The Assassin Among Us
Chapter Two
A New Fable in Town
Author's Notes: Okay, I lied. I'm still working on something big but I also need to update these stories as well. There will probably only be two or three more chapters after this. That might change if they come out with the second season here real soon.
Assassin's Creed is owned by Ubisoft studios. Fables and The Wolf Among Us are owned by Bill Willingham, Vertigo publishers, and Detective Comics(DC). I do not own any other mentioned properties.
Bigby's office was small and, like his appartment, cluttered with trash. There were a few discarded liquior bottles here and there, cigerette boxes littered the place, and papers nearly covered every avalible surface. I was able to make room for myself by leaning against a table that would be to the wolf's right when sitting at the desk that took up most of the room.
The reason we were here, the sheriff having told me so, was to see if a previous lead could provide more information. The lead being a friend and co-worker of the murdered prostitutes, she helped the investigation in the past so maybe she can help out again. Nerrisa seemed scared and kept looking at me frantically, as though I were about hurt her.
"Don't worry about him, he's just a rookie in-training." Bigby lied, "So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
This allowed the girl to relax somewhat and take her attention off of me. Rookie?! We'll see about that! I gave no physical sign that this set me off, but I saw a ghost of a smirk on Bigby's face as though he knew he had.
Only half-listening to the conversation, I focused the sixth sense to almost laser precision to inspect the woman in front of me and something stood out, blinding me with it's brilliance when a string shot out and sew her mouth shut for an instant before forcing her to say the words 'these lips are sealed.' The ribbon around her neck pulsated with energy in decreasing intervals before becoming dull once more and the sutures disappeared. Letting my concentration slip, I shared my discovery with them.
"That ribbon around your neck, that's what keeps you from speaking isn't it?" her surprised expression was all the answer I needed. "And I'm guessing that you can't take it off for some reason." She nodded. It was my turn to smirk as Bigby looked at me, impressed. "Well, all we have to do is find a way around it, even enchantments should have loopholes."
"That's how you were able to send me to the Open Arms. But how do we get past it this time?" Bigby asked, more to himself than anyone else.
"I don't know, I want to help but... I just don't want to waste your time." Letting her head fall.
There was a knock at the door, making Nerrisa almost jump out of her seat. "Relax, it's probably just Snow." Bigby assured, a half-smile on his face as he got up to go answer it. The girl jumped up and grabbed him by the arm to stop him from doing so, for some reason, I clenched my jaw and was swept up by a feeling that I hadn't felt in some time for a split-second. But it was enough to both surprise and confuse me, more so when Bigby gave me a strange look.
"You can't let anyone know about this, I'm not even supposed to be here." she pleaded.
"Of course, your secret's safe with me." Opening the door to Snow, who was here to tell us about a call she had with Beauty, who was asking for Bigby.
Realization hit Nerrisa as she said, "I'd better leave you to your work, Sheriff. I'm sure you won't be wasting your time there." brushing past us as she left.
"That was...abrubt." Snow observed, "Anyways, were you two able find out anything?"
"Yep" Bigby answered.
"Two things, actually." I added.
"Great." She cheered.
"The first thing we found," I continued, "the ribbon she was wearing around her neck keeps her from saying anything that would help us and if we remove it." Bigby did a slicing movement across his neck. "I'm pretty certain that's how the other two died."
"So, what's the other thing you guys found out?"
"Though she couldn't directly tell us anything, it's pretty obvious she wants us to go and see Beauty. We'll most likely find something there that will help us finish the investigation." added the Fable, snuffing his cigarette, I copied the action after one last drag on it and followed Bigby through corridors leading to an apartment a few floors up.
Though the sheriff most likely heard it before me, the was an arguement between a man and a woman that could be heard through the walls. We stopped at the door where it was the loudest and easy to make out what the to were saying. They were most likely discussing, from what I could tell, something that may have something to do with one of them cheating on the other. I looked to Bigby for some sort of explaination, but only got a smirk and a shrug in return as if to say that 'I have very good idea of what's going on and I'm not tellin'.
