(Non-Canon) Assassin's Creed Unity: Mission Sequence: Protecting the Eaglets (Blazblade)
(Non-Canon) Assassin's Creed Unity: Mission Sequence: Protecting the Eaglets
(Assassin Brotherhood, France Branch HQ, 1796)
As Arno walked up to the main room of the Brotherhood's underground, he could feel the tension in the air. He saw Assassins moving about, no doubt having been given their own missions to accomplish.
It was clear that with the war over, the Templars could take advantage of the current peace in Europe for their purposes, but this seemed... different then the usual.
He quickly walked up the stairs, getting the attention of Bellec.
"Well, 'bout time you showed up Pisspot", Bellec said with a smirk as he and the rest of the council were looking over maps of the city.
"Seems like everyone is on edge from what I can tell", Arno said as he looked around, seeing the determined faces of his fellow Assassins. "The air's so thick you could cut it with a knife."
"You don't even know the half of it", Bellec snorted.
"Care to explain what is going on?", Arno inquired.
"Ever heard of the Children of the Revolution?", Bellec said as he then passed some papers to Arno. The Assassin looked over them and saw they were letters, detailing plans for the receivers to accomplish.
"A little bit", Arno replied "They're the group with the loudest voice that speaking against Napo- I mean the Emperor's current rule of the country."
"Not bad, Pisspot, but there is a bit more to them", Bellec said. "They were formed after Robespierre took over the country following his final days as Consul, coming alive after Brian Auclair stepped down and that murder happy fou became the head of the government."
"Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Carrier is leading the movement, protesting against the current state of affairs", one of the Council members stated. "They wish for the Republic to be restored, seeing the Emperor removed by any means necessary. Even if it calls for acts of terror on the populace."
"We are currently sending our fellow Assassins to look into the group and prepare to deal with them if they end up in the thrall of the Templars", another Council member stated.
"I take it they happen to be the cause for alarm?", Arno questioned.
"We've received word from our best members that suspicious activity is occurring near the palace," Bellec said. "could be nothing, but it seems like some men have been making their way there for a purpose, no doubt one that could upend the whole country."
"An assassination plot?", Arno questioned.
"Aimed at the royal family no doubt", another Council member said. "We are currently investigating the whereabouts of our mysterious interlopers, but they've been careful to move about the city. Just in case, we believe that you may have the best chance to intercept them if they get to the royal family."
"Why me?", Arno questioned while rising an eyebrow.
"You are only the one that has gained the respect of the Emperor and is acquainted with him Pisspot", Bellec said. "He could allow you to get inside the Tuileries Palace without issue."
Arno thought it over as he put the papers down. "I suppose you're right. Napoleon is someone that has respect for those that are good at what they do, that's the feeling I got after meeting him while going to retrieve Mirabeau's letters are the palace. I'll see about meeting with him soon enough to get inside."
"We'll be sending a messenger to inform him of your coming just in case", another member of the council said.
"Although, it does feel quite odd", Arno murmured as he put his right hand to his chin. "The fact they have gotten that close to the palace and have been able to cover their trails shows that they have help. Do we know who could assisting them outside of the Children?"
"A hit on the royal family, the fact that they no doubt are fanatical enough to go on this suicidal mission without fear, and the fact that this is happening a few months after we've achieved peace from fighting the Second Coalition. Someone clearly wants the Emperor's family out of the picture by any means possible while the country is winding down from the war", Bellec said as he walked around. He then faced Arno directly. "Who does that sound like to you Pisspot?"
Arno took a few seconds to think of the answer and his eyes hardened upon realizing who it could be. "You think Robespierre is behind this attempt?" He inquired.
"Who else would be so brazen as to kill even innocent children, especially those of the couple that has forced him from power twice?", Bellec said while spreading his arms out. "That pompus bâtarde no doubt wants to plunge the country into chaos yet again to get his power back."
Arno nodded with a scowl. It made sense. Killing the Children of the Imperial Couple, who had been instrumental in Robespierre losing his Power, was to be expected from someone like Robespierre. Though no less despicable.
Once, the Brotherhood had considered supporting Robespierre. But as it became more and more clear that in his Paranoia, he would slaughter countless innocent People, the Assassins of France had distanced themselves from his cause. In fact, they had lent subtle aid both times that Robespierre had been forced out of Power.
Sadly, they had been unable to prevent the Butchers escape or find him afterwards. Whoever had spirited him out of the country had been careful and skilled enough to wipe out and hide all trails, even from the eyes of the Assassins.
They had no outright proof of it...but Bellec, Arno and many others in the Brotherhood suspected that the Templars had had a hand in Robespierre's escape and disappearance.
"Is it possible that the Templars are using their connections in France to help move them to the palace?", Arno questioned.
"Highly likely. Robespierre's ideology of ruling the masses is similar to that of their own", one of the council members stated. "Germain would no doubt want to use him to further their goals."
Arno's eyes hardened, recalling his previous encounters with the silversmith. This could be the chance they need to control France and possibly do whatever they wanted.
However, he noticed that there was something else that the council wasn't telling them. "There's something else about this attack isn't there?", he said.
"Actually there may be something else as to why the Templars want to attack the royal family", another council member stated.
"How do you mean?", Arno said, concerned about where this is going.
"We...believe they maybe trying to drive Napoleon to become more of a tyrant", the same council member said.
"How so?", Arno inquired.
"Think of it like this Pisspot", Bellec said a serious look on his face, "Napoleon may be someone that wants to keep the spirit of the Revolution alive, but he is someone that wants to fulfill his ambitions. I'm pretty certain that he wants to go further and leave his mark on the world, but considering the Empress is acting as a moral compass he'll stay on the correct path. But if something happened to the kids or the Empress..."
"It could tip him over the edge, making him into the tyrant that Robespierre claims him to be and make the Templars able to more easily influence him", Arno finished as Bellec nodded in agreement.
"Now that you are aware brother Arno, head over to the palace and deal with these saboteurs", one of the council members said.
"Understood, they won't have the chance to kill the royal family on my watch", Arno said as he walked out of the room.
