Historical Earth Assassins Creed: The Unseen Strife

Minor Update: 6.3
Lübeck

Lutrud Brun walked briskly through the dark halls of the building, she suspected the home might seem cozy in less dire circumstances, though she hardly had time to contemplate that as she was forced to duck behind an open door to avoid being seen by a young servant.

There were few places to hide in the narrow halls of the estate, and the attention she was forced to place on keeping out of sight made exploring it feel like an extensive task.
It was likely only a few minutes, but by the time she noticed Christian approaching one of the bed rooms her heart was beating out of her chest.

The Assassin took in a calming breath. He hadn't been discovered yet, but she noticed him tense before entering the adjacent chamber. For a moment Lutrud hesitated, had he heard her coming? She didn't want to interrupt him in the middle of a kill, especially if it was unnecessary, but she had already underestimated the bodyguard twice, and if he was on to them the risk was to great to follow through.

But a loud crash took the decision away from her. The door Christian had stopped in front of had collapsed off its hinges as the brute broke it down and struck at the Assassin.


Things moved quickly, and Lutrud was left baffled for a moment as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing in the darkness, but as the guard fought her comrade she saw a shadow appear at the end of the hall. It wasn't until the glint of a pair of knives caught her eye that Lutrud realized the figure was female.

With only a moment to react the Mercenary dashed forward “Christian! Behind you!”
She was only a couple steps from him when she saw the throwing knives spinning toward them.

Deftly Lutrud danced around the one nearest to her, flicking her wrist and using the tip of her hidden blade to redirect the sharp edge of the dagger away from her shoulder.

Before she could turn to see if her ally had managed to avoid being skewered by the ambush, Lutrud was sent flying due to a backhanded attack by the muscular man.

Tags: @DarkLordoftheFins

Dresden, Brandenburg.

After the war council dissolved, Witzke Duerr found his way back to his tent. But did not immediately go in. Instead he approached a nearby camp fire, where a small retinue of soldiers sat talking.
“So. How'd it go?” One of them waved him over.
“As expected.” the Knight spat with frustration. “We will move out in the coming days, give the Meissen's a reminder about who is superior.”
“So, we're gonna get ourselves killed then?” The same man said in an almost indifferent tone.
One of the other guys laughed as if it were a joke. “Don't be like that der Feigling! We beat them before we'll do it again.”

Nobody was convinced. “We've been on a losing streak. Wouldn't count on that changing.”
Witzke rolled his eye's. “The leadership is just going to keep hammering them, it's stupid is what it is.”
One of the more loyal soldiers stood up and challenged him. “You can't speak about the Waldemar that way!”

With a laugh the Knight didn't even look at him. “I'm speaking of the Slootmaekers brothers. Between their bickering and Sir Aue's insolence I am the only one of the Waldemar's advisers making a serious case for strategy!”

Witzke sat down on a nearby log, and unwrapped a small loaf of bread to eat. “Attack, attack, attack! It is laughably predictable, it is no wonder why we keep losing. We won last time because of strategy, something nobody seems to remember. At this point why bother?”
“We will do our job. That is all Waldemar can ask.” The loyal soldier stated bluntly.'
Witzke said nothing, at this point why bother?

Tags: @Master Vo'Un'Var

 

Christian Janssen
Lübeck, Kaufer estate

Behind him?

He heard Lutruds warning and immediately rolled aside. A knife landed right in the ground where he had been a second ago. Second attacker and then ... he saw the first. A behemoth of a man, armored and wearing an axe.

Christian had his knife in his hand and knew he really need his sword. He had Tonias the advantage of his speed ... sidestepping the attacker he saw how Lutrud was tossed aside by a single hornig the monstrous knight. It gave him time to turn and throw his knife at the woman who had attacked him. She dodged it skillfully getting her own throwing knife out.

Christian realized this was life and death unlike any battle before. He rolled forward again and another knife landed in the doorframe he had been about to pass to get his victim. The axe missed him by a centimeter. He felt the hiss and air being cut by it. He finally got his sword out though, attacking in a quick succession of strikes.

Bling, bling, bling.

He didn't even get closed to cut the man's heavy armor. And the Knight moved surprisingly fast in his armor. Christian blocked the axe and was thrown back by the sheer strength of the attack. Smashing into the wall he took a deep breath.

"Alright." He just said and his head moved aside just in time for another knife to hit the wall. This one was too close. Lutrud was passed out, lying behind the knight who now charged at him. He jumped aside as the axe ripped the wooden wall behind him apart.

A second ... getting the axe out there would take a second. The armor was impenetrable but behind it was a man and a man consisted of bones and flesh. Bones. Christian jumped up and then came down with both his legs into the left side of the giants knee. It gave in an he received an angry grunt of pain as the giant felt the pain and dropped to one knee. Christian crashed to the ground but leaped up again and rolled as the axe came around for him again. He landed next to Lutrud and let go of his sword. Picking up both knives of his comrade he threw one at Zoete ... just the moment she was about to throw hers. Aiming and dodging did not go well with each other. He hit her shoulder and before she could recover from the pain he had the sword in his hand ... covered the few meters and slashed up.