He was about to knock when my earpiece started to go off, causing him to turn around and raise an eyebrow. "Probably a new assignment that I'll have to convince them to give to someone else. You go on in, I'll be out here until you've finished." I explained as I walked over to a seclueded corner. "I'm in the middle of something right now, so whatever it is Shaun you can shove it up your..." I started, but was cut off by a voice that I wasn't expecting.
"Whoa whoa, cool your jets it's me." said a familiar female voice.
"Sorry Rebecca, it's just the ringtone made me think it was Shaun and I just..." I began to apologize.
"It's cool dude, I'm just using his cell. So what's this thing you're in the middle of? You gettin' some?" she asked mischiefly, I could practically see the smirk on her face right now.
"No, but maybe later." grinning as well, "I met this real hottie last night and I'm him helping him out with something. And I may have found the solution to that problem of mine."
"That's awesome!" she cheered, "Well good luck and fill me in on the details if things work out."
"Sure thing." I promised, "So what is it ya called for?"
"Oh yeah, that's right!" there was a great rattling from the keyboard that was probably in front of her, "We've gotten intel that there's some First Civ artifact that's made it's way to a pawn shop in New York." She gave me chace to pull out a pad of paper and a pen before she read out the address to me.
"Okay got it. Same place, same courier?" I asked out of habit, getting the same answer as always. "M'kay, I'll get on it as soon as I can. Talk to ya later." as Bigby stepped back out into the hallway, looking pretty pissed off. As I followed, I did just feel anger radiating from him but bloodlust as well. Whatever happened must of really set him off.
"So uh," as we stepped into the elevator, "what happened in there?" I hoped that he'd calm down if he told someone what was so agrivating.
"You really wanna know?" This wasn't a question. "That crooked bastard has been exploiting people for a long time and all because our system's broken! Not only that, he's been blackmailing those he's 'helped' into keeping quiet so they can't come to us for actual help!" He nearly shoated, his voice sounding like it did back in the alley.
"Man, the more I hear about this guy, the more he sound's like a Templar. So do we have a new lead?" I asked as the evelavator doors opened as we reached the bottom. Though I fought to keep a level tone, but anger made it's way into my voice as well.
Bigby softened at the fact that someone understood and shared his anger and smiled as he said, "Yeah, we're heading to the Lucky Pawn. Heard that Bloody Mary likes to hang out there and that's probably where she got a hold of the Woodsman's axe." I heard some resentment when he mentioned the tool, but I didn't question it.
"That's weird, there's something I'm supposed to uh," clearing my throat, "'aquire' from there and send back to my friends hiding out up north." as we walked out the front gates. Now that I could see it in the light of day, I could better recognize where we were and started to walk off to the right.
"Hey! Were you goin'? You do know we can take a cab there, right?" he said as he chased after me, that last bit being rhetorical.
"Too slow, I have something faster about a block from here." Raising my hood.
That something was a motorcycle parked in a building not to far from the Woodlands, lucky break I guess. It was built with speed and handling in mind, sleek and long enough to hold two people or me and a large package when I take on courier jobs. Wide racing tires practically made for a quick escape, or chase, depending on the situation. Defenitly a steed worthy of the needs of this Assassin.
"Hello beautiful." I purred, swinging a leg over and pushing the bike off it's stand. "Alright, hop on." I encouraged as I started it, welcoming the sound and feel of the running engine and reving it a couple times to check for irregularities.
"Ya sure this thing's faster?" the wolf asked, eyeing it suspiciously.
"Positive. Now get on, we're wasting daylight." I ordered, eager to get out on the road.
Bigby did, although tentively. With nothing else to hold on to, he wrapped his arms around my middle and rather tightly I might add. Probably never been on a motorcycle before. As we began to move down and out of the building, I felt him squeeze a little tighter everytime I stopped and started again. He eased up once we actually got out in the streets, actually laughing a few times at the angry gestures and horns we were getting as we passed the stationary taxis and other cars. I think he was a little disappointed when we reached the shop, reminding me of a dog that was enjoying the ride. The thought of Bigby acting like an actual dog was almost enough to make me laugh, but I was able to make it with a small smile on my face as we walked into the store.