"Good luck Pisspot", Bellec said as Arno walked away.
--------------------------------------------------
Arno cowered atop a building, his eyes wandering carefully over the Crowds below. The streets near the Tuileries Palace were as full as ever. Perfect cover for someone to find a way to sneak into the Palace...or smuggle some Weapons in.
The Assassin's Eagle eyes scanned the area. Arno knew he had to spot the would-be Murderers soon if he wanted to intercept them. If the Templars really were behind this, then he could not allow them to succeed.
Anger boiled in Arno as he remembered Germain, the current Leader of the Assassin's eternal Rivals. He still remembered how the silversmith had murdered his adoptive Father, the previous Grandmaster of the Templars, and then laid the blame at his feet.
He calmed down a bit as he made his way around the palace, keeping his eyes and ears on the crowds below. If the Templars had any agents that were members of the palace guards or staff, they could assist the assassins into getting inside.
As he jumped across buildings to see any out of place activity, Arno ran over the potential methods the assassins could use in his head.
A dagger was easy to smuggle in, but it would require getting very close to the targets. A pistol was easier to discover by the Security Guards and thus risky. Poison would be all but impossible, given how young the Children were. They likely had no food to be poisoned yet.
Arno briefly paused. Could they use a bomb?
It would be hard to get one inside, sure...but if the Templars had men in the Palace, they might be able to smuggle the parts in and put the bomb together inside of the the Palace.
Arno then made his way around the palace. If the Templars had men inside, they would mostly likely meet in an area that had fewer people around, or was lightly guarded. There was also the question of how many men were already inside and if they had communications with their fellows outside or had a meeting inside the city to make the plans.
If they had men on the outside sneaking in the components (likely through methods such having them under goods or supplies being delivered to the palace.
'Honestly, with Saint Germain's connections it would be simple to pull a few strings', Arno thought.
Perhaps he should check where the deliveries come into the palace.
Making his way across the rooftops, the young Assassin crouched down at the edge of one opposite to a back-entrance. A group of men had halted a wagon there and was currently carrying boxes full of vegetables inside. Food for the Kitchens, it seemed. The Guards looked through the boxes and, finding nothing out of the ordinary, let the men inside.
Arno's eyes narrowed. Something about those boxes seemed...off.
His vision sharpened and the world took on an eerie shade of blue as his ears began to pick up even the slightest of sounds. Immersing himself in his Eagle Vision, the young Assassin scanned the Servants closely.
And indeed, while the Palace Guards were colored in a softer shade of Blue, indicating that they were Allies, or at lest no immediate threat to him, the Servants carrying the boxes were colored in an eerie dark red that contrasted sharply with the blue shades all around them, betraying their true affiliations.
What's more, Arno could, very faintly, hear a soft clinging noise from the boxes they were carrying...like small metal objects hitting each other.
Too quiet for an ordinary human, but barely noticeable to him. Those boxes had a double bottom inside of them to hide small objects from the Guards. The Templars must have used them to smuggle small objects inside.
Like parts of a bomb.
Knew it, Arno thought to himself. Now the question is, there these the parts for assembling the full bomb or do these bombers have compatriots inside the palace and those are the last components?
The Assassin looked down and saw a pulley that he could use that was weighed down with several large planks and a sandbag. He made his way down from the apartment he was on, went over to the pulley and cut the rope from the sandbag. The rope soon went up with Arno, moving him up to the roof. Moving quickly, Arno saw there was a convenient empty balcony for him to use.
Quite a lucky find, Arno thought as he made his way down to the balcony. He then used his Eagle Vision to sense the Templars as he made his way through the hallway, making sure to keep out of sight of any guards.
Which was easier said then done. The Guards kept up a tight net of patrols. More then once, Arno was forced to hide behind furniture or drawers to avoid being spotted. Still, the young Assassin kept up his stealth and crept ever closer to his targets.
Still, being this stealthy took time. Time that the Templars could use to advance their plan.
Arno ducked behind a suit of armor as two Guards passed by, his Eagle Eye identifying them as Templars in disguise.
"Remind me again why we're bothering to assist that pompous butcher of an orator", the first Templar grumbled.
"Saint Germain made his orders clear on this", the second one replied. "While he himself sees Robespierre as a wildcard, he can still be useful if given the proper guidance. Much like a luring a horse into its stable."
"Fine...just concerned if that fool's vendetta will end up harming our own goals if his next reign of terror has our brothers on his list if he goes over the edge."
"Have faith in our leader. I'm certain he has a plan to throw Robespierre to the wolves if he so much as glares in our direction."
The two Templars continued their conversation as Arno followed behind them, staying out of sight.
So, the Templars really were working with Robespierre...or rather, using him as a pawn to create a France that they could control from the shadows. And they were perfectly willing to let tens of thousands more innocent people die on the Guillotine in order to achieve that goals.
Arno fought down his anger. Germain and his ilk could not be allowed to get their way. He needed to save Napoleons children.
His Eagle Eye told him the way as he worked his way through the corridors, ducking into dark corners and hiding behind armors and furniture when he passed the patrolling Guards.
Once, a Templar disguised as a Guard got a bit too curious about looking into the dark corner he was hiding in. Arno grabbed the man by the mouth, silencing him. He dragged the Templar into the darkness, slicing his throat with his hidden blade and keeping him still until he expired. Arno briefly gave the man last respects before stuffing his corpse into a Wardrobe so he wouldn't be discovered anytime soon.
He continued on the path to where his senses were taking him, worried about how far the Templars had gotten with their bomb. He kept out of sight as best as he could and used any shortcut that could get him closer while taking out a few Templars and taking their corpses out of view from anyone that could find them.
"Come on, come on!", Arno said to himself.
He could see his destination ahead of him and could see the Templars that had assembled there.
It was a small room, just a few doors away from the Royal Quarters. A Group of them, six men strong, had gathered there, with their Leader, a Lieutenant of the Guard, addressing them.
"Get ready, men. As soon as the bomb explodes, we'll use the Chaos to strike. The children are only guarded by a few servants and two Guards. Kill everyone who tries to stop you and then the two brats as well."
