The Jellicle's Creed
IV Family Ties
Extracts from the Journal of Munkustrap Grayhame
Sequence 2
Memory 2: Last One Out, Gets The Lights
8-12 June 2024
1
I have it.
The Apple I mean.
I did not know it was even in the Egyptian Den until it called out to me. I took it as it said, Even let Snowfeather handle it. It is a unique device. I can see maps never before seen. I can see devices never before used before. I can even see and use this device to enter another realm outside of time itself. It is both facinating, and scary. And yet it is also something I am to hold most dear to my heart.
I am now the keeper of the Apple of Eden. And I have come to realise, that nothing will be able to hold me down in my newfound sacred duty. I have to keep it hidden, I have to keep it safe. Nomatter the cost. Even if I must lay down my own life.
My main problem now is, get out of Egypt with the device in hand, alive. I met up with Taku shortly after wresting the den from the Templars. And told him of the problem. Even showed him the Apple as well.
"Get it to the Mentor, he'll know what to do, as far as I know, he's been searching for the thing for decades!" Taku told me.
I nodded, "Right, I think I will have to get going then, but not by ship. I'll be searched and my baggage too" Taku nodded, I was right.
"I agree" he said. "Take my truck, its not far from here." he tossed me the key. "It runs on salt water, part of an experiment, pretty much runs forever at this point." he told me. "Can you drive a stick ?" he asked
I nodded, pocketed the key and turned to leave. "Anything else before I go ?"
"Yes" Came the response, but not by Taku. It was Blackmane. I turned to her, caution rang in my ears as she spoke. "Egypt and templar alike are going to be looking for you, I recommend taking out as many Templar squads as you can, as well as many as possible of Templar loyalists. You'll know them, they fight like the Templars do. I'd go with you, but I am needed here with Snowfeather to make sure we regain control of this city."
I knew what had to be done. Blackmane was right, I needed to rid the city of Alexandria of Templar Control as soon as I was able to do so. So I chose then to make my stand. And in doing so, making many enemies along the way.
2
Voalle and I made our stand inside an abandonded warehouse on the Alexandria waterfront on the western edge of the harbor. We had seven Assassini with us, armed, ready for battle, and ready to ambush the Templars as they entered the zone. We were expecting air support from the Templars. News helicopters were flying everywhere since our first major fight in the streets only hours before. Nobody knew who we were, or why we were fighting against dozens of soldiers, and winning.
Nobody questioned our arrival, our set up, or even our weapons and gear. Everyone figured we were fighters looking to make our stand in the world.
We were. In a manner of speaking, fighters taking our stand. We were looking to free Egypt from the tight fist of the Templars. That was when I sent Voalle on her next mission. I said for her to confirm the destruction of the Templars race horse bet. Making sure the Templars were to lose the bet dearly. I never expected the result I was going to get that night.
We only had to wait a few hours for the Templars and Egyptians to get their act together and ready to attack our foritifications we had set up. Bulkheads, barriers, and thick cement walls were built up throughout the afternoon by dozens of Assassini men and women.
As we built out defenses I made it clear I wanted to funnel the Templars into thinking that we were inside two different warehouses that looked at each other in the western Alexandria Harbor. This was not the case. I had much more then two wearhouses taken. Ready for use. Men were armed and ready. Not just with guns, but with swords, discs, and in most cases, american baseball bats, and some cricket bats as well. I had only my twin discs, and light batons. Ready for use. I also had some practical combat swords as well
I planned to lead the defensive, hoping to turn it into a rout of the Templar soldiers soon to arrive. But it was the news and reenforcements sent by Blackmane that made me rethink my plans, and then question my enemy carefully. Who was my true enemy ? I at first wondered aloud. Was it myself ? Or those I fought to maintain freedom and justice for my fellow citizens of the planet Earth ? And if my enemy was myself, How was I to defeat my own worst enemy ? Nevertheless, I took it upon myself to lead from the front by example to my men and women placed in my care.
I gathered them, only mere minutes before the first shot was to be had. For one final heart to heart talk. On the steps of the old warehouse, spread onto the lone rotting dock, and filling the streets around the battle zone. My men stood at attention. Ready for anything. I thought long and hard over what to say. And how to say it. Finally I spoke.
"My friends. We come from all walks of life, farmers, store owners, mechanics, bookkeepers, churchmen, parents, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers. Total strangers. But we are united in a need most urgent. To rid Egypt of the Templar Stain that haunts it, lords over it. Drives many mad with hatred towards those that let the hammer fall on the common man. Stores were forced to close until I arrived. I reopened shops and stores. Maintaining as much as I can while I am here for so short a time you understand." I said, the men and women were nodding to my words. They knew that I spoke the truth. I worked to get the ciity back on its feet good and proper.