A bell tinkled somewhere above the door as we entered, causing the man minding the shop and a three foot toad to look our way. You would think that I could no longer be surprised by these things. I was getting better at it as I instantly recovered and looked to the man behind the counter. He had the look of a trickster about him, so I was instantly wary as I began searching for the piece Rebecca sent me to look for. Eagle vision made it easy, an obsidian ring sitting in a case near other two, but I just acted as though I were browsing their wares.
"Sheriff," said the man, sounding jittery, "and who's this? A relative of Little Red's here to keep an eye on you?" giving an obviously fake and nervous laugh.
"Haven't heard that one before." I said in a tired sarcastic tone as I made my way to the first case on the left. It was true, ever since I ditched the white for red I've been called "Little Red" or been associated with the girl by everyone who had the thought cross their mind.
"Just here on business, he's a new recruit helping out with the investigation." Bigby said a hell of a lot calmer than I've ever heard him. He must've really enjoyed the ride here. "I'll wait until you're done here before I start anything." Walking over to the display I was on with his hands in his pockets, halfway from the end I started at. "So whatcha lookin' for?" He whispered as I inspected the next case with fake interest.
"Already found it," I said low enough that only he could hear me, "it would look suspicious if just went up and started asking about it."
"Smart."
I hummed in appreciation, finally moving to the last display and taking a closer look at the object of my visit. Well, one of them at least.
"What do I have to tell you to buy the fuckin' thing?!" the toad exclaimed.
"I don't know what it's worth Toad, it's not like I have something to compare it to!" the man countered.
"Fuckin' 'ell Jack, it's a bleedin' magic cloak. What more do ya need ta know?" Toad's eyes narrowed, "Unless the Crooked Man has gotcha' by the balls too?"
This caught Bigby's attention, making him jump into the conversation. This created the perfect cover for me to take the ring from the case. Under the sounds of questioning, I released one of my hidden blades and began to cut open a hole big enough to pull out the ring on a wire. Checking to see if Jack was still distracted, I hooked the wire discreetly around the ring and pulled it out with no one the wiser. No sooner did I pocket the glyph inscribed piece did Toad leave, cursing Bigby and carrying a rather ugly cloak that had the head of a donkey on it.
"So, now that we're alone, I have some questions." Bigby began, voicing a practiced ease for this sort of thing.
"Sorry Bigby, but you two need to leave. We're closed for the day." Jack said, looking like a trapped animal.
"Really?" I questioned, "We just got here and it's the middle of the day." Minutely readying myself to react to whatever situation reared it's head. I'm suspecting a chase might have the highest chance at the moment.
"Uh Jersey likes to keep weird hours." Not sounding at all too sure of himself as he lowered the cage in front halfway, leaving an escape route.
"Oh, if that's really true," I began, taking a step towards him and blocking his path before could worm his way behind the counter, "then why do you sound so nervous and unsure of yourself?" My hood and height working their magic in such close quarters, all I had to do was give a look of intrigue to give the push I needed for such a target.
"Of course not, it's just that...uh..." feverishly looking for an out, but he wouldn't find one. Bigby had the sense to cover the front and I was blocking his way to the back.
"That if you say anything," only lowering my voice slightly to be threatening, "you would lose your job and how ever would you pay off your debts. But you seem like a smart fellow Jack," placing a hand on his shoulder and working my charm, "if you tell us what we need to know, you can walk out of here a richer man." Sealing the deal with five, crisp hundreds pressed into his hand.
Taking a couple steps back, I watched him look at the money in his hand as the gears in his turned. He was already cracking, people like him are always easy to manipulate. "You promise that there more?" He asked, barely looking up. Jackpot.
Displaying my palms, I gave a half smile and said, "You have my word." And I truely intended to keep it. "But info first, you're up Bigby." nodding in his direction.
It took him a second to snap out of his shock that everything went so smoothly. Clearing his throat, "So, is it true that this is a front for the Crooked Man's loan business?"
Pocketing the bills and leaning against the counter, Jack answered with ease, "Yeah, that's right. Him, Jersey, and they're goons use this place as one of their bases. Mary especially likes to come here for new 'toys' that will 'speed up' the collection proccess or take care of anyone that been sniffing around in places they shouldn't."
"So this is where she got the Woodsman's axe!" Wolf deduced.