The Templars nodded as they readied their weapons.
Suddenly, the door burst open as Arno rolled and got up.
"Well looks like I found you rats", Arno smirked as he pulled a smoke bomb out from behind his back, as well as one of his pistols.
"Damn Assassin!", the Templar Leader growled out. "Get him!"
The Templars raised their muskets at their hated enemy
"If you think your numbers will help you win, you've severely underestimated me!", Arno shouted as he quickly tossed his smoke bomb in front of the Templars and let off a shot at the closest one.
The Templar fell over, blood spurting from his chest, while smoke blanketed the room. Some Templars tried to blindly fire their muskets and pistols, but their shots wildly missed their marks, blinded as they were.
Arno, with his Eagle Eye, did not have that disadvantage.
His sabre and Hidden Blade found their marks again and again, one Templar after the other falling under his precise, deadly blows.
Arno quickly dispatched the Templar grunts and slammed the Templar officer to the wall while stabbing him with the Hidden Blade in a nonvital area.
"Where's the bomb?!", Arno demanded.
The Templar officer glared at the Assassin. "You won't get a single word out of me...Assassin...!"
"Don't push your luck Templar, I've already dealt with your associates! Do you want to end up as another corpse in this pointless game?!"
The Templar officer then chuckled at Arno's words.
"Care to share what you find funny Monsieur?", Arno said with a glare.
"*COUGH* You really don't know the full situation don't you imbécile?", the Templar said with a smirk. "Do you think...*COUGH* that we were...the only group here?"
Arno's eyes widened as he then heard an explosion go off a few rooms down from where he was.
Arno quickly stabbed the wounded Templar through the throat and dashed toward the Royal Quarters.
He flew up a flight of stairs, taking three steps at once, and soon arrived outside the Royal Quarters...just in time to watch four Templars cross the threshold into the room over the bloody corpses of two Guards and two more of their own comrades.
Arno wasted no time and ran inside as well. The Lieutenant leading this Group of Templars pushed a screaming Maid aside and brandished his Pistol at the two Babies lying in their crib, who were currently screaming and crying, frightened by all the noise.
Arno did not hesitate one second. Using his Momentum and body mass, he barreled through the three Templars behind the Lieutenant before tackling the man himself to the ground. The Templar fell with a startled yelp, the shot of his pistol going wide astray and shattering the window behind the crib instead of hitting anywhere close to the two babies.
Arno quickly stabbed him in the heart, killing him before he could try and get him off. He then quickly turned and fired one bolt from the Phantom Blade right through the Templar's right eye.
The other two Templars got back up and charged with their swords drawn. Arno quickly unsheathed his own blade and got into a two vs one duel with them. Blades clashed as Arno took advantage of any openings to deliver cuts to the two Templars, making them weaker as he waited for the right time for the killing strike.
He parried the right one's blade, quickly adjusting his grip as he pushed the blade away and like a snake pouncing upon its prey, quickly slashed through the man's throat, causing blood to pour out and the man to quickly fall to the ground.
The final Templar then rushed at Arno, trying to stab him through the heart. The Assassin pivoted around the thrust and quickly stabbed the Templar through the left temple with his hidden blade.
With the threat taken care of, Arno quickly looked at the two babies. Upon seeing them unharmed, a small smile crept on his face.
"Thank God I got here in time", he said under his breath.
Just then, however, footsteps echoed in the Hallway. Arno grabbed his Sword, ready for battle...though his stance relaxed a little as a Group of Guards barged in, this one not Templars as his Eagle Eye told him. Still, they aimed their Muskets at him upon spotting the Assassin.
"Hands up and don't move!!", shouted the Sergeant leading the Group. "And step away from the crib!!"
"I can't do both of these, you know?", Arno couldn't help but quip.
The man got all red in the face. "Don't you get cheeky, you bastard!! Now step away from the Princes before we blow you to hell-"
"Make way!! MAKE WAY!!"
The sound of a Woman's voice, laden with distress and bordering on panicked, interrupted the Sergeant. He and his men quickly stepped to the side as the woman the voice belonged to rushed past them and towards the crib. Arno had quickly used the chance and stepped away from the children, allowing the woman to rush to their side with a look of pure relief in her eyes, picking them up and hugging them tightly as she began to sob.
She wore the Uniform of a French Marshall and had a fierce beauty to her that, if Arno was honest, reminded him more then a bit of Elise. She looked like she belonged on a Battlefield more then a fancy palace...though, right now, she looked like any worried mother, as she pressed her children to her chest and cried tears of relief.
Arno knew who she was, of course. He had seen her face on Parades, in Newspapers and in various Pamphlets often enough.
Therese Bonaparte, Marshall of France, Hero of the Revolution, Empress of the French and Mother of the babies he had just saved.
The guards looked on in surprise and worry before regaining their composure and aiming their muskets at Arno again.
"Hold it Sargent!", Therese ordered. The guards looked toward the Empress as she held her boys in her arms.
The Empress of France looked at Arno with a stern eye, observing him for sign of danger. Her boys had been unharmed and the man in front of her appeared to have no ill will toward her and her children. However, she did to make sure that he wasn't playing any tricks on her.
"Tell me monsieur," Therese said with a critical look in her eyes, "why did you come to my boys' room following the explosion? For your sake, I hope that you came here to save my children and not cause them harm."
"Believe me your Highness, if I had wanted to harm your children I would have allowed these men to have done so", Arno said while motioning to the corpses of the Templars. "I got here in time to stop them and dealt with some of their compatriots prior to the explosion."
Therese looked the Assassin in the eyes. "What is your name?"
"Arno Dorian, your excellency", the Assassin replied with a bow. "I met your husband, the Emperor during the early years of the revolution. I hope he mentioned to you about me and how we got out of the old palace."
"Arno...Arno...", Therese murmured, while trying to recall something. She remembered that during the Revolution's early stages, her husband had been searching for important documents in the old regime's palace. It was there that he had met with a man that had helped him with discovering the letters and getting him out of there via the underground passage.
