DISCLAIMER: Ubisoft owns the Assassin's Creed material, I only own Rozalina, Alexei etc.
I'M SO SORRY! I HAVEN'T UPDATED FOR A YEAR...I really am sorry. My life has been a hurricane!
Chapter 7: A New Member
We set off in a steady trot, making our way through the homestead as the sun rose. Prudence caught sight of us and called us as she waved us a goodbye. I grinned, waving to the kind woman as we passed. I turned my head to Connor with a smile. He had a small smile on his lips which was directed towards Prudence as he caught my eyes. God, that smile. I'm not sure if it was the sunrise or his general smile, whatever it was made my heart flutter in my chest. Actually, it was a combination. The sun made his skin glow a dark caramel and the sun reflected beautiful gold flecks in those dark orbs. I could feel my cheeks burning so I looked down at the reins in my hands.
"How long will it take to get to Boston then?" I couldn't survive too long alone with him, I might scorch my cheeks to a crisp.
"A few hours if we do not face any resistance" He kept his stare forwards, clearly focused on the task at hand. Liberation. "We shall ride fast, come" He spurred his horse with a shout and I followed briskly.
The trees and greenery became a blur as we raced down the dusty tracks towards Boston. Connor suddenly halted and I pulled the reins hard , skidding to his side. The faint sound of drums broke through the silence of the forest.
"Do we wait or attack?" I asked. He knew the area better, was it easier to sneak behind them or clear them out?
"Wait for now, if they have a convoy it is best to raid it for cargo" He pulled his hood down over his eyes and I mirrored the action.
The drumming got louder in my ears as the soldiers came into sight. My hand hovered over my daggers, the adrenaline built up within me. No convoy...no attack. I let the breath I was holding out. We stayed where were till the drums were faint before riding off again.
*two hours later on the edge of the frontier*
Connor and I had left the frontier with Boston in the distance. We ended arriving in Boston mid morning, we tied our horses to some stable posts. Connor looked at me, his eyes asking for a suggestion.
"Well I suggest you take half of the district and I take the other. Scout around and look for possible liberation opportunities and recruitment potential. We should probably meet back here at sunset"
"Till then" Connor turned to walk away.
"Wait a second!" He looked over his shoulder at me.
"I need to exchange my Russian currency for pounds so if you come across any bankers can you let me know?"
"I will see to it" Connor turned again and walked away. That man was so unpredictable at times...
I let out a deep breath and headed in the opposite direction, stalking around the shadows analysing my surroundings for any signs of distress. Not seeing any opportunities to intervene I scaled a building, taking out nearby redcoats so I could concentrate on possible liberations. I crouched on the edge of the building, my eyes wondering over each alleyway that was in view. I heard a whimper from behind and quickly turned, listening for it again. Another whimper sounded out. Below, in an alleyway. I stayed crouched and reached the other side of the building. I spotted two redcoats who had pinned a young woman to the wall as they laughed and she cried. I stood fully, did a quick run up and launched myself off the edge of the building. I landed on top of the red coats, plunging my hidden blades into their backs before standing again.
The girl looked even more frightened than before, well I suppose seeing two men suddenly killed by a stranger is rather shocking. I retracted the blades into my gauntlets and took a step towards her. "Are you alright ma'am?" I tried to sound friendly, she probably thought I was going to kill her.
Then she fell to the cobbles and started sobbing uncontrollably, I crouched in front of her. "Hey, hey... You're safe now. I will not harm you, can you stand?" I held my arms out to her to grab, she gripped my arms and allowed me to pull her up.
She sniffled next to me, looking down at her feet and wiping her eyes. "Th-thank you...fo-for helping me" She gave me a small smile.
"You're very welcome, I'll have to leave you..." As I finished the sentence she trembled fiercely. I knew she wouldn't make a step out of the alleyway without some sort of protection. She just had a terrifying experience with two redcoats let alone me killing them dramatically.
"Would you like me to escort you home ma'am?" She nodded her head a few times, a broken sob sounding in the air, "Only when you're ready, take your time okay?" I rested a hand on her shoulder.
She sobbed a few more times before calming herself. "I'm ready" I took a few steps out of the alley and looked around before telling her it was clear. She hurried to my side as we slowly made our way through Boston.
