System in Assassin's Creed

Chapter 88: Chapter 87: Extra

[Current Balance: 374,970,598 scudi, 40 baiocchi]

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Finding a inn at this late hour took some doing, but Alaric’s seemingly endless supply of money smoothed the way.

They secured rooms in an inn that was not as luxurious as Albergo dell’Orso, but still respectably comfortable.

The weary innkeeper, awakened from his sleep, apologized that the kitchens were closed, but kindly offered to roast them a simple chicken and bring it up with some bread and wine.

Soon, the three were seated around a small table in Alaric’s rented room, the aroma of roasted chicken filling the air.

They ate in relative silence for a few minutes as the events of the night were still sinking in inside the heads of Reuben and Flavia, although the latter was the most surprised.

Alaric, who was picking meat from a chicken leg, glanced over at Flavia, who was eating intensely was clearly exhausted. He noticed she wasn’t paying Reuben the same close attention as she had at breakfast, making a smirk touching Alaric’s lips.

”I see you’re no longer spoon-feeding Reuben,” he commented casually.

Flavia sighed, pausing mid-chew. She swallowed, then took a sip of wine.

”I am too tired for such things now,” she admitted wearily.

”And that run... Mamma mia. That wasn’t the first time I have had to run,” she glanced at Alaric, ”but that was the first time I have ever run that fast, for that long. It is... difficult to keep up with you two.”

Alaric chuckled. ”Well... that just means you need to train more.”

Reuben continued munching on his chicken like there was no tomorrow, seemingly oblivious.

Flavia managed a small chuckle in return. ”Perhaps... or perhaps you two have some secret method to empower your bodies?”

Her question made Reuben pause in his eating for just a fraction of a second before he resumed, maybe a little too quickly.

Flavia didn’t seem to notice, continuing thoughtfully, ”I mean... I have trained with my Mentor, with many skilled people in the Brotherhood... but I have yet to see anyone who possesses the skills you both displayed tonight. Especially you...” she looked directly at Alaric, ”...Jonathan.”

Both Alaric and Reuben raised their eyebrows simultaneously at her use of his name. It sounded distinctly odd, almost formal yet still felt strange, coming from her.

”Please don’t call me that,”Alaric chuckled uncomfortably, shaking his head slightly. ”Feels weird.”

Flavia raised a questioning eyebrow. ”Why? It is part of your name, no?”

Alaric chuckled again, but it was Reuben who answered, swallowing a large bite of chicken.

”Well... we have a friend named Jonathan. He’s the butler back at the Kenway Mansion in Bristol. He’s also an Assassin... like you.” He cut the last piece of chicken on his plate. ”That’s why it sounds odd hearing you say it.”

Flavia’s eyes widened slightly in interest. ”Oh? Another Assassin named Jonathan? In Bristol? May I know more of this... individual?”

’I’m not an Assassin though?’ Alaric’s eye twitched. ’Do I even look like one?’

Reuben shrugged. ”Well... he’s a little bit older than us. Stern fellow from Swansea. Tried to kill ’Laric the first time they met, actually.”

”A Welshman...” Flavia looked shocked. ”And he tried to kill Alaric?”

Reuben nodded. ”Well... tried. He mistook ’Laric for a high-ranking Templar.”

Alaric chuckled softly at the memory as he took a sip of wine.

Flavia processed this, then asked bluntly, ”So... did Alaric kill him?”

Reuben looked taken aback. ”What? What are you talking about? Didn’t you hear me say he’s our friend now? He serves the Kenway family.”

”So no, ’Laric didn’t kill him. Jonathan made up his own mind to follow ’Laric after... well, after we all witnessed the number of dead bodies ’Laric left behind at the Colston Estate back in Bristol a few months ago.”

Flavia leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued despite her exhaustion. ”Oh? How many bodies are we talking about?”

”Hmm, didn’t really stop to count,” It was Alaric’s turn to reply as he casually placed his wine glass down. ”Two hundred? Eh... more or less.”

Flavia’s eyes widened significantly this time, but after a moment, considering the impossible feats she’d witnessed Alaric perform just hours ago... the inhuman leap, the effortless massacre on the frigate, the sorcery with the floating weapons, breaking into the Vault, she found herself accepting it as she nodded her head in reply.

”After this place,” she said, changing the subject, ”I must return to my hometown. You should... you should both visit.”

Reuben looked over at Alaric expectantly. The blonde shrugged. ”Well... that was already part of our plan, actually.”

Flavia raised an eyebrow at Reuben. ”You didn’t mention this?”

Reuben flushed slightly. ”I... don’t always know his exact plans,” he mumbled.

Alaric pulled out his cigar pack, noting there were now only seven left.

”Reuben and I will head to Monteriggioni after we rest tonight,” he clarified, placing a cigar between his lips. ”I plan to go sightseeing.”

Flavia gave him a skeptical look. ”Sightseeing. Right...”

Alaric lit the cigar with his finger, taking a long, slow drag before replying, smoke curling from his lips. ”Really... I just want to visit the old Auditore Villa. Maybe see where Ezio Auditore retired, if I can find it. That’s it.”

Flavia stared at him for a long moment, perhaps trying to gauge his sincerity. Finally, she nodded slowly. ”Well... my ancestor Ezio’s grave is in our Villa in Monterigionni and Monteriggioni is my destination as well, so... it seems we travel together again.”

”Sì,” Alaric agreed after another drag.

”Now,” he pushed his chair back and stood up, stretching slightly. ”I’ll go pay the innkeeper for the meal, then leave him a large tip, and confirm the rooms.”

He started walking towards the door, pausing to look back with a smirk. ”I’ll just make sure my room is far away from yours...”

Flavia started to ask, ”What do you me-” but stopped abruptly as the implication hit her. Her eyes widened, and a deep blush spread across her face as she quickly looked down at her plate, then glanced shyly at Reuben, who was blushing just as fiercely.

Reuben sighed as Alaric left the room chuckling.

”Damn that blonde...”

[- 14 scudo, 70 baiocchi.]

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