The guards grabbed my arms and started to drag me away. I tried to regain balance and stand up but i was punched in the face by a warm fist and saw a black sky.
When I woke up I was in a small room that was pitch black. But before I knew this, the stench of it hit me. It was worse than mud and urine combined. I wished that I was back in my room in Altaïr's house. He would be wondering where I was right now unless... Unless he didn't care anymore. Maybe he was mad and realized that he could use someone else, someone better. Tears threatened to fall but I bit my lip so stop it. I tried to discover the dark abyss that I was in but as I stood up, my head hit something and I fell right back down, head hurting. I realized that the room had a very low ceiling. I started to crawl forward in the dark but I hit something infront of me and I fell. As I was laying on the ground, I heard voices from the wall. It sounded like there were four men who were drunk. They banged on the tables and roared with laughter. Were these the same men who brought me here? I thought. To listen better, I put my ear against the wall. The weight of my head must have triggered something because after a few seconds, the wall fell forward.
I started coughing as the dust swirled up around. I was blinded by light that I attempted to shield with my arm. As the dust slowly stopped flying and my eyes were accustomed to the dim light, I discovered my surroundings. I was in another small room. This time, the ceiling was higher and there was a row of candles by the window. There was a large oak desk in the corner and some papers rested on it. I walked up to the desk and held a paper in my hand, reading it.
Dear Marc Sacred,
It is with my honor to invite you to join our dinner party. It will be hosted in the Grand Walls at my tower in the evening. Thank you.
From Gregorie Altens
I put it in my pocket, thinking Altaïr would find a use for it. As I opened the window to escape, there were footsteps outside of the door that stopped. I froze, thinking that I was going to be found. Then the footsteps continued and got quieter. That was close I thought as I continued opening the window. The window looked over the city and was connected to many roofs. I figured I could go from roof to roof and be able to reach Altaïr from there. When I opened to window, a blast of cold hit me and the candles went out. I lept over the windo and onto the roof. There were birds on the ledge and they dispersed when I landed near them. I started running along the roofs until there was a big gap between two houses. It was within jumping distance, but if I failed I would most certainly die. I took the risk and I jumped, only to realize I jumped too early. I fell down onto the street but managed to land on a balcony. When I stood up, the people in the house were staring at me. I realized it looked awkward so I quickly lept down onto the street. It was dangerous to be here. There could be guards nearby, watching me. I started to walk casually on the street with by hood down to look like I was a normal child. I walked near a group to camouflage myself. I continued walking down the street when I saw the forest that Altaïr's hut was in. I quickly broke away from the crowd and ran into the forest while avoiding detection. I sprinted through the forest. I had memorized it from some of the trips Altaïr and I had going through it. Soon enough I reached the hut. There was a single candle in the room and the rest of the hut was dark. I walked into the hut, expecting to see Altaïr waiting for me there. I was disappointed to see that the chair he was always in was empty, and there was a note on the desk. I read it.
Signus,
While you were gone, a lot of things happened. I was worried but then I got a note from a friend. I will be gone for a number of weeks, even months. Don't worry, you will continue your training. Just not by me. My friend Abu will teach you the ways of the Assassin's. While I am gone, this house will be yours. But when I come back, I don't expect it to be destroyed so make sure you clean it. You will meet Abu near the circle yard for your training. Remember, don't trust anyone but yourself.
Altaïr
I couldn't believe what the note said. My mentor was abandoning me and I had to live up to his own name. I didn't want to be alone in the house with no one around and that this person named "Abu" was training him instead of Altaïr. I didn't trust anyone except himself and Altaïr. Tiredness soon came over me and I fell right asleep in Altaïr's chair.
The next day, I went to the circle yard to begin his daily training with Abu. When he arrived, he saw a man around the age of 40. He was wearing a brown robe with red straps on his waist. Also on his waist was a sword that looked like the combination of a greatsword and an estoc. Signus felt better now that a man Altaïr trusted had his own sword. Hopefully he can use it. Then the man noticed Signus. "Hello there. You are Signus?" he said.
"Yes I am."
"Altaïr told me that I would be training you. We have a lot to do so be better get started right away. First we will be doing hand-to-hand combat. Let me teach you the basics."
We stood in the middle of the arena with Abu's friend to practice with. Abu did moves to his friend and I watched in wonder as Abu did many things that I never knew he could do. He may have been old but he could fight. When it was my turn I tried as hard as I could to copy the moves that Abu had done. Unfortunately, Abu was shaking his head throughout the whole event saying comments like "keep your elbow up" and "knees bent." I never knew that I could be pushed to such lengths but soon I felt like jelly. "Alright Signus, we're done for today. You've been through a lot, it's time that we gave you something that would help you."
Abu and I went around the stone walkway. We strutted into an old house, creaking with its withered age. We continued down a long corridor with bright illuminations from the candles. Then we reached a door with the assassin's symbol on the handle. Abu opened it and led us into a closet, like the one where I was led into by Altair, except it wasn't an ordinary closet at all. It was a huge walk-in closet filled with rows and rows of swords and armor. I was so surprised at the sight. There was any kind of sword and armor you would ever want. There was rusty armor, steel swords, shiny breatplates, sharped swords, and even a golden set of weaponry. While I was gawking at the sight, Abu walked over to a shelf and took out a large leather box. Then he took out another dusty box, but this time it was thinner. We walked back outside to the yard where he placed the boxes on the ground and opened up the larger box. Inside, there was an assortment of armor. Abu took out vambraces, greaves, and a belt, all made in a tough leather.
"This is a gift from me. It will aid you with your training with me as well as in the city." Abu said as he gave the armor to me. I put them on and suddenly felt a lot more powerful. Next, Abu took out the thinner box to reveal a long, elegant sword. "This is a castillon sword. It was crafted by one of the finest blacksmiths in all of Syria. Use it well and only when you need it." Abu gave the sword to me. I felt it in my hand. It wasn't heavy, more balanced to my liking and I felt better with it in my hand. "Thank you so much." I said. There are no words to describe how grateful I was for the gift. I strapped it to my belt that fit tightly with my cloak. I felt well prepared for the vengence of my family.
Suddenlt a pigeon flew out of the sky. It dropped a small black canister in front of me. I picked it up and opened it to uncover a small, tattered scroll. In scrawled writing, the scroll read:
Signus,
I must inform you that I must embark on a longer jouney than I had planned on. I will come back in about a year or two. Be strong.
Altair
Comment if you finished reading this chapter to see who reads this still.
-ranger19
YOU ARE READING
The Assassin's Trails Book 1: Altair
Fanfiction(This is an Assassin's Creed fan fic. I do not own the characters, Ubisoft has own of them)
