Chapter 19: Trust
From the moment she stepped in the room, Kira could sense something was wrong.
Achilles, Connor and Harvey sat gloomily around the dining room table, eyes cast downwards, refusing to meet her gaze. The air was thick with tension, and like the calm before a storm, a sense of dreadful anticipation had rendered the room's inhabitants motionless and quiet. Everyone was waiting. Dreading. Mourning, almost.
It took Kira a moment to realise her recently-acquired apprentice was missing, and she felt her heart drop like a stone as her instincts linked the boy's absence to the room's morbid atmosphere. Her voice caught in her throat as she turned to Achilles with the inevitable question. "Where is Gabriel?"
It had been roughly three months since Kira and her fellow Assassin had been granted their apprentices, and the time had flown quickly. Having had, thankfully, a rather Templar-free few months, and a new endeavour on which to focus her attention, Kira had settled back into a normal, carefree routine. Gabriel had already proved himself a keen learner, and his mentor enjoyed her days imparting her knowledge and skills to him. Now, in the midst of autumn, the troubles of earlier months slipped deeper into her mind, already distant memories she would rarely reminisce. The likes of Haytham Kenway and Charles Lee had lost their prominence in her thoughts, and once more, they became little more than paintings on a wall: a reminder of an ultimate purpose.
They became a far more tangible threat when Connor answered her question. He looked up at her with a hopeless expression- a sorry look for a usually resourceful and ambitious man. "The Templars, they have him," he simply replied.
Kira sensed Achilles tense slightly at the words, and Harvey visibly winced at the mention of his friend's fate. The colour drained from her cheeks, and her eyes widened in disbelief. "No…" She shook her head, repeatedly, as if trying to wake from a nightmare. It couldn't be true. It couldn't. She had only been gone for a few hours, picking up some deliveries from town. "How?"
Connor opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Achilles, who stirred slightly, clearly uncomfortable. When he spoke, it was with a solemn but matter-of-factly tone. "We had word from Samuel Adams, not long after you left, that the Templars were holding a conference of sorts. That something- something big- had excited them. He did not know what. I…" He trailed off, unsure of how to continue.
In no more than a few seconds, Kira pressed him further. "You…?"
He sighed, frustrated. "We needed answers, Kira. It was too late to send someone to infiltrate the meeting. I thought that if, however, we could send someone soon after, then perhaps we could still learn something of value. Connor and Harvey were out hunting in the Frontier, there were no others at hand…" He hesitated. "Only Gabriel was left."
"Achilles, no." Kira shook her head once more, refusing to accept the truth of the situation. "Tell me you did not send him."
"I am sorry Kira, truly I am. But I had no choice. We had to send someone. We had to act. I thought that if only Gabriel could follow him for a while, he might overhear-"
"Him?" Kira caught the older man's mistake in an instant. She already knew the answer. Those instincts again- that sea of dread, forming in the pit of her stomach as she anticipated his next words.
"You know who."
It was all she needed for confirmation. "How could you?" She practically shouted, despair and hopelessness for her young apprentice forming the fire behind her voice. "How could you be so foolish?"
"I did what I had to!" He retaliated, his voice raising. "We needed that information."
"At the cost of Gabriel's life?"
"They were not supposed to catch him." He exclaimed, exasperatedly.
"They caught me when Connor and I last spied on them, don't you remember? What made you think a child would fare any better?"
The room went deathly silent with her last remark. Achilles held her glare, visibly seething, whilst Connor seemed to nod slightly, no doubt recalling his mistakes on the aforementioned assignment. Even with different emotions running high, a sad stillness fell upon the room. The knowledge that behind all of the commotion was an innocent young boy, lost. Gone.
Kira couldn't stand it a moment longer. Furious, she spun to leave the room as abruptly as she'd arrived. "I am going after him," she stated simply, to nobody in particular.
Both Connor and Achilles' voices rang out behind her in protest, but she paid them little attention. She didn't have time. Gabriel was probably dead, but she had to be sure. If there was a chance that he was still alive- that she could save him- she had to take it. No matter how small a chance it was. No matter the cost.
…
When Kira burst through the doors of The Green Dragon, it was without a plan, without a single rational thought. Find Gabriel. She repeated the words in her head, over and over again, using them to fuel the blind courage she now pushed forward with. Ignoring a call from the innkeeper, she hurried up the stairs, praying that somehow she wasn't too late. She practically stumbled over the final step, but even then, a quick scan of the room showed her that only John Pitcairn was present. He looked up at once upon hearing her less-than-graceful approach, one eyebrow raising in disdain.