Bleeding and dead or dying she collapsed as he turned to the Knight again who was dragging his leg after him now, but was still surprisingly fast.

"So you and me now." Christian gasped and breathed in.

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

2/3

Christian Janssen
Lübeck, Kaufer estate

The Knight attacked with the axe and Christian did not try to block now but dodged. A second attack followed at frightening speed. He barely dodged it and then the fully armored Knight with his hurt leg managed to kick ... something he would have considered impossible.

He was hit at the chest and thrown back. The pain took his breath from him. The axe came again and the impact unbalanced him completely. He fell to the ground. Just in time he rolled aside as the axe came down again. The floor shattered under the impact of the strike. He made it onto his knees and the Knight had the axe out of the floor by that time. With all strength he could muster Christian hit the injured knee. The armor was barely scratched but the giant stumbled back in pain.

This was the moment. Christian jumped forward and stabbed at the man's neck. The armor gave a sad cling and he realized the mistake. It was too late. The giant hand of the enourmous man grabbed his throat and squeezed it. Christian felt life literally being squeezed out of him and the blade of the axe came up to end him.

It was more a reflex than a tactic as his assassin blade snapped from his arm to his hand and he stabbed up into the elbow. Now he got a scream as it entered the armor and cut through flesh. The hand let him go and Christian stumbled back as the man was swinging his axe missing him.

A grin came from his now bloody lips as blood of his enemy dripped on the floor.

"So you bleed after all monster." He said and now one handed the axe was slower. It hissed through the air as Christian leaped back. With quick steps he made it down the steps of the stairs and into the living room the two women had tea in. The Knight followed him. Christian waited until he took the last step and brought down his blade with one powerful swing.

The blade was met by the axe and shattered. He let go of it right away and stumbled back. Now the thin assassin's blade was all he had left. His attacked hurled around his axe and attacked again.

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Christian Janssen
Lübeck, Kaufer estate

The axe went right through the couch as Christian jumped aside. The triumph was short as the injured arm of the giant hit at him and his face was met by the cold metal of the glove.

Christian was send hurling into a table which crashed under the impact. He rolled aside and the blade of the axe cut through the remains of the table. He rolled back, trying to get distance between himself and the attacker. The Knight followed him relentlessly and attacked again with one hand leading the axe. It smashed through a pillar next to him, crushed into the floor, hissed through the air as Christian was slowly shoved back towards the wall.

The moves were powerful. Shockingly quick. But the armor hindered the enemy in his movements. His flexibility was limited, his radius and view were probably minimal. Christian finally understood the weakness of his enraged enemy. Dodging blow after blow the furniture of the room was ripped apart by the man. Then one high blow provided the opening. Christian dived under it and behind the enemy. The giant turned. He had too. Limited view. The helmet allowed him only to see what was in front of him. Christian moved aside, staying out of the enemies sight.

Then finally he attacked. The thin and sharp blade of his assassin's blade entered the second elbow as the giant was about to strike again. A gasp in pain and the enemy let go of his axe. Christian immediately leaped aside to keep his enemy blind and as the giant turned Christian's blade entered the injured knee through the joint. Another scream, loud and full of pain escaped the man and he collapse to one knee. He tried to strike with his injured arm and below the shoulder the blade entered the shoulder. Once, twice. The arm fell down useless. The other arm tried to grab Christian, but patiently he leaped back and stood in front of his enemy. Catching air he watched the man trying to get up and he leaped forward and kicked his head. Unbalanced the Knight fell. On his back, unable to get up himself he juggled with his last remaining arm. Christian stepped back and watched him for a moment.

"We are all living by the blade and dying by it." Christian said and then climbed on the armored man pinning him down.

"Today you die." He breathed out and drove the blade right through the opening in the helmet into his enemies eye and finally into his skull. A spasm ran through the body of the man and then he lay still.

Christian rolled off him and lay next to his dead enemy for a moment. Then he got up. There was still a target in the house.

As quickly as exhaustion allowed him he ran up, gripped a throwing knife from the wall where it was stuck and ripped the bedroom door open ...

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Minor Update: 6.4
Lübeck

Lutrud hesitantly moved herself back into an upright position. She groaned as she felt a pang of pain from her chest. The Assassin placed her one hand tentatively at her side, and after a quick check over decided nothing was broken, it was just a bruise, a rather large bruise, but nothing she couldn't recover from.

Finally she stood up, it took her a moment to locate Christian, but when she found him he was staring down their target. Lense Albers seemed resigned to his fate, but Lutrud wasn't letting her guard down.

The man had his arm around his wife, who looked rather unsettled. It was likely they had at least heard the scuffle that had occurred outside their room, but the fact that they hadn't even tried to escape led the killer to eye them with suspicion. One of them had to have been in on the ambush, or else the brute wouldn't have been lurking the way he was.

“We should finish this quick.” Lutrud whispered to her companion. “The city guard may be on its way. I'd rather avoid any more incidents.”

