A/N: Sorry for the real late update, real life and all that. Here's a very important chapter! Also we are over 100 followers! Yes!

Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1


"Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are." – Niccolò Machiavelli


Ch. 8: Revelations of the Order

"Well," he inquired as he peered out the window to see the glow from the forest.

"O'Rourke is about a mile out," a soldier answered timidly.

Hoyt glanced down to see that soldier's knees were shaking uncontrollably. He smirked then added, "You are dismissed and please have Stark come in."

The soldier bowed, running out of the room quickly. Hoyt then looked back at the ground to gaze at the man lying on the ground. "What to do with you now," he pondered aloud. He pulled out his dagger and twirled it in his hand. "You know how long I wanted to do this to you. I waited so long to get my opportunity and now, with everyone out of the way, I can rule," he whispered.

"You asked for me, sire," Hoyt turned to see Stark standing at the doorway.

"Yes. What news do you have?"

Stark entered the room completely and answered, "We attacked the camp. We have prisoners; men, women and children."

"Anything else?"

"We have Lord Fairfield in the throne room. He wishes to speak with you."

Hoyt gave a quick nod then looked back at the ground. "I'll find your daughter, Patrick," he stated. King Doyle looked up, revealing to Stark, the blood that covered his robes. His face was swollen around the cheeks from the beatings and there were several knife scars on his chest and arms.

"My…Maura will…stop you," the king coughed harshly.

Hoyt chuckled and quickly, catching the king off guard, placed the knife at his neck. "You know people feared me because I was able to kill swiftly. But," he stepped back, placing the dagger back in its sheath. "After all, if I was able to kill two assassins and your wife without raising my blade, I should be able to find her."

At those words, Patrick lunged at Hoyt but was pulled back by the chains that held him down. "You bastard," he barked.

Hoyt chuckled then looked at Stark. "Continue patrols until we find her," he told his apprentice. He glanced over his shoulder and added, "Then it ends."


"So when Sean found us, he looked bad. We had to get help and you happened to be right there. We knew that you could help us," Jane explained to Alexandra.

Alexandra leaned back in her chair, glancing up at the two women before her. She took in a slow breath then exhaled as she spoke, "So, you decided to steal my last bit of supplies."

"Well…" Jane scratched the back of her neck.

Alexandra glanced at Korsak. "I sense a lapse of judgment, Vince," she commented.

Korsak nodded, "I was concerned about Sean and I know others will be returning, possibly with survivors."

"Melanie and Josh?"

Korsak looked down. "I'm praying but we need time to regroup, Alexandra."

Jane watched as Alexandra gave a thoughtful expression then answered, "Three days."

"That's not enough," Jane argued immediately. "You can't expect us to do that." Alexandra stood up from her chair, gazing at Jane as she barked. Surprised that the woman didn't flinch, Jane stepped forward, "I don't know how Korsak knows you but if you were our friend, you would help, not make things difficult."

At these comments, Alexandra stood up straighter. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she moved toward Jane until she stood in front of her with very little space. "Do not test my patience, young Rizzoli. I kicked your arse and I will do it again," Alexandra warned. She then stepped back, giving quick nods to everyone else before she walked up the staircase and disappeared into her bedchambers.

As the door slammed, Angela sighed and looked at Jane, "Of course, you had to be confrontational."

"Three days isn't enough. I don't know how you can even work for that woman," Jane argued.

Angela didn't answer but pushed in the chair until she heard Maura say, "I met her before."

The older woman's as well as Korsak's head went up at this comment. They glanced at each other with anxiety crossing their expressions while Jane asked Maura, "When?"

Maura glanced up briefly then replied, "She was at the bookstore I went into the village. She gave me all the scrolls and books."

"Was she rude?"

"Janie," Angela hushed.

Jane crossed her arms over her chest in frustration. "Sorry," she apologized to Maura softly, catching Angela off guard.

Korsak's eyebrow went up briefly while Maura gave a soft smile at her friend. "It's alright and no, she wasn't rude. Quite opposite," she stated. "She was kinder but she also seemed sad," she then paused briefly before she added, "I'll be back."


"What if I can't rule?"

"What if my nose falls off?"

"Alexandra, you are not helping."

"I'm telling you that you should believe that you can do it. You told me that I could achieve my goals and here I am. You can do the same but you have a duty."

"A duty to my people?"

"If you believe that then yes."

She heard a soft door knock, snapping her from her memory as well as her gaze out of the window toward the rising sun. "Enter," she stated simply. The door opened and the tavern owner was caught off guard by the sight of the princess. Emotions rushed through her body and for once, she wasn't sure on what to say to the young woman before her.

