Fic: LotS/Assassin's Creed crossover (Cara/Kahlan) Conclusion

[raug_moss]

Fandoms: Legend of the Seeker/ Assassin's Creed (Brotherhood/Revelations)
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Cara/Kahlan
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: None for LotS (maybe some for AC)
Summary: After defeating Cesare and his minions, Kahlan and Cara finally have time to strengthen their friendship and explore their feelings. Even though Cara's past doesn't haunt her anymore, there is someone from Kahlan's childhood who brings nothing but trouble.
A/N: Finally, finally the last part. It took me forever to finish this story, but now that I did, I'm happy about the way it ends.

A/N 2: This is for synergyfox, jolo_65 and chickinwhite for commenting on the last part. Thanks guys!

Chapters 1-8     Chapters 9-13     Chapters 14-18

Chapter 19 - Never Really Gone

Stretching her arms above her head, Kahlan yawned. She had started the new day with a long breakfast and was now standing beneath the warming morning sun, near the training ground.
She hadn’t seen Cara all morning and guessed that the blonde was still asleep in her room.
After she’d taken a wonderful relaxing bath the evening before, she’d fallen asleep almost immediately after reaching her bed.
The feeling that everything suddenly seemed brighter and better had not left. She was content and happy.
The other apprentices of the Brotherhood were scattered around the training ground, working on improving their skills. Now that she was a true Assassin, she could decide whether she wanted to train or not.
While Kahlan watched them with a small smile on her lips, Catarina approached her niece.
“You did well my dear” she said smiling.
Kahlan turned to face her aunt. They hugged and Catarina held the brunette at arm’s length to study her white clothing. “It really suits you. We’ve finally gotten rid of Cesare and you’ve brought your girl back. How is she feeling?”
Kahlan shrugged. “She won’t admit that her shoulder is hurting, but the wound looks alright to me. She’ll be fine.”
Catarina nodded. “A stubborn one, isn’t she?”
Kahlan only shrugged, smirking.
“Well my dear, I do have a mission for you. I hope you’re up for it. I thought that maybe you could take her with you, so that she knows she’s still a member of the Assassin’s Guild.”
Kahlan leaned forward and kissed her aunt’s cheek enthusiastically. “Thank you Catarina. This means a lot” she said quietly.
“You’re welcome dear. But now listen. There is someone who needs our protection, an escort so to say. I can’t really tell you who, but this person is going to arrive in a horse carriage. They will come through the southern gate and you’ll have to get to them before they reach the Campagna district.”
“I understand.”
Kahlan nodded and scurried off to wake Cara. This was an easy mission, and it was also a reason to spend more time with her friend.
After everything they’d gone through, Kahlan wanted to spend every spare moment with the blonde. She felt like they needed to strengthen the connection they shared until nothing could ever tear them apart again.

Kahla walked through the halls and corridors of the headquarters until she stood in front of Cara’s room.
Quietly opening the door, she crept inside. The blonde was sprawled out on the bed, sound asleep.
The normally stoic features of her friend were now relaxed and calm. A small smile played on the blonde’s lips and her shoulder-length blond hair framed her bare shoulders.
Kahlan carefully crawled toward the head of the bed on all fours.
She placed her hands on either side of Cara’s head and leaned down, a few strands of her dark mane falling over her shoulders and tickling the blonde’s face.
She placed a gentle kiss onto her friend’s forehead, each eyelid, her cheeks and eventually her lips. Finally Cara stirred. She made contented little noise and slowly wrapped an arm around Kahlan’s waist as green eyes opened.
“I should put a bell on you” Cara murmured. The feel of the blonde’s lips moving against her own caused Kahlan to shudder.
The brunette Assassin smiled and retreated, until she was sitting at the foot of the bed. Being this close to Cara made it hard to focus, let alone speak.
“We have a mission.”
Cara’s eyebrows shot up, as she rested her upper body on her elbows to look at Kahlan.
“We do?”
“Yes. You and me. I told you you’re still an Assassin, and that is why you have to get up and get ready.”
“I need breakfast first” Cara groaned.
“While you go down to the dining hall, I’ll get our horses ready” Kahlan said grinning.
Even though their fight against Cesare had taken place only two days ago, she felt energized and ready.
And, judging by the way Cara jumped out of bed and stretched her shoulder, she was fine too.
With a last glance at her friend Kahlan left the room and went down to the stables.

Meanwhile Cara had dressed and entered the empty dining hall. Suddenly an apple came flying her way and she caught the fruit before it could hit her in the face.
Catarina stepped out of the shadows and walked up to Cara.
“I hate the Borgia” Catarina said, smiling bitterly. “And that means that I hate a part of you, however small it may be. But I do know that you care for my niece. I believe that you’re nothing like Cesare or Rodrigo, but know that I will keep an eye on you. Sometimes our bad blood gets the better of us.”
Cara only nodded. She understood why Catarina acted this way, but deep in her heart she knew that she would rather die before she caused Kahlan any pain.
The older woman’s features softened. “I trust you Cara” she said quietly. “And I’m glad that you’re an Assassin but I needed to say those things nonetheless. The people I care most about are members of this Order.”
“I understand” Cara replied sincerely.
“Good.” Catarina smiled and then walked away, leaving Cara alone with her thoughts.