The other women finally spoke. “You're going to kill us aren't you?” she had a quiver in her voice, but it seemed artificial to Lutrud. She was trying to buy time.
Fortunately Lense knew it was pointless. “Not you.” He said with a sigh. “I know I am marked for death, and I am tired of running. Yolente doesn't need to follow me to the grave. Please, just make this painless if possible.”

Tags: @DarkLordoftheFins

 

ooc: Posting for Fin who has problems with his account.

Christian Janssen
Lübeck, Kaufer estate

Christian nodded at the man. "Tell me who send you this bodyguard? Who are you aligned with? Tell me and I promise I spare her." Christian said calmly and looked at his wife. She was not the target. He did not need to kill her. Both men knew probably. He slowly circled the man and his assassin blade snapped from it's hiding place under his robe.

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Minor Update 6.5
Lübeck

Lense sighed somewhat quietly, relief apparent in his features. Though also a certain hesitance, as if he were considering precisely what he should say. “Dear.” His wife tensed in his arms. “Wees voorzichtig...” She whispered to him, though still within earshot.
Finally the man nodded. “I accept your terms.”

He released the women from his arms and turned to face her. “Please Yolente, go see to your sister.”
With a kiss on the forehead, he waved her off. She hesitated, but clearly saw something in her husbands eyes, as she nodded and passed by the Assassin's without a second glance.

Lutrud watched her for a few seconds, ready to force her into compliance should she attempt to make a break for it. Yolente made no move to run, simply kneeling down at the side of their second attacker.

“Look. In truth I'm not exactly sure where Barth, the guard, came from...” This drew the Assassin's attention back to their target. With a flick of her wrist Lutrud was prepared to end this conversation, and the banker clearly saw this as he took a step back. “He never spoke of his past! I speak the truth. He represented my benefactors... for the last few months I have been in contact with people who said their goals were aligned with mine. I assumed they were agents of the Count of Flanders as they made clear that they wanted to keep it independent.”

He seemed to finally be calming down somewhat, even as he shifted nervously on his feet it was clear he had regained his composure. “Barth represented them.” the Banker said a little to quickly. “He told me what they wanted, where to direct funds, all of it."

Tags: @DarkLordoftheFins

 

Christian Janssen
Lübeck, Kaufer estate

Christian had assumed there was a power behind the behemoth he had just killed. Now he just knew his suspicion had been right.

"Very good. You will feel ..." He stabbed the blade right into the man's spine killing him instantly. "... no pain." He finished the sentence and allowed the target to slip from his hands.

"You should never have gotten involved my dear victim. Death was coming for you." Looking at Lutrud he nodded and made his way to the window to vanish into the night and report on his successful execution of the victim.

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Memory Seven: A Pause for Reflection
March 1316
Berlin
Albert Fromm sat silently behind his desk, weary of the current conflict, he was nonetheless resolute that the brotherhood would grow stronger by facing these challenges. Even as their ancient enemies no longer pulled the strings, it perturbed him that Europe remained under the shadow of ugly politics and war. Perhaps it was simply the nature of sovereigns to destroy everything in their path, between the current civil war between the Hapsburgs and Wittlesback's, rumors of a coming conflict in Burgundy, Margrave Waldemar wasting resources up north, and the great famine reaching new heights the Assassin brotherhood was stretched thin trying to contain the damage. His French allies were holding their own, at least according to their correspondence. Yet the southern territories of Germany lacked significant and independent organization, The Eastern Romans were facing internal strife as well as powerful enemies at the fringes of their Empire, and the Scandinavian brotherhood had fallen eerily silent.

The Assassin leader was a realist, even as he believed wholeheartedly in the right of people to be free, he was also painfully aware that humanity was not perfect, laws were needed to keep some sense of order. Yet under their current leadership he couldn't help but wonder if they were simply stuck in an eternal cycle of tragedy.
They were backing Louis to prevent the Holy Roman Empire from becoming hereditary, yet surely upon his death the Bavarian would attempt to pass the title to his own heir.

Well, the Assassin's would have to cross that bridge when they came to it.

“Meister Fromm?” He looked up, to see Agnis Seidel waiting near his office door. “They are ready.”
Of course, the reason he had returned to Assassin HQ. Several of his brothers had returned from missions around the same time, and it was most reasonable to debrief them together.
“Yes send them in.” He nodded, setting down his quill and watching as three Assassin's entered.

Christian Janssen had returned from killing a Dutch banker, with Lutrid Brun at his side.
Hans Richter had sought out a potential spy amongst the Margrave of Brandenburg's troops.
And lastly Alberts son Hermann had returned from a diplomatic mission to the Swiss Brotherhood, to help ensure they continued to do their part against of Frederick.

Albert stood to great them. “It seems we have a lot to discuss.” he stated with a curt nod.
Hans smiled and took a seat. “Our southern brothers are holding their own, with the aid of Lukas Frei. Werner Stauffacher has left the bulk of his force to guard against further Austrian expeditions, and taken his most elite guard north to join with the Bavarian. Together there should be little difficulty in defeating Fredricks soldiers.”
Perhaps on an even battlefield, the Assassin contemplated, but as long as the pretender is held up in his castles the necessary sieges could take months or years to conclude.
Nothing could ever be easy.