"So you are the one that helped Napoleon escape that day?", she asked.
"That would indeed be me your highness", Arno said with a smile to Therese.
She couldn't see any deception in the man's eyes or tone, seeing that he was speaking the truth.
"Lower your weapons.", Therese ordered to the guards. "This man happens to be an...acquaintance of my husband."
The guards were hesitant with letting the hooded figure off so easily, but they didn't disobey the Empress and so complied.
"Good. Now then Sargent, take some of your men and search the palace for any other intruders!", Therese ordered. "Spread the word out for any other suspicious persons in the palace! I won't rest until all of the assailants are captured!"
"As you command Your Majesty!", the Sargent said as he picked a few of the guards to come with him, instructing the rest to guard the room and assist anyone injured by the blast. As most of the guards filed out of the room, Arno approached the Empress as she held her boys tight to her body, trying to calm them after this harrowing experience.
"A thousand thank-yous votre Majesté", Arno said with relief as he bowed again. "I dare say that I wouldn't enjoy having lead balls pierce my person after saving your children."
"Well, your outfit certainly doesn't help your case", Therese said with a slight smirk on her face as she looked over the Assassin. "The hood especially makes you more shady then one without."
"It is part of the mandatory attire of my group your majesty and one of our more important symbols.", Arno said with a ghost of a humorous smirk on his face. "Afraid you'll have to send your complaint to my superiors, though I could pass along a message if you so desire."
Therese giggled at the man's attempt to break the tense atmosphere. "Either way, thank you Monsieur Dorian for protecting my little boys."
"No thanks necessary your highness", Arno said a respectful nod. "It is a pleasure to serve the woman who has defended France numerous times and wishes to make it a shining beacon of liberty in Europe."
A soft smile came to Therese's lips, though it did not quite reach her eyes. "...I merely fight for what I believe in, Monsieur. I thank you for your praise, but I am not entirely certain if I have earned it."
Before Arno could answer, footsteps once again sounded in the hallway. Turning around, they saw Napoleon himself sweep into the room, his face twisted with worry and stress.
"I'm sorry, my Love, I came as soon as I could!", the Emperor said quickly as he rushed to his wife's side. "Are they alright?!"
"Yes dear.", Therese said with a grateful smile on her face. "There are unharmed."
Napoleon let out a great sigh of relief upon seeing his boys unharmed. "Thank God for small miracles. I suppose they inherited our luck."
"Well they did have a good Samaritan to help them", Thérèse said as she motioned her head to Arno. "I believe you are familiar with Monsieur Dorian?"
Napoleon looked at Arno with surprise, before he relaxed and chuckled. "It appears I owe you yet again for your assistance, Arno. I do hope this doesn't become a common recurrence and make my debt to you greater then any other."
"It's no real concern Napoleon...or rather Your ;ajesty", Arno said with a bow.
Napoleon nodded to the Assassin as he then looked at the corpses on the floor. "I assume that these were the men that wished to harm our children?"
"They were men working for a silversmith named Saint Germain, a man I have history with", Arno spoke up. "And were working together with a certain mad orator that has an axe to grind with your families."
Napoleon's eyes darkened at that. "Robespierre!", he spat out, clenching a fist. "Of course...I should've known...!"
Therese placed a calming hand on Napoleons arm, but Arno could tell she was no less angry then her husband about this. She was just controlling her anger better.
"That bastard...!", the Empress said with fury in her eyes. "Now he is stooping so low as to target our Children? Babies sleeping in their crib?!"
Arno looked at the children that Therese had handed over to a maid after her husband came in. How innocent they looked, settling into the Maid's arms and bubbling quietly, unaware of the world around them.
To think that someone would stoop so low as to harm them for political gain...oh yes, Arno could understand too well the anger of the Imperial Couple.
Napoleon shook his head, trying to clear his anger from his mind and regain focus. "But...why just them? Why not try to kill us, too?"
"It's because of a group he's associated with", Arno stated. "They along with their leader, a silversmith by the name of François-Thomas Germain wanted to make Napoleon enraged enough to make him go after Robespierre or any group that had grievances against his rule and act more akin to the tyrant that those groups claim him to be."
Both royals looked at the Assassin in surprise.
"Think of it like this", Arno said, looking at Napoleon in particular. "Despite what has happened with the past after the royals were overthrown, you both have been trying to keep the spirit of liberty and equality alive in France. Granted there have been hiccups caused by outside and internal factors, but you have been ruling fairly and making improvements. " He then looked to Napoleon. "What Saint Germain and his group want is for you to make decisions that would turn you into a an absolute tyrant that they could manipulate to serve their own goals."
He then turned to Therese and motioned to her children. "Killing your boys was probably one of the more obvious decisions for them to make."
Napoleon's eyes narrowed again. "I see..."
Therese looked in worry between her Husband, Arno and her children. The Assassin could only guess what was going on in her thoughts at the moment.
Napoleon sighed, before turning to Arno. "I will have to deal with both Robespierre's supporters and this...Saint Germain. But first, I owe you and your People a great debt, my friend. If not for you, Therese and I would have lost our children today. I will never forget that."
"And neither will I", Therese joined her husband.
Arno bowed to the Royals. "It was nothing your majesties. If you ever need my organization's assistance with such matters again, send word to us when possible. We also want France to grow into the nation it can be."
Napoleon nodded with a small smile. "I will keep that in mind, my friend."
Therese smiled. "As will I."
Arno nodded, bidding the Imperial Couple farewell. As he walked out of the Palace, he allowed himself to relax. Another Templar Plot foiled. The Imperial Family was safe and Robespierres prestige would no doubt suffer greatly from this act.
But he knew that Germain and his ilk would not take this setback lying down. There was little doubt in his mind that they would try again. And again. And again if they had to.
But as Arno made his way back to the Assassin's headquarters, he resolved that as long as he was part of the Brotherhood, the Silversmith and his Templars would find no success in their designs.
He would make sure of that.
