Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed, the only thing I take credit for is my OC's.

Summary: Daughter of an Assassin, Savra discovers she's a woman in a man's world and after the death of a loved one, she seeks revenge. What she finds along the way, however, is unexpected. Savra may start off as an overconfident girl, but by the end of this I hope to show her evolve into a humbled woman. This is a story of betrayal, a fight for life and love. But mostly it is a story of growth.

I hope you enjoy the journey.

Sombrette

Taming a Huntress

Chapter I

The Beginning

On the outskirts of Jerusalem lay farmlands surrounding the city walls. One farm was blanketed in vibrant, green grapevine fields. On the hilltop stood a villa. A modest two-story covered in healthy green vines that clung to the walls. It was a winery and it was run by Nasir the owner and his family, a wife and two children. His vineyard was directly responsible for the wine that would be served for many of the rich nobles of Jerusalem. He was well-respected and always had his orders ready on time. He and his family did not stick out at the least.

Well, most of the family didn't.

His oldest was Haydar, his son who took after him in both appearance and temperament. With dark, wavy hair, skin tanned dark from working out in the fields day after day. The only unusual trait about Haydar were his eyes, blue and bright, from his mother. It was something his boy used to his advantage when he saught the attention of the girls around the farms and city. It worked mostly, to Nasir's amusement.

And his youngest, Savra. The oddity in the family. The girl was two years Haydar's junior at eighteen. But sometimes one would think she was even younger with the way she tended to behave. Savra, though she took after her mother greatly in appearance, with a lovely enough face, deep auburn hair, and lightened skin, did not do so when it came to personality.

Sasha, his wife, was his marvel. She was everything one could desire about a woman. Her beauty was great, if different than what most were used to around Jerusalem, being European. And in the way she presented herself, many of his fellows admired Nasir for his wife. Always on top of everything that needed to be done around the house. Always dutiful in place at Nasir's side. And talented, with skill in fabric and food, but also in paints. There was only one thing Savra took after her mother in. A good hand at art.

In other things, Savra differed greatly. She was a brash girl who preferred spending her days in the forest that bordered the vineyard than the company of her mother inside the house doing chores. In fact, she preferred spending her time with most anyone other than Sasha. For the two clashed considerably. Sasha believed her daughter should behave a certain way, dress a certain way, speak a certain way. But Savra did as she pleased. Something Sasha blamed Nasir for.

Many times had she complained to Nasir about his leniency with Savra. Outraged when he taught the girl how to hunt with a bow. Appalled when he begrudgingly allowed her to occasionally train and spar with her brother Haydar when the girl begged.

"Learn to say no to that girl!" Sasha had said to him countless times over the years.

But it was something easier said than done for Nasir when it came to his daughter Savra.

Savra was spoiled by Nasir. He allowed her to do as she pleased because, in his mind, he didn't see how it was so wrong to allow her to have such a playful spirit. If he forced her to marry like most fathers do their daughters, she would lose it. The husband would most likely tame her, force her to have children, and stay in the house like the ever proper wife, or beat her until she became it. While that was okay for Sasha since that's what most women grew up expecting, he could never see Savra in that role. He would endure Sasha's everlasting complaints to stick up for his daughter and keep her from being forced to do anything she didn't want. He may be hindering the girl, but he planned on making sure she was well cared for as she grew. He doubted she would ever need to work, he earned more than enough. It was when he was not around that he worried for her. In his line of work –his real line of work– lifespans tended to be shortened.

As the girl grew older he eventually gave in to her demands to learn how to fight. The way he saw it was that it would give her an edge. It wouldn't be wrong to teach her how to defend herself. If she ever got herself into trouble while in the city, he would make sure she wouldn't be added to the list of helpless women that would fall prey to the corrupt guards. She was very much like her brother when the siblings would spar against each other under the watch of Nasir. More than a few times Nasir would watch his children have faux fights, and he would see two people capable of the same occupation that he had, but he would remind himself that she would never be allowed. He would never allow that.

