Fic: LotS/Assassin's Creed crossover (Cara/Kahlan) Part 2
Fandoms: Legend of the Seeker/ Assassin's Creed (Brotherhood)
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Cara/Kahlan
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: None for LotS (maybe a few for AC Brotherhood)
Summary: After a murder interrupts an intimate moment between Kahlan and Cara they begin to distrust each other. While Kahlan sets out to uncover Cara's secrets, Cara does everything she can to prevent that from happening. The answers Kahlan seeks seem to be hidden in the catacombs below Rome. This journey of truth and lies puts them both in great danger, while their friendship is threatened to be destroyed by mistrust and betrayal.
A/N: Like I mentioned before - even if you've never heard of Assassin's Creed, you can still enjoy our favorite ladies in this story. This time it also gets a little darker and even more mysterious. Secrets will be revealed!
also lookie here
Chapters 1-8
Chapter 9 - Barriers And Betrayal
Kahlan dressed in haste, while cursing quietly. She had seen it in Cara's eyes - how that insurmountable wall had slammed down. She knew that the blonde wouldn't talk. At least not now. Whatever it was, as of this moment she wouldn't push any further.
Cara had already put on her clothes and was mounting her mare.
“Fine” Kahlan grumbled. She pulled her hood into place and stepped closer to her own horse. The white stallion was obviously nervous and Kahlan gently patted his neck to calm him.
She was still dripping wet but the dark cloak and hood hid her soaked shirt and trousers.
It truly would've been a sight if she was to ride through Rome in a wet, almost see-through, linen shirt.
Snorting at the thought she mounted her horse as well, and without another word, spurred her stallion on.
Kahlan rode hard, ignoring pretty much everything around her, because she was angry. She was angry at Cara for not talking and she was angry at the dead man for interrupting their moment and she was also mad at herself for feeling this way.
A few people had to jump out of her horse's way and a man, who was carrying a case, even dropped his wooden box. He turned and screamed a few obscenities but Kahlan didn't react. Her thoughts were still occupied with the murdered man in the baths and the events of the past days.
They returned to the centro, both of them guiding their horses expertly through narrow streets and past complaining townsfolk.
Kahlan was just rounding a corner, when something out of place caught her eye - a crimson cloak and a hat with a white feather.
Without hesitating, she got up and, standing on the back of her horse, jumped onto a balcony nearby. Clenching her jaw, when her ankle protested painfully, she grabbed the railing and hurled herself up, onto the roof.
Without missing a beat she ran across the roof tiles, jumped over a small gap and landed on another balcony. She had kept sight of the white feather the entire time and had also discovered a black coin pouch, with the emblem of the Borgia on it - confirming that she was pursuing the right person.
The man whom she'd been following was rather chubby and oblivious of his haunter. She watched him enter a deserted street and crouched down, ready to attack. Looking just like a feline predator she slowly inched closer to the spot that would allow her to take him down with one jump.
Taking one last breath she leaped off the balcony, her hidden blade extending with the characteristical sound.
The blade buried itself to the hilt into his neck, while Kahlan landed with one foot on the ground and the other on the man's back.
He was dead when his face hit the ground. A small but wild smile crossed Kahlan's features as she looked around making sure no one had seen anything.
She quickly turned back to the Borgia Courier.
These men were hard to catch and the Assassins had the order to kill them on sight. They usually carried important documents that would help them monitor the Borgia's doings. It wouldn't take much longer until they found out that the Assassins knew about the white feather as symbol of recognition. They would have to think of something new.
Kahlan briskly searched his pockets.
She found a bundle of letters, some florins and even an amulet that looked to be made of gold.
Suddenly Cara appeared by her side. “What are you doing?” she hissed clearly agitated.
Putting away her treasures, Kahlan stood to face the blonde.
“A Borgia Courier” she said, smiling triumphantly. “I don't think that he being here is a coincidence. Maybe now we'll learn more about what is going on” Kahlan said patting her pocket filled with letters, to emphasize her point.
“What makes you think something is going on?” Cara asked warily, pulling Kahlan out of the alley back to their horses.
Kahlan glared at her. “Don't even start” she warned. She knew that Cara was withholding something and she had tried not to think about it too much.
But now that they were back on their horses, making their way to the headquarters a little slower, she couldn't help but examine her feelings more closely.
She had nothing to hide from Cara and trusted the blonde more than anyone, but apparently these feelings weren't mutual - she felt betrayed.
This time Cara took the lead. She wouldn't let Kahlan take off like that again. It sure was a beautiful sight when the brunette jumped from roof to roof in a graceful manner, but she was still injured and it was simply too dangerous.
Meanwhile Kahlan stared at Cara’s back. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach, like she knew that something awful was about to happen. And she just couldn't stop the anger from bubbling to the surface. How could Cara just shut her out like that? Was their friendship not enough?
While she still pondered her relationship to the blond apprentice, they arrived at the headquarters.
After putting the horses back into the stalls, they decided to look through the letters they'd acquired from the Courier in one of the large rooms on the first floor.
Upon entering they both pushed their hoods down - a gesture which could be observed every time an assassin or apprentice arrived at the headquarters. Inside these walls they were among friends, not needing the anonymity, which saved their lives in Rome.
Once inside they looked around. Pictures and wall hangings gave the rooms of the headquarters a sophisticated aura and Kahlan usually enjoyed sitting in front of the fireplace, among other apprentices and read. But this time she was tense and rather uncomfortable as she lowered herself into an arm chair, next to the cold fireplace. Staring into the ashes for a moment she sighed and then turned to Cara who sat down across from her.
She produced the bundle from one of her pockets, realizing that her clothes had mostly dried during their ride.
Wordlessly plucking the letters apart, she looked at them one after the other.
All of them were sealed.
...
Chapter 10 - Secrets
Starting randomly she opened a letter and began to read. Cara did the same.
They sat in silence for a while.
The blonde didn't understand much of what was written on the piece of paper in front of her. The only useful information after three letters was that Cesare was going to meet with a high ranking politician. The rest might have been a code, or whatever, but how was Cara supposed to know?
She sighed, throwing the letter onto the growing pile, and leaned back.
“I don't know what you're hoping to find” she began, looking at Kahlan.
But what she saw made her pause.
Kahlan's gaze was dark, her fingers literally clawing at the paper in her hands.
Cara's heart began to pound loudly in her ears. Could it be that there really was information in this letter about that man in the baths and Cesare? Perhaps Cesare had wanted him dead, but why? Maybe because Cara had known him when she'd only been a small child.
Everything was possible.
“What is it?” she finally asked. “What have you found?”
Kahlan raised her eyes slowly - too slowly for Cara's taste and when that blue stare finally settled on her, the blonde actually flinched.
She felt a chill running down her spine. There was iciness in Kahlan's gaze, she'd never seen before.
Suddenly the brunette jumped up. “I need to talk to Machiavelli” she said and turned around.