A/N: This is my first post doing something like this. It is also a collab between myself and Alexander Sturnn to bring this timeline into the form of games set around this time period like AC Unity.
Hope you all enjoy!
(Assassin Brotherhood, France Branch HQ, 1796)
As Arno walked up to the main room of the Brotherhood's underground, he could feel the tension in the air. He saw Assassins moving about, no doubt having been given their own missions to accomplish.
It was clear that with the war over, the Templars could take advantage of the current peace in Europe for their purposes, but this seemed... different then the usual.
He quickly walked up the stairs, getting the attention of Bellec.
"Well, 'bout time you showed up Pisspot", Bellec said with a smirk as he and the rest of the council were looking over maps of the city.
"Seems like everyone is on edge from what I can tell", Arno said as he looked around, seeing the determined faces of his fellow Assassins. "The air's so thick you could cut it with a knife."
"You don't even know the half of it", Bellec snorted.
"Care to explain what is going on?", Arno inquired.
"Ever heard of the Children of the Revolution?", Bellec said as he then passed some papers to Arno. The Assassin looked over them and saw they were letters, detailing plans for the receivers to accomplish.
"A little bit", Arno replied "They're the group with the loudest voice that speaking against Napo- I mean the Emperor's current rule of the country."
"Not bad, Pisspot, but there is a bit more to them", Bellec said. "They were formed after Robespierre took over the country following his final days as Consul, coming alive after Brian Auclair stepped down and that murder happy fou became the head of the government."
"Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Carrier is leading the movement, protesting against the current state of affairs", one of the Council members stated. "They wish for the Republic to be restored, seeing the Emperor removed by any means necessary. Even if it calls for acts of terror on the populace."
"We are currently sending our fellow Assassins to look into the group and prepare to deal with them if they end up in the thrall of the Templars", another Council member stated.
"I take it they happen to be the cause for alarm?", Arno questioned.
"We've received word from our best members that suspicious activity is occurring near the palace," Bellec said. "could be nothing, but it seems like some men have been making their way there for a purpose, no doubt one that could upend the whole country."
"An assassination plot?", Arno questioned.
"Aimed at the royal family no doubt", another Council member said. "We are currently investigating the whereabouts of our mysterious interlopers, but they've been careful to move about the city. Just in case, we believe that you may have the best chance to intercept them if they get to the royal family."
"Why me?", Arno questioned while rising an eyebrow.
"You are only the one that has gained the respect of the Emperor and is acquainted with him Pisspot", Bellec said. "He could allow you to get inside the Tuileries Palace without issue."
Arno thought it over as he put the papers down. "I suppose you're right. Napoleon is someone that has respect for those that are good at what they do, that's the feeling I got after meeting him while going to retrieve Mirabeau's letters are the palace. I'll see about meeting with him soon enough to get inside."
"We'll be sending a messenger to inform him of your coming just in case", another member of the council said.
"Although, it does feel quite odd", Arno murmured as he put his right hand to his chin. "The fact they have gotten that close to the palace and have been able to cover their trails shows that they have help. Do we know who could assisting them outside of the Children?"
"A hit on the royal family, the fact that they no doubt are fanatical enough to go on this suicidal mission without fear, and the fact that this is happening a few months after we've achieved peace from fighting the Second Coalition. Someone clearly wants the Emperor's family out of the picture by any means possible while the country is winding down from the war", Bellec said as he walked around. He then faced Arno directly. "Who does that sound like to you Pisspot?"
Arno took a few seconds to think of the answer and his eyes hardened upon realizing who it could be. "You think Robespierre is behind this attempt?" He inquired.
"Who else would be so brazen as to kill even innocent children, especially those of the couple that has forced him from power twice?", Bellec said while spreading his arms out. "That pompus bâtarde no doubt wants to plunge the country into chaos yet again to get his power back."
Arno nodded with a scowl. It made sense. Killing the Children of the Imperial Couple, who had been instrumental in Robespierre losing his Power, was to be expected from someone like Robespierre. Though no less despicable.
Once, the Brotherhood had considered supporting Robespierre. But as it became more and more clear that in his Paranoia, he would slaughter countless innocent People, the Assassins of France had distanced themselves from his cause. In fact, they had lent subtle aid both times that Robespierre had been forced out of Power.
Sadly, they had been unable to prevent the Butchers escape or find him afterwards. Whoever had spirited him out of the country had been careful and skilled enough to wipe out and hide all trails, even from the eyes of the Assassins.
They had no outright proof of it...but Bellec, Arno and many others in the Brotherhood suspected that the Templars had had a hand in Robespierre's escape and disappearance.
"Is it possible that the Templars are using their connections in France to help move them to the palace?", Arno questioned.
"Highly likely. Robespierre's ideology of ruling the masses is similar to that of their own", one of the council members stated. "Germain would no doubt want to use him to further their goals."
Arno's eyes hardened, recalling his previous encounters with the silversmith. This could be the chance they need to control France and possibly do whatever they wanted.
However, he noticed that there was something else that the council wasn't telling them. "There's something else about this attack isn't there?", he said.
"Actually there may be something else as to why the Templars want to attack the royal family", another council member stated.
"How do you mean?", Arno said, concerned about where this is going.
"We...believe they maybe trying to drive Napoleon to become more of a tyrant", the same council member said.
"How so?", Arno inquired.
"Think of it like this Pisspot", Bellec said a serious look on his face, "Napoleon may be someone that wants to keep the spirit of the Revolution alive, but he is someone that wants to fulfill his ambitions. I'm pretty certain that he wants to go further and leave his mark on the world, but considering the Empress is acting as a moral compass he'll stay on the correct path. But if something happened to the kids or the Empress..."
"It could tip him over the edge, making him into the tyrant that Robespierre claims him to be and make the Templars able to more easily influence him", Arno finished as Bellec nodded in agreement.
"Now that you are aware brother Arno, head over to the palace and deal with these saboteurs", one of the council members said.
"Understood, they won't have the chance to kill the royal family on my watch", Arno said as he walked out of the room.
"Good luck Pisspot", Bellec said as Arno walked away.
