You awaken slowly, a dull ache in your head. What... happened? As you attempt to recall how you ended up in a strange, dark room with your wrists tied behind your back and ankles bound, a voice cuts through the silence.
"You're awake."
Your whole body jumps, and you jerk your head around frantically to find the source of the voice. Said voice laughs, and you feel a bit perturbed.
"Calm down. It's clear you are no threat to me, and therefore you will not be harmed."
You feel the binds around your wrists cut, and quickly bring them in front of you. The skin is a little red and irritated, but you're otherwise unharmed. The rope around your ankles goes loose as well, and you shift into a more comfortable sitting position.
"Who are you?"
The sound of armored boots clicking against the floor is followed by the appearance of a hooded figure.
"I am Altair. And you are in a place you shouldn't be."
"What place is that, exactly?"
Altair lets out a quiet sigh.
"This is the Assassin's Den. It is disguised as a shop to keep others from noticing our presence in the city."
Assassins?! That's where you'd seen that symbol, then. Of course it made you nervous.
"Y-you're an Assassin?"
Altair smirks, a mischievous light in his eyes.
"Yes, an Assassin; a hunter of men, protector of freedom."
His ex
pression grows serious.
"So, tell me. Why did you break into the shop?"
You swallow, your mouth going dry.
"In all honesty... I was only curious. I thought the place was abandoned, so I wanted to see for myself."
He smiles a little again, ex
pression relaxing.
"That's what I'd assumed; you certainly didn't put up nearly enough fight to be a threat."
You feel slightly insulted, but bite back any irritation. This man has a sword, and you really don't want to find out exactly how sharp it is.
"So... can I leave, then?"
You stand slowly, searching for any indication that you shouldn't be moving. Altair doesn't seem to mind, so you relax a little.
"You may... on one condition- keep this location a secret."
He pauses, seeming to consider his next thought carefully.
"You were here on the pretense that this was a store, yes?"
"Uh, yeah. I thought maybe there was an owner inside, some of the items on the shelves look interesting."
Altair hums.
"Well... we are always in need of funds for our cause. Weapons and clothing don't make themselves. I could sell some items to you- provided you have the coin, that is."
You smile, grateful for the offer.
"Certainly! I've heard of the work you do, and if I can help by buying items, then I'm definitely in."
You see him smile, and direct you to a door.
"Through there you will find your freedom. You are welcome to return, but you must not use the front entrance. I will have to repair the lock."
You laugh nervously.
"Heh, sorry about that."
"It's alright, locks aren't difficult to repair, and you haven't done much damage to it."
As you make your way out the door, he calls out to you.
"One last thing: the items available here may change from time to time. I will collect some of them off of the shelves and clean them up for you, but the stock will likely rotate as I gather more items from my travels."
"That's alright, keeps things interesting!"
"Indeed. Take care now, and remember- do not disclose the location of this shop, to anyone, for any reason."
"I won't, I promise."
With that, you close the door behind you and leave the area, without looking back at the shop. You do intend to return soon, though; you're curious as to what Altair will offer you.
Moderator