I could see she was uncomfortable in our silence. "Thank you for saving me... It was very kind of you"
I smiled at her and realised how small she was compared to me, alright I'm quite tall for a women but this women's head didn't even reach my shoulder. "You're very welcome, those redcoats deserved it"
She gave me a shocked look at the last few words like I had said I was going to kill her puppy. As we starting nearing the outskirts of Boston a large group of redcoats were approaching. The girl suddenly wrapped her arm around mine and clung to my side. It was understandable to have some fear, so I steered her away from them a bit.
We entered the outskirts of Boston, only a few houses were in the area. She stopped and pointed at a nearby house. The house's paint was slightly peeling and the fence had seen better days but it wasn't a shit hole. "That's where I live" She whispered to me, like it was a secret.
We strolled to the door and she let go of my arm hesitantly. "Well, I hope you have a better day. Take care ma'am" I turned to go search for another mission.
"W-WAIT!" She grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me around. "My name is Melanie..." Her face was flushed, she was probably embarrassed after what happened; understandable.
"Well, take care Melanie and have a good day" I turned with a wave but she suddenly gripped my hand, pulled down my hood and kissed my cheek. I froze. (A/N: I'm not against any sexual preference just depicting an awkward situation which can happen to all of us) She saw that I was a woman and flushed the colour of the red coats I killed earlier.
"I-I I'm so sorry..." She looked down at her feet, "I wished to show my appreciation...I didn't t-think"
I pulled my hood back up and smiled. "It's quite alright, you were just being kind"
Melanie continued to fuss for a while till I assured her that I wasn't offended. "Well, if you're nearby don't hesitate to call round for tea. Thank you again!" Melanie waved as I walked away.
Okay, I was slightly offended that someone thought I was a man... Connor is going to laugh at all, I know Alexei would if he was here. I spent the rest of the day liberating civilians and even recruiting some guy into the Creed. As the sunset coloured the sky I quickly travelled to the meeting point, Connor wasn't here yet.
I proceeded to pat the nose of my horse as he whinnied at me. I frowned. "Don't laugh at me, it's like you know what happened with Melanie"
Shadow nodded his head dramatically and whinnied again. I frowned again, "Come on, do not laugh at me Shadow!" I laughed a little myself.
"What has given you such spirit Rozalina?" I jumped and turned to see Connor and another man beside him. A handsome man actually... Stop it Roz.
"I shall tell you of it over dinner..." I did not fancy retelling such a story now, especially in front of a man I did not know.
"Rozalina, I would like to introduce you to James Quill," I held my hand out and like earlier experiences he turned over my hand and kissed it. "Mr. Quill is a banker, I believe he can do a currency exchange for you."
"Thank you Connor, it is nice to meet you Mr. Quill" I smiled.
"The pleasure is mine Miss?"
"Rozalina is fine," I handed him the pouch of currency, he gave me a puzzled look. "For the currency exchange"
"Ah yes!" He looked through the pouch and flitted through a wad of pounds before handing some to me. "You have 183 pounds in exchange for the Russian currency"
"Thank you Mr. Quill" I set the money in my breast pocket.
Quill turned to Connor, shaking his hand and smiling. "Thank you Connor, I will come join the Homestead once I have finished business here." He gave me a small wave before turning and leaving.
"It will be beneficial for the Homestead to have financial advice and support" Connor suddenly said.
"Yes it shall. Anyway, how was your time liberating?" We started walking to the Inn and continued to converse.
"It was rewarding, being able to make a dent in the Templar's power. What had your spirits so lifted earlier?"
I laughed nervously while explaining the incident. Connor looked at me horrified and concerned, "Such behaviour is not appropriate"
"Connor, it is quite alright. I was more offended that she thought I was a man than the action itself" I laughed at Connor's reply, I guess Achilles taught him strict etiquette.
"Was an apology given?" Connor stopped me and looked concerned.
"Of course, come let us go have dinner and rest" I moved around him and entered the Inn. A sudden blast of chattering and rowdiness attacking my ears as I opened the door.
My summer with Connor, continued like this. Liberating civilians, welcoming new neighbours into the Homestead and recruiting new assassins. However, one day stood out the most for Connor and I especially.