A candle mark later the blonde joined Kahlan in the stables. They each mounted a horse and, like numerous times before, left the headquarters behind them.
“So, what is our mission?” Cara asked, riding next to the brunette.
“We’re supposed to escort a horse carriage. They will come in from the south around noon.”
“Then why are we leaving the Centro already?” Cara asked. If the horse carriage was to arrive around noon they still would’ve had plenty of time to do other things beforehand. Like sleeping.
Kahlan smiled. “I was thinking that, maybe, we could spend some time in the Campagna. You know away from everyone else. Just you and me.”
Cara couldn’t help but grin. It seemed like Kahlan had successfully arranged some alone time for them.
“What were you planning on doing then? Seducing me?” Cara asked cockily. Kahlan blushed and lowered her gaze. The blonde’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. Obviously her friend had been thinking of rather naughty activities.
Cara grinned and, in a swift movement, was crouching on the saddle of her horse. It was only a small jump and then she was sitting right behind Kahlan, wrapping her arms around the brunette’s waist.
Kahlan gasped and turned her head.
“Speak your mind. We still have plenty of time till noon and we surely don’t want to waste it” Cara purred.
Kahlan sighed and leaned back into the blonde, while gloved hands gently caressed her abdomen.
The horse, which was now without a rider kept happily walking beside his mate, who was now easily carrying the weight of both women.
Cara pulled Kahlan’s hood aside and began placing small kisses on her neck. A noise of contentment escaped the brunette’s lips as she leaned her head to the side to give Cara better access.
“I think we should take this someplace else” Kahlan breathed, watching the road they were on, from the corner of her eyes.
“Lead the way” Cara replied, blissfully nibbling on the skin beneath Kahlan’s ear.
The brunette Assassin steered her horse away from the road and further into the outskirts of Rome. Soon she found a nice spot, surrounded by trees and bushes, shielded from view. Cara’s continued ministrations had her squirming against the saddle and she was quickly dismounting her horse, pulling Cara along with her.
She used the moment Cara needed to regain her footing and pushed the blonde onto her back, following her in a feline fashion. The grass beneath them was lush and Kahlan slowly straddled her friend’s waist. Green eyes, filled with passion, looked up at her.

“I’ve been wanting this…” she murmured, lowering her upper body and brushing her lips against Cara’s. The blonde closed her eyes and hummed into the kiss.
Kahlan gently demanded more and traced her tongue across her friend’s lower lip.
Soon she was rocking against the body beneath her, delighting in the feeling of their tongues exploring each others mouths.
Cara began tugging on the white Assassin clothing and Kahlan had to sit up to remove her cloak, several blades, vest and shirt.
“You are incredible” Cara murmured as she stared up at the vision before her. Kahlan was from the waist up naked, and Cara raised her hands to gently cup perfect breasts.
The brunette’s head fell back and she closed her eyes as she resumed her slow rhythm against Cara.
The blonde knew that if she died right in that moment, she would die a happy woman. She massaged Kahlan’s breasts and felt the peaks harden against her palms.
“I need to…” Kahlan panted, but Cara understood. She reluctantly let go and sat up as much as Kahlan’s legs straddling her allowed. She quickly got rid of her own clothing, and with some fumbling here and there they both managed to undress one another completely.

When skin met skin they both moaned. The warm breeze whispering across their sweating bodies was like heaven as Kahlan put her hands on either side of her friend’s head.
She leaned down and they shared the most passionate kiss either of them had ever experienced.
Kahlan slipped her thigh between Cara’s legs and gasped at the wetness that greeted her skin. She’d never known that wanting someone so badly could become a physical ache.
The little moans and gasps Cara was releasing as she moved against her were the most beautiful thing she had ever heard.
Their nipples were brushing as the brunette quickened her pace, now forcefully thrusting against Cara’s aching center. The blonde grasped Kahlan’s behind and pulled her closer, meeting every movement with her hips. She came with a strangled gasp, and Kahlan reclaimed her lips again as she rode out her climax.
“I’ve never… this was…” Kahlan murmured, lovingly looking down at her smiling lover.
“I know” Cara whispered, brushing some strands of dark hair out of Kahlan’s face.
They spent the rest of the midmorning exploring each others bodies until they ended up in an exhausted tangle of legs and arms.
Kahlan had rested her cheek on Cara’s chest, listening to her friend’s heartbeat.
“Cara?”
“Yes?” the blonde asked, tenderly running her hands through Kahlan’s hair and up and down her back.
“Why haven’t we done this before?”
Cara chuckled. “I don’t know. But we’ll do it more often from now on.”
“I really do hope so” Kahlan replied grinning.
The air had become noticeably warmer and looking up into sky Kahlan groaned. “We’re going to be late. We need to get going to receive the carriage at the south gate.”
They reluctantly got dressed and refastened their blades and numerous belts.
Their horses had retreated to a clearing nearby, happily enjoying the grass.
Kahlan hissed as she pulled herself up into her saddle. The last thing she needed right now was a hard ride, but if they did not hurry they would not make it in time. Cara seemed to have similar thoughts as she shifted uncomfortably on top of her horse.
…