Nasir was an Assassin. He was part of the Brotherhood. Ever since he was a young man like Haydar, just like his father, and his father's father. He was bred for it and his son would be no different. Haydar accepted it long ago, seeing it as a way to have a different lifestyle than just running a winery, which was a cover-up for Nasir's real job. While he owned the winery, but he didn't run it the way the city thought he did. His workers mostly ran it, and he would have put in a say now and then. But his real job came first.

Often he was away, claiming it was business trips to advertise his wine stock and gain more customers. When really he was off on assignments, completing tasks for the brotherhood or traveling to Masyaf for meetings and giving reports. Now more than ever did Haydar accompany him. The only one unaware of his occupation was Savra seeing as she never needed to know. Sasha knew because he couldn't lie to his wife for that long before she figured something was not right. Haydar knew because he was becoming one himself. But Savra had no need, and the more people who knew the more dangerous it became for the secret to be revealed. So she thought her father was a modest farmer, and he was okay with that.

The vineyard was filled with Nasir's workers. The day had been slow and hard going. Tonight there was going to be a grand feast held within the city in honor of one of the important nobles finding a new bride. The wines had already been packed in the crates and were to be loaded into the wagon by Haydar. All that was left was to pick enough grapes that were to be eaten along with the diner. Sasha was inside with some of her lady friends conversing over what to wear for the festival. She had managed to get the family invited. Savra was in the stables grooming Zeta the family horse, getting her ready to be harnessed to pull the wagon.

She hummed to herself as she ran the brush over the grey coat of the tranquil horse before her. Her even strokes cleared away any lingering dirt on the steed. She placed the brush on a shelf before walking over to a small basket and picking out a few leather strips. Approaching Zeta, she gave her a smile as she combed her fingers through the horse's mane.

"Shall we braid you too then?" Savra spoke gently as she begun twisting sections methodically.

Haydar came in and scoffed at her as he walked by to grab the bridle off the hook. She stopped her attentions on the horse to glare at him.

"What?" she snipped.

He started pulling Zeta away to take her outside, shushing the horse when she began to protest. "You were supposed to be done with her by the time I finished loading. She was supposed to be strapped already."

"I'm making sure she's clean." She walked up to him and snatched the bridle. "Let me finish." He reached for it back and she skipped around the horse to hold it out of his grasp.

"By the time you finish, the feast will be over and Papa will have a bad name for not making the deliveries on time, all because of your incompetence."

She glared at him and he used her temporary irritation to lunge and grab hold of the bridle, but she didn't let go. The siblings tugged each end, Savra leaning her weight back to add to her strength, Haydar, barely pulling, smirked at his sister and let go. Savra yelped as she fell back into Zeta's stall, inches away from manure. He walked to lean against the doorway, grinning proudly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

She lay there and turned to look at the manure that was too close to her face for her likings, she growled as she got up, glaring daggers at her brother and sneered. "You will pay." Before he had a chance to react, she tackled him and they fell into the hallway of the stables, Zeta spooked by the commotion, ran outside. They tumbled, each fighting for dominance. Haydar struggled to pin her hands behind her, she was always too quick for him, and she slipped out of his grasp and kneed him in the groin. He didn't cry out, but she could see the pain he held in on his face as his breathing became labored while he tried to recuperate. She rolled away from him and attempted to hop up, only to be snatched by her ankle and pulled back down hard. He moved again to restrain her hands and she struggled wildly. Mindful of her legs, he managed to pin her hands behind her with one of his, using his other to press firmly on her back to keep her down.

"I think," her brother said, "that I'll tie you here."

Savra's heart leapt. "You wouldn't."

She felt rope against her wrists and started to flail, but Haydar was too strong.

"Never doubt me, Savra," Haydar laughed as he stood up, dusting the straw from his trousers.

"I have to harness the horse!" Savra argued as she struggled against the rope.

"You're right, you do. But even such a basic task, you failed at. No one cares if Zeta has braids," Haydar replied and grabbed the bridle from where it had fallen, and started tugging the grey horse outside.

"Untie me!" Savra cried out when she saw he intended to leave her there.

Haydar only threw his head back and laughed, leading the horse out of site.