"Miss Lawrence?" He asked, his voice gruff and somewhat hostile. "What are-"
"Haytham." She exclaimed, still trying to catch her breath. What desperate words she could muster came in-between short and heavy gasps. "Haytham… please… where is he?"
The man looked even more unimpressed. "That is none of your concern."
She held up her hands, her eyes glowing beseechingly. "Please, I mean him no harm, nor any of you. I just…" Her arms then fell to her sides, weak with despair. "I just want the boy."
John still looked at her distrustfully, but when he opened his mouth to speak, she swore that he had lost the hostility in his gaze.
"There is a warehouse, down by the harbour, not far from the fish market. You know the place?" William Johnson's voice came from the side of her, causing her to start. He appeared in the doorway to another room, a sincere expression upon his face. She turned towards him, trying to hide the surprise in her voice.
"Yes? Yes, I think so."
"If the boy is still alive, he will be there."
Kira could hardly believe her luck. There was, of course, a chance that he was lying to her, but it was a risk she would have to take. "I cannot thank you enough."
The man nodded curtly in response, his face frustratingly expressionless. With doubts still playing upon her mind, Kira turned and left as quickly as she had come. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she caught a fragment of conversation from the Templars she left behind.
"Why did you-" It was John's voice, fraught with worry.
"Well Haytham will surely…"
Kira was out of the door before she could hear the statement's conclusion, tempting though it was to listen to the men's discussion. She was running out of time- in fact, she was probably already too late. But there was a chance, and as long as that existed, she had to focus on getting to the harbour as quickly as possible. She sprinted down the street, her desperate thoughts drowning out the angry shouts of the people she pushed aside. There was still a chance. There was still a chance.
…
Soon enough, Kira rounded a corner and found herself faced with the sight of the harbour. She quickly identified the warehouse William had described, its importance apparent in the number of guards scattered about its surrounding grounds. Without a second thought, the Assassin made her way towards the warehouse, hurdling the short stone wall that enclosed the area, to the dismay of several guards. A cry of alarm went up in an instant, an array of confused and urgent shouts. Ignoring these, Kira desperately pushed forwards, weaving out of the reach of any man who approached her, and leaving any pursuers behind. The warehouse door was close, just a little further and…
"Kira?"
Shay. The man's voice came from somewhere ahead, and soon he appeared a little way in front of her, arms reaching out in protest. "Kira! Kira, wait!"
"Not now Shay, please!" She implored, noting how he had moved to block her path. She darted to the side as she neared him, but not far enough, for soon she felt strong hands gripping her arm and tugging her sideways. She was roughly pulled to face her captor, whose stern expression was lost on her.
"You know I can't let you-"
The words were cut off as she struck him across the face, taking him completely by surprise. With a yell, he staggered backwards, and Kira took the opportunity to barrel past, the warehouse door so nearly within reach. She resisted the urge to shout an apology to her friend, instead reaching for the door and pushing through, the anticipation of what she might see almost making her head spin. She stumbled into the large, open room, her legs burning and her heart hammering in her chest. At a glance, she made out the figures of Haytham and Gabriel near the centre of the space.
"Mr Kenway!" She gasped, bent over with exhaustion. "Mr Kenway… please, wait…"
Before she could say anything more, she found herself thrust up against the nearest wall. She shouted in pain, too weak to struggle against her attacker. She was turned to face him, each wrist pinned beside her head.
"You really think you could get away from me that easy, love?" Shay managed a cocky smile, despite the trail of blood that streamed from his nose.
"It worked, did it not?" She retorted, before adding meekly, "I really am sorry, Shay."
"I'm sure you are." He replied, a sarcastic edge to his voice. "Come on." He tugged her from the wall, turning to address the silent onlooker in the room. "Apologies, Master Kenway."
Haytham took a few steps towards the pair, casting an unimpressed gaze over the Assassin. "That's quite alright. Take her weapons, and then leave us."
Kira's eyes sought out Gabriel, who was slumped in a chair, clearly unconscious- perhaps dead. Unwillingly, she turned to Shay, who was looking at her expectantly. "Well?" He prompted, gesturing to her weapons.
She sighed, unsheathing her daggers and handing them to the man. Having then passed him her flintlock and hidden blade, she stood, hands on hips, waiting for him to leave. "There. Satisfied?"
"Not yet." He stood resolutely, an amused grin on his face as he outstretched a hand. When she made no effort to move, he continued, "The other dagger, Kira."
"What other dagger?"
A raised eyebrow. "You know the one I mean."
