Assassin's Creed: Deception ~part 2

     Eleven years later, Sabine was a beautiful, young woman. She had long, flowing blonde hair that reached for her hips and bright blue eyes that could blend with the beautiful sky. The night that of which stole her father never left her mind, however, she was always a kind heart and a light spirit. 
     She and her brother always were together. He would not let her go anywhere without him. This made them tight as rope, and they were the best of friends. 
     Today, it was warm but breezy, and Sabine and Volkard were out enjoying the festivities of a small festival. There were fresh fruits to purchase, lovely accessories for your hair, and fun toys for small children. Sabine chose a peach colored ribbon for her hair, and let her brother tie her hair back. 
     "You must cease your beauty", Volkard said. "Or else the boys will not leave you be, you would need a stick to fight them off with."
     "Don't be silly, I can wield more than you give me credit for" replied Sabine. "I'm sure I could handle at least a tree branch. Or something".
     Volkard chuckled. "You could handle any weapon".
     She gave him a gentle shove. "You won't let me play with knives."
     "Not yet," said a smiling brother. "Maybe one day."
     The festival was gathering many towns people to come and dance in the streets and marketplaces. Neighbors and friends came to enjoy the fun of socializing with familiar people. Sabine soon found herself dancing with the people of her town, her brother kept a watchful eye on his sister. 

     As they left the party in the town together, Volkard and Sabine talked as they always do. 
     "You're going to need to fend for yourself", he says. 
     "That's something I can't do till you get off my back and quit following me around everywhere I go", replied a smiling Sabine. "I'm sure I can take care of my own self, why do you always keep track of me, like I'm a pet? Not that I mind, that is", she quickly added. 
     Volkard stopped to pick up a large rock on the ground. 
     "The world isn't safe."
     "I want to defend myself."
     "You don't have the training yet. I can't let you out here on your own. I don't want anything to happen like what happened to father."
     Sabine fell silent. 
     "Then train me to defend myself."
     Volkard smiled and closed his eyes. 
     "I will train you."
     Sabine nodded in approval. They continued walking till they heard a strong voice calling their names. Sabine turned around to find Milos headed towards the two. 
     Milos was Sabine's boyfriend of the past 4 years. He was 19 and was making a business from a bakery. He grabbed Sabine and kissed her on the cheek before greeting Volkard and asking Sabine to spend dinner with him. 
     Volkard smiled and told Sabine to be home before sundown. Her excitement that she was being given permission to be out and about somewhere on her own created a smile on her face, and the two headed back toward the market area, to join Milos and his family for a dinner. 

     As she headed home (just after sundown), Sabine felt very cautious. She had never been out at night by herself. Not that it scared her, but there was a very distinct feeling of being followed by someone. Sabine stopped and closed her eyes. She heard in the near distance feet scuffing to come to a halt, as well. She opened her eyes. 
     "You've been following me since I left my brother. Why?"
     Silence. 
     Sabine turned around and looked about the area. She saw nothing other than the few homes she passed on her way back to hers and a tree in between the houses. 
     "You're not going to fight me. If you do, it's not going to be in your favor", said Sabine into the emptiness anxiously. 
     A figure appeared from behind one of the houses to her right. Sabine tightened her fists. It was a hooded man. A hooded man whose costume was very much like that of her father's old theater costume....
     "Don't tell Volkard", said the man. "I'm not supposed to show myself. But I had to meet you."
     Sabine stared at the man. 
     "Oh, I apologize. I am Rikard. I am.... a friend of your brother's."
     "I have never met you."
     "But of course not. Not before now, of course."
     "Of course", Sabine replied suspiciously. 
     "Who are you? Why do you wear that?"
     The man hesitated. 
     "I wear this because.... I am.... I am.... I am an entertainer... Yes. I climb things. To entertain. And. That is why I stand before you dressed like this."
     Sabine did not buy it. 
     "How do you know my brother?"
     "Oh. Well."
     The conversation was stopped when Sabine heard another set of footsteps behind her. She spun on the spot with fists still tightened to see her brother, Volkard approach the scene. He forcefully applied the palm of his hand to his face. 
     "This is not how you were supposed know."
     Rikard took a step back. 
     "I didn't mean to. She knew I was following her! No one has been able to detect me like that. You're right, she really is-"
     Volkard's facial expression brought Rikard's spiel into a halt. He turned to Sabine. 
     His eyes were full of anxiety. 
     "Sabine. I planned on discussing this with you tonight. Because you need to know the truth."
     Sabine unclenched her hands. She knew things were about to change. 
     "We lied about father's attackers. They weren't robbers. They didn't get away. Father wasn't an actor."
     Sabine felt a hole in her chest form. The basis of her life was changing and the couldn't decide if she was angry or saddened about the information she was receiving. Rikard stood silently behind the two and lowered his head. 
     "He was a warrior. The attackers were his enemies. Our enemies. We are all warriors. You and I were born into a family that protects innocent people and fights against those who want to destroy freedom and peace in the world. You were born into the world of the assassin."
     Sabine remained quiet. 
     "Assassins.... We are here to stand up for those who can't and stop those with great power from abusing it and destroying life. They are currently why this world is so difficult. They are why children cannot explore into the night. They are why families are found missing or dead in the mornings. They are Templars, and they are the ones who killed dad.
     "We need you to join the fight. You have it in your blood to be an assassin, you will succeed. Please. We have been waiting to recruit you, but we need you now."
     Sabine stared with pained eyes at Volkard. 
     Rikard leaned in to hear her response. 
     "No."