She whined in frustration and started twisting and turning in an attempt to free herself, but the rope was too tight. She flipped onto her back and used her heels to push her near the closest wall to use it to stand up. It was harder then she thought, the ground was digging into her wrists each push.

Lowered voices could be heard just outside of the stables but she paid no attention to them, she was too focused on the issue at hand. The voices became louder as she made one final scoot towards the wall.

"Savra!" a sharp voice sounded from the entrance. She tilted her head back from her prone position and in her upside-down view was her father, confusion on his face and by his side stood another man she didn't recognize.

"Papa..." She said uneasily.

"What are you doing on the floor?" he asked, irritation seeping from his voice. The man next to him looked amused while her father grew more frustrated and embarrassed. "Get up now, I told you to help your brother load the supplies," he barked as he strained to keep his anger down.

"But—"

"Now!"

She made no effort to move, seeing as how she couldn't actually get up. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

"Savra..." Nasir warned, his patience dwindling.

"I can't," Savra murmured quietly.

"Just get up, girl."

"I said I can't!" she raised her voice, he walked over to her and knelt down.

"What are you talking about?" Nasir grabbed her shoulder and pushed her into a seated position, giving him the view of her tied, restrained wrists."That boy," He gritted out to himself as he freed her hands.

"Don't worry, Papa, I plan to make him pay for his misdeeds shortly," Savra replied jovially as she hopped up and began brushing off her clothes before making her way to leave. He snatched her arm to stop her and when she looked back to him questioningly she saw he had his other hand pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Stop this. Of all days I do not need you two doing this to me. What I need is for all to run smoothly. I have too much to worry about today and I don't need your inability to take anything seriously to add to it," he told her, weariness layering his voice.

Her eyes widened in offense. "My inability? But he's the one—"

"Enough!" he cut her off. "Enough..." He looked over to the man still at the entrance of the stables, giving him an apologetic look. "Malik, I ask that you excuse my children's behavior."

Malik gave a chuckle. "It's quite alright, Nasir, my brother and I were no different at times." Nasir's look turned solemn at that statement but Savra didn't understand why. Nasir cleared his throat and pushed Savra towards the entrance where Malik stood.

"I don't believe you've met my daughter." He gestured towards her. "Savra, this is Malik, he is a cheese maker and has come to pair up the wine for the feast."

The younger man wore a dark blue tunic, brown boots, and tanned trousers. He had the same build as her brother and his face, which she noted, sported handsome features. 'Doesn't appear to be a cheese maker to me,' she thought, her bright, hazel eyes wandering over him curiously.

She offered her hand but froze when she noticed for the first time that his left sleeve was empty. 'He has no arm.' Savra looked up to him haltingly. He only smiled to her gently and offered his remaining hand which she shook with some hesitance.

"It is nice to meet you, Nasir has spoken of you quite a lot. You are an artist, are you not?" he asked calmly. She nodded numbly, not fully absorbing what he was saying to her as she strained to keep her eyes on his face, and not on his glaringly obvious missing limb.

"Yes," Nasir spoke for her with some pride, spine straightening. "She takes after her moth—"

"How do you create cheese with one arm?" Savra blurted. Nasir's head shot to her direction and her hand slapped over her mouth. Malik's eyes widened at her outburst.

"Savra!" Nasir hissed.

Her cheeks flushed with heat, and a nervous smile broke free from her lips. Her father could not look more embarrassed, but to their surprise, Malik started laughing.

"Please, she tends to speak her mind without thinking of how her words could offend others," Nasir apologized with a shake of his head.

"Do not worry about it, I'd rather have someone address it then just stare and pretend that I'm not really missing a limb," Malik replied, still chuckling. Nasir only shook his head again.

"And to your question, Savra, the answer is very easily."

She caught his secret wink gave him an amused smile as she straightened with interest. "How did you lose your arm anyway?"

"In a tragic cheese crafting accident," Malik replied with jest.

Her smile widened. "What happened to the cheese? Was it saved?" Savra asked with mock concern.

"It was thankfully. Still, to this day it is the best I've produced."