Chapter 20 - Remembering Yesterdays

They rode along the mostly empty streets, while everyone else trying to stay out of the hot midday sun. Kahlan was already panting but not from the heat.
The way the horse moved beneath her, and the way the saddle pressed against her still sensitive center were making it really hard to focus.
When they finally reached the southern gate, right before the horse carriage, Kahlan had gone through another minor climax. She leaned forward and slowly slid off the horse.
Cara was eyeing her with raised eyebrows as the brunette tried to regain her breath.
Just then a carriage with four snow white horses appeared by the gate and came to halt next to the two Assassins. The carter nodded and Cara returned the gesture, as Kahlan resumed her position on the horse.
They began to move again and followed the carriage in a slow trot.
The brunette Assassin wasn’t quite sure why exactly they had been ordered to escort whoever was inside the carriage, but soon realized that something was happening around them. The few people who had been on the street were now completely gone, instead there were men in dirty shabby clothes slowly closing in on them.
Cara had noticed as well, for she nudged her horse to ride closer to the carriage.
Just as she was about to do the same Kahlan felt a tug at her leg. A man was running next to her horse, trying to pull her down. She ripped her leg away from his grasp and slammed her boot into his face. He cursed and fell.
Cara had already unfastened a smoke bomb from her belt and, by the time the rest of the men had reached them, threw it on the ground.
They were immediately surrounded by thick smoke and Cara used this distraction to jump off her horse and ram her hidden plate into the neck of a man nearby. She hurried after the carriage and simply climbed on top of it. From there she could overlook the entire scene. While Kahlan was busy keeping her horse calm and at the same time killing another attacker with her sword, Cara used her throwing knifes to discard of another enemy.
She couldn’t quite tell who these men were. They looked like thieves, but were far too well armed.
“Who are they?” she called to her friend. “I don’t know” Kahlan replied as she yanked her blade out of someone’s shoulder.

Suddenly the front legs of her horse buckled and the animal fell to ground, taking Kahlan down along with it.
Another attacker had managed to kill Kahlan’s horse and the brunette was now trying to free herself form beneath the heavy animal’s body.
As the man approached, raising his sword to kill her, a dagger buried itself into his forehead. His eyes rolled back into his head and he was dead before he hit the ground.
With a small angry scream Kahlan managed to pull her leg out from underneath the dead horse and she jumped up to run after the carriage. The carter had been smart enough to keep going during the attack and now stopped next to the ruins of an aqueduct.
Kahlan looked around and then up to Cara who was still on top of the vehicle. She shook her head, signalling that there were no more threats to be seen.

Kahlan moved closer to the carriage as Cara jumped down and quietly landed next to her. The door of the carriage suddenly opened and an elderly woman climbed out. The woman stood back and helped another, younger woman, out of the carriage as well. The young woman was wearing a rather pompous dress and lots of jewellery. Her light brown hair had been braided artistically.
Her equally brown eyes widened as she spotted Kahlan. The brunette Assassin had the sneaking suspicion that she somehow knew this lady.
“Kahlan” she squealed and in the blink of an eye the brunette had a woman clinging to her body. She tried to remember who this person was and it suddenly came back to her.
“Chiara?” she asked and the young woman nodded. She kissed Kahlan’s cheek and stepped back.
“I would’ve never expected to meet you here in Rome Kahlan! It’s been years… and what are you wearing?”
Chiara eyed the brunette Assassin warily.
“I am… I am…” Kahlan began, not sure how she was supposed to answer. It was as if her past had just climbed out of that carriage to jump right into her face. She turned blue eyes to Cara who only stood there and shrugged.
“I am here to escort you to your destination” Kahlan finished instead, straightening her shoulders.
When Chiara only stared at her confused, Cara stepped forward and gently pushed the young woman back to the carriage. “You should get back inside.”
Chiara and her maid disappeared into the vehicle and Cara returned to her friend. “Are you alright?” she quietly asked. Kahlan had a somehow haunted look in her eyes.
“I think I just realized that if my parents had not been killed by the Borgia, this…” she pointed at the carriage, “could’ve been me.”

Cara moved back to her horse, which had surprisingly survived the attack and was now standing nearby. She mounted it and gestured for Kahlan to do so as well. The brunette sat sideways and buried her face in Cara’s neck when strong arms encircled her and took the reigns.
“This would’ve never been you. It’s just not in your nature to be like that…” Cara reassured in a quiet voice.
Kahlan nodded. She wasn’t sure why meeting Chiara had caused this kind of reaction. The only thing she had been able to think about was that she could’ve been a woman, who was only concerned with superficial appearances and the wishes of her husband.
“It seems like the Borgia did something good after all…” she murmured.
“Whatever reason may have led you here, I am only thankful to be able to hold you in my arms” Cara murmured and kissed her friend’s temple.

