Assassin's Creed: Underworld by Oliver Bowden Page A

work; they had servants and lackeys to do their worrying for
them.
    So, yes, The Ghost caught them easily, and he
reached the one who lagged behind, barrelling into him so that the besuited toff fell and The
Ghost was on him in an instant, rolling him over and pinning him down with his knees on either
side of the man’s chest, raising the cutlass and channelling his fury, remembering as he
went to deliver the killing blow that it was this man –
this very man
– who
just moments ago he’d seen laughing as he kicked a defenceless woman half to death.

10
    The time had come for Ethan to leave Amritsar, but
there was something troubling him and he had called a meeting of the family, the outcome of
which was to send shockwaves through the Mir family.
    At this meeting Arbaaz had been expecting Ethan
to announce that Jayadeep was ready to embark upon the next stage of his education – in
the field.
    However …
    ‘I don’t think he’s
ready,’ said Ethan bluntly without ceremony or warning.
    Arbaaz broke bread and smiled. ‘Then you
cannot leave, Ethan. That was our agreement.’
    The two men had shared great adventures. They
talked of the Koh-i-Noor diamond. How Arbaaz had retrieved it. Sometimes Jayadeep’s mother
would be present and all three would reminisce. Names like Alexander Burnes and William Sleeman
meant nothing to Jayadeep, but to his parents they were a doorway to another world of exciting
memories.
    ‘I’ve already sent word. They expect
me home and I intend to honour the commitment I’ve made to them. I will return, Arbaaz, of
that you can be sure.’
    ‘Then I fail to understand. Our agreement
was that you should train Jayadeep until he was ready for the field.’
    The boy had sat beside his
mother feeling invisible as they discussed him without acknowledging his presence. It
wasn’t exactly an unknown occurrence; the more important the issue, the less likely he was
to have a say. He had never been consulted on his future, nor would he expect to be; it was
simply a matter of fact that until further notice he had no say in matters involving his own
destiny.
    ‘You’re going to have to enlighten
me, my old friend,’ said Arbaaz. ‘Throughout your years here you have assured me
that Jayadeep is one of the most talented young Assassins you have ever encountered, which we
all know means you think Jayadeep is
the
most talented Assassin you have ever
encountered. And why not! He was tutored first by me and then by your good self. I’ve seen
for myself that he has no lack of skill, and unless you’ve been honey-coating my ears all
this time, you think so too, and yet now, on the eve of your departure, comes this news the boy
isn’t ready. You must excuse my confusion. In what way is this highly trained,
consummately skilled boy whose mentor is about to embark for home
not ready
? And more
to the point,
why
?’
    A note of angry irritation was evident in his
father’s voice, which had risen as he delivered his speech. Even a breadcrumb clinging
obstinately to his bottom lip did nothing to diminish his formidable look. Jayadeep shrank back.
Even his mother appeared concerned.
    Only Ethan was unperturbed, returning
Arbaaz’s daunting stare with an unfathomable gaze of his own.
    ‘It’s true that
the boy has astonishing natural skill. It’s true that I have been able to mould that
natural talent into Assassinship of a greater-than-usual standard. For my own part, I have
learnt much from the boy, which is partly the reason I intend to leave for home and have no
intention of deviating from that path, no matter how many breadcrumbs you spit at me, old
friend.’
    Arbaaz, abashed, wiped his mouth and when his
hand came away it revealed the very beginnings of a smile. ‘So why then?’ he asked.
No,
demanded
. ‘Why leave us at this crucial time, when there is still so much to
teach the boy?’
    Ethan’s smile wasn’t so much a smile
as a look of kindness and concern that reached his lips as well as