Assassin's Creed: Valiance

IV: Chosen Sides

October 15th

Michael opened his eyes, staring at the roof of the tent as light began coming in through the entrance. He sat up as he thought of what was to come. Perhaps it had already started, and he missed it.

He stood up as he immediately got to work, he checked outside and saw that Rayford had already gone. He entered his tent once more and grabbed his weapons, slowly sheathing them, but he kept his hand on the grip of his sword thinking about how he may have to use it.

He then grabbed his armor; Spaulders on his shoulders, bracer on his right arm, the left protected by the steel bracer attached to his hidden blade, tunic on his torso and greaves on his legs. He was ready for battle. He wanted to believe that.

He stepped outside and looked into town, it was hard to spot but he could see a mass amount of people moving in, but he couldn't tell who, he needed to get a closer look.

He looked further west and laid eyes upon the brewery, he could always get stronger armor and weaponry there. But he decided against it, chances were the brewery remained occupied by Templars, he would most likely be killed immediately upon entering.

He began to descend down the hill, looking back once, because it could very well be the last time he was seeing it. The camp, the tents, his horse, all of it.

Rayford

Rayford walked through the streets, looking around until he caught a familiar sight of 4 people. He walked over to the Templars.

Patrice nodded a greeting towards him, "Rayford." The other's did the same, "We're pleased to see you here, I take it this means you've considered our offer."

The others looked at him almost expectantly, but Rayford shook his head, "I can't confirm. This order is not exactly innocent, but what I do know is the Assassin's are the worse of you two. Thus I lend my support here."

Patrice nodded, "Of course." He turned to the other Templars, "It appears our friend is not quite convinced of our true motives, let's not disappoint him." He said, and they all agreed among each other.

Rayford heard many footsteps behind him, and he turned to see dozens of men all bearing the Templar cross. They all had their weapons and shields out. Patrice went up to them and began yelling out some orders, upon which the soldiers heard them, and dispersed to guard several areas around the city.

"You're really taking no risks, huh?" Rayford said, surprised at the large amount of soldiers, he had never seen this many soldiers in one place.

Patrice gave Rayford's shoulder a small pat, "Even then, I feel underprepared." He said in a joking manner as he went off to brief a couple of new arrivals.

As Rayford watched him leave, he wondered if it was just that. A joke. Or if the Grandmaster really had some doubts on the outcome of the fight.

As if he could read his mind, Col walked up to Rayford, offering to ease his mind, "The Grandmasters just saying that to make you fight harder. Trust me, we're not letting a single Assassin get away."

Rayford nodded as if that could be guaranteed, and Col smiled, before he said "Tell you what, how 'bout a little challenge, eh? Who can kill a certain amount of Assassin's first, or the most if you're bold?"