"Harry! You in here? Up for a bit of adventure?" Well now, it's none other than Jacob Frye.
"Adventure? You've caught my interest." Harry answered, business had been a bit slow due to the huge gang fight between the Rooks and Blighters down in Lambeth, Jacob had held it off in favor of Elliot, but the conquering must continue, and he'd now set his sights on the Thames to shut down smuggling for the Templars. But it seems today something else had caught the attention of dear Jacob Frye.
"A ghost story. Charles Dickens, remember him? He sent a letter, seems he wants us to meet him in Lambeth to investigate claims of a demon or ghost named Spring-Heeled Jack. Known for his laugh, claws, and eyes." Jacob laughed.
Harry had caught word of this, but dismissed it beforehand. When had he had time to investigate probably drunken claims from Lambeth? Patients broke out from the asylum all the time. But, if Dickens and Jacob were willing to investigate, might as well go have some fun this dreary March day. Not like St Patrick's was here yet, then business would really boom for a few days. "I'm in, I need a little bit of fun in my life. Give me a minute to change into my guise from the Kenway Manor job, then we'll go!" Harry chirped, Jacob seemed to get even more excited.
Like a puppy, how adorable. It didn't take long before they met with Evie in Lambeth outside the pub Charles Dickens and his Ghost Club were at. Inside, a strange man gave them a look at they approached Dickens, then said the aura of Death surrounded the three of them. Jacob and Evie, being assassins, kept themselves to a light laugh. Harry had to prevent himself from utterly losing it. He wasn't wrong about Death having a high presence with Harry, seeing as he was a friend of the ancient being. Harry listened to Dickens' speech, and then Dickens leads them to the area the so called 'demon' was seen last. Evie decided to take a look around to see if she could pick up any clues as to who Jack could be. Jacob dragged Harry off to scout for any potential victims.
"This is a joke, don't you agree, Ry?"
"I couldn't agree more, probably some lunatic that escaped from the asylum. And, he probably has tools and drugs stolen from the asylum as well. The theaters nearby were missing some costumes and prop parts, so perhaps this Jack is the work of some psycho. Which means he wouldn't hesitate to murder. We should proceed with caution." Harry answered, and once they came up to a fenced in area just a short five minute walk from the previous location, a scream rent the air.
Jacob, being ever brave and rash, charged directly into the area, Harry followed out of worry for the young adult. But, the only people there was a woman and her companions. She had a light scratch on her arm, and was shaking. Before she could go into shock Harry acted, not really caring but wanting information. "Ma'am, is there anything you can tell us about what just happened?" Jacob asked, blunt...but it got her talking.
Huge claws, red eyed, creepy laugh. Turns out she got lucky, Jack was aiming for the kill, but was spooked and ran off when the other people there, bystanders, came into the area. Nothing new, sounded like all the other cases that lived to tell the tale. Harry sighed in disappointment. "Jacob, no doubt he's going to try again, this time braver to get over the blow to his pride about being spooked by a woman and her John. Let's go, his footsteps have left us a trail to follow and we know the profile he looks for in victims. Jumpy, superstitious, and a loner. There are plenty of people in Lambeth, but he sticks to this area." Harry muttered to the man, starting in the direction the footsteps of Jack led. There were the only fresh ones that were male and unaccounted for.
They arrived in an alleyway between houses filled with a group of people, wide enough to accommodate a fight. A smoke bomb with some kind of stunning element added in was thrown, throwing off their balance and vision, but Jacob managed through it early enough to stop Jack from killing the man. Once Harry manages to break through whatever drug was used he went to tackle the culprit, but another bomb was laid down and Harry only managed to throw himself and Jacob to the ground. The smoke cleared, Jack was gone. "Sorry Jacob..." Harry grouched, helping the man up.
"Darling, if you wanted me all you had to do was ask. Now, we have a certain Spring-Heeled Jack to find. We best be quick." Jacob joked, brushing it off with that devilish smile of his.
The ran after the trail Jack left, an abundance of footprints and claw markings, until they came up to a Blighter infested area. "It seems Jack may be either inside or underground, there is a well entrance right there, and it's dry." Harry commented, scowling.
Jacob's eyes turned gold, signaling the use of his Eagle Vision, Harry had to focus on the magic involved in that, but was able to copy it easily enough. Jack was far underground. "We could set off one of those dynamite crates with many of them nearby?" Jacob suggested.
"I'll do that, you go into the well entrance once they are distracted. I'll join you once I'm done up here."