"I see in your eyes, the same fear that would take the life of myself. Throw the fear aside, show the enemy your anger, pent up for years under their yolk, cast it aside, use your anger as a tool. Control it, use it, do not let it use you. An above all. I cannot promise anyone a ride home, but I will promise you this. Starting right now. Alexandria and Egypt as a whole, will be freed from Templar rule. Who is with me ?" The thunderous response I was given made my heart soar. So I said. "Then let every man pair off, pairs form into squads of eight. Get to your posts. Make ready to make the Templars fall!"
The men dispersed and got to their posts, ready to go. Now all we had to worry about was waiting. We did not have to wait long. Because the Templars, they were coming. We were ready.
We heard them before we saw them, the templars knew nothing of stealth, loudly crashing through buildings, windows were shattered and glass was crushed underfoot. The hard stamps of their feet in formation made me snicker briefly. And I waited. As the first unit of templars entered the trap, I had my men wait until I struck the first blow. Moving swiftly and silently I got to my post and made ready. There were twenty nine more Templars and Egyptians that were part of this advance unit. And now, it was time for the end game.
With all the Templars in the unit in one place, I struck at their rear, at the same time, my second, Gumball McJones most called them, his actual name was Hackensack McJones. Though he constantly said his name was pronounced as Joanis. Whatever the fuck that meant. It did not matter, Gumball McJones struck the same time as I did. The unit was destroyed as they tried to fight inside the trap. At the same time I knew more were coming so I had my part of the unit ready on our rear for an attack that was coming.
It came.
The Templars struck at my men in the rear. They were expecting that my men were focused on the first unit, they were, halfway. I had my men split. And also stagger their ranks. It worked well enough. Nine ranks were set up in such a manner. Each one having their guns ready to go. It took five minutes of solid wall of gunfire before the next group was destroyed. Within hours the fight was over and Templars surrendered.
Took less then an afternoon in fact. I for one, was quite happy with the result, we only lost ten to wounds too severe to continue fighting, so we got them to the Alexandria medical center. The Brotherhood paid for their treatment. It was not a complete loss, but even loosing men to inury hurt even myself These men and women trusted me and look what happened. I made a vow then and there that Under my command, none would be hurt. Never again.
3
No journal for about two days I think, I had no access to a pen or even when I did, have any access to paper. Instead I decided to memories key points, most of which I could write down. Four days after I freed Voalle and returned the Assassini den to the rightful owners, I found myself on a ship, heading for London. Unfortunately that ship was overtaken by pirates and other unsavory folk.
We had a crew of around three hundred, it was a pleasure cruise setting sail out of Alexandria and going to London. Took a bit of doing, but Snowfeather managed to get me and Voalle passage for two in one room. Voalle explored the ship constantly whereas I mostly stayed in our stateroom aboard the ship. Occasionally coming out for a quick jog around the fourth deck wherein there was a jogging trail. I did not know it at the time, nor did I really care, that I was in fact being tracked by Templars.
On the late afternoon of the second day, I had just rounded the bend on my second jog of the day. I heard a splash from the water. Since I had finishd my run I turnmed and looked out. I saw a barrel floating on the water. Then one further away. Someone was leaving a trail. I made note of where the barrels were going over the side and went below by one deck. Moving to where I had remembered seeing the barrel floating from the deck I saw something.
I carefully inspected the area and found traces of powder, marking a trail of some form. I went back to my stateroom nd informed Voalle, She was napping when I had left, and she did not have a key to the room by my personal request. I was the only one with a key. I wanted to know I could trust her with my life. And by locking her out of the room I knew it was possible. She prefered to remain in the room and out of any form of trouble
Two hours later and we were able to have dinner. I chose to have dinner sent to the room. I tipped the waiter when he delivered the meal and also made sure that we had a view of where the barrels were tossed overboard. There were none thrown out. We went to bed early that night.
It was mere hours later when we were woken by the sounds and alarms of pirates coming upon the ship. That was just great. The pirates were after Voalle and I, I knew it for sure. I informed the captain to let the boarders come but for all the passengers and crew to remain in their staterooms until the all clear is given over the PA system. Voalle and I however readied ourselves in our stateroom, then left from security being active, the ship was quiet. The boarders were going to come aboard on deck four. Two decks below us on the starboard side.
We were waiting.
