New York:
Connor was walking on the streets and alleys of New York, careful not to be seen. He was looking for clues beyond the fort. Now he was near the prison, where he could see its entrance: there were many guards.
Definitely, George Washington was here… he thought.
He continued to look at the prison for a few minutes more.
Time to see Kendall Richards… he thought
X ~X ~ X
Kendall Richards was cleaning one of the stone piers of the fort. His superiors punished him because one of his men appeared drunk to his duties.
How he hated to serve the Crown… he wanted to walk ou it soon…
"Working late, Kendall?" Connor asked.
"I received a punishment…" Kendall said. "And I'll receive another for talking to you and certainly a capital one…"
"I need information…" Connor said.
"Yes, I know…" Kendall said. "But not here…"
They left the pier and walked to a desert place and far from Templar's eyes. Kendal then stopped and turned to Connor again.
"Do you know where's George Washington?" Connor asked.
"They told us they took him to Philadelphia…" Kendall said softly. "But I heard a conversation from my superiors that he is in prison…"
Connor nodded.
"And I think they will kill him or will make him disappear secretly… so you need to rescue him soon…" said Kendall.
"I will rescue him tomorrow…" Connor said. "And is there any secret entrance to the prison?"
Kendall nodded.
"There is an entrance by the tunnel…" Kendall said.
Connor knew he wanted to desert the army.
"Help me and I help you to defect…" Connor said.
Kendall nodded and said:
"Meet me tomorrow night… I'll be off my duties…"
Connor nodded and left him alone.
X ~ X ~ X
Connor returned to the prison. He was crouched and quiet, thinking about what he would need to do to rescue George Washington… first, he had to talk to the leader of the creed and the others… it was strange to have to answer someone, but if there was someone, that was Altair…
X ~ X ~ X
The next day:
When Connor arrived at the house, the others were already there, informing Altair about their findings.
"Altair…" Connor called as he approached. When Altair and the others looked at him, he continued: "George Washington is in New York… in prison…"
"How do you know?" Altair asked.
"I talked with an informant…" Connor said. "He heard the conversation of his superiors about the prison…"
"How reliable is this informant?" Altair asked again.
"He is one of the guards of one of the forts…" Connor explained.
Altair nodded.
"Do you think he will betray us?" Maria asked.
"No…" Connor said. "He is on the army because of his father, but he wants to deflect…"
She nodded.
"And what will do now, Altair?" Achilles asked.
Altair thought quickly and asked:
"Is there some method of entering the prison?"
"The tunnel…" Connor said. "They were built by the Templars to move quickly under the City… but I always use them…"
"With George Washington arrested, the tunnels will be full of guards…" Achilles said.
Connor nodded.
"And do you know how to enter the prison?" Maria asked.
"I never used them to arrive in the prison, but my informant will show us the way tonight…" Connor said.
Altair thought a little.
"Very well…" He said. "Let's do the rescue tonight, but we can't be caught… Connor, choose five people who are good in fighting to enter with you on the prison to rescue our target… the others will stay outside the city, in case of conflict with the guards…"
Everyone nodded.
"And choose one now to call our friends of New York…" Altair finished.
Connor nodded.
"I wanted to go with you to New York, but I can't…" Altair said.
"It's ok…" Connor said.
"When you bring George Washington, put something over his head…" Altair said. "He can't know where we are…"
"Is this really necessary?" Achilles asked.
"I know it's radical, but we can't be careless now…" Altair explained.
Achilles didn't like this, but he knew Altair was right, so he nodded.
Connor turned to Duncan and said:
"Let's prepare everything…"
Duncan nodded and he and the others left.
"Altair…" Maria said. "I'll go with Connor…"
Altair looked at her with a raised eyebrow and was about to protest, but Maria raised a hand before he said anything.
"You said yourself that whoever is good in a fight has to go with him to do the rescue…" Maria said. "Besides, we are here and our friends aren't… you are hurt… so I'll help them, whether you want or not…"
Altair took a deep breath. He knew how she was when he didn't let her do what she wanted…so he nodded.
"You can go…" He said, resigned.
She smiled and kissed his face.
"But be careful, it's enough that I'm hurt…" he said.
"I know…" Maria said, leaving the room.
Altair raised his read and puffed.
"Women…" He said.
"We'll take care of her for you…" Connor said before leaving.
"Thank you…" Altair said.
X ~ X ~ X
Altair, Maria, Connor and Achilles were having lunch and discussing the rescue, which would happen tonight when the bell rang.
"Who can be at the door?" Connor asked.
"Did you forget Aveline is arriving today? Achilles asked.
Connor nodded and got up to attend the door. Seconds later, he returned with Aveline.
"Let me introduce you… they are Altair and Maria…" Connor said. "Aveline…"
They shook hands.
"Altair is the leader of the brotherhood…" Connor said. "He has experience with our friends in Europe, so…nothing more them fair to put him on the leadership…"
"True…" Aveline said. "Are you getting ready for something? I saw our friends packing up outside…"
"We're doing a rescue mission in New York…" Altair said. "And we need help…"
"I'm ready to help…" Aveline said. "Who are we going to rescue?"
"Well, maybe you know…" Connor started.
"George Washington…" Altair said.
"Who?" Aveline asked.
"An important man for our cause…" Achilles said. "He turned himself against the British army and for that, he was arrested…"
Aveline nodded.
"Come on, let's go outside and I'll explain…" Connor said.
Aveline nodded and they left.
X ~ X ~ X
When Connor and Aveline exited the room, Maria smiled and said:
"Now I understand why Dobby said that…"
"She said about what?" Altair asked.
"About Aveline being Connor's girlfriend…" She answered. "Didn't you see?"
Altair denied.
Se looked at Achilles and he did the same.
"It's typical of you, men…" Maria said. "Forget I said anything… now, let's get back to our conversation…"