“Thank you.” He offered, before looking to the others for their reports.

Tags: @DarkLordoftheFins, @Master Vo'Un'Var

Hubor Estate
Gathered around the dinning table, there was a nervous air in the room as the Templar inner circle listened to the survivors tale. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the Assassin's were behind this attack, and that left an unspoken question that most were hesitant to mention.

All except Thoman.
“Did they know of you affiliation? If they found any evidence...”

The words were blunt, as Loys Marchand had come to expect from the son of his senior most knight. Still, it was a fair question and he did not interrupt.

Zoete Kaufer hesitated before answering, a potentially dangerous sign as to her answer. Tentatively she placed her hand at the bandaged wound near the base of her neck, and with remarkably forceful confidence shook her head no. “We never spoke openly of the Order. Only I, and Yolente even knew...”
“You should never have put your sister in that situation!” Sophey stated with an almost masculine growl.

After catching her breath, she glanced at her husband Jaro, with a mix of concern and disappointment. She knew the danger they were all in if the Assassin's learned of their continued existence. She loathed the secrecy, and the danger of it, but Loys knew her love of her husband would keep her loyal. The Frenchmen raised his hand to silence her, and Zoete looked on with thanks. “My sister proved herself loyal. Even as her husband bled out on the floor she kept her word.”
Of course if she had spoken up it would only have meant her own death, as well as that of her whole family Loys considered with suspicion.
But then it was an arranged marriage, one primarily for her political benefit and ultimately that of the Templar Order as a whole. The loss would be felt, but only in a subtle way.

“Lens Albers was one of our more blatant power grabs” Jaro finally spoke up. “His work was designed to stir conflict and put the Assassin's in a tough position. Hence why we offered him a body guard in the first place.”

Loys contemplated for a moment, how no one in the room truly understood the depths of his plotting. There were other power grabs, other conflicts, and other allies in need of protection. The loss of Barth was far more damaging to them than the death of a simple banker. So few soldiers were capable of fighting an Assassin one-on-one, and even fewer were willing to associate with an organization that had been condemned by the Pope.

“We are just thankful you survived.” the leader of the German Rite said with a small smile. “You still have much you can do for us.” As the words left his mouth, he observed that it seemed a weight had been lifted off of Zoete's shoulders. She returned the gesture leaning forward, somewhat limply, on the table. “Which just further proves they remain ignorant of our existence. There is surely no way they would have hesitated to execute me if they even suspected...” Unless they had hoped to trail her back here. He would have to make sure all the guards were accounted for when this meeting was done, one can never be too careful.

“You have more to say?” He prodded.

“Yes.” She agreed. “For starters, I think it would be prudent that my sister be offered a rank in our order. Her loyalty is surely beyond question now, and with the death of her husband she could be an even more powerful asset. Whoever she marries next will surely be of wealth and taste.”

Sophey looked as if she might object, but said nothing. It was a good point, and whatever her ethical objections she must realize there was no practical purpose in denying a rank to Yolente.

“Granted.” He stated bluntly. They would celebrate at a later date. “Lastly?”

“It seems my own husband is ailing, and I fear he might not last much longer. When he is finally gone, I will depart Lübeck permanently. If I am to be further use to the order I will need resources to set myself up in another town.”

Loys raised an eyebrow to this request, though he suspected she had something to do with Lion's condition, he didn't really want to know. “I suggest you not rush things Zoete.” He put cryptically. “The order takes care of its own, but should your name fall into disrepute there is little we can do at the moment to help.”

This clearly shook her, and after a tense moment she finally returned to her seat.

 

Hans Richter
9 years ago

Only 3 hours earlier Hans had been hauled into a prison cell after a night of drunken brawling. It turns out he had crossed the wrong people, and they wanted him executed. There was another in his cell, he didn't know who he was, but he called himself Ulrich, and he had gotten him out.

Now, they were both standing on the highest tower of the prison. His savior, Ulrich, was standing on the ledge of the tower. Hans head was burning with questions.

"What now?" was all he managed to say.

"Now, we jump."

"We wha-" his sentence was cut short as he yelled out when Ulrich threw himself off the ledge. He was insane. He had to be. Hans ran over and looked down the ledge. The distance to the bottom was insane. He couldn't do it. Ulrich must have killed himself.

"He's mad! He's absolutely mad!" he whispered to himself. Sounds of guards rushing upstairs distantly made Hans panic.

"He's absolutely insane!" he yelled, taking a few steps back before charging off the edge. The air rushed around him, he was falling through the sky quickly. The ground got closer and closer until-

He landed in a large pile of hay, his fall cushioned, but he very shaken. He saw Ulrich walk towards him and laughed in disbelief.

"We're... alive..?"

"We're alive, Hans. Now follow me."

-----

March 1316, Berlin

Hans sat next to Hermann who had just given his report. He looked briefly to his comrades before beginning his report.

"I tracked down a spy within the Margrave's troops. It was one of the Slootmaeker twins. I tracked them through the military camp and dealt with them."

