My entire being was buzzing with energy when I slipped into the Green Dragon in the afternoon. I flew up the stairs despite my efforts to contain my excitement, and joined Haytham at the table, the surface of the thing covered in papers and books and letters.

Neither of us wasted a second with formalities, and Haytham got straight to the point.

"I've gotten word that the Patriots will be attacking Pitcairn's regiment on or before the 15th of the month. I need you to be there, and I need you to try and arrange for a parlay either when or before the battle begins. With any luck, we can prevent some needless bloodshed." He slid an envelope towards me - no doubt it contained more details on the task I'd been given.

"And if I can't manage that?" I asked, pocketing the envelope to read it later. It was best to have a back-up plan in case things went awry.

"Eliminate the Patriot leaders present, if you must. But use discretion - you know well who we need alive in order for this war to go our way." Haytham replied.

"I'll do my best." I said.

A glance from him and his next words made me frown. "If Connor creates any issues - if he tries to stop you, or kill someone we need alive - I want you to take care of him." I opened my mouth to argue, but he carried on before my words could leave my mouth. "Even if it means killing him."

"I- We'll see." I said. Haytham's eyes narrowed, but he let it be, gesturing for me to leave.

I stood and walked a few paces towards the stairs. A reluctant part of me didn't want to leave, unused to such short, impersonal visits with Haytham. "Have things been well with you?" I asked.

Haytham gave a tiny shrug. "As well as they can be, given our circumstances."

The next question I asked just slipped out. "Can we work together anytime soon?"

Haytham sighed, turning his torso so he could look at me. "I couldn't say. If I require you by my side, you will be the first to know."

I nodded. "Alright. I just… I was just curious."

He turned back to his work. "You should get going, Courtney."

"Of course. I'll… I'll see you around, Hayth." I did my best to shrug off the pang of hurt at being dismissed so easily. Haytham knew I could handle myself, and he was a busy man; he wouldn't always have time for me. The fact that he'd arranged to speak with me in person like this was more than he'd do for many members of the order, anyway, no matter how impersonal the short mission briefing had been.

The air was comfortable when I left the tavern. Autumn was here, and it brought with it an oddly serene feeling that contrasted with the ongoing war.

I made my way over rooftops and back towards the inn where I'd left Connor waiting.

I walked to our shared room quickly, ignoring the curious glances of a handful of patrons. The door behind me clicked shut quietly, and I turned to look at Connor. He stood from the chair he'd been seated in, leaving the book he'd been reading in his place.

He stepped closer. "What news do you have?"

"There's to be a fight between Pitcairn's men and some Patriots within the next…" I thought back to the date Haytham had told me. "Week and three days. Pitcairn wants us to be there."

"Are we to ensure his victory?" A hint of disdain laced his question.

I quirked a brow. "Only if we can't help resolve the situation peacefully." I pushed past him to fall face-first on the bed, wondering if I should go through the letter now, or sleep and get an extremely early start tomorrow. The latter seemed much more favorable at the moment.

"What does he want us to do?" Connor sat down beside me, leaning over me.

I craned my neck around to look at him, brushing my hair out of my face. I'd have to get it cut soon - it was more than long enough to tie back now, and I was annoyed by it more than ever. "Arrange a parlay. Kill the Patriot leaders if we can't. You know anyone that could help us talk to the Patriots without getting shot?"

He tapped a finger on the sheets. "It is unlikely. I made a few contacts throughout the colonies before we met, though I doubt any will be able to help on such short notice."

"Nice." I mumbled sarcastically against my arm, closing my eyes. "I'm gonna go to sleep now. Get an early start tomorrow."

"Are you at least going to take these off?" He tugged on one of the many belts I wore, my weapons nestled in the sheaths and holsters attached to them.

I grunted, not offering a real response.

He sighed. "I am not going to sleep with you when your pistol and sword are digging into my hip." He flipped me over - to my annoyance - and started unbuckling the strips of leather. I reached up and pulled myself to him to halt his efforts, burying my face in his chest.

"Courtney." He ground out. "They're coming off."

"Fine." I laid back, fiddling with the buckles lazily as Connor got to work on his own clothes. While I was taking off the second to last belt, his fingers brushed against my hair.

I glanced up at him before resuming my work on the last two belts. "I need to get it cut, I know."

"I think it looks nice." He said, letting the strands fall to my shoulder. "Though short hair did suit you better."

"I make everything look nice. But I have to agree with that last part, too." I shimmied on the bed awkwardly, taking off the last belt, my coat, my waistcoat, and the boots I wore. They joined the small pile of belts lying on the floor.

I rolled over onto my stomach again and let my head drop to where I could look at Connor. "This good, Con?"

He hummed in response. "I suppose."

I huffed. "'Suppose' yourself, doll."

He shook his head with a small laugh before he started on his own clothes.

I watched him unabashedly as he shirked off his shirt. "You should consider a new look. Just run around shirtless. Maybe the enemy'll be so scared by your amazing physique that they'll just surrender."

He rose an eyebrow at me as he got to work on his boots. "When you make comments like that, I cannot help but wonder if you have other motives for sleeping with me."

I snorted, hiding my face in the mattress so he wouldn't see how I blushed. "You shouldn't think too hard, sweetie."

I heard him chuckle again as he layed down beside me, slinging an arm across my back.

"Good night." He murmured.

I turned my head to look at him. "Night, Con."