The Biggest Geek In The World: Mouahahaha I love tensions :D Aww really? That's the biggest compliment you could have given me! Thank you so much! 3 You're fantastic :)
edgaryg: I really love reading your reviews, they are always so positive and push me onwards :) Getting Khan to leave was a pain in the arse, I rewrote it about three times 'cos I just couldn't right. And I think I like Khan more than Eleanor XD Thank you so much for always reviewing, it means a lot :3
LurkingLady: Oh no I didn't want to make you cry! But thank you so much, it's a huge compliment to be told that I write well enough for that *hugs* sorry though! But yessss Haytham is a big teddy bear when he wants to be. He just needs to be sweet more often instead of big bad Templar boss XD (Forsaken is the BEST :D)
Looks like ACIV:Black Flag is true. (PIRATES OMG I'M GOING TO DIE! But... No more Connor...)
WARNING: This chapter contains some rather erm... disturbing scenes. Well they could be if you're young or whatever. (But I s'pose if you're not bothered by AC, I can't see why this would bother you but meh, caution.)
I don't know how long I was unconscious but soon I could hear muffled voices talking. I couldn't tell what they were saying, how close they were to me, or even if it were a man or a woman speaking. I tried to focus but it was as if I were listening through a thick wall, hearing enough to know I was not alone but unable to learn anything about the people's identity. And then the pain came, sharp and burning, like my skin was on fire. My head was throbbing as if I had a beating heart instead of a brain, and my wrists and ankles were held together by a ring of fire.
" Ah, she awakes. " I managed to make out a man's voice, and I struggled to open my eyes only to see a few blurred colours of blue and white, but mostly black. " I was wondering how much longer you would be in the land of dreams. "
" Reality… Is so much… Nicer. " I managed to mutter, finally realizing the man was my target, James Brown. My vision cleared and I took in my surroundings. I sat on the floor on a small, dark, damp stone cellar, and my wrists were tightly chained to the wall above my head, which had bled because of the blow I had received, leaving a trail of matted, dried blood down my neck and back. My ankles were also chained together, but I could move my legs as freely as I could, if I had the energy to do so that is. James had stripped of his coat and was now only in a large white shirt that hung on his muscular frame, his tight brown trousers tucked into his brown leather boots.
" I would keep your smart remarks for when I slit your throat. " He smirked, repeating the words I had threatened him with whenever we had duelled. How long ago had it been?
" Funny. " I sighed. " How… how long… " I started, becoming light-headed with the effort.
" It's still the same day, only it's now in the middle of the night. " He informed me. " I expected you to be out for longer, but you seem quite resistant. I'll have to change that. " He grinned.
" Good luck. " I attempted to smile, taking a deep breath to fill my lungs.
James laughed and walked off, opening the heavy wooden door that was on the far end of the wall on my left. I heard him whisper to someone and I closed my eyes, trying to get my strength back. I heard footsteps coming near me and assumed it was Brown so I ignored him, until I was kicked in the legs. " I want to speak to you, whore. "
I opened my eyes to see Thomas Hickey, the last person I wanted to see right then. " Hickey. " I greeted him venomously. " Thanks for the… Wonderful accommodation… " I sneered.
" Glad you like it, wouldn't want Haytham's whore to be uncomfortable. " He smirked proudly. " Now, I have a few questions for you. " His eyes sparkled as he pulled out a short knife from behind his back, twiddling it between his fingers.
" Ask away. " I mused, feigning nonchalance. But inside I was more scared than I had ever been. How long would it be until someone noticed my absence? Haytham would be the first I presumed, but then how long would it take him to start looking for me? He might just think I was late on a mission or something. And even once he did start looking, how would he find me? Hickey was supposed to be his friend, or at least his ally. I doubted he would let Haytham know about this. Or…
What if Haytham did know about this?
" What do you know of the precursor site? " He asked.
" Nothing. " I spat. Of course I didn't, I only found out it's existence a few months before when Haytham told me about it. But my answer didn't satisfy the Templar and he kicked me in the stomach, making my whole body spasm with the cold, sharp pain.
" You do, you assassins are protecting it. " He warned me.
" I only found out about the damn thing when Haytham told me about it! " I cried angrily, earning another kick to the stomach.
" I won't ask again. Tell me what you know! " He growled, crouching down to meet me at eye level, gripping his knife as he held it against my throat.
" I won't tell you again. I don't know anything about it! " I hissed, not caring anymore that I would probably die there, chained to that wall in that damp, dark cell by Thomas Hickey's vicious hands. I might as well die sooner rather than later.
