The Adventure Never Ends | By : A.K.O.Shifting-Shadow Category: +A through F > Assassin's Creed Views: 2266 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Assassin's Creed. I make no profit posting this fanfiction. |
Chapter Two: Scepticism, Hunting and Trust
“Who’s this?” An elderly gentleman was sat at a desk, his frail body seated on a wooden chair was twisted to face them as they strode into the room. His skin was a dark chocolate brown, his hair was grey, his eyes held much sorrow and pain but he stilled looked upon Connor with a look akin to pride. “I know the homestead is growing but surely you don’t have to bring home every stranger you find.” His voice was stern but Desmond could detect a hint of amusement.
“This is Desmond Myles.” Connor replied simply with a soft voice, his dark eyes were locked on the elderly man’s form, eagerly awaiting the man’s reaction to the news. Desmond could see his lip twitching as he struggled to stop a smile slipping onto his face.
“As in…” The elderly man paused as if trying to remember where he had heard Desmond’s name but Desmond could clearly see the shock, annoyance and hesitation in his gaze. “Desmond Myles? As in the legendary lover of Ezio and Altair, lover of the two men who changed the Assassin Brotherhood for the better.”
“The very same one.” Connor confirmed. “The story he tells me is exactly the same as the one you told me. This man is an assassin, Achilles, he is a friend, I know this to be true. Do not ask me how or why, I only know that this is Desmond Myles.”
“That is not possible.”
“Yet impossibility clearly stands before you.” Connor answered cheekily. “This is indeed Desmond Myles. He is not lying, every one of my instincts says he speaks truth and you can see with your own eyes that he is indeed an assassin, this is not an insane man pretending to be some long dead man! This is Desmond Myles.”
“We’ll talk more privately.” Achilles answered. “Until then you will be in charge of getting him settled, we could use an extra pair of hands around here.” His doubt and annoyance was clear, he wanted Desmond out of the way so he could have a debate with Connor in private.
“I’ll see if I can get him a room in the inn for now, at least until he can afford to build his own place.” Connor answered. “Though if Desmond gets his way he won’t be here for long, he wishes to return to Altair and Ezio. Still a small temporary place would be good for him and we could use his building for a storeroom when he’s gone.”
“There is no need.” Desmond protested. “I could just bunk somewhere, like an inn, I can find some work to pay for it, there is no need to make a building for me when I don’t plan to be here that long.”
“The boy is right…”
“I do not appreciate being called a boy.” Desmond interrupted. “Please call me Desmond.”
Achilles glared annoyed at being interrupted. “Desmond is right.” He stated. “There is no need to build if he won’t be here long, a room at the inn or a guest room should suffice.”
“If that is the case, I will speak to the Innkeepers, once I return we will train, I will teach you to hunt so that you can make some money to pay for the room and food.” Connor answered. “I will speak to you later Achilles.” The elderly man merely nodded at Connor before the hybrid left the room with Desmond trailing behind. “Now, as you can see this homestead is beginning to grow into a bustling town, but like all things it needs to grow. I have been helping everyone settle in but there is still much work to do.”
“I am sure I can help these people as well.”
“Myriam may be the best person for you to call upon first. She is a huntress and will be able to teach you some of her skills.” Connor answered. “But first let us get you a place to stay.”
The inn turned out to be nothing but a large wooden hut, still the inside was cosy and warm so Desmond had nothing to complain about. The elderly couple that ran the inn were somewhat nervous of him but they trusted Connor and thus they gave him a warm welcome.
Connor waited patiently for Desmond to take a quick look around his new room before leading the young man from the building, he turned left into the wilderness and Desmond followed obediently. “There are several ways to hunt, but all require the patience of an assassin. You must be quiet and prepared, if an animal gets your scent they will flee, only predators are an exception to this.” Connor explained as he stealthily moved through the forest. “Now there is a deer there, wait here and watch what I do.”
The man scaled a tree with ease and set about jumping from branch to branch. Desmond watched as those dark eyes locked onto the small form of the female deer, lips thinned as the deer glanced around cautiously before returning to her meal. Slowly the man managed to reach a branch above her, Desmond saw his body tense before he flew from the branch to land on top of her. His weight forced the poor animal to the ground as his blade quickly met her neck giving her a clean, quick death.
Desmond cautiously approached as Connor set about skinning his catch. He winced as he heard blade slice through flesh, it was funny but he felt much guilt and sadness at the animal’s death after having killed so many men. Desmond could only surmise that the men he killed deserved death whilst this deer hadn’t, she had merely been a target because she was food and clothing to men.
“Do not be saddened by her death Desmond.” Connor stated having seen Desmond’s expression. “I kill only what needs to be killed and no more. Even Myriam understands that if we overhunt we risk losing the wildlife in this area.” Desmond did not answer and Connor did not try to continue the conversation.
“So, by killing and skinning animals I get a regular income?” Desmond murmured. “But how many do I have to kill. To be honest I’d rather be out killing Templars and taking their money then taking the skins of innocent animals.”
