Chapter Text
Daniel returned after five days to find Desmond was doing quite well actually. Having used the five days without him to learn about the Templars who had been taking care of them and getting the lay of the castle. Leonardo whistled at the sheer size of Masyaf Castle, and he had a million and one plans to go through his head to help restore it and bring life back to the village below.
“Such a climb! É così bello qui. (It is so beautiful here.)”
“Indeed, it is. It’s hard to believe the brotherhood abandoned such a strategic spot.”
A voice from the ramparts above then said.
“It was Altair’s decision He saw the folly of keeping a castle like this. It had become a symbol of arrogance, and a beacon for all our enemies.”
Both looked up to see Desmond and considering Daniel saw the nearby haybale, they watched Desmond leap from the ramparts to land in the haybale. Leonardo had never seen the assassins take their famous and trademark leap of faith, so his heart raced, and he dashed over to the haybale asking.
“Are you alright?”
Desmond popped out and said.
“More than alright. Sorry to worry you, Leonardo. I am Desmond ibn-La’Ahad De’Sable. Welcome to Masafy castle, sorry she is in such disrepair.”
“That is alright. I was thinking about how I could help with that, along with helping you, as I understand you need a third party to talk to.”
Desmond had gotten out of the haybale by then and nodded before he said.
“Much like Ezio, I’d like to be your friend if you’d like. I know you…”
He didn’t get to finish as Leonardo hugged him.
“Grazie, mille volte grazie. (Thank you, a million times thank you)”
“Stai bene? (Are you ok?)”
“gli Assassini continuano a cercare di reclutarmi. (the Assassins keep trying to recruit me.)”
Desmond looked ready to murder his father. He and Daniel then escorted Leonardo into the castle proper and to where the others were waiting. After three grueling hours of Leonardo explaining what was going on, Desmond providing background on William, and lastly, Leonardo being brought up to speed on Desmond’s mental state, Leonardo was welcomed warmly by these former templars. Haytham was grateful that Leonardo was an experienced architect and familiar with working with Templars. He had been given a room near Desmond and Daniel. Desmond went to check on him and found the inventor already hard at work. Desmond knocked loudly before entering Leo’s space. Leo looked up and said.
“Ah, Desmond! Please come in.”
“Thank-You Leo. Are you okay?”
“Now I am. Thank you for checking on me.”
Desmond nodded before taking Leo in. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed, six-foot-tall inventor was as handsome as he had seen him in Ezio’s memories it was ever a wonder that Ezio never saw women fawning over Leo, as much as they fawned over him. Desmond smiled and said.
“Ever working I see.”
“It's hard for me to sit still and not work. Even…”
Leo sighed recalling his last days. His heart clenched remembering how Ezio seemed sad to be losing such a good friend. Leonardo looked at Desmond. Six feet tall like himself, with dark hair and eyes, a scar across his lips like Ezio, but dark skin that said he had a mixed heritage. He looked at Desmond before he said.
“I don’t know what William is planning but it can not be good. Abstergo is too focused on world domination, so they aren’t bothering the modern assassins. However, I spoke with a few old friends of mine and Ezio’s, the big names have seemly vanished.”
“I don’t follow Leo. Explain please.”
Leonardo nodded and then took out a journal and said.
“I have written in this journal everything on the old brotherhood and those of them back in this time. It may not look like it at first glance, but…”
Desmond realized this was Leonardo he was talking to; the man was careful. He let the familiar grey of eagle vision overtake his normal sight. The cover at first had been a normal paper cover, however under the assassin’s sight he saw the logo drawn beautifully on the cover. And it read.
“The Modern Codex.”
Desmond then started to read through the journal, he realized it wasn’t all in Leo’s handwriting or Italian. Malik’s neat and flowing handwriting could be found on several entries, especially mentioning how he’d spoken to Altair a week ago at the time of writing, but he disappeared. None of the novices saw what happened. Yusuf’s hasty yet readable script said the same of Ezio. Edward and Connor had been together when Awelde last saw them, as the old quartermaster wrote, and they too had gone missing. Desmond noticed a pattern though; the disappearances were too well executed. He looked at Leonardo and said.
“We need to show this to Haytham and the others.”
“I know. Does Haytham have…”
“The sight, yes he does.”
Desmond said having witnessed the man’s memories himself. The two then took the journal and went to find Haytham. It was looking like Desmond was being pulled back into the shadow war he never wanted to be a part of in the first place. But Desmond had learned he could not sit back when the innocent was in danger. Especially when his father is involved. This reeked too much of William. Desmond froze mid-step, and his face blanched. No. His mother could not have been involved, could she? She had old-school assassins in the vale. He could not be sure. He could not believe it if she had been involved. But then again William was a master at manipulation. What was he planning? He could not be sure honestly. All of this played in his mind as he continued to walk with Leonardo to bring this revelation to Haytham. They had to assemble, to save the world. Desmond realized he had to become a Templar to save the world.