Maura decided that if anything, she should be the one asking for the shelter. These people were protecting her from Hoyt, risking their lives to make sure that she returned to the throne as their rightful heir. "Lady MacCoughlan," she bowed her head politely, "may we talk?"

She looks like her mother, her thoughts screamed. Alexandra gestured toward the chair on the other side of the desk while Maura took the seat on the other side. The princess could sense the tension between the two of them until Alexandra asked, with her eyes looking away from Maura, "What do you need to speak with me about?"

"We need a week," Maura stated bluntly.

"I cannot do a week."

Maura sighed, "Surely, you can understand the situation. These people need time to recover." Alexandra was silent and Maura continued, "You were kind to me a week ago and now, I'm asking for your kindness once more."

"I cannot just set a camp for over several people, Princess," Alexandra retorted curtly. "I understand that these people are in trouble and I feel horrible for them but I need to protect my girls and Murray. That is my duty."

Maura glanced down at her hands. She clenched them in frustration then looked back up at Alexandra. "It's my duty to protect these people," Maura confessed to the tavern owner.

At these words, Alexandra's heart constricted. Help her, she heard Hope's voice whisper in her ear. She closed her eyes then reopened before she sighed and rubbed her chin. "One week," she stated finally.

"What?"

"One week," Alexandra repeated. "I have several rooms for a couple families and a couple others can be around the tavern but the rest need to hide in the forest. About a couple into the forest, there should be a meadow or creek there," she explained to the princess.

Maura smiled causing Alexandra to look away. It dropped a bit but kept the small smile on as she stood up and said to Alexandra, "I appreciate this, Lady-"

"Don't call me that," Alexandra snapped. Maura's eyes widened and Alexandra took a quick glance up at her, realizing how harsh her tone was. "I…apologize," she stated softly as Maura watched as the older woman twisted a wedding ring that was on her hands.

"I didn't mean to insult you."

"It's not that," Alexandra assured her. "It's…just the last time I was called that was when my husband was alive. It was also around the same time when your mother was alive."

Maura's ear perked and asked quickly, "Did you know her?"

Alexandra shook her head then looked back at the window. "You should tell the others so you can be prepared," she suggested. As Maura walked out of the room, Alexandra sighed and stood up from her chair, observing Maura speaking to Jane and the others.

Jane seemed surprise, glancing up quickly at the window before back at Maura. Korsak did the same thing and gave a small nod to her in appreciation. She returned the nod quickly, tugging on her chain once more. She then took another glance, observing Jane who gestured for Maura to draw her sword.

An eyebrow went up curiously as Maura stepped up to Jane, taking Jane's sword in her hand. Jane then stood behind her and began to guide her. She also noticed the soft expression across Jane's face attached with a loving smile.

It was an expression that she was all too familiar with. Oh dear, she thought. What is going on here?

"Only something stupid."

You said the same thing many years ago and looked what happened.

"Yeah, look what happened. Now he's dead and I'm alone."


"I still can't believe that you got her to change her mind," Jane commented to Maura as they were placing one of the many tents in the meadow.

Maura glanced up from the rope and replied, "I was surprise too but I think there's more to her. I just can't place it."

"Besides the rudeness?"

"She was kind to me. Maybe if you show some kindness, she won't be as aggressive toward you." Jane shrugged and Maura finished tying the rope when she remembered suddenly about a statement Cavanaugh said. "Jane," she called out, "who are Linda and Christopher?"

Jane's annoyed expression faded into a sad one. She stopped working on the tent and leaned against a tree as she answered quietly, "They were Cavanaugh's wife and son. They died in a horrible fire."

"Oh god," Maura mumbled.

"It happened about twenty years ago. What I heard was that Cavanaugh was away on travel with Korsak when he received news that a fire happened at his home. He rode back and when he came back, they were gone. Just like that."

"Do they know how it happened?"

"Korsak and Cavanaugh don't like talking about it. It nearly destroyed Cavanaugh though."

"He's a brave man to continue on," Maura commented.

"We are all willing to fight for you, Maura especially me," Jane expressed. Maura glanced up at Jane and gave her a soft expression

"They're back," they heard Nina shout and the two woman jogged quickly out of the woods with Tommy and Korsak following out. Everyone who was in the tavern stepped out and the sight surprised them all. There were many children as well as women walking down the road with Frankie in the lead on his horse with a child riding with him. Jane noticed immediately that Frost was not on his horse but another woman with two children, one in the front of her and the other behind her. It took a moment for the bandit to locate her friend until she saw Frost in the wagon, moving toward them with Casey, Josh, Drake and two other men trailing behind.

