Tale of Secrets (open)

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The moon was shining, snow was falling silently and the night was cold. It was quiet and the snow turned the landscape into a winter wonderland. Maggie loved the snow, loved the Christmas festivities and normally she would be happy, playing with it while being scolded by some old ladies. But she wouldn't care and dance in the cold.
However, now it was different. She was a prisoner. Sure, they called her a guest, treated her with all the luxuries of the world but still, she was hidden away and was only able to get away from this mansion when her fiancé or brothers allowed it.
The young woman hated it, hated her fiancé and most of all her brothers. She had tried to talk to them, she even begged but nothing helped. She was merely a woman, meant to marry a rich man and to give birth to his children. But, no. She refused. She would not share her bed with this... monster.
If she would marry him there would be even less that she was allowed to do. There would be no books, no dancing, no... happiness.
The nights were the worst. In those times, while she would lie in bed, the bottled up feeling would creep out of her and she would cry. She missed her mother and her homeland. She felt like a stranger and felt as if she didn't belong into this land.

The young woman had made her decision. She would run away. She would try it again. And this time, hopefully, she would succeed.
It was night so she was sitting in bed and most of them were currently sleeping. She needed to be quiet. Maggie stood up and went to her closet and pulled out some warm clothes that she could wear. Like this she wouldn't have to worry about the cold.
Then she took some of the jewelry. She could sell it and take some money as long as she could by food. She hadn't been able to stock food, because she always had eaten dinner with her brother, her fiancé and other important people.

Maggie could take another name, maybe even pretend to be a guy, she didn't care if she needed to cut her hair. She would do it. As long as she could escape this horrible life that was waiting for her.
Her clothes and jewelery on her she stepped out to the floor. Nobody was there. But it was too soon to be relieved.
Slowly and as quiet as possible she walked until she got to a stairway, leading down to the halls. If she could get to the gardens... than, finally, she would be free.
Nervously she clenched her robes as she stepped down the stairs. The noise the steps were making weren't easing her fears.
Ah, finally. She was in one of the halls. Now to the gardens.
She looked around the corner and she gulped when she saw, that there was some light streaming out of a room.

(Two words - F***ing perfect.)

Rummaging through the room, and the cracks just in case, The Assassin was dissapointed. This was a Templar Mansion. Where was the intel? Plans? Anything? Sighing, he quietly said to himself, "Christ.. This better damn well not be a false lead.. or my Brothers mansion either.. after what he did to her...", and the rest being shrouded by his mumbling. Quietly, he exited the room, and held his lantern aloft, where his face was finally seeable. He was a good height - 6'3 (Dunno how many meters, can't think right now) - his hair was a simple dark brown, shiny in the light, a bit messy in general, as he began slowly walking down the hall, sword to his left underneath his dark brown robes.

(Thank you ^w^ And it's alright with the height, 6'3 inches is 1,9 meters )

If she would stop now, when would be the next chance to escape? Even if she didn't make it this time at least she had tried. Maggie closed her eyes and softly took a deep breath. It was going to be okay. No need to be afraid. Maybe someone just forgot to turn off the light.
As silent as possible she took a few steps, trying not to make a sound. She needed to get past this door. Her hands on the wall behind her she slowly sneaked by the door. Really she should have looked behind her. On the wall hung a painting, as she wanted to go past this stupid door her hands bumped into this painting. The painting fell, her eyes widened in realization her body and time froze.
"Nononono.", was the only thought that went through her mind as the fear clutched at her heart.

A noise piercing his ears, Timothy turned around, sword drawn, as he took a few steps to the presumed source. Finally, he said, "Two questions... Friend, or foe? Templar, or Assassin? Maybe a petty thief? If the latter of all - Do not mind I. Yet if the former of the second, I am afraid you shall face the wrong end of my blade.". Stepping closer, he began seeing clearer - a woman, seemingly unarmed. Due to the thinner arms and warm clothes, he figured she was upper class. Then, he said some what quieter, "...are you, perchance, the Templar behind this? The mind of it all? Or be you not, and simply a fair maiden with a veil over your eyes, being misguided?"