Cara stared at Kahlan’s back, wanting to stop her friend. She wanted to tell her everything - the entire truth- but she had kept those secrets for so long and had protected them so fiercely that her lips were still sealed, even as her heart screamed for Kahlan to listen.
Without a second glance the brunette left the chamber. Deep in her heart she'd hoped that Cara would stop her, so that they could talk, but she wasn't surprised that it didn't happen.
Suddenly there was wall between them that hadn’t existed before. Kahlan couldn’t quite tell where it had come from or who had put it there. A few hours ago the blonde had kissed her and nothing had ever felt better. Now she ached for Cara to take her into her arms and tell her that everything would be alright. But it seemed like this time, Kahlan had to take care of things herself.
But since there was an entire Brotherhood of Assassins, she could just as well ask for some help. She needed to show the information she’d found in the letter to someone who knew how handle it.
She made her way through the hallways of the headquarters, up a few stairs, to the door of Niccolo Machiavelli’s chamber. Just as she was about to knock, the door suddenly opened and Kahlan found herself face to face with another important ally of the Brotherhood.
Everyone simply called this man La Volpe. He was the leader of the Thieves Guild of Rome and he also was a magnificent thief himself. There weren’t many things in Italy he couldn’t steal.
He looked at Kahlan for a moment, then smiled, bent down his head and stepped out of the way.
Kahlan nodded and entered Niccolo’s chamber. When she turned around to shut the door, La Volpe was already gone.
“How can I help you?” Niccolo asked, looking up from the papers on his desk.
Kahlan handed the letter over to the older man without a word.
He read it silently, while scratching his chin with one hand.
“That is quite unexpected” he murmured. “What do you think?”
Kahlan shook her head slowly. “I’m not sure. This seems to involve a lot of people, and there is so much we don’t know…”
Niccolo nodded. “I suppose it would be wiser to gather more information first.” He looked at the young apprentice while contemplating his next steps. “How is your ankle?”
Kahlan’s lips twitched. She knew what he was asking, and she was more than ready for an assignment.
“Where?” she simply asked.
Niccolo couldn’t help but smirk. “Il Colosseo. Take Valentino with you, it could be too dangerous if you go by yourself.”
Kahlan nodded.
She knew she couldn’t tell Cara what was going on, and Niccolo seemed to think so as well. There were only vague information in the letter, and she needed more, to actually find a course of action.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the blonde anymore, but she just couldn’t bring herself to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. She was an assassin. It was in her nature to be suspicious.
It also hurt her more than anything, that she had to shut Cara out, but there was no other way. She had told the blonde that she would keep her out of harm’s way, even if it meant putting herself in danger, and that is what she would do.
The Colosseum had been mentioned in the letter as well as this very day, so that is where she would go. It was at least a starting point.
She desperately wanted to find out what Cara was hiding from her, so that she could help the blonde. Her instincts told her that the dead man in the thermal baths had something to do with everything. And it sure wasn’t coincidental that she’d gotten a hold of these letters just now. All of the events were connected, but Kahlan wasn’t sure how Cara fit into all of this.
She looked one last time at Niccolo and then went straight for the library, to get Valentino.
She’d known the young man for quite some time and he’d proven to be a very good apprentice. He believed that knowledge would lead to the Borgia’s downfall. They wanted uneducated servants, not people who could think for themselves. That was why Valentino had his nose constantly buried in one book or the other.
He didn’t notice her as she opened the large double doors of the library and only looked up when she stood right beside him. She explained that she had an assignment and needed him to come along. He immediately agreed to help.
A few candle marks later they met in the grand foyer of the headquarters.
…
Chapter 11 - Deep Beneath The Surface
Kahlan hadn’t seen Cara again. The blonde had probably gone somewhere to think, or to beat up some unsuspecting Borgia guard. Violence had always been a way for her to blow off some steam.
Thinking about her friend made Kahlan’s chest ache. It was a strange feeling. She wanted to trust Cara so badly that it was almost a physical pain that she couldn’t. Up to this point they’d shared everything. Or at least Kahlan had thought so.
Her head was a tangled mess as she headed out to the Colosseum, together with Valentino.
The young man knew better than to ask what was going on, or why Kahlan was in such a bad mood.
Meanwhile Cara had been busy reading through the remaining letters once again. After Kahlan’s sudden departure she wanted to find out what might have been written in the letter the brunette had run off with.
The only thing she’d gathered was that, there had been a traitor - maybe the man in the baths - and if they had tortured him to get possession of information, they probably already knew who Cara was. She wasn’t exactly sure who ‘they’ were, but the Borgia certainly were involved.
Cara’s secret wasn’t safe anymore. And if it was revealed once and for all, it would probably be the death of her.
“I’m sorry Kahlan” she murmured.
Dying wasn’t even the worst about all of this. No, it was the fact that she’d probably lost her best friend’s faith.
Sighing she turned around and was about to leave the room as she heard noises. Hiding behind a statue, she spotted Kahlan and another apprentice.
They obviously were about to leave the headquarters and without hesitation she decided to follow them.
While Kahlan and Valentino walked through the streets, Cara made her way up onto the roofs, to pursue them unseen.
It almost seemed like they were heading towards the Colosseum, but the ways of the assassin usually were unpredictable so Cara settled for simply following them.
After a rather eventless chase they, indeed, ended up in font of the Colosseum. When Cara climbed up on the outside, Kahlan stayed on the ground and, together with Valentino, entered the large amphitheater through one of the many archways.
From her spot high above the large central performance space, Cara could watch them snooping around, but she had absolutely no idea what Kahlan was looking for. And something told her that she’d rather not find out anyway.
If the brunette really happened to gather more information about Cara’s past, she would’ve to tell Kahlan everything. And then Ezio would also come to know what she’d been hiding for so long.
What would their wise leader do with her? Kill her, to make an example of her?
But before she could get too lost in imagining worst case scenarios she saw something moving down below.
Kahlan must’ve seen it as well, because she pulled Valentino inside a nook, as a few figures emerged from the shadows to gather in the center of the Colosseum.
Strangely enough one of the men gathered, wore a wolfskin around his shoulders, and the skull of a wolf on his head.
From where Cara was perched she couldn’t hear what was spoken, but she kept an eye on everything, especially on Kahlan.
The brunette was watching intently as the men - whose faces were hidden in shadows - discussed something. She too, wasn’t close enough to understand anything, but the dagger which, the man with the wolfskin, was carrying caught her eye. It was the exact same copy of the one that had been buried in the dead man’s back in the baths.
After a few more words were exchanged and a letter had changed hands, the little gathering broke up.
Kahlan decided to follow the man with the wolfskin but as he rounded a corner, she lost track of him for a moment and suddenly he was nowhere in sight.
It was as if he’d just disappeared. Confused she looked around.
“Should we follow someone else?” Valentino asked quietly. Kahlan shook her head. “No. That man has the letter, I saw him take it.”