The boarders swarmed aboard and tried to make for the inner parts of the ship to look for us when we made our move. We struck with long ranged weapons. I threw my identity discs, and also withdrew my baton as a sword before catching and sheathing all three and merely using my fists and feet. We sent many over the rails to the waters below.
It took less than an hour before the boarders fleed, we were too skiled for them to attempt to capture. They needed more men, or better ships or better weapons. Anything to take us down. All they saw when they tried to take us was death staring them in the eyes.
4
It is now June the 12th 2024. and we have made it to London in one piece. After the eventful night of the second day of the cruise from Egypt to England was over and those were were brave enough to video the event were praised as heros of some form or another. Personally I did not find it very enlightning or the like. Somehow I found it, unsettling to be video taped by random passerby.
I chose not to voice my concerns. Thinking instead to remain quiet, I could talk to the Mentor when we got back. Snowfeather had sent word ahead of us to warn us of trouble, not just on the ship, but upon reaching land. The Templars were active because of their Grand Master. Which made me wonder who he was. And what importance he served.
I was sure to find out soon as Voalle and I moved through the streets of London making for the Davenport Manor. Moving swiftly we made our way through the city. I saw smoke from a building lit aflame. And then smaller fires. There was a riot recently. And the Assassin's were the instigators, hoping to draw out the fail coup leaders. Sadly it did not work that well, Templars were everywhere. I made ready to fight as I could as we walked along.
Looking back now I realise the smartness of the choice, we chose to walk instead of hail a taxi or hop a bus. Somehow I felt safer while walking, able to defend my self when needed to do so. I thank the Mentor for teaching me everything he was able. Now I felt as if I were ready. Merely a first rank Assassini compared to Taku and the others. I did not care. I was ready.
Or so I thought.
M.G.
WARNING: Speed Zone Ahead
London England
Munkus darted towards a building and climbed up the side as quickly as he was able. Moving quietly but quickly he scampered along the edge, Voalle below him moved with large crowds but continued to move at a good pace. The two of them traded rooftops and sidewalks at random points as they moved along. Munkus wanted to get to the Manor, Voalle did too, but they both had a duty to attend, and that duty was none other than dispersing a Templar mob on their own.
Munkus came to a halt on a rooftop. Over the thickest smoke before jumping off it and dropping soundly on the targets below, his hidden blades stabbing neatly into the necks of his first two targets.
Then all hell broke loose.
Munkus parried a strike and time seemed to slow around him as he blocked the attack and then struck his own movement fast as lightning. Driving his enemy to the pavement in a crash and fast stab to the heart. Moving quickly Munkus moved to his next target, as if on a roll he struck and killed each additional target. Blocking when required to do so before moving on.
Soon the mob dispersed and Voalle and Munkus continued on to their desired target location. Akilla was waiting for them outside the manor. His arms crossed over his chest his face unreadable as it was always covered by a hood. Akilla was blind in many respects, but he could sense better then even the blindest blind man. He spoke when Voalle and Munkus neared him. "You are late."
"Actually I think we're right on time given the Templars trying to take us down on every street corner." Munkus replied, not too snarky at that either. He knew better then to poke a jab at Akilla.
Akilla did not even smile as he spoke. "You are later then I'd like you to be. The Mentor just left last night to visit a friend at St Andrews Square, it concerns your old home location." He said. Munkus' heart somewhat went to his throat in confusion and something of fear and anxity. Not that it mattered much. "Tiri requested that you join her tonight. If you leave now; with the weapons you have, you can meet up with her as she requests. She will tell you more when you see her."
Munkus nodded and took his leave, as he did so he heard Akilla speak to Voalle. "It is good to hear your voice again among us Voalle. Welcome home." he said to her.
Voalle smiled and said "Thank you Den Keeper."
Enroute to St Andrews Square
A few moments later
Munkus walked along the trail to St Andrews Square, it was thickly wooded and occasionally next to some streets. He walked among crowds and groups as he moved through the city towards his old stomping grounds. How he missed it. Occasionally he thought of the past, how things could have been had his father survived, would he still be an Assassini ? He banished the thoughts from his mind as he walked towards his intended destination. Not expecting Tiri to meet up with him from a tailor shop. He slowed his walk and walked with her. "'After noon Tiri. Good to see that time does not have an affect upon you like it does most of us." He said to her.
"Always the flatterer." Tiri replied with a smile. The two hugged briefly. "Come, the Mentor is at the Bordelo and waiting for us both. I am glad to see that Akilla managed to speak to you. What kept you ? We were hoping you were with the Mentor last night."