She shook her head adamantly. "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
Suddenly the man pulled her closer, lowering his mouth to her ear. "I will search every inch of you if I have to, lass." He almost growled the words, and his tone made her quiver.
Taken quite by surprise, Kira took a step back, brushing off the effects of his statement. Managing a roll of her eyes, she reached beneath her skirts and soon withdrew a third dagger.
Shay took it victoriously with a chuckle, before turning to leave. "You really haven't changed a bit, have you?"
She swore under her breath as she watched him go, closing the door behind him. Conscious of being watched, she once again turned her attention to the centre of the room. Her eyes moved past Haytham, falling instead on her apprentice, whose state was still unclear. She hurried forwards, pushing past the Templar and crouching at the boy's feet, hand moving to feel for his pulse. With a sigh of relief, she found the tell-tale throb within his neck. Almost apologetically, she allowed her hand to graze over Gabriel's swollen face, anger welling up within her as she observed the blood caking his face and neck.
"How could you do this?" She spat, refusing to look upon the man she addressed.
"I caught the boy trailing me."
"Oh." She spun now, eyes wide with anger. "Oh, of course. I suppose that makes all of this…" she gestured to Gabriel, "acceptable."
Haytham merely shrugged, his nonchalant expression only fuelling her emotion. It took every ounce of her patience to not attack the man, and unwillingly, she broke his gaze. She moved behind Gabriel, intent on freeing him of his restraints.
"Hold a moment." Haytham's voice came from over her shoulder, and the accompanying sound of a sword being drawn froze her to the spot. Reluctantly, she turned slowly, standing to face her opponent. "Just what do you think you're doing?" He asked, levelling his sword with her.
"Letting him go."
"No. He knows too much."
The words hit her hard, the consequence of them clear. She took a moment to breathe, weighing up her options, assessing the best course of action. If Haytham were truly intent on killing Gabriel, she would have to persuade him against it; fighting the Templar Grand Master unarmed would hardly end well. With a sigh, she pushed aside all of her hostility and anger.
"Mr Kenway, please." Her eyes pleaded with his. "There has to be some other way."
"No."
"For heaven's sake, let him go. I give you my word; he'll speak nothing of what occurred today."
The man adopted a grave expression. "There is only one way of guaranteeing his silence."
Exasperated, Kira took a few steps back to Gabriel's side. "Please. I am begging you, if only-"
"Kira?" A meek voice drew the woman's attention, and she was immediately crouched before her apprentice once more, hands reaching for his. Haytham took the time to sheathe his sword, and he watched as the Assassin tried to reach out to the boy.
"Gabriel," she prompted, "Gabriel? Everything will be alright, I promise." Anger faded into sorrow as her words were only met with half-hearted nods and murmurs. Realising she would get no more of a response, she stood to meet Haytham once more.
"Look at him." She spoke softly, pleadingly, "Even forgetting his injuries, he's frightened half to death. You have made your point, what makes you think he will oppose you?"
Perhaps there was a brief flicker of remorse as the man glanced over Gabriel, but it was gone in an instant, leaving Kira wondering if it was only a hopeful fantasy. "I have told you already," he asserted, "why take a chance by letting the boy leave?"
It was a mercilessly effective method, Kira couldn't deny. If she was going to persuade Haytham against it, she'd need a different approach. "Look," she began, taking a step towards him. "I trust Shay, and he believes you are a good man. If you are a good man, then you must know in your heart that this is wrong."
Haytham raised an eyebrow, looking thoroughly unmoved. Though once again, Kira could swear she saw something beneath the expression. She decided to pursue it further.
"He's a child," she pressed. "Are you telling me that you will kill a child in cold blood? I hardly know you at all, but you must be a better man than that." It was a lie. At least, somewhat. Whatever it was, Kira was far from certain that Haytham was above killing anybody.
The Templar didn't move. He seemed deep in thought, his eyes moving from her to Gabriel. For a moment, the pair stood in complete silence. Kira had played her cards. She now waited, every second agonising, as she anticipated the man's next move. She could only pray it would be the right one.
After a minute, he met her gaze once more. She could almost see the conflict in his eyes. "Please," she began.
"No!" The sudden gravity and determination in his expression chilled Kira to her core. "You know nothing of me, nor what I am capable of. The boy must die, it is the only way."
In less than a second Haytham had drawn his sword once more, and in that time Kira realised his intentions. With a shout, she leapt at him, seizing his arm and twisting it harshly before he could break free of her grip. His sword clattered to the floor, and with his free arm he struck out at his aggressor, pushing her away. "What are you doing?" He hissed. "You know you cannot best me."