But killing me wasn't what Hickey had in mind and instead of slitting my throat, he sliced across my forearm, deep enough to cause huge amount of pain, but not deep enough so that I would die of blood loss. He knew what he was doing, and as the tears started to fall from my eyes as I bit my mouth shut to stop from moaning in pain, I realised I would have to change tactics.
Hickey paced the room while I attempted to recover from the pain, the blood dripping onto my face as my arm hung limply to the wall above my head. I watched him closely, from the way his feet went in circles to the way he frowned every so often as he contemplated an idea. He then came back over to me, so close that I could have kissed him if I was crazy enough to want to. " Where do the assassins live? " He asked so quietly I had to strain my ears to hear him. " We know where your precious Achilles lives, but where do the others live? How many of you are there? "
" I don't know… " I muttered, tired of him asking stupid questions.
" There is no need to be brave, whore, they wouldn't protect you if they were in your place. " He hissed, brushing his knife against my other arm.
" I'm not them. " I whispered defiantly, pushing back a shiver of fear. He applied a little more pressure on the knife, enough to make me bleed without causing any real pain as he stared at me.
" How many of you are there? " He asked again. I didn't answer, only looked back into his cold, harsh blue eyes. " How many? " He shouted, spitting on me.
" Go fuck yourself. " I whispered darkly. Hickey's top lip rose into a snarl and he cut my arm not once, not twice, but three times, causing me to cry out in pain.
" I'll come back in the morning. You better be more talkative because I won't be so kind. " He snarled, slapping me across the face for good measure before he slammed the heavy wooden door behind him, leaving me in complete darkness.
I sobbed, the cuts on my arms burning with pain, blood dripping onto my hair and face, mixing with the tears. My shoulders and back ached terribly from the position I was sitting in, and my head still throbbed from the blow Brown had so kindly inflicted upon me.
Thankfully, I soon lost consciousness again and the pain drifted away.
The next day, I was woken up by a bucket of freezing cold water being thrown at me. I looked up to see James Brown smiling at me innocently. " I was told to clean you up. You were covered in blood. " He said happily as if he was doing me a favour.
" Thanks. " I replied sarcastically, yawning from the little sleep I had. It was still dark in the room except for the two large lamps that were set on the floor not far from me, casting flickering yellow and orange light on the cracked walls.
" Thirsty? " He asked, and I nodded. My mouth was dry and pasty. Brown winked and left, returning a few minutes later with another bucket of what I presumed was the same freezing water. " Bottoms up! " He warned me, before slowly tipping it over me again. I opened my mouth to try to drink as much as I could, which was a fair amount, but it left my drenched from head to toe and I already knew I would be shivering later on.
" Thanks. " I muttered, as the man smiled. If he was going to pretend to be helping me, then I would pretend to be grateful. They hadn't beaten me yet.
" So, Thomas told me you weren't being very nice to him yesterday. " He mused, setting the bucket down on the floor. " Why not? "
" He's not the most likeable person I've met. " I scoffed, bringing a smile to the man's face.
" Yes, he's a hard person to like. That's why I'm here. " He winked, crouching down to look me in the eyes. " I can be much nicer. " He smiled and I smiled back, trying not to sigh. He was an idiot. " So, let's start off from where he left you. How many other assassins are there? "
I stared at him like he was an idiot - which he was of course - and refused to speak. " Come on now, just tell me and I won't hurt you. "
" Do I look as stupid as you think I am? " I asked, making him clench his jaw.
" I don't like hurting people, especially not beautiful women. " He smirked, looking down at my body, my drenched clothes hugging me like a second skin, leaving barely anything to the imagination. I was suddenly even more scared than I had been of Hickey and his knife. " Just tell me, it'll be our little secret. " He whispered against my lips.
My breathing was becoming much faster and I felt my heart pounding in my chest, but I refused to speak, even when he kissed me. His eyes lit up as his hands began to caress my thighs and I whimpered in fear. Please, if there was a god, several gods or a first civilisation or anyone out there, please, please help. I'll do anything! I prayed.
" How many? " He whispered again, his fingers teasing the hem of my trousers. When I refused to answer he tugged hard of them and I panicked.
" Eight! " I shouted, bringing my knees up against my body to keep him away from me. " There are eight of us, me included. " I whimpered.
Brown smiled in victory. " And where do they live? " He asked.
" I don't know. " I muttered truthfully, knowing he wouldn't believe me.
" Come on, do we have to play this little game over and over again? " He asked, brushing his hands against my cheek, mimicking a loving gesture.
