Jellicle's Creed IV: Family Ties

by Xeir Zith

When his home is attacked, his father and a dear friend slain, their house burned, Munkustrap Grayhame flees to the streets and finds solace in human drink of all kinds. A mysterious mentor takes him in and trains him into one of the most feared killers of his time. Munkus, bent on revenge begins to hunt those who destroyed his world. Question is, who will live when he is done

6. Seqeunce 1 Memory 6

The Jellicle's Creed

IV

Family Ties

Extracts from the Journal of Munkustrap Grayhame

Sequence 01

Memory 06: The Assassin Cat

5 June 2011

1

So much has happened in the last day or so. Too much to write up in one sitting, so I will try to make it brief as I am able.

I was set upon by an unknown attacker, and subsequently rescued by a robed stranger. A rather interesting concept I must admit. Though at times I found myself asking constantly, why did the robed stranger, now my teacher, rescue me ?

The assassin that tried to kill me was left for dead by my Mentor. He then brought me with him to his place of residence. A large mansion on the river Thames. I also met a new friend as well, It seems that I was accepted before I knew what was happening. They tested me briefly, one of those seated at the table, Akilla, asked me several questions, I answered them as truthfully as I was able. It was through the Mentor sponsoring my jonining this group, this Brotherehood. And Akilla affirming that sponsering of joining.

I am now a member of this merry band of misfits, I call them that becacuse I know nothing else to call them aside from my family. They are my family, I think that is clear to me now. My family was destroyed in the past, the Assassins are my sisters and my brothers now. The Mentor is like a father figure to us all

Yes, they are my family now.

Though I stop and think at times, one of my sisters, Voalle, tried to kill me on orders from someone else, to completely eraidacate my family from the world and from history.

I have learned much over the last few days. I met another Assassin, one given to me, or rather I given into his care by our Mentor. He showed me around the massive mansion. I took it all in like a sponge. Taku is his name, I know he is a Jellicle, I saw his features, I do not doubt that he saw my own jellicle features.

Taku took me first to where would be my new bedroom, a place wherein I could store my stuff without worry. The shower, then he also showed me where the kitchen was, and also where to sit at the table when it was time to eat. Which normally, considering my rank, a new recruit to the fold, meant that I was only able to eat after everyone else had. Or until new members joined us.

Taku then explained to me how the Order worked among the populace of London, and across the world as a whole. He also explained to me their Creed, which honestly, did not make much sense, but as I write this, I think it is starting to make a bit of sense to me. What does not make sense to me is how it is worded. 'iNothing is true, everything is permitted/i' Honestly I did not know what to make of it when Taku explained it to me. Seeing my confusion, and my thinking, Taku said it was hard to understand at first, but until one could understand it, they could think on it carefully.

That was when I remembered what my father said to me. 'To see differently, we must first think differently.' So in order to see what the Creed means, I have to see it differently. So I got to thinking. I asked then to Taku as we walked, him and I, about how the Order came to be, and when it was first established. He told me.

"Long ago. Generations ago, during the first crusades long ago. The Assassins were bread apart from other places, a city in the cliffs known as Masyaf, The birthplace of the Assassin Order. Their enemies are the people that want complete control over everything around them. Even human minds. Each crusade was part of that same effect." Taku told me

"What exactly does it take to make an Assassin what he or she is ?" I asked, "I mean, I am not hardly Assassin matrial as it is. I barely defended myself in the Theives Den" I had explained to Taku the events of that morning, my fight at the Theives Den, along with my first kill at my home when it was afire three nights before.

"You are learning then, first hand, what it takes to be an assassin. When you got your weapons repaired by the blacksmith. No doubt Tiri helped you there. That was just one step of your path you now walk." Taku said to me, he smiled, "Later today we will have some tests done. Among these tests is how to spot your enemy in a crowd, and how to tag your enemy in the crowd without being seen by your enemy." He told me.

"That should be easy enough." I said thoughtfully, "Tiri taught me on how to blend in, took me for a walk too, having me blend in with groups as we moved around her building. Then this morning Mr Darvine showed up, but apparently he respects Tiri as he left at her request. Or was it more of a threat how she worded it ?" I explained how Tiri reacted to Marcus Darvine showing up.

