If I Surrender

Interlude 5

I awoke to the most peculiar feeling of a tongue running along the side of my face. My eyes flew open at the unexpected contact. Sparkling, mischievous blue eyes met my own and I sat up immediately, pushing the offending creature away and off of the bed.

"Ugh!" I groaned as I wiped the dog spit from my face. Nico yipped before he jumped up on the bed again and spun in a full circle before plopping down on my legs. His tongue lulled out of the side of his mouth as I glared at him. "What?" I asked hoarsely, my throat dry from sleep. I glanced out of the window and noticed that it was a few hours before dawn. I could kill the animal for waking me so early.

Nico placed his paw onto my hand, forcing me to look back down at the pup. He gave a short howl before going back to panting. Ezio rolled over after the howl and opened his eyes sleepily, asking, "What's going on?"

"I do not know." I replied, annoyed that i had been woken up by the pup. "He woke me up and I don't know what he wants."

Ezio yawned and rubbed his eyes before looking at Nico, "what is it, buddy?"

Nico barked quietly before jumping off the bed and going to the bedroom door. He pawed at the door before looking back at us expectantly. Ezio gave a tired laugh, "I think he needs to go to the bathroom." He rolled over and gave a quiet snore.

I poked his back and he jumped slightly and grunted. "Aren't you going to take him?"

"I will get right on that." Ezio replied but did not move, falling back asleep instantly. I stared at his prone form, my annoyance growing more and more by the second. I started to wake him again but a low whine came from the door and I looked to see Nico prancing around in circles.

"Merda..." I whispered as I threw the blankets off of me, making sure to uncover Ezio in the process. The man at my side gave a pitiful sound as he blindly groped for the blankets. I repressed a smile at the sight as he curled up into a ball, trying to keep warm. I pulled on a long robe before opening the bedroom door and letting Nico sprint to the main door of the home. I followed quickly, hoping to get this over with. I tore the main door open and Nico ran outside excitedly.

I followed the dog, watching as he marked his territory and searched for the perfect spot. After a few seconds of following, I leaned against a stone wall and waited for the dog to do his business.

"What are you doing?" A low voice came from my side and I jumped, pulling out the dagger I had hanging from my robes belt. I swung it towards the Voice but was surprised when my wrist was captured and slammed into the wall, causing me to drop the knife. I gaped and turned my head fully toward my attacker, formulating a plan of escape before I noticed who held me.

"Altair." I breathed out, my body relaxing ever so slightly. For some reason, I knew he wasn't going to harm me.

"Tis I." He replied with a smirk as he gathered my dagger from the ground. He studied the blade for a moment before flipping it in his hand. He offered it back and I took it, tucking it into my belt.

"What are you doing out so late?" I asked, not really caring but not knowing what else to say. I looked around for Nico but he wasn't in sight. I didn't worry, he always came back eventually.

"I don't sleep much." He replied with a shrug. "The better question is, what are you doing out so late?"

"Damn dog had to piss." I answered shortly, listening intently as Altair gave a low chuckle.

"I've been wanting to talk to you," Altair said after a moment.

"Well, why didn't you just approach me before now?" I asked, wondering what exactly this man had to discuss with me. As far as I was concerned, we did not have anything to speak about.

"More than you can imagine." Altair replied in a somber tone. I looked at him shocked because I knew that I hadn't said that out loud. He shook his head before continuing, "I wanted to ask you some questions and it's hard when that boy never leaves your side."

I stared at him. It was a few hours before dawn and he wanted to ask me questions? Is he insane? I actually wished for Nico to come back so I had an excuse to leave but of course the little rascal was nowhere in sight. I sighed; I had nothing to lose.

"Chiedi via." Altair stared back at me and I assumed that he was mentally translating.

He cleared his throat, "First off: what is your long term goals in relation to stopping the Templar threat?"

I thought about it. I hadn't really considered the long term. Being an assassin had been my life... It's all I knew. "I-I don't know..." I began, unsure of how to continue. Altair stopped pacing and turned toward me. I noticed that he was closer to me than I appreciated. I sneered at him. "How can I trust you? You could be a spy for all I know."

Altair gave me an incredulous look. He looked insulted by the thought. His silver eyes narrowed as he growled out, "I can assure you that my loyalty is to the brotherhood. Now and forever."

"I can't accept that." I said softly and he looked angered by my words. "I would be giving you all of my trust if I told you of our plans. You have never appeared to the brotherhood before now. If I was to give you my trust then I would need yours in return."

Altairs defensive stance lessened and he nodded. "I see. I will tell you more when I can trust you. It's more complicated than you realize."

"Try me." I argued. "I've seen a great deal of strange things over the last few years. I can handle it."

Altair smirked, his lips stretching the scar at his lips oddly. He stepped closer and I stepped back, feeling the stone press into my back. "You have no idea what you're getting in to."

I pulled the edges of my robes together self consciously. He backed up a few feet and stood there, watching me as he asked, "Secondly, what is your relationship status with Ezio Auditore?"

I glowered at him, "I don't see how it's any of your concern, Altair. I hardly know you."

"Humor me." The assassin replied. I rolled my eyes but felt compelled to answer him.

"He is my betrothed."

A sharp growl came from behind us before Altair could reply and he stepped back, looking over his shoulder to Nico. His white teeth were bared at him as he edged around him to stand in front of me. Altair gave him a piercing look to which Nico flattened his ears and growled louder.

"I should be heading back now." I said with a smile to my little protector. Maybe he was good for something.

Altair drew his cold eyes from the pup back to me. "I wish to train with you."

I thought that my neck would break with how fast I looked at him. He could not have said what I thought he said, could he? I managed to croak out in surprise, "What!?"

"I wanted to show you a few things concerning the Epirus Bow." He clarified but it only confused me more. What could he possibly have to show me? He rolled his eyes, "you are a fool if you think you are the only one to hold a Piece of Eden." My eyes widened at these words and Altair looked away. "I've trusted you with much more than I normally would have. It's important, though. You cannot hold the Piece and not realize the power it stores."

I thought about it intently. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I could not afford to dismiss the chance to better understand the Piece of Eden I held. I sighed and replied, "Fine, but Ezio is coming."

"No." Altair bit off aggressively, causing Nico to snarl at the man. Altair did not even spare the dog a glance. "My existence must be kept secret from him. It is of utmost importance. I've seen what is to come in the future and he can never see me for who I really am. It would ruin all of my plans."

I glanced at the ground, considering his words. "You will explain your words to me eventually." He merely raised at brow at my words and I continued, ready to go back to bed, "When and where?"

"Come out tomorrow night after he has went to sleep. We can start then." I nodded and gathered the growling Nico into my arms and heading home. I thought about the mystery assassin and why it was so important to keep his existence secret from Ezio. I didn't want Ezio to somehow find out and think that I am sneaking around on him. I shook my head as I opened the door and dropped Nico straight to the floor.

The dog was in a much better mood and sprinted upstairs toward my bedroom as I lethargically followed behind.

When I entered the room, Nico was already curled up in a ball at the end of the bed. He lifted his head and gave me a doggy smile as I let my robe fall to the ground. I picked up the blanket from the ground as I climbed into the bed and curled up into Ezios back. I squeezed him to me and he mumbled in his sleep.

I really hoped I was making the right decision.

Translation:

Chiedi via - Ask away.