The Original Famiglia

by NewYorkChicago1944

When the Mikaelson family became vampires, they did so to survive, but they weren't alone, they had each other, they became the most invincible family known in the supernatural world, over the years they lived by one creed, one motto and that was... Always and Forever.

15. Chapter 14

Chapter 14:

When a monarch is put to the sword by their enemies, there is a warning that comes with and that is to see to it that their death does not spark an uprising.

But in this case, when Caroline was threatened, she would stand to fight for her people, and that she did, she stood to fight for the Assassin Brotherhood and all of its future.

In the fall of 1191, Caroline and the Masyaf Brotherhood were not content on letting the deaths of Al Mualim and the Templar Leaders that resided in the Holy Land become martyrs.

Under her leadership, Caroline, myself and Altaïr travelled to wipe out the Templars and prevent them from regrouping.

We followed them to Acre, and discovered that the Templars were led by a man called Armant Bouchart, and discovered that the Templars were still hunting for the Apple of Eden, the mystery artifact that had been recovered by Altaïr from Solomon's Temple."

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Fall, 1191

Acre

The Holy Land

The morning sun was beginning its rising over the city of Acre, it was still night as Templar guards walked around the castle grounds.

But from above, five shadows watched their every move, the leader watched with interest as they saw the Templars moving around and preparing their war camp to be moved. From afar, they heard the sound of a ship's horn approaching port.

The leader whispered, "If we're to do this, then now's the time. Niklaus, take Al-Mazir and Malik to the port and secure the ships. Altaïr, you're with me, let's find out where the Templars are going to."

"I'm with you, Mentor Caroline." Altaïr said.

Caroline Mikaelson smiled underneath her hood and saw a Templar guard walking with a torch as she said, "Follow my lead, brothers."

Jumping to the ground, she unsheathed her hidden blade and stabbed the guard in the heart as the torch was extinguished as well. Standing up once more, she then looked out of the corner of her eye to see the Assassin team she had with her come out of the shadows and she saw a Templar guard from above shout to his comrades, "Intruders, intruders in the castle ground."

"Repel the Assassin scum, make them suffer!"

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Caroline smiled replying, "Niklaus, my love, show them the meaning of suffering." "You are too kind, my love." Niklaus said as his hybrid features took shape as he said, "Allow me to handle the situation, Gentlemen."

Niklaus descended to the ground as he cut through the incoming Templars as Malik and Al-Mazir joined in the fun not wanting to get left out of the excitement.

Soon enough, both Caroline and Altaïr make their move whilst the battle goes on, making their way across the rooftops and parkouring their way through until they reach the Castle wall overlooking the ocean and see the Templar fleet making port.

Altaïr then says, "The ships are making port they must be loading their cargo onboard for their new destination."

"The only destination that I've heard from our spies is Cyprus, what would be concerning the Templars there?" Caroline asks rhetorically.

"Perhaps we should ask someone in charge, maybe they have answers to our questions?" Altaïr suggests. Caroline nods and says, "Agreed, let's keep moving, the Templars are alerted to our presence, so let's keep the noise down for the moment."

"As you command, mentor. Let's get going." Altaïr said.

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Once over the castle wall, they then found an entrance into the castle, the Templar guards retreated in fear and angst, but Caroline and Altaïr followed them into the Castle.

Parkouring their way through, they had not run into any security until Caroline had seen the roving patrols, in which she dispatched them with her hidden blade, allowing Altaïr to traverse the upper ledges all the way to the castle's view of the ocean.

Once Altairr got past the guards, he continued to move forward, but stopped upon seeing a familiar figure talking with two Templar Knights, he however listens in.

"Where are my ships, soldier? I was promised another fleet of 8." A woman's voice was heard. Altaïr rose an eyebrow and instantly smirked thinking to himself, "Ah so it appears that is Maria Thorpe. Robert De Sable's girl."

"I'm sorry, Maria but this is the best that we could do." One Templar Knight had said.

