Her coat is pull over her good arm and draped over the rest of her they set out into the street. Henry offers her his arm and she gladly takes it for stability in the slippery snow.
The older Assassin is treating her kindly and she knows he still has feelings for her. Why else would he offer to take her to India.
"Mr. Green?"
"Yes Miss Frye?"
"would I be able to return to London once I've healed?"
"Of course Evie, I could never stop you, did George when you left Crawley?"
"I suppose not"
They continue in silence walking through the snow covered streets, lamp post illuminating the way. It is quite in the streets, from inside you can hear family's celebrating and every so often cry's from younger children. From above snow starts to gently fall and any passer by would have thought them a couple out for an evening stroll. And then she hears the faint foot fall above her, her head spins towards the direction across the street.
"What is it Evie?"
"I hear someone on the roof over there"
"Are you sure?"
"Certainly" and then she hears the rope launcher and knows who is about to drop in, the black coat flows behind him as she sails across the road and drop in front of her and Henry.
"Good ears Miss Frye, you herd him from a mile off"
"Good Evening Mr. Green" it comes out as a growl.
"Jacob!" She reaches out her good arm and hugs him tightly.
"Sister dearest, you left without a note?"
She steps back and smiles shyly.
"Sorry?"
He steps past her and comes face to face with the other master assassin.
"You knew there was another assassin here and didn't tell us. Then when we got into trouble she corresponded with you. You've messed everything right good Henry Green" Jacob shoves Henry in the chest and snarls at him.
"Your plan was right messed up to start Mr. Frye, But I regress. I came for two reasons"
"To do what Greenie, Huh?"
"To tell you both I was leaving to go to India, and to offer to bring your sister there to seek better medical help and recovery."
She watches as the information hits him like a brick wall, he staggers back and Evie catches his arm in her good hand.
"Jacob I have yet to agree, we have much to discuss, but come we where just on our way to see what mother has left us"
He just falls silent and the three assassin's walk in silence the rest of the way. She can tell Jacob is not happy with either of them as he keeps glancing back and forth between them. Evie is feeling guilty because she knows which way she is leaning towards and she doesn't want to hurt him, she doesn't want to ruin what is between them.
They walk a bit more until they reach a lovely white brick building and Evie enters the door first, Looking at the key again she holds up the new parchment that had written the address on and the flat number. it was on the 4th floor, very top of the building. sensible, of course.
Making their way up, Henry takes up the rear and Evie leads. The building is beautiful and the paintings on the walls are beautiful and very old. She does not recognize any of the portraits until she see's one of her father, she stops abruptly and Jacob bumps into her back.
She studies the picture, He looks young, much younger, He faintly looks like Jacob and she wants to point out the similarities of their youth.
"Father" Jacob breaths out in a sigh.
"Yes, that certainly is your father" Henry looks at the painting with sympathy, "he was a great mentor"
Continuing on she reaches the door, it dark in contrast to the walls
"Jacob, What color is the door?" she reaches out and touches it.
He doesn't answer.
"Jacob?"
"Red"
She pauses with her hand on the door. Its cols but solid, the latch on the door is decoratively done and faintly she notices the assassin symbol on the latch. Pulling the key from her pocket she slowly brings the key to the door. Her hand is trembling and she is nervous, scared and yet excited.
Jacobs hand comes and hold hers in his and steadies her.
"Together"
"Yes, always"
The key opens the lock with a faint click and Jacob takes hold of the nob and pushes it inwards.
He holds it open for her and she makes her way in. Its cold and dark inside. she waits and Jacob finds a lamp and lights it.
When the light fills the small room she is met with a furnished room, most of the furniture covered in sheets to protect from dust.
Stepping through the room, there are paintings and portraits. Some of other people, the assassin symbol marked on the clothing, she knows these people must be past assassins. Then she finds a large canvas covered in a sheet and removing it with ease she is met face to face with none other than her mother.
"Its Her" she says in a low voice.
She can feel Jacob's presence behind her and she falls into his embrace.
"She is beautiful"
Jacob is silent for a few moments just the two of them staring at the painting.
"She is wearing the red coat"
"Mine you had made was destroyed wasn't it?"
"Yes, as was your gauntlet"
"Yes I know"
They stay there for some time and Jacob pulls away from her and starts looking around. She stay there for a few more minutes just studying her mothers face. She has her freckles, her smile, Her dark brown hair falls neatly the same. Her eyes are soft unlike her hardened ones.
Her mother's portrait is full body and her coat is done in such detail, the quilting around the collar looks soft to the touch even though it is in painting.
Her mother carries no visible weapons but she knows she must have it all concealed beneath her layers.
"Miss Frye, You may want to see this" Henry's voice rings from across the room.
Making her way over, she casts another glance at the portrait before her and Jacob both converge on Henry who is on his knees on the floor.
