NOTES: There are absolutely going to be some spoilers in this. So apologies for that! I'm a bit rusty with my fic writing, so forgive me! Comments and love are much appreciated. Assassin's Creed and related characters are owned by Ubisoft - Citlalli, however, is a character of my own imagination. Thank you for reading!

1716 - Tulum

Tulum's jungle was a delightful escape for her - for others, its maze-like pathways and vine-filled passages would be sheer hell, but for such an experienced navigator who lived and breathed the thick, humid jungle air, it was sheer paradise. She moved with grace through the tree canopy, her lithe, agile frame almost dancing amongst the thick treetop boughs. She jumped eagerly from branch to branch, pouncing like a jaguar, making almost no noise as the ground passed more than fifty feet beneath her. For her, this was no hellish descent into an inescapable labyrinth of trees and brush; no, the jungle was a place where she could be alone, and be at one with the world.

Even after all of these years at Tulum, which was now the only home she could ever really remember, Citlalli was continually discovering more about the island home of the Assassins each day. Behind each vine, beneath the bough of each tree, there were secrets to be discovered; just a few days prior, she and her close companion had discovered a hidden catacomb on the western end of the island - its massive stone door had yet to be opened. Not for fear, though; but for respect. The Assassins firmly believed that the secrets of this ancient landscape would be divulged in time, and that their mystery was to be treasured and learned from. Ah Tabai, leader of the Caribbean branch of the Assassin order, and Citlalli's adoptive father, continually pushed this philosophy of allowing the land to reveal the secrets. As a descendent of the once powerful Mayan civilization, he was wise and knowledgable about the very wisdom these secrets could hold. He was also a deeply spiritual man, and firmly believed that the place would open its metaphorical doors, with time.

Citlalli had learned much from Ah Tabai, in the fourteen years she had been here. Not only had she learned the skills of an Assassin, and learned to live by the Creed which the Order follows, but she had also learned to trust her instincts, and to trust the world around her. Like Ah Tabai, she was a descendant of a mighty Mesoamerican empire; her own people, the Aztecs, had fallen nearly two hundred years ago. From what Ah Tabai had told her, she was from Mexico City - a place that, in her mother language, was once called Tenochtitlan. The older Assassin had rescued her from Spanish merchants, who had taken her captive after being orphaned in the city. When she arrived in Tulum some fourteen years previously, at nine years old, she knew no words in English, or Spanish - Ah Tabai, thankfully, had known enough Nahuatl to be able to communicate with her. He quickly schooled her in both English and Spanish, and was even knowledgable enough to pass on some wisdom of her own people. Indeed, there were other Aztec members of the Brotherhood that kept the culture alive, and nursed it within her. She had always been a quick learner, and intelligent, and with ease she picked up the various teachings given to her by Ah Tabai as well as the other Assassins. With time, Citlalli became as deadly an Assassin as any, her skills with the hidden blade matching those of the most experienced. It was, however, her ability to remain well hidden and move almost silently through the jungle that gained her admiration amongst the Brotherhood. She was quick, agile, and observant - something Ah Tabai fostered within her in her training.

Despite all this, and the gratefulness she had within her heart for such a life, there was a longing within her soul. It was a void that she longed to fill, a tugging on her heartstrings that told her there was more to the world than this. Whereas the other Assassins, some half her experience level, had been sent out on contracts and missions, she consistently remained at Tulum. Perhaps this was the overprotective nature of Ah Tabai, or perhaps it was because he knew about her naivety of the rest of the world - regardless, on the island she remained. The other Assassins returned home with stories of their successes, of their adventures - tales of danger, secrecy, pirates and Templars - things that she longed to see and experience for herself. Oh, how her mind reeled at the thought of putting her knowledge and skills to use!

But, she would have to subside those thoughts. She trusted Ah Tabai, and knew that the Mentor would one day trust in her skills enough to send her out in the world on her own. It was smarter not to push his boundaries - she had learned this as a youngster. Citlalli was a known troublemaker, since she had to find her own adventure here on the island, and she quickly came to realize that Ah Tabai, as wise as he was, had a temper; he was not to be trifled with. He was a stern disciplinarian, and dolled out extra duties to anyone who disobeyed his orders or brought disrespect to the Brotherhood. With this in mind, Citlalli learned to keep her own adventurous thoughts to herself, and not insist upon being sent out on missions with the other Assassins.

For now, she would have to be content with exploring Tulum.

Citlalli had reached the entrance of the grand temple on Tulum - it was a fantastic piece of ancient architecture, a beautiful example of the ingenuity of the Mayan people. She often frequented this place, to speak with her own gods within the sanctity of sacred space - the Mentor had shown her its various chambers and catacombs, and had offered her advice on seeking the wisdom of the gods. Beneath the giant stone effigies of the mystical serpents, which swam in the beautifully carved cathedral Castillo in which she found herself, she rested on her knees. From a small satchel she carried at her side she pulled some flint, some cotton, and a few pieces of copal resin. With great care, Citlalli ignited the cotton and placed it within a small offering bowl Ah Tabai had left within the sprawling temple. Placing the copal incense into the flames, she inhaled the scent deeply, watching as the billows of smoke carried her offering to the gods.