He finished his report and nodded to Albert before standing and going to linger in the back of the room, quickly looking over to Christian, waiting to hear what he had to say.

@ConservativeJedi321 @DarkLordoftheFins

 

Minor Update: 7.1
Berlin

"I tracked down a spy within the Margrave's troops. It was one of the Slootmaeker twins. I tracked them through the military camp and dealt with them." Hans reported after a short pause. Albert had hoped for more detail, but then he supposed it wasn't likely that the traitor had offered much information on his motives. They would have to leave his liege to deal with the matters of war himself. They had more pressing issues.
Lutrud Brun spoke up next. “The banker is dead. We trailed him to Lübeck, and Christian put an end to him.” A brief look of discomfort crossed her gaze, and Albert was preparing to ask if there was more she wanted to add about their mission, but just at that moment the door to his office opened.

In walked Petrissa, the daughter of the Seidels. Albert did not miss the relief that passed on his sons face when he recognized their visitor. Hermann placed his right hand on his left elbow, that gave the impression his was holding himself back from embracing the young women. Petrissa noticed this as well, and offered a small smile and nod in his direction as she approached the Assassin leaders desk.
“Charles of Taranto is dead.” She confirmed, taking a bloody strip of leather out of her pack and tossing it in front of him as evidence. The Warrior had been sent almost half a year ago to deal with the Byzantine prince, to the Brotherhoods surprise she fell out of contact not long after arriving in Constantinople. Despite the insistence of Agnis, the Assassin leader had forbidden anyone from going after her, for fear that they might compromise their order.

Albert templed his fingers in front of him curiously, not saying anything and waiting patiently for her response. After only a moment she continued. “He was expecting me.” She said bluntly, and he felt a ripple of surprise, and recognize a similar concern on the features of nearly every other Assassin in the room. “How?” Agnis was the first to state in a surprisingly shrill tone.
Petrissa hesitated, but responded hesitantly. “I don't know. As I entered his room I was confronted by half a dozen guards, some of whom were very skilled at dealing with with my martial prowess. I killed two before their leader broke my hidden blade, and nearly ended my life. I fled, and hid in the wilderness for several months, I couldn't be sure if they were following me and I didn't want to lead them back to the brotherhood.”

She took a seat in front of the desk, and her exhaustion from her ordeal had become readily apparent. “It took me several weeks before I was comfortable sneaking back into the city, I acted discretely to locate the target, and finish him. But not without another encounter with these mysterious warriors. Another fell to my short sword, but with reinforcements on the way I fled again. I spent the following months working to kill my stalkers, sadly the only thing I managed to learn is that they are uncommonly loyal to their Master. Even as they bled out at my feet none would reveal how they knew I was coming, or who hired them.”

OOC: A thank you to Vo'Un'Var for encouraging me to keep the game going.

Tags: @Master Vo'Un'Var, @DarkLordoftheFins

 

Christian Janssen
Berlin, Hideout

Christian listened closely with folded arms, letting the other assassins report one by one, Lutrud taking charge of their mission.

Hans had taken care of a traitor. A traitor to who?

It was Petrissa and her unexpected return to the flock that caught his attention most. She had quite similiar problems to his with the Banker.

Unfolding his arms he decided it was time to address them.

"We faced similar opposition. Someone has send a bodyguard to protect the Banker. A terrible and effective warrior who was skilled in taking out several assassin's before we tried. Even when we made our move ... I was only able to execute the Banker after going through him. I must admit I never faced an enemy like him. He was extremely well trained. For all my training I must admit there was a bit of luck involved in my victory." He leaned forward. "There was someone using the Banker. Someone who can train warriors like this. And I agree Petrissa, they knew a lot about us. It felt like he was well adjusted to fighting our kind."

They had an unseen enemy. Someone involved in the affairs in Lübeck.

"You know my history." He now addressed the leader of their coven. "In Lübeck I killed a powerful leader of the Hanseatic who was very clear there were greater things at play than the murder of my family. Now the Banker and his mysterious bodyguard return to Lübeck of all places? Why? The Hanse needs no money. They bank themselves. They give loans to Kings. What do they need a Banker for? Probably they want to discreetly finance efforts they don't wanna be officially associated with?" Christian sighed. "If you want me to I will return to my old home and look into it.

Tag: @Master Vo'Un'Var, @ConservativeJedi321

 

Minor Update: 7.2
Berlin

The Assassin leader traded uneasy glances with Agnis. He was hesitant to send Assassin's out looking for something that might not even be there, particularly with the war raging and their resources already spread thin. But it was a possible threat. In the past, few individuals had been able to fight toe-to-toe with an Assassin in battles. He had heard stories from foreign brothers, of the shinobe in Japan, Mongolian horse archer from the East... and he had experience dealing with religious military orders as well. Though with the destruction of the Templar's corrupting influence he could think of little reason others might seek to interfere with Assassin missions. "If you want me to I will return to my old home and look into it.” Christian's offer hung in the air only a moment, when Albert finally conceded. “As long as these warrior's exist, and if they are related, all potential missions are under threat. Go.” He nodded reluctantly.

