It was night on the 5th of February, 1819. Thomas Stamford Raffles, most of the time just known as Stamford Raffles, sat in the room, looking at the opened letter. After taking a deep breath, he read the letter for the third time, as if reading it again would change its contents.
"Mentor Raffles, I write to you with grave news. It appears that one of your men from the East India Company, a man known as Major William Farquhar, has been identified as a member of the Templar Order. I leave it to your decision what to do to Major Farquhar," Raffles read softly.
The letter was signed by Hamid, the Mentor of the Indian Brotherhood of the Assassin Order, and an acquaintance of Raffles'. The news was indeed bad, as Raffles had originally intended for William Farquhar to be the first British Resident of the new British colony – Singapore. As the Mentor of the British Malayan Brotherhood of the Assassins, Raffles knew he had to do something about it.
Walking out of the room, Raffles met one of the British soldiers, Captain Sherman Peirce, who was also a member of the Assassin Order. But Raffles was known to be more of a diplomatic Assassin than a fighting Assassin, while Sherman was more of a fighter.
Sherman saluted Raffles. Raffles acknowledged with a nod and pulled him back into the room. Shutting the door, Raffles said softly, "Sources have told me that Major William Farquhar is a member of the Templar Order."
He was taken aback by the news. "Is your source trustable, sir?"
"Very trustable, Sherman," Raffles replied. "Since you're a member of the Assassin Order, and the highest-ranked fighter stationed here, you will aid the Order in establishing a stand here in Singapore, and at the moment stop Major Farquhar from succeeding in his Templar goals. You will have the rank and authority of a Master Assassin."
Sherman took a bow and said, "Thank you Mentor. I will not fail you."
Months passed, and it was now November of the same year, which was 1819. The population of Singapore had reached almost two thousand. Sherman Peirce, now the most senior Assassin in the British colony, had secretly and successfully recruited Assassins into the Brotherhood. The number of Assassins was small, with less than fifty in the colony, and they had much to do, with a Templar as the most senior figure in the colony.
Fortunately, Major Farquhar had not discovered that both Captain Sherman Peirce and Stamford Raffles were both Assassins, for that would spell grave danger.
William was going against Raffles' instructions, by allowing opium trade and slavery in Singapore. There was no opposition, as communication between him, the East India Company and Raffles, who was residing in Bencoolen, was poor.
Luckily, Raffles had sent a merchant from Penang, which was also British-controlled, who was also a member of the Assassin Order, to Singapore to help Sherman.
Sherman walked through a street in the colony, which was made up of just a town, heading towards the Assassin's Headquarters. Back in his home country the temperature would be cold, but here in Singapore the weather was much hotter, and it appeared that the weather was the same all year round.
The Assassins Headquarters was an ordinary-looking building that did not draw attention to it. On the ground floor of the building was a shop that was closed most of the time, which was run by the merchant, a middle-aged Russian called Gregory Alexovich.
Entering the building through a discreet side entrance, Sherman met up with Gregory, who was dressed in civilian attire and wore a cross necklace.
"Sherman, a ship owned by the Chinese pirate Tsung Wei has just docked. The name is familiar to me. Tsung Wei is famed for robbing merchant ships and selling their goods in ports," Gregory informed. "As I remember from my time in Penang, Tsung Wei is a member of the Templar Order."
"I trust that there'll be Assassins at the port by the time I reach there," Sherman said.
Before setting off Sherman changed into his Assassin Robes, which would make him unrecognisable by his soldiers if he was not unlucky. Once he was ready he set off for the port.
At the port Sherman rendezvoused with three Assassins, who had been sent by Gregory.
"Master, the Templar's ship is docked nearby. We know where it is," one of the Assassins said.
"Well then, lead the way."
The ship was guarded by a small group of Chinese men, probably Tsung Wei's own guards. Sherman pointed out the men to his Assassins, and gave them orders to take the men out.
Boarding the ship, the four men went below deck to see what goods the ship held. Sherman was delighted to see barrels of gunpowder. He looked over to the Assassins. They already understood what Sherman wanted to do with them.
Minutes later they had made a trail of gunpowder all the way to the gangway of the ship. Sherman drew his flintlock pistol and fired at the beginning of the trail. The gunpowder ignited and as the spark made its way below deck the four of them ran as far as they could away from the ship. Seconds later there was a loud boom as the barrels of gunpowder exploded, destroying the ship and sending debris and water onto land.
Not long after Tsung Wei himself arrived, accompanied by three more of his Chinese guards. He was shocked to see his ship destroyed. Sherman, who was watching nearby, revealed himself and attacked them.
Releasing his Hidden Blade, Sherman stabbed the first guard, who was still unsheathing his dagger. As the first guard dropped, Sherman's peripheral vision caught the second and third guards being killed.
Now Tsung Wei was surrounded by Sherman and the three Assassins. Tsung Wei growled angrily as he pulled out a sword.
"You will pay for destroying my ship, filthy Assassins," said Tsung Wei before attacking them.
Sidestepping Tsung Wei's attack, Sherman drew his cutlass and slashed Tsung Wei in his arm. Tsung Wei stumbled and Sherman seized the opportunity, slashing Tsung Wei a second time with his cutlass. One of the Assassins dealt the final blow with a Hidden Blade.
As Tsung Wei collapsed, the four Assassins kept their weapons. Sherman kicked the body to make sure that he was dead. Now they could hear footsteps that were getting louder. Without further delay they fled the scene.