Maria scoffed in sarcasm, "It's barely big enough to hold our cargo! How do you propose to get the rest of us to Cyprus?" "Begging your pardon, but perhaps it would be better if you stayed in Acre."

Altaïr raised an eyebrow at this and smirked, "So it appears that the Templars believe Maria is nothing more than trouble, perhaps this could be an opportunity to obtain an asset for the brotherhood."

Maria took what the Knight had said as a threat and immediately stood ready to attack, but the knight soon said, "It is but fair warning. Armand Bouchart is Grand Master now, and he doesn't hold you in high regard."

Altaïr stroked his chin as he said, "A new target, I wonder where this Bouchart is hiding and whether or not… I'm to be expected by him."

"Time to find out some information from our little friend Maria." Altaïr said.

Once the templar guards were gone, Altaïr finally made his presence known as he said, "At last, we meet again, Lady Maria."

"You! What a surprise, the Assassin who spared my neck but stole my life and my honour." Maria snarled.

Unsheathing their swords, Altaïr and Maria locked blades and began to fight each other, but Altaïr had the upper hand and easily bested Maria in combat, knocking her to the ground before pulling his hidden blade out.

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With her on the ground, Altaïr thought to say, "How sloppy of a Templar, I thought you were supposed to be faster."

"And I thought you'd kill me without second thought. Why return, here to finish me off, Assassin?" Maria snarled.

Altaïr smirked replying, "Not so soon, I'd like information, I hear the Templars are moving to Cyprus, why?"

"It's been a long and dirty war, Assassin, everyone deserves a holiday." Maria deflected. Altaïr replied, "If you help me with the information I wish, you'll live a little longer. I'll ask again, why the retreat to Cyprus?"

Maria laughed replying, "Retreat? You must be joking, King Richard brokered a truce with Saladin, your order leaderless, is it not? And the Apple of Eden still out there, and once we have it, you'll be one running."

Pushing his hidden blade back, Altaïr stood up allowing Maria to breathe before he said, "Then I'll save my breath, Maria. The Apple of Eden is safe and well hidden."

"Altaïr… consider your options carefully, the Templars will offer a handsome reward for the artifact." Maria tried to tempt Altaïr.

But someone else then said, "A great price has already been paid for the relic that is the Apple of Eden, hasn't it?"

Walking towards them was Caroline Forbes as Maria soon asked, "You must be Lady Caroline Forbes, you're supposed to be dead."

"I got better, it appears your Templars were very helpful, they told me of Limassol and Cyprus, a perfect place to hunt down some Templars." Caroline said.

Maria's eyes widened before asking, "What will you do to me?" "You'll come with us, you attempt to run and we'll kill you, is that understood?" Caroline said.

Maria nods replying, "I understand. I promise."

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Caroline nods before signalling to Altaïr saying, "Restrain her, and send her to Malik. Then walk with me."

After tying Maria's arms together, Altaïr sends her to Malik who awaits before Caroline walks by him and says, "So Cyprus is our next port of call."

"I believe one of our assassins has a guild there, a gentleman by name of Alexander." Altaïr says.

Walking out of the castle, Caroline and Altaïr stop by a fellow assassin as Caroline asks, "What interests do the Templars have on Cyprus, anything worth noting?"

"Civil strife perhaps. Many months ago, Issac Comnenus, the Emperor picked a fight with King Richard that ended badly with Issac being thrown into a Templar dungeon." The Assassin says.

Altaïr stroked his chin before replying, "A pity. Issac was weak and so easily bent, so willing to take a bribe."

"Days have long past since then. Unfortunately, the Templars own the island, King Richard sold it to them after the Templars offered him a paltry sum."

"Such a governance is not to be encouraged. What about contacts on the island? Do we know of any there?" Caroline asked.

The Assassin acknowledged this, "There's a man named Alexander, he lives in Limassol, I can send a message asking him to expect both yourself and Altaïr within the week, Mentor Caroline."

"Very well, young one and thank you." Caroline said.

She then turned to Altaïr and said, "Let's get going to Limassol, ensure Maria is loaded onto the boat, make contact with our informant Alexander and find out everything you can."