This is it. She would die. She would die and like this she would never find a way to escape from her fiancé. She would die in the building where she had lived a life as a prisoner.
But then the person started to say something and the only thing she could respond was: "...what?"
Very intelligent. Yes. Very good. Like this he surly wouldn't kill her.
This would be her last word. The last thing she had said in her life. Really, right now her self loathing was very evident.
Then, finally, her brain could work better, her fear was still there but at least, she had more control over her body.
Maggie then said, still not able to answer his question because she was still in quite a shock: "I-I mean... who are you?" Because if it was someone who lived here, he wouldn't ask such questions. Because everyone knew her at this mansion. And judging from his sword he didn't seem like a... nice person.

Hearing the shock in her voice, he lowered his sword, and said, "...a misguided maiden it is. Name's Timothy Butcher - third generation Assassin of the Butchers, thick line of Templars. Nasty bunch, aswell as the biggest alchoholics in Scotland.". Seeing as to how she did not pick up on him asking, he then said, "May I inquire why you roam these halls at these times, Miss... what is your name? Also - Are you a Templar, or Assassin... Hells, do you even know who Assassins are?". He was highly expected a 'no', but why not ask it anyway? Afterall, if she lives in a Templar mansion with no knowledge of Assassins, she could be a prisoner... oh god she could be more than a simple prisoner.

It was dangerous standing in the floor, she realized. What if someone walked on on them? After all she tried to escape... again. It wouldn't be a good thing and maybe this time she would get a worse punishment than the last one. Last time she tried to escape she was punished to a house arrest.
The panic that someone could find her, here, like this, worsened her fear for a short moment and she quickly entered the room and closed the door behind her.
Should she trust this man with her knowledge? Maggie glanced at him and inhaled some air to be more at ease. She straightened her back and cleared her throat. "M-my name is Malgorzata Jòsefina Potocka, member of the proud Potocki family from Poland. Before I answer those questions, may I ask why you are roaming the halls of my future... home?", she asked as much as she could with the pride of a noble lady. But she wanted to throw up when she put the word "future home" into her mouth. She would rather die than live the rest of her life in this mansion.

Smirking lightly, Timothy opened his afms somewhat comically, and said, "Simple. I find a Templar mansion, I find Templar plans. I find Templars. I find Templars... I kill Templars.", not a hint of cgange upon the last words. Then, he said, "'nother question for ya - why's you wearing such warm clothes in the dead of night, rushing so fast ya knock down a painting in yer 'future home'?", as he crossed his arms after setting down the lantern, slouching lightly. In the back of his mind, he was wishing this to go along swiftly - get home before sun rise, which was luckily very far away. A smirk coming to his face, he jokingly said, "And wha's with the posh and stiff voice? Just earlier, you stuttered and almost made your last word 'what'".

She bit her lips and answered instead: "What I do or why I am doing the things I... do. That is none of your buisiness. And it is no business of mine, why you decided to kill Templars." Really, he was the one who invaded the house of a noble family, so she should be the one asking the questions. And she couldn't risk to lose more time.
"That is how I learned to talk.", she said a little offended, her accent now more evident making it more noticeable that English wasn't her mother tongue.
"Listen here, I know little of Templars and Assassins. And at the moment I do not really care. I just want to leave. So, excuse me. I will take my leave now.", she said more composed.
Couldn't this guy just leave her alone? At least she decided that she would just leave.
Maggie turned to the door and wanted to open it and said: "Goody day, dear Sir." She had manners after all.
For a moment she considered to trust him. Should she...? Even if he could help her, could she really trust this stranger? No. She would not trust, she would make it somehow, alone.

