Chapter Text
Classy loudly whinnies, perking her ears to attention as the massive city of Damascus came into view from the cliff, slowing to a trot. The morning sun begins to peak over the horizon, warming the chilly winds of night, as the citizens were beginning to wake up to begin thier usual routines.
All unaware what is going to happen this morning.
My mare prances over to the watering hole with some of the other horses are resting or sleeping, taking a much needed drink after an such a lengthy run. I slid off her back, giving her a gentle pat on her shoulder. "I shall not take too long girl, and we will return home soon and I'll give you some of those apples you like, ok?"
Classy turns and gently nuzzled into my cheek, her warm breath hits my face, showing her appreciation.
I turned to approach the city gates but another horse's soft burr stops me.
Looking over, it was Altair's horse, Ghost that burred to me, his ears perked up, eyes opened and curiously watching me, gently shaking his head, pawing the dirt
Smiling, I headed over to Ghost.
"Hello boy, isn't it lonely to stand there, why not go to the watering hole with the others?"
The stallion leans over to sniff my wrist, probably wondering why I look and possibly smell like his owner. After some time, Ghost began to lick my hand, deciding that he likes me, nickering softy. "Aww, such a sweet boy aren't you? You look taken well care of as well, Altair must've came out here often to brush you," I pulled a half eaten apple and offered it to Ghost. The stallion happily takes it, smacking and chewing the juicy treat.
I rubbed his forehead, and a quick scratch behind the ear before blending in with a walking group of praying scholars, entering the busy city of Damascus.
This is it, the day that the first assassination happens and I must make sure its nothing goes wrong.
But I can't help to be nervous, having no idea how this day will go down, but I trust Altair to do what he does best.
As I walked, I noticed...the templars seemed more grouchy and aggressive than normal, like they are on edge. They were pushy and didn't like anyone getting to close,not even harmless civilians, and with this sudden multitude of them everywhere. Surely there isn't supposed to be so many this early on...
God damnit Juno.
Looking up the street, I noticed six templars were standing guard to the entrances to the marketplace where Tamir would be, harshly shoving back any people from entering, even innocent scholars.
Oh fuck my life, make it difficult why don't you?
"Time for another way in, then."
I turned and headed behind a building, scaling up to the rooftops that surrounded the marketplace, and almost climbed right into the feet of a patrolling guard, making me almost fall down. Around the marketplace, there was guards that were patrolling the rooftops and they were everywhere.
Juno wasn't fucking around about changing the events.
Damn it, I cannot get across into the marketplace without getting detected by this fuckers patrolling the rooftops.
I crept behind each guard, leaping to each rooftop, bobbing and weaving through, hoping that I could possibly breach through by one small opening...But it wasn't possible, as each time I tried, a templar bastard spotted me and I was forced to retreat back.
The six time this happened, I grudgly forced myself to go back to a rooftop 2 buildings away and jumped into a haystack, thinking how to approach this problem at a new angle.
How is this so difficult!?
These templars should have an IQ of 3, they shouldn't be this smart. What's next, the templars figuring out how to recognize an assassin sitting on a bench?
Then a idea hits me.
I have magic, I could just tellaport inside the marketplace! Facepalming, cursing at myself for my stupidity. Closing my eyes, gathering my magic in my Isu markings for short tellaporting. But...
Nothing happens.
"The hell...?" Opening my eyes, I tried again, gathering my energy for tellaporting but at the last second it just quits, like someone is interrupting it, cutting it off.
But who-
Oh.
That bitch. Of course it's Juno.
Welp, magic is out of the question then.
Peeking out of the haystack, There must be a way I can get in. The gears in my brain begins to turn, watching the unpredictable guards routine on the rooftops.
Hmm...maybe if I....
I hopped out, slowly creeping behind a alone templar guard on a rooftop, who is quietly cursing to himself, wiping sweat from his brow. Crouching down, slowly inching closer and closer to him, knowing I have to time this just right or I'll risk triggering the alarm and ruining Altair's assassination. Now, mere inches from the knight, my muscles tense, waiting in thick suspension, ready to spring a moments notice.
