Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Highlands Children

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Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Highlands Children (French: Assassin's Creed: Fragments – Les Enfants des Highlands) is a novel by Alain T. Puysségur. It was released in French on 16 September 2021, as the second entry in the Assassin's Creed: Fragments young adult series by 404 Éditions. An English translation was released on 14 November 2023.

The events of the novel take place in Scotland, following Fillan and his sister Ailéas during the invasion by King Edward I of England in 1296, and focused on the local culture of the Highlands.

Official synopsis

Scotland, 1296. The English troops of King Edward are ordered to attack and ransack the Scottish town of Berwick. During the chaos of the battle, Fillian and his twin sister Aileas get separated. Fillian finds protection within a mysterious group of warriors, while Aileas is saved from certain death by an English Captain. Thrust into the dangers of the violent conflict opposing not only Scotland and England, but also Assassins and Templars, each teen embarks on their own perilous journey. When the time comes, will the two siblings be reunited?

Summary

Chapter 1 — Shadows

In the middle of the night at Berwick, a shop is broken into by goldsmith Glenn. Within moments, Glenn is held by scissors at his neck by a young woman named Ailéas, who released him upon recognition. Behind the shop's counter, experienced tailor Alastair Aitken talks with Glenn, who looked at the shop's current destruction, and they discuss the battle outside their doors. Four days earlier, a battalion of English soldiers were ordered by King Edward I of England to attack Berwick in retaliation to King John Balliol of Scotland allying with the French and rejecting a call to arms from King Edward. Soon, Ailéas' twin brother Fillan returns and asks Glenn of his purpose here while welcoming him. Glenn demands that they all leave as the town's leader is readying to abdicate, leading to all of their deaths.

Alastair agrees but is quickly reprimanded by Glenn for his lack of haste. Although Fillian defends his master, the tailor soon sends the teenager away to pack while he talks with Glenn about their preparations. Meanwhile, Ailéas ponders at leaving her home and recalls when Alastair took them in after the parents were massacred eight years ago and made them his apprentices. After Glenn leaves, Ailéas comments that they are leaving others behind. Alastair states that survival is the upmost importance and that they must leave. He soon tells the twins to tell one more guild member before they leave. They leave their home while Ailéas tries to talk about their parents, but Fillan shuts down any conversation about it. They soon arrive at the cobbler's door but finds the cobbler killed and his shop ransacked. Immediately, shouts are heard while news spread of the leader's surrender while a man tells the twins to run. Although Ailéas tries to help him, the man, bleeding from a spear in his back, yells at them to run. The twins run immediately from incoming English troops.

Media

Editions

• ISBN 9791032404188; 404 Éditions; 16 September 2021; French-language hardcover

International

• ISBN 9781803363554; Titan Books; 14 November 2023; English-language paperback

Cover gallery

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  French cover
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  Textless cover
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  Concept cover
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  Concept cover