Test of Faith

Chapter 38

"I've...never truly seen what France looks like." Haytham was sat in Gianni's place now, but he was leaning heavily on Mirabella for support. "Really? How long have you been here?" she asked, drawing lazy patterns in the palm of his hand. 

"Much...much longer than you, my dear. I was working with Birch before I sought out to kill him - all I ever did here was work," he replied honestly. Mirabella hummed as she traced her fingertip back and forth across his wrist. "Why did you suddenly have the urge to kill your master?" she asked.

He sighed, his lips into a thin line. "It...it was he who sent those mercenaries to kill my father, but they were truly Templars," he whispered gently. Mirabella took his hand in response, and he held her hand gently.

"He...did the same...to my family. I did find it...peculiar that Borgia Templars still existed, so many years later...." The two sat in silence, finding comfort in their physical contact and sound of their gentle breathing. Haytham closed his eyes, feeling his stiff body relax as he enjoyed her warmth.

He had longed for this, craved it - their reunion, the moment he could hold her again and let the world melt away. He wished it could only be the two of them in that cottage, that way he could properly express himself.

"How long do you think it will take for you to recover?" His eyes fluttered at the sound of her gentle voice, and he smiled softly. "I do not care, as long as you remain here, the recovery process can take as long as it likes." He felt her tense at his words. "Haytham...."

She sat up carefully, bracing him. "This...things cannot just pick up from where they last left off." Her bluntness made him lower his head in shame, but she continued. 

"I found you with another woman, and you made no move to go after me. You simply allowed for things to fall apart - how am I supposed to trust you?" He felt the familiar emptiness in his chest open once again, and he wished it would swallow him whole.

"I...do not know what to say...." he murmured, his shoulders slumping. She did not speak, her blank gaze burning holes into him. "You seem to be forgetting the most important fact."

        Haytham looked up briefly, meeting Mirabella's gaze. "I am an Assassin at heart, and you a Templar. Soon enough...we will meet each other in battle, with casualties on both sides. I...I refuse to affiliate myself with the enemy anymore."

The void had finally torn him open, crawling and latching onto his heart. "I...our loyalties must come first. I realize this now - I lead the Brotherhood and you the Templars. Perhaps...perhaps the quest for peace was nothing but...but a fool's errand."

She faltered for a moment, her eyes glazed as she drew in a deep breath. "Tell me you would leave, forget everything about the Templars - tell me you could give that all up." His deafening silence was enough of an answer for her, and she stood up slowly. Please...no....

"I...we...I will never forget you, Haytham. You...you will always have a part of me claimed, and...I will always love you." With that, she vanished back inside, her muffled voice still being heard as Haytham merely sat there.

Not long after she had reappeared, being followed by her fellow Assassins. They did not spare him a glance as they approached their horses. His sister then walked out, kneeling down next to him. "Come on, brother - let's get you inside."

Haytham allowed Jennifer to help him up, but he turned back. He watched the three horses race away down the path, but Mirabella did not look back.

~~~~

"Grazie mille, Massimo. Your skill and strength will not be forgotten," Gianni said, sparing a hug for the other Assassin. "Yes...I will be sure to tell Domenico of your achievement," Mirabella added, forcing a smile.

Massimo bowed, a humble smile on his face. "My pleasure, I will happily provide my aid any time. Until then - arrividerci!" He climbed his horse and, with a final wave, he rode away. The Auditore siblings then boarded the ship, ignoring the crewmates as they went below deck.

They entered their shared quarters, and Gianni finally spoke. "What happened, sister?" She merely shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing worth remembering." Her voice was flat and her eyes downcast, and as she sat down on the cot, Gianni took note of her blank expression.

"The Templars have been pushed back in their plans, with their denied access to the Grand Temple." She forced another smile as her heart shattered. "We have the advantage."