Sub-contract 1: A Whisper in the Dark

(To clarify somethings: Yes the cloaked man is playing both sides of the fence, and no the Templar who accepts this contract does not have to give up 100 florins I just wanted to make it mysterious. Clear? )

It was approaching midnight in the middle of Venice when a dark, cloaked figure with a strung longbow crouched atop one of the rooftops overlooking a deserted side street. He was obviously waiting for someone and suddenly that person walked right in. The cloaked figure quickly knocked an arrow on his bow and drew back on the string. He released and the black arrow went whizzing through the air. As the arrow neared it's intended target the cloaked figure backed away from the ledge, turned and diasapeared into the night knowing that the Assassin in the streets would get the coded message detailing his/her instructions wrapped around the arrow.

The cloaked figure walked up to a group of pigeons on a rooftop. He started to run as he got closer to them and they took off in flight. As he neared the roof's edge he leaped off and spun midflight so that he was falling backwards. To any normal citizen it would have looked like a man had just commited suicide, but to the Templar standing in the shadows it was merely an Assassin doing a Leap of Faith into a bale of hay waiting at the bottom of the building. As the cloaked figure got out of the hay bale and brushed himself off, a mere 20 feet from his position, the Templar start to walk over to him. The cloaked figure, seeing that the Templar was moving towards him, started walking towards him as well. Once they got closer to each other they each recognized the other's telltale faction insignia. At that point, a note appeared in the cloaked man's hand and a coin purse in the Templar's. When they passed mere inches by each other the items suddenly changed hands, leaving the Templar holding the note and the other man holding the money. Both of them quickly disappeared into the shadows.

After the Templar had reached a good distance from the meeting place he/she opened the note and read its contents. The note that his/her contact had delivered for the low low price of 100 florins read simply, He who whispers shouts volumes.

(Kamikaze/Tenchi has accepted the Assassin's side of the contract)

Three streets to the North, a glowing gold figure in the shape of a Guard Captain walked along a large bridge spanning the Great Venetian Cannal surrounded by four glowing red figures. The target walked casually across this bridge and into the street beyond taking the first left into a well known marketplace, diasapearing from view.

The silence of the night. Just like open throats from the baby lambs. "Bastardo sending me on a final request. Marcus better get me my Galleon." he had held two Templare Stella. One in each hand. [b]"Whispering woods. Whispering hollows. Silence of the Lambs and of the ones who follow. Protection of Man. Something that will stand. And for a bloody sweep is something over to weep.[b]" he said, hinting in his voice that it was a tune he once heard. He was disguised as a citizen on a carriage. The horses moved slowly. The bale of hay was like a trap, The floor of the carriage was weak, but could support the hay. If an assassin jumped into it, it would break and most likely kill the assassin. The use of undoing some of the screws and using beat-up, rotted wood. He was 5 minutes early from the time he was supposed to arrive.

Ezekiel had worn a hat covering his head, and had concealed his face with the nighttime darkness and the shade of the hat given from the moonlight. He could see his breath, Cold... he thought to himself. His pale-white skin shown though. But only his hands. He pulled out a match and whiffed off a pipe. He only repeated this motion 2 times. Then, putting out the flame burning his tobacco, he grabbed a flash and drank some whiskey. It had the Luminoso crest on it. As Ezekiel traveled down the road he saw the man he needed to gard. There was a well-plotted scheme to follow him. He stopped at a house and a theive had "coincidently" stolen the horses, but not the carriage. He leaned on the bale of hay, acting frustrated.

(Dasolo Luminoso has accepted the Templar side of the contract)

"Ah yes, I believe that is my special protector arriving at last. Come Dasolo Luminoso, we have a meeting to attend to. And change your cloths, I cannot show up to a meeting with the Doge guarded by a lowly peseant" And with that Guard Captain Angelo Romano turned and started walking towards the North end of the marketplace. The marketplace was deserted at this time of night. Still, the area was vast and complex, it would be very easy to get lost in this place on accident.....or to loose a pursuer or two.

