"The Morrigan has just arrived in port father. I had been speaking with the harbormaster about where I might be able to purchase black powder for The Aquila when She sails in. I am aware that She is the flagship of the Colonial Templar fleet. Perhaps the anticipated but unwanted guests are aboard? Or perhaps the Captain has the responses from the other branches." Connor informed Haytham, holding onto a street sign as he spoke to the other through the open window on the second floor of the Green Dragon Tavern. His unexpected appearance had, to Connor's amusement, startled the Colonial Templars his father had been speaking with. Since the news of the impending visit Connor had taken to wearing his mercenary uniform, rather than his Assassin Robes. Today was no exception.

"Thank you for the information. The Captain- unless something has changed drastically or without my knowledge – is a good ally of mine and someone I consider a friend. It was mentioned in one of the letters that they would try to contact one of the captains of the colonial fleet. I did not know if they were able to do so, as most of them were on this side of the Atlantic, Shay being one of the few who are… Or were not." Haytham answered casually "You should either come inside, or continue moving upwards, as there are a group of city guards who should be about to be able to see you dangling out a window shortly."

"I will continue moving. I have spoken with one of my recruits, and will speak with the others who are stationed in this city. Besides, it seems as though your own people are… A little reluctant to be any closer to me than they already are. Not that I blame them." With that, Connor sped out of view of the window.

Jamie and Jacob had taken the news of the potential difficulties arrival as well as Connor had hoped they would. As neither of them (nor Dobby) had full Assassin's robes to wear, it did help them blending in. As each of the three of them was a minor local leader, they knew to step carefully in order to avoid drawing Templar attention to themselves. They were recently and tentatively allied to the colonial Templars… But that did not mean that they would in the slightest bit begin to think about trusting unknown, foreign Templars.

Jacob in particular, did not like the idea of Connor staying closer to his father while they were there. He was quite certain that this could all be a very clever ploy on the Templar Grandmaster's part to try and capture Connor to get information on their fledgling but persistent Brotherhood. After all, there were hints and clues to the fact that there had once been a thriving and well placed Brotherhood… But somehow, about ten to fifteen years ago, they were all slaughtered to a man – except for Achilles who had been crippled.

Shot point blank in the right knee, by Haytham Kenway. In a strange show of mercy, the Templar Grandmaster left Achilles alive – although why remained a mystery to all seven of them. From what they had been able to uncover, the fall of the previous Colonial Brotherhood – and not just in the English Colonies, but in the French as well, from what Aveline and her Assassins had been able to uncover as well had to do in part to the efforts of the Templar Rite. Orchestrated and lead by his lover… Connor was also certain that Haytham had a hand in the deaths of the Assassins personally as well. For while his father did not seem to revel in causing death or pain… he did not shy away from using harsh methods to get what he wanted.

Connor had gently reminded both of them that it had been previously agreed that he would stay closer to Haytham while the foreign Templars did their business in the colonies. Their blood relation was an easy explanation and Connor might be able to glean information as to what they were trying to do and pass along that information to the others so that it could be dealt with, or the damage done minimized. "If we keep our end of the deal, it should give the Templars more incentive to trust us. Or at least, trust in the fact that we are as determined to keep the truce, so long as they do not renege on their side of the deal."

"You are correct, Connor. But this still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I wish we could more closely observe them… But if your father did give you good information on the reputations and abilities of the Templars coming to the colonies from the other Rites… They should be able to figure out quickly that they are being observed, and will not take well to such." Jamie grumbled, scowling a little as he shifted about.

"Nothing about this situation is ideal. However, should we get through this with the truce intact, perhaps some of the more reticent of the Templars will be less likely to cause minor problems for us as we try to forge a new path. Endless war is not an option that will provide freedom and peace to the civilians." Connor answered, well understanding both of theirs' frustration and hesitance.

"And if this truce turns into something more permanent. Would you be able to make peace with the fact that Kenway will never let you kill Lee… At least not without the miserable arse turning traitor? Then again, from what you told us of Church's fate, Kenway would more likely kill him, himself." Jacob asked quietly, carefully watching his mentor's face.