--------------------------------------------------
Arno cowered atop a building, his eyes wandering carefully over the Crowds below. The streets near the Tuileries Palace were as full as ever. Perfect cover for someone to find a way to sneak into the Palace...or smuggle some Weapons in.
The Assassin's Eagle eyes scanned the area. Arno knew he had to spot the would-be Murderers soon if he wanted to intercept them. If the Templars really were behind this, then he could not allow them to succeed.
Anger boiled in Arno as he remembered Germain, the current Leader of the Assassin's eternal Rivals. He still remembered how the silversmith had murdered his adoptive Father, the previous Grandmaster of the Templars, and then laid the blame at his feet.
He calmed down a bit as he made his way around the palace, keeping his eyes and ears on the crowds below. If the Templars had any agents that were members of the palace guards or staff, they could assist the assassins into getting inside.
As he jumped across buildings to see any out of place activity, Arno ran over the potential methods the assassins could use in his head.
A dagger was easy to smuggle in, but it would require getting very close to the targets. A pistol was easier to discover by the Security Guards and thus risky. Poison would be all but impossible, given how young the Children were. They likely had no food to be poisoned yet.
Arno briefly paused. Could they use a bomb?
It would be hard to get one inside, sure...but if the Templars had men in the Palace, they might be able to smuggle the parts in and put the bomb together inside of the the Palace.
Arno then made his way around the palace. If the Templars had men inside, they would mostly likely meet in an area that had fewer people around, or was lightly guarded. There was also the question of how many men were already inside and if they had communications with their fellows outside or had a meeting inside the city to make the plans.
If they had men on the outside sneaking in the components (likely through methods such having them under goods or supplies being delivered to the palace.
'Honestly, with Saint Germain's connections it would be simple to pull a few strings', Arno thought.
Perhaps he should check where the deliveries come into the palace.
Making his way across the rooftops, the young Assassin crouched down at the edge of one opposite to a back-entrance. A group of men had halted a wagon there and was currently carrying boxes full of vegetables inside. Food for the Kitchens, it seemed. The Guards looked through the boxes and, finding nothing out of the ordinary, let the men inside.
Arno's eyes narrowed. Something about those boxes seemed...off.
His vision sharpened and the world took on an eerie shade of blue as his ears began to pick up even the slightest of sounds. Immersing himself in his Eagle Vision, the young Assassin scanned the Servants closely.
And indeed, while the Palace Guards were colored in a softer shade of Blue, indicating that they were Allies, or at lest no immediate threat to him, the Servants carrying the boxes were colored in an eerie dark red that contrasted sharply with the blue shades all around them, betraying their true affiliations.
What's more, Arno could, very faintly, hear a soft clinging noise from the boxes they were carrying...like small metal objects hitting each other.
Too quiet for an ordinary human, but barely noticeable to him. Those boxes had a double bottom inside of them to hide small objects from the Guards. The Templars must have used them to smuggle small objects inside.
Like parts of a bomb.
Knew it, Arno thought to himself. Now the question is, there these the parts for assembling the full bomb or do these bombers have compatriots inside the palace and those are the last components?
The Assassin looked down and saw a pulley that he could use that was weighed down with several large planks and a sandbag. He made his way down from the apartment he was on, went over to the pulley and cut the rope from the sandbag. The rope soon went up with Arno, moving him up to the roof. Moving quickly, Arno saw there was a convenient empty balcony for him to use.
Quite a lucky find, Arno thought as he made his way down to the balcony. He then used his Eagle Vision to sense the Templars as he made his way through the hallway, making sure to keep out of sight of any guards.
Which was easier said then done. The Guards kept up a tight net of patrols. More then once, Arno was forced to hide behind furniture or drawers to avoid being spotted. Still, the young Assassin kept up his stealth and crept ever closer to his targets.
Still, being this stealthy took time. Time that the Templars could use to advance their plan.
Arno ducked behind a suit of armor as two Guards passed by, his Eagle Eye identifying them as Templars in disguise.
"Remind me again why we're bothering to assist that pompous butcher of an orator", the first Templar grumbled.
"Saint Germain made his orders clear on this", the second one replied. "While he himself sees Robespierre as a wildcard, he can still be useful if given the proper guidance. Much like a luring a horse into its stable."
"Fine...just concerned if that fool's vendetta will end up harming our own goals if his next reign of terror has our brothers on his list if he goes over the edge."
"Have faith in our leader. I'm certain he has a plan to throw Robespierre to the wolves if he so much as glares in our direction."
The two Templars continued their conversation as Arno followed behind them, staying out of sight.
So, the Templars really were working with Robespierre...or rather, using him as a pawn to create a France that they could control from the shadows. And they were perfectly willing to let tens of thousands more innocent people die on the Guillotine in order to achieve that goals.
Arno fought down his anger. Germain and his ilk could not be allowed to get their way. He needed to save Napoleons children.
His Eagle Eye told him the way as he worked his way through the corridors, ducking into dark corners and hiding behind armors and furniture when he passed the patrolling Guards.
Once, a Templar disguised as a Guard got a bit too curious about looking into the dark corner he was hiding in. Arno grabbed the man by the mouth, silencing him. He dragged the Templar into the darkness, slicing his throat with his hidden blade and keeping him still until he expired. Arno briefly gave the man last respects before stuffing his corpse into a Wardrobe so he wouldn't be discovered anytime soon.
He continued on the path to where his senses were taking him, worried about how far the Templars had gotten with their bomb. He kept out of sight as best as he could and used any shortcut that could get him closer while taking out a few Templars and taking their corpses out of view from anyone that could find them.
"Come on, come on!", Arno said to himself.
He could see his destination ahead of him and could see the Templars that had assembled there.
It was a small room, just a few doors away from the Royal Quarters. A Group of them, six men strong, had gathered there, with their Leader, a Lieutenant of the Guard, addressing them.
"Get ready, men. As soon as the bomb explodes, we'll use the Chaos to strike. The children are only guarded by a few servants and two Guards. Kill everyone who tries to stop you and then the two brats as well."
