April 7th,1503
Four days after leaving Roma, the group had come to a decision point: Either travel across the Alps, or sail across the Mediterranean. Over a month on horseback could be expected if they took the mountain paths. However, a large merchant's vessel would (in ample conditions) take around a week to arrive at France, but led to the risk of exposure.
Alfonso and Annetta stood firmly in the opinion that the merchant's ship was the right choice. They were nearing the port town of Civitavecchia, and finding a ship to take them to Francia would be easy.
Desideria and Ugo thought the mountain route would be better. A group of five armed to the teeth, obviously killers, would attract unneeded attention. Even though the mountain path would take considerably longer, it was better than being killed by guards- or worse, captured by the Borgia's men.
In the end, the sea route was decided as the most convenient. Entering the port town, the group scanned the various ships docked at the pier. A motley assortment of vessels lined the docks. From huge, imposing military vessels to dilapidated fishing boats, there was a wide choice of transport.
The group split up to locate a captain. Desideria and Alfonso headed to the local seedy tavern, Il Delfino Ubriaco. Leaning down, Alfonso whispered, "Desi, what's our cover story?"
She slowed her brisk pace. "We are brother and sister seeking passage for our family to Francia. My name is Maria, and you are Roberto."
"Va bene."
They walked in companionable silence. The crisp, salty sea air surrounded them, and the distant sound of crashing waves seemed to bear a promise of adventure.
The pair reached the tavern- a dilapidated old building reeking of dead fish. Pushing the door open, they were engulfed in a billowing cloud of pipe smoke and the rank scent of alcohol and rotten food. Alfonso's lip curled slightly in disgust. "Are you sure we'll find someone who owns a decent ship...here?"
Desi laughed. "Alfie, whoever said we were going to find a decent ship?"
...
Annetta was perfectly happy with searching on her own. She had left Giovanni to go with Ugo to the docks, and was herself striding towards the more reputable inn of the port city. Il Serpente Sorridere was nestled into the bustling heart of the urban center, and hosted a variety of rich patrons. She was sure she'd locate someone there.
It was a well-worn but maintained stone building, two stories high. Crowds gathered inside, and she pushed her way through the door. Candles were lit everywhere, bathing the interior in a yellow glow. The flash of jewels on hands and throats glinted in the light, and the clinking of glasses filled the room. Sidling over to a corner, she observed the crowd around her.
It seemed most of the patrons were wealthy nobles who also sought passages on board reputable vessels. Several captains were bargaining prices over glasses of ale. She eyed a few of them. One man in particular stood out to her. He sat in the middle of the inn, but no one seemed to look at him. His clothes were old, and rather unkempt, but no one attempted to remove him from the tavern. His face was sharp, almost birdlike, and his dark eyes darted from face to face, eventually noticing her. She didn't look away.
The angular features slowly bent into a small smile. He nodded at her and broke his gaze. Something about him seemed familiar to Annetta, but she couldn't place it.
Curious, she tapped a passing waiter as he walked by.
He eyed her scarred face warily. "May I help you, ma'am?"
She smiled at him, attempting to remove some of his unease. "Yes, I was just wondering who that fellow is, over there. Sitting by himself."
"Oh. Him. I don't know his name, ma'am, he isn't a regular. I believe he is a captain of a trade vessel. Never seen him in here before, actually."
Annetta nodded, her interest growing. "Thank you."
She returned to scrutinizing the strange man. There was something...off about him. Something she didn't like. Quirking her head to the side, she thoroughly studied the stranger. It was by chance Annetta noticed the brief glint of a steel cross necklace the man wore around his neck, only noticeable when he took a swig of mead from the rather large tankard in front of him. As the fabric around his neck loosened from the movement of his shoulders, the normally concealed necklace could be seen.
"Ah, I see. A Templar. How strange- why would a Templar be- no, he could not have detected us. Not this soon. I must be wary. Perhaps I should approach him."
She quietly made her way over to the man's empty table. He glanced up at her, seemingly amused. "May I help you?" the man asked.
The redhead replied, "Actually, yes. May I sit with you?"
His sharp face once again twisted into a faint smile. "Of course. And before you begin badgering me with questions, you may refer to me as Thanos."
