Assassins creed - Understanding

Chapter 11 - Burning

‘Duccio, if you walk around any faster you’re going to wear out your boots.’

Duccio stopped walking, thought for a moment, and started pacing again. I sighed. He seemed more nervous about the second attack than anybody else. Standing up, I made my way to stand in front of him. She stopped walking. He looked down at me, but his eyes told me he was somewhere else. Duccio seemed lost and confused. I tilted my head so I was looking at him from an angle. My hands enveloped his, and a familiar shock ran through me. It had been two days since I had kissed those velvet lips. Of course, I had kissed him a lot more than once, but the first was the most thrilling. Nobody had found out about us, yet. In a way I was glad. I don’t know why but I felt acid in my stomach as I thought about Sandro knowing. I hadn’t seen him since two days ago. I didn’t want to see him.

Duccio sighed. I rubbed circles on his hand with my thumb, hopefully soothing him down.

‘Is everything okay, Duccio?’ I asked softly. I was worried that he regretted kissing me. I was afraid of losing him more than the upcoming attack.

Duccio sighed. He squeezed my hand and kissed my forehead. He didn’t regret anything. He was worried about out battle.

‘I just…’ He began. ‘Whatever happens, promise me that you won’t leave me? That you won’t hate me?’

Surprised, I answered, ‘Why would I leave you?’

‘He thought his answer through before replying. ‘I don’t want anything to change between us. I don’t want anyone to get between us.’

I was beyond confused. He was worried because he thought he would lose me? And here I was, thinking I would lose him.  Any why would anyone get between us? I thought of Sandro-

The door of the office opened and we sprung apart. Gustav appeared with a beer bottle in his hand. ‘Ready to go? The horses are waiting.’

Duccio nodded. We walked out of the room and into the stables. This was going to be a long day.

The air smelt of salt, and a nippy wind blew leaves around in mini whirl pools. My mask in place, we rode of the Harbor. One of the ships – Our ships, was to be attacked. We had not set sail for goods recently, and so it sat in the harbor. Duccio had hired some extra men to fight alongside us. The templars who owned the ship had also been informed. They would not attack us today. But just in case, we wore red cloaks with our logo.

My pockets were lined with knives and a dagger. My blade at my wrist and armor around my arms and legs.  I would not let anything distract me. I would not think about Duccio, who would be on the lookout again. He would be making sure the hired men got in safely and would receive their pay. I hoped Duccio would be okay. But I could not worry about him; I had to worry about myself.

Sandro would not be coming. I don’t think we was, he had not said. I supposed he was not, because he would have told me. He would have asked about the details. He would have asked about Duccio. He would have asked about the ship. He would have asked about me. 

‘Valentina, are you listening?’

I snapped out of my thoughts and into the present. My heart pounded in wait for this battle.

Duccio began speaking. ‘I’ll me on lookout. I’ll listen for any information we can find. The men I hired will be here soon, I will need to show them were to go as well. Rodero, you are again in charge of this. Call a retreat only if required. Clear?’

‘Clear.’

‘Good. Valentina and Rodero will be on the first floor. Gustav and Petricco will be on the second. I will be on the deck. The hired men will move around floor to floor.’