"Yeah, it's in the metal box back behind the counter over there." Nodding his head in it's direction. "That's all I know, if you want to know more you're gonna have to talk to Jersey."
"We will," pulling out three grand, "thanks for the help. And if I were you, I'd go out the back." Handing over the cash as two more men walked in the shop, one had balding ginger hair and was wearing tacky clothes and jewelry. The other bald except for an impressive beard and was dressed like a lumberjack. Safe bet that's the Woodsman.
"I'm tellin' ya, it ain't here so leave me alone." the shorter man said dismissively.
"But were else could if be, since ther Tweedles were in my apartment?! So don't lie to me Jersey!" the Woodsman half shouted as they stopped a few feet from us.
"And as I keep tellin' ya, your axe ain't fucking here. Go look somewhere else! Jack, why the hell did ya have the...," cutting himself off as he finally spotted us.
"Stop lying, it's just back there in that box." I said, pointing just beyond the counter as I pretened to inspect my other hand. "Hell, there's even a fucking display in that case in front of it with it's own name tag."
Both men stood in shock for different reasons, "Who the fuck are you and where's Jack?" Jersey spat as the Woodsman went to check to see if what I said was true.
"Didn't you get the memo? He quit just now, after I gave him a little incentive to tell us some worth while gossip." I chirpped, thuroughly enjoying the amount of frustration the man in front of me was showing, it's rare nowadays for me to be this entertained.
"Enough Cane, we've got better things to be doing," Bigby chastised, but there was a hint of amusment in his words. I just shrugged my shoulders and jestured for him to proceed. "Word on the street is that you know how to find the Crooked Man, tell me the truth Jersey."
"Finally done chasing your own tail then?" Jersey said with bravado, "How does it feel to be on his leash? It's not like you weren't wearing one anyways." Stepping forward and punching Bigby where he was shot last night, "What? Still sensitive?" as the wolf backed away to try and catch his breath. "Why should Mary get to have all the fun? I should finish you off right now."
Okay, I officially hate this guy. Stepping in between the two, looked down at the small man in anger. "Unless you want to deal with me, I suggest you back off." My voice have become deeper and richer than before, this also meant my eyes had turned gold with the fires of a dragon. But the shadow cast from my hood meant only the former could be noticed.
"Oh, so you want some too Red?" he taunted, taking a swipe at my jaw.
The sound of bone connecting with bone rung through out the small space, yet I remained unfased. "That all ya got?" as he slowly pulled away, "If it is, then you're not even worth the effort." I said calmly, punctuating that last word kick to his chest.
There was a flash of green and I felt the almost forgotten grip of claws around my lower shin and ankle. When the smoke cleared, Jersey had doubled in height and took on an even more grotesque appearance, if you could believe that. His head had become a deer skull as the rest of his body looked like more of a hybrid between human and animal and there were two stumps on his back that were what was left of wings that someone had clipped. The Jersey Devil, go figure. But still need information from him, sighing internally, looks like it's bare fists this time.
"Am I worth your effort now, boy!?" his voice now raspy and his breath rather unpleasant.
"Well it's a start." I contemplated, flipping back and sent him reeling back a few feet with a kick to the jaw. Standing and straighting my coat, hood having falling off during the maneuver, "But do try your best to make it fun for me." now taunting him as I cracked my knuckles, neck, and rolled my other joints in preperation.
"Why you little..." recovering, jumping up, and launching himself in my direction.
Locking hands, I grappled with him and grunted slightly from the effort. "You two can jump in at anytime you know," sounding more strained than I really was.
After that, there was a blur of motion as Bigby tackled the devil to the ground, his own claws tearing into the beast's skinless body. He was soon thrown off and replaced by the Woodsman, who took a swing at Jersey only to be sent flying back behind the counter. Must I do this myself, so much for fisticuffs. With a single leap, I released my blade and aimed for a place in the neck where he'd only by incapacitated. But he swatted it away and I ended up cutting him across the face, which bled, curiously enough. Whilst he was distracted, I landed low to the ground and pulled a dagger from my boot before he crashed to the floor in the next instant, all the major muscles in his legs severed and the blade of an axe at his throat.