"Got delayed at customs due to an eventful trip home across the Sea from Egypt." munkus replied, he then detailed the trip, including the faces of the pirates when he saw them. He'd see them again for sure. He knew it. Moving along the road he told of the events in Egypt as well. Detailing key points, including his vow to his men of never getting them hurt or killed when they did their duties.
They had arrived at the Bordelo, the place looked little different then the last time he was there. Munkus snickered and said "I see that time did not waste on you, nor your home either. What do you do to keep yourself so young ?"
"Ah, the stories I could tell." Tiri replied with a cry of laughter before quieting and opening the door.
Munkus snickered again and said "I must know"
Tiri thought a long moment before saying. "Get used to disappointment."
Munkus smiled, sighed and said in defeat, for the moment "okay" For the moment he was giving in. He'd pressure Tiri no more. She'd tell him when she felt it right to tell him.
St Andrews Square
Tiri's Assassin Den
The Mentor was going over notes in Tiri's office, he was alone, occasionally sending out an errand girl to run errands for him in order to get notices to certain folks and the like. The Mentor had heard rumors of the device being in Egypt, he had no idea his own nephew, Munkus Grayhame, known as Master Graystar among the Assassin Brotherhood, had the device on his person at that moment.
He sent out two contracts to the Assassini, Both of them in Moscow. The last of six for the day. He was waiting until the right time, when his assassini had enough experience he'd send them on harder missions. Progressively getting harder as time went on. None complained, most came back with few injuries. But none were truly severely harmed in any manner.
He smiled however at some notices he was going over, he'd gotten word that Munkus had found Voalle alive but in prison, she as not as feared, dead, nor had she turned against the order as originally feared. Munkus had slain her double, and in doing so, had reclaimed the den for the Brotherhood. An act only few could undertake. He was glad then that he had sent his newest assassini. Munkustrap Grayhame was as good as he could get, if not perfect, Munkus was at the top of his list for most contracts now that he thought on the tasks he was to send his nephew on.
The door opened, he looked up from the desk, the desk of Tiri, as he was borrowing it for the time he was there. The smile on his face remained as he stood as Munkus and Tiri entered. Tiri shut the door behind her, leaving the three of them alone. Graymane stepped around the desk and gave his nephew a hug. "It is good to see you home." He said.
"And to see you as well." Munkus replied. He once more told what he had told Tiri, but this time he included the Apple. Removing it from his belt pouch he presented it to his uncle. "Mentor, it called out to me. Said to keep it safe, to find a key of some form or another. What it means I do not know. But I mean to find out soon. Just as soon as I am to figure out this things many secrets."
Graymane took the Apple and carefully looked it over. He had no idea how it worked or what it was to do. But he knew for a fact it was a ancient and powerful artefact of some form. He gave it back to Munkus. "Keep it, Graystar, for it is in your care, at the Manor I will have some of the carpenters construct a place for this to sit. Until that time, hold onto this. Do not let it fall into Templar hands. It would be, a disaster if they got hold of it." Graymane had no idea what the Apple possessed, nor what it could do, which made him scared of the thing very much.
"I agree, they tried to access its secrets, it called to me in the den we reclaimed from the Templars. I am sure they did not attempt to take what it held. Our life would be not too well at this moment had they used some of its secrets in any manner" Munkus said thoughtfully.
"I agree" Graymane said with a firm nod. Tiri merely nodded. "Now that the Apple and its secrets, our concerns for it and what to do about it are out of our way. I must ask; is it true, Voalle is alive ?"
Munkus nodded "Yes. Voalle is very much alive and not against us. She has infact been kept prisoner by Visturia. Who is dead by the way." He reported.
"So it is not a rumor then, I had feared she had been slain or turned against us once more." Graymane replied. He smiled, with a nod he said "Very good, where is she now ?"
"At the Manor as we speak, with Den Master Akilla." Munkus replied. He turned to Tiri, "Akilla said you wanted me ? What was it about ?"
Tiri traded looks with Graymane, the dark robed man nodded, she could explain things. "Come with me." She turned and lead the way towards a bookcase, sliding a portion of it the door it revealed was quite interesting in design. It lead downstairs by two levels.
When Munkus arrived in the atrium on the bottom most level he found himself slightly confused by what he was seeing. Six statues of some form, their stones missing. Spread across the world no doubt Munkus thought. He was wrong. Tiri went over to a crate Munkus followed. Graymane had taken his leave, he'd seen the place before, even retrieved the many statue stones. But he never figured out how to hook them to where they languaiges such as that were beyon him, but Munkus knew the strange words, Itlaia it was called most likely.
