Assassin's Creed: Unity Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked. I had no idea. He looked at me kindly yet I knew he expected an answer. I looked toward Mother, who squeezed my hand encouragingly, imploringly with her eyes, and I found my beliefs in words I myself had heard her speak to Mr. Weatherall and to Madame Carroll.
    I said, “Monsieur, I think our present monarch is corrupted beyond redemption, that his rule has poisoned the well of France and that in order for the people’s faith to be restored in the monarchy, King Louis needs to be set aside.”
    My answer caught him off guard and he looked startled, casting a quizzical look at Mother, who shrugged as though to say,
Nothing to do with me
, even though they were her words I was parroting.
    “I see,” he said. “Well, your mother is no doubt pleased to hear your espouse such views, Élise, for in this matter she and I are not in full agreement. Like you she believes in change. Myself, I know that that monarch is appointed by God and I believe that a corrupt monarch can be persuaded to see the error of his ways.”
    Another quizzical look and a shrug and I moved quickly on. “But there are other Templars, Papa?”
    He nodded. “Across the world, yes. There are those who serve the Order. Those who are sympathetic to our aims. However, as you and your mother discovered today, we have enemies, too. Just as we are an ancient order hoping to shape the world in our image, so there is an opposing order, one with as many adherents sensitive to their own aims. Where we hope to unburden the good-thinking people of the responsibility of choice and be their guardians, this opposing order invites chaos and gambles on anarchy by insisting man should think for himself. They advocate casting aside traditional ways of thinking that have done so much to guide humanity for thousands of years in favor of a different kind of freedom. They are known as Assassins. We believe it was Assassins who attacked you today.”
    “But, monsieur, I heard you say you weren’t sure . . .”
    “I said that purely in order to quench the warlike thirst of some of the more vocal members of our Order. It can only be Assassins who attacked you, Élise. Only they would be so bold as to kill Jean and send a man to kill the wife of the Grand Master. No doubt they hope to destabilize us. On this occasion they failed. We must make sure that if they try again, they fail again.”
    I nodded. “Yes, Father.”
    He glanced at Mother. “Now, I expect your mother’s defensive actions today came as a surprise to you?”
    They hadn’t. That “secret” encounter with the wolf had seen to that.
    “Yes, monsieur,” I said, catching Mother’s eye.
    “These are skills that all Templars must have. One day you will lead us. But before that you will be initiated as a Templar, and before that you will learn the ways of our Order. Starting tomorrow you will begin to learn combat.”
    Again I caught Mother’s eye. I had already begun to learn combat. I had been learning combat for over a year now.
    “I realize this may be a lot to take in, Élise,” continued Father as my mother colored slightly. “Perhaps you saw your life as being similar to other girls of your age. I can only hope the fact that it will be so different is not a source of anxiety for you. I can only hope you embrace the potential you have to fulfill your destiny.”
    I’d always thought I wasn’t like the other girls. Now I knew for sure.
    vii
    The following morning Ruth dressed me for a walk in the grounds. She fussed and tutted and mumbled under her breath that I shouldn’t be taking such risks after what had happened yesterday, how we only just escaped the evil man who had attacked us; and how Mother and I might be lying dead in that alleyway but for the mysterious gentleman who had been passing, who saw off the robber.
    So that was what the staff had been told. Lots of lies, lots of secrets. It thrilled me to know that I was one of only two people—well three, I suppose, if you counted