"Certainly Mentor." Altaïr said.

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The boat to Cyprus and Limassol took within the week, at such time, once they arrived, they had been greeted by Altaïr and Caroline who handed Maria over to the Assassin allies who brought her to a nearby safehouse.

In the meanwhile, Altaïr and Caroline proceeded into Limassol hoping to gather information and look for potential targets that were belonging to the Templar order.

Much to their surprise, they could see that the People of Limassol were not fans of the Templars but the opposite, they despised the Templars and listened to rumours of a resistance movement which rose eyebrows, they soon identified members of the Templars who were vital to securing Cyprus itself.

Frederick 'The Red'

Moloch 'The Bull'

Oracle 'The Witch'

Shalim and Shahar

The Mystery Man

Armand Bouchart 'The Grand Master'

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After gathering information and interrogating Maria for more information, both Caroline and Altaïr went about eradicating the Templar presence in Cyprus taking down the knights and eliminating the leading soldiers who were making life hell for the citizens of Cyprus.

Caroline as always took care of any guards whilst Altaïr went after their targets and made them see an unfortunate demise by his hand.

Even during their down time, Maria looked on at Altaïr with a curiosity and saw how he was a gentleman and a scholar who often talked philosophy with Maria. Caroline herself saw the love hearts in Maria's eyes could tell Maria was in love with Altaïr and it was amusing to see.

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One day, whilst Altaïr was on business with the Mystery man, Caroline appeared to Maria and said, "As someone who has lived for a very long time, I can tell you have feelings for Altaïr himself."

"How hard is it not to see him for the Gentleman he is?" Maria said. Caroline nodded, "True, but do not worry, you will have no reprisal from me, but don't lead him for a fool. The loss of Al Mualim is hard on him, and it already broke his heart, I know what it is like and believe me I've lived a life of loss, violence and anger only to add pain to it as well."

"You care deeply for the Assassins, don't you?" Maria said. Caroline nods replying, "I do, the Assassins are my family, they're warriors and a queen who will fight beside her warriors much like a king does. I can see the same potential in you that you want to do some good. And fight for the people who can't fight."

Maria thought upon Caroline's words before saying, "You really believe this?"

"I do, Maria. I do believe that you are valued and the Assassin Brotherhood can benefit with you at its side defending our proud and illustrious history, if you so wish."

Maria couldn't help but ask herself why Caroline would offer this, why would Caroline pardon her, she couldn't help but ask, "Lady Caroline, why offer me this? Why give me a chance?"

Caroline looked over to her and replied, "So much has happened that the Templars have destroyed, they've done irreparable damage to so many that I want nothing more than to kill every last one of them, even if it takes me a thousand years to achieve… probably even more."

"I will do it, I will follow you to the end of the world and fight at your command, my queen." Maria had said.

"Then Maria Thorpe, you may rise and join our fight against the true enemy, The Templars." Caroline said whilst she was undoing the restraints on the Female Templar's wrists.

Caroline then armed Maria with a sword and said, "Armand Bouchart's castle, go and help Altaïr with the mission, I'll stay and keep an eye on things here."

"Yes Mentor." Maria had said.

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Soon enough, another Assassin arrived as he said, "Mentor Caroline."

"What news brings you this far out?" Caroline said. The messenger replied, "A message from your brother, Finn. He is still on the trail of the Five Kingdoms, but his journey has been difficult, bandits have forced him to help protect innocent towns, but Mikael is on his trail and is tracking him consistently."

Caroline nods folding her arms across her chest as she asked, "Do my siblings know this?" "They're aware. They speak confidence in your brother's abilities." The messenger said.

"And I hold my faith in my brother Finn, he will do what is necessary to achieve that of what King Leonardo has asked of him." Caroline said.

The messenger nods, "Yes, Mentor Caroline." The messenger leaves the room whilst Caroline offers a prayer upwards asking, "Gods above, protect my brother Finn, do not let him surrender but encourage and draw strength upon him, let not his enemies triumph over him. Amen."