“I will take you back to Boston or New York later to sate your blood lust but I must ensure you are capable and this will give you some work to do during that wait.” Connor answered. “Now, go kill that deer over there. Remember, keep out of sight and try to kill quickly and swiftly.”
Desmond scowled at the instructions but obediently nodded and moved to approach the deer. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Connor take to the trees, no doubt the Native American Indian was going to watch him from above. Desmond crouched and his himself amongst the large ferns, the wind blew against his face ensuring that the deer had yet to catch his scent. Slowly, very slowly he approached the animal, he paused when the animal tensed or looked up to look around but sensing no danger it returned to its grazing. Desmond pounced as the head went down, the animal barely had time to make a startled sound before the blade sunk into its flesh and killed it with one blow.
“Bravo.” Connor applauded. “It looks like you won’t need much training! You’ll soon be selling enough fur and meat to pay for your room at the inn. Myriam is not far, her hut is just a short distance away. Let me show you how to collect your prize and we will continue our journey.”
Soon both were laden with fur and meat. Desmond glanced at Connor as the man walked with his own burden, Connor was a natural, hunting for Connor was like water for fish, Connor was in his element.
“Connor!” Both pairs of eyes locked onto the woman before them. She was beautiful, with a warm smile, intelligent eyes and lovely brown hair pulled into a ponytail. It was clear she was not like any other woman Desmond had met, she was clearly independent despite it being a ‘mans’ world’. Connor smiled warmly, his whole face lit up and Desmond knew this woman had a special bond with this man.
“Myriam.” Connor greeted fondly. “I’d like to introduce Desmond Myles a new friend of mine. Desmond this is Myriam, a very good friend, she saved my life once before and I value her friendship highly.” Myriam flushed at the praise and gave the man a fond look, but Connor did not see this as his gaze was on Desmond. Connor turned to face Myriam with a smile. “Myriam, could you aid me in teaching Desmond, he is a natural hunter but he has never done it before. He needs to practice so he can get a good income to pay for his room at the inn.”
“I’ll be glad to.” Myriam replied. “I was actually getting ready to go hunting; I plan to catch a few rabbits and deer.” Her gaze lowered to their burdens. “Well, could I have those pelts and meat in return for my teaching?”
“You can have mine.” Connor agreed. “But Desmond will need to sell his. I will be taking him into town soon to show him the market.”
“Very well.” Myriam agreed. “In exchange for teaching you I’ll have Connor’s pelts and meat.” She told Desmond. “I see you don’t have a gun? That may be a problem since we have wolves and cougar in this part of the forest.”
“I will watch over you both. The three of us can take care of any predator. Besides, this man’s a natural with a blade.” Connor told her.
“Alright.” Myriam answered. “Follow me then.”
Any doubts he had about hunting were calmed as they worked, Connor and Myriam refused to kill any animals who were mothers or parents. They skirted around dens, mothers and their young and small packs of animals. Surprisingly they came away with many animals, it seemed there were more animals then Desmond first believed and their hunting hardly made a dent in the population. Still Connor warned him not to overhunt and to only take what was needed. Connor assured that by leaving some meat on the carcasses and killing predators they were helping to keep the animal populations healthy.
“Thank you Myriam.” Desmond stated. “I’ve learnt a lot today.”
“My pleasure.” She replied.
“Well. Let’s go secure you catches. If I have time I will take you to town tomorrow, but for now you may settle in. I suggest you head back to the inn and socialise, learn about the people here, we’re a tight-knit community and their friendship is valuable.” Connor advised, the man handed over a small pouch of money. “Here, this should be enough to pay for drink, food and your board for the week.”
“Thank you Connor.”
“No problem.” Connor answered. “I am pleased to help, besides you will be helping me in return, I say it is a fair trade. Now I must go, you can find your way to the inn easily from here, that is the manor and the inn is literally up the road. If you need immediate aid ask the people around you, I will be in the manor for a short while but I plan to head to the docks. If the ship is not anchored there then I have left and I will be gone for some time, perhaps weeks. I doubt that will be the case but you should be prepared.”
“Alright. I’ll integrate myself with this little community and wait for you to find me.” Desmond answered. “If you don’t return tomorrow I’ll just hunt down Myriam and offer my services. Or perhaps I will ask around town and just offer my aid.”
“Good idea.” Connor agreed. “You will learn much from these people. They have much to teach and to say. Norris in particular is quite excitable when you get to know him, he is the miner in this town.”
“Alright. I’ll see you later then.” Desmond stated as Connor finally moved away from Desmond heading in the direction of the mast just poking over the hills. “Connor.” The man turned to pin him with dark eyes. “Thanks for this, I know I’m just a stranger, but thanks for helping me, I know very few people would have.”
“My pleasure, Desmond.” Connor replied.
Desmond smiled as Connor turned and left, that man was a wonderful specimen of humanity, he was kind to all despite being an assassin, Desmond was fortunate to have come across him. Connor had put his trust into Desmond despite Desmond being a stranger and now Desmond would prove that trust was not misplaced.
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