Upon returning to the Centro, they soon realized that Chiara would be staying in a house near the Assassin headquarters and it really did not agree with Cara.
“I don’t want her to be our guest” the blonde murmured as they watched the carriage enter the large patio of the house.
They returned soon after to the headquarters to report back about what had happened.
It had been wise of Catarina to send an escort because someone obviously wanted Chiara dead. But why this woman of her past was of any importance was quite a secret to Kahlan.

She only began to relax when she was nestled in Cara’s arms, sitting on plush cushions on their balcony, watching the sunset.
“Chiara’s and my father were trading partners and friends. I used to spend a great deal of time with her when I was a child” Kahlan explained.
She turned her head to the side and placed a gentle kiss to Cara’s jaw. The arms around her upper body tightened.
“And when my parents were killed, I left Florence without a word of goodbye. I don’t think I ever expected to see her again. She was to be married to a rich salesman of some sort.” Kahlan shuddered involuntarily. “And when I saw her today, I feared the feeling of being glad about my parent’s death. How could I be glad? It hurt so much when they were taken away from me. And I’ve always held this hurt in my heart to fuel my anger and help me take revenge…”
Cara gently ran her hand through Kahlan’s dark tresses.
“I understand. Believe me, I do. But you don’t have to be ashamed of the way you feel. Everything you have experienced and everything that lies before you is part of who you are. Your parent’s death is also part of who you are, and you should embrace every facet of it.”
Kahlan turned in Cara’s embrace, a teary smile on her face.
“When have you become such a poet?”
Cara grinned. “I think you’re rubbing off on me.”
Suddenly Kahlan’s eyes darkened. The blonde knew immediately what her friend was thinking, even though her words had been innocent enough.
For the rest of the night Kahlan left her sadness and guilt outside of their room and simply enjoyed the way her body reacted to Cara’s ministrations.
…

Chapter 21 - Uninvited

Chiara was indeed a guest of the Assassin’s Guild for the next few weeks. And the woman she had become did not resemble the girl Kahlan had known years ago a single bit.
She’d gotten married to a rich man, but rumor had it that he enjoyed the company of young men more than the company of his wife.
Chiara seemed to compensate this rejection by living out her own desires. More than one apprentice, male and female, returned late at night to the headquarters - a tell-tale smile on each face and the distinct smell of passion lingering in the air.
At first Kahlan wasn’t quite sure what was going on, until Chiara tried to work her charms on her old friend as well.

The time before the great carnival was one of feasts and gatherings, so Kahlan and Cara had been assigned to keep an eye on Chiara while the lady enjoyed the company of Rome’s nobility.
Dressed in the finest silk and with the hair done in an almost artistic way, it was rather hard to overlook Chiara.
Even though many young men tried their luck that night, the lady did not seem interested. Cara had excused herself under the pretense of needing some air, but Kahlan knew that the blonde was simply sick of watching people engage in meaningless conversations and use exaggerated gestures.
In a moment of inoberservance Chiara had sidled up to Kahlan, pressing her obvious attributes against the Assassin’s rigid body. She’d already had one too many cups of wine and Kahlan could clearly smell the liquor in Chiara’s breath as she leaned closer.
“You know, back when we were younger” she began, her brown eyes dancing from Kahlan’s face to her chest and back “did you never wonder what it would be like?”
Kahlan had to suppress the urge to roll her eyes. “What do you mean?” she asked, even though she was sure she did not care for the answer.
“Well, what it would be like if you engaged in some private activities… the temptations of the flesh…”
Kahlan’s face scrunched up as she tried to pry herself out of the woman’s embrace. In the beginning she had been glad that she and Cara had been assigned a mission, but watching over Chiara had turned into a real torture. This was only another low.
A small growl came from behind her and Kahlan turned her head only to find fiery green eyes staring at them.
“Saying ‘this is not what it looks like’ would be unnecessary, right?” she asked sighing. The corner of Cara’s mouth quirked upward.
“You know” Chiara drawled “this could actually be interesting.” She eyed the blonde with a sultry look that Kahlan did absolutely not like. She grabbed her old friend’s shoulders and pushed her back. “I think we should leave.”
“Just because the two of you don’t want to play doesn’t mean I have to quit” Chiara scowled. She huffed, turned away and returned to the actual feast.
They were in one of the larger mansions in Rome, belonging to some member of the Medici family, and it was filled with all kinds of people.
Kahlan even thought that she saw women disappearing together with men into more private rooms somewhere else in the mansion - she’d never liked these kinds of gatherings.
“What was that about?” Cara quietly asked.
“I think that it is time we make some things clear once we bring Chiara back tonight.”
“You really think so?” The blonde smirked and Kahlan gave her a pointed stare.
Since the time Chiara had arrived in the carriage there had not been another attempt on her life. Maybe the threat was gone and they could leave this infuriating woman to herself again.