" I swear, we are kept on a need to know basis. And I don't even care, I've never met them! " I cried, desperate to get him away from me. " Just keep away from me! "
He chuckled. " As you wish. " He smiled, and left the room, leaving me to cry again. I preferred Hickey's violent method to this man's horrid, vicious attempts at… No, I couldn't even say it.
The rest of the day went in similar fashion, as did the next day. James Brown and Thomas Hickey took it in turns to question me, but thankfully I had managed to stop Brown from raping me. He had ripped the buttons of my shirt off so that my chest lay exposed, and slowly removed my boots so that the only thing covering my body was my trousers, but I had managed to supply him with enough answers to keep him away from me. So far so good, I suppose. But they were slowly beating any will power out of me, and at the end of the third day I sat there, in a puddle of cold water and blood, my whole body aching and hurting and shivering and I decided enough was enough. I would wait until Hickey next came in and provoke him enough for him to actually kill me, and I would be free. It was the only way for it to stop.
The door squeaked open not long afterwards - or maybe it was a long time, it was hard to tell - and in came the footsteps. I realized whomever it was had crouched down in front of me and they took my face in their hands, and I opened my eyes, ready to face another round of torture, but instead my eyes widened as they met William Johnson's horrified gaze.
" What have they done to you? " He whispered in shock.
" J… Johnson? " I muttered disbelievingly. " Wha… What are you doing here? "
" Getting you out of this mess. " He spoke in a dark, determined voice. " I'll be right back, I promise. " He said, standing up. He left the room for what must have been only a few minutes but felt like forever, the open door staring at me. Eventually William came back into the room, a set of keys in hand and he unlocked the chains holding my arms to the wall. As they fell limply from the wall, I felt the blood shoot back down into my arms and the cuts opened a little, and stung painfully again. He then unchained my ankles and lifted me up into his arms, not caring that his clothes would be drenched in blood and water.
" Thank you. " I breathed into his neck as I held onto him.
" There's no need to thank me, I'm only doing what's right. " He replied kindly, carrying me out of the room and up some stairs. I closed my eyes happily and took no notice of where we were heading until I heard the voice I most wanted to hear.
" Eleanor? " I opened my eyes and turned my head to see Haytham's horrified face staring at me. His eyes were wide with fear and worry and he rushed over to me to stroke my cheek with his hand. " Oh my dear, what has happened to you? "
" Let me put her down and I shall explain. " William answered for me, and Haytham nodded. I was laid on a soft bed, and I smiled at the comfort. Haytham hastily pulled my torn shirt over my chest to give me some decency and sat next to me on the bed.
" I was so worried. " He muttered, brushing my hair with his fingers as his eyes looked over my body, counting the cuts and bruises that had been inflicted upon me, not daring to hold me in his arms for fear of hurting me. " Where was she? " He asked forcefully, looking up at William as he stood on the other side of the bed.
" She was in the cellar. " William answered unhappily.
" WHAT? " Haytham shouted, looking angrier and more intimidating than I thought possible. His whole body tensed as he prepared to launch himself on Johnson.
" James Brown and Thomas Hickey were keeping her down there. God knows what she's been through. " He explained quickly, taking a step back from his master.
" Brown? " Haytham repeated, his voice rising in panic. " He… What did he do? " He looked down at me, his eyes wide with panic, knowing what the man was like.
" He didn't touch me. " I reassured him, my voice frail and faint. " I saved all my answers for him… So he wouldn't… Touch me. " I muttered, groaning in pain.
Haytham swallowed hard and nodded. He leant over and kissed me ever so softly on the lips, warming me endlessly. It was crazy, but his presence and affection made me feel so much better. All the pain was surfacing, the cold and numbness that had set in lifting itself from my body. Haytham took William apart and they exchanged rushed, hushed words. I tried to listen, but I was too exhausted and my eyes fluttered shut. I must have fallen asleep because when I next opened them, Haytham had stripped to his undershirt and breeches, his hair loose around his face as he softly cleaned the cuts on my right arm. I watched him as he worked, unaware that I was awake. His touch was soft and delicate, and though my wounds stung from the warm water, I felt much better to be rid of the dried blood that had coated my arm. He moved around the bed so sit on my left and proceeded to clean my other arm, finally noticing I was awake. " I apologize if I woke you. " He spoke softly, running his hand over my face. " How are you feeling? "
" Better. " I groaned, my throat dry.
" I never wanted this to happen. I looked for you everywhere, if I had known - " he started, growing angry at himself.