Maura glanced over toward the tavern doors to see Angela and the rest of the girls except Susie who was still attending to Cavanaugh. Alexandra also appeared at the doorway when Frankie reached them finally.

"How bad," Jane asked, seeing the grave expression on Frankie's face.

"Whole place is gone, Janie. Burned to the ground," Frankie explained. "We found them hidden deep in the forest."

Maura stepped forward, lifting the child from his saddle into her arms and asked softly, "What happened to the others?"

"Killed or taken captive," Frost replied as he pulled the wagon over.

The other men stepped down from their horses while Frost stepped off the wagon. He pulled back the entrance and Melanie stepped out. Korsak jogged over, hugging Josh tightly then pulled back, lifting his wife from the wagon and embraced her. "Thank God, both of you are okay," he whispered to her.

Jane glanced over to see the anguished expression on Frost's face. Curiously, she looked around before realization hit her. She tugged on Maura's hand, making the princess glance over at her in confusion. "What's wrong," the princess asked.

"I don't see Lieutenant Frost," Jane whispered.

Maura returned her attention toward Barry then looked around, noticing also that she didn't see Lieutenant Frost. Anna walked over toward Barry, wrapping her arms him in a tight embrace as he rested his head on her shoulder.

Alexandra stepped forward and looked at the crowd before her. "Everyone," she called attention to the crowd. "We have a couple rooms unoccupied currently in the tavern then we have several tents sent by the stables then we have several more in the forest's meadow. Get rest, food and drink."

The women, children, and the men who were left all split into the new areas.

Maura watched in pain as the people moved, feeling the guilt in the pit of her stomach. She then felt Jane slip her hand into hers and whispered, "We'll get through it. Don't worry."

Maura nodded, wrapping her arm around Jane's waist and hugged her. Catching the bandit off guard, Jane was, at first, unsure what to do but as she relaxed, she returned the hug back. She then pulled back, giving the princess a quick kiss at the top of her head. Realizing what she did, Jane pulled back quickly. "Um…I should go…" she started, "You know, make sure everyone's okay with settling in."

"Right," Maura replied shyly. "I'll go inside the tavern and…check on Cavanaugh."

Both women continued to gaze at each other for a bit until Maura reached the door of the tavern, entering the building while she watched Jane disappear into the forest. As Maura closed the door, she could feel her chest swelling and a blush crossing her cheeks. "You okay, Maura," the princess looked up to see Angela looking at her from the bar top.

Maura nodded, brushing a blonde strand behind her ear, "I'm fine."

The rest of the day for Maura went by slowly with the Freedom Fighters assisting the people with settling in. Maura, with the help of Susie, looked over Cavanaugh to see that he improved in the course of the day. He still needed rest but he was much better than before. Deciding to observe him for a couple more minutes, Maura removed her satchel around her body and opened it, pulling out the letters. She fingered through the letters and pulled out one of them. She took in her mother's handwriting, running her fingers over her mother's neat cursive letters. I write like her, she thought.

My friend, I'm sorry to hear this horrible news. I know how close you were to dear Francesco. Maura stopped in mid read at the sight of the name. "Frankie's name is Francesco Junior," she mumbled. She then glanced back at the letter and shook her head, resuming to read it.

I know you did all you could to help him and he will be at peace, knowing you helped his family. I know I cannot understand the pain you are going through but maybe if you return home, a bit of time with Maura might cheer you up. I miss you and I know your husband does as well. Finally, about the other business, Hoyt hasn't been around for the last month. Just return home, my friend.

"Your Highness," Maura looked up to see Susie peeking into the room. "Supper's ready," she informed her.

Maura placed the letters away and stood up from her chair. "Thank you, Susie," she stated to the maiden. As they were passing each other, Maura stopped her and stated, "Please call me Maura."

"Of course…" Susie stuttered

Before Maura left the room, she stopped at the door and asked, "Perhaps we can discuss about medicine and science sometime? You're the first person I've met who I can relate with."

"I would like that very much, Pri- I mean, Maura."

Maura and Susie smiled at each other before Maura stepped out of the room to see everyone gathered around a table while other patrons of the tavern were talking while the children played. Jane stood up at the sight of Maura, remembering the small gesture she did and a smile formed on her face. She pulled back the chair for her and Maura took the seat with Maura stating in appreciation, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Jane replied. She then sat down next to her, taking in the sight. Frost was staying close with Anna, still trying to collect himself while Frankie spoke with Tommy, Lydia, and Nina. Riley was speaking with Angela and Korsak while Alexandra sat silent, sipping out of her chalice.