“I wish to join him.” Lutrud stepped forward eagerly, and Albert eyed her tensely. “Our newest brother is more acquainted with Lübeck than you, there is little you might add to this mission.” Furthermore, he left unsaid, she should not be placed in such needless danger while still recovering from her injury. “Master Fromm...” Her voice had an eager edge in it, one that he was wary of. “You have not faced these warrior's. They have already killed several of our brothers, and I would not leave Christian to face them alone. I can help!” There were others more suited to help of course, though if nobody else objected he would not waste his breath arguing with such a hartnäckig woman.

In any case there was another trail they should follow. “Petrissa, would you be able to return to Constantinople and investigate further there?”
“No!” This came from his son Hermann. “She is clearly injured. I should go instead.”
Albert shook his head. “This was her mission already, and she will know where to start looking.”
If the young man was to ever succeed him as leader of the North German Assassin's he needed to stop thinking with his heart, and focus on what was in front of him.

Petrissa placed a hand on Hermann's shoulder, and after a second stepped forward far more assertively than she had entered. “Give me a week or so to recover and restock my weapons. I can do it.”

Good, Albert thought with relief. There was potential danger ahead, though the brotherhood had survived far worse than these mysterious warriors he didn't like it. Still, it would be better to be safe than regret it later. There was some truth to Lutruds words whether genuine or not. “Han's will join her.”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hermann move to object again, but something restrained him. The boy was too invested in this. There was nothing wrong with his concern, but they couldn't risk everything because he put his emotions before the mission.

“If you have no questions, you are dismissed and may prepare in whatever way you see fit.”

Tags: @DarkLordoftheFins, @Master Vo'Un'Var

 

Christian Janssen
Berlin, Hideout

Christian nodded as he got permission to conduct his investigation. As Lutrud spoke up he was tempted to point out she had not been too good in facing those warriors last time, but he did not. He appreciated her company and the back-up.

"I will make travel arrangements. Maybe the Adler knows something."

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Memory Eight: Search and Seizure
May 1316
Lübeck

Lutrud could hear birds singing in the distance, and with the clouds parted at last it might have been a beautiful day. Still, there was an icy chill in the air, and the streets below them were nearly deserted with the exception of a few starved beggars. The pair of Assassin's had been searching the city for their contact over the last few weeks, though to their chagrin few people there were willing to speak to them. The last few years had been difficult for many common people in Europe, and even many of the wealthier classes had needed to make sacrifices to survive. The Empire was in a constant state of civil war, the great famine was at its peak, and economic woes' threatened what little stability remained in Europe.

“Hilfe!” The shout startled her, and immediately she jumped to her feet. With barely a cursory glance to Christian she moved in the direction of the panicked voice. “Hilfe mir!”

Lutrud settled near a break in the wall, looking down into a narrow alleyway five men were seen. Four of them dressed in guards, and another wore the garb of a peasant. Still, something about him, the tone of his voice, or his posture perhaps, led her to believe that this was not his natural element.

“You thought you could steal from us? Sie schmutzige Ratte!” The lead guard drew his sword and slashed the hooded man across the face. “Please sirs. I meant no disrespect.” Though this only seemed to aggravate the guards, one of which kicked the poor man in the shin, knocking him to the floor.
Tags: @DarkLordoftheFins

Constantinople

Iessai was beginning to grow exasperated by all this questioning. Could they not see that he was the victim here? Someone breaking into his warehouse, cuts down two mercenaries in cold blood, destroyed several expensive pieces of pottery while doing so, and left after vandalizing down his door. Now, nearly a year after the fact, the city guard still wouldn't stop harassing him about why! Why? How should he know? He was just an honest businessman, trying to sell his wares. The five men standing before him now were particular inscrutable. He had already repeated his story ten times already, and even tossed in what rumors he had heard over at the tavern as well. Something about a secret meeting, a prince, and a cult of murderers in masks. It sounded unreal, and he certainly didn't believe it, but if it got them off his back he didn't particularly care.

The largest of the guards, one the others referred too as Pege, leaned in and spat at him in disgust. “We know you have more information than you're telling. If you tell us how this murderer escaped, we may only break some of your limbs.”

Another stepped in, a younger man with light hair but cruel features. “Now there is no need for that. We shouldn't make promises we can't keep.” A shiver went up Iessai's spine, and his mind was racing. “I tell you already, the door was busted down! It's not like this killer couldn't have just ran through it!”

The third guard spat in his face. “If she didn't know what was coming there wouldn't have been time for her to run away. She'd be dead, and our men would be here now.”

The killer was a woman? This made less and less sense as the threats went on. Pege snatched a knife off his belt, and moved to bury it in Iessai's exposed arm. The merchant flinched away, but felt no pain. Instead, as he opened his eye's he saw another guard intervene. He was an older gentleman, who wore a loose robe and less armor than his companions. “Come now my friend.” He said in a fatherly tone. “There is no need for that. If he does know something, inflicting harm would only encourage him to hold back. If he does not, than forcing out a lie would only waste our time and resources.”