A noise suddenly caught her attention. She hurried over to a wall, stopping in front of, what seemed to be, a cupreous trap door. Kneeling down, Kahlan braced herself with one hand and kicked the door. To her surprise it actually moved. The opening was barely large enough for an adult to fit through.
It seemed like it led down into the catacombs of the city.
“Very interesting” she murmured and looked up at Valentino. He obviously wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of climbing into this hole. But Kahlan only raised her eyebrow to make clear that he had to accomplish a task, if he wanted to or not.
Without hesitating any further, Kahlan elegantly slipped through the trap door and disappeared into the darkness.
She landed hard, with both feet, on the moist ground. A sudden pain shot through her ankle up her leg, causing her to stumble forward. “Merda!” she hissed while Valentino appeared right beside her. He flailed wildly trying to regain his balance.
“Let’s find the wolfman, get the letter and then out of here as quickly as possible” she mumbled while kneeling down to massage her hurting ankle.
Water was dripping down the dark walls, and rats were darting around. But nonetheless there were torches illuminating the corridor that stretched out before them.
Up above in the broad daylight Cara was skeptically eyeing the trap door. She’d seen how the wolfman had used it, and now Kahlan and the other apprentice were gone as well. “I really shouldn’t be here” she murmured. It would’ve been more sensible to just turn around, go back to the headquarters, gather her belongings and leave. She was quite sure that she wouldn’t be an assassin anymore by the end of the day, but she was too worried that something could happen to Kahlan so she decided to go down into the catacombs as well.
…
Chapter 12 - Deceived
After landing on the ground with grace, Cara looked around. Her eyes needed a few moments to adjust to the sudden darkness but she could clearly see two figures in the distance.
Ezio had once briefly told her about these catacombs. He’d said that it was way too dangerous down here, especially if you were only an apprentice. You could easily get lost or fall victim to the wolves. Cara had thought that Ezio must’ve been quite confused because he’d been talking about wolves underneath the city but, just as always, he’d simply been telling the truth.
The blonde had a really bad feeling about this place. She just couldn’t let Kahlan go any further and quickly caught up with them.
“You shouldn’t be down here” she said, startling both apprentices.
Kahlan didn’t look happy at all to see Cara, and she also wasn’t thrilled about the fact that the blonde had followed them.
Valentino was the first one to react. “What are you doing here?!” he asked angrily and stepped closer to Cara to shove her away. He didn’t notice that she’d grabbed his arm until a moment later she’d pulled him forward and raised her knee at the same time, so that his forehead connected painfully with her kneecap. He crumbled to the ground unconscious, but Cara turned to Kahlan unfazed.
“I don’t know what you think you’ve found in that letter, but I’m sure it involves me.”
She knew that she was right because Kahlan did not answer.
She hadn’t even checked on Valentino because she was intently regarding Cara, as if she could find the answers in the blonde’s eyes. She must’ve hit upon a connection between Cara and the Borgia, otherwise Kahlan would’ve reacted differently.
“Please, tell me what you’ve found so that I can explain…” Cara’s voice was barely a whisper anymore. She stepped closer to her friend and pulled both of their hoods down in one swift motion. She needed to see these crystal clear blue eyes again. Even if it was the last time she had the chance to lose herself in them.
“I’ve never meant to harm the Brotherhood, but most of all I never meant to hurt you.”
Cara raised her hand and gently stroked Kahlan’s cheek with gloved fingertips.
The brunette’s legs almost buckled at the raw emotion she saw in these, usually stoic, emerald eyes.
She could feel the heat of Cara’s hand on her face, even through the material of the blonde’s glove. It was almost too much. Poor Valentino was completely forgotten.
Kahlan closed the distance between them and leaned forward. It felt like the most natural thing to do. Her heart beat faster as she remembered the feel of Cara’s lips on her own.
So many conflicting feelings were racing through her head, but at the first touch they were all gone.
Cara seemed hesitant for a moment, their lips only barely moving together, but when she felt the first timid touch of Kahlan’s tongue against her lower lip she wrapped an arm around the brunette’s waist and pulled her body closer.
The inquisitive wet muscle gently explored Cara’s full lips and then boldly demanded entrance to her mouth. The blonde eagerly complied. Their tongues dueled with one another, sending pleasurable jolts through Cara’s entire body.
Just as she was about to lose herself in the kiss, Kahlan retreated. Her breath danced across Cara’s lips, as she looked into green eyes.
“I’m sorry” she whispered, a pained expression crossing her features.
Cara’s brows drew in confusion. “What are…?”
She felt a tiny pain in her neck, and suddenly her legs buckled. Kahlan wrapped her arms around Cara’s middle and gently lowered her to the ground so that she was leaning with her back against the wall.
The blonde looked up at her friend with glassy eyes.
Kahlan held a small needle in her hand and it glistened in the torchlight. Poison.
It would render Cara unconscious for a while, but it was not harmful. The only side effect was a small headache when she woke up.
Kahlan knelt down in front of her friend who was trying with all her might to stay awake. “I’ll take care of everything. I hope you can forgive me” she said, smiling sorrowfully.
Just then green eyes slipped close and Cara slumped forward.
Kahlan rose and strode over to Valentino to nudge him with her boot. “Wake up!”
He sat up, holding his head in both hands while groaning. At the sight of an unconscious Cara he looked up at Kahlan. “What happened?”
“You’ll bring her back to the headquarters. Make sure she doesn’t escape. Right now she is under arrest and you’ll be responsible that she has everything she needs. If I find as much as a scratch on her…”
Valentino raised his hands in defeat. “I get it, I get it.” He got up, walked over to Cara and lifted her into his arms.
“Where will you go?” he asked Kahlan.
“Winter is drawing near I think I’m going to get me a new pelt.”
With one last glance at Cara who was out cold, she turned away and headed deeper into the catacombs of Rome. Valentino on the other hand had to find a way out by himself. He very well couldn’t squeeze Cara through the trap door, but there had to be another way back to the surface and he would surely locate it.
Meanwhile Kahlan carefully made her way through unknown territory, briefly wondering why everyone always obeyed her commands. She wasn’t even a true assassin yet, but the other apprentices still did as she told them.
Cara had once said that Kahlan had this ‘certain aura’ which made her seem like she’d always been a leader of some sort.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks to take a deep breath.
“Oh Cara I’m so sorry…”
She would’ve never though that it would ever go that far. She’d tricked her best friend!
She’d kissed her to distract her. It had felt so terribly wrong to do that.
Kahlan knew that she would never again be allowed to feel those soft lips. She’d missed her opportunity by deceiving Cara like that.
She traced her own lips with the tips of her gloved fingers - the rough material and the smell of leather sending a novel sensation straight to her lower belly. Briefly she wondered if, when everything would’ve been different, she would’ve had the chance to explore her feelings for Cara more thoroughly. It was like she was beginning to not just crave the blonde’s friendship, her mind and soul, but also her body.
