Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Four

Dearest Elisa,

I have to apologise. I am afraid that the ship which I will be boarding is leaving this morning. I asked for you at your home, however you were still asleep, so your gardener told me. You should know that I now have your address. Should it change, I am sure someone will be able to find it again. Mine may change quite a lot. Just writing my name and 'the Emperor' on an envelope should help it find its way to me.

There may still be time to speak at the harbour, though I do not know. I can only hope that your gardener kept his promise of giving this to you... I must go. Please, keep safe.

Edward.

I frowned at the letter, but quickly thanked Dave for keeping his promise. I grabbed my cloak from its hook and threw it over my shoulders with the hood up. My nursemaid ordered for Holden to escort me but I refused. I left the house on my own at a jogging pace. People were watching me, a few guards telling me to stop. I ignored them and clambered onto the harbour. Men were boarding the ship with very little belongings. Not one of the men looked like Edward which saddened me. One man began to walk my way.

"Waiting for someone?" He asked me with his arms folded.

"Edward Kenway? Is anyone by that name on board?" The man looked around.

"Oi! New lad! You got a visitor." A man ran over. His hair was shoved into a three-pointer hat. He grinned at me and waved. He looked like a sweet little boy who was excited to meet someone new. His smile was wide, almost from ear to ear, and his eyes shone brightly. Edward's fingers were coiled around a small bag which was slung across his torso. However, despite his lack-luster clothing and scuffed boots, his scraggly hair was nowhere to be seen as his hat covered everything.

"You got my letter, then?" I nodded and hugged him tightly.

"And you were going to leave without telling me to my face?" He laughed nervously.

"Sorry. I didn't want to wake you." I pulled away from the hug to give a sad smile.

"Privateering, eh?" He nodded. "For how long?"

"Until I have enough money to buy food that don't make me sick." He looked down but I tilted his chin back up with one finger. Tears pricked at my eyes.

"I haven't seen you in six years and now you're going away for god knows how long." One tear fell from my eye. "If a week goes by when I don't receive a letter from you, I will track you down." Edward wiped the tear away with his thumb.

"The same goes to you." I chuckled. "Hey, I'll have the soldier on me at all times." He held it out for me to see. "I won't be able to forget when I see this every morning."

"Last call! All crew members aboard!" The captain of the ship called. Sadness grew in my chest as I hugged Edward tightly.

"I am going to miss you." He placed his hands gently in the small of my back.

"I'm going to miss you too, Elisa." He shoved a piece of paper into my belt, or so I discovered when I got home. "I won't forget to send letters." He kissed my cheek as he started to walk away.

"You come back in one piece!" He grinned.

"Of course, milady." He fake-bowed before turning and dashing to his position at a cannon.

I watched the ship pull out of the harbour, firing a few practice shots from the cannons. The sails fattened as the wind picked up and carried the ship a little faster. I then began a sad walk home. When I did reach the house, Edith scolded me for going without an escort but I ignored her and went to my room. That's when I discovered the paper. Or, rather, my sister did.