"Well, that was disappointing." I said, twirling the dagger a few times before kneeling beside him, "So ya gonna tell us what we want to know or would you like a Viking crew cut?" Gesturing towards the Woodsman, who nodded in agreement.
"I will fucking murder you!" he spat.
"Adorable." I jested.
"Alright, that's enough." Bigby commanded, looking at me suspiciously. I just shrugged, knowing that he would have questions for me later. "Now," turning back to Jersey, "where is the Crooked Man's hideout?"
"Heh, you'll find it behind the Sun. Hahaha...ARRRRRGHH!" he screamed as he was stabbed in the arm.
"Oops, sorry, my fingers slipped." I deadpanned, "No but seriously, stop bullshitting us."
"But I'm not," he husked, "the door to his place jumps around a lot, even we don't know where it is most of the time."
"So we'll need the mirror to find it." Bigby thought aloud.
"That's how Crane did it, but I heard he smashed it to pieces. But all the Crooked Man has to do is snap his fingers and just like that, the both of ya will be fitted with cement shoes before ya know it." he chuckled to himself.
"I highly doubt that." I growled, pulling the dagger from his arm and knock him out with the pommel. "Well," standing as I cleaned the blood from the dagger and sheathed it, "what now?" I asked Bigby.
"I dunno," pinching the bridge of his nose, "I just need to think for a bit."
"Fine by me, but could we do it outside?" Walking towards the door as the other two followed.
Breathing in the air to clear my head, I flipped open my smokes as I leaned against the wall as Bigby and the Woodsman were having a conversation. Ignoring them for now, I stuck one into my mouth, lit it, and took a deep drag off it. With the nicotine in my system, I brought out the ring that Rebecca wanted me to find and send back to her. But the more I looked at it, the more familiar it became. Racking my brains, I shifted through the memories that I'd all but forgotten to find the answer. Oooohh!, realization finally dawning on me, That's right, Kidd used to where this thing all the time, said it made him untouchable. I was lost in nostalgia for a moment long enough that I didn't notice that the Woodsman had left and Bigby was giving me an expecting look.
"What?" genuinly confused, having temporarly forgotten what just happened.
"Mind explaining to me what the hell just happened," eyes half lidded and an eybrow raised, "just who are you really?"
"Oh yeah," ruffling the back of my head as I put the ring away, "might as well tell ya now that the cat's out of the bag. Cane Lowel is just the alias of mine that I've been using for the last few years. But the bullshit story I always tell people (4th wall break: Yes, this includes you guys too.) I've been using for..." pausing as I counted on my fingers, "damn, almost six centuries now."
Whatever answer that the Sheriff had been expecting, it wasn't that one as the cigarette dropped from his mouth in astonishment. I've gotten used to this sort of reaction over the years, so I continued on, "Ever heard the story of Sigurd?" he thought for a second before shaking his head 'no', "The story was first told by those the mortals, or mundies as you call them, call Vikings. The tale begins with the harolding of a brave and valiant warrior by the name of Sigurd, later changed to Siegfried when the Germans adopted the story, and his many achievements in battle as they often do. Sigurd was so renownd for his skills, even the gods began to take an interest in him. One god in particular saw him as a chance to eradicate the boredom he'd been enduring, the trickster know as Loki. He devised a plan for poor Sigurd, one that would amuse him greatly."
"It was set in motion when Loki descend from the land of gods to praise Sigurd for his recent victory agianst the newest horde of invaders. Loki spun his web deceit as he told the seasoned warrior of a way to achieve the one thing every fighter craves. Incredible strength and speed on the battlefield as well the chace to live forever, as a god. All Sigurd would have to do is slay a dragon and devour it's heart. Sigurd knew that the only one that was relativly close was his brother Fafnir, whom he shared only a father with. Normally, Sigurd would've refused to even think of such a thing, but the trickster already had him under his spell."
"A fortnight later, Sigurd had tracked down his reptilian brother. The two fought for hours before Sigurd came out as the victor. He did not hesitate to cut open Fafnir's chest and then take a bite out of his heart. What Loki had said was true, he did become more powerful than any mortal man had ever been, but at a price. Now that his brother lay dead at his feet with his blood on his hands and lips, Loki allowed Sigurd's mind to return so that he may truely see the monster he had become. Repulsed and tortured by the sin he had commited, Sigurd wondered for decades in search for those foolish enough to fight him so that he can atone with death. But it wouldn't come until Loki grew bored of his toy almost a century after it was created. Sigurd died in battle, like he wanted and that is how the story that the mortals tell ends."