A dark scowl appeared on Connor's face as he thought about the bastard who had done horrible things "I… I am not certain that my father is aware of the reason why I hate Lee so much. Haytham Kenway is a complex and inscrutable person. However in the time that I have spent living with him in the last few months… As much as either one of us stay in one place long enough to do so… I am fairly certain he would never order the burning of my village, nor tormenting a child to get the information of where the village is. I have yet to bring it up, however."

"Ah, I see. I truly hope that you are correct." Jacob answered earnestly. It would badly hurt Connor if the burgeoning hope within the young man about Kenway was crushed. Neither one of them thought that Kenway was someone to do such a thing – after all, his methods were generally much more subtle and burning of native villages was something that the British Army did towards the end of the Seven Years War, destroying every village they came across, more or less while claiming that they were hurting only French-allied villages. As if doing such a thing against those who had thrown in their lot with someone who might treat them better was a crime enough to justify such a horrendous thing.

"As do I. I am going to check on Dobby once again, before looking for the strange Templars." Connor said quietly, starting to head out. "Stay safe and keep low, both of you."

They nodded in acknowledgment as they left for their homes.

Dobby was fine, of course. Not that Connor had thought that she might find trouble that she could not get herself out of while he checked on the other two, after being forewarned about increased danger within the city.

He wandered through the city, occasionally checking around him with his second sight to double check that there were no new targets, or that the soldiers' guarding patterns had not been disturbed recently, as it would be… Irritating to deal with angry or suspicious guards, simply because Connor looked guilty. The city still provoked a sense of awe within Connor, though he knew well that many suffered within the walls, and while some of the structures that the colonists had built were impressive… Why then, were there orphaned children who begged and stole for enough coin to eat? Surely there must be a way for such suffering and sorrow to be alleviated somewhat. Then again, the cost of that might not be something those with the means were willing to pay, simply because it was not profitable for them.

Connor shook himself as he noted that the day was definitely heading towards the afternoon. As per their agreement, Haytham would have until shortly before nightfall today to speak with the foreign Templars without him being present or close enough to overhear their conversations. It was a concession that Connor had made in exchanged for being presented as a trusted naval mercenary captain as well as a tracker, rather than pretending to be a full Colonial Templar as his father had initially supposed as a way for his presence to be explained. It meant that he would not be able to hear more of the planning sessions between the Templars – then again it was highly unlikely that Haytham would allow that. The Grandmaster would have him sent off on a mission to get something, or to fetch or dispatch someone, rather than at the table in the meeting.

Neither one of them was at all certain if they wanted the strange and supposedly infamous Templars to find out about their blood relation. While it might prove useful to explain his presence close to Haytham, they might try to pit the two of them against one another, and given that they got along with variable degrees of success… These agents might succeed in part. As for how well known in the shadow war these newcomers were, Connor did not know much about the state of the Brotherhood outside of the colonies, much less the Templar Order. He did not have the time or resources to even attempt to gauge such a thing. Perhaps after the war in the colonies was over and if things settled down, he might see how the other chapters of the Brotherhood on the other side of the Atlantic were fairing. Perhaps whilst on a trip with Duncan back to his homeland, or taking up the offer that Marquis de Lafayette had extended to him to visit him in Paris, after the war was over and if they all survived.

If Connor did run into Irish or French Assassins, the possibility was rather high that they would view him – one claiming to be a Brother from the English Colonies, after the Colonial chapters had been so thoroughly and utterly destroyed with more than a little suspicion and hesitance. Additionally, there was a chance that he might once again run into the Templar Agents once again who were visiting, if Haytham did continue with the idea that they should continue living once they leave the colonies. Connor disliked killing others unless necessary, but the thought of them going back to their masters with any sort of information on how things were being run here… Sat decidedly unwell with the young master Assassin. Not that they would know the true state of the colonies if all went according to plan.

A voice called out to Connor from behind him "You are Connor, aye?" From a side street from whence his name was called was a tall, red and black clad Templar – by the cross on the belts he wore.

