The Immigrant

Chapter 35| October 21 1799

The sun shone brightly from the crisp fall air as I made my way around the city needing for a break as I took the day off for myself. Various deciduous tress throughout the city shone with brilliant yellow, oranges and reds. Some leaves blew down into the street as the wind blew softly. I came to the city square right in front of the City Hall as I gazed up at the fountain. It's shimmering water fell into the pool below. I took a relaxing breath as the sound the water falling calmed me. Suddenly a familiar voice called from behind me. It took me a second to realize.
"Ezio, mon ami!" Lafayette called.
I turned in surprise as I saw the tall, devilish man smiling at me as he approached me. I could hardly believe it.
"Lafayette!" I exclaimed as the Frenchman gave me a big hug.
"H...how are you?" I stammered in shock to see him.
"It's like a breath of fresh air being back here in America." Lafayette smiled.
I nodded, excitement bubbled through my skin.
"So the war is over in France?" I asked.
Lafayette shrugged.
"For the most part, their just picking up the remains now." Lafayette huffed.
"So you didn't get blow away by cannon fire, you amaze me." I said sarcastically.
Lafayette's laughed hardily as he slapped me on the back almost knocking the wind out of me.
"I tried mom ami." Lafayette grinned.
I rolled my eyes giving a sigh. Lafayette looked around with a tired expression. His face was more grizzled and worn than the last time a saw him.
"It's a relief to be back on theses shores, been gone for so long...I thought I would never make it back here." Lafayette sighed.
I looked up at him with a interested gaze.
"But you did win the war, leading men against the British, how you commanded during our war?" I asked with shimmering eyes.
The bright expression on Lafayette's face faded as I was afraid I offended him somehow.
"Not quite mon ami." Lafayette sighed his voice lowering.
I looked at him puzzled.
"What I may have expressed is false...the truth is I never got a chance to fight in the war." Lafayette murmured, guilt rising in his voice.
I frowned as I looked at him worriedly letting him proceed.
"You see, when I got back to France they accused me of being a traitor blaming me why America didn't aid them in their moment of crisis. So fearing for my life I fled to Belgium only to be captured by some damn Austrian soldiers and was thrown into prison. With me locked away in a cell...I couldn't save my family who were all executed back in Paris. Not until two months ago I was let free and sailed quickly as I could to America." Lafayette explained with dull eyes.
I stared back at him with a sympathetic look.
"I'm so sorry." I murmured looking at Lafayette's sullen face.
Lafayette sighed as he shook his head.
"It's alright mon ami, I think I'm going to be taking a long vacation here in America." Lafayette huffed a smile returning to his face.
"So tell me Ezio, what had be happening these past few years?" He asked changing the sore subject.
I shrugged.
"It's been tough, everyone trying to pick apart my plans..." I sighed crossing my arms.
Lafayette looked at me with a curious glance.
"Is it mostly Jefferson?" He asked.
I paused as I looked up at him.
"Yeah...I though you were acquainted with Jefferson?" I asked.
Lafayette shrugged.
"We where at one time...but he does show off at times kicking the...other party into dust." Lafayette shrugged.
"You mean Federalist Party?" I asked amusingly.
Lafayette rolled his eyes.
"I never said I was a politician." Lafayette snapped jokingly.
I sighed glad to see Lafayette in his normal sense of humor.
"...you don't have any errands to run right now?" Lafayette asked.
I paused then shook my head.
"No...why?" I asked a sense of dread rolled into the pit of my stomach studying Lafayette's gaze closely.
"How about we take a little stroll around the city, its been a while since I've wandered these streets." Lafayette in a casual tone.
"Seems innocent enough." I said skeptically as I followed Lafayette out of the plaza.
Lafayette and I walked westward towards the Hudson River, a place I never really ventured that often. A cold breeze blew off the river as I looked out onto its shimmering water.
"Have you heard anything about Mulligan?" I asked.
Lafayette gave a huff.
"Who knees what he's doing...he's been how you say...busy?" Lafayette said unsure of himself.
"I mean it's kinda hard to get letter when your locked up in a prison cell for three years." Lafayette added.
I nodded slowly but then realized something. How did Lafayette send me that letter those couple months ago? I decided not to ask knowing Lafayette's harsh past durning the French Revolution. Lafayette turned his gaze to the Hudson.
"Have you ever been cross the Hudson?" Lafayette asked.
I shook my head.
"Never been to Weehawken." I replied.
Lafayette nodded as he crossed his arms.
"I've heard that many duels have taken place there..." Lafayette commented.
My eyes narrowed as I looked at the small figure of trees across the river. I was never a big fan of dueling, in fact I hated it. I thought it was a waste of time and lives. Could a mans honor really be that important to him?
Lafayette turned back from the river as I followed him down the streets. The sun was setting low in the sky, casting the sky orange as the frosty wind shook died down. Lafayette had a grin on his face as we came toward a particular pub.
"You bastard." I laughed.
"I was wondering?" He asked.
I sighed as I looked up at the old wooden sigh that was about to fall off its hinges.
"Only for you." I sighed as we walked into the pub.
The strong smell of whiskey hit my nose as we walked to our usually spot.
"God it feels good being back here." Lafayette smiled as he sat down putting his boots on the table.
I nodded in agreement as I looked around the drunken atmosphere.
"Tell me, are you enjoying your time as a writer?" Lafayette asked.
"Yeah, I mean it's stressful at times but it's kinda been my burning passion lately." I laughed.
Lafayette nodded as the waiter set down our pints of Adams. Lafayette took a sip as he hummed into the glass.
"The whiskey here is so much sweeter than in France." Lafayette smiled.
I remembered I hadn't touched my drink as I looked down at the sluggish poison that no one expect for a drunk man would drink. I took a small sip as the sour taste bubbled in my throat.
"I'm guessing France's whiskey is pretty bad?" I huffed scrunching up my nose at the taste.
Lafayette laughed.
We talked and laugh as our consciousness became less and less. Blurry memories about the first time meeting Lafayette and Hercules...how that felt like days ago.
"Hey Laf?" I asked trying my best not to slur my words.
"Yeah?" Lafayette replied his words slurring.
"What did you think of me when I first walked into this pub?" I asked my tone serious as my drunken mind allowed me to.
"Well after I asked if your accent was Italian, I thought to myself... I made a friend I can trust." Lafayette smiled at me.
"And hell, I've made a good decision mon ami." He added.
I smiled as I looked down at the table. A few more hours past as the tavern sene slowed down. Lafayette and I made our way outside after we finished our third...fourth pint of Adams? The cold air bit my nose as the moon smiles down from the star lit sky.
"Well I hate to ruin the fun but I must get back to Burr's quarters I have some work to do tomorrow." I sighed looking up at the sky.
"It was good seeing you again mon ami." Lafayette smiled.
"I'm glad you're back." I replied.
With that we said our goodbyes as Lafayette walked down the moonlit street. I chucked to myself as I walked the other direction back to Burr's house, enjoying the moon that casted shadows across my back as I looked up at the stars.

The chilly fall weather finally blew into a frost biting cold. For the first couple weeks in December the city of New York was buried in snow and kept snowing for days. While most people were in their homes by the fire as the first of winter brought some grim news.