" Shh. " I soothed him, lifting my clean hand to brush it against his stubble covered cheek. " It's not your fault. "
Haytham paused, battling with himself. He decided to let it go and instead, gently undressed me, removing the torn, bloody clothes that were left on my broken body. He flinched when he saw the black, blue and purple bruising on my stomach and the hand shaped bruise on my upper left arm. His jaw tightened when he found the cuts around my waist but said nothing as he gently cleaned every wound he found. When he was finished, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to a small bath tub that had appeared without me noticing. He washed my hair and I attempted to clean myself with some soft lavender smelling soap while Haytham changed the sheets on the bed, chucking the ones I had dirtied over towards the door. He then wrapped me in a soft towel and pulled a thin white under dress over my head, then helped me hobble over to the bed where I collapsed, exhausted after the effort. " Get some sleep my dear. " he whispered, kissing my forehead and getting up to leave.
" Stay. " I whimpered, grabbing into his hand with as much strength as I could muster. " Please don't leave me. "
" I'll never leave you. " He smiled sadly, his face softening as he sat back down and wrapped his arms around me. I rested my head in his lap and wrapped my arms around his thighs, keeping him as near to me as I could and fell asleep quickly.
The light nearly blinded me when I awoke and pulled the covers up over my face. Haytham was no longer on the bed but I presumed he was the one chuckling at my attitude so I groaned unhappily. " Close the curtains will you? "
" Of course, miss Eleanor. " My eyes shot open when I recognised William Johnson's voice. " Would you like some breakfast? Or rather some afternoon tea, considering the time. " I peered out of the covers to find him smirking at me from the window as he pulled the thin red curtains shut. My stomach growled at the mere thought of food, realizing I hadn't eaten in nearly five days. " I'll get right onto it. " he smiled and left the room.
Feeling much better already, I sat up in the bed and looked around. I was in a large office, with double wooden doors to my left and three large windows on the wall opposite. A large desk was placed diagonally in the corner to my right, sitting upon a large red carpet. Before I could push my thoughts farther, William Johnson appeared with a large tray of food - from fruits to bread and even some French pastries, as well as orange juice and tea - followed by another man, whom I recognised as John Pitcairn.
" This should be more than enough to fill such a small girl. " William smiled as he set the tray in my lap, my stomach growling as the sweet smell of croissants hit my nose. " This is John, as I'm sure you remember him from when you save us all. " He gestured to Pitcairn.
" Good afternoon, miss Van Etten. " He greeted politely, stepping forward.
" Hello… " I replied, confused by his presence and not trusting him.
" Master Kenway has asked us to keep an eye on you while he deals with his business. " William explained, leaning against the desk.
" What he means by that is that Haytham is hunting down James Brown. " Pitcairn explained.
" He's going to kill him? " I questioned disbelievingly.
" Yes. " John Pitcairn confirmed, striding over to the desk and sitting himself down. " He may be a Templar but he disobeyed direct orders. And he tried to rape my wife. " He grunted.
" The blonde woman I rescued? " I asked and John nodded, looking angry at the memory and earning a small amount of my trust. I raised an eyebrow as I watched the two men talk amongst themselves at the desk, going through paperwork. I picked up a warm croissant and grinned as it almost melted in my mouth. This was definitely the best meal I had ever eaten.
The rest of the day passed rather quickly. I slept for some of it and spent the rest of the time chatting to William and John. William, I found out, was very interested in the Mohawk customs and I was happy to recount the celebrations I had witnessed and sometimes even participated in at Khan's native village. Thinking of Khan made me sad, and I wondered where he was. Did he know I had gone missing? Did he even care?
When Haytham returned late in the evening, he found me sitting in bed laughing at a joke John had just told us. He was reserved but seemed a nice person, though I wasn't entirely sure about his motives. I liked William though, and the both of them were loyal to Haytham, having a true enough sense of justice for me to respect them.
" Master Kenway. " John greeted when he noticed the tired man in the doorway. " Brown is dead? " He inquired.
Haytham snarled at the mention of the man's name. " Dying. " He dismissed the question, striding over to me. " And Hickey is locked in the cellar for now. "
" As he should be. " John added. " I bid you goodnight Eleanor, Haytham. "
" As do I. " added William and the two men took their leave, leaving me alone with Haytham.
" You look much better. " He smiled, removing his boots, cape, coat and waistcoat.
" I feel it. " I smiled back. " What did you mean 'he's dying'? " I added, frowning.
" Killing him outright would have been too kind. " He growled darkly.