"Tiri has a mutual hate for Darvine, as we all do. He is as ruthless as they come, it does not surprise me that he is a Templar. What would surprise me is him being their Grand Master." Taku said thoughtfully as we walked along.

"Grand Master ?" I asked. Clearly confused. All this and now ranks within the order. Really ? It made no sense to me whatsoever.

"Yes" Taku explained, "In our order there are fifteen ranks, You are an Initiate, your next rank will be Recruit. And after that, Apprentice, then Novice, Footpad, Desciple, Mercenary, Warrior, Vertan, and then finally Assassin, then there are five more ranks after Assassin,those being, Assassin First Rank, Second Rank, Third Rank, and Fourth Rank, Fifth Rank is in fact Mentor and Master. Pretty much reaching tenth rank, Assassin, makes any of us a Mentor to another Recruit such as yourself. I am an Assassin, third rank." Taku explained to me

"That makes sense, so I am at the bottom of the tree then. Have to work my way up. Typical." I said, somewhat in a silly tone however. Taku knew what I meant, thankfully so.

"Exactly, you will learn from experience, and by doing so, your rank will increase. You will have contract missions to undergo, and also oversee. And as time progresses, you will be able to gain ranks, learn new skills, and also new abilities." Taku explained. We walked on, Taku opened a door and lead the way outside to the training yard that overlooked the Thames.

As we walked I asked simply "Why the Thames ? What good does it do for the Order ?"

"It is a critical logicistics port of entry into our zones." Taku explained. He took me over to a map on a wall, the digital surface had symbols all over it. "This map is a map of London, you see the red lines here" He pointed to several locations. I nodded. "These red lines indicate Templar held areas. Areas in green are our own areas. Here, here, and here." He pointed out three green marked areas.

"What we want to do is take this area. You already took down the Theives den, they were influenced by the Templars. So that means we can do this." He tapped a button, then pressed on the Theives Den building symbol. The area, formerly red, became green. A very thin band amidst a sea of red. "As you can see, our area of influence has expanded, barely at that. But it gives us more breathing room, for the moment at least."

I studied the map. I saw where my house was, with the fire, it was listed as a Templar Zone, nowhere near the border. "Oh look, my house, That is a Templar Held area I see. Where is the den for this zone ?" I asked, pointing at the map, zooming it slightly, Taku found the den, two blocks from my house.

"To make this green, we'll have to eliminate two Templar Dens, here, and here. Then this one here" Taku pointed at two different dens, forming a line between locations. Then he pointed at the one that I targeted directly. "Otherwise, if we target this one, and this one here" He pointed at my initial target, plus one more. "Our men would be isolated in this area, surrounded on all sides by Templars."

That was when my head got to thinking, serious thinking. Logicstically speaking it could be done, right ? So I thought aloud. "Five enemy dens. If we took each one, and all five at the same time exactly, time our watches, everything, We can increase our influence tenfold in this area, and also retake my old home." I said thoughtfully.

Taku thought carefully before replying, "It is a possiblity, but let us first stock up our new zone in terms of weapons and men." He said, "You are, after all, a new Recruit. Going so soon at this could ease your rank to Initiate, sure, but We will take this slow and steady for the moment. I do however, like how you are thinking. You are thinking more like a tactical mastermind then you realise it." Taku explained to me. He outlined a couple things, and also sent word to send weapons, supplies, and men to the new den I had freed up.

"It is not offically my say" Taku said after a time, he had gone away, leaving me to study the map of London while he filled out some Assassini contracts. "In moving you up a rank, but you did clear out a Templar Influenced area for us. So naturally I think you should be an Initiate. Until otherwise stated by others within the Brotherhood, I will retain that rank on you for now." Taku told me.

So I had gained a new rank, barely there a day, fuck barely had breakfast, and I was already two ranks in. But no less experienced. I then parted company with Taku and went back to my room to think. He said he had things to take care of anyway, and would meet me later.