“Now is not the time” she told herself. When this was over she would be having plenty of endless days to ponder what she’d lost.
Steeling her resolve she fought back the tears and tried to focus on the task at hand. She would deal with Cara later. Right now there was a wolf to be hunted down.
She began to move again and picked up her pace.
Because of the moist ground it was almost impossible to move noiselessly and she had to climb over fallen pillars or piles of rotting wood. When she jumped over a large dark hole she grabbed the edge on the other side, to pull herself up and not fall to her death.
She also had to move on different levels to find ways around all of the obstacles. It was as if a long forgotten city existed right underneath of Rome.
After she’d been on her way for quite a while, she finally reached a large vault. Small fires were burning here and there, bathing everything in an eerie light.
She heard a low growling from the shadows ahead, and soon the noise became louder and louder as more growls joined in.
Kahlan retreated until her back was against a wall, so that she wouldn’t suddenly be encircled by enemies or, for that matter, wolves.
…
Chapter 13 - Revelations
“You are so beautiful Kahlan” she murmured, while gently caressing the ivory skin of the brunette’s stomach with her fingers. The lithe body beneath writhed in pleasure as Cara placed small kisses to the collarbone, only to reclaim the lips which would forever taste the sweetest to her.
Small moans escaped her friend as her hands cupped the most perfect breast she’d ever been allowed to lay eyes upon. Carefully watching Kahlan’s expression she rolled her thumbs over the already erect nipples, eliciting another languid moan.
“What did I do to deserve you?” she whispered against kiss-swollen lips.
“I’m sorry Cara.”
Suddenly Kahlan’s eyes turned cold. An almost bizarre smile contorted her features. She produced a dagger from somewhere and, with a loud cry, thrust it into Cara’s shoulder. The blonde howled in agony and drawing back, hit her head somewhere.
That was when her eyes finally opened. The dream had left her breathless and her head was hurting as if she’d really hit it somewhere.
Looking around she realized that she was in her chambers in the headquarters. Slowly she rose from the bed. “Please, oh please, let everything just be a dream” she begged while crossing over to the door. She tried to open it, but it was locked. “You’re under arrest!” a voice called.
Cara groaned. “Kahlan what have you done?”
It all came crashing back to her. The kiss. The poison.
A feeling of deep betrayal settled in her heart. “How could you?” she wondered aloud, slumping back against the door.
Cara hadn’t cried since her parents and brother had been murdered. Back then she’d sworn to become strong - stronger than all of her enemies so that she could eliminate every single one of them.
Now tears threatened to escape her eyes. She stepped away from the door and then, with both hands, banged against it. “Where is Kahlan?” she called. “I want to talk to her!”
“She’s not back yet” the voice answered.
Cara’s eyes widened and she stopped hitting the door. “Valentino is that you? What do you mean she’s not back? Please don’t tell me you’ve let her go into the catacombs by herself!”
The silence that followed told her all she needed to know.
She had no idea how much time had passed since she’d been poisoned, but considering that Valentino had carried her back, several candle marks must’ve gone by.
“Come back, Kahlan” she murmured, touching her neck with her fingertips, clearly feeling the spot where the needle had penetrated her skin.
She wanted to be angry at Kahlan for what she’d done, but she realized that she would forgive the brunette everything, if she only came back unharmed.
“What a mess” she sighed.
There was nothing she could’ve done anyway. She was locked up in her own room, until anyone told her more about what was to happen to her, or until they came to torture information out of her.
She would’ve liked to throw a fit - hitting the door until shattered into a thousand pieces, but even her weapons were gone. All of them taken from her while she’d been unconscious. So escape wasn’t an option.
As she looked around for the first time she saw that food had been prepared for her, as well as a bath. A sturdy tub was filled with steaming water, and looking down at herself she realized that she indeed was covered in filth. For a moment she wondered if Valentino had dragged her through the mud on purpose. Dismissing that thought she began to undress.
But before she climbed into the tub, she pulled something out from under her bed. It was wrapped in a dirty cloth and obviously had been there for quite a while.
Putting aside the cloth, it revealed a black mask. The mask possessed two holes and was large enough to cover more than half of her face. It was actually quite beautiful and always remembered Cara of her past.
Finally settling in the tub, mask still in hand, she let her thoughts wander.
She’d gotten the mask from her brother when she’d been young. And when she’d had to flee from Silicy it had saved her life.
For a time, the Borgia had wanted her dead, and had sent their own assassins after her. Rome had been dangerous, a potential threat at every corner. So luckily enough, she’d arrived right when the Carnevale had taken place. With the mask no one had recognized her for who she was, among all of the other disguised citizens, and soon everyone had thought her dead.
That was before she’d met Ezio and had become an apprentice in the Brotherhood. Upon entering this secret Order she’d donned the mask and not looked at it again ever since.
Now it seemed like her past had finally caught up with her.
As she soaked in the hot water and looked absentmindedly at the mask, there was uproar somewhere in the building. She even heard someone scream.
She had no idea what was going on and ignoring the noises, put the mask on her face. It still fit perfectly.
Suddenly the door burst open.
Blood. There was blood everywhere. On her clothing, hands and even the left side of her face was completely covered with it.
There also was a pitch-black wolfskin draped around her shoulders and it was also drenched with blood.
A beautiful dagger dangled from her belt. The intricate designs were completed by the head of a wolf, which seemed to be spitting out the shining blade.
Taken en masse, Kahlan simply looked horrifying as she stood in Cara’s room.
The sun had long ago set, and she’d moved through the streets like a shadow - the wolfskin swallowing all light, making her almost invisible. When she’d knocked on the door of the headquarters the poor apprentice who’d answered had almost fainted.
Kahlan had hurried upstairs, going to straight to Cara’s room and startling a shocked Valentino in the process. “W-what happened?” he’d asked. “Are you hurt?”
“Out of the way” she’d snapped, and in the blink of an eye he’d run off, probably to wake Machiavelli and tell him of this gruesome encounter.
But until Niccolo was here, Kahlan had enough time to cut Cara’s throat and then drink a glass of wine.
The dagger that had been dangling from her belt was now in her hand as she walked over to Cara.
She pulled the mask from the blonde’s face and dropped it to the floor. It was the only sound in the room, even as the dagger was pressed against the delicate skin of Cara’s throat. Droplets of blood from the wolfskin dripped into the water in the tub, causing it to turn red. Kahlan leaned close to the blonde.
Cara did not move at all and only stared at Kahlan.
“Tell me” Kahlan hissed. “Did you think that, if you became my friend, you could deliver Caterina right along with me?”
When she didn’t answer, Kahlan increased the pressure of the dagger, slicing through the skin at Cara’s throat - even though only superficially.
“Speak, or have you swallowed your tongue, Borgia?” she spat.
There, she’d said it.
She’d said what she would’ve never thought to be true. Cara - her Cara - was a Borgia.