"Yes, I am… Shay Patrick Cormac, I presume?" The Assassin responded, turning towards the other and moving closer to Cormac. Connor did not particularly want to interact with the Templar, but his father had spoken of Shay in fond terms (and no, he was not jealous. That would be ridiculous and petty) and Connor was curious about the man.

"That would be me. The Grandmaster sent me after you to see where you had wandered off. There are a lot of visitors in New York, and the inns are all full – except in the roughest neighborhoods, and he does not feel as though the guests I brought home with me should be risked in such a way, so Master Kenway will be playing host to his guests in his manor. He wanted me to tell you that, as well as to say that he would like to introduce you to them." Shay answered with good humor, as an unspoken question of why on his lips and easily read.

"Did Rake:ni tell you that in the presence of these guests, or alone?" Connor asked quietly. Supposedly Cormac knew a couple of the native languages – Mohawk among them. If this was true, then he should know the meaning of the word he spoke.

"R-… He asked me to find you just after speaking with these guests – they were close by and might have overheard. I can see why he might not want… Ah. Come along lad, please? I certainly do not want your father to be worried about you wandering about in New York – there is all sorts of trouble to be found." The Enforcer spluttered, eyes widening a little as he took in the information, quietly stunned. Shay could see Haytham's face in Connor's as well as the broadness of the lad's shoulders and his impressive height. "Do you have your father's eyes?"

One of his eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise – few enough of his father's inner circle were aware of that ability, for Cormac to know…Just how close had the two of them been? The not-jealousy tightened into a possessive and uncertain knot in his chest that made breathing difficult for Connor for a couple of moments before he got a hold of himself "That entirely depends on one's point of view." He did switch between his normal sight and his second sight for a few moments while looking Cormac directly in the eyes. Cormac shone a steady gold with red along the edges.

"That it does. Come along lad, the Grandmaster probably has a few tasks for you to do – probably making sure that enough provisions are in the manner for the good dozen of them who will be staying with the two of you." Cormac remarked, hazel eyes sparkling with amusement and contemplation. Shay decided to allow Connor to see his own second sight.

"Oh! I… I did not realize… Rake:ni did not say… Ah… I knew that the two of you were good friends from the fond way he spoke of you… You are the only other person apart from him who I have met with second sight." Connor partially lied, staring at the other with open curiosity as he followed the Templar. Aveline had second sight, but as far as his father knew, Shay was the only other person Connor had met who possessed second sight as well. "Father has not decided whether or not to reveal to the visiting… Guests how he and I know one another, apart from the fact that he contacted me to hunt down the traitor, Church a little under a year ago and dispatch him… As well as returning the supplies he had stolen from the Patriots as a show of good intent towards them."

Shay was a little skeptical as to how well that was going to be hidden – as the two Kenways looked remarkably alike, except for skin tone. Put the two of them side by side and those trained in espionage and information gathering should be able to recognize that there was a similarity between the two of them. Particularly since Connor was in a dark blue uniform and wearing a tricorn hat. He looked so much like Haytham it was mildly disconcerting to Shay that he had not immediately recognized the potential relation. "If you are trying to keep that hidden, then perhaps you should not wear the hat. You look quite a bit like Master Kenway , especially in the hat."

Connor blinked at Shay, a little bit stunned by the other's good humored reaction and uncertain just as to how to respond being told he looked like his father. "I… I see. Thank you for the warning. Are they at the mansion yet, or is Rake:ni still holding court at the Finnegans' tavern?"

Shay chuckled at Connor's response "They are still at the tavern – and will be for a while longer yet. I am guessing that you would like to drop off the hat and to check on the supplies so that the guests will be well treated and comfortably accommodated?"

The mentor Assassin nodded at that "Yes… There should be enough rooms in the manor for the guests to stay – they will likely have to share rooms. Are you going to be staying at the manor as well, or aboard The Morrigan or… Elsewhere?"

"Master Kenway has extended an invitation for my first mate and I to be staying at his manor as well, and I am fairly certain that Gist would be happy to sleep in a bed on dry land. We have been at sea for the better part of a year, and a change of scenery will do us both good, I think. The two of us will be sharing a room and helping with the other guests." Shay answered cheerfully as they walked to Haytham's New York mansion.