Ezekiel had been dissapointed his plan could not be followed through, but nonetheless, he had to protect this guard. The rooftop guards where shifting with other guards, and the streets were luminated. He would taste the air, which would show signs of rain coming. He would prepare his Templar Stella and would move closer to the guard. "Salute Ser Angelo, stay close to me. The red bales of hay are rigged. he would say with a hushed voice and a soft tone. He would look at his surroundings and see a energetic moving shadow. It was nighttime and he was tired. Was it paranoia or was it real? He did not know. Ezekiel could not risk it. Pushing the button of one Templare Stella, he had a hidden throwing star in a cross form.

Ezekiel was prepared for a surprise attack, as he put the other Templare Stella away, then making himself ready to use his dagger. "I don't know if it was real, but I saw a moving shadow throughout the rooftops. Might I suggest calling some guards to occompany us? They will die. But we won't. It seems like a smart idea."

Angelo looked up to where Ezekial was looking and said, "If it is as you say, then we would be better off moving to the rendevous point. There will be extra soldiers there. In the mean time my squad will defend us. Hopefully your little hay traps will bag an Assassin this night. Lets go men!" The four novice guards that were Angelo's squad drew their swords at their commanders orders with the sound of metal on leather.
And so the Captain started to move towards a doorway with 2 Guard Captains and 2 Brute class Guards blocking the way. There were two other enterances with the same combination of protectors on the other sides of the building. These doorways led to a medium sized clearing with three-story buildings on all sides. The cieling of this clearing was open to the sky but heavily defended by archers and crossbowman on the surrounding rooftops. The Doge had gone through much trouble to make sure that his conversation was not heard by prying ears.

(I assume no helmet to cover your face)

Ezekiel would signal some guards to protect Angelo. "Ser Angelo, I'm going to look around. He might've followed us." he would say. Then, walking into the other room, he would see a body near a guard. He could not make the face out of the guard and he was curious as to why there was a body there. " Salute, why did you bring a body here? You should've taken it to the other side. No worries, you must be new." he said, being lenient. Although he did not let his guard down. There was a squadron of guards coming this way and Ezekiel knew if something were to happen, he would not be alone. Although, he would be an ass if he were so quick to assume, and then ended up wrong. He kept an eye on the body, trying to see who it was whilst being away from it. On that note, he would think about the 3 red bales of hay around the area. And there were 2 yellow bales of hay.

Ezekiel would await an answer from the guard, and if no answer came, he would simply demand one.

(sorry for the short post.)

Ezekiel didn't trust the man not one bit. He walked back to the room and noted that there was a man with a body to show. He pointed where he would come from and 40% of the guards with crossbows would aim there. " He says he was told to show it to you. Wasn't that supposed to be later on tonight? A bit soon don't you think?" he would say. Ezekiel would pull out his Templare Stella and would hide them in his hands. He would assume that one would have to be escorted before being able to enter the room. Ezekiel set up this trap for the supposed "guard".

He covered Angelo's back and the guards covered his front. But this plan had one flaw- what if the "guard" had taken another route to avoid a trap?

Four archers and crossbowman took aim at the questioned guard. Angelo the guard Captain approached side-by-side with the Doge that he was meeting. The Doge proceded to exclaim, "Calm your self protector. Let us find proof before we destroy this new recruit. But first, guards! Close in!" And with that all of the guards in the immediate area formed wide circle around the four individuals and drew all of their weapons. "Check the dead man." The Doge said to the so called guard. "And if you can tell me how he was killed, and prove to me that it is indeed an Assassin, then your life shall be spared.....but if you cannot, then you shall be struck down where you stand."

Ezekiel would see a guard turn the body over. A clean kill. It was a wound which had shown the sign of the victim being stabbed. He was going to note this. "Take off your helmet. And Answer this, how can a dagger deliver such a clean kill? A dagger is not designed with such a smooth blade. Nor is it designed with such a small blade." he said, noticing that if his foe were an assassin, he would have a hidden blade. He would know that such a nervous act would be a disguise for the foe's voice. What this person should've said was that he found the body, not killed the assassin. A rookie guard is not capable of this, nor is a rookie templar. "Restrain him, at the least that is what you guards could do. Doge, take my words into consideration." he said.

Ezekiel would look at Angelo, then back at the supposed guard. He noticed the guards nodding in corespondance. " Oh? And you guards saw this? He did not mention having anyone with him. By the way, Captain Cecilio has shifted to morning shifts. Also, we would have known if we had that kind of help, that is me. I am that help, noone else was ordered to accompany us."

