran said, "And how do you know I don't already have a suitor or am engaged?"
"Well, are you?" Jean asked.
"Père, please..." Laurent began, "Don't start pushing this on Kiran again."
"Well, the young nobleman in town is still single-" Jean began.
"And I told you he is the last man I would ever consider taking as a husband." Kiran said sharply, "Noble or not, he has a poor attitude and looks down on anyone who isn't nobility. The only reason he treats us, and some other families, well is because we are closely related to nobility."
"I'm just trying to think about your future. Wouldn't it be nicer to live a comfortable life as a noble than running around like an animal?" Jean asked.
"I chose this path of my own free will. If that makes me an animal, so be it." Kiran stated, "I would rather be a free animal than a noble bird in a gilded cage. I help and protect people. I wouldn't change that for any title."
"You should think about it. A young woman running around, on her own, and unmarried?" Jean shook his head, "What will people think?"
"You want me to marry so someone will watch the farm." Kiran stated firmly. It was an unstated fact that that was a major reason why Jean wanted his daughter to marry the young noble. The noble's family had their own farm, and if Kiran married him it would not only raise the status of their family, but ensure the prosperity of their farm for ages to come. It was also one of the reasons why Kiran left to Italy to become an Assassin instead of staying in France.
Jean narrowed his eyes, "Now listen here-"
"You said it yourself. I will not sacrifice my happiness for your selfishness. I can do much more good as an Assassin than the wife of some petty noble. I've known plenty of great nobles, but that man isn't fit to be called a noble. I won't let myself be tied down just so this farm can continue on."
"We have always been farmers." Jean began, "My father was, my father's father was, and so on-" He growled, "You are just like your uncle."
"He is the one who inspired me to join the Assassin ranks." Kiran stated, "He had faith in me."
"He is a good for nothing-"
"He is a great man! At least he didn't put me down when I decided what I wanted to do with my life!" Kiran shouted.
A silence fell over the table. Lucille looked from Jean to Kiran, "Please, let's keep this civil..." She looked uneasily at everyone at the table. Jean huffed and crossed his arms, "All I ever wanted was for you to have a good life."
"And I do." Kiran stated, "I enjoy my life. I have a good job, great friends, and a nice home."
"But no family of your own." Jean stated.
"As I said before, how do you know I'm not already engaged?" Kiran pointed out, "I could have come here to surprise you with the information."
"Well, are you? To who?" Jean asked.
"Jean... Don't force her." Lucille began.
Matteo caught Kiran's uncertain look as she tried to find a proper response. He looked at Jean, "Me."
Everyone looked at Matteo in surprise. Araceli tried to hide a snicker, the twins beams happily, giving their approval. Jean leaned forward, "And what do you do, boy? What's your family like?"
"I'm a Gondolier." Matteo began, only to narrow his eyes at Jean's snort, "By uncle is their head. He is a noble, brave, and wise man. He taught me everything I know. He raised me as if I were his own child. I am not rich, but I survive. I do my work humbly and work my best to help the Assassins when they need me."
"You haven't mentioned your parents." Jean stated, his eyes narrowing.
"Jean, he sounds like a lovely boy-" Lucille began.
"Your parents." Jean stated again.
"My mother is from a poor family. She had me young and couldn't raise me herself. She handed me over to her cousin, who raised me. My father is an adulterous wretch who wanted nothing to do with me or my mother. I haven't seen my mother in years, but I plan on finding her soon." Matteo finished.
"Non." Jean shook his head, "I will never approve."
"Because his parents?" Kiran rolled her eyes, "Papa, honestly..."
"I will not have you dragged into that mess-"
"Matteo is no mess!" Kiran stood up and slammed her hands on the table, "Sorry he's no noble, but he's twice the man anyone you've tried to pair me off with will ever hope to be!" She shook her head, "And like you are perfect." She looked at her friends, siblings, and mother, "Sorry, but we need to get going."
"Kiran-" Lucille began.
"I'll come visit again soon, but I really must be going. We've wasted enough time." Kiran said gently before motioning for her friends to follow her.
The group made their way across the water to Cornwall. It wasn't hard to find the temple where the sword was housed. The temple was half submerged into a deep lake, it's top jutting up from the water with an ornament at the top that resembled a hand reaching for the heavens. After winding their way down into the depths of the temple they found the main chamber where Exaclibur was held. Araceli had picked open the lock and shoved the heavy door open. She looked around and smirked as she traced the route to the pedestal on the other side of the room that held the legendary sword. The pedestal was on a small platform suspended eighty feet above the floor. She nodded at her friends, "This one is mine."
Kiran chuckled and motioned for Araceli to have at it. She leaned against the wall as she watched Araceli run off into the room and scale a pillar. She fell silent, "Matteo?"
"Yes, Sparrow?" He arched a brow.