Smirking lightly, he said, "Ah, an' where will yeh go then? No doubt sinful men would try tah take advantage of yeh. Gotta learn tah fight, defend yerself... might even get to my level one day, an' I started when I was ten. Been what, eleven, eleven and a half years.". Finally, he scratched his back a bit, and said, "Y'know... yeh can come with me, to my home. Now, before ya say anythin' - I already sleep with a lady, and my father and his father are there aswell. All o' us - Assassins, by blood or choice. You decide - Streets or a couch.", as he picked up his lantern, walking towards the door, and opened it for her.

"I'll go... somewhere." she answered unsure, but then she said more firm, "Even if you do have a lady, it doesn't mean anything. People cheat each other, it doesn't matter if someone is hurt or not."
She knew that she was right. After all, some time ago a man had tried something with her, regardless that he had a wife. In the end her brothers, overprotective like always, had saved her. Her hope that they would save her from her prison had sadly long died.
But who was she kidding? Without help she would die as fast as she could say "help".
When she heard a noise outside she looked at him with a mixture of anger and fear. "Fine, I will go with you, but please, can we leave? Before they know that I am not in my bed anymore! When they find out, that I escaped again, they will try to catch me.", she quickly extinguished the candles and quickly stepped to the hallway.
But she froze when a guard appeared before her. He was surprised too but quickly managed to overcome his surprise when he realized who she was.

Seeing the guard and realizing she might scream if he killed the guard, Timothy calmy and swiftly kicked him in the groin, and, after nicking the helmet off his head, he swung the lantern leftways, the lantern's bottom rendering him unconcious. Walking along the hall, he said, "Ride with me. My grandfather knew a kid in his late 20's, great with animals. That 'kid' now sells and breeds the finest and quickest horses around - Tennessee stallions. Plus I might've left yer stables open and untied the horses so i didn' lose mine.", and, opening a door to the gardens, said, "And, yer earlier comment - I dunno why ah'll cheat on the woman I had my first with. Hers too."

She was still in shock. She had never seen such a violent act, even if he didn't kill the guard. Maggie was in a daze and looked behind her, to the unconcious guard. For a short second she felt sympathy towards the guard. But she quickly disregarded him and concentrated on her escape.
Together they went to the gardens and she merely answered: "I wish I knew how to ride a horse. I was never allowed to." And if she thought about it, it was clear that without those skills, it would be harder for her to escape.
Finally in the gardens she stopped. What if a guard would find them? Maybe they would stop them? Timothy was only one men, the guards would be able to kill him! Doubt set down in her heart and she clutched the hem of her robes. Could she really risk the death of one man, someone who wanted to help her?
She shook her head. No, she would not be stupid to abandon such a rare opportunity.
"I do not know why people cheat. I just know that they do. And if you never cheated than you are truly an honourable man.", the young woman said quitely, her eyes scanning the gardens.
Maggie still wasn't walking and asked after some time: "W-what if someone finds us?"

Finding his horse, which was gleefully finishing the carrots Timothy had stolen from the gardens, he replied, "Simple, I kill them. If not, I die, and you will no doubt be thought to plotting with the enemy - Which is I.". Mounting the grey stallion, he offered his hand, and said, "Final chance. Start a new life, new family, new friends. Deny, and live with a Templar 'till your final breath.", as he attached the lantern to a nook in his horse's saddle. Lantern on his left, as his father said to do so. Then, he said. "You nay think I shall fall if your guards attack, but these men know only to jab the sharp end at bad things. I have spent more than half my life studying tactics, stealth, and combat, all three with multiple types of weapons. Do you trust me?"

Timothy and Maggie sneaked to the horse meanwhile she was looking everywhere, afraid that someone would see them. Her escape would be soon detected.
Then finally they arrived. "What a beautiful horse...", softly she patted the grey stallion. Maggie loved horses after all.
"Then I hope, that no one is going to disturb us and I really hope that you are as strong as you claim. And even if someone finds us and if you'll be killed, they would just punish me and marry me off as soon as possbile...", she exlaimed with suppressed hate. She shook her head at that. No, never would she be the wife of this horrendous man.
When the Assassin gave her one last chance, she made a last glance at the mansion that was now a long way off. Tears gathered in her eyes as she made her choice: "I will go with you."

