A Rookie's Flight |Assassin's Creed Fanfiction|

Chapter 10

   The crew cheered and loaded every cannon on board.

   I studied the ship carefully. The name was painted on the side rather than the back. The Night's Jewel. Black sails, built with birch wood. Its name fit perfectly.

   "FIRE!" Edward shouted.

   All of the starboard cannons fired at the same time. There was a loud crack as the cannonballs hit the other ship.

   "A weak spot there Captain!" the man at the swivel shouted.

   "Shoot it!" Edward ordered.

   "Cannons ready sir!" another crew member said.

   "FIRE!"

   The Night's Jewel opened fire. Before Edward could call for a brace the cannonballs struck. More cracking. Splinters of wood flew through the air and smoke clouded the deck.

   I jumped onto the railing and squinted into the smoke. The Night's Jewel was closer than I had expected. I stayed where I was. They were headed straight for us, most likely unknowingly.

   "BRACE!" I shouted over my shoulder.

   Thankfully the crew trusted me enough to do what I said. Even Edward grabbed the mast, coughing and waving smoke away with his free hand.

   There was no one to stop me. I smiled slightly. Edward was going to be furious when he found out what I'd done.

   The frigate crashed into the Jackdaw. I used the jolt to kick myself high into the air. I surprised myself with the force of the extra help and my own strength as I flew through the smoke.

   I landed on The Night's Jewel's deck with more noise than I would have liked.

   "What was that?" someone asked. "Did you hear it?"

   "It was probably just a box of cannonballs, don't mind it," another voice said.

   The smoke was starting to fade. If I wanted to take the ship without sinking it I would need to hurry.

   I ran up behind two of the crew and killed them both with my hidden blades. I moved to the next pair, making my way stealthily up the deck.

   I was almost to the stern when the smoke suddenly completely vanished. I ducked behind a group of barrels and hoped that nobody would notice me.

   "What happened here?!" somebody shouted in surprise.

   "Somebody's killed the whole crew," another said. "If I'm not mistaken they're still here."

   I heard the click of a pistol being cocked not far away. I tensed.

   "Come out," the first man called.

   I could hear a faint shouting from the Jackdaw. "Don't shoot! Rook's over there!"

   "Are ye deaf? I said show yourself!"

   "So you can shoot me?" I shouted, leaning farther into the small shadow of the barrels. "I think not!"

   "Sounds like one of us," the second man said. "Doesn't have a funny accent like the others we've met."

   I took a knife out of my belt and peeked around the barrels. The two men were now deep in conversation. There were only four of the crew left, along with the two red clothed men from the forest.

   I leaned a little farther around and expertly threw the knife. It hit my target in the back of the neck.

   "Oi!" the first man shouted. "You ain't on our side! Come out!"

   "I'll pass! I appreciate the offer though!" I threw two more knives, and two more people went down.

   I heard the click of fancy shoes on the wood. I put away the knife I held and drew my swords quietly.

   "I don't see anyone," I recognized the voice as Sir Pompous. "That must mean that there isn't anyone here."

   "Didn't you hear the voice just now? Or see the men die? Are ye blind?" the first man asked incredulously.

   I peeked around the corner again. Pompous had his back to me. I jumped to my feet, vaulted over the barrels and stabbed him in the back.

   I yanked my swords out and dove to the side as the first man fired his gun. The second red coat came at me. I dodged his first swing, letting my instincts take over. I got behind him while he was still swinging and stabbed him in the back as well.

   Now there was only the man at the wheel and the man with the gun. I turned to them letting the tips of my swords touch the deck. "Care to fight?" I asked, tilting my head at them. "Or surrender?"

   Both men ran to the edge of the ship and dove over the railing.

   "That answers that question," I murmured. I jogged up the stairs and took the wheel.

   The Jackdaw wasn't far behind. I leaned all of my weight into the wheel, turning The Night's Jewel around. When I was sure it was going straight and the Jackdaw could sail next to it I ran to the center mast and started up.

   When I reached the top I could see Edward and Raven, along with a large number of the crew, jumping across. I locked out my right hidden blade and slashed through the ropes holding the British flag. It fluttered in the wind as it came free and flew away.

   I watched it go, sitting on the highest yardarm, and contemplated what I'd just done. I'd cleared the deck of a frigate, alone, and cut the flag off. I thought about the flag that flapped on the highest mast of the Jackdaw. The black piece of fabric that marked a pirate ship.

   "Are you alright?" Raven asked, pulling himself up next to me. 

   "I'm fine," I said, giving him a small smile. "Just thinking about what I can do and what I just did."

   "Oh," Raven smiled back. "Just remember, as long as you have friends close-by everything is easier."

   I was glad my hood was up when he said that. I felt my face heat up. "Thanks Raven."

   "Anytime, Blackbird," Raven put an arm around my shoulders as we listened to Edward shouting orders below us.

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