He didn't feel lost for long. Edward was brought to the Brotherhood in Oxfordshire, a small base hidden out in the forests. While he was reluctant to trust these people, he soon found them welcoming and kind to be around and many treated him like a little brother, even when they didn't know his name. His home was taken by the Brotherhood as Edward was too young to keep it but was promised to be returned to him when he turned eighteen. Any weapons or uniforms that were left behind, anything of use, Edward gave to the Assassins but opted to keep his father's outfit. It was too big for him now, but one day, it would fit.

The Assassin that brought him there was called William Hunt and despite rough introductions, Edward and him became close. That void in his heart, caused by the absence of Haytham, was filled by another brother.

William soon told Edward that he had known his father when Thomas had been working in London. He had trained under him and although they had angered each other, William had taught Thomas the meaning of home and Thomas taught William discipline and the ability to work as a team. They had even saved each other's lives. He told Edward these stories and it put a smile on the boy's face. After his parents had died, it was like all the memories, all the stories had died with them and when someone could fill the gaps, Edward was extremely grateful.

With the training his parents had given him, Edward got by the first few weeks of Assassin training with ease, but as the tasks grew heavier and the training lasted longer, William was on call for support.

"Bend your legs- yes, that's right- careful!- a little more..."

Edward crept along the branches, his heart thumping and his breathing out of sync. His eyes were wide and his legs shook.

"Don't get too close to the end of the branch." William called from below, watching the boy edge his way along the branch. "It won't support your weight."

Edward nodded and swallowed but held no knowledge of when or where he should stop. Too far, and he would fall. Too short, and he wouldn't reach his target-

"Aagh!" Edward cried as the branch gave way and he crashed down, taking the lower branches with him.

He landed heavily in William's arms, branches and twigs around him.

"You'll get there." William laughed and pulled the twig from his little brother's hair.

"Will I?" Edward sighed, thanking William for the rescue as he was put back on unsteady legs. "I can't climb, I can't outrun anyone, I can't even be sneaky without being noticed! I'll never be an Assassin."

"One," William counted, holding up his hand, "that comes with practise. Two, you have little legs, you won't outrun anyone yet. Three, being sneaky is overrated and four," he smiled, patting Edward's shoulder, "your parents were Assassins. It's kinda a given that you'll be one too."

"You think so?"

"Of course. Give it time."

And Edward did just that.

February 1740, Oxfordshire, England

Edward crouched on the edge of the tree branch and looked down. He was perfectly balanced so that the tree remained steady and the branch didn't bend but he was close enough to jump. The white cloaked man passed by below, unawares of the predator that lurked above.

Edward made the mistake of grinning.

Just before the young Assassin slammed into him, William turned. The man was so skilled, he could sense the slightest disturbance in the air, even a smile could trigger his warning bells.

"You're getting good!" William laughed, getting to his feet and helping Edward up.

"I've had a good teacher." He smirked.

"Now, let's see how your sword work is doing." William unsheathed his sword and mockingly waved it around. "Sir, I challenge you to a duel!"

"What are we fighting for now?" Edward laughed, doing to same.

William paused for a moment.

"How about... My sister?" He raised a wicked eyebrow.

"That's cruel."

"Ah, come on, Edward, we all know how much you adore her!"

"That was meant to be a secret! You weren't meant to tell anyone- does she know? Did you tell her?!"

William just laughed. With a snarl, Edward swung his sword and Hunt took a step back, blocking the swing, a grin still on his face. He let Edward go on the attack while he remained defensive. The young man growled and grunted as their blades clashed, furious that his greatest secret had been revealed. He wanted to kick him to the ground, wipe that damned smirk off his face-

As Edward raised his sword, he realised he left his right side unprotected. William had noticed this as well.

Edward gasped as the fist made contact with his unguarded side. It wasn't a hard punch, but it was enough to send him back a pace, and that was all William needed to disarm him and tackle him to the ground.

"Agh! No!" Edward struggled but William refused to yield. "Get off, you lump!"

"Say please!"

"No! You complete bastard! I can't believe you would tell her that!"

William laughed again.

"I didn't tell her anything!"

"You complete idiot- wait, what?" Edward stopped.

"I didn't tell her you had feelings for her. In fact, she told me that she had feelings for you."

"Really?" Edward grinned.

"Yes. Now apologise for calling me a bastard and I'll let you up."

"Sorry." He sighed.

William stood and grabbed Edward's arm, pulling him to his feet.

"For what it's worth, I think you'd make her very happy." Hunt smiled. "You may court my sister with my blessing."

Edward bowed mockingly.

"Thank you, kind sir."

"Hey, I can just as easily revoke that blessing."

"Too late!" Edward laughed and took off a sprint, racing through the forest back to the Brotherhood base.

"Edward!" William called after him but the young man was long gone.

With a sigh and a shake of the head, he raced after him.

"That boy's going to cause nothing but trouble."