Rookery ~ Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Chapter Eight

Jacob and I had been listening to Alec talking about his telegraph for two hours. He had fixed up our rope launchers within ten minutes and we had them attached. The door slammed slightly against the door, followed by a hushed swear word, and then Evie peered around the corner.

"Ah, Miss Frye, I was just showing Jacob and Carina the first messages received via the mended lines. Oh, and you can keep the rope launcher by the way, Carina managed to procure one for herself and another for you brother. Excellent work, thank you again." Evie gave a little smile.

"You're very welcome, Mr Bell."

"We can now defend the principle of impartial news and free speech."

"Free is fair, but free and brief is far better." Jacob added.

"Hah, Frye, such caustic wit." Evie giggled slightly.

"And on that note, we must depart."

"Good fortune to you all. Call on me anytime."

"Farewell, Alec. See you soon." I waved. He nodded at me with a huge smile.

We headed back to the train and waited for it at the closest station. Jacob decided to procure a little bit more money, and picked it from people's pockets as we waited. Then, the train chugged into the station but didn't slow as Evie waved to let the driver know we were going to climb in. We readied ourselves and all jumped in. Jacob, however, being the lump he was managed to fall on top of me and crushed my arm. I smacked his back until he got up and Henry cleared his throat, positioned above me. I smiled.

"Afternoon, Henry." I stood up again once I was free.

"Now that we've finished with that distraction--" Evie started. I spotted a man in the carriage next to us.

"Hold on." I mumbled.

"Who is that?" Jacob pointed at the man.

"Pointing is rude, Jacob." He lowered his arm. The confused looks on Evie and Henry's faces was enough to make him question further.

"Oh you mean...you don't know?"

"Beautiful train you've got here. Miss Macbean was just telling me all about her. Name's Ned." He extended a slim, feminine hand to Henry. He shook Ned's hand.

"How do you do."

"I won't take up more of your time. If you want to learn a thing or two about the finest transit systems in the world, you can find me at this address." He handed Evie a small piece of card and then left the train.

"He was rather handsome." I smiled.

"Really?" Jacob squeaked. "Him?"

"Yes, why not?"

"Let us return to locating the Piece of Eden." Evie pushed between the two of us and headed to a desk which was littered with maps and notebooks.

"We need to reclaim London from Starrick. Who are my targets?" Evie froze, annoyed.

"It isn't time for that yet." She snapped.

"I didn't come to London to hunt curios and delinquents!" He pointed at Henry, then at me. I clenched my fists, ready to hit him for calling me a delinquent, but noticed the emotion in his voice and calmed slightly.

" 'First understand the dance, only then become the dancer.' "

"Oh? So you're taking over where Father left off?"

"Someone has to."

"Stop arguing. I can't stand it." I groaned.

"Evie, finding the Precursor artefact will give us an insight into what the Templars intend. Jacob, I have information about Starrick's associates that should be of use to you. Here. Carina, you will understand this more than the Piece of Eden. Come." Jacob stomped over to the wall and I followed. Evie went to her books to figure out more about her target - the Piece of Eden.

"So, you have all helped in the assassination of Rupert Ferris, David Brewster and Rexford Kaylock so far, yes?" I nodded, as did Jacob. "Alright. Once we learn more, I can add more people to the wall. For now, you could both head into town to try and find some intel. Evie, I want you to begin tracking Lucy Thorne."

"We will leave now. Come on, Carina. We can jump."

Jacob sprinted and leapt from the train. I did the same, only landing funny on my ankle, twisted it and fell to the tracks. I started hauling myself up, hearing another train coming. Feet pounded on the ground towards me. My foot had jammed under a piece of the track which had come slightly loose. The wooden slack had trapped my foot. Jacob bent down and pulled on my ankle. The train hooted at us. I started to panic and pulled my foot harder in frantic movements. Jacob managed to free my foot and grabbed onto me, pushing me out of the way and he landed on top of me. The train whooshed past us, the air blowing my hair around. Jacob chuckled, lifting himself slightly off of me with his hands by my sides.

"You almost died."

"Yes, thank you for that observation, genius." I shoved him off of me fully then stood up to brush the dust from myself.

"You have very slim ankles."

"Bugger off."

"No. And you have lovely hair."

"Stop being an idiot."

"And your eyes."

"I will push you in front of a train, you demon." He laughed.

"Alright, I'll stop now." He was still laying on the ground, an arm behind his head.

"Get up. We have to get to work."

"Can't we get beers again? I brought my own money with me."

"Fine, we can get beers. But we also need to work. Work first." I held out a hand to help him up. He grabbed it and yanked me to the floor. "For goodness sake, Jacob. We are right in the middle of two train tracks."

"So?"

"So, we might get killed."

"No, we won't." He shut his eyes. I was sprawled across slightly next to him, not bothering to move from the position he had pulled me down to.

"You can't fall asleep here. I will go and get beers without you." I got up again. He shot up.

"No you won't." He pulled on my arm.

"Well, move then." I kicked him gently. He hauled himself to his feet, groaning about how tired he was. "What are we going to tell Henry if we don't come back with anything?"

"We tell him we took a break. I am sure he won't mind. Or, we tell him that we didn't know where to start looking and couldn't find anyone to give us information." I bit my lip.

"Will he believe us, though?"

"Probably. He's probably back there with Evie anyway." He pressed his chest against my arm. " 'Oh, Evie.' " He made kissing noises, and I giggled.

"Stop." He stepped back. "Right, fine, let's go get beers."

"Yes! Beer!" He sprinted towards the edge of the bridge and used his new rope launcher to reach the roof of a building a short distance away from us. I followed suit, struggling to keep my grip on the rope. However, I made it across with a grin. Then, I looked up at the Big Ben with an astonished look.

"I reckon London looks lovely from up there." He smirked.

"Let's go there, then. You can see London from there. I promise, it is gorgeous."