Test of Faith

Chapter 2

 "Master Kenway!" When the two men arrived back at the tavern, the man clad in red, Bill, approached them rather eagerly. "Yes?" Haytham replied, following him back to the table. There, two young, identical boys were sat in the corner, awkwardly staring at the others that surrounded them.

"Who 're these ones?" Thomas asked, walking over. Bill looked to Haytham with wide, intrigued eyes. "They came in here not too long ago, talking of the person in the drawing. I was hoping we could question them," he explained.

Haytham hummed, nodding in approval as he stared at the boys, then patted Bill's shoulder. "Well done." He then walked over, grabbing a chair and silently sitting down. The slightly bulkier one of the two spoke up first, visibly nervous.

"What do you want with us? We ain't done nothin' wrong!" he cried, looking around at the men. Haytham raised a hand, silencing him. "There's no need to be alarmed, son. We merely have some questions for the both of you," he reassured.

He pulled out the paper, unfolding it and placing it on the table. "My colleague informed me that you two were speaking of this man? Do you know who they might be?" he asked, sliding the paper forward.

The smaller boy grabbed it, his eyes wide with wonder. "Is this what that Tacitus looks like?! Why, he looks like a child!" he announced, handing the paper to his friend.

The bulkier boy scoffed, nudging the smaller boy. "Are you out of your mind?! That's clearly an adult - a woman, no less!" he countered. The older men exchanged a few confused looks. "How do you know it is a woman, lad?" one man, Charles, asked, stepping forward.

The larger boy looked up at him, quieting down. "W-well...I mean, I'm guessing. I never saw 'em before till this drawin'," he said honestly, handing it back to his friend.

"But!" the friend said, sitting up straight. "I heard Tacitus here mingles with the gents at different taverns across town! Ask someone there, they'll help ya!" he told them.

Haytham sighed, sitting back in his chair. "Is there anything else you can give us? Any associates that this Tacitus may have? A place they frequent often?" he asked them.

Both boys shrugged and shook their heads. "Sorry mister, that's all we know." He just pursed his lips and forced a smile, taking the paper and standing up. "If that is all, then I thank you for your cooperation," he said. The boys gave him a baffled look before turning to Bill.

"Hey, you grabbed us and dragged us up here, and we don't get no compensation?!" the larger one demanded. Haytham turned to Bill in shock, but Charles quickly calmed him. "In his defense, this one tried robbing us and leaving," he explained, pointing at the smaller boy.

At that both boys deflated, and instead of saying anything else, they silently stood up and left, muttering angrily between each other as they disappeared out of the building.

Haytham ran a hand over his face, standing tall again. "Well, we have a name and we have locations. I say we split up, question different taverns around the town, then meet back here by sundown," he instructed.

Just as he turned to leave, he stopped mid-step. "Also, someone accompanies Thomas," he added. "Oh, come on!"