Assassin's Creed IV: Black Wing

The first thing I heard was the sound of soft cello music filling the air. I could already feel my body relaxing as it teased my ears with a sense of serenity. The whole courtyard was paved with a brilliant white marble, all of it surrounding a gazebo covered with wild flowers.

All the tables were neatly laid out with all these fancy snacks and sandwiches, the sight making my mouth water slightly. This would have been the perfect place for a fancy tea party. That would have been so much fun, all of us together again.

The small party was filled by about six different ponies, most of them looking very noble and regal with fancy clothes and manes. There were a couple of them wearing some kind of blue military uniform, almost like the ones from Cloudsdale. Oh gosh, I must have looked like some sort of tramp compared to them. I bet it was the mane, I really didn’t like the mane.

I guess it wasn’t t-

...

Spitfire was here.

Spitfire and Soarin’ were here.

Spitfire and Soarin’, the same two Wonderbolts who had seen me multiple times! What were they even doing here?! Did the Wonderbolts even perform this far away from Equestria? It didn’t even matter, I was screwed.

Is that..? Oh Celestia, don’t tell me-

Yup, it was Fancy Pants. The plan was ruined, everything was over, all of it for nothing! I was going to get caught and imprisoned and sold into slavery where I’d work the fields till I died of exhaustion!

No no no, he saw me! I’d been spotted! Abort mission, abort mission!

“Ah yes, I believe she’s finally arrived.”

Wait, what?

“Over here, my dear.” Fancy Pants called me over, but I was still gobsmacked. Either this was a trick or the plan was actually working! I’m not going to die yet!

I trotted over to join the group, even though every fiber of my being was telling me to run away as fast as I could. My eyes wandered over to the nearest wall, wondering if I could manage to climb over it before I was noticed. I even managed to put on a smile as Fancy Pants kissed my hoof in greeting.

“Miss Wallpole, I presume. Ah yes, you’re the spitting image of your father. How is he doing these days? I haven’t seen him since I last visited Fillydelphia.”

Okay, okay, calm. How did she even speak again? Was it some kind of crude Trottingham accent? I guess Wallpole the ‘Jolly Sailor’ would have to do. “Oh, aye. I… can’t say I know how he’s doing, we haven’t… spoken in a while.”

Fancy Pants even seemed happy with this. “Ah yes, I thought as much. A fine but stubborn stallion, always stuck in his ways. But I must ask, in your letter you said you were supposed to arrive three days ago. Why the delay?”

“M-my apologies. Our ship was scuttled by a storm and I was badly injured.” Technically true. “Luckily I managed to get a lift here with a local merchant, I just arrived this morning.”

“Goodness gracious; you must have sailed straight into a hurricane. What a frightful experience, but nothing a mare like yourself couldn’t handle I bet. You always had your father’s guts.”

I gave a small chuckle. “I guess I’m just very lucky.”

“Lucky for us as well. By the way, have you met Miss Spitfire and Master Soarin’ yet? Those two also have a keen eye for adventure, I’m sure you’d be thick as thieves, in a matter of speaking.”

I shook my head slowly. “No, no I’ve never met them before. What… exactly do they do?”

Fancy Pants looked a bit surprised. “Surely you know? Aside from their usual performances, the Wonderbolts are the elite members of our Order. We’ve had dealings with Spitfire’s family for centuries, longer if you believe the stories. Forgive me, but I assumed the Assassins already knew of our connections with the Wonderbolts.”

Order? Assassins? Was Fancy Pants part of some kind of cult? Maybe they were like a secret organization working for Celestia on top secret missions to save Equestria, sorta like spies. I could imagine Fancy Pants as a spy.

But I still had no idea what the Assassins were. They sounded… menacing, even intimidating. Did that mean Wallpole was an Assassin? “No, the… Assassins never told me about this. What sort of dealings do you usually have with them?”

Fancy Pants raised an eyebrow, but proceeded to swat away the question with a charming smile. “Now that information is strictly limited to those within our Order. Until your induction I have a responsibility to make sure our secrets remain just that, after that I will answer any and all questions you may have.”

Now he’s talking about inductions into this “Order” which I don’t even know anything about! What was Wallpole getting herself into? I needed more information. “Can you still tell me more about your Order? I’m… not really sure what to expect when I’m... inducted.”

“Now that is a question I can answer.” He seemed glad with the change of topic.

“As you’ve probably figured out, everypony here, including myself, are part of an exclusive group. Our aim is and has always been the preservation of pony kind through order, stability, and unity; to enlighten the world on the path to true to peace. The Assassins have only ever sought chaos and disorder, thwarting our plans and killing our members. Their deluded ideas of freedom have cost us dearly.” He spoke with such disgust that I never expected from the kind old stallion.

“You have been a part of this struggle, you have seen the Assassins for what they really are; murderers who will stop at nothing until Equestria is in a state of anarchy. I speak for everypony here when I say we were overjoyed to receive your letter and learn that you had seen the truth of their actions. Every Assassin who decides to join us is more than welcome within our Order.”

That’s what Wallpole was doing. She was an Assassin, like the one that tried to murder Twilight and… and killed Spike. It had to be them. Wallpole left the Assassins to join this Order, but I guess she was still a killer at heart. Once a killer always a killer.