She laughed before looking over to Nasir. "Why is it I have never seen this cheese maker before, Papa?"

"Malik works for a private producer. It is not widely known." She nodded her understanding. "Well, enough of this, you have work to do and I suggest you get back to it." He looked to her sternly.

She sighed. "Yes." She made to leave but paused in her step and looked to Malik "It was nice meeting you."

He gave a small bow. "You as well."

She thought for a few seconds. "Will I... perhaps see you again?" Savra inquired with some caution, her hands wrung in front of her in a nervous habit. She saw her father tense slightly out of the corner of her eye.

Malik only looked mildly surprised as he blinked. He looked over to Nasir, mouth open, and words caught in his throat as though unsure of what he should say. He glanced back to her curious expression. "Perhaps," he replied slowly.

Savra smiled a pleased smile at his answer, then gave a polite nod and a small wave before she departed.

Nasir sighed after she left and glanced at Malik, who was watching her intently as she made her way to find her brother.

"Do not waste your time," he said quietly. Malik looked over to him, confused. Nasir only shook his head and continued, "She has no interest in taking a husband at this time."

"I have no interest in taking a wife at this time," Malik replied back with a small smirk playing in his eyes.

Nasir's gaze locked on Malik's, reading his face, not liking what he saw. "Don't." Malik raised an eyebrow in question and Nasir gave him a warning look. "Do not think to pursue her, Malik. I don't need her with someone like you."

Malik frowned, Nasir's words were bordering offensive and they took him by surprise. Nasir was not a man to put others down easily, especially comrades. "...Someone like me?"

Nasir shook his head, explaining in a more softer tone, "I don't need her more involved with the brotherhood than she already is."

The younger assassin scoffed, his eyes finding the figure of the retreating girl making her way through the dusty vineyard paths. She was as the others described, the ones who'd had to the opportunity to visit Nasir's farm and happen to catch a glimpse of the girl. Odd in a way. When one looked at her brother, Haydar, they saw Nasir's in him, by appearance with some variation, and even how the boy acted. Calm, even-mannered, polite, and genuinely kind.

But the girl... she had Nasir's eyes, almost an exact copy, though her eyes held a youthfulness, a slyness, a trickery that Nasir did not possess. That was as far as Nasir's looks went on the girl. She held her mother's looks mostly, the softer tones of a woman. Arched, auburn brows over perceptive, grey-green eyes, and lips that seemed fixed to the side, always ready to form the crooked smile she smiled.

She didn't smile a teeth-bearing grin, or a demure little simper. She smiled with her eyes, that were bright against the dark line of her lashes, twinkling with mirth, and her lips would curve up, quirk, and pull to the side. Nasir smiled exactly that way as well. Malik found that slightly amusing, seeing his older comrade's traits pop up in the odd girl like that.

She was not bad to look at, he mused. If she took away the dirt smudges on her skin, let her auburn hair flow out of the messy braid and styled more appealingly. And if she wore some proper clothes. Not the faded bodice-type top and worn leathers for leggings. Her boots as well, the tanned leather slouching and cracking. The girl hid behind all of that, and it was a shame.

"I hardly think my time with her would be enough for her to find out," Malik finally said, then winced at how that came out. He had not meant to imply...

Nasir tensed up immediately, and shot Malik a hard glare. "She is pure, and is not the type to be used for pleasure. If that is what you crave, there is a city full of whores behind you."

"I didn't mean it that way, my friend." He sighed. "A lovely face though, in an odd way. I'm not sure I'd the will to turn her away if she came to me."

With that Nasir gave a sigh of his own. "Well, I only hope you would for her sake. She is ignorant to the brotherhood and I wish to keep it that way." He paused after a thought, giving a small chuckle. "It would be just like her, however, to be so... taken by a one-armed assassin in a matter of minutes. I could picture my wife's face now, blaming me for my daughter's strange tastes in all things."

Malik grinned. "One armed cheese crafter, Nasir. There is a difference." The two laughed as they made their way out of the stables to discuss the reason why Malik was really there.

Authors Note: Thanks for Reading!

Sombrette