The Templar Informant

Chapter 2: Of Voyages and First Encounters

Late February, 1760

Just over a month had passed since I first starting living amongst the Templars, and when Shay is around, it is not completely terrible. Also, despite the new living arrangements and almost constant babysitter, my life went on as normal with work taking up most of my time. Although, the recent week or so has not been so normal.

We had been at sea a while now; I had honestly lost track of the date, especially since I had spent the majority of the trip wondering what the bloody hell Kenway was thinking when he told me to join Shay on his current Assassin hunt. I knew we were tracking the remaining Assassins, hoping to stop them before they reached another precursor temple. However, I am no Templar; this is not my fight, not to mention I am useless to them in battle. So I have come to question the Grand Master's reasoning for my being here, mostly because he never gave me one.

So far, all that had happened is that Shay had found an encrypted map of the route the Assassins were taking, and with the help of Captain James Cook, we were following that route. However, I knew what these Assassins are like, and I can only imagine they know that Shay is coming. This has me worried that we could be sailing into a trap, but Shay does not listen to what I have to say and despite how much this frustrates me; there is nothing I can do. So I spend the majority of the trip just looking out over the sea and ignoring Shay altogether, I was pissed off with him and if that meant that I had no one to talk to; then so be it.

I look over to the helm of the ship, and I see the usual sight; Shay steering with Mister Gist standing to his right and Captain Cook to his left. I could see they were talking, but being at the bow of the Morrigan meant that I could not hear a single word they say. However, the all too usual noises of the ship were being drowned out by an ever louder growing noise. I face forward again and see that we are steering straight into a snow storm; I thought it was cold enough until we finally reached the rapid winds. "Miss Driscoll, the Captain wishes to speak to you," I turn to face the deckhand that had spoken.

I merely nod at him before making my way to Shay. As soon as I was near enough, he started speaking, "Norah, this storm does not look like it is going to let up anytime soon, and I think we may be coming up on the expedition; I think it is best you go inside where it is both warmer and safer."

"Fine," was the only word I was willing to grace him with, despite how childish I was acting, before I returned to the Captain's Quarters where Shay had let me stay for the duration of the voyage. Admittedly, it was warmer in here and I was thankful for it, I have never been one for the cold, mostly because it impedes on my work; it is hard to map anything when paths and rock formations are covered by snow.

I suddenly hear what sounds like cannon fire in the distance and I hope we were not sailing anywhere near it; however, the fact that the noise was growing louder meant that we were, in fact, getting closer. I think I vaguely here Mister Gist's voice above yelling for everyone to brace; who was I to disobey something like that. I feel the Morrigan rock from side to side as I hear what sounds like cannon balls hitting the water around us. I then hear Cook shout something that sounded a lot like 'ambush.' Well how bloody grand is that, I swear, if I live through this, I am going to eat Kenway's head off; he's going to get the biggest talking to he has ever witnessed.

The cannon fire seems to stop, but not five minutes later, I hear cannon fire again, but this time; it is coming from us. "Shit, shit, shit, shit, Kenway, you are a dead man if I live through this, just you wait."

I feel the ship rock when we are undoubtedly hit by return fire, so I find a little spot where I can hide and pray that we do not die. The battle seems to last what seems like hours, but could only have been ten minutes. The only reason I know we have won is the cheers I hear coming from the crew on deck. I do not come out however, as it is barely one minute later when I hear gun fire and I can only imagine the battle has turned from ship warfare to guns and swords. This only means that I am potentially still not safe. This battle does not last as long as the ship one does and before long, the gunfire stops. I wait a few more minutes before making my way outside.