"A bit loud," Maura looked at Jane to see the embarrassed expression.

Maura shook her head. "I never had supper that was so entertaining," Maura confessed to Jane.

"Didn't you talk with your father?"

"I did but other times, suitors would be at the table and they would talk business with my father. I would be ignored."

Jane gave a surprised expression. "I don't know how anyone could ignore you, I know I wouldn't," Jane expressed to her in a whisper. Maura gazed up at Jane and seeing the softness in her eyes, Maura believed every word.

Suddenly there was a loud thud causing everyone to jump at the table with Jane and Maura gripping each other's hands. They looked over to see Crowe kicking off his boots and dropped his sword on the floor. "Don't mean to break up this festive moment but we need to discuss what we are going to do," Crowe informed them.

Jane sighed and replied, "Crowe, it's been a long day. We can discuss a tactic on how to find Lieutenant Frost and the others tomorrow."

Korsak glanced over at Alexandra and asked, "Have you put out word?"

Alexandra placed her chalice down and replied, "Rondo is in town right now. I sent a pigeon so we'll see if we hear anything."

"She's your informant," Jane questioned in confusion.

Korsak nodded and continued, "We'll see how bad everything is. But for now, we should try to rest." He then looked at Frost and reassured, "We'll get your father back, Barry."

Frost nodded and Maura leaned over, giving his hand a small squeeze. He returned the squeeze bowing his head toward her in appreciation. "We'll find a way," Maura told him. "I'll make sure we'll do."

"Same here," Jane agreed.

"Thank you," Frost whispered.

R&I

"Have you read anymore of your mother's letters," Jane asked as they cleaned the table up. A majority of people had already gone to their tents or room in the taverns. Maura nodded, taking a seat at the bar table and Jane stopped, prompting, "Well? What did it say?"

Maura sighed, "It's so confusing. My mother doesn't address the assassin by name and they talk about Hoyt and I. However, the name 'Francesco' popped up a couple of times."

"Francesco," Jane stopped cleaning abruptly. She placed the rag down and walked over toward Maura. "Can I see the letter," she inquired. Maura nodded, pulling the letter out and Jane took it while Angela reentered as she read. After a couple minutes, Jane staggered back and looked over at her mother then at Maura.

"Jane," Maura called out.

"It can't be a coincidence," Jane stated, glancing down at the ring on her hand then at the letter.

"What's not," Korsak asked.

"My father knew the queen's guardian. She knew the assassin," Jane announced. She then heard a thud and looked over to see her mother picking up some cups. Jane stood up from the chair and held the letter up, questioning her, "Ma, did you know about this?"

"Janie, this is not the place."

"Ma, how did the assassin know my father," the bandit questioned loudly, catching her brothers' attention as well as the rest of the gang.

Angela looked over at Korsak who sighed. "You need to sit down, Jane," Korsak told her. "Everyone needs to hear this story." Maura and Jane looked at each other while everyone else took a seat. Korsak took a seat, glancing over at Alexandra who leaned against one of the beams. He took in a deep breath then started, "Your father, Sean, and myself were part of a group of trained assassins known as the Order. It was a secret society where we were the balance between good and evil."

"You were assassins," Frankie questioned, unsure on how to react.

"Wait, what is the Order," Jane interrogated.

Korsak seemed unsure to answer while Maura added, "Lady Isles mentioned it briefly but she never delved into it."

Sensing the tension, Alexandra glanced up at the ceiling briefly before she stepped forward. "The Order began many years ago, before any of you," gesturing toward the younger members of the Freedom Fighters, "were even born. At first, it began in faraway lands and it expanded gradually with the Master Assassin establishing the Order here in Ireland. To society, they believed they were just killers…"

"Cause they were," Crowe insisted.

Alexandra shook her head and continued, "They were skilled warriors and had lives just like you and I. They were born with skills that some could not comprehend that had been passed through bloodlines. For years, they hid secretly, thriving in their travels from far off places. The job was to protect the innocent. It was part of their rules."

"Rules?"

"Four main rules, a way to keep their humanity."

"How do you know about this," Jane asked the tavern owner suspiciously.

"I was one of the many allies they had," Alexandra retorted, not looking at Jane and Maura. She took a large sip from her chalice and continued, taking a quick glance at Maura, "Your grandfather created an alliance with the Master Assassin, having the assassins follow the king's instructions through the Master. Some didn't like and others were okay with it. Your grandfather wanted to strengthen it even more with an assassin protecting your mother."