Jacob nodded, and used his zip line to get to the top of the building after a well placed throwing knife killed the lookout of the roof. Harry took out the two guards at the well with throwing knives, and Jacob collected those before entering the well. Harry's turn...he used some whistling and thrown rocks, but after a few minutes most of the blighters were surrounded by dynamite. It didn't take long to set one explosive off for a chain reaction, killing most and injuring the rest. It was easy for him to pick off the remaining few and loot them. What? Easy parts, money, and he was able to take the jackets and scarves of most of them. So he'd be able to make some new clothes for the children, they don't need to know where he gets this all from...
Speaking of the children, the school and dorms were almost done, he'd be teaching soon, and hopefully some more donations would come in. Maybe it would be easier to get donations if he appealed for raw fabric rolls and ruined sets of china, incomplete ones. With enough sets he could put together some lovely completed and mixed sets. Food would be provided by the state, but...he'd have a lot of work in order to ensure healthy, filling, delicious foods for the kids. The gardens out back would have high walls...there he'd be able to put a greenhouse and grow fresh vegetables, ensuring that he wouldn't need to buy those daily.
He put those thoughts from his mind to join Jacob in the hideout, he was in the middle of a fight with Jack. When Harry joined, they managed to kill him. "Alright, let's get out of here. Those dead bodies outside are bound to draw attention." Jacob said after a few seconds of silence.
"Wait, what were those bombs he was using? Look around quickly, perhaps we'll be able to find the handy compound and how to build resistance to it." Harry reasoned, they split up to look.
No such luck. "Well, nothing, but I did manage to find some money."
"Well, then, so did I. But let's get out of here, I'm sure day will soon be upon us and Evie is probably wondering where we've run off to. Want some tea at Lux?"
"I'm good with that. Mind if we clean up at your place?" Jacob asked, helping Harry out of the well once he'd reached the top.
"Not at all, come on, we left your sister back with Charles."
It was a few days after their little adventure that the new school/orphanage was open. Some children would just be registered for lessons by their parents, others would be coming to live permanently, others preferred to stay on the streets some days and come in for lessons on others. Harry knew this, and would accommodate this. Lily Grotto Academy is what the official name was, the school crest was a bunch of Lilies and vines in Stag antlers, and the stag head was arched gracefully upwards. He had designed it himself The inside was spacious, the kitchens ready to teach in and some rooms filled with looms and sewing tools. A courtyard for the children to play in, and large rooms with tables and chairs, shelves and blackboards for the classroom learning.
Harry had the teachers he hand picked for each subject in the room, including Charles Darwin, who would be giving lessons in biological sciences, alongside Alexander Bell, whom was happy to show kids about his own brand of technological science. He himself would be teaching English literature and some home economics classes. A nice woman from the upper class who adores children would be taking over math. Art classes would be done by retired court performers and artists, and carpentry by a local carpenter who was very good at what he did, and proved he could teach others who were at any age. The man was educated quite well despite his low class status. Etiquette by a strict but kind man. Cleaning and serving by retired maids, butlers, gardeners, cooks, and many more. And the small chapel area...that was as far as he allowed any priest or nun to cross onto his grounds.
As children came alone or with parents to register for the school, Starrick and some of his associates came to see the school and if the publicity was drawing in students. It was, Clara and some of the children from Babylon alley were there, though Harry was sure Clara would graduate in a few years and probably, he would pass the school to her. She cared for children of all ages even if she was one herself, no doubt she'd be a great student. "Harridan. It seems your investment has paid off." Starrick greeted.
"Yes, it's wonderful. Though, many families look at me as if I'm insane. Surprisingly, some higher class families have enrolled students here, though they will only attend classes, not board." Harry informed him, the man smiled.
"I take it the Frye twins still come around?"
"Yes, I'm just about ready to rope them into helping with the school to. The children do need to be physically healthy, and exercise is a great way to do it. Plus, teaching the girls and the prettier boys self defense may come in handy for them as years pass." Harry jovially spoke, pretending not to know of the age old war between Templars and Assassins (even if the names have changed over time until they settled on what they are now).
The Templars scowled at the mention of the twins. "Oh they aren't that bad, truly, here's something you can use to get on their good sides. Jacob loves theatre no matter how much he denies it. Shakespeare is a favorite of his. Evie loves books, if you ever need to give a peace offering, books with information on history or occultism are they way to go. Both love music, Evie piano and Jacob violin. Get them playing and you won't want their duet to stop. Oh, maybe they should be music teachers." If Harry could go starry eyed he would, the templars merely looked exasperated.