The other guards backed off, offering Iessai some breathing room. They appeared to be consulting with each other, though he could hear little of what was being said.
Tags: @Master Vo'Un'Var

 

Christian Janssen
Lübeck

Christian found returning to his old home ... haunting. He had killed men here. Not out of duty, but pure revenge.

When he heard the cry for help he withdrew with Lutrud into the alley and watched the guards and the peasant abuse the man. A thief obviously. Probably one out of hunger.

It was an opportunity. At least the man would talk to them, if they saved him. The wall of silence in the city had so far deflected any attempt to find the Adler.

"You wait here as back up." Christian sighed and stepped forward. Something about the peasant was familiar. Someone from the league? Maybe.

He moved quickly through the shadows. Five targets. One of them he planned to take alive. The blade snapped from his wrist and he buried it in the neck of the first guard and quickly moved to the second, while the others stood towards him with this back. The second died before his colleague hit the ground. Then the sound of the collapsing armor alarmed the third who turned and died from the blade entering his skull through the soft spot behind his chin. Two remained, one turning again. Two stabs into his side were the armor had a gap and Christian grabbed his sword, drew it as the man collapsed and a stroke cut through the peasants leg. With the gasp of the man the element of surprise was exhausted and the final guard ... the one with the sword drawn ... attacked. Christian did not defend himself but dived below him and used the assassin's blade to stab into his neck and then step back to finish the man with one clean strike. Breathing out he stood amidst four bodies and nodded for Lutrud to secure the peasant.

"Don't worry my friend. They won't harm you anymore." He offered the man his hand to help him up, still on guard. It was not the Hand with the blade. "What have you stolen actually to draw so much attention."

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Hans Richter
Constantinople



The noise of the marketplace below drifted up towards the hooded man. The leather uniform appeared beaten down by the journey he had taken to arrive here. He stared out to the setting sun, and let out a sigh. He had never seen such a beautiful city in his entire life. It brought something back from long ago that he couldn't remember...

He smiled underneath the dark shadow his hood cast over his face. That was what he missed most. His younger years, when he was carefree. Now what was he? He felt lost. Alone...

---

Hans Richter had been perched in the rafter ties of the warehouse half an hour before the five men had broken in. He watched with a brooding expression as he listened to their conversation with Iessai. He shook his head slightly, and slid two throwing knives out from a hidden pouch in his trousers.

One, two. Placed to near-perfection in the back of two of the lesser guards necks. With lightning speed, a smoke pellet was slipped into his hand and slammed to the floor, engulfing the remaining three in fog. He dropped himself onto Pege, his hidden blade forcing its way into his neck, and then threw himself onto his feet and slamming the blade into the other guard. Dashing out of the smoke, he waited for the older man. He heard a French accent when he talked, and wanted to find out why. Drawing his sword, he waited for him to appear.

@ConservativeJedi321

 

Minor Update: 8.1
Constantinople

Petrissa was surprised by the swift manner in which her companion had taken action, she hadn't planned on intervening in such a way unless the shopkeepers life was on the line, but Hans clearly had another idea in mind. By the time she caught up with him four of the guards were dead, and the lingering haze of smoke had mostly cleared.

Two men stood before him, the old man who had led the questioning was firm in his resolve. Steady as a statue, and betrayed none of his thoughts. One of his hands lay inside his cloak, perhaps reaching for a weapon? She could not tell from this angle, but based on his expression she could see he certainly was not surprised to see them here, and that perturbed her more than anything.

The other was the shopkeeper, quivering by the chair he had been sitting in before their arrival.
He was hastily screaming something in Greek, though she couldn't pick out the specifics as his words were to jumbled. She did recognize the word for “murder” though, and that was enough to convince her that he at very least had no idea what was going on here.

With what might have been a smile, the elderly gentlemen dismissed the shopkeeper, who promptly fled the building.
This man stood before them, just out of sword reach, in a chillingly calm manner. Perhaps it was an attempt to unnerve them, buying time for reinforcements to arrive? Petrissa didn't like it, and so took the liberty to move in a circular motion around their potential prisoner in order to try and cut off any escape attempts.

“I had wondered when you would show up.” He finally responded in a respectful tone. There remained a curious glint in his eye that the Assassin didn't like. She glanced towards Hans, but said nothing.

“It is clear you have some questions for me. Perhaps a dialogue would be beneficial, to clear the air?”
Tags: @Master Vo'Un'Var

Lübeck

Lutrud knelt patiently on the roof overlooking the alleyway as Christian dealt with the soldiers that had been harassing the man below. He knew the town better than she did, but there was something about the straggler below that caught her focus.

When the last body hit the ground, the hooded man took a step back, clearly in awe of what he had witnessed. “Attentäter!” He gasped in surprise, and Lutrud altered her position, so at to be lighter on her feet, allowing her to more effectively strike if this were to prove to be a trap. With an over-exaggerated point, the man gestured to Christian in what might have been recognition. “You are the killer of Lübeck!”