The day was grim, a fierce shower of rain colouring Boston grey. I was walking back to meet Connor after the usual routine of liberations and so on. I suddenly heard a shriek to my right, a dark alley... I quickly ran towards it, checking my gun was loaded before intervening. I peered around the corner of the alley. A pale woman was clutching a bundle to her chest, a thief? About five redcoats aimed their bayonets at her like a firing line. I dug into my pocket, perfect. I threw the object towards them and when their attention was grabbed, the atmosphere was filled with smoke. I ran in slicing the throats of two coughing red coats, I knocked one on his back before plunging my blade into his chest. The smoke cleared and two were left, sparring time. One of them grabbed me allowing the other to attempt to stab me, wrong. I flicked one of my blades into the bastard holding me and shot the advancing devil before me. He dropped, it was done. I looked over to the woman, she was smiling? Most are terrified.
"Thank you my fellow assassin" She knew about the Creed? "I thought it was the end of my daughter and I" The mass in her arms wriggled suddenly, that was what she was holding.
"You know of the Creed?"
"I used to be part of it myself, as did my husband. The brotherhood I belonged to was sold out and we have been on the run ever since. Templars recently killed my husband and luckily you saved us before we could have the same fate"
"I'm sorry to hear about your husband's death, I am sure he was honourable like you are" I bowed to show my respect.
"Are you of the Russian Creed?" She must have picked up on my accent.
"Indeed I am ma'am"
"Your English is lovely, I am glad you are here" She smiled again before blood erupted through her torso. She spluttered and fell, her arms protective around her child wrapped bundle. A redcoat managed to crawl over and stab the poor woman so I sunk my blade into his heart, letting the life leave his eyes for sure.
I quickly ran over to the woman, applying pressure to her chest. "I can save you again, we must go quickly to a doctor!" I tried to wrap her arm around my shoulders but she pushed me away. "Come on, I can save you!"
"Not this time, I am bleeding too much. What's your name assassin?" She caressed my cheek, a smear of blood being left upon my skin.
"Rozalina ma'am" I cradled her in my arms. The bundle in her arms wriggled out of the wrapping and peered out.
"Mama?" A small girl, eyes like the leaves and skin like ivory asked so innocently.
"Mama has to leave you here...I am going to join Papa. Remember the Creed will protect you" She breathed heavily, she would be dead soon. She turned to me, "You will look after her, will you not?"
"Yes ma'am, I will protect her under the Creed" She smiled at me sweetly.
"Thank you... Look after my darling.. my Cathy" She went limp in my arms and I closed her lifeless eyes.
"Cathy?" The small girl looked up at me, "Would you like to come with me?"
"Yes, Mama said you will protect me" she smiled childishly and stood up.
I held my arms out for her and she quickly waddled over so I could carry her. I tucked her into my cloak, her head resting in the crook of my neck. I looked down at her and her green eyes met mine.
"Would you like to meet my friend? He's just like your mama, papa and I" She giggled and nodded, "You can call me Rozalina or Roza for short okay?"
She nodded with a smile. Confirming what she would call me with an exclamation of "Roz!"
Connor was probably worried of my whereabouts so I hurried along. I spotted him a couple of metres away, looking around quickly before finally spotting me and freezing. He saw the small bundle in my arms, he saw the blood still dripping fresh down my robes.
He jogged to meet me with a look of worry. "What happened to you?"
"A few redcoats tried to shoot a woman so I killed them. She was an assassin on the run with her child. I did not make sure all of the redcoats were dead, one attacked her and she bled out. Her daughter is the only one left" I stroked the girl's head as she looked up, I smiled down at her whilst pointing at Connor. "This is my friend I told you about, his name is Connor"
She smiled up at him, "I am Cathy!" She squealed before shying away into my neck again. I stroked her head again, she was so sweet. She had lost everything and yet, she was still a cute little creature.
I looked up at Connor and he had a small smile upon his lips. "Connor?" I asked to grab his attention, "She has nowhere to go, I know it is a lot to ask but can she come to the Homestead with us. She belongs with the Creed, her true kin."
"Achilles grows old and alone, I suppose a lively youngster would entertain him and give reason to teach again" He patted the girl's head as she seemed to fall asleep in my arms.
I looked up at him with excitement. "You are serious?" He nodded to confirm, "Oh Connor, thank you! I was afraid you would reject the idea!" I wrapped my free arm around him, giving him a small hug. He tensed under my touch and I quickly pulled back.
"I'm sorry...Thank you for this"
"She is part of our Creed, we help our brothers and sisters"
Chapter 7 is done! I know this is so crappy considering how long you have all waited! I will try to add some more excitement to the next chapter!
Thank you for reading and please review!