Assassins's Creed : Slade's Return

Chapter Four : The Forest Ambush

Everything had gone according to plan as Slade and Jade awoke early that morning determined to begin their journey, they boarded the plane and for the duration of the flight to France they spent meditating  heavily in efforts to regain some of their skills lost in their lives of leisure. Their plane was unregistered so they had no choice, but to land near the French town of Dursdale one mile from the city. Damn! its freezing out here Slade said putting on his coat before hopping out the plane as Jade had also emerged before replying , Jeez it is like sub zero out here so where to now Arthur? she said joining him on the runway. Slade was attempting to warm his already gloved hands to no avail as he then spoke again, the pilot said to travel to the town of Dursdale to the far east and than continue on to Paris he said to which Jade then looked at the path ahead. Do you expect us to walk there in this cold? surely we'll freeze long before we get there she asked to which he then laughed, not exactly Jade just wait for it hopefully it should have arrived by now Slade said looking at the end of the road. Just than his car came speeding out of the brush and stopped a mere inches from them, my own custom Mustang modified of course to handle terrain like this a gift from The Order of course Slade said before opening the door. What on earth ? there's no driver Jade said confused as he replied. You think I'm going to let someone drive my car no haha its modified to which, I can call it by this button on my arm band Slade said pointing to the button on his arm. The two had made it to the town after an hour of driving Dursdale was a town untouched by time, only a few knew how to get there and it was a fairly quiet settlement. As they exited the vehicle  they were approached by the town leader Hakota who preceded to welcome them to the town as he spoke, we rarely get visitors here welcome travelers the old man said to which they both greeted him. We are Masters Slade and Jade of the Assassin Order of Britain Slade said to which Hakota smiled, Ah been awhile since Assassins came around these parts Hakota laughed as Jade had replied to him. We are on our way to Paris she said to which Hakota then looked at Slade's car. Well I hope you weren't planning on using your automobile the roads are very muddy, and steep surely you'd have quite some difficulty Hakota said to which they groaned. Well do you have any ideas? perhaps Slade said to which Hakota smiled before laughing, do not fret my friends we have horses in the stable over there that you guys can use to get to the city he said to which they both smiled. Oh thank you so much Jade replied to which Hakota smiled before leading them to the barn, the two had gotten their horses saddled up and thanked Hakota before riding off to Paris. After about two hours of riding Jade had noticed that Slade had slowed his horse, until it came to a stop about a few feet from her as she also halted her steed before speaking. What's the matter she said riding up to Slade to which she noticed that he was listing for something before he turned to speak to her, Its gotten quiet out here Slade said moving his hand to the hilt of his sword to which Jade noticed. What  do you mean its quiet? Jade said concerned to which slade spoke, Just pure silence no birds , no crickets nothing just our breathing is heard he replied to which Jade listened with him. They had remained silent listing to the unreal silence until Slade had spoke again. Something is amiss Wait here I'm going to ride up ahead, to check things out he said to which Jade nodded as he continued to look around. Though Slade noticed that Jade's face had turned to a look of worry so he sensed that she was scared for him, so he then had rode up a bit closer to comfort her as hw spoke softy. Don't worry Jade I'm going to be alright he assured her as he put his hand on her shoulder as she replied, I know Arthur its just these woods I don't like them the trails , the absence of animals , and is deathly silence she replied. I know but this this the only way to get to Paris and we have to be strong, Slade said to which she held his hand for a very brief second before speaking. Okay just hurry back don't leave alone out here now Jade said to which he nodded before riding ahead, as Slade rode further into the woods he too felt that something was off while also thinking about how Jade showed extreme concern for him. However It was at this moment that Slade heard something , hit the ground a mere feet from his horse briefly breaking the bewitching silence. Curiosity had plagued him as he rode over to the object and looked in horror at the realization, as someone had thrown a mini bomb which clicked before exploding knocking Slade off his horse. Dazed and confused from the blast he somehow found his way back on his spooked horse, and with a hard thrust he jerked the reins causing the horse to produce a startled neigh. This attempt to flee however was foiled by another explosion which once again knocked Slade from his horse now causing it to flee deeper into the woods, just than four men on their own horses began to circle him each was shouting things in French to another followed by a language that he couldn't understand. They continued until a fifth man emerged and silenced the others, before dismounting his horse as the others followed in unison as they then glanced at him. There was something about the fifth man that Slade had observed that he was more bigger more rigid than the other four men , in his mind Slade knew this must have been their leader. He knew that they meant him harm so he rose to his feet and drew his sword to which it replied with a loud ring, the other men backed away as the leader moved towards Slade before in turn drawing his sword. The leader's sword was more bigger than Slade's but he had the advantage on his sword, being altered by the Apple of Eden which made it virtually  unbreakable. The quiet of the forest that had plagued him not moments ago was now filled with the sound of banging metal as the two clashed swords, your blade is strong but are you?! the man roared before swinging his massive sword. Slade had blocked the attack and had preceded to strike back he made a leap attack, to which the leader dodged with ease before returning to his stance. They once again clashed their swords with a loud clang before the leader knocked Slade to the ground as he sneered, You getting tired Assassin? accept your fate he said causing his men to laugh. A man of his size shouldn't even be able to move that fast he's too strong to take on directly Slade had thought, before staggering to his feet he knew the man was studying his moves so Slade had begun to find flaws in his. He then attempted to disarm the leader but the leader seemed to know this, as he dodged the attempt before rounding around and stabbing him in his side. Slade dropped his sword and fell to the ground in excruciating pain to which the men, clapped and laughed at their leader's apparent victory over him. Bleeding out and his vision blurring and distorted Slade made one final attempt to crawl for his sword to which the leader picked it up and examined it, The leader made a mocking face before producing a laugh that echoed through the hollow trees of the now quiet forest as he spoke. So you've returned Bolin the leader sneered to which Slade displayed a look of confusion as he struggled to move as the leader continued, I've been wanting to kill you for a long time and now I find that time has at last come the leader laughed before looking at his men who in turn joined him. Slade didn't know who this man was or how he came to know him but the thought only made his pain worse as the leader now stood directly over him, however I am impressed by your skills so I will at least give you the honor of dying by your own blade the leader said before lifting Slade's sword in the air. He had laid there helpless as the leader prepared to kill him to which Slade closed his eyes Just then, the foreboding silence was broken by the sound of a gunshot followed by two and a third. The shots had hit the leader twice in the chest staggering him back in shock, with the final bullet in his head finishing the job as he had dropped Slade's sword. The leader's body fell to the ground dead to which the men's previous laughter and applaud turned to silence, through his blurred vision he could see Jade atop her horse with her  carbine bolt action rifle aimed at the remaining men. Leave now! before you join him in death Jade yelled to which the frightened men had quickly hopped on their horses and fled back into the forest. Having scared them off jade dismounted her horse to which her face turned to utter horror at a better examination of Slade, the last thing he saw was Jade drop her gun and her face turn white before running over to him to which Slade having lost a lot of blood from his wound heard Jade shout his name one last time before fading into darkness.