Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Eleven

(A/N) Thank you for 400 reads! :D I love you all so much, this means a lot to me since that is across only ten chapters. Thank you again!

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Twenty is a fine age. Guests had been arriving for weeks for the ball and my step-father had a dress shipped in from Paris for me especially for the occasion. I suppose this was also my going away party. Today, I was to leave for boarding school. My bags had already been packed, so I had a very limited supply of clothing. However, packing dresses wouldn't matter, given that I would be handed a uniform to wear.

It had also been three months since I sent my letter to Edward, and I checked almost everyday for a reply for two months, but recently gave up on it. I wasn't counting on him sending anything before I left, so I wrote a quick letter with the new address, just in case.

In any case, I had been in my room for most of the day while people tugged at my hair, wiped powders on my face and tightened the death grip which is a corset around my waist until I could barely breathe. Dave agreed to check for any letters, since I wouldn't be back for five years.

After hours, a mirror was held up to my face. I almost didn't recognise myself, what with all of the powders fogging my vision. My mother's necklace hung around my neck and the dress I had been bought matched the colour of the small stone, squeezing me in places a woman shouldn't be squeezed. I sighed slightly, but waved the women away. I stood from my seat, clutching the chair for support. A knock came at the door, which was answered by one of the ladies. Dave stepped in, smiling.

"It's been there for two weeks, the man said. He was surprised you didn't collect it earlier." He handed over a small parcel. I opened it to see a chain wrapped around a slip of paper.

Dearest Elisa,

I happened to be in Nassau market when my fellow crew member spotted this little stone in the middle of this anchor. The seller told us it was the birthstone for October. Fitting, really, that it's your birthday in a few months. Anyway, I thought that you would like this, since I can't wear it and my wife doesn't want anything to do with me. Wear it with pride. And happy birthday, Miss Elisa Ward.

Edward.

I let out a little squeal once I pulled out the necklace. A piece of tourmaline dangled from the thin chain inside the little anchor charm, glistening with green and pink colours. The sun shone through it, casting little flecks of colour onto the floor and walls. I carefully secured it onto my neck, as well as the other one, and looked down at it. My hand shook beneath it as I gazed over its beauty. Never had I seen something so peculiar, so wonderful, so beautiful. Dave whistled behind me.

"That must have cost a very pretty penny, Elisa. Don't you lose that." I turned and grinned.

"I won't. I will wear it all the time." I twisted the anchor around in my fingertips. Dave stepped slightly closer. I dropped the charm. The chain hung much lower than my mother's necklace and the charm rested just two inches from my bellybutton. Dave asked me to hand him the necklaces, which he buffed up on his sleeve.

"Perfect." He smiled. I heard a bell ringing from downstairs. Noon. The ball was starting. I worked my way out of my room. Kennard waited outside, dressed in a navy blue suit with a grey tie around his neck. He grinned.

"Mi'lady, may I escort you to your balcony?" He stuck out his elbow. I slipped my arm onto his and he led me towards where I needed to stand to watch all of the guests come in before I came down. Kennard left me there, explaining that one of the many suitors mother had picked out were going to take down the steps.

One by one, another guest was called. No one had come to my balcony yet, and I was beginning to get anxious. I heard someone clear their throat behind me. A tall man - at least six foot tall, which was tall for a five foot ten woman - stood in a black suit, shiny, brown shoes and a blue tie. His hair was short and blonde and his eyes were a piercing green colour. He smiled at me.

"Good afternoon, Miss Elisa Dawson."

"Ward." I corrected coldly.

"I beg my pardon, Miss Ward." He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "My name is Louis Marcs."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Louis extended an arm out of the door to lead me down the steps.

"Miss Elisa Ward and Master Louis Marcs." Our names were called, meaning we had to descend the stairs. We did so slowly and entered the crowd which lined the edges of the dance floor. The music began to play, and Louis lead me in a dance. Others slowly began to join. My mother and step-father sat on large chairs by the orchestra. I frowned inwardly at that and turned back to face my dance partner. He gave me a little smile. We both continued to twirl and spin around the floor and each other.

I danced with at least five suitors, yet I had liked none of them. I decided to take a break to speak with some of the guests. Music was still playing as I swept across the floor to reach groups of my step-father's colleagues. A man and a woman, who I knew as Mr and Mrs Jenkins.

"Elisa Ward now, is it?" I nodded, smiling.

"Ward was my real father's name. My step-father allowed me to change my name back to Ward."

"Well, happy birthday. I also understand that you are leaving to complete your education at a boarding school." Mr Jenkins shifted on his feet.

"I am indeed."

"I wish you the best of luck then. You will do well."

"Thank you sir, ma'am."

I made my way over to my aunt Emily. She grinned at me and hugged me tightly.

"My dear little niece." She held me at arm's length. "You're just as beautiful as your mother."

"You as well, Emily." I smiled.

"I should have to take you to France again. Perhaps when you have finished school."

"I would like that." Emily pulled a small gift from her table and laid it in my hands. "What is it?"

"You will have to open it." I flipped open the lid to reveal two beautiful opal earrings. "They are made from the October birthstone, or one of them, anyway. I see the tourmaline on that chain."

"It was from my friend, Edward. And, thank you, they are beautiful. I will wear them on the way to the school."

"So grown up. I am proud of you, Elisa." We hugged again before I was called to yet another dance with a suitor. I suppose tonight was the last night I would be able to enjoy myself properly for a long time.

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(A/N) Hello! Ah, this was the chapter I was waiting for! I'm happy with how this chapter turned out, perhaps even happier with the next one. I'm not really looking forward to writing five years worth of Elisa at school but what can she do for all that time at home on her own? Also, Edward doesn't go back to England until 1725 so it isn't exactly like she could 'hang out' with him. And, yes, before anyone reminds me, I got the timing and stuff all wrong. I'm pretty sure that, even at this point, Edward wasn't the captain of the Jackdaw yet, but screw it. The timing is going to be right(-ish) for the rest of this. Crap, now I have a promise to keep... I will probably forget about, by the way. That doesn't mean you have to remind me! (Basically don't.) This author's note is longer than the actual chapter... Okay, bye. I doubt anyone reads these anyway.