Tiri opened the crate, inside Munkus found six stones. She spoke "the Mentor brought these stones here many years ago, the writing each one possess upon them we are unable to translate, it is a langauge unknown to us." She said, Munkus reached into the crate and removed a stone, it weighed a bit more then a sack of sugar. He looked it over. He easily saw a name on it.
"Elisviir" He said aloud; easily translating the name.
Tiri looked at him confused. "What ?"
Munkus held out the stone, "Its a name, Most likely the statue it goes to." He said, it was then he noticed the center statue had no places for stones of any kind, but in fact had a gate, cast iron. Each statue stone was a lock. Without the lock, there was no way to open the cast iron gate.
He looked carefully at the statues. Moving one to the other he had Tiri follow him with the crate, it was on wheels. "Ok" He said "Each statue has a name stone with it. The shape of which..." He looked carefully at the shape of the place where the stone was to go. Tracing with his fingers along the edge. Then he looked at the stones carefully. He found Elsiviir's statue almost instantly. He placed the stone in to its proper slot, and heard a click followed by a grinding noise. Looking up he saw that Tiri was staring at the locks on the cast iron gate. One of them was unlocking! So that is what these stones and statues do. They lock something behind a gate. But what ? Munkus wondered.
He asked his question aloud. "What does that gate hide behind it ?"
Tiri pointed at the glass encasement. "Whatever is in there. I've never been able to see it. It never collects dust, so it must be some form of technology. Either that or the air moves enough for dust to never collect here." She explained.
"Must be constantly moving air then." Munkus said, he went over to the cast iron gate and felt around, yes, there was a breeze, he felt it, faint enough to not get noticed though there enough so that dust was not acumulating on the area. "A faint enough breeze" he thought aloud. He turned back to the crate, five more stones. Five more puzzle pieces to unlock. What fun! He got to work.
Two hours later and it was time for the evening meal. Munkus had just placed the last stone into its slot. The last lock slid open. The cast iron gate slid downwards into the ground. Most interesting. Munkus took up a Nine LED flashlight and stepped to the cast iron gateway that was opened.
Stepping into the space he noticed two things, it was self lit inside. He set the flashlight back on the crate and went inside the recently revealed room. Ah, yes. He thought. What do you hide in here I wonder ?
Right away Munkus found two things; A display case, and last but not least, a weapon case. This was interesting. But not in an 'oh god oh god we're all gonna die' kind of way. Munkus thought he went to the weapon rack and opened it. Finding right away the desired items he thought were in there. A sword unlike any other he had seen before, untarnished brilliant steel with a soft white hilt.
There were seven such swords inside the weapon rack. All of them were identical, the only thing that made any of them different were their lengths, four were the same length, Munkus saw that right away, two were longer then the first four, and the last weapon was the longest.
He turned to the display case next, and, upon opening it, he found inside a stack of neatly kept clothing. As if it were placed there, waiting for him to come for it and use it again. Most interesting. Most intresting indeed. He touched the cloth, it was soft, like silk, maybe satin. Munkus wasn't sure.
Tiri arrived and took a close look, seeing the cloth and the weapons she smiled. "So that is what they hid here. He hid it here. Long ago." She mused aloud.
Munkus looked at her confused. "What ?" He asked, what did she mean ?
"Generations ago this bordelo was the site of a temple, originally for the goddess Bast many many years ago, thousands of years ago in fact. The room back there, where you figured out the puzzle, it was made under the temple site, so when the bordelo was built above it, it could shield it from unwavering eyes."
"And the point of this cloth ?" Munkus asked idicating the clothing. "I wonder what it is made of, it feels like satin, or silk, yet looks tough and strong." He said. He lifted the item from the display case and carefully looked it over. Making sure it was what he thought it to be in the first place.
As the cloth came free of the display case some of it touched the wood and glass. What touched the wood took on the color and design patter of the wood, and what touched the glass seemed to disappear from sight. As if it had gone invisible. "I thought as much." Tiri said, she pointed out the coloration the cloth took on. "Put it on it is a cloak to blend you into places where normally you cannot go." She said, she helped him put the cloak on. The cloth blended perfectly with his already byzantyne red clothing and armor. Tiri then instructed Munkus to lean against a wall. When he did so, he practically disappeared from sight.
"With the seven blades, and this cloak, you're a bane to the exsistence of our enemies. The swords will be hidden by the cloak, which will blend perfectly with your outfit until you need the blades. None will see them, and apparently no metal will be detected, the cloak has some form of mystical field to it that knocks out scanning systems. You should be able to get to places unnoticed by our enemies." Munkus thought the idea plausible enough.