"Perhaps. It will not be for lack of trying, though." She lunged again, only hoping he was honourable enough to refrain from using his weapons.
He was. He easily outmanoeuvred her attack, sidestepping and reaching for her shoulder, pulling her to face him. He swung for her face, barely missing it as she twisted from his grasp, striking out at him with similar resolve. The two continued to exchange blows, both battling for dominance, both seeking ways to overpower the other. It ended only when Kira landed a particularly heavy blow across Haytham's face, sending him reeling backwards.
"Enough!" In one swift movement, he had engaged his hidden blade and pressed it firmly against her throat. With this, he forced her backwards, stopping only when her back was pressed to the wall. Equally efficiently, the blade was disengaged, and he pushed her violently against the surface, watching somewhat victoriously as she slumped to the ground. "Stay out of my way," he growled, and despite her poor state, Kira found the strength to glare back at him.
Turning, Haytham stalked towards Gabriel, hidden blade engaging once again. It had to be done. It had to. Raising his blade, he was about to strike when Kira hurled herself in front of him, taking him completely by surprise.
"No." She groaned, her voice strained with pain. "No, I won't let you kill him."
He managed a smile, somewhat amused by her persistence. "You do not have a choice." He moved the blade to her throat. "Now, move."
She shook her head, as much as the blade would allow. Despite her vulnerability, her eyes burned with determination. "No."
His gaze hardened, and the weapon was pressed further into her neck. "I said move."
"No."
Again, the blade bit a little harder into the soft flesh of her throat. "My patience is wearing thin, woman. I will kill you if I have to."
"Then do it." Behind her back, Kira's hands clasped the arm of the chair, knuckles white as paper. Regardless of her resolve, she was undeniably scared.
"You think I won't?"
"I do. And if I am wrong, I am prepared to face the consequences." She was treading on remarkably thin ice. Haytham was prepared to kill her, the look in his eyes made that dreadfully clear.
"You would die for this boy?"
"I will die for what is right."
He sneered. "To what purpose? I will kill him when I am finished with you."
"Then there is nothing I can do. But I will not stand aside." She winced, pain searing through her neck.
"So be it."
So that was that. She had gambled, and in doing so, had risked losing. Kira closed her eyes, feeling warm blood trickle down from the blade's edge. She felt a hand brush against hers- Gabriel's- and found some comfort in the gesture. She had done everything she could. But it wasn't enough. Her eyes watered, and she felt a familiar ache at the back of her throat. She didn't want to die. And more than anything, she wanted to save Gabriel. Haytham's blade pressed even further into her neck, and she let out an involuntary whimper, wishing she could credit it to the pain. She waited, shaking, and unapologetically afraid.
"Damn!" The shout startled her, stirring her from her thoughts. Her eyes shot open, but she remained frozen to the spot. Haytham had stormed away from her, and she took the opportunity to raise a hand to her throat. She put pressure on the wound, feeling the blood seep around her fingers. Unsure, she stayed as still as possible.
After a moment, Haytham turned to face her. He glanced her over, noting the way she shuddered under his gaze. Noting the fact that her skin was a shade paler than usual. The fact that her usually bright eyes were wide with fear. Most of all, he saw the crimson blood that soaked over her fingers. What had he done? After all, was this not the woman whose trust he sought to earn? He sighed, inwardly cursing his temper.
"Go." He said, simply.
Kira didn't dare move. The man looked almost defeated, but she didn't trust him.
"Go!"
The word spurred her into action, and with a fearful glance at her aggressor, she hurried to the back of Gabriel's chair. Her bloodstained fingers struggled with the ropes that bound his hands, but with a little effort, she soon had them undone. She muttered words of comfort as she pulled her apprentice from the chair, almost unintelligible through the quiver of her voice. He was conscious, barely, yet with some encouragement, Gabriel found he was able to support himself.
Not wanting to push her luck, his mentor hurried him towards the door. Haytham watched silently, regretfully, though he would never outwardly admit it. He watched his progress as it shattered before him, the fragments of what little trust he had earned scattered into obscurity. The colour of her face. Her blood. He had been foolish, so utterly and completely foolish. Perhaps he could salvage...
"Miss Lawrence-" he started, taking a daring step towards her.
"Stay away from me." Came the response, simple, yet ruthlessly clear. Her eyes were wide with a sudden resilience he had already began to miss, but that melted away into a softer and yet far more disarming expression. "Please." No longer a command. A plea. Desperate, and terribly sad.
He bowed his head almost instinctively, with a reverence he hoped would somehow restore him. By the time he looked up again, she was gone.
...