He hesitated to finish his thought, perhaps he realized that he was speaking in to loud a voice, and not wanting to draw further attention to himself, after a moment he continue in a harsh whisper. “I took the only thing worth taking in these times, my old friend.” He shook off his hood, revealing a bald headed man, with a shaggy beard that hid his otherwise strong features and striking gaze. He certainly didn't look like a beggar.
“Food, and medicine. Resources are scarce, and with your own actions the last year the League is not being as open with their goods as they use to be.”

He reached into his pocket, and drew out a feather.
The symbol of the Assassin's, this was their contact: Der Alder.
“What can I do for you, my visitor?”

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Christian Janssen
Lübeck, Alley

Christian withdrew his own hood.

"Visitor? I feel more like coming home, also a changed man!" He smiled. "I never had the chance to thank you for your help. But the brotherhood needs another favor." He stepped closer and shook the man's hand. "Information. A banker from Flandern has come here and he had powerful allies trained in the art of hunting my kind down. Something is going on. I suspect the Hanseatic League might be involved. So anything you might have heard or seen about a new power entering Lübeck in secrecy would help us."

Tag: @ConservativeJedi321

 

Minor Update 8.2
Lübeck

The contact waved away Christians thanks without comment. The times had clearly been rough on him, and he didn't immediately speak up after the Assassin had explained what they wanted.

To Lutrud it looked as if he was thinking, though from his body language alone she could tell he had little to offer.

“Many of the bigger players packed up shop last year, and shipped out. My own employer moved to Venedig. From what I could gather it wasn't one factor that drove them away, the economic conditions alone made things difficult...” He eyed the hooded figure in a way that wasn't exactly accusatory. “The deaths of so many allies in so short a time certainly made them paranoid I'm sure you understand.”

The silence permeated the streets, and with no threat in sight Lutrud jumped down from her hiding spot on the roof. “They can't have abandoned Lübeck, it is to valuable a port for them.”

Her appearance had clearly startled Der Alder, but his cordial tone returned by the time she had finished with her words. “Certainly not. As you say, its connection to Trave and the Baltic sea places it in a vital position. I fully suspect it to be a temporary downturn, they will likely return when the war is over, or they no longer feel their lives are in danger.”

He offered a shrug with that statement, as if it was the obvious answer to her question. “Their return will surely revitalize the city, perhaps take it to new heights. Yet, for the moment many are left here to starve, and for many the moment is all that matters...”

Lutrud put her hand up to stop his babbling. “You said that they are still here? Stick to that.”
After a moment he nodded, understanding her point. “A few families remain to oversee important matters, and caravans continue to travel here as they always have. Many markets are scarce, but we remain one of the easiest crossing points of the Empire.”

The Assassin stopped him again. “Which families? Do you know anything about these knights?”
“The only warriors I'm aware of are the town guards, and mercenaries they hire to protect shipments.”
Der Alder hesitated again, Lutrud wasn't sure if he was having difficulty remembering their names, or if he was rethinking revealing them at all. But it took only a couple seconds for him to start talking again.
“Well, the big ones are the Wechsler's, the Porto's, and the Kaufer's.”

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Constantinople
Combo Post with Master Vo'Un'Var

Hans frowned as he listened to the elderly gentleman talk of how he had "expected" him to show up. The Assassin's already knew there was a worm inside their order, and this furthered Hans' paranoia.
"You speak of how you expected me? What do you mean by this?"

The man shrugged simply, in an almost to casual manner.
"You expected a simple kill. It was not so, and now you are back to see what went wrong."
He looked as if he was concealing a smile, and Petrissa felt her anger towards him grow.
"It really is that simple." He nodded in her direction. "I presume it was she who dealt the killing blow? I don't suppose you would tell me why it is you came to far to put and end to one simple prince?"
"We don't have to tell you anything." She spat in his direction.

The opponent smiled at this comment, as if there were some sort of irony in her comment. Petrissa didn't feel particularly amused.
“Where did your warriors comes from? How did you train them to combat us? How do you know what we are?” She bombarded him with questions, trying to catch him off guard. “I have allies near and far Petrissa.” His use of her name struck her like a punch to the gut, and she fell back a couple steps to catch her breath. “I was surprised you came so far to deal with this, but then I suppose the Greeks don't have many killers left in the capital that could possibly rival the skills of a drunken criminal and a bar wench.”

The room fell silent for a moment, and she could see from his eyes he knew his comment had cut deep.
“I have my theories as to why you killed him.” He said in an prideful tone. “After you survived our trap, it was only a matter of time before you returned looking for answers.”

He pulled a small blade out from his waste band, and Petrissa immediately returned to a defensive stance. “I had hoped for more details, confirmation of what I know to be true. You see the descendants of Rome as a threat. You would have the greatest civilization in human history continue on their current path of weakness and complacency.”

With a shrug, he tossed the bladed, but not at them. Petrissa finally took note of several large barrels tied to the roof above Hans, and as the net broke dust filled the room. “Watch out!” She cried as dust filled the room, she couldn't tell if her friend had escaped from the trap, she could only hear the elderly gentleman’s mocking tone from nearby. “I guess if we can't have a dialogue you'll have to die.”

Tags: @Master Vo'Un'Var