" But he was a Templar, I don't understand why - "
" He hurt you. " he replied, cutting me off. " He disobeyed my orders. He violated you and attempted to violate John's wife. He was a traitor and a disgusting leech I couldn't let him live. " Haytham insisted. " As for Hickey… I used to like the man despite his flaws. There will be a meeting in the morning to decide his fate. " He sighed, joining me under the covers and wrapping his arms around me. " But that didn't stop me from giving him a beating. "
" But why am I being so protected? " I asked, still confused. " I'm still the enemy. "
" That may be, but you are first and foremost my partner. That gives you the order's protection. " He told me. " And I love you. " He whispered against my lips and I smiled contently as he kissed me. I had never fully appreciated how wonderful Haytham was. His lips were as soft as silk, his tongue as warm and sweet as the croissant I had eaten earlier. His hold around my waist was firm yet delicate, protective and dominating. His scent made my stomach fill with what felt like liquid gold and I wanted him, all of him. He was home to me.
The next morning, Haytham helped me dress in a floor length purple dress with long, wide sleeves. I was apparently supposed to be present at the meeting, as proof and witness to what happened. I wasn't happy about it and I still felt very weak, having lost a lot of blood. But Haytham helped me walk down the corridor into the meeting room, and I realized that we were in the fort I had helped them capture, and we were heading into the same meeting room as before.
Charles Lee and Benjamin Church sat unhappily on the left, facing John Pitcairn and William Johnson. Thomas Hickey sat chained to his chair at the opposite end of the table as he glared daggers at me whilst Haytham helped me sit down at the other end of the table, next to his own chair. Silence fell upon the Templars as they all stared at me. I felt my cheeks burn as I looked down at my hands nervously, wanting this stupid thing to be over with quickly.
" You all know why we are here. " Haytham started, clearing his throat. " So let's get straight to it. Thomas Hickey, you kidnapped and tortured Eleanor for four days when you were aware of my strict orders that she was to come to no harm from anyone in the order. Do you agree? "
" Whatever. " Hickey spat, snarling at me.
" What punishment should he undergo? " Haytham questioned, looking over to his men.
" This is hardly worth punishment. " Benjamin Church sighed, rolling his eyes. " She's an assassin, she shouldn't even be under our protection in the first place. "
" Are you forgetting whom we owe thanks for the ownership of this very fort? " William retorted. " And she helped us fight against Silas' men. "
" And we spared her life in response. Our debt is paid. " Charles Lee groaned, his chin resting on his fist, his face in a bored expression.
" She may be the enemy but no one deserves to be tortured. " John added. " Killing her would have been far kinder. "
" Then let's do that and be done with it! " Church cried.
" We will be doing no such thing. " Haytham countered, his voice dark as he stared daggers at Church. Lee went to say something but shut his mouth when he saw the look on Haytham's face and I slithered my hand over his under the table to calm him down. " We are not here to talk about Eleanor. "
" But the issue needs resolving, sir. " Lee pointed out, plucking up his courage. " She may have helped us in the past but she remains a possible threat because of her… Association with you. "
Church nodded, and I noticed John seemed partially agreeing with him. My heart sank and I felt Haytham's hand grip mine tightly. " Maybe we should keep her here to make sure she doesn't betray us. " John suggested, sending an apologetic look to me. " After all, she doesn't deserve torture or death, but we can't risk her running off and informing the other assassins. "
" I suggest we keep her prisoner. " Lee agreed, pushing the idea further. I felt Haytham tense next to me, fighting to remain calm in front of his men. I myself was growing angry but was too intimidated to speak up. I noticed Hickey smirking happily to himself at the turn of events. " What say you, William? " Charles asked. " Everyone else here agrees, what about you? "
William hesitated. He looked over to me and then down at the table for a second before taking in a deep breath. " I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have her move into the Fort. We would be able to keep an eye on her without her living conditions being diminished. "
Lee, Church and Hickey all grinned victoriously and Haytham sighed heavily. " I suppose I have no choice but to accept. "
" What? " I cried, my head turning to him suddenly. " But you can't do that! "
" I am sorry Eleanor. We shall talk about this later. " He half smiled to me and turned back to the men around the table. " And Hickey? "
" I see no fault in his doings. " Church muttered.
" Nor I. You've already given him a fair beating. " Lee agreed.
" A small punishment should suffice. " John spoke softly.
William shrugged. " He has been a valuable asset to us. I would be sad to see him gone from the order. I suggest a lowering in rank and lesser important missions given to him. "
" So be it. " Haytham growled. He suddenly raised from his chair and dragged me with him, hastily leaving the room. He must have forgotten how painful it was for me to walk but I dragged myself after him down the hallway into the room I had rested in, falling over my feet.