Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Three

My basket hung on my elbow, empty except for my coin purse. Holden escorted me through the town, as instructed by my parents. There wasn't anything in particular that I wanted to buy but I definitely needed some fresh air. Although, the morning air of Bristol with its heavy fog hanging over, it was everything but fresh.

I liked the sounds of town. The people making deals with potential customers, children hanging from their parents arms, giggling. I smiled at the sight of stalls full of fresh food and freshly made clothing. Fresh. The air smelt of bread and stews. Everything looked so amazing.

"Holden, how would you like to try some soup?" I asked, waltzing in front of him towards a stall.

"Oh, I should very much like to, Miss. Dawson. I don't have any coin on me though, I'm afraid. So I shan't be trying any." His hands were behind his back as he walked - a posture which I had grown up to recognise as Holden's.

"I will buy us soup. Come along." I paid for two small bowls of the soup. The woman charged very little but I gave her some extra money as compensation for taking her bowls. We also bought some bread and spoons from another stall. We ate the soup as we walked, Holden constantly thanking me for buying lunch, explaining that a lady should never buy food for a man. "Holden, I offered to buy you food." Though he still argued. I ended up ignoring him, finished my soup and got rid of the bowl. A small girl ran past me with her siblings towards her mother.

I was the grand age of eighteen, I should add, at this point. It had been my birthday just a few days prior. Mother and father had granted me with a promise of a life of fortune ahead of me, a wealthy husband which they would be picking and no more tutoring. I frowned slightly. They were giving me more freedom but stopping me from being free completely at the same time. At least my days of tutoring were over. And, with my lessons out of the way, I had started sketching. I loved it, the soft freedom of being able to do whatever I wanted for just a few hours. However, out in the town, I was as free as an eagle.

My thoughts brought a smile to my face before I saw an interesting stall. It was full of seeds and flower bulbs. I got closer to it. The bulbs were laid out beautifully. One man was already there.

"How much are these vegetable seeds?" He was asking. I smiled, picking up one of the bulbs.

"Miss, can I help you?" I looked up to the owner of the stall.

"Oh, I think this man was here before me."

"Yes, of course. Is there anything you needed?" He was still talking to me. I huffed and shook my head. He then began talking to the first man. Holden patted me on the shoulder.

"Miss, what is it you were after?" He asked.

"I thought that I would buy a gift for Dave. Maybe it would spruce up the garden a little bit."

"You'll want to buy bluebells or red roses." The other customer smiled. "They look rather beautiful in full bloom. They would make any garden a masterpiece."

"Do you have bluebells?"

"I do not - my grandmother loved them." He gave a toothy smile. I returned it and reached for my purse.

"Could you hold onto this a second?" I handed my little toy soldier to Holden who buffed it up on his sleeve any time that he saw it. That was another thing I learnt about him - he liked things to shine. I handed over some coins for the bulbs and then placed the bulbs delicately into the bottom of my basket. "Thank you, Holden. Sir."

"Wait, Holden?" The man asked as I turned away. I faced him again.

"Yes. This is Holden." Holden placed a hand out to shake the customer's hand.