It wasn’t much later until Chiara decided that she wanted some more enjoyment somewhere else. There was no use in arguing with her when she persisted on leaving together with a handsome young man.
The two Assassins followed the couple through the night unseen and eventually settled on a rooftop. The door of the balcony that led into the room beneath them was open, so Cara and Kahlan had pretty good idea what exactly Chiara was doing with her new acquaintance.
“Why do we have to watch over her?” Cara huffed as she leaned back and folded her arms beneath her head. Kahlan looked down at her friend. “I don’t know. Ezio probably thinks that is a good idea to send me because I used to know her… If you want to leave, I’m not stopping you.” Kahlan rolled her eyes when an overly loud moan reached her ears.
Cara smiled and slowly shook her head. “I’m not leaving you ever again.”
Kahlan took a deep breath and smiled broadly as she rested her head on the blonde’s chest and wrapped an arm around Cara’s middle.
“She is going to leave sooner or later. She has to.”
A long stretch of silence followed, only interrupted by a few noises from the room a story down.
“I don’t think I ever had a best friend when I was young” Cara murmured. Kahlan rested her chin on her hand which she had placed on Cara’s chest. Blue eyes looked expectantly up at the blonde. Even though they had known each other for quite some time, Cara had never had the chance to talk about her past and her childhood.
“My brother was my best friend. We did everything together and got into a lot of trouble. Especially when we were around Cesare.” Cara’s gaze darkened for a moment but she looked up into night sky and Kahlan could feel the shuddering breath her friend released.
“You know what is worth having?” Kahlan then asked.
The blonde raised an eyebrow, looking down into blue eyes.
“What?”
“A best friend who also happens to be your lover and confidant.”
“Now that is really something I would enjoy. Do you have any idea where I can find someone like that?” Cara teased.
Kahlan chuckled and sat up. She rested her hands on either side of Cara’s shoulders and leaned down. “I will think about it…” she whispered and then closed the distance between them to press her lips against the blonde’s.
Every time she kissed Cara it sent a pleasurable jolt down her spine and she was sure that she would never tire of feeling those lips.
When the noise of a carriage was heard on the street down below Kahlan groaned and rested her forehead against Cara’s.
“Time to go” she sighed. And just in time Chiara staggered out of the house and into the carriage.
They both rose and checked their hidden blade before following the vehicle into the night.

The next morning Kahlan immediately sought out her aunt. She found Catarina in the great library, talking to La Volpe. The thief smiled as he brushed past Kahlan.
“What’s going on?” Kahlan asked, approaching her aunt.
“The men who attacked Chiara, the day she arrived, were renegade thieves. La Volpe and his people have a kind of codex of morals, which these men do not want to follow. We are trying to find out why they would suddenly turn into would-be assassins.”
Kahlan considered this new information for a moment before she spoke. “I really need you to assign someone else to keep an eye on Chiara.”
“Why?”
“Because she is… just awful! I haven’t slept the last two nights and I want Cara to…well you know I want to spend some time with her. Alone.”
Catarina raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Fine. It will be done.”
“Thank you.” Kahlan breathed out a sigh of relief and returned to discussing other matters with her aunt.

But instead of spending the newly acquired time with Cara, she had to take care of some problems with the pack. She was their leader after all.
Cara watched from their bed as Kahlan wrapped the pitch black wolfskin around her shoulders. “I’ll be back this afternoon. And you’re sure you want to talk to La Volpe alone?”
“I can handle it” Cara said, the corners of her mouth quirking upward. “Besides, once I get there I’m sure I’ll be able to coax some information out of him. If I can find out who tried to kill your friend, we might be able to eliminate the threat and send the lady back on her way to Florence.”
Kahlan nodded and secured the dagger to her belt. Green eyes lit up every time she dressed in the wolfskin. It seemed to bring out the most carnal desires in Cara.
The blonde got up from the bed and wrapped her arms around Kahlan’s waist only to pull her closer.
“Be careful” she murmured and they shared a passionate kiss, almost making Kahlan forget why she’d needed to leave in the first place.
…

Chapter 22 - Not So Subtle

As she climbed down into the catacombs she briefly wondered when she had stopped being bothered by the moist air and the smell. Even though she had proposed to the pack that they move to some other place where they could meet and spend their days, the wolves had declined.
As soon as she started moving through the dimly lit corridors she was joined by a few of the Followers of Romolus.
Every time she spoke with them her voice became remarkably darker. Even one or the other growl occasionally left her throat. It sometimes shocked her when she realized that some mannerisms of the wolfmen had entered her life as Assassin as well.
And apparently Cara was more than a little excited whenever Kahlan released a throaty growl during their lovemaking. Kahlan smirked as she remembered the particular incident that had led to that discovery.
Still smiling to herself she reached the large vault and was immediately greeted by the rest of her pack.