Scotting forward a bit on the saddle, Timothy said, "Alright. Now, lets hope we run across no threats, for I wish to remove his burdens soon. ". Lifting her up on the back of a saddle, Timothy calmly said, "Hold on to the saddle or me - nearly fell off a horse of similar size when I was a young boy.", as they began riding off, going the same path Timothy went when he was heading towards the mansion. He did not gather much, but still enough, yet barely so. "If y'wan'," said Timothy as they rode, "Ah can show you some techniques, both mine and my father's, but ah'll gues yeh woul' wanna star' ou' simple 'n' easy?"

She was lifted up on the back of the saddle and before she could say a word or make herself more comfortable Timothy started to ride off. She nearly fell off but thanks to her reflexes she was able to clutch on the Assassin. Then she embraced him so that she wouldn't fall off.
Maggie had never sat on a horse and thus it was almost a good experience, if it hadn't been on her great escape. She wasn't sure if she had made the right decision and she glanced behind her. The mansion was already far from sight and again tears gathered in her eyes.
The young woman was brought back from her thoughts when Timothy started to talk. It was a little hard to understand what he had said and she answered: "I-I do not know... Let me think about it."

Timothy merely nodded, and said, "Alrigh'. That is quite understandable - It did take me a while to learn what I know now, after all. Basic combat trainin' would be a good idea to start on." . He was then silent for a bit. After a few minutes, Timothy spook up once more - "We'll be there soon. We have a spare room, up stairs then through the righ'. Try tah be a bit silent, though - e'ry one else is pro'lly sleeping now. It is quite late.". He paused for a second, then spoke up again - "'ow long were ya there anyway? Ya must've been there for a while to take tha hand of a complete stranger, after all."

She listened to him and couldn't quite help herself and she wondered: "Why are you helping me?"
Because for now she trusted him, trusted him to help her. And everything sounded wonderful.
A room to sleep in and learning how to combat - at least a little bit.
Everything sounded to good to be true.
"I have been there for over a year.", she answered him, "I can explain everything later. Your family will probably be interested as well."
And he surely talked a lot, which didn't really bothered her, but at the moment, she just wasn't up for talking. Only when she knew, really knew, that she was safe, would she be able to relax. And maybe even smile again.

Timothy just lightly shrugged, and said, "Ah, it just fel' like the right thing tah do, after just stumblin' upon yeh back there, y'know? I was in no reason to refuse, and, well, this doesn't happen often.". He looked ahead of them - slight light was visible from a distance. "Ah, this is it. Just a bit more and we'll be there.". A few minutes passed by when the came up to the house - quite bland in looks, being quite short for a two story house, with few windows above, and the majority on the first floor. Not much was noticeable from the front, but there seemed to be a slight path heading behind the house. "It's not much,", he said, "but it keeps a nice lil' low profile.". He slowed the horse down to the front of the house, and quickly hopped off, tying it to a pole that had a rope on it. He looked up slightly at her, and said, "Y'need help gettin' down, or d'you got it?"

Well, that was all the explanation she needed. She still didn't trust him fully, and only the future could say what would happen.
They already had been riding quite some time in the winter cold night, so when she hear him say that they would soon arrive on their destination she felt relieved. At least for now. Who knows what will happen when her fiance finds out that she ran away?
Then they arrived. It was a fine house, not what she was used to though. But she wouldn't complain. She would have been nearly statisfied with everything if it meant getting away from that mansion.
"It's not so bad.", she said to him smiling.
He got down from the horse and she answered: "Yes, please. It had been one of the few times that I've been on a horse." A relieved smile still on her face.

Timothy nodded, and said, "Of course - Just raise your left leg up and mov it to right, with your right leg, and then you'll be able to just slide down safely. I have to go inside and set up some stuff, due to the place I found you being a bit of a bust." He walked away, opened the door, went inside, and left the door open. His footsteps were faintly heard as he hurried up what must have been stairs.