“Merde!” The curse word slipped harshly out of your mouth as a sword jabbed into your thigh, causing you to crumble to the ground in pain. You touched your thigh with your hands and felt blood pooling beneath. You looked around and noticed many of your people either dead or very injured, guards and royalists fighting one another.
This was the French Revolution. Everyone wanted everything, money, food, power, but mostly; equality. Is this was equality was now? Everyone fighting, citizens turning on one another for a piece of bread, guards and royalist killing innocent people? None of this was right. Everyone knew it wasn't right either but it was what needed to happen. All these thoughts angered you; the killing, the death, the innocent people dying for no reason sent waves of rage through your body.
You tried to stand up but couldn't, you were weak. You looked around quickly for a spare piece of cloth and found a scarf that was hanging from one of your peoples body. You took it before kissing it, to show respect to who lost their life, before wrapping it around your wound tightly. That should do it, you though, you took all the strength you had and housted yourself up, throwing yourself to fight the nearest guard that took another innocent life. He was caught off guard, but he was much stronger than you. He bent over and threw you over his shoulder, before swinging his sword down to end you.
You moved quickly, dodging his attack and springing up to knock him down and forcefully pushing your sword in his back, you pulled it out to see almost everyone done fighting, except you and one other person.
The strong man before you held an axe, his bald head shimmering in his own sweat and blood. He starred you down before running towards you, axe in air as he was for sure he would end you. You parried his strong attack, catching him off guard. You then kicked his inner knee, making him crumble below you. This gave you the opportunity to strike, and you did. You lifted him up from the collar of his shirt and slit his throat, blood came spewing out as you panted.
“All this bloodshed for a piece of bread?” The strong voice startled you and you jumped into position to attack, only to see a man throwing the piece of bread you have stolen up and down in his hand. His face was covered by a blue hood and the dark alley light. You couldn't tell who he was but that scared you even more, it made you uneasy.
“This is the French Revolution. There is bloodshed for everything, even a piece of bread, you Connard!” You hissed. You saw the slight smile he had on his face after you said this, he threw the bread behind him and you watched as citizens raced towards it.
“I saw you fighting, you’re a strong woman,” he paused, walking closer to you. You shoved your sword in his direction, almost as if telling him to not step any closer. Instead, he walked right into your sword, showing no mercy. “There is no need for this.” He pushed your sword away and you felt calmer, his French accent making you feel warm. “You took three brutes down yourself, you’re fearless.” The man said. You sheath your sword and pulled your dirty cloak over your shoulder.
“I was hungry. The king has made it impossible to get food, I’m sure you’re aware.” You bent down to quickly loot the bodies around you, glancing out of your eye to see the man just watching you. “So I am,” he said, crossing his arms. “We could use someone like you.” He paused. You finished looting the last body and shoving it in your pockets. “We?”
The man nodded, “And you could use us.” You scoffed. “I’m doing just fine by myself…” You looked around at the bodies, “You even said so yourself.” The man shrugged. “Besides, who is this ‘we’?” you asked, mirroring the man's position and crossing his arms. “The Assassins.” He stopped, talking off his hood to reveal his face. His brown eyes stared you down, a smile smirk on his face. You took this moment to study him. He was about your age, if so a bit older. He had a couple of scars on his face that have healed, but still showed. His hair was tied in a ponytail, little pieces poking out that were not tied up properly. He was… Beautiful.
You blinked your eyes at him. “Assassins?” You asked, “Oui,” He held out his hand that held a pendant of a logo. “The assassins want what you want, equality. Especially during this time. They want power too, which I’m sure you want as well.” He paused, tilting his head, almost as if seeing if you understood what he was saying.
“We take action when it is needed,” he walked over to you, using his sword to move a part of a jacket away from a body, revealing a cross. “And action was needed,” He bent down to snap the necklace off the neck, shoving it into his pockets. “Who are you?” You asked, curious as to who this man was, and what he wanted.
“Why me? Arno Victor Dorian.” He bowed down, “And you, madame?” You hesitated to give your name, but the smile on his face made you blurt it out. “Y/N.” You said firmly. He smiled again before shaking your hand. “Well Y/N, you are smart, strong. We could use someone like you in the Assassins.” He said, still holding your hand and looking at you.
“I don’t… I don’t need your cult…” You said, looking down at a bracer that was wrapped around his wrist. You saw the glint of something silver, you looked up to meet his gaze. “No, but we need you, the assassins.” You thought back to what he told you about these Assassin's, it is exactly what you are fighting for during this time, peace, freedom for all. Most importantly, equality. You thought about all the people you could perhaps save by joining this cause, a smile spreading on your face as this is exactly what you wanted.
Looking back at Arno, you smiled big. He smiled back and pulled you in close to his chest, patting you on the back as a welcome. You felt warm and calm being by him,almost as if there was no chaos around you at the moment. You looked back up at him and he smiled. “Shall we?” He asked, “We shall.”
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Hi everyone! Sorry about this really, really bad short story I just wanted something to post on this blog and it’s really late at night and I’m in my AC Unity feels so, I decided to act upon them and write this story. Basically, it’s Arno inviting you to join the French Brotherhood.