Meanwhile Cara stood back and watched how the thief, who she was supposed to meet near the Capella Sistina, relieved some rich nobleman of his money.
These thieves were extremely talented and challenged the free climbing skills of the Assassins whenever they could.
But Cara was not in the mood for a race atop the roofs of Rome. She simply wanted to have a few words with La Volpe and get to the bottom of Chiara’s visit and her prolonged stay.
The thief, a young man with sparkling blue eyes, turned away from the crowd and spotted Cara on the other side of the square. He grinned and moved his head in a follow-me motion. Cara nodded and began trailing behind. La Volpe had different hideouts throughout the city and he was a busy man as well. If he did not want to be found then not even the Assassins would be able to locate him.
Cara briefly wondered what his real name was, but found it wiser simply not to ask. She’d had to painfully learn the lesson that names held their very own danger.
After a quick walk through the crowded streets she was left standing in front of an ordinary looking door.
She was about to turn and snoop around when the door suddenly opened. There was no one to be seen. The blonde raised her eyebrows and stepped inside. The room was dark and she needed a few moments to adjust her eyes.
“I know why you’re here” a voice informed her.
“Show yourself” the blonde hissed. She didn’t like to play and she wasn’t up for a game either.
La Volpe chuckled and stepped out of the shadows. “Alright. Listen, my men have kept their eyes open after we’ve realized that there are thieves who do not play by our rules. Now here’s what’s interesting, there was a frequent correspondence between them and someone in your Brotherhood.”
Cara pressed her lips into a thin line. “Who?” she asked, even though she didn’t really want to know the answer.
La Volpe hooked his thumbs into his belt and raised his eyebrows. “There would be nothing in it for me if I simply told you who it was, right?”
“What do you want?” Cara grunted.
“There’s someone I need silenced… I would do it myself, but what are Assassins for if not for disposing of enemies?” He smiled and cocked his head to the side, waiting for Cara’s response.
“Fine. Give me the name and I’ll take care of everything.”
“Do I have your word?”
“Of course! You thieves are the ones who cannot be trusted, so don’t turn the tables on me.”
La Volpe chuckled again, but pulled a letter out of a pocket on his belt.
“The name. It was a pleasure making business with you.” He tossed the envelope at Cara and then hurried out the door.
The blonde sighed and opened the letter to find exactly two words on it.
She crumpled the paper in her hand, her green eyes blazing with anger.

The blonde ran as fast as she possibly could. There were no horses in sight, but she desperately needed to get back to the headquarters.
The streets were full with people and Cara barged against men and women alike as she made her way through Rome. The angry shouts did not even reach her, the blood was rushing too loudly in her ears.

Catarina hurried over to Cara just as she skidded into the bailey. The head of the Sforza family clutched the blonde’s shoulder when she finally reached her. The older woman needed a moment to catch her breath. “Where… is…Kahlan?” she wheezed out. Cara’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. “I thought she is with the pack.” Catarina frantically shook her head. “She was, but then she left and never made it back to the headquarters.”
Cara tried desperately to make sense of all of this. “I just met with La Volpe. He gave me the name of a traitor in the Brotherhood.”
“What?!”
“Well technically she is not a member of the Brotherhood… it’s Chiara.”
Catarina’s eyes widened. “That little wench…!” she cursed.
Cara nodded. She had disliked Chiara from the very start. Now she was beginning to think that there was some kind of connection between her and the Borgia.
“I’ll send someone out to keep an eye on her” Cara murmured. Catarina agreed with a growl. The head of the Sforza family had long since realized that she liked the blonde’s quick mind.
“We have to be careful. Her husband has quite an influence in Florence. It would only make things more complicated to have him as an enemy. But if he is involved in this too - if he conspires together with the Borgia - then he is a dead man.”
“You can be sure of that” Cara added grimly. “But if Kahlan is not with you, and she hasn’t come back yet, where could she have gone?”

“What is it Chiara?” Kahlan groused as she was pushed down to sit on her old friend’s bed. The young lady seemed rather agitated as she marched from one end of the room to the other. Kahlan had just returned from meeting with her pack when she’d crossed paths with Chiara.
The other woman had urged her to come inside the house and Kahlan’s patience was slowly running out.
Chiara poured them both a glass of wine and handed one to the brunette. “Here let’s drink first, I need to gather my thoughts.”
Kahlan rolled her eyes at Chiara’s dramatic behavior but downed the wine nonetheless. Her throat was dry since she’d been running through the stuffy catacombs for the last couple of candle marks.
She put the glass aside and got up. “Enough Chiara. Why did you ask me to come here? I really have more important matters to attend to.”
Kahlan’s brows furrowed as Chiara suddenly stopped pacing and turned to her. There was something dark in her old friend’s gaze, something she’d never seen there before.
“What is it?”
Chiara smiled. “You shouldn’t have rejected my advances. We would’ve been good partners. Remember when we were young and you promised me that you would always be my friend? Now you run around in these ridiculous clothes and follow some kind of deluded cult. That blond little whore of yours can give you nothing!”
Kahlan was completely taken aback by Chiara’s outburst and she briefly wondered if she had only imagined it.
“What has gotten into you?” Suddenly the brunette grew angry. “How dare you speak of Cara in such a way? That’s enough, I will no longer tolerate your stay.”
Kahlan was walking towards the door, fully intent on leaving when her vision became blurry. The room around her started to move and she had to spread her arms to keep from falling.
“What did you do?” she slurred, trying to focus on Chiara. The last thing she saw before she passed out was her former friend’s cruel smile.
…