"Shining ones, great gods of my people," She inhaled deeply again, and closed her eyes, "I yearn for adventure. I seek to learn more of the world. My heart aches for the things I know lay beyond the horizon of Tulum. Help me, mighty ones - guide me out of this jungle and into the arms of the world." Citlalli bowed her head, completing her prayer, grabbing a few last small pieces of copal from her satchel and offering them to the flames.

"I wish I could seek as much solace with gods as you do," A voice from the temple entrance distracted Citlalli from her piety. The voice was somewhat raspy, an almost forced masculine vernacular which disguised very distinct feminine tones. She smiled, recognizing the voice, turning around to greet her friend.

"Mary," Citlalli replied, standing from before the offering bowl and walking to the temple entrance. "Sometimes, I wonder if they even listen." A smile crossed her face as she reached out to hug her friend in greeting.

"Indeed." Mary was quick to respond. She had done well, young Mary Read, convincing almost everyone (with the exceptions of Citlalli and Ah Tabai) that she was a young man. Mary masqueraded as James Kidd, an illegitimate bastard son of the infamous pirate William Kidd - and, as both a pirate and Assassin, she was well respected under her alias. Citlalli admired the girl's tenacity to keep up appearances, and to disguise herself so well as a young man; even now, as Mary stood before her, wearing her usual pirate garb, she passed quite well as the opposite sex. Citlalli supposed that most - if not all - of Mary's acquaintances were none the wiser. The girl was, truly, a master of disguise.

Citlalli adjusted her long skirt, brushing the dirt acquired from her adventures in the forest and from the temple floor from the fabric. "What brings you to the Castillo?"

Mary nodded outside of the temple front, down towards the central point of the Assassin village. "Ah Tabai is looking for you," She began, seemingly distracted by the exterior of the temple, "He sent me to fetch you. But look, Citlalli - I have some business to attend to. I can catch you up later, perhaps?"

Citlalli nodded. "Yes, I will be expecting you! Best of luck with your business - I won't keep Ah Tabai waiting any longer."

With that, Mary was off (she was never one to speak too much), headed in opposite direction of the village. The other girl seemed to keep to the shadows as she went, as if the business she had was secretive and hers alone. Citlalli shrugged, presuming that it was nothing of her concern, and gathered her things. Her bare feet made almost no noise as she left the temple, and headed down the great stairs towards the heart of the village.

She arrived quickly, knowing that her foster father was not one to be kept waiting. Indeed, Ah Tabai was anticipating her arrival. He greeted her with a warmness she only ever saw extended towards her.

"I am sorry, Father, I was in the temple," Citlalli apologized, dipping her head in respect for her elder.

A small smile crossed his stern face. "A wise thing, I should think," The Mentor began, turning to look out over the village and towards the island's port. "I expect that change is coming soon, Citlalli. There is something amiss. The Templars are more active than we have seen in the past few years - I think they have discovered something." She observed his features, then, seeing some concern ripple through his eyes - for a moment, it made him look much older than he was.

Her heart leapt - was he finally going to send her out in the world, to see what the Templars were plotting? Had the gods answered her prayers? "What would you have me do, Mentor?"

Ah Tabai turned back to her, a sudden fierceness in his gaze. "I expect you to remain here. And, indeed, to listen to any instructions you are given." Her leaping heart sunk. "I fear for your safety, and for that of the Assassins. We have been lucky that the Templars do not know of our location, but there is little certainty that they will not discover us," He placed a hand on Citlalli's shoulder, his fingers almost hesitant in their grip, "You would be wise to be keen to your surroundings."

Citlalli's eyes looked to the ground, "Yes, Mentor." Heartbreak was inevitable. But why would she expect that Ah Tabai would let her out on her own, now? She knew that he would let her go once he thought she was ready, and as frustrating as that seemed, Citlalli knew that Ah Tabai was more wise than her - he was, after all, a Mentor of the Caribbean Assassins Brotherhood.

A whistle pierced the air then, the shrill call that signalled Ah Tabai's presence was required elsewhere. His stern gaze softened for a moment as he looked at Citlalli, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "We will finish this conversation later. Be safe in the jungle." The whistle call sounded in the air again, this time more urgent. Ah Tabai grunted, nodding at his adopted daughter, rushing off into the brush towards the other end of the village. He seemed more hurried than usual, as if the matter was urgent - and, from what Citlalli could observe, he was right; there was something about to change.

She decided, then and there, that the best course of action would be to follow the Mentor. Her curiosity was piqued - she had to know more about this change, and what exactly was so urgent that he had taken leave of their conversation so quickly. Citlalli removed her satchel and hiked up her skirt, tightening the leather belt around her waist so it stayed firmly in place. Observing the line Ah Tabai had taken through the brush, she left in pursuit, carefully sticking to the shadows of the treelike and being cautious to make no sound.

This would certainly get her in trouble - but, at least, it was a break from normalcy. As far as Citlalli was concerned, she would take whatever sort of adventure she could get.