I wanted to ask more questions, I had so much I needed to know, but Fancy Pants silenced me with a hoof to my lip. “I think I’ve entertained you long enough. You can speak to me later after you’ve met with the Governor, one of the heads of our Order. Come with me and I will escort you inside the Villa.”

I didn’t like the idea of joining a secret group of ponies fighting a war against a bunch of crazed killers, but if it meant finally getting answers, then I was willing to do anything.

But in lighter news, the plan was working! Yay!

“Governor Torrent?” Fancy Pants knocked his hoof against the entrance to the study. I managed to peer past him and got a better look inside, and it was an amazing sight - the whole room was a huge and vast library of books. Each and every piece was dusted, cleaned, and sorted into its appropriate location in such a way that even Twilight would be jealous. She would have really loved this place.

In the center of the room stood a large oak desk overlooking the verandah. Maps, scrolls and tomes lay scattered across its surface like an organized mess. Sitting there with back faced to us sat a far older looking unicorn, his coat a dull sandy yellow and his mane and beard faded to grey. He wore a lovely blue coat beautifully decorated with pattern woven of gold and silver.

“Ah, Señorita Wallpole. So glad you could finally join us.” He stood up from his workplace and removed his reading spectacles. “I must say, you look like you’ve been to Tartarus and back. Your appearance is something to behold, or is this sort of thing customary for you assassin types?”

I looked up and down my own ragged attire. I mean, it wasn’t that bad, was it? It was a bit filthy but I’ve seen Applejack go to parties in outfits worse than this. I think that’s about when smell of sea salt and sweat hit my nose, my cheeks lighting up red with embarrassment.

“I admit, your profile was a very interesting read. Your father, was a carpenter, no? Quick Fix, I think his name was. Raised in Trottingham before relocating to Fillydelphia some years ago.” How did they know so much about me- I mean Wallpole? Were they spies?! “You’ve been described as well mannered, elegant, but prone to acts of violence - An issue I’m sure we can work around in time.

“But where are my manners? I am Gobernador Swift Torrent de Hoovana, Grand Chronicler and Historian.”

I curtsied, although I wasn't really sure how I was expected to greet a member of the Templars. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Sir. I- I have so many questions to ask you, I don’t even know where to begin.”

He raised his hoof to silence me. “Forgive me, but there will be plenty of time for questions later. Right now I must know that you have delivered to us what was promised in your letter.”

Promised? Oh, he must mean that glass cube I found in these saddle bags. Wallpole must have made some kind of deal in exchange for joining these ponies. I rummaged around my bags till I pulled out the small cube and presented it to the Governor, his eyes instantly lighting up upon seeing it.

“Muy buena, but first I must examine its contents, just to be sure.” He levitated the cube from my grasp and set it down on his desk. “Are you familiar with this technology, Señorita Wallpole?”

To be honest, I’d never really thought about the cube. What was so special about a glass cube? Was it like a puzzle of some kind, or a telescope? Maybe it was part of some kind of super weapon. I answered with a shake of the head, although he didn’t seem too surprised by this.

“The Assassins have kept many secrets over the years; this little trinket happens one of them.” The cube was once again surrounded in the bright blue glow of Torrent’s magical grasp. “Allow me to show you how it works.”

Suddenly the cube began to emit its own light, glowing brighter and brighter by the second. But then the light began to take shape, projecting images like some kind of hologram. I could even make out numbers and letters, maybe a list of some kind. Maybe the cube was designed to store information of some kind.

“Brillante!” Torrent cheered, the hologram disappearing back into the cube as he rested it back on his desk. “I cannot express my gratitude enough, Señorita Wallpole, for the delivery of this cube. Its information is… invaluable, essential to our cause.”

I gave a nervous smile, still not exactly too sure what I’d just seen. “H-happy to help, I guess.”

Torrent levitated over a small chest decorated with gold and jewels, in which he locked the glass cube before placing it back under his desk. “Of course, I understand that you will have many questions, and in time I will answer them. For now I would ask you to rejoin the others until I summon you all.”

Really...? More waiting? The plan was working well enough, nopony here recognized me as one of the Elements of Harmony, but I was no closer to finding my friends than when I first arrived. I guess I’d just try and talk to Fancy Pants later, maybe one of the other members. After all, one of them was bound to know something.

A guard came bursting down the hallway, his armor clanking and rattling as he tumbled through the doorway. “Mi señor, the main courtyard is under attack!”

Torrent looked shocked at the news, but nowhere near as shocked as I was. Forget being discovered or imprisoned, we were going to die! “A-attacked b-by who exactly?”

The guard didn’t really seem to have a straight answer. “I don’t know. Warriors, all dressed in white robes just like ghosts. Before we even knew what was happening they ambushed us, killing most of the guard and closing in on the guests. I only just managed to escape without being spotted.”

“Asesinos! I knew they would show up soon.” Governor Torrent said with disdain. “Gracias soldier, you may return to your post.” The stallion saluted and galloped back out into the hallway. “Wallpole, once again I must ask for help. My soldiers cannot fight off the Assassins alone; go to them and help the defense. We could certainly use your years of experience and training out there.”

...

I think I peed a little...