2

Dinner came and went, I learned more about the Assassins, their struggle, and what we are to do as a group, as a family. None of my elders in learning and experience treat me as if I am a freshman in the school. As if I were the odd man out. They treat me as if I am their little brother. Which in a sense I am. But I do not know. It is a possiblity that I may grow over time again, but we shall see.

After dinner I spoke some more with Taku. He told me that he spoke of my idea, attacking four Templar Dens all at the same time, on the same second, striking each, and marking the zone carefully. Then supplying it with troops, supples, and weapons. Thus increasing our influence in St Andrews Square.

My other concern, as he had noted, was what was to become of my old home, my old belongings. Most of which were burnt to cinders. But there was still the plate room, among other things. Only certain areas of the house were burned, everything else was quite intact.

He told me that everything concerning my house was taken care of, the Assassins had bought the space the house occupied, thus ensuring its later survival. All that needed to be done was demolition and reconstruction of the house as a whole. Of course that in itself was going to take some doing I knew and felt as much.

He told me also to relax. Once more I was in his company, this time well into the evening. He told me of past battles, contracts he had worked. Even so far as information of his targets. Some of his more favored contracts as well as some of the least favored. Some of the easier contracts, and the harder ones as well.

He also then got more serious when I asked him about the Mentor, how he became a Mentor, what was it that drove him. What kept him going. "That is a long tale in and of itself." Taku said thoughtfully, "I will start with the beginning, but I will keep it brief." He said.

"Forty three years ago, when the Mentor was just becoming an adult here in London, a tragedy took his family, his mother and sisters all slain, all that was left was him, his father, and his younger brother who was on vacation at the time." Taku said, he seemed to paint a tapstry as he spoke of the events occuring as I listened.

"The Mentor went on a path of vengence, taking the lives of those that had taken his family from him. He married again, a nice lady, but not long ago at that note. You see, he was focused on the Creed, what it held, what his mother did for a living, that was just a front, she too was an Assassin, and she was training her entire family to kill should they need to. So the Mentor learned to deal death without being seen, as one of the crowd, killing without a word. Swiftly, silently, deadly."

"For forty years the Mentor killed, he lost track of how many he had slain, I know only that he himself trained me. And sent me on many of my missions." Taku explained, "I was a teenager then, young and brash. Well before your time. The Mentor also had a falling out with some members of his extended family, they had no idea what it was that he did, and those that did wanted no part in it. He had a sister in law. And his only surviving sister in law I must add. Who faked being dead long enough to fool the prison wardens at the time. The made to bury her, but she escaped. Playing dead, it worked that well. Oddly so." Taku smiled then.

"I remember her, a brilliant woman, kind, gentle, yet dadly and swift as the night." He said. "She married a man named Ron Grayhame, your father." Taku told me. "You are the Mentors nephew. For all I know, he is shaping you into an Assassin to take his place as Mentor and Master, he agreed with me on your rank. You are an Initiate now. No longer a simple Recruit. Your skills will need refining, much refining."

"So I am related to the Mentor here, what is his name ?" I asked after thinking carefully. If the Mentor saved me to train me, to make me into the next Mentor, I knew I'd be in for a lot of pain and experience, mostly pain.

"We all know him as our Mentor, But to many, like Tiri, and some others, he is known as Mentor Graymane, Grayhame. The Assassin Cat in many respects. After all, he is a Jellicle like you and I" Taku explained. He stood up, by then it was nearing midnight. "Come, let us get to bed. Training begins at dawn for you, maybe a mission or two as well. But we shall see." With that we parted company for the night.

I went to my room and closed the door. I tried to sleep but sleep eluded me constantly. It was as if it was keeping just out of reach until I wrote down what occurred today. When I had finished, I slept. Like a rock.

3

Taku woke me up this morning. Apparently I am still in his care. He wanted to show me something, as soon as I was dressed I went and joined him, we had a somewhat hasty breakfast before he said he wanted to see how I could do in the world. After all, Tiri had taught me how to blend in, and I learned, mostly, on how to kill on my own terms at the Theives Den yesterday when I helped Perry.

I asked no questions as we boarded a London double decker bus headed for southtown, away from the Assassin Headquarters at the Davenport Mansion on the Thames. For a long time nothing was said between us until we got to our destination, out in front of Big Ben.

