The Masks We Hide Behind

Chapter Two: "OFF THE RAILS"

Once I'd finished off my drink, Roth led me outside to where a horse-drawn carriage was parked. We sat beside each other, and I took the reigns while Roth navigated. As we drove, I asked, "I thought you and Starrick were fighting for the same ends. What happened?"

Roth sighed, "Oh, you know. He required my experience to train his gang leaders, but the man is dreadful."

"You don't say?" I smiled, attempting to lighten the mood.

Roth did not laugh, but said, "Freedom, Jacob. Stealing that is far more than a sin. It denies us our humanity."

We continued on in a comfortable silence for a while. As we drove over a bridge that overlooked the Thames River, our destination became clear, and another question came to my mind, "Why are we going to the train station?"

Roth's face lit up, "Starrick is expecting a large deposit of materials tomorrow morning. The train carrying them arrives in less than an hour."

"And you intend to steal it?"

"What?" He cackled, "No! I intend to blow it up!"

I grinned at that. My sister was always telling me that assassins were meant to be invisible. Sneaking around and not being seen was the second most important part of the mission. She wanted me to grow up, and so had my father, and my mentor. I didn't see the world like they did. I didn't want a controlled lifestyle. I wanted a little bit of chaos, and Roth seemed to understand that. I loved that about him. He was so open, and so free.

I parked the carriage in an alley, and both Roth and I scaled the nearest building to the train station. I was amazed at how well Roth could climb. He'd make a good assassin if he ever decided to switch sides completely. 

Roth stayed outside to keep watch, and I headed into the station alone. I killed all the Templars inside, emptied the train of it's contents, and lit five different crates of TNT. Then, I drove the train out, as the station went up in flames behind me.

Roth met me outside, and as I got off the train, he got on, "Great job today, Jacob."

"Thanks. I had fun."

"As did I, as did I. Apologies, but I must run," He said, ordering a Blighter that was nearby to conduct the train. He looked back at me with a smile, "Do come see me again," He said, and with that, the train left.

I stood and watched it until it faded out of sight. Roth was an interesting man, and I knew immediately that I WAS going to pay another visit to the Alhambra Music Hall. The sooner the better.

Three days went by before I was able to leave the train hideout without Evie questioning me. Tonight, she was heading out on her own in the hopes of assassinating another Templar named Lucy Thorne. I made my way to the Alhambra.

The doorman, whom I'd found out was named Lewis, recognized me and granted me passage inside. I didn't spot Roth at first, but eventually saw him kneeling beside a table, looking at a crow in a birdcage.

As I approached, I heard Roth speak, "Jacob! He is beautiful, isn't he?"

I shrugged, at first thinking that Roth was asking me about the bird. I paused then, wondering if Roth was asking the bird about me. I quickly dismissed the latter from my mind, settling that the former was correct. 

Roth sighed, and then stood, "Ah, Jacob, my dear. I've planned the perfect second outing for us."

"Have you?"

"There's borrowing to be done. Three of Starrick's henchmen are about to disappear."

I smiled brightly, "You sly devil."

He grinned back, "And I'm coming along this time," He pushed my playfully, "There's no sense in giving you all the glory," He looked towards the door, "Off to the carriage we go."