Fire and Liberty

Chapter Six

Perhaps it was the years of training that alerted you, all those years out in the field where danger was thickest. Your instincts were prickled and, like usual, you followed them without hesitation. Your hand was reaching for the pistol above your head on the bedside table long before you registered the action. The gun was aimed in his general direction, yours eyes locked on the shadow that enveloped his form.

You lowered the weapon but kept it in hand just in case. "Most people drop by after dawn and they tend to knock first."

"So that you could leave without me?" He was sitting in a chair, awkwardly large compared to the piece of furniture. His entrance had been silent enough to only draw you from sleep. You couldn't be certain how long he'd been there until you felt him, seconds or hours.

"That's why you're here?" You gave a low groan and slapped the pistol back down onto the bedside table. "Sit there then. I'm going to at least get a few more hours of sleep." You laid down and tugged the covers over your shoulder.

His words were just as hard pressed as they'd ever been, firmly tossed from the tip of his tongue, "The longer you waste time, the further our target is getting from us."

Your rolled onto your side, your shoulders hunched up around you and your back to him. You sunk deeper into the bed, determined to be just as stubborn as him. You knew he was right. In fact, if you had been feeling well yesterday, you might have even left the moment you learned where to go.

You stayed in bed a moment longer, soaking up the warmth that the layers of cloth provided before finally shoving the covers off. "Fine. I'm up."

Ratonhnhaké:ton rose to his feet just as annoyed, as if he had been the one to be dragged out of bed on the whim of another. "I hope you do not take just as long getting ready."

You snagged your gear and with rough movements strapped it all down. "Just be careful not to get caught. If the Templars see you leaving my room..." You smirked but there was more acidic hatred than humor. "They might wonder about us."

"Worry more for yourself, Templar." He tossed a hand towards the window, motioning for you to take the lead but your smile only widened into a large unhalting grin.

"I'm not going out the window. I live here."

He groaned, eyes rolling rather childishly.

"I get to use the front door. Besides," you rolled your eyes as well, sashaying to the bedroom door. "Wouldn't sneaking out in the dark of early morning draw suspicion?"

He nearly gave a growl before ploughing his way out the window, somehow still managing to keep quiet. You didn't watch him for much longer, slipping out the door and down the hall towards the main staircase. Unsurprisingly, Haytham was sitting in his office drinking tea at a small breakfast table.

"You are up rather early." His eyes lifted from the papers in hand for only a small moment before returning to them.

You stopped at his office door, fingers resting on its frame. "An old grouchy man once told me something about early birds and worms."

He gave a haughty huff. "Strange, I think I heard something similar from a young and presumptuous teenager. She told me that the second mouse gets the cheese." This time he lifted his attention and held it on you, carefully analyzing your expression. He knew rather well that something wasn't quite right. Haytham always did.

"I wouldn't want my worm to crawl too far away," you reasoned, pressing a smirk on your lips as best you could but he must have seen through it because his chin rose a bit. "I'll be fine."

"Just be certain you aren't the first mouse, my dear." He tried to refocus on his papers but his gaze flicked back to you. "And whatever fear or uncertainty you're holding onto... allow it to pass."