Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Thirty Two

"All off!" The captain yelled across the deck of the ship. The rest of the crew were parroting this line throughout the lower quarters, awaking the passengers. I exited Martin and I's chamber, already holding my case.
"Martin, we have arrived." I smiled in hopes of waking him up. I had been awake already for a few hours, on account of my nerves and the fact that the constant rocking of the ship made me nauseous. Martin stirred, but didn't show signs of getting up. I kicked his foot. He suddenly jolted upwards, clutching his chest.

"You scared me half to death, Elisa." He hissed.

"Get up and ready to leave. We are here."

"My brother, Clemence, is waiting for us on the harbour with a carriage."

Martin and I had waited a year for a reply from his family. We had been invited to stay with them, and given an apology for their letter being so late back to us. After that, we had to wait another two months before we could travel to them. So, in January of 1721, we finally arrived in France. We docked in Calais and had to await a carriage from Clemence.

With Martin finally dressed and ready to leave, we made our way to the top deck of the ship. The captain saw us off, smiling brightly at us. I handed him a bit of extra money for treating us so well during our journey. Martin kept a hand around my waist in a very protective way. He scanned around the harbour for a while, before spotting three people beside a blue carriage. The only woman dashed over, and tightly hugged Martin.

"Petite frere!" She giggled. The two men waltzed over, but greeted me first.

"You must be baby brother's fiance." The taller one, Clemence, smiled. He took my hand, kissed my knuckles and then pecked both of my cheeks. "It is wonderful to finally meet you. Though, I must ask, why pick baby brother? With your looks, you could marry someone much less ugly." I chuckled as I watched Martin try to swing for his eldest sibling while still holding his youngest sibling, who was still older than him. "Of course, I am Clemence. This is Piere, and that is Alaina." The girl stepped to the side to greet me.

"You have to tell me how you get your hair so lovely. Mine is awful and so very unhealthy." I blushed. "It is lovely to meet you."

"Right, let us get baby brother and Elisa out of the cold." Clemence took his sister's hand and lead her into the carriage. She needed some help up into the main part of the carriage, even though she was slightly taller than me. Piere hopped in after and then Clemence. Clemence held out his hand to help me up. I smiled, took his hand, and he pulled me into the carriage.

"Thank you." I then placed my case underneath the bench and sat down in the corner. It was a slightly tight squeeze, and I found myself squished into Piere's shoulder, who was pressed against Alaina. Clemence and Martin sat on the opposite bench with much more room than the three of us. Clemence was even leaning against the side wall with his feet in his baby brother's lap.

"Now, Elisa, tell me about yourself." He smirked, examining his nails. I leaned my head to one side slightly.

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Anything."

"Hmm..." I looked at Martin. What could I say that wouldn't annoy him? "I have three younger sisters." Piere gasped.

"How can you handle three?! I can barely live with the one I have." Alaina growled and served a swift, powerful punch to his stomach.

"Do not listen to him. I am in no way a handful." She narrowed her eyes at Clemence. "It's that one you want to watch out for."

"Moi?! Dear sister, you must be mistaken." He placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. Alaina scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. "Tell us more."