The Templars nodded as they readied their weapons.
Suddenly, the door burst open as Arno rolled and got up.
"Well looks like I found you rats", Arno smirked as he pulled a smoke bomb out from behind his back, as well as one of his pistols.
"Damn Assassin!", the Templar Leader growled out. "Get him!"
The Templars raised their muskets at their hated enemy
"If you think your numbers will help you win, you've severely underestimated me!", Arno shouted as he quickly tossed his smoke bomb in front of the Templars and let off a shot at the closest one.
The Templar fell over, blood spurting from his chest, while smoke blanketed the room. Some Templars tried to blindly fire their muskets and pistols, but their shots wildly missed their marks, blinded as they were.
Arno, with his Eagle Eye, did not have that disadvantage.
His sabre and Hidden Blade found their marks again and again, one Templar after the other falling under his precise, deadly blows.
Arno quickly dispatched the Templar grunts and slammed the Templar officer to the wall while stabbing him with the Hidden Blade in a nonvital area.
"Where's the bomb?!", Arno demanded.
The Templar officer glared at the Assassin. "You won't get a single word out of me...Assassin...!"
"Don't push your luck Templar, I've already dealt with your associates! Do you want to end up as another corpse in this pointless game?!"
The Templar officer then chuckled at Arno's words.
"Care to share what you find funny Monsieur?", Arno said with a glare.
"*COUGH* You really don't know the full situation don't you imbécile?", the Templar said with a smirk. "Do you think...*COUGH* that we were...the only group here?"
Arno's eyes widened as he then heard an explosion go off a few rooms down from where he was.
Arno quickly stabbed the wounded Templar through the throat and dashed toward the Royal Quarters.
He flew up a flight of stairs, taking three steps at once, and soon arrived outside the Royal Quarters...just in time to watch four Templars cross the threshold into the room over the bloody corpses of two Guards and two more of their own comrades.
Arno wasted no time and ran inside as well. The Lieutenant leading this Group of Templars pushed a screaming Maid aside and brandished his Pistol at the two Babies lying in their crib, who were currently screaming and crying, frightened by all the noise.
Arno did not hesitate one second. Using his Momentum and body mass, he barreled through the three Templars behind the Lieutenant before tackling the man himself to the ground. The Templar fell with a startled yelp, the shot of his pistol going wide astray and shattering the window behind the crib instead of hitting anywhere close to the two babies.
Arno quickly stabbed him in the heart, killing him before he could try and get him off. He then quickly turned and fired one bolt from the Phantom Blade right through the Templar's right eye.
The other two Templars got back up and charged with their swords drawn. Arno quickly unsheathed his own blade and got into a two vs one duel with them. Blades clashed as Arno took advantage of any openings to deliver cuts to the two Templars, making them weaker as he waited for the right time for the killing strike.
He parried the right one's blade, quickly adjusting his grip as he pushed the blade away and like a snake pouncing upon its prey, quickly slashed through the man's throat, causing blood to pour out and the man to quickly fall to the ground.
The final Templar then rushed at Arno, trying to stab him through the heart. The Assassin pivoted around the thrust and quickly stabbed the Templar through the left temple with his hidden blade.
With the threat taken care of, Arno quickly looked at the two babies. Upon seeing them unharmed, a small smile crept on his face.
"Thank God I got here in time", he said under his breath.
Just then, however, footsteps echoed in the Hallway. Arno grabbed his Sword, ready for battle...though his stance relaxed a little as a Group of Guards barged in, this one not Templars as his Eagle Eye told him. Still, they aimed their Muskets at him upon spotting the Assassin.
"Hands up and don't move!!", shouted the Sergeant leading the Group. "And step away from the crib!!"
"I can't do both of these, you know?", Arno couldn't help but quip.
The man got all red in the face. "Don't you get cheeky, you bastard!! Now step away from the Princes before we blow you to hell-"
"Make way!! MAKE WAY!!"
The sound of a Woman's voice, laden with distress and bordering on panicked, interrupted the Sergeant. He and his men quickly stepped to the side as the woman the voice belonged to rushed past them and towards the crib. Arno had quickly used the chance and stepped away from the children, allowing the woman to rush to their side with a look of pure relief in her eyes, picking them up and hugging them tightly as she began to sob.
She wore the Uniform of a French Marshall and had a fierce beauty to her that, if Arno was honest, reminded him more then a bit of Elise. She looked like she belonged on a Battlefield more then a fancy palace...though, right now, she looked like any worried mother, as she pressed her children to her chest and cried tears of relief.
Arno knew who she was, of course. He had seen her face on Parades, in Newspapers and in various Pamphlets often enough.
Therese Bonaparte, Marshall of France, Hero of the Revolution, Empress of the French and Mother of the babies he had just saved.
The guards looked on in surprise and worry before regaining their composure and aiming their muskets at Arno again.
"Hold it Sargent!", Therese ordered. The guards looked toward the Empress as she held her boys in her arms.
The Empress of France looked at Arno with a stern eye, observing him for sign of danger. Her boys had been unharmed and the man in front of her appeared to have no ill will toward her and her children. However, she did to make sure that he wasn't playing any tricks on her.
"Tell me monsieur," Therese said with a critical look in her eyes, "why did you come to my boys' room following the explosion? For your sake, I hope that you came here to save my children and not cause them harm."
"Believe me your Highness, if I had wanted to harm your children I would have allowed these men to have done so", Arno said while motioning to the corpses of the Templars. "I got here in time to stop them and dealt with some of their compatriots prior to the explosion."
Therese looked the Assassin in the eyes. "What is your name?"
"Arno Dorian, your excellency", the Assassin replied with a bow. "I met your husband, the Emperor during the early years of the revolution. I hope he mentioned to you about me and how we got out of the old palace."
"Arno...Arno...", Therese murmured, while trying to recall something. She remembered that during the Revolution's early stages, her husband had been searching for important documents in the old regime's palace. It was there that he had met with a man that had helped him with discovering the letters and getting him out of there via the underground passage.
"So you are the one that helped Napoleon escape that day?", she asked.