"Back at the farm... Why did you say that to my father?" She asked, there was no hint of anger in her voice, just curiosity.
"Ah... Well..." Matteo mumbled, "Just wanted to help."
"I see..." Kiran murmured before looking away.
"Your family seems nice... Aside from that business with your father." He said.
"Father has... Somewhat good intentions... But I won't let him force me into anything." She sighed, "Seems like he is still bitter about my leaving."
"You're no animal." He stated as he stared absently into the chamber where Araceli was jumping about, "And any noble would be lucky to have you."
Kiran was about to say something, but decided against it. She and Matteo feel into silence again.
Kiran smiled as she watched Araceli land on the small platform and pick up the blade before running and jumping onto a pillar which allowed her to slide to the floor. Araceli landed on the floor softly and grinned as she brandished the blade, "Got it."
"Perfect. We'll rest the night at an inn then head home-" Kiran said, looking over her shoulder to include Matteo in the conversation only to pause when she saw that he was't there.
Arceli sighed gently, "You go find him. I'll meet you at the inn."
Kiran nodded before running off to try and track down Matteo. After almost an hour she emerged from the temple and looked up to see Matteo sitting on the roof of the temple. She sighed before scaling the building and taking a seat beside him, "You okay?"
"Si." He nodded.
"Want to try that again?" She arched a brow, "Why did you disappear like that?"
"It's... Nothing." He shook his head, "I saw Araceli heading towards the inn. We should go meet her."
Kiran grabbed his arm as he tried to get up, "Not until you tell me what's wrong." She saw Matteo glance away. Her heart dropped, "Are you upset about what my father said about you?" She shook her head, "Matteo, don't listen to him. You are a great guy, a strong fighter, a noble Gondolier, and a caring person. You are certainly not a mess. I am honoured that you said what you did back there."
Kiran stared down into the water and fell silent. Matteo looked at her with wide eyes, "Really?" He smiled when Kiran nodded. Matteo stared at the sky and frowned slightly, "I really was worried after the Templar attacked you... I thought..." He fell silent for a moment, "I thought we were going to lose you... And... I don't know what I'd do if that happened."
Kiran looked at him with a surprised look. Matteo chuckled, "Remember when we first met?"
Kiran smiled and nodded. She had been running a mission with Araceli, retrieving some wanted posters, when they were suddenly chased by some Templars. It would be in the following year that the Templars would leave the city. Kiran and Araceli had split apart; Araceli taking to the streets and Kiran taking to the rooftops. Kiran had been trying to evade some guards when she jumped onto a rotten beam and fell into the cannal. Luckily for her a gondola was passing beneath her, unfortunately for the Gondolier directing the boat Kiran landed on him.
Matteo had looked up at her and chuckled, "I see a little Sparrow is trying to learn to fly." He looked up when he heard the Templars approaching and pushed the boat under a bridge. It was just enough to keep them hidden as the Templars ran by overhead.
Matteo looked down at Kiran, "So, Sparrow, do you have a name?"
"Why should I give you my name?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, technically I saved you." Matteo stated.
"And you have my thanks for it." She responded.
"Well?" He arched a brow.
She was silent for a moment, "... Kiran."
"Matteo de Felice." He looked up as the noise died down, "I think this Sparrow needs to fly off back to her nest."
Kiran chuckled as she remembered the event. Matteo nodded as he recalled the event as well. He looked at his hand and toyed with the ring on his finger. It was given to him by Savio when he reached the rank of Captain. It was a simple silver ring with the family crest etched on the surface. He twisted the ring around his finger and furrowed his brows. After a few moments he looked up, "Kiran?"
Kiran paused and looked up in surprise. Matteo had never addressed her by her name before. It was usually 'Sparrow', and if not that then it was 'Bella', and if not that then he may have called her by her surname, but that was very rare. Matteo held his ring in the palm of his hand, looking at it intently. He turned to Kiran and looked her straight in the eyes. He held up the ring, "Savio gave this to me when I became a Captain. It is the single most important material thing to me."
"Ah, M-Matteo-" She began.
"You remember when I said some things are more important than home?" He took a breath, "If something happened to you... I don't know what I would do with myself..." He extended his hand, "I want you to have this."
"Matteo, I-..." Kiran stammered.
"Even if you accept it just as a token, that is fine." Matteo said quickly, "You've been there for me, and you are always watching out for my cousin..."
"You're not just offering this as a token are you?" Kiran asked, though it sounded more like a statement.
Matteo's face flushed as he looked away. He looked up in surprise when he felt Kiran touch his cheek. He looked at her and blinked, "Kiran-?"
He was cut off at Kiran leaned in and kissed him. He paused for a moment out of shock before wrapping his arms around her, "Ti amo."
"Je t'aime." Kiran responded, nuzzling into him.