Fire and Liberty

Chapter Five

You were redressing the lesion when a servant was sent to fetch you, requesting that you meet Master Kenway in his study. You threw on the new set of tailored attire, laced up your boots, then sauntered through the vast halls of the mansion. The large building never quite felt like home to you. You hadn't grown up there and, since your return to America with Haytham, you were often out on some mission or another.

Haytham was just stepping out of his study when you arrived, his attention flicking to you then back to the parchment in hand. "The man I need you to bring to me, James Marsh..." He strolled through the home as you followed intently at his side. "He was sighted only a moment ago heading out of Boston on horseback. I can not determine where he is headed as of yet but I know someone who might have an idea."

"One of the names on my list, I presume." You nestled your hands behind your back, leering at him as you analyzed the calm tension in his expression.

Haytham was well guarded, well practiced in keeping his thoughts and emotions unreadable. But spend enough time with a man and all his secrets could be easily known. And you, above all others, had spent the most time with Haytham. You had been the one to travel with him across Europe and Asia, watched as he rescued his sister and took revenge for the atrocities committed against his family. You returned with him to America, fought by his side as he took down the Assassin Order with Shay Cormac. So, when you looked at him, you saw clearly the stresses of being Grand Master.

"Indeed you will be eliminating two of our problems. Martin..." His tone took on a hint of humor and disbelief. "I believe his friends call him... 'Marty'. A drunkard who haunts the docks and the nearby tavern. An easy target I'm sure. And easier to draw information from."

"Drunken men do love to blabber to pretty women." You pressed your lips thin. You never were good at the flirting angle. You were always better at forcing information out of your target.

Haytham abruptly came to a stop and cast all of his stern attention upon you. "Caution, my child. There has been word of an Assassin in the area. You are only skilled enough to challenge him if you are patient."

You ducked your head away, glancing down at the newly polished boots as you considered your words. He was your mentor, closest 'friend' if you could call him such. A father, really. He deserved to know about Ratonhnhaké:ton and his assistance in the woods. "Haytham--"

"I trust in your abilities." His large hand wrapped around your shoulder, squeezing it tenderly like a father to a daughter. "I know you will do what is necessary."

You squeezed your hands together and gave a firm nod.

"I must be off. Charles requires my presence." Haytham folded the parchment in his hands, slipping it inside the folds of his dark blue jacket. "I shall speak with you more tonight at dinner."

You watched him walk away, convincing yourself that you would tell him at dinner when there was more time to explain. You had more important matters to take care of. You couldn't waste your energy on silly sentiments. Besides, it was unlikely that you would run into the youth and if you did happen to see him...

You clasped your hands tighter then marched forward. You focused yourself on the mission alone, desperate to forget about your savior back in the woods. You kept your efforts on locating Marty which was likely the easiest target you'd ever found. The barkeep pointed him out dead away and for much of the evening you watched him, sipping gingerly from the tankard in hand.

Marty wasn't difficult to size up. He was a man who liked to drink and tell tall stories to any pretty thing that dared to listen. For a man who drank often, he also wasn't very good at holding his liquor. He was drunk after two tankards and once he drank a few more he staggered out of the tavern onto the frigid Boston streets.