To Be Continued
A/N 2: If you're wondering what this whole wolf thing is about - it will be explained in the next part. Thanks for readin'.
Chapters 14-18
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Cara/Kahlan
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: None for LotS (maybe a few for AC Brotherhood)
Summary: After a murder interrupts an intimate moment between Kahlan and Cara they begin to distrust each other. While Kahlan sets out to uncover Cara's secrets, Cara does everything she can to prevent that from happening. The answers Kahlan seeks seem to be hidden in the catacombs below Rome. This journey of truth and lies puts them both in great danger, while their friendship is threatened to be destroyed by mistrust and betrayal.
A/N: Like I mentioned before - even if you've never heard of Assassin's Creed, you can still enjoy our favorite ladies in this story. This time it also gets a little darker and even more mysterious. Secrets will be revealed!
also lookie here
Chapters 1-8
Chapter 9 - Barriers And Betrayal
Kahlan dressed in haste, while cursing quietly. She had seen it in Cara's eyes - how that insurmountable wall had slammed down. She knew that the blonde wouldn't talk. At least not now. Whatever it was, as of this moment she wouldn't push any further.
Cara had already put on her clothes and was mounting her mare.
“Fine” Kahlan grumbled. She pulled her hood into place and stepped closer to her own horse. The white stallion was obviously nervous and Kahlan gently patted his neck to calm him.
She was still dripping wet but the dark cloak and hood hid her soaked shirt and trousers.
It truly would've been a sight if she was to ride through Rome in a wet, almost see-through, linen shirt.
Snorting at the thought she mounted her horse as well, and without another word, spurred her stallion on.
Kahlan rode hard, ignoring pretty much everything around her, because she was angry. She was angry at Cara for not talking and she was angry at the dead man for interrupting their moment and she was also mad at herself for feeling this way.
A few people had to jump out of her horse's way and a man, who was carrying a case, even dropped his wooden box. He turned and screamed a few obscenities but Kahlan didn't react. Her thoughts were still occupied with the murdered man in the baths and the events of the past days.
They returned to the centro, both of them guiding their horses expertly through narrow streets and past complaining townsfolk.
Kahlan was just rounding a corner, when something out of place caught her eye - a crimson cloak and a hat with a white feather.
Without hesitating, she got up and, standing on the back of her horse, jumped onto a balcony nearby. Clenching her jaw, when her ankle protested painfully, she grabbed the railing and hurled herself up, onto the roof.
Without missing a beat she ran across the roof tiles, jumped over a small gap and landed on another balcony. She had kept sight of the white feather the entire time and had also discovered a black coin pouch, with the emblem of the Borgia on it - confirming that she was pursuing the right person.
The man whom she'd been following was rather chubby and oblivious of his haunter. She watched him enter a deserted street and crouched down, ready to attack. Looking just like a feline predator she slowly inched closer to the spot that would allow her to take him down with one jump.
Taking one last breath she leaped off the balcony, her hidden blade extending with the characteristical sound.
The blade buried itself to the hilt into his neck, while Kahlan landed with one foot on the ground and the other on the man's back.
He was dead when his face hit the ground. A small but wild smile crossed Kahlan's features as she looked around making sure no one had seen anything.
She quickly turned back to the Borgia Courier.
These men were hard to catch and the Assassins had the order to kill them on sight. They usually carried important documents that would help them monitor the Borgia's doings. It wouldn't take much longer until they found out that the Assassins knew about the white feather as symbol of recognition. They would have to think of something new.
Kahlan briskly searched his pockets.
She found a bundle of letters, some florins and even an amulet that looked to be made of gold.
Suddenly Cara appeared by her side. “What are you doing?” she hissed clearly agitated.
Putting away her treasures, Kahlan stood to face the blonde.
“A Borgia Courier” she said, smiling triumphantly. “I don't think that he being here is a coincidence. Maybe now we'll learn more about what is going on” Kahlan said patting her pocket filled with letters, to emphasize her point.
“What makes you think something is going on?” Cara asked warily, pulling Kahlan out of the alley back to their horses.
Kahlan glared at her. “Don't even start” she warned. She knew that Cara was withholding something and she had tried not to think about it too much.
But now that they were back on their horses, making their way to the headquarters a little slower, she couldn't help but examine her feelings more closely.
She had nothing to hide from Cara and trusted the blonde more than anyone, but apparently these feelings weren't mutual - she felt betrayed.
This time Cara took the lead. She wouldn't let Kahlan take off like that again. It sure was a beautiful sight when the brunette jumped from roof to roof in a graceful manner, but she was still injured and it was simply too dangerous.
Meanwhile Kahlan stared at Cara’s back. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach, like she knew that something awful was about to happen. And she just couldn't stop the anger from bubbling to the surface. How could Cara just shut her out like that? Was their friendship not enough?
While she still pondered her relationship to the blond apprentice, they arrived at the headquarters.
After putting the horses back into the stalls, they decided to look through the letters they'd acquired from the Courier in one of the large rooms on the first floor.
Upon entering they both pushed their hoods down - a gesture which could be observed every time an assassin or apprentice arrived at the headquarters. Inside these walls they were among friends, not needing the anonymity, which saved their lives in Rome.
Once inside they looked around. Pictures and wall hangings gave the rooms of the headquarters a sophisticated aura and Kahlan usually enjoyed sitting in front of the fireplace, among other apprentices and read. But this time she was tense and rather uncomfortable as she lowered herself into an arm chair, next to the cold fireplace. Staring into the ashes for a moment she sighed and then turned to Cara who sat down across from her.
She produced the bundle from one of her pockets, realizing that her clothes had mostly dried during their ride.
Wordlessly plucking the letters apart, she looked at them one after the other.
All of them were sealed.
...
Chapter 10 - Secrets
Starting randomly she opened a letter and began to read. Cara did the same.
They sat in silence for a while.
The blonde didn't understand much of what was written on the piece of paper in front of her. The only useful information after three letters was that Cesare was going to meet with a high ranking politician. The rest might have been a code, or whatever, but how was Cara supposed to know?
She sighed, throwing the letter onto the growing pile, and leaned back.
“I don't know what you're hoping to find” she began, looking at Kahlan.
But what she saw made her pause.
Kahlan's gaze was dark, her fingers literally clawing at the paper in her hands.
Cara's heart began to pound loudly in her ears. Could it be that there really was information in this letter about that man in the baths and Cesare? Perhaps Cesare had wanted him dead, but why? Maybe because Cara had known him when she'd only been a small child.
Everything was possible.
“What is it?” she finally asked. “What have you found?”
Kahlan raised her eyes slowly - too slowly for Cara's taste and when that blue stare finally settled on her, the blonde actually flinched.
She felt a chill running down her spine. There was iciness in Kahlan's gaze, she'd never seen before.
Suddenly the brunette jumped up. “I need to talk to Machiavelli” she said and turned around.