"This floor board is hallow"
"Let me" Jacob takes out his kukri and pries the board up. and then the next, and then there are several bards and a chest within the floor.
"Its heavy, Greenie a hand please?"
and they pull it up and set it on the table in the middle of the room.
"Its locked" Henry states
"Of course it is" Jacob says going back to the hole in the floor boards to inspect to make sure they didn't miss anything else.
"Let me" she says, "Jacob, your picking set please?" and he hands her the little metal lock picks.
She pulls up and chair and sets to work, one pick in her mouth and her good hand hard at work.
"Quit looking over my shoulder, I can't concentrate" she mumbles.
The foot fall moves away from her and the sound of rummaging across the room confirms both boys have left her alone.
It takes a bit of time but finally the lock pops and she silently removes it and slowly opens the beautifully carved wooden box.
At the top of the box is a letter, the wax seal is unopened and not broken, the stamp pressed into the wax is that of the brotherhood.
breaking the seal she open the old parchment like its going to fall apart like dead leaves in autumn.
My Darling Evelyn Frye, no dough you have finally found my belongings here. I would have loved to pass these things down to you when you became master assassins, alas I know that day will be impossible as I know I will not make it through labor with you. Inside are my most precious things, your father will most likely have hidden theses things from you if he could.
Inside is the pocket watch your father gave to me on our first anniversary, I was always late to meetings, so he gave this to me so I would always be on time, I never got better.
Also inside was my weapon of choice, this blade was handed down form the French revolution assassin of the name Arno Dorian. He was 71 when he passed, but we met upon my first visits to France when I was 10. He left me his blade, your father hated the thing, but it has been by my side until now, where I leave it for you.
There are as well a various jumble of trinkets I have collected over the years. Your father always hated that I kept these but eventually I got this place here and hid all my belongings, Your father And I traveled a lot, but the day I found out about you my darling, I dedicated the past months to preparing for you. Ethan Thinks not that he is ready, and in the case he isn't or our dreaded brothers in arms will not release him from his duties, You will be with my mother and she will love you like she loved me, never drought my ,ove for you my sweet darling girl.
Be strong always, and always do what ever makes your heart full, even if it hurts.
-Cecily Frye
The tears are flowing steadily from her eyes and she weeps. Jacob at this point has come over noticing the open chest and has begun taking the trinkets out.
There are little porcelain animal sculptures, one of a dog, another of a pony, silly little things really.
Then there is a bundle of material and as Jacob shakes it out she notices the symbol of the assassins on it and see's the tatters of the cloak
"What color is that Jacob?" She wipes her face to clear her eyes but still nothing helps the tears
"Dull yellow, ratty thing really"
Then he pulls the blade out.
"Still sharp as can be"
"Henry Who is Arno Dorian?"
The name is scrapped into the wooden grip and Jacob hands the sword off to Henry.
"Arno Dorrian, if I recall properly, was a master assassin who took a man of the name Bellec's life who tired to purify the brotherhood, He had also found a piece of Eden..."
"Okay spare the details Greenie, he was a good assassin"
Henry sets the sword down and they continue digging through the box, a few other pieces of parchment come out of the chest, but most where small drawing or sketches of places and monuments she has never seen.
Jacob digs to the very bottom and digs out one final bundle. Its wrapped neatly and tied with a fancy ribbon. Untying it, Jacob lets go a small gasp.
"What is it?" He motions to grab for the bundle, but he doesn't budge.
"Its her red coat, the one from the pictures"
He holds it up and when he does out falls a bundle of leather. The coat looks exactly like it had in the pictures and the portrait. But as Jacob goes to fold it back up she reaches down for the smaller bundle that fell to the floor. Opening it she finds the watch and a decorative small knife and then a bracer and a hidden blade.
"This was... was mothers assassin gauntlet"
"It is very much simple, very feminine" Henry says looking at it.
Taking the watch in her hand she turns over the small metal thing and on the back is a decorative scrolling of flowers. Opening the front of the watch a small picture falls. It is of the three of them. An actual small photograph of Cecily, their mother holding the two new born's... taken mere moments after the operation, She looks peaceful, they all do. The watch has never stopped working still showing the time, it's 5 past mid night.
"Merry Christmas Brother" She hands him the small photo and closes the watch into his hand. Standing she wraps her arm around him and hugs him and kisses his cheek.
"Merry Christmas my sweet Evie he whispers back.
"Evie, Jacob. I shall see you both on the 26th at the train station, I wish you to see me off before I leave for India, My train departs at 10am promptly. I shall take my leave now." and so henry leaves, closing the door behind him, leaving her and her twin alone in the flat, surrounded by their mothers things. The lamp is still lit but is dimming in the late night's cold air.
"Let us head back, we can return in the morning" Jacob offers, he refills the chest with the sword, the coat and everything else
She waits for him and shuts the door. behind him, drawing the key once more, she locks the door and Follows her twin back out into the snow. A faint smile on her face.