Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Sixteen

"Well done, Elisa. You are making great improvements. Here is the sheet music from today, feel free to practice when you have the chance." I was dismissed from my violin lesson at almost eight at night. With the large stack of sheet music in my arms, I made my way to my room. I added the papers to the mountain of disorganised sheets and threw myself onto my bed. Today had been tiring - very tiring.

Eventually, I hauled myself up and changed out of my grey dress and into my night gown. In the end, it was only half past eight, but I was getting incredibly tired. Freda had promised she would come to my room later on, but I just wanted to read a book and go to sleep. Speaking of which, my eyelids were already fluttering and a nice hot cup of tea would have done just the trick.

When the dreaded knock came at my door, I quickly messed my hair up, attempting to look as if I had only just woken up. I opened the door, wincing at the light of the small oil lamp.

"Christ, you look awful." Freda grinned.

"Apologies, Freda. I'm feeling a little under the weather. You wouldn't be able to ask for a cup of tea, would you?" She nodded.

"That I can do. I'll be back up in a little bit." I closed the door, sighing. I then swept back over to my bed, laying on top of the covers. It was soon that my eyes slid shut and sleep washed over me.

~~

I woke up the next morning to the bell being rung. I spotted a cup, a note and an envelope with my name written on it on my bed stand. The cup was full of freezing cold tea. I frowned. It still smelt good. The note was from Freda. She had let herself into my room while I was sleeping, just to give me the tea.

Elisa,

I see I took a little too long grabbing you tea. I also went exploring in the head bitch's office and found something for you. It's probably from that Edward fellow. I thought you should read it instead of that woman keeping it forever.

I squealed, not caring that I should be getting dressed and tore open the envelope. The paper inside was worn and I took great care in holding it.

Dearest Elisa,

I am glad to hear you liked the necklace. Once I get back, I demand to see you wearing it. I hope you have fun in school, and don't get into too much trouble. I am still not certain how long I will be out at sea. It could be two years, it could be twenty. However many, I hope to see my wife, my parents and you, of course, again once I get back. I want to hear from you again soon.

Edward.

I smiled and folded the letter back into the envelope. Currently, I was keeping all of his letters in the jewellery box I had received from Hansel. No one ever looked in it, so all of the letters were my secret. Letters from my family simply went into my drawer, which I rarely opened. I only ever re read Edward's letters.

I began to get dressed into the dull uniform. Today was Friday and so we started the day off with an hour long free period after breakfast. I would most likely spend it in the library, perhaps learning more about the First Civilisation or precursor sites. My hair was tied in a plait which trailed down my back, stopping at the very bottom of my spine. I tied it in a ribbon I had been bought by my mother for my tenth birthday. A few little strands of hair stuck out around my face, but I was much too lazy and tired to fix them. I finally left the room and followed the smell of fruit and bread into the dining room. Again, most tables were taken up, but in the corner, Freda sat on the edge of one of the tables. She waved to me. As we had previously agreed, the first person to reach the dining hall would get the other person's meal. Freda had an array of brightly coloured berries and two slices of bread on a little plate for me. She also had two cups of tea.

"Since I very much doubt you drank your one yesterday, I brought you another one this morning. I had to bribe the chef to get it, though." She explained as I sat down.

"Thank you and 'head bitch'?"

"Yeah. Head bitch." Freda grinned.

"Why was she hoarding my letter anyway?" I asked before taking a bite out of a slice of bread.

"I'm not sure. She's done it with my letters as well. My fiance, who I absolutely hate and am not ever going to marry, sent me a gift. Two days later, I found the letter which went with it and saw her wearing it. I've hated that bloody scarf ever since. It was ugly anyway." She slurped some of her tea with a scoff.

"We will both have to retrieve any of our things if we suspect they have gone missing." I whispered. "Wait, you said you hate your fiance. Why did you agree to an engagement?" She made a face, looking as if she was going to spit her tea all over our food. A hand wiped at a drop of liquid which had found its way out of her mouth.

"As if my parents would let me go without starting a family. Once I finish my education, I have a wedding to attend - and be a part of, actually. Then, after marriage, I am to begin a family, a proper one, with children." She shivered. "I don't want to ever have to be that close to that dirty old man."

"'Old'?"

"Well, alright, he might only be twenty two and I'm nineteen but still."

"To be fair, my mother had a few suitors set up for me on my birthday." I sighed. "She wanted me to make a decisions before I get back but she can forget about that ever happening. Who knows if I will ever marry, unless I find someone by myself."

"That Eddie fella?" She nudged me with her elbow, cackling. I raised an eyebrow.

"He's married, you know that."

"It's nothing but a piece of paper." Freda said in a sing-songy voice.

"Ah, but there is love between them." I mocked her tone.

"You're an awful singer, unlike me. Please never do that again." I raised a hand to slap her. "No, no, I bruise easily." I scowled.

"I very much doubt he would ever divorce her."

"So you wou-"

"No, I would not. But, I will-"

"No, not the slapping thing again. I'll stop, I swear." She held up her hands and leaned away from me.

"Certain?" She nodded, smiling though. I raised my hand higher.

"Okay, okay, yes, I promise!"

"Hmm..." My eyes narrowed. Soon, the bell rang, indicating that our free period would start. I spent it entirely inside the library. The First Civilisation was quite intriguing, as much as I didn't particularly want to admit it. I was addicted to learning about it.

~~~~

(A/N) I really want Elisa to slap Freda XD I don't know why. Don't get me wrong, I adore Freda (she is one of my own characters, therefore one of my children, so it's like she has a place in my heart, just like Elisa does. Also, one of the suitors is also one of my favourite characters and he is just AMAZING. Okay, I'm done here oh God, I've made a fool of myself XD Guys, please don't think any less of me.) but I think they are so like sisters that a slap has to happen. It's not like you're going to read this chapter until weeks after I've written it so no one will care XD Ah, I'm going now. Bye guys.
(The reason this chapter is late is because I have been in Paris since Monday. I got home yesterday at about half five in the evening so I had dinner and just chilled. I also realised that I lost my new bracelet and got really upset for a while. The photo on this chapter is from Disneyland. Winnie the Pooh was the only character I met since Goofy and Pluto left before I could reach them. I did wait with a friend for Daisy Duck but didn't really want a photo with her. More Paris photos are on my Twitter (RisingDxrkness) and Instagram (_sassy_assassin_) in case you want to see any more. Next week, the chapter will be on time again. Bye!)