Chapter 23 - Conclusion

The day had passed and Cara still hadn’t heard from Kahlan. She’d sent out a few Assassins but they’d returned empty handed. Chiara had left the house where she’d been staying and was now nowhere to be found.
The blonde could almost feel it physically that Kahlan was in danger. There was no mistaking the throbbing pain in her guts.
She and Catarina were doing everything they could to find out where Chiara had disappeared to.
They should’ve never trusted that little snake in the first place. Cara also had the suspicion that there was more to it than simple greed. For whatever reason Chiara had aligned herself with the enemies of the Brotherhood, there seemed to be a personal aspect too.
Cara could wait no longer. She had been pacing the main room of the headquarters for far too long and would now take matters into her own hands. She’d vowed that no harm would ever come to Kahlan and she was determined to keep that promise.

After a reassuring nod from Catarina she began roaming the streets, willing to kill everyone who might get in her way.
Sweat was running down her back and her muscles began to ache as the sun slowly set on the horizon. She was running out of time and she knew it.
Just as she was about to climb onto another roof a wolfman appeared by her side. He seemed very uncomfortable so high above the ground.
“We found our Mistress and thought you would like to…” Cara had him pinned to the roofing tiles in the blink of an eye.
“Where?!” she growled, making the wolfman flinch.
“I’ll lead the way…” he replied fearfully.
“Hurry!” Cara commanded.

The wolfman jumped up and returned to the ground, where he could move more quickly.
They made their way through the city of Rome once again, Cara’s heart beating painfully in her chest. If she would find Kahlan in any other state than unharmed, she would make sure Chiara would never stop suffering for what she’d done. About now she was pretty sure that Kahlan’s and Chiara’s disappearance were connected.

The wolfman led her to an abandoned complex of houses on the outskirt of town. There were candles burning here and there, informing Cara that guards were certainly around.
She spotted two men walking out of a door and hid in the shadows along with the wolfman. These men looked like the ones who attacked the carriage weeks ago. It had all been a setup.
“The pack is here” the wolfman murmured. “What should we do?”
Cara raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “You’re asking me?”
“You are the mate of our Mistress” he simply replied.
“Alright. Fine. It’s quite simple actually, we go in there - as quietly as possible - and kill everyone who crosses our path. I’ll find Kahlan and take care of her personally. Get rid of the guards. Understood?”
The wolfman nodded, his eyes glinting dangerously.
Dark shadows suddenly began moving all around them. They were quick, Cara had to give them that. The two thieves didn’t even see them coming and they could not make a single sound because their throats hit the ground a long time before their bodies.

The blonde followed her new found friends into one of the buildings and tried to make out Kahlan’s whereabouts.
She was hurrying down a gloomy corridor as a groan reached her ears. She decided to follow the sound and soon stood in front of a flimsy looking door.
She knew these groans and they definitely came from Kahlan. She tried to mentally prepare herself for what she would see once she entered the room.
“You’ll regret…this…” Kahlan moaned.
Blood was boiling in her veins as Cara kicked the door open. It was ripped out of the hinges and careened across the floor.
There was an old wooden chair in the middle of the room. Kahlan was sitting on it, her blue gaze dimmed and her ankles and wrists tied with ropes. The brunette had repeatedly tried to free herself and now blood was seeping from rubbed sore wrists, running down her hands and dripping from her fingertips to the floor.
Chiara was standing before the brunette. Kahlan’s hair was in disarray and her cheek looked irritated and red.
Blood was rushing too loudly in Cara’s ears, explosions were going on behind her eyes and she was rooted to the spot for several moments.
It took all three of them to process what was happening.
“Glad…you could…make it…” Kahlan slurred. She obviously had problems getting the words out of her mouth.
Before any more harm could come to Kahlan, Cara had moved and dragged Chiara away from her lover.
She was so angry that she began to bang the young woman’s head against the wall until a sickening crunch could be heard.
This was nothing like the Assassins were taught to handle situations, but Cara was beyond reason. Chiara’s body slumped limply to the floor and the blonde was about to continue her assault when a weak voice tried to call her back to reality. Kahlan’s voice.
“Cara please…” the brunette begged.
Cara immediately let go of the body and hurried over to the chair. She cut the ropes with her hidden blade and carefully freed her wrists, inspecting the wounds, all the while not looking into her friend’s eyes.
“Cara look at me” Kahlan demanded. She could barely move her limbs and was grateful for the blonde’s help.
When green eyes finally met blue ones, tears were welling up in them.
“Not your fault” Kahlan murmured. It was increasingly difficult to keep her eyes open.
“’I’m so sorry” Cara replied quietly, gathering Kahlan in her arms.
“Don’t apologize, not your fault, take me home…” Kahlan whispered, snuggling deeper into the warm embrace.

