Return to Inheritance

Chapter V

"This looks like an emergency exit," pointed out the girl.

"Our ancestors used it to secretly evacuate the building when they were assaulted by the templars. Back then, this building was partially made of wood and they burned it all down to ashes. This is why it's now completely made of stone, and also because most of the city is made of stone. Anyway, today it's just a passageway leading to the masters' chambers and offices. As for emergency exits, we got other secrets for them. You'll find out in good time," he winked. The girl simply nodded and looked ahead. The passage seemed so dark she was afraid she might step on something, so she paid greater attention to where she stepped.

As she was focusing on watching her step, Benjamin stopped her, saying they had arrived already. It wasn't far as it seemed. To her right she saw a fairly elegant door on which the assassin knocked three times slowly. Right after she heard from inside a voice telling them to come in so the assassin opened the door.

"After you," he said with a gracious movement of the hand.

Step by step, Jade slowly went in to find an old looking office. The furniture was of crimson coloured wood and nicely polished. The room wasn't exactly large, but just enough so that it would hold several large bookshelves and an office desk. Behind the desk was sitting in a grand chair the master assassin, her father. On her side of the desk there were two chairs, less majestic than the master's, but seemingly just as comfortable as they were all padded in velvet.

"Please take a seat, Beatrice, Benjamin." As he spoke he made no move, simply stared at his daughter for a full minute after they sat themselves on the two chairs. Jade was becoming more and more nervous with every second.

"You wanted to see me," she stated the obvious. A quick smile could be seen on the man's aged face but he remained silent a while longer. "Why did you summon me?" she politely asked, slowly starting to lose her temper. He obviously noticed and seemed amused for a second, but then was dead serious when he finally spoke.

"Collin came to speak to me earlier today."

"Collin?"

"Cinder," whispered Benjamin and the girl let out an 'oh' as she figured that 'Cinder' was simply a nickname he got, probably because of the burn she saw on his face. The master went back to speaking.

"He told me of how he brought you here. I never expected you to become so obedient, I must confess I had a hard time believing him. Either way, he told me how he saw you fight, how you disposed of a man strategically and how you were able to follow his lead on the rooftops. I am looking forward to having these deeds proven. This is why I want you to start your apprenticeship in the Brotherhood starting tomorrow."

"I... I don't know what to say," she hesitated, but her father let her speak. "I didn't have the chance to think about it. What if I'm not fit for such a job?"

"Did you run off on a pirate ship thinking you were fit for that job?" She felt cornered.

"No."

"Then you might as well try since there is no other place for you to go to. I no longer have any authority over you since you are all grown up so we shall not repeat history. As much as it pains me to see you after all these years of disgrace, I am willing to give you another chance to make your family proud."

"What happened to Mother?"

The man seemed taken aback by her sudden question that had even interrupted him from his thoughts. Regardless, he answered, seemingly sad. "Dead."

"When did it happen?" The girl's eyes were wide open in shock. She wanted the story out of him. Her mother was the only family member she had truly loved and thought about over the years every now and then.