"That would indeed be me your highness", Arno said with a smile to Therese.
She couldn't see any deception in the man's eyes or tone, seeing that he was speaking the truth.
"Lower your weapons.", Therese ordered to the guards. "This man happens to be an...acquaintance of my husband."
The guards were hesitant with letting the hooded figure off so easily, but they didn't disobey the Empress and so complied.
"Good. Now then Sargent, take some of your men and search the palace for any other intruders!", Therese ordered. "Spread the word out for any other suspicious persons in the palace! I won't rest until all of the assailants are captured!"
"As you command Your Majesty!", the Sargent said as he picked a few of the guards to come with him, instructing the rest to guard the room and assist anyone injured by the blast. As most of the guards filed out of the room, Arno approached the Empress as she held her boys tight to her body, trying to calm them after this harrowing experience.
"A thousand thank-yous votre Majesté", Arno said with relief as he bowed again. "I dare say that I wouldn't enjoy having lead balls pierce my person after saving your children."
"Well, your outfit certainly doesn't help your case", Therese said with a slight smirk on her face as she looked over the Assassin. "The hood especially makes you more shady then one without."
"It is part of the mandatory attire of my group your majesty and one of our more important symbols.", Arno said with a ghost of a humorous smirk on his face. "Afraid you'll have to send your complaint to my superiors, though I could pass along a message if you so desire."
Therese giggled at the man's attempt to break the tense atmosphere. "Either way, thank you Monsieur Dorian for protecting my little boys."
"No thanks necessary your highness", Arno said a respectful nod. "It is a pleasure to serve the woman who has defended France numerous times and wishes to make it a shining beacon of liberty in Europe."
A soft smile came to Therese's lips, though it did not quite reach her eyes. "...I merely fight for what I believe in, Monsieur. I thank you for your praise, but I am not entirely certain if I have earned it."
Before Arno could answer, footsteps once again sounded in the hallway. Turning around, they saw Napoleon himself sweep into the room, his face twisted with worry and stress.
"I'm sorry, my Love, I came as soon as I could!", the Emperor said quickly as he rushed to his wife's side. "Are they alright?!"
"Yes dear.", Therese said with a grateful smile on her face. "There are unharmed."
Napoleon let out a great sigh of relief upon seeing his boys unharmed. "Thank God for small miracles. I suppose they inherited our luck."
"Well they did have a good Samaritan to help them", Thérèse said as she motioned her head to Arno. "I believe you are familiar with Monsieur Dorian?"
Napoleon looked at Arno with surprise, before he relaxed and chuckled. "It appears I owe you yet again for your assistance, Arno. I do hope this doesn't become a common recurrence and make my debt to you greater then any other."
"It's no real concern Napoleon...or rather Your ;ajesty", Arno said with a bow.
Napoleon nodded to the Assassin as he then looked at the corpses on the floor. "I assume that these were the men that wished to harm our children?"
"They were men working for a silversmith named Saint Germain, a man I have history with", Arno spoke up. "And were working together with a certain mad orator that has an axe to grind with your families."
Napoleon's eyes darkened at that. "Robespierre!", he spat out, clenching a fist. "Of course...I should've known...!"
Therese placed a calming hand on Napoleons arm, but Arno could tell she was no less angry then her husband about this. She was just controlling her anger better.
"That bastard...!", the Empress said with fury in her eyes. "Now he is stooping so low as to target our Children? Babies sleeping in their crib?!"
Arno looked at the children that Therese had handed over to a maid after her husband came in. How innocent they looked, settling into the Maid's arms and bubbling quietly, unaware of the world around them.
To think that someone would stoop so low as to harm them for political gain...oh yes, Arno could understand too well the anger of the Imperial Couple.
Napoleon shook his head, trying to clear his anger from his mind and regain focus. "But...why just them? Why not try to kill us, too?"
"It's because of a group he's associated with", Arno stated. "They along with their leader, a silversmith by the name of François-Thomas Germain wanted to make Napoleon enraged enough to make him go after Robespierre or any group that had grievances against his rule and act more akin to the tyrant that those groups claim him to be."
Both royals looked at the Assassin in surprise.
"Think of it like this", Arno said, looking at Napoleon in particular. "Despite what has happened with the past after the royals were overthrown, you both have been trying to keep the spirit of liberty and equality alive in France. Granted there have been hiccups caused by outside and internal factors, but you have been ruling fairly and making improvements. " He then looked to Napoleon. "What Saint Germain and his group want is for you to make decisions that would turn you into a an absolute tyrant that they could manipulate to serve their own goals."
He then turned to Therese and motioned to her children. "Killing your boys was probably one of the more obvious decisions for them to make."
Napoleon's eyes narrowed again. "I see..."
Therese looked in worry between her Husband, Arno and her children. The Assassin could only guess what was going on in her thoughts at the moment.
Napoleon sighed, before turning to Arno. "I will have to deal with both Robespierre's supporters and this...Saint Germain. But first, I owe you and your People a great debt, my friend. If not for you, Therese and I would have lost our children today. I will never forget that."
"And neither will I", Therese joined her husband.
Arno bowed to the Royals. "It was nothing your majesties. If you ever need my organization's assistance with such matters again, send word to us when possible. We also want France to grow into the nation it can be."
Napoleon nodded with a small smile. "I will keep that in mind, my friend."
Therese smiled. "As will I."
Arno nodded, bidding the Imperial Couple farewell. As he walked out of the Palace, he allowed himself to relax. Another Templar Plot foiled. The Imperial Family was safe and Robespierres prestige would no doubt suffer greatly from this act.
But he knew that Germain and his ilk would not take this setback lying down. There was little doubt in his mind that they would try again. And again. And again if they had to.
But as Arno made his way back to the Assassin's headquarters, he resolved that as long as he was part of the Brotherhood, the Silversmith and his Templars would find no success in their designs.
He would make sure of that.
A/N: This is my first post doing something like this. It is also a collab between myself and Alexander Sturnn to bring this timeline into the form of games set around this time period like AC Unity.
Hope you all enjoy!