It felt weird. Very weird, off in a manner of speaking. Slightly wrong actually now that I write this. Everything felt wrong. Wasn't this area listed as one of the Templar Zones ? I voiced that aloud, though quietly, in Javanese, our native Jellicle langauge. Taku nodded.

"When I said I wanted to see how you fare in battle, I meant it. Your thought of taking down dens in a group on a timed attack is the right way to do it. The Mentor has waited this long, he gave the green light. You have all your gear. Now focus your senses carefully, look beyond what you see." Taku instructed me to use my feline senses.

So I did. For a few seconds I closed my eyes, and when I reopened them, everything was in ultraviolet spectrum levels of light. Possible foes were in red, I knew this, allies, people I could blend in with were in bright blue, benches I could sit on, also in bright blue. Taku and my allies were in white, and my target was directly in front of me, in gold. I blinked, nudging Taku I nodded in the direction of the Templar I'd spotted.

Taku nodded. Checking his watch he said "When I say, I want you to launch a posion dart at him. Are you locked onto him ?" As he spoke I set up my hidden blade for poison dart shooting from long range. There was nobody around, as yet at least. So I had only one chance to do this right.

I nodded, I was ready. The hidden blade I had given to Taku the night before when he had asked. And now it had a small digital readout on it. Saying it was locked on the target I focused on, the Templar Den Overseer. Taku checked his watch again, Finally after what seemed like an eternity, he said tersly "Now!" I fired the shot. The poison dart struck home. Perfect shot, dead on perfect! Taku pointed up at Big Ben, or rather next to it "See that tower ? Get up there and set the signal fire, go I'll handle those left down here. Move it!" Taku took off into the growing crowd for the doors to the den not far away.

I looked to where Taku pointed me, there, that tower, I made for it as quickly as I could, scampering up the outside of the building was easier then I thought, it took a trained eye to find places to grab hold of. Soon I was at the top. And when I got to where I needed to be, I found myself wondering, how the fuck was I to get down again without dying on the job ?

Then I saw it. There, a hay wagon, apparently convientily placed there in the case that I might just jump off. Then I recalled what Taku called it, a Leap of Faith. Well, I thought, Here goes nothing. I lit the signal fire, and then jumped from the tower. Flipping over onto my back as I did so as I headed for the hay, As I felt I thought briefly, did I make it ? Then I felt the chusioning of the hay at my back, I had made it.

I laid in the hay for a long moment, four men had shown up I thought for a long moment that I recognised one of them. Ah shit, I thought. I'm dead. But they never looked in my direction. Which confused me slightly. Nevertheless I thought no more on it. After they had left I hopped out of the hay stack and went to meet up with Taku.

We met back up, and that was when he was nodding, With the Mentor calling to me he greeted me with a new rank. Apprentice. Barely a member of the creed for even so much as a week, and now I am an Apprentice, first a Recruit, then a Initiate, and now an Apprentice Assassin.

It made me feel good. At least until Taku said I'd have to take more Leaps of Faith as I did my missions. Most of the time a Leap of Faith, he told me. Allowed me to get away quickly without a sound. It also enabled me to find out more of where I was at. Doing what is called, Focusing the Map. Whatever that meant. With what I had done at least. Until he gave me the update to my hidden blade at least. The update it had was to lock onto targets so I could either shoot or stab them, the next update included a map that only I could see.

Taku explaine to me that the more "Map Focus Points" I found after which I did a Leap of Faith, the more of the map I could see on my weapons and gear. But only I could see the map when I wore my weapons. And only then.

Now, everything was starting to make some form of sense.

I knew however that soon I was going to have to corner the Mentor, and speak to him one on one. It was going to take severe doing, this much I knew, but I wanted to thank him for sponsoring my joining. Which, sadly, was not my own choice. I felt forced into it.

And yet, I did not want to leave it.

They were my family.