"Cough cough" The Doge decided to take this moment to break up the back and forth talks. "What you speak shows logic and truth in this matter. Good work Protector...eh....what was his name Angelo?"
"Protector Ezekial my Liege."
"Ah yes, Ser Ezekial, you are correct in your words. Guards sieze this Imposter and show me his face!"
The ring of guards then closed in around the traitor as the three Templars in the middle of the circle stepped back. If all went well then this imposter would be in Templar custody and unmasked in seconds.
"Remember to leave him alive. I want the Assassin for questioning." The Doge spit out the word "Assassin" as if it were the worst curse word he could think of. And from the look on his face all present could tell the kinds of questions that the Doge would ask.

"Ah yes! Now I recognize you Ser Casimiro. Stand down guards. But by all means, let us see if Ezekial ch one of the great Casimrio family. Make it quick though, I am tired of all this hostility. As for you Angelo, here is that letter that you are to take to the Borgia courier that waits just outside the main gates of Venice on horseback. Take an extra squad of warriors with you. This message must not fall into the wrong hands. Understood?" The Doge gave out all of these orders in a single breath in the space of a few seconds, obviously one used to commad and those orders being taken without question.
"Yes my Liege." Said Angelo. "I shall leave as soon as this battle of honor is over. If it pleases you, my lord, then I shall be accompanied by both Ezekial and Ser Casimiro....that is if they both survive the coming duel."
"Very well Captain. Inform me of the outcome of the duel, but do not take too long in delivering the message. It is of more importance than everything.....including your life." Replied El Doge, already walking away with all but the ten guards assaigned to guard Captain Angelo. And with that, the meeting was over, and the only sounds the sound of night crickets.

Ezekiel knew who the guard was. he pulled out his daggers. "Wait, I will fight him, but atleast remove his helmet. I have no armor. Neither shall he." he said, knowing that if the "guard" were to take his helmet off, he would be revealed as an assassin. What Ezekiel did not know, was that is would be tenchi. He proceeded to his battle stance, and signaled 2 squadrons of guards to protect Angelo. " You and I both know what you are." he said, confusing some crossbowmen guarding the area. He would await further answer. But when he realized the Doge was gone, he looked to Angelo for the answer. But this was metaphorically speaking, as he did not take his eyes off his foe.

(sorry, short post.)

Ezekiel had smirked as well, anticipating this match. He pulled out his two daggers, building momentum while twirling them. He spun around with great momentum, letting go of one, revealing a Templar Stella, letting go of that after pressing the button on it, jumping up and frontflipping, grabbing the throwing star, and then finishing with throwing it. He retrieved his mid-air dagger and built more momentum. The templare stella would be small and deadly, and unexpected. The foe would have to duck. As he dropped his daggers, pulled out throwing knives, and through one at both the left and right. He would retrieve his daggers, and dash, keeping behind his throwing objects. Each would stay spaced, so they could not all be knocked out.

The explanation for his speed is him being half-bred. "The templars know I am a half-breed. They accept me. Tenchi, if that is your name, I did not assume you were weak, but I wanted to see how long the act would maintain." he said, whilst doing a slide. The swiftness of this slide would trap Tenchi. Is it ducking that he will do? Will he jump? Backflip? He has few options. As soon as Ezekiel got under Tenchi, the throwing objects would be nearing, and he would attempt to go inbetween his legs and slash at them, handicapping him.

Ezekiel Would throw one dagger as soon as Tenchi prepare to flip. At the range they were at, the force of a fast-moving dagger at near point-blank range would be almost impossible to dodge. Then, proceeding to roll to the left, he would push with great force, bringing him to his feet. He would then jump up and with great momentum, bring down a powerful kick. After this devastating combo, he would attempt to jab his dagger down on the spinal cord of Tenchi. " Die Assassino!" he would say, tasting victory out of his cockiness. The chills made by this phantom had started the scaring of Templars. But they were pale white as soon as Ezekiel started with his devastating combo. Some said "A Templar cannot move that way.." others said "It is true about the son of the Master Assassino...".

Ezekiel did not care and would most definetly want to end this assassin's life. Nobody knew for sure except him. He and Tenchi both knew that Tenchi was an Assassin. Why else would he be here?