Lineage of Brotherhood

Chapter 11

Keeping his presence unknown, he made his way to the corral that the horses were being held in. The temporary pen was meant to be a simple means of keeping the beasts from running off. It took little effort to force the wooden post out of position. Altair struck at the rump of one of the horses nearby causing a panic as they began to escape the confines of the pen.

Robert's men wearing white uniforms with crosses took notice of the beasts and rushed to stop their means of transport from further escaping.

Altair used one of the more secure posts to elevate himself off the ground, onto the back of the last horses to exit and then jumped into the air towards the templars. He willed his hidden blades to protrude as he landed upon two templars, sinking his blades deep into their throats.

With their focus on the escaped horses. Altair continued his assult. Eventually the sound of swords were drawn as the remaining templars realized the presence of the Master Assassin and no longer paid any attention to the runaway beasts but rather engaged in melee with Altair.

. . .

Picking out Robert from the crowd didn't take much work, his helmet was an easy identifier. Esther kept low to the ground as she made her approach. De Sable seemed content to stay on the outside of the fray while his men engaged Altair, which was perfect for her as it allowed her to single him out. Dirt flew by silently beneath her as she picked up the pace.

As she neared Robert, she realized that he wasn't just idly waiting for one of his men to take out Altair for him, he was actively keeping an eye out. Just as she reached him, he whipped around toward her. She cocked a hand, ready to swing out at his neck as he swung a backhand toward her. Ducking underneath his attack, she dug her heels into the ground and slid to a stop beside him and jabbed up toward the base of his jawline. As her her hidden blade slid out of her wrist, he leaned back and it extended out in front of his face.

He'd been waiting for her.

With her attention pointed up high, she didn't even see his knee coming as it slammed into her chest and lifted her off of her feet. As she hit the ground, she rolled and brought her feet beneath herself. Undeterred, she charged again as he waded backward with a laugh and drew his sword. "There you are!" he said with another laugh. Steel clashed against steel as she lashed out at him and he deflected her attacks with short, but calculated movements. As her speed started to overtake him, he swept his blade toward her. Esther dipped her torso down toward the ground, letting the sword pass over her as she swung a heel up toward his head. With a metallic thud, Robert's helmet went flying.

The Grand Master Templar panted for a moment as his helmet hit the ground. He seemed ready to share a few words with the assassin, but she gave him no time to do so as she reengaged.

As they began to trade attacks and parries, there was a familiarity in their exchange. They began to predict each others attacks before they came and launch counters. Robert took a step and swung his sword over his head and down at Esther. She let the blade fall toward the ground, just missing her, and she lunged toward the base of his neck with a hidden blade. As his sword stuck into the ground, she realized that his hands were free. He'd let go mid-swing. One of his hands clamped down on her wrist. Again, her blade extended inches from his face.

Once he had a hold of her, he hoisted her from the ground and whipped her whole body around to his other side before yanking her back toward him. He twisted her arm up high behind her shoulder blades. As he moved his other arm toward her neck, she brought her free hand up to stop it. Again, he grabbed onto her wrist, then twisted up behind her with her other hand. One of his hands was large enough to wrap around both of her wrists and bind her hands together.