Ready....
Set....
Now!
I leaped behind him, using my hand to cover his mouth and my other arm to put the knight in a chokehold as I quickly dragged him back into the haystack. The templar stifled a shout, as he fought and tried to shake me off. He gasped for air, yet my arm closed his windpipe temporarily. The man thrashed his arms, his legs, trying anything to make me let go. But within thirty seconds he starts to slow, as he begins to go unconscious as his limbs finally slouched and goes still.
Perfect.
I let him go as the templar remains in deep sleep in the haystack, air finally filling his lungs and will soon awaken in a hour or so.
I quickly begin my plan, pulling the armor and garb off the templar, and slipping into the armor on and as i dropped my assassin robes inside the haystack.
After a few more ruffling in the haystack, I got out, Now fully in a templar's heavy armor set and helmet. Soon that templar will awaken, both naked and pissed and no idea what happened.
Then the smell hits my nostrils.
I immediately gagged, the armor reeks of sweat and grime, causing me to stumble backwards, the clanking and grinding of armor and chainmail was loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't see or hear shit with this stupid, suffocating helmet on! The heat made it worse, it's like being trapped in a oven you couldn't escape from. No wonder these templars are so grouchy. Digging in the haystack, I located the templar's sword and sheathed it in it's hostler, and confidently puts my hands on my hips, despite the stench.
Now I look the part and none can tell the difference. As I get my bearings and mobility in this restricted armor, it's time to start acting like a templar.
Time to use my inner Haytham then.
Walking past those guards on the rooftops is just a feeling of satisfaction, those idiots not realizing an assassin is right under thier noses. It took a few tries to remember Haytham's walk cycle and stance, as it's different from an assassin's one.
Reaching the edge of the building, I peered down into the busy marketplace, as merchants shouted, trying to sell thier wares and the sound of common chatter filled the lively environment. My eyes scanned the ground, trying to spot Altair in the crowd-
"Hey, you! Halt!"
Snapping my head up, a nearby templar shouted at me and begin to make his way over. My heart froze at the shout, my assassin instincts telling me to flee, but I cannot break the templar illusion I have put up.
Play it cool, Desmond. Play it cool....
The templar stops beside me, looking around, before taking his helmet off and gently swiped the sweat from his forehead, revealing messy brown hair that was sticking to the metal. His dark down eyes glanced over to me.
"God, the sun is overbearing today, is it not brother?" Forcing a smile as I answered, trying not to sound nervous.
"It is."
An awkward pause stayed between us. The templar then pulled a flask of water and takes a swig, with a satisfied sigh before turning to me and offered the flask.
"I don't see an water flask on you, how silly, it's simply too hot to not have one. Here, refresh yourself,"
I felt uneasy, not feeling really thristy but I don't know what will happen if I refused. With a hesitant hand, I took the flask and took a drink. It was fresh and cool, originally expecting it to be hot.
"Thanks..." I muttered, while returning the flask. The knight seemed pleased, putting a small smile on his face. "Say...I don't recognize you, hm..." The templar tapped his chin slightly. "Oh! I do now, you must be one of the newbies! From that new group that came in just few hours ago, yes?"
I nodded.
"How delightful!" The man pats my back with a smile. "Im Thomas, and what is your name, newbie?"
"Desmond-" shit, damn it I didn't mean to blurt that out-!
Thomas hums, muttering. "Desmond...what a name, it's not a common nor a native one, so what brings you over to this area, you aren't supposed to be stationed over here, Desmond"
"Well I..."
We both hear a commotion in the marketplace below us.
There Altair's first target, Tamir, appears in the market square arguing with that unfortunate merchant worker. Ah, there he is
I slowly got closer to the ledge, glimpsing that familiar white hooded assassin in the crowd, watching Tamir from a short distance.
The predictable event begins once again...