Cara stared at Kahlan’s back, wanting to stop her friend. She wanted to tell her everything - the entire truth- but she had kept those secrets for so long and had protected them so fiercely that her lips were still sealed, even as her heart screamed for Kahlan to listen.
Without a second glance the brunette left the chamber. Deep in her heart she'd hoped that Cara would stop her, so that they could talk, but she wasn't surprised that it didn't happen.
Suddenly there was wall between them that hadn’t existed before. Kahlan couldn’t quite tell where it had come from or who had put it there. A few hours ago the blonde had kissed her and nothing had ever felt better. Now she ached for Cara to take her into her arms and tell her that everything would be alright. But it seemed like this time, Kahlan had to take care of things herself.
But since there was an entire Brotherhood of Assassins, she could just as well ask for some help. She needed to show the information she’d found in the letter to someone who knew how handle it.
She made her way through the hallways of the headquarters, up a few stairs, to the door of Niccolo Machiavelli’s chamber. Just as she was about to knock, the door suddenly opened and Kahlan found herself face to face with another important ally of the Brotherhood.
Everyone simply called this man La Volpe. He was the leader of the Thieves Guild of Rome and he also was a magnificent thief himself. There weren’t many things in Italy he couldn’t steal.
He looked at Kahlan for a moment, then smiled, bent down his head and stepped out of the way.
Kahlan nodded and entered Niccolo’s chamber. When she turned around to shut the door, La Volpe was already gone.
“How can I help you?” Niccolo asked, looking up from the papers on his desk.
Kahlan handed the letter over to the older man without a word.
He read it silently, while scratching his chin with one hand.
“That is quite unexpected” he murmured. “What do you think?”
Kahlan shook her head slowly. “I’m not sure. This seems to involve a lot of people, and there is so much we don’t know…”
Niccolo nodded. “I suppose it would be wiser to gather more information first.” He looked at the young apprentice while contemplating his next steps. “How is your ankle?”
Kahlan’s lips twitched. She knew what he was asking, and she was more than ready for an assignment.
“Where?” she simply asked.
Niccolo couldn’t help but smirk. “Il Colosseo. Take Valentino with you, it could be too dangerous if you go by yourself.”
Kahlan nodded.
She knew she couldn’t tell Cara what was going on, and Niccolo seemed to think so as well. There were only vague information in the letter, and she needed more, to actually find a course of action.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the blonde anymore, but she just couldn’t bring herself to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. She was an assassin. It was in her nature to be suspicious.
It also hurt her more than anything, that she had to shut Cara out, but there was no other way. She had told the blonde that she would keep her out of harm’s way, even if it meant putting herself in danger, and that is what she would do.
The Colosseum had been mentioned in the letter as well as this very day, so that is where she would go. It was at least a starting point.
She desperately wanted to find out what Cara was hiding from her, so that she could help the blonde. Her instincts told her that the dead man in the thermal baths had something to do with everything. And it sure wasn’t coincidental that she’d gotten a hold of these letters just now. All of the events were connected, but Kahlan wasn’t sure how Cara fit into all of this.
She looked one last time at Niccolo and then went straight for the library, to get Valentino.
She’d known the young man for quite some time and he’d proven to be a very good apprentice. He believed that knowledge would lead to the Borgia’s downfall. They wanted uneducated servants, not people who could think for themselves. That was why Valentino had his nose constantly buried in one book or the other.
He didn’t notice her as she opened the large double doors of the library and only looked up when she stood right beside him. She explained that she had an assignment and needed him to come along. He immediately agreed to help.
A few candle marks later they met in the grand foyer of the headquarters.
…
Chapter 11 - Deep Beneath The Surface
Kahlan hadn’t seen Cara again. The blonde had probably gone somewhere to think, or to beat up some unsuspecting Borgia guard. Violence had always been a way for her to blow off some steam.
Thinking about her friend made Kahlan’s chest ache. It was a strange feeling. She wanted to trust Cara so badly that it was almost a physical pain that she couldn’t. Up to this point they’d shared everything. Or at least Kahlan had thought so.
Her head was a tangled mess as she headed out to the Colosseum, together with Valentino.
The young man knew better than to ask what was going on, or why Kahlan was in such a bad mood.
Meanwhile Cara had been busy reading through the remaining letters once again. After Kahlan’s sudden departure she wanted to find out what might have been written in the letter the brunette had run off with.
The only thing she’d gathered was that, there had been a traitor - maybe the man in the baths - and if they had tortured him to get possession of information, they probably already knew who Cara was. She wasn’t exactly sure who ‘they’ were, but the Borgia certainly were involved.
Cara’s secret wasn’t safe anymore. And if it was revealed once and for all, it would probably be the death of her.
“I’m sorry Kahlan” she murmured.
Dying wasn’t even the worst about all of this. No, it was the fact that she’d probably lost her best friend’s faith.
Sighing she turned around and was about to leave the room as she heard noises. Hiding behind a statue, she spotted Kahlan and another apprentice.
They obviously were about to leave the headquarters and without hesitation she decided to follow them.
While Kahlan and Valentino walked through the streets, Cara made her way up onto the roofs, to pursue them unseen.
It almost seemed like they were heading towards the Colosseum, but the ways of the assassin usually were unpredictable so Cara settled for simply following them.
After a rather eventless chase they, indeed, ended up in font of the Colosseum. When Cara climbed up on the outside, Kahlan stayed on the ground and, together with Valentino, entered the large amphitheater through one of the many archways.
From her spot high above the large central performance space, Cara could watch them snooping around, but she had absolutely no idea what Kahlan was looking for. And something told her that she’d rather not find out anyway.
If the brunette really happened to gather more information about Cara’s past, she would’ve to tell Kahlan everything. And then Ezio would also come to know what she’d been hiding for so long.
What would their wise leader do with her? Kill her, to make an example of her?
But before she could get too lost in imagining worst case scenarios she saw something moving down below.
Kahlan must’ve seen it as well, because she pulled Valentino inside a nook, as a few figures emerged from the shadows to gather in the center of the Colosseum.
Strangely enough one of the men gathered, wore a wolfskin around his shoulders, and the skull of a wolf on his head.
From where Cara was perched she couldn’t hear what was spoken, but she kept an eye on everything, especially on Kahlan.
The brunette was watching intently as the men - whose faces were hidden in shadows - discussed something. She too, wasn’t close enough to understand anything, but the dagger which, the man with the wolfskin, was carrying caught her eye. It was the exact same copy of the one that had been buried in the dead man’s back in the baths.
After a few more words were exchanged and a letter had changed hands, the little gathering broke up.
Kahlan decided to follow the man with the wolfskin but as he rounded a corner, she lost track of him for a moment and suddenly he was nowhere in sight.
It was as if he’d just disappeared. Confused she looked around.
“Should we follow someone else?” Valentino asked quietly. Kahlan shook her head. “No. That man has the letter, I saw him take it.”