"But they had streched a few details, made up a few things, and blew things out of proportion just for the sake of an enthralling tale. The true story takes a similar route, but diverges in many places. It is true that Loki did tell Sigurd that he'd obtain the ultimate prize from devouring the heart of dragon. But the two were not brothers and the true price for his immortality was that Sigurd was no longer able to truely have love in his life. For those for whom he cared for would grow old and die while he would remain untouched by the flow of time, making it impossible for him to ever be truely happy. The cruelest of jokes. So the centuries would drag on as he did whatever he could to stave of the crushing solitude. It had ended when he had his ass handed to him by a young Assassin in 15th century Italy while heavily drinking in a tavern. From that moment onward, he started going by different names and would disappear for a spell, only to return with a new name and a new eye color, occasionally a new voice or accent. He stands before you now, prattling on about his rather depressing and tragic past like some old man." I finished airily, watching Bigby slowly accept my story.
"So you're a Fable," he said slowly, "like us?" Lighting another cigarette, I failed to repeat the action due to lack of wanting one.
"Not exactly," looking up at nothing in particular, "from what Snow told me, all of you were born and lived in a world seperate from this one. I, on the other hand, was born here and believed myself alone in this immortal curse. I've only been helping you out of my own personal interest, not my usual generousity."
"And what is this intrest of your's?" he asked, leaning against the only other spot on the wall not occupied by myself.
Sighing, I looked back down to the pavement, "Would you believe me if I said it was you?" glacing at his surprised expression from the corner of my eye, "When I first saw you in the alley, I knew there was something very different about you. But that's not all, when I was tending to your arm last night, I no longer felt alone and it made me curious. Don't get me wrong, I've had many friends, lovers even, who I've told who I really was over the long years, but it always has been and continues to be a rather empty feeling even though I really did enjoy their company. Alas, they will always leave me here alone." as I looked him solumnly in the eye.
"If I know anything," he said empathetically, "it's how horrible it is to be alone for centuries and what it's like to suffer in silence."
"Do you have any more questions for me or are we done here?" offering him a small, sad smile in gratitude.
"Just two," he said thoughtfully, "How is it you're able to change eyes and voice like you have?"
Chuckling quietly, "It's just one of the dragon's abilities I picked up when I ate his heart, which, by the way, tasted like shit now that I think about." Cringing a bit, "What color are they now?"
"They kinda look like coals from a fire." He observed.
"Thought so, when I get pissed my eyes reflect dragon fire. My original voice comes back if I'm extremely pissed off."
"I like them this way, a lot warmer than the green they were." he complimented.
"Thanks," feeling a bit more cheery, "and the other one?"
"I was wondering," suddenly becoming shy, "after we bring the Crooked Man to justice, if you would be willing to move into the Woodlands, with me."
At that, my heart soared, "I would be delighted to." I beamed, "But are you sure it won't be to crowded, you know, with two people and a pig in that small apartment."
"I'm sure it won't be a problem." he assured.
"So, now that we've got that out of the way," changing the subject, "do we have a heading?" I asked, calling upon the vocab from my pirating days.
"Well I got more than one lead from Beauty and Beast, one was the Lucky Pawn and we've got what we came here for." he recaped, "The other is The Cut Above, we should go there next and see what we can find."
"Sounds like a plan." pushing away from the wall and pulling out the keys for the bike.
Okay, this has definitely got to be the longest chapter I have ever written and I want to finish the episode but I need to work on my other stuff and get those updated. Not to mention that one project that's gonna have all twelve chapters uploaded at once as well as a one-shot that has been delayed for reasons I'll discuss once it's up. *screams internally* Why do I have to be so damn OCD about getting chapters to you guys so quickly!? *sigh* Enough rambling from me, leave a review if you like, I'll just be over here feriously typing away at other stories until my fingers fly off. Peace suckers!