Annetta nodded, reaching out and shaking his olive-skinned hand. "I am Claudia," she responded, her emotions guarded. "My family and I are searching for passage to Francia."
Thanos 's smile grew even wider. "Well, my dear Claudia, there are plenty of capable and renowned captains around. If it is simply a family trip you need a vessel for, I am afraid I cannot be of assistance. My passengers are a bit too colorful for you. Or, at least, that's what I would say if I believed your cover story, Assassin."
...
Alfonso was absolutely horrified at what was in front of him. He could deal with thieves and murderers, he could cope with vagrants and corrupt politicians, but this...
This was just too much.
As he gazed down at the pitiful plate set before him, the first thing brought to the front of his revolted mind was that it looked exactly like something Maestro Ezio had attempted to cook. The poor fish was practically charred beyond recognition, and looked more like a lump of coal. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if it was a lump of coal. He just pitied the fish.
His exasperated companion was in the middle of bargaining passage on a ship with a half-drunken captain who seemed to only be giving her half of his attention. The more Desideria tried to talk, the further into his mug of ale he seemed to sink. She was almost ready to give up.
"Look, idiota, I'm offering you a fair price for passage on your God-forsaken canoe you call a ship, and you won't even listen to a word I'm saying?"
The only response was a half-hearted wave of the patron's hand.
"Okay, fine. I'm done. Alfonso, are you ready to go?"
The tall man could only nod, still reeling from the horrors of culinary tragedy. She groaned. Grabbing his arm, she did her best to drag him into the crowded streets outside. "I wonder how Annetta's doing. Ms. Veterano better have something to show for her efforts, because I already know Ugo and Gugliemi have probably failed."
...
"...Assassin."
Annetta's outward mask of serenity didn't crack, but on the inside, she was panicking. "Who is this man? How large of a threat is he? Does he have any companions?"
Smiling, she let out a small laugh. "Assassin? Me? How silly. I am simply a traveler attempting to find a ship-"
"A simple traveler would not have scrutinized the entire host of patrons within this inn. A simple traveler would not have approached me first- they would've tried the other, more reputable captains, using me as a last resort. A simple traveler would not wear the Brotherhood emblem freely on her belt, nor would she carry herself with such balance unless she was skilled with a blade. No, my dear, you are an Assassin," Thanos replied smoothly.
Annetta allowed her mask to drop, and her lip curled in disgust at the man sitting across the table.
"Templare feccia," she spat out, "tell me, do you let slip your upper hand so quickly all the time, or is your tongue simply too loose? For someone who prides themselves on their intuition and observance, you certainly are quite brash. Letting your enemy know you are aware of their presence was stupid. Why are you here, Templar?"
The man threw back his head and laughed. "Surely, you remember me, my dearest. What was it your father screamed after his stomach was ripped from his body? If I recall, he begged for mercy, promising to repent for what he had done. Isn't that right?"
Annetta's eyes widened. "You were one of the...you figlio di puttana!"
Any remains of her calm facade disappeared. Her hands clenched into fists, and she began to dig her fingernails into her palms. Her right hand, which lacked a glove, began to bleed profusely where she broke the skin, but she didn't seem to notice. Her gaze was fixed upon the man sitting in front of her, her face void of emotion.
The Templar's confidence visually flickered, and a flash of fear crossed his face. Thanos quickly regained his broad smile. "You wouldn't risk killing me in front of a crowd of innocents, now, would you?"
Annetta's face contorted into one of pure hatred. The smile she normally wore twisted into a malicious sneer. "No, imbecille, I wouldn't." The grimace contorted even further until a maniacal smile dominated the redhead's face, and the Templar's eyes widened. "What do you think you're-"
The Assassin threw down the smoke bomb, engulfing the tavern in darkness. Through the cries of confusion, no one heard the unsheathing of the hidden blade. No one heard the muffled shriek and the thud as the Templar's body hit the floor, or the splattering of blood on the walls. Certainly, no one noticed a woman robed in white slip out of the door, merging with the patrons desperately attempting to leave the clouded inn.
...
It's certainly been a while since I've updated, hasn't it? I am officially back, and ready to write! I'm pretty sure I know exactly where this story is going to go, and this time, I'm going to actually update once in a while!
Thank you for reading, and remember, reviews are always appreciated! ^.^
-DJ