(By now they'd come to learn of his eccentricity, and his seemingly extreme obliviousness to the conflict between them and the twins being because of other motives)
He gave them a tour with the next group, and showed them the registering and filing process at Starrick's beckoning, but before they could leave the twins showed up. No Henry though. The man was probably running late, since he said he'd come by that day. The twins and the templars stared each other down before Harry decided to spring his trap on the twins. "You two like children, right?"
"Adore them, now what's this about?" Jacob asked, taking time to smile at some kids who looked at him curiously.
The Templars were just shocked to see the twins out of assassin gear, they were dressed in trousers and plain white undershirts, and simple black jackets over top the shirts. That, and the sincerity of the usually 'devil may care' Jacob Frye. "So, say I needed a favor having to include the children now under my care, would you assist?"
"In a heartbeat, what do you need?" Jacob jumped on it, Evie looked suspiciously at Harry, especially after catching the chuckling of the Templars.
With narrowed eyes Evie went to stop Jacob from agreeing to whatever Harry asked for. Too late though. "So if I asked you to teach some lessons here, you would?"
"Most definitely. Wait, what?" Jacob froze, Harry gave the most innocent smile he could.
What those who knew him saw, was pure evil. "Great, come greet the kids. Evie you'll be teaching music, Jacob you'll be in charge of physical activity and self defense. Now then, let's go meet everyone!"
The twins paled, and Henry chose this time to show up.
"Evie, Jacob, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." Henry muttered.
The twins merely gave the man a dry look while Harry went on to tell the twins exactly what they could and couldn't wear, which weapons were allowed and which weren't, and that they were required to dress professionally to a degree. For Jacob, that meant no top hat. Much to Evie's glee, before she was told she had to wear more feminine clothing, to even out the score.
The Templars and Henry could only keep themselves from laughing as the two grew more helpless. "...And that's everything, oh look, there's Clara. I'm sure she'd love to know some of her favorite adults will be giving her and her friends lessons!" Harry chirped, by now the twins had accepted their new duties.
"Hey, Harry, why not rope some of them into your dirty work? Make it fair you know?"
"Because you're unemployed doing odd jobs and they have work they do in industries?"
The twins stared at Harry. "It's alright, we'll come in to give lectures on business, medicine, history, politics, and occultism on a daily basis. Attend Church here, even, once a month." Starrick offered, the twins seemed appeased somewhat.
"At least you two are dressed professionally today, though many women will be loath to see you in trousers instead of skirts, Evie." Harry sighed.
The woman merely stared, then laughed when Harry stared down Jacob until the top hat came off. "You have beautiful hair, Jacob, why hide that sexy combed mess? And you, Evie, should be proud of your silky locks, Lucy even looks jealous of your hair." Harry teased, taking the hat so he couldn't put it back on, then stealing Evie's hair pins so her braids fell and unraveled.
The two seemed uncomfortable, and were blushing. But Harry escorted them to meet their fellow staff. Leaving Henry with the Templars.
"So, Ghost, will you be helping?" Lucy started, merely glancing at the Indian man in a white button up with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, and plain brown trousers.
"World Geography and Culture..." He sighed, resigning himself to the talk to appear civil to onlooking parents.
"He really knows how to rope you in, doesn't he?" She continued.
"Unfortunately..." He responded.
"How did he rope you in?"
"I offered to help with anything he'd need, like errands or getting him in contact with teachers looking for work, falling right into that trap of his. He is devious for one who is so friendly and genuine..." Henry sighed once more.
That butler of Starrick's had to hold back laughter. "Perhaps the end of this war will come with negotiations...Harry seems to be helping despite not knowing." Starrick muttered lowly.
"Perhaps, Mister Starrick."
"You know our names, but we are unaware of any title by 'The Ghost' for you. Living up to your name, you are very hard to find." Lucy stated.
"Henry Green...if we are going to work together here on occasion than it is best you know it." The assassin answered the asked question.
"So, what exactly are assassin goals these days?"