It was much later that night when Kahlan woke up again. She was in her chamber, in her bed, and felt quite at ease.
Cara’s body was protectively wrapped around her own. She lifted herself up a bit and studied the blonde’s face. Her eyes were red and puffy, a sign that she’d cried not too long ago.
Kahlan brushed a few strands of blond hair aside and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the blonde’s forehead.
Cara’s eyes fluttered open and immediately settled on Kahlan.
“Are you alright? Are you hurting? Let me get some…” Cara began moving but Kahlan tightened her hold on the blonde.
“Don’t move” Kahlan murmured. “I’m fine. I’ve been through worse you know.”
They both fell silent, listening to the other breathe.
Cara’s presence calmed her immensely, and she soon felt like she couldn’t be happier.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there…” Cara began, but Kahlan silenced her with a small kiss.
“I know. Let’s not go there. But… what happened to her? Is she…?”
“Dead? No. She survived and Catarina hopes that she can get some information out of her, should she ever wake up” Cara replied.
“She’s gone either way” Kahlan murmured. It somewhat hurt that an old friend had turned against her, but she knew better than to dwell on it.
Instead she buried her face in Cara’s neck and inhaled the familiar scent. The blonde’s body relaxed into her own and she sighed dreamily.
“I love you Cara.”
“And I love you. More than anything. I will always stay by your side.”
…

Epilogue -The Future Yet To Come

Ten Years Later…

„Why in all the world did Ezio ask us to come here?“ Cara groaned. She wiped beads of sweat off her forehead with the back of her gloved hand.
Kahlan grinned. “I think it is beautiful here.”
Cara looked over at her lover, who was standing beside her on the deck of the ship. Little wrinkles appeared around the brunette’s eyes and corners of her mouth when she smiled, and Cara had never thought her more beautiful than at his moment.
“What are you looking at?” Kahlan said still smiling and watching Cara out of the corner of her eye. “We have the most impressive city in front of us and you’re looking at plain old me.”
Cara rolled her eyes. “You’re neither plain nor old” she mumbled, but gazed dutifully at the city that thrust its towers into the sky before them.
The shapes were so very different from Rome, as well as the smells and colors. And they hadn’t even come into port yet.
Cara had always thought that Rome was a city with high temperatures, but Constantinople was even hotter. Almost unbearably so. The blonde was sweating in her white Assassin clothing and it would probably take them an entire day till they could take a bath and relax.

When they finally reached the harbor and left the ship, Cara was ready to return home. She had not wanted this mission in the first place, but when their mentor called they had to follow. Kahlan on the other hand seemed more than eager to explore all the new treasures of Constantinople. Her blue eyes were bright, taking everything in.
“Look at these clothes” she said, nudging Cara and pointing to a group of women nearby. “They look like fancy exotic birds” Cara grumbled. Where was the use in wearing colors that made the onlooker instantly blind?
“Maybe a battle strategy” she murmured.
“What was that?” Kahlan asked without tearing her gaze away from the buildings and people.

Suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere and pulled Kahlan into an embrace. The brunette squealed completely un-assassin like. “You must be the beautiful niece of Catarina Sforza” the man drawled, his face dangerously close to Kahlan’s.
Cara’s hidden blade extended with the characteristical sound and she pushed the tip against the man’s neck. “Let go of her” she growled.
The man laughed and stepped back, raising his hands in a gesture of defeat. “I didn’t mean to scare you” he said with a thick accent. Cara snorted.
“I should have introduced myself first. I am Yusuf Tazim, leader of the local Assassin’s Guild. Welcome to Kostantiniyye.” He bowed.
“Ezio sent me to meet you here and to show you around a little.”
“Thank you” Kahlan said, smiling a little too much for Cara’s taste. She was still scowling at Yusuf.

He only winked at the blonde and began his tour. He indeed led them through the four important districts, showing them more or less important sights while talking most of the time. Kahlan politely asked questions every now and then, and looked at everything with child-like glee.
Meanwhile Cara was trying to decide which way she should kill their annoying guide. Simply strangling him with her bare hands was at the top of the list when they stopped to look at yet another palace or mosque or whatever.
They eventually reached the headquarters of the local Assassin’s Guild and Cara sighed quietly.
“This is our head quarter, but there are Assassin Dens all over the city. So if you ever need help, just go there. Well this is it for today ladies. Ezio will meet with you tomorrow, until then enjoy your stay.” Yusuf bowed once again and then walked away, leaving them in front of a large building.
“This city is amazing!” Kahlan exclaimed. “We should get us some of these clothes and then go to the Grand Bazaar.”
“I don’t know” Cara said wearily. She really had no desire to go to some bazaar and she sure didn’t want to wear any of these ridiculously bright colored robes.
But one look into those hopeful blue eyes and all her protests died in her throat. “Fine” she conceded. “But I need a bath first.”
“I’ve heard that they have the most wonderfully scented oils here” Kahlan replied, smiling broadly and making Cara’s heart melt.
The blonde just knew that, whatever awaited them in this new city, she would keep doing whatever she could to see that smile on Kahlan’s face till the very last of her days.

The End