"Is the assassin still alive? Do you know where I could find them," Maura asked hopefully.

Alexandra looked down at her chalice. "I'm sorry, Princess but the assassin died long ago after your mother died. It was an execution for failure by the Order," she answered. Maura's heart dropped; all her hopes of finding out more about her mother were gone in that moment. Jane's heart dropped as well, making her take a quick glance at her ring. "Your father started when he was twenty as did many others. He was very efficient in his job but it wasn't what you think," Alexandra told Jane and her brothers.

"So my father wasn't a killer," Jane mumbled as she looked back up.

Angela stepped forward and touched Jane's shoulder. "Your father did what he did to protect others. So many judged them as killers but your father told me this when I first thought that he was just a killer. 'We are the keepers of peace when darkness overcomes everything else. We are the darkness that is willing to come into the light.' He didn't kill for game or for advantages," she explained.

"However, there was…one person who did that…" Alexandra stated quietly.

Jane and Maura looked at each other while Korsak and Angela looked away while Alexandra tapped on the table. It took a couple minutes before Jane realized what she meant. "Hoyt," she said aloud. She then stood up from her chair and continued, "Charles Hoyt was an assassin. That murderer was an assassin."

"Like I said not everyone was okay with the alliance. Hoyt was a prime example of a man who was already long gone."

"No one noticed?"

"People noticed but how do you accuse a fellow assassin, let alone the son of the Master Assassin," Korsak questioned.

Silence fell over them with this news with everyone looking at each other with surprised expressions. "What," Tommy hissed finally.

"This is ridiculous," Frankie added.

Jane tightened her lips and looked at them. She then glanced at her hands then thought about her father. I need to know, she thought. "How did my father die," Jane questioned.

"Jane…" Angela whispered.

Jane ignored her mother while Korsak glanced at Alexandra briefly. The tavern owner's expression softened for a moment then hardened, glancing at Angela whose expression was somber. "Your father was killed by an unknown assailant," Alexandra confessed. "That's all we ever found out."

"Stop hiding shit! You know who it was," Jane accused.

"Jane," Maura whispered, trying to touch Jane's shoulder.

However, her friend shoved her hand away and yelled, "How could you lie to us?" She then looked at Angela, "How could you not tell us, your children? You told us that Pop died just suddenly!"

"Jane, I did it to protect you. We all did it to protect you."

"But you couldn't," Jane shouted back. She lifted her hands up, showing her scars on her hands. "You couldn't protect me and look what happened. Charles Hoyt did this to me," Jane yelled in rage. Maura gasped in surprise at this announcement and Jane threw the letter on the ground, running out of the tavern and onto a horse, riding away.

"Janie," Angela called out to her.

"Let her go," Korsak suggested softly, tugging her hand. "It was a lot for her to handle."

Maura looked over at everyone seeing the somber expressions on them. Alexandra stood up from her seat, walked to Angela and spoke quietly to them before she walked away and up the staircase, disappearing into her room. The princess glanced down at the ground, picking up the letter up and placing it back in her satchel. She then stood up from the ground, walking toward the door of the tavern. "Maura, where you going," Frankie asked, still reeling from the conversation.

"I'll be back. Don't worry," Maura assured before she walked out toward her horse, mounted it and went after Jane into the forest.


Her hands were trembling, shaking beyond belief. You lied to them, she heard the faint whisper.

"I had to," she replied in a choked sob. "I had…to."

You didn't need to.

"I am dead to everyone. Who I was is no more."

Memories were devouring her whole and she could hear their voices. She could feel the pain and anger and wanted those feelings to leave. She wished to be hollow and tried to not show the pain she felt. But, she couldn't hold it back now especially when she was alone. She whispered how sorry she was to Angela, knowing the pain she had.

She took in a deep breath and wiped her eyes briefly before she removed her tunic, revealing the cloth that wrapped around her breasts. She went to the mirror, taking in her reflection and her eyes caught it immediately.

The scar down her neck, a scar that Jane wouldn't understand and something she hoped she never needed to explain about. She closed her eyes again and sighed, "We are bound to our loyalty to the Order. We never raise our blade to the innocent. Our duty is to keep the peace, never create destruction." She then glanced down at the silver medallion on her neck, touching it with her right hand, feeling her wedding ring against it and concluded quietly, "Do not let your personal feelings interfere with your duty."

One week then you don't have to go through this heartache anymore.


Oh yeah, intensity here. Please review! I would appreciate it especially as an early birthday gift! Thank you for reading! See you soon!