Silent Running
Chapter 1: Can You Hear Me?
AN: So, this Assassin's Creed Syndicate fic has been in fractured pieces within my mind for a while now. Please let me know if you'd like to see this continued. It will of course feature our favorite reckless, yet charming Frye twin.
The bell above the door of Henry Green's Curio Shop gave a soft trill as a womanly figure stepped over the threshold. The door closed shut behind her and the swishing of her gown barely made Henry look up from the letter he was penning to the Brotherhood. Three times he'd written them — yet he was met with silence all three times. Henry was growing restless; impatient with Brother George's negligence, but he promised himself that he would not stop reaching out for aide. London had fallen into the hands of Grand Master Crawford Starrick. His grim touch constricted around every industry and his poison left no borough untouched. The assassin was now fearing the Starrick would turn his attention overseas to extend his reach to countries and continents which would fall just as easily as London did. Why had the Brotherhood remained silent? How could they stand by and watch as London fell further and further into disarray?
"Finished yet?"
Henry was shaken from his letter to meet the sound of the woman who stood across the counter from him. She was dressed in a typical gown women wore of the era, but in her right hand she clutched the glistening ferrule of a cane. She was careful to rest it against the counter since it was a gift from the man across from her. A fashion statement on the exterior, however ever since London had become quite the cesspool, this accessory had a dual purpose. Henry's gaze met her just as she removed the large hat that was perched upon her head to rest beside the letter. Deep brown curls were pressed against the crown of her head, each one sitting atop the other neatly to build on the one below it. It was quite comical to Henry how she always managed to fit her long voluminous curls under her hats. A magic trick — he'd call it; accusing her hat of being able to perform optical illusions. Each time she would chuckle, but today Henry did not have that twinkle in his eye like when a joke was on his lips. Today, he looked sad.
"May I?" The woman gestured for the letter. Henry finished scrawling down his final thought and gently placed the letter within her dainty fingers. He watched her eyes trace the words he'd carefully strung together to form his plea. He had hoped this time Brother George would be inclined to send aide.
When she finished, she gave Henry a warm smile and handed the letter back to him. "This is very good. You have a talent with words, Mr. Green."
"After receiving silence from my other three letters, I get the feeling you are just trying to pay me a compliment so I feel better." His reply held a smirk at the end and the woman's smile beamed even more; finally happy to see her friend's mood shifting slightly.
"Now, Henry, when have you ever known me to say things that aren't true?" Her pink lips were curving up into a smirk too, but slightly fell watching her friend carefully fold the letter.
"Do you think they'll respond this time?"
The question weighed heavily in the air between them and Henry did not want to answer. Each time he had written and asked for help, but each time he was met with not even a whisper of hope. The woman wished she'd never asked, but she was beginning to worry that no one would come to help London and it would continue down the treacherous path that Starrick had laid out for it.
"Well," she began. "Because if you get silence again, I worry I might have to go to the Brotherhood myself and give Brother George a piece of my mind." She placed her hands on her hips as she spoke and Henry chuckled at her now firm expression.
"Perhaps I should have sent you after the first letter. You might have been able to make more progress than myself, Adelaide." Henry tucked the letter firmly within his uniform, eager to speak about something else. "What other news do you bring?"
"More Blighters are being stationed throughout the city even in daylight. I supposed Starrick wants his control over London no matter the time of day." Adelaide said with disdain. The Blighters were a street gang formed by Starrick to take control over the boroughs of London. Normally they would take to the streets at night, hiding within the shadows, but more and more of them did not use the shadows to hide anymore. Instead, they'd commit their deeds in daylight, a show of brute force and a warning to those of what should happen if you crossed their path.
"And the Clinkers?"
"Initially we thought the Clinkers were being wiped out, but..." The woman reached up to the hem of the long sleeve of her dress and pulled out a folded slip of paper. She opened it and tried to flatten it out before setting it down on the counter. On it was a rough drawing of Whitechapel with a circle around one of the buildings hidden away from the streets.
Adelaide pointed to the spot she'd circled with a gleam in her eyes. "Clara has seen Blighters bringing those dressed in Clinker uniforms to this location. I worry they're being kept in a stronghold there. I am not entirely sure of the reason why."
"A show of force? Maybe the Blighters intend to have the Clinkers join them?" Henry's fingers rubbed against his chin pensively. "If that were to happen, London would have no other source of protection from the Blighters."
The gleam in Adelaide's eyes grew dull and she let out a sigh. "I know."
The mood inside the Curio Shop had become somber again. It was as if each day brought more bad news than rainy days in London. Neither were sure for how much more they could possibly stand it. No matter the steps they had taken to make London a better, safer place for it's people — Starrick was always there to tear down their efforts. They both worried if London would ever return to its former glory. Henry's hand gently clasped hers, the darker tone of his skin contrasting widely with her pale complexion.
"We must not give up." He told her and she nodded before giving his hand a squeeze.
"No. We mustn't." She reached across the counter to take up his other hand firmly in her hold. "I know the Assassins have not come to help you, but I will continue to do whatever I can."
Henry Green smiled at his dear friend. She always managed to keep his hope from being snuffed out. "I should warn you. If the Assassins come — Crawford's wrath will only get worse."
The woman across from him nodded. "And we'll be ready for him with or without the Assassins."
Little did the pair know, a train would be coming in from Croydon with a delivery that would shake the very foundations of Starrick's hold over London. They would not only receive one Assassin. They'd be receiving two.