Part I: Ta Keria

I

"Are you okay?"

"That wasn't necessary."

His brow furrowed. "But-"

"I can handle myself," I said as I rose, brushing off nonexistent dust. "When he returns, he'll try and give me twice the thrashing."

I spared a quick glance at him, cheeks flushing in irritation at his expression of curiosity.

"Why would you stay with such a man?"

Even his voice was a nuisance.

Clenching my teeth, I spat out, "This is my home! It's my business that paid for this place, and I'll take his drunken buffoonery over leaving behind what I built!"

He seemed taken aback by my overt hostility, mouth open in surprise, and I felt chagrined, if only for a moment.

Apologize! a voice within chided me.

No, I shot back. Steeling myself, I squared my shoulders and leveled my gaze at him. "Well?"

He abruptly closed his mouth, lips pressing together into a thin line, then continued: "If I told you there was another place where you could live and work, free of him, would you consider it?"

I narrowed my eyes, giving him a once-over. "The catch?"

If he noticed my suspicion, he did not show his knowledge. "No catch. Our town is in need-"

"You said 'no catch'," I pointed out. "What's this about a town, then?"

His face twitched. "I assure you, it's not-"

"What? Not what I think?" I scoffed, heart plummeting. "Even if what you say is true, surely there are people better suited-"

"Would you have me leave you here with him, then?"

My throat seized at the quiet rage in his voice, the pleading, smoldering dark brown of his eyes. "No-"

"I've been right down the hall from you for the past month, and in that time, I've been woken up nearly twice a week from your arguments." He gestured to my cheek; my hand rose unbidden, then swiftly withdrew at the tender flesh from where the bastard had struck me. "How many times has he done this to you?"

"That's none of your business!" I snapped, ire rising again. How dare he-

There was a prick at my arm, and I slapped at it. Glancing at the area, I saw his hand retreating, needle disappearing into his sleeve.

My eyes widened, even as my lids felt heavy. "No…" I breathed, feeling my legs start to collapse, before the darkness took me.

כ

Ratonhnhaké:ton stared at the woman on the floor before him, irritation flashing through him for a moment. Why couldn't she see that he was just trying to help her?

A door creaked open, and he whipped his head round to glare at the intruder. The elderly woman froze for a moment, then just as quickly disappeared from view.

Sighing, he pulled out his cell, punched in a number, and pressed Call.

The line rung for a few moments, then: "Hello?"

"Deborah, I need your help with something. Could you come to the apartment, please?"

A yawn, then: "Anything for you, love. See ya in a bit."

"Thank you." Ending the call, Ratonhnhaké:ton stole a glance at the woman again, still soundly unconscious, then let out a small groan. What was Achilles going to say?

Author's Note: So, new AC story. I really need to finish what I have on my plate.

Anyways: Modern-day Ellennor fanfic. Not much else other than that. Well, except for maybe the '70s Ezio prequel.

-Nate