"So, how did it go?" Shay's voice lilted teasingly, though the sneer Kira was greeted with disappeared almost instantly. He saw the colour of her face. The blood. "Jesus, lass, what happened?"
Kira was warmed by how quickly her old friend was at her side, hands closing softly on her shoulders, holding her at arms-length and assessing whatever injuries she had acquired. It was touching, really. And such a change of pace from what she had just endured. Shrugging out of his grip, she pulled him close, arms wrapping around him and face pressing against his chest. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment as she savoured the warmth. Safe. Safer, as he reciprocated the embrace. She took a deep breath, and then another. She felt Shay's chin rest against the top of head.
"I would never have left you in there alone if I'd... if I thought that he'd..."
"It's alright. I'm alright."
"This is my fault."
"No."
She broke the embrace almost as suddenly as she had indulged in it. She gave Shay a warning glance, before turning her attention to Gabriel. He was on his feet, but barely- he swayed like a sapling in a storm, threatening to give way at any moment. Heavens, she thought. There was so much blood. She could hardly make out the colour of his skin beneath the hideous coat of crimson, black, and blue. "I need to get him somewhere safe. Have to tend to these wounds." Her brow furrowed. "Have to find some medical supplies."
"You will do no such thing."
She threw Shay an irritated glance, which was offset at once by his tender expression.
"You're exhausted." He continued. "You take the boy back to your house, and I will meet you there once I've picked up the supplies. I can look after him. You need to rest."
She scoffed, though why she wasn't quite sure. "I am fine. And anyway, Haytham-"
"Can manage without me for a while."
She couldn't argue with that. And despite her stubborn nature, for once, she didn't feel compelled to.
...
Kira's eyes flickered open, mouth stretching into a yawn and hand raising against the fading light that seeped through the window. She blinked lazily, adjusting, and turned her head instinctively to the first sign of movement.
"Sorry lass, I didn't mean to wake you."
She hummed contentedly, offering a reassuring smile. "That's quite alright." Her gaze moved to the crimson hue of Shay's hands, and spotted the bloodstains his clothes were sporting. "How is Gabriel?"
"In a state, but he'll survive." He followed her line of sight, and smirked slightly on seeing what had her attention. "I am a killer, love, this isn't all his."
A frown. "You are not a killer. Well, you are, but still." She stretched again, this time her arms. "You say it as though it's such a bad thing."
"Isn't it?"
"Probably, but who am I to judge?"
He chuckled, moving closer to perch against the arm of her armchair. He studied his hands for a moment, their colour a little too symbolic for his liking. The poet in him would lament that they could never be clean. Of course they could never be clean. No matter how pure your intentions were in this business, you'd end up bruised and bloodied some way or another. Nothing poetic about it. He glanced down at Kira, her state a testament to the same conclusion.
"You're a good man, Shay."
"Hmm?" He surfaced from his thoughts, his previously pensive expression fading instantly. "Aww, you really think so?"
His teasing was rewarded with a playful nudge, but her reply was warm with sincerity. "You know I do."
He was quiet for a moment, seeming to savour that warmth. His eyes moved to his hands once more. "Well, I appreciate that. Truly."
The pair lapsed into silence again, both plagued by unspoken words and an undeniable sense of regret. It was the one thing that had changed. The barrier that separated present from past. The reminder that for every new moment, there were a lifetime of moments that could never be reclaimed. Things could never be as they once were, back when the future was masked with glorious uncertainty and bright with infinite promises. Reality had taken its toll, and left each with an empty shell of what might have been, or worse, what could have been. Too much had been lost, and it would haunt every new moment they shared, no matter how wonderful.
And it would be wonderful, Kira mused, as she nestled her head against his lap, and smiled as she felt his fingers card softly through her hair. Every moment with Shay was wonderful.
But not the same.
It could never be the same.
Wow! Heavens it's been such a long time since I last updated this. I've had the first half written for ages, and I can promise that every new comment I received was definitely appreciated, and did spur the chapter on a little bit more. To anyone who cares about this story? You're awesome. And to anyone with notifications on, I hope this is a fun little surprise. I'm sure all of you thought this fic was dead, it never has been, I just sort of got carried away with life. I'm at uni now! It's crazy to think how much has changed since I last updated. I hope whoever you are reading this, that things are going great for you too. I appreciate all of you so much! And I can assure you I still have a lot planned for this fic, it just might be incredibly slow.
Shoutout to x-Hallelujah-x, your comment the other day prompted me to finally finish this, I couldn't believe people were still finding it. Thank you so much!
So, hopefully I'll be back with the next chapter soon. But who knows. I've got it all planned out though!
Kittycat312