A noise suddenly caught her attention. She hurried over to a wall, stopping in front of, what seemed to be, a cupreous trap door. Kneeling down, Kahlan braced herself with one hand and kicked the door. To her surprise it actually moved. The opening was barely large enough for an adult to fit through.
It seemed like it led down into the catacombs of the city.
“Very interesting” she murmured and looked up at Valentino. He obviously wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of climbing into this hole. But Kahlan only raised her eyebrow to make clear that he had to accomplish a task, if he wanted to or not.
Without hesitating any further, Kahlan elegantly slipped through the trap door and disappeared into the darkness.
She landed hard, with both feet, on the moist ground. A sudden pain shot through her ankle up her leg, causing her to stumble forward. “Merda!” she hissed while Valentino appeared right beside her. He flailed wildly trying to regain his balance.
“Let’s find the wolfman, get the letter and then out of here as quickly as possible” she mumbled while kneeling down to massage her hurting ankle.
Water was dripping down the dark walls, and rats were darting around. But nonetheless there were torches illuminating the corridor that stretched out before them.
Up above in the broad daylight Cara was skeptically eyeing the trap door. She’d seen how the wolfman had used it, and now Kahlan and the other apprentice were gone as well. “I really shouldn’t be here” she murmured. It would’ve been more sensible to just turn around, go back to the headquarters, gather her belongings and leave. She was quite sure that she wouldn’t be an assassin anymore by the end of the day, but she was too worried that something could happen to Kahlan so she decided to go down into the catacombs as well.
…
Chapter 12 - Deceived
After landing on the ground with grace, Cara looked around. Her eyes needed a few moments to adjust to the sudden darkness but she could clearly see two figures in the distance.
Ezio had once briefly told her about these catacombs. He’d said that it was way too dangerous down here, especially if you were only an apprentice. You could easily get lost or fall victim to the wolves. Cara had thought that Ezio must’ve been quite confused because he’d been talking about wolves underneath the city but, just as always, he’d simply been telling the truth.
The blonde had a really bad feeling about this place. She just couldn’t let Kahlan go any further and quickly caught up with them.
“You shouldn’t be down here” she said, startling both apprentices.
Kahlan didn’t look happy at all to see Cara, and she also wasn’t thrilled about the fact that the blonde had followed them.
Valentino was the first one to react. “What are you doing here?!” he asked angrily and stepped closer to Cara to shove her away. He didn’t notice that she’d grabbed his arm until a moment later she’d pulled him forward and raised her knee at the same time, so that his forehead connected painfully with her kneecap. He crumbled to the ground unconscious, but Cara turned to Kahlan unfazed.
“I don’t know what you think you’ve found in that letter, but I’m sure it involves me.”
She knew that she was right because Kahlan did not answer.
She hadn’t even checked on Valentino because she was intently regarding Cara, as if she could find the answers in the blonde’s eyes. She must’ve hit upon a connection between Cara and the Borgia, otherwise Kahlan would’ve reacted differently.
“Please, tell me what you’ve found so that I can explain…” Cara’s voice was barely a whisper anymore. She stepped closer to her friend and pulled both of their hoods down in one swift motion. She needed to see these crystal clear blue eyes again. Even if it was the last time she had the chance to lose herself in them.
“I’ve never meant to harm the Brotherhood, but most of all I never meant to hurt you.”
Cara raised her hand and gently stroked Kahlan’s cheek with gloved fingertips.
The brunette’s legs almost buckled at the raw emotion she saw in these, usually stoic, emerald eyes.
She could feel the heat of Cara’s hand on her face, even through the material of the blonde’s glove. It was almost too much. Poor Valentino was completely forgotten.
Kahlan closed the distance between them and leaned forward. It felt like the most natural thing to do. Her heart beat faster as she remembered the feel of Cara’s lips on her own.
So many conflicting feelings were racing through her head, but at the first touch they were all gone.
Cara seemed hesitant for a moment, their lips only barely moving together, but when she felt the first timid touch of Kahlan’s tongue against her lower lip she wrapped an arm around the brunette’s waist and pulled her body closer.
The inquisitive wet muscle gently explored Cara’s full lips and then boldly demanded entrance to her mouth. The blonde eagerly complied. Their tongues dueled with one another, sending pleasurable jolts through Cara’s entire body.
Just as she was about to lose herself in the kiss, Kahlan retreated. Her breath danced across Cara’s lips, as she looked into green eyes.
“I’m sorry” she whispered, a pained expression crossing her features.
Cara’s brows drew in confusion. “What are…?”
She felt a tiny pain in her neck, and suddenly her legs buckled. Kahlan wrapped her arms around Cara’s middle and gently lowered her to the ground so that she was leaning with her back against the wall.
The blonde looked up at her friend with glassy eyes.
Kahlan held a small needle in her hand and it glistened in the torchlight. Poison.
It would render Cara unconscious for a while, but it was not harmful. The only side effect was a small headache when she woke up.
Kahlan knelt down in front of her friend who was trying with all her might to stay awake. “I’ll take care of everything. I hope you can forgive me” she said, smiling sorrowfully.
Just then green eyes slipped close and Cara slumped forward.
Kahlan rose and strode over to Valentino to nudge him with her boot. “Wake up!”
He sat up, holding his head in both hands while groaning. At the sight of an unconscious Cara he looked up at Kahlan. “What happened?”
“You’ll bring her back to the headquarters. Make sure she doesn’t escape. Right now she is under arrest and you’ll be responsible that she has everything she needs. If I find as much as a scratch on her…”
Valentino raised his hands in defeat. “I get it, I get it.” He got up, walked over to Cara and lifted her into his arms.
“Where will you go?” he asked Kahlan.
“Winter is drawing near I think I’m going to get me a new pelt.”
With one last glance at Cara who was out cold, she turned away and headed deeper into the catacombs of Rome. Valentino on the other hand had to find a way out by himself. He very well couldn’t squeeze Cara through the trap door, but there had to be another way back to the surface and he would surely locate it.
Meanwhile Kahlan carefully made her way through unknown territory, briefly wondering why everyone always obeyed her commands. She wasn’t even a true assassin yet, but the other apprentices still did as she told them.
Cara had once said that Kahlan had this ‘certain aura’ which made her seem like she’d always been a leader of some sort.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks to take a deep breath.
“Oh Cara I’m so sorry…”
She would’ve never though that it would ever go that far. She’d tricked her best friend!
She’d kissed her to distract her. It had felt so terribly wrong to do that.
Kahlan knew that she would never again be allowed to feel those soft lips. She’d missed her opportunity by deceiving Cara like that.
She traced her own lips with the tips of her gloved fingers - the rough material and the smell of leather sending a novel sensation straight to her lower belly. Briefly she wondered if, when everything would’ve been different, she would’ve had the chance to explore her feelings for Cara more thoroughly. It was like she was beginning to not just crave the blonde’s friendship, her mind and soul, but also her body.
“Now is not the time” she told herself. When this was over she would be having plenty of endless days to ponder what she’d lost.