M. G.

Authorized Personell Only

Davenport Manor, about an hour later

"I cannot believe it. Barely here two days and I am an Apprentice Assassin." Munkus muttered to himself as he entered the training grounds of the Manor. It was known as the Davenport Manor to the public, it made sense to him at least. Better then moving from inn to inn as far as he cared. He moved back into the crowd. His map now showed an area in green, he made for a place to eat, he wanted breakfast. That was something he could aim for at least now wasn't it ?

He stayed with groups of people, blending in as neeed to get around until he found himself a place to sit and eat. Taku joined him soon after he had sat and ordered a meal. "Good morning Taku, come to join me in this morning meal ?" Munkus asked.

"Something like that" Taku said as he took a pair of chopsticks from the holder on the table, Munkus had chosen a nice place to sit down and take a short rest. "You did well this morning, Apprentice. But do not think you can rest long. We have a contract read for you. When you are ready to take it, speak to the Mentor back at the Manor. Until then, As soon as we are done here with breakfast, sword training begins." Taku explained the days activities.

"So until I speak with the Mentor, then I'm to do sword training with you and the others ?" Munkus asked.

"Exactly." Taku affirmed. "Which I recommen that you attend you understand. When you finish this mornings workouts, then you can speak with the Mentor concerning the contract. It might have you go through London, or elsewhere. Its possible you might go to America, or even Spain."

"Never really was one for Spainards. But I guess I can learn" Munkus replied thoughtfully. Spain, he'd heard about it, but never been there himself. So they had a guild there too right ? Must have one there if missions took place there. "If I go to spain, what am I to expect ?"

"Barcelona is nothing like it is in the books, the place is an absolute mess. You'd have better luck in Cappidocia or America then in Spain. Trust me on that." Taku snickered. Munkus said nothing as their food arrived, along with some drinks.

It was a long few moments before Munkus spoke again "Did we do it ?" He asked, "Did we clear out enough dens to strengthen our influence ?"

Taku nodded "Yes, you'd better believe it. Your plan worked perfectly to the letter exactly. We waited until you struck the first captain down to begin the attack, six dens, including parliament itself! Imagine, Parliament, free of Templar hands." Taku seemed excited about something important. It made Munk just slightly nervous.

"So what now ? Supply our men and women in the new dens, rebuild what is damaged, take down what cannot be rebuilt and use for something else ?". Apparently Munkus hated being bored, the sooner he had something to do, the better off he'd be. "How long do you suppose it'd take for sword sessions to complete ?"

"It depends on how much you learn. And how much you can give as much as you take." Taku said as he ate his meal. Fish, eggs, and some bacon, perfect.

Davenport Manor

Two hours later

Two hours later found Munkus in the training hall. Around him weapons were stacked tall, swords, daggers, bows, crossbows, heck even guns of all kinds. He had his hidden blades, one of which had a gun attachment. "So many options. So little time." He mused, he knew the basics of swordplay now, thanks to the last ninety three minutes going at it with Taku before the Mentor broke in with the contract, of which Munkus had accepted. Now he just needed to outfit before being on his way. Once he knew where he was going.

"Spain ?" Munkus raised an eyebrow, he'd been there once, at least he had vague memories of being there as an infant. It was not the best memory, as he recalled so little of it at the time. But it was all he could recall, if at all. Besides Taku mentioned it, but Munkus couldn't understand just iWhy/i.

"Yes" The Mentor replied. "One of our contacts in Barcelona will be expecting you off the ship upon arrival. You leave tonight. Your trip is three nights long. When you arrive at Barcelona, you're on your own aside from our den there. Assuming it is still there"

"I understand." Munkus replied. He asked nothing of rewards or his target, he figured it was all in the contract mission ditails. He was right. Which found him in the armory of the Davenport Manor.

The mission details were set on a table as he went through the armory list, he knew he'd need his hidden blades, but to get to the target he'd need firepower, and he had no idea what the Barcelona Den had within its own armory, or if it even had an armory to begin with.

Munkus carefully went over what his target was, a powerful priest. Odd. Why would the Templars hire a priest ? Or was he a Templar before becoming a priest to begin with ? Lured in with the promise of a fat money belt, a possiblity. He had requested a box of some form. Swords were set inside it, the tension springs, coils of liqud cable, everything was set in such a manner that defied even the most strong of logical thinkers.