Henry looked taken back by the question Starrick posed, but he should be used to shocking things by now, Harry was a whole bundle of them. "Peace, freedom of the minds of man. Free competition, no monopolies of business...discovery of information, tolerance, mutual understanding. And to locate and store pieces of Eden. Perhaps my giving you this information you will see why exactly we don't want these objects to be used. Back in the time of the Third Crusade, I'm sure you know of the old castle that once served as the home of the Brotherhood, the last second last Assassin Mentor, the highest rank...Altair In-La'ahad, spent most of his life researching the Apple of Eden he recovered from Robert de Sable in his youth days as a Master Assassin. His discoveries detailed the many powers of the Apple, bending the will of the wielder if they were not strong enough, to enslave those around them, being one devastating power. Altair managed to delve into the apple, somehow resisting it's effects, other than his supposed enchantment. He discovered that the different objects and temples were created by a race only known as 'The Ones Who Came Before', precursors...also the origin of the Sage that Edward Kenway stopped. Sages are a reincarnation of some of these people, the objects were created for different reasons. But all to stop some oncoming disaster they were too late to defend against, which eradicated them. Leaving only their spirits behind in the Apples. There is a temple, somewhere, that has the device completed too late that would stop this disaster...but the problem is that many of the keys and objects needed to open, power, and use this device are lost. Hence why we take the artifacts from you, and hide them in vaults we can find later in order to secure a way to defend against the threat should it come again, because it will. The visions of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, recorded by his family and himself into his late age through letters we recovered, proved as such, with the spirit of one of those from before only known as Minerva."
"And you are not pulling our legs, this is true?"
"Yes, Codex pages, letters, books, scribbled on documents, paintings, diaries, carvings...the temples and artifacts...all true. Some of this information dates back from before the crusades, to ancient Egypt and to the Roman empire long before it's fall. I do not lie. What are the goals of Templars under your guidance, Mister Starrick."
"Well, Mister Green, direction. Order, no more chaos, only prosperity. Reverence of the Father of Understanding." Lucy summed up quickly.
"Yet we fight because of difference in opinion in how that peace and prosperity is to be achieved...humans were created by the Ones Who Came Before, the First Civilization, as we call them, for purposes of slavery and conquest. They made us as such so that we could serve their purposes. But now they are gone, however the ingrained directions we would have followed centuries past still linger. Perhaps with time the last of these instincts will fade...perhaps they will not." Henry grouched, the stupid war had gone on long enough is his opinion.
"You may be right, perhaps it is time for the councils of our two factions to meet, and propose peace between. That way, the work towards a better future may begin unhindered. Though, the Grand Masters of the other Rites may not be in agreement with this reasoning, nor would your world wide councils of Assassins."
"I will send letters imploring peace, but the council for the English Rite of Assassins is quite mellow and quite willing to make peace agreements. Perhaps the French, small as their Rite is at the moment, will also agree to peace. I believe Arno Dorian once strove for peace with Elise de la Serre, perhaps the French templar Rite will also agree for the sake of two great historical figures? The Colonial Rite is currently steady, despite the loss of Mentor Connor Kenway half a century ago. The newest Mentor had only been instated a decade ago...but you will have to try hard with him. He has a burning hatred for templars, though it has mellowed slight. The Germanic Rite is currently inactive, as their mentor has come to a cease fire with the Templar Rite. The Asian Rite, which includes Japan, China, and those areas around them, is quiet. I do not know about them currently. And all of your rites over the countries are much the same right now, seeing as the main power is here in the Empire of England." Henry summed up what he knew, hoping to encourage a peace talk.
"Then we shall arrange for a meeting at a neutral location...perhaps Harridan can be convinced to give up his shop for a few days..." Starrick suggested.
"If we told him about this he'd jump all over it, he hates conflict, which is why he'd usually so cheerful and more devious in getting what he wants instead of using confrontation. He'd be easily convinced, plus, he'd probably help keep the occupants of the room from killing one another. That, and he knows many languages, he'd be handy as a translator." Henry pushed further.
"Then that is what shall be done...though, perhaps before my cousin damages Mr Frye too badly, Pearl is a templar...perhaps you can convince him not to kill her because of her deception? Oddly enough his character is very...enviable. He's a good soul despite his recklessness and temper."
"The twins are both good souls, they just have different ways of showing it because of their upbringing. Though I admired their father, Ethan Frye, who was my mentor. Ethan was very...emotionally closed after the death of his wife birthing the twins, thus, the twins grew up under harsh expectations and emotionally stunted. Thus, their ways of showing they care or their affection will be...somewhat skewed." Henry warned.
"Thank you, we will get on with peace talks. Though, we may have to find you to get letters to the assassins."
"I'd be all too happy to meet when you need. I'll hear about it. Now, I best be off to make sure Harry hasn't completely broken the twins. I don't believe they've said a word since they were roped into teaching." Henry laughed a little, before blending in with the crowd seamlessly.
"He really isn't called the ghost for nothing..." The Butler spoke in awe.
Why? There were barely any white shirts in the crowd, and even less Indians, and they still couldn't spot him. Well, Starrick glimpsed him once, but the man's skills in hiding were very refined.