Shay watched the two men walking down the street from the shadows of the roof's tops. He ducked when the older man stopped and looked around.
The younger man inquired, "Is everything alright, Master Kenway?"
Haytham glanced around with narrows eyes before turning to Charles.
"Nothing to concern yourself with, Charles."
Shay saw the Grandmaster place his hand on the small of Charles' back, hastening the other man along. He quickly jogged from roof top to roof top, following behind until he ran out of roof. The Irishman dived into a hay wagon and stilled, looking with his Eagle Vision.
"What was that?" Charles asked, looking behind him. Seeing nothing, he continued on. "Must have been my imagination."
Shay waited until Charles and Haytham were out of hearing range and slipped out of the hay. He thought about what he saw as he headed to the Morrigan. He found Gist passed out on his desk and nudge the man awake.
"Huh? What?" Gist muttered.
He looked up with sleepy eyes and saw Shay who smirked and had a raised eyebrow.
"Ahh, Shay. Back so soon?"
The Captain hummed and undressing down to his boots, pants, and shirt.
"What did you find?"
"There is feeling there. Neither man is going to make a move."
Shay sat on his bed and pondered. Gist heaved himself from the chair.
"You are not going to follow them again right?"
The Irishman looked at his First mate and smirked.
"Just one more night. Then, I'll think how to show Charles that I'm not interested in Haytham."
Gist groaned and headed to his bed.
Before walking out he threw over his shoulder, "You better pray Master Kenway or Master Lee don't catch you."
Shay smiled, "What could go wrong?"
As soon as the sun set, Shay was off into the shadows while Gist waited. The Irishman hurried to the top of a building and crouched on an eagle's perch. With his eagle vision, he looked around for the two men. Finding nothing, he drove off the perch and landed into the hay wagon. He slipped out and jogged down the street.
As the Assassin Templar turned into an alleyway, he slid to a stop in front of an older woman wearing Gypsy garb. The woman looked up at him with dark eyes, eyebrow arched.
"Now where would a young man like you be off to in a hurry?" she asked, her Romany accent thick.
"Wise one," Shay said, bowing lightly. "I am just looking for my companions."
"The icy eyed man who has a great dislike for you and his gentleman love," she said with a smirk.
"How did you know?"
The Irishman was suspicious. He looked around above him and tried to find anyone with a red aura.
"You can stop looking around with that vision. There is no one there."
"How?"
Shay's eyes widen. The only ones who know about the vision are other Assassins. How could this Gypsy know?
"Please, the Gypsies have their own version. Now follow me, young man. I can help you with the icy man."
Shay followed the old woman towards her camp. Gypsy men gathered around the fire and guarded the camp while the women, children, and elders slept. One of the Gypsy men walked up to the older woman and held his arm out, letting her wrap her arm in his.
"Madam Viollca, who is this stranger?" the Gypsy asked, glancing at the Irishman.
"My guest, Gunari," she said. "Now I would like to go to my wagon please."
Gunari lead them over to the wagon painted brightly. The older woman waved Shay in as she climbed in and sat at the table. Shay sat down at the table, across from her.
"Madam Viollca, I don't understand how you can help me with Charles."
The Gypsy woman smiled, "By having you helping change the icy man."
Shay watched as the elder got up and rummaged through a chest before pulling out a small glass bottle filled with a clear liquid. She handed the bottle to Shay.
"Just add this to his tea and overnight the change will happen," the woman said, sitting back in the chair.
"Just like that?" Shay asked, eyeing the bottle.
"Just like that."
"What will happen?"
He placed the bottle into a pocket.
"You will see. Now leave me. I need my rest."
Shay bowed and climbed out of the wagon. The Gypsy men glanced over as he walked out of their camp and back into town, heading to the Morrigan.
Gist smoked his pipe on deck as the Irishman boarded the ship.
"Did you find what you are looking for?" he asked.
The Assassin Templar smiled and nodded. He started towards his quarter when his first mate stopped him.
"The Grandmaster requested your presence at Headquarters as soon as possible."
Shay nodded and headed off to the Templar House. He straightened his coat and cravat before knocking on the door. The servant led him to the dining room the Inner Circle used for meetings. Haytham was sitting at the head with Charles on one side and Jonathan Pitcairn on the other side. William Johnson sat beside Charles with Thomas Hickey beside him. Pitcairn had Benjamin Church on his other side with an empty chair waiting for him.
"Shay," Haytham greeted. "Have a seat. We can get this meeting on the way."
The Irishman took his seat quickly and turned to face the Grandmaster who stood.
"As you know, I will be leaving later tonight to meet with the Boston Templars," Haytham said. "While I am gone, Pitcairn will be taking care of his troops while Johnson will be talking with his friends in the area. Charles will be talking with the officers while Hickey will be keeping his eyes and ears on the seedier side on things."
The Inner Circle members nodded.
"Shay?"
"Yes, Master Kenway?"
"You are to stay in New York for now. You may take the Morrigan out to keep her from getting rust but nothing too far. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good." Haytham looked over his closest friends. "May the Father of Understanding Light guide you. Dismissed."
The members repeated the oath before walking off. Shay walked behind Charles and Haytham and watched as they headed into the library. The Grandmaster stopped a servant and asked that tea and wine would be served in the library.
The Irishman slipped into the kitchen and waited until kitchen staff turned their backs on him. He slipped the potion into the pot and quickly slipped into the library. He watched as the servant set the pot in front of Charles and the glass of wine next to Haytham before slipping out. Charles sipped at his tea and enjoyed his dearest friend's company before the Grandmaster had to leave.
His stomach started to turn and cramp, making him groan. Haytham looked over at him, concern in his eyes.
"Charles, are you alright?"
"Yes, sir" he said, cramps becoming painful. "It must have been something I ate earlier. Nothing to worry about."
"Let me help you to your quarters."
Before Charles could protest, Haytham gently wrapped an arm around his waist and helped him up the stairs into his room. The Grandmaster gently set him down on his bed.
"Do you need help undressing?"
Charles blushed. "No, thank you, sir."
Haytham nodded and before leaving the room. "If it gets any worse, contact Church immediately. I will see you in two weeks, Charles."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as the door closed, Charles undressed and climbed into his bed. He slowly fell asleep hoping the cramps would be gone by morning.
Charles groaned as the morning sun lite his face. He rolled out of the bed and went to the dresser. With sleepy eyes, he washed and patted his face. He glanced into the mirror and his icy eyes widen. With a loud pitch, he screamed.