A hundred and six blades were hidden and crafted into the strange box, no longer then a simple rolled poster or two. Speed is what he used when he could. It was also very light, he'd need to get it past customs he thought. Then remembered, there were other ways to get gear into places. He turned to Taku "If I have this shipped, by the same ship I take as part of a cargo haul to Spain, it will arrive the same time I get there ?"

"Yes" Taku replied, "We'll send the box of your gear as cargo to our den in Barcelona there. That way you will not need to worry of carrying it through security" Munkus liked that answer and once he had the gear he wanted, he took his leave. It was time to take on his target.

Baracelona Spain

Four days later

One day after his conversation with Taku, and also the Mentor when he took his first assignment. Munkus watched as the gantry was put into place, and under it, the gangplank. Perfect! It was also time to leave the ship on his mission. He'd finish it, he knew that much at least. Munkus repacked his overnight bag and slid it onto his shoulder. Breakfast was announced. He took that moment ot make sure he had everything he needed. Lifting as he did so, the stationary, pen and letterhead of the cruise company before heading from his stateroom.

He fell in with the speed of the crowd and moved through the ship to a stairwell and went down two decks to the main loading deck. Moving without a word towards the exit, though he was hungry, he wanted off the ship. Partly because he'd gotten used to the small craft, well small was not the right word. More like, slightly cramped.

Within two seconds Munkus thought eating aboard was a smarter idea. Moving with the flow to where he had dinner the night before Munkus took his seat at his table and ordered his last meal aboard the ship, until he got ashore at least.

He was glad that he stayed aboard, as he was disembarking he noticed two policemen questioning a man that looked like himself. Great, he'd have been nabbed had he tried to get off sooner, he was glad, he felt it, he was glad that he had breakfast aboard ship. He went over to the baggage claim area and claimed a few things of his, and then moved off to a certain location, customs.

Once through he met up with Patock, Pat to most. One of the Assassini within Spain. Leader of a small outpost for contracts. Through Patock's information, Munkus found his desired destination only a day's har walking, or a single half day train ride away.

Barcelona Spain

three days later

He watched for a long moment as he target moved through the market of the tiny town, exotic fares from everywhere this side of the Atlantic Munkus mused. It was too easy, he thought, he spotted a few people that seemed to keep track of things, those were going to be dealt with quietly and unseen like. Maybe some poison darts could be of use, yeah, poison was perfect.

Munkus made the slight modification to his hidden blades, and then he took aim. Firing first at one, then another, then finally at the third, he had his target right where he wanted him. Munkus took to the rooftops as his target made to flee as quickly as he could.

Finally he had it, he locked and dropped onto the man from above, his hiddenblade digging deeply into the neck of the man. The world seemed to fall apart and fade away with a low hum, as if he was in that space between life and death, deaths door so to speak.

Munkus laid his target on the floor, whereever the floor was. "You aimed to make yourself a tyrant, forsaking your vows to the Brotherhood. Why ?" Munkus asked

"Money why else ?" Came the reply

"I am quite sure it was not the only thing that tempted you from the Brotherhood, Paterino. I will find out exactly what turned you from our path." Munkus pressed.

Paterino sighed, "Very well young one, I can see now that you serve your creed well. You wield your blade like a man. It shows." Paterino removed a letter from his coat, "Take this, make sure that these items are properly stored at the Brotherhood headquarters in Zaire"

He pushed the letter into Munkus' hand, his voice now a dying whisper "Go, retrieve the honor we have lost in this fight." He said. With that the man breathed his last.

Munkus sighed, closing the mans eyes he spoke "Rest in peace you poor bastard." Munkus turned and walked away after taking the letter

As soon as time caught back up with him, Munkus noticed some men running towards him, he turned and booked it for safety, Heading first for his truck parked at the north edge of town, and then from there to the den at Barcelona. Two hours was all it took to finish the job as it was needed. As he drove back to the den he wondered exactly what Paterino was up to, he pulled into a parking space at a mall, and opened the letter to read it, carefully so.

MEMORY SYNC COMPLETE: END SEQUENCE 01