Steeling her resolve she fought back the tears and tried to focus on the task at hand. She would deal with Cara later. Right now there was a wolf to be hunted down.
She began to move again and picked up her pace.
Because of the moist ground it was almost impossible to move noiselessly and she had to climb over fallen pillars or piles of rotting wood. When she jumped over a large dark hole she grabbed the edge on the other side, to pull herself up and not fall to her death.
She also had to move on different levels to find ways around all of the obstacles. It was as if a long forgotten city existed right underneath of Rome.
After she’d been on her way for quite a while, she finally reached a large vault. Small fires were burning here and there, bathing everything in an eerie light.
She heard a low growling from the shadows ahead, and soon the noise became louder and louder as more growls joined in.
Kahlan retreated until her back was against a wall, so that she wouldn’t suddenly be encircled by enemies or, for that matter, wolves.
…
Chapter 13 - Revelations
“You are so beautiful Kahlan” she murmured, while gently caressing the ivory skin of the brunette’s stomach with her fingers. The lithe body beneath writhed in pleasure as Cara placed small kisses to the collarbone, only to reclaim the lips which would forever taste the sweetest to her.
Small moans escaped her friend as her hands cupped the most perfect breast she’d ever been allowed to lay eyes upon. Carefully watching Kahlan’s expression she rolled her thumbs over the already erect nipples, eliciting another languid moan.
“What did I do to deserve you?” she whispered against kiss-swollen lips.
“I’m sorry Cara.”
Suddenly Kahlan’s eyes turned cold. An almost bizarre smile contorted her features. She produced a dagger from somewhere and, with a loud cry, thrust it into Cara’s shoulder. The blonde howled in agony and drawing back, hit her head somewhere.
That was when her eyes finally opened. The dream had left her breathless and her head was hurting as if she’d really hit it somewhere.
Looking around she realized that she was in her chambers in the headquarters. Slowly she rose from the bed. “Please, oh please, let everything just be a dream” she begged while crossing over to the door. She tried to open it, but it was locked. “You’re under arrest!” a voice called.
Cara groaned. “Kahlan what have you done?”
It all came crashing back to her. The kiss. The poison.
A feeling of deep betrayal settled in her heart. “How could you?” she wondered aloud, slumping back against the door.
Cara hadn’t cried since her parents and brother had been murdered. Back then she’d sworn to become strong - stronger than all of her enemies so that she could eliminate every single one of them.
Now tears threatened to escape her eyes. She stepped away from the door and then, with both hands, banged against it. “Where is Kahlan?” she called. “I want to talk to her!”
“She’s not back yet” the voice answered.
Cara’s eyes widened and she stopped hitting the door. “Valentino is that you? What do you mean she’s not back? Please don’t tell me you’ve let her go into the catacombs by herself!”
The silence that followed told her all she needed to know.
She had no idea how much time had passed since she’d been poisoned, but considering that Valentino had carried her back, several candle marks must’ve gone by.
“Come back, Kahlan” she murmured, touching her neck with her fingertips, clearly feeling the spot where the needle had penetrated her skin.
She wanted to be angry at Kahlan for what she’d done, but she realized that she would forgive the brunette everything, if she only came back unharmed.
“What a mess” she sighed.
There was nothing she could’ve done anyway. She was locked up in her own room, until anyone told her more about what was to happen to her, or until they came to torture information out of her.
She would’ve liked to throw a fit - hitting the door until shattered into a thousand pieces, but even her weapons were gone. All of them taken from her while she’d been unconscious. So escape wasn’t an option.
As she looked around for the first time she saw that food had been prepared for her, as well as a bath. A sturdy tub was filled with steaming water, and looking down at herself she realized that she indeed was covered in filth. For a moment she wondered if Valentino had dragged her through the mud on purpose. Dismissing that thought she began to undress.
But before she climbed into the tub, she pulled something out from under her bed. It was wrapped in a dirty cloth and obviously had been there for quite a while.
Putting aside the cloth, it revealed a black mask. The mask possessed two holes and was large enough to cover more than half of her face. It was actually quite beautiful and always remembered Cara of her past.
Finally settling in the tub, mask still in hand, she let her thoughts wander.
She’d gotten the mask from her brother when she’d been young. And when she’d had to flee from Silicy it had saved her life.
For a time, the Borgia had wanted her dead, and had sent their own assassins after her. Rome had been dangerous, a potential threat at every corner. So luckily enough, she’d arrived right when the Carnevale had taken place. With the mask no one had recognized her for who she was, among all of the other disguised citizens, and soon everyone had thought her dead.
That was before she’d met Ezio and had become an apprentice in the Brotherhood. Upon entering this secret Order she’d donned the mask and not looked at it again ever since.
Now it seemed like her past had finally caught up with her.
As she soaked in the hot water and looked absentmindedly at the mask, there was uproar somewhere in the building. She even heard someone scream.
She had no idea what was going on and ignoring the noises, put the mask on her face. It still fit perfectly.
Suddenly the door burst open.
Blood. There was blood everywhere. On her clothing, hands and even the left side of her face was completely covered with it.
There also was a pitch-black wolfskin draped around her shoulders and it was also drenched with blood.
A beautiful dagger dangled from her belt. The intricate designs were completed by the head of a wolf, which seemed to be spitting out the shining blade.
Taken en masse, Kahlan simply looked horrifying as she stood in Cara’s room.
The sun had long ago set, and she’d moved through the streets like a shadow - the wolfskin swallowing all light, making her almost invisible. When she’d knocked on the door of the headquarters the poor apprentice who’d answered had almost fainted.
Kahlan had hurried upstairs, going to straight to Cara’s room and startling a shocked Valentino in the process. “W-what happened?” he’d asked. “Are you hurt?”
“Out of the way” she’d snapped, and in the blink of an eye he’d run off, probably to wake Machiavelli and tell him of this gruesome encounter.
But until Niccolo was here, Kahlan had enough time to cut Cara’s throat and then drink a glass of wine.
The dagger that had been dangling from her belt was now in her hand as she walked over to Cara.
She pulled the mask from the blonde’s face and dropped it to the floor. It was the only sound in the room, even as the dagger was pressed against the delicate skin of Cara’s throat. Droplets of blood from the wolfskin dripped into the water in the tub, causing it to turn red. Kahlan leaned close to the blonde.
Cara did not move at all and only stared at Kahlan.
“Tell me” Kahlan hissed. “Did you think that, if you became my friend, you could deliver Caterina right along with me?”
When she didn’t answer, Kahlan increased the pressure of the dagger, slicing through the skin at Cara’s throat - even though only superficially.
“Speak, or have you swallowed your tongue, Borgia?” she spat.
There, she’d said it.
She’d said what she would’ve never thought to be true. Cara - her Cara - was a Borgia.
To Be Continued
A/N 2: If you're wondering what this whole wolf thing is about - it will be explained in the next part. Thanks for readin'.
Chapters 14-18