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"Are you sure it is wise to sent Shay on his own?" I asked, looking at the Mentor. I had to keep my concern hidden to him, but I doubted he was thinking straight right now.
"Yes. We must trust the boy. It is about time we do" he replied looking in front of himself but not actually focusing on anything in particular. His eyes were numb with grief, his usually attentive glaze devoid of any link with the world.
I walked uncomfortably to the other end of the room. "It is dangerous. There might be Templars waiting for him in Europe. In case of need, he'll have no one to turn to. Let me go with him"
"No!" he exclaimed, standing up violently. His movement caused the chair to fall to the floor with a disturbing noise. "I need you here. It is imperative. Shay must learn to look after himself" he concluded with sudden anger. Then he sat down again and took his face in his hands.
"Leave me alone, Liam. Please" he said simply.
For a long moment, I looked at him. He might not have been in the condition of taking any coherent decision, but he was still my Mentor. I had no chance: I bowled my head and reluctantly left the room.
Since the terrible illness which had taken the life of some of our brothers, among whom also the Mentor's family, the Homestead had fallen in total chaos. However, I could not allow all of our efforts to be destroyed, so in the end it was me and Hope who had taken charge of the situation. God bless for her, for I had never known before a woman – or a man for the matter- with such a gift for organization and management. It was thanks to her that we we didn't fall apart.
Now, though, walking down the narrow path of the Two Bends, I seriously started to doubt Achilles' decision. I knew Shay was going to be enthusiastic about his departure, and especially by the fact that he was to leave on his own. However, there was no way my friend was ready for a mission such as this. Shay was skilled when it came to action and planning, that was true, but you needed more than skill when dealing with the Precursors: study and faith are essential, not to mention the fact that the content of the Temple could be damaged by his lack of experience in the handling of the artefacts.
There was not much I could do anyways, so I decided to have a talk with him instead in the hope of cramming some sense in his 'happy head', as I usually called it when joking.
Before I even set foot on the Morrigan, I heard the crew's chattering and loud enthusiasm.
"What is going on here?" I asked, where is the captain?" No answer.
I could never have had my own ship. I am not a patient man in these circumstances. So instead of insisting on the matter, I assumed that Shay was in his cabin.
"You will never believe it" said Shay as soon as I opened the door, "I have to go to Lisbon by myself"
"Well, aren't you happy? Here's your chance to prove your value to the Brotherhood" I readily replied.
The floor of the cabin was covered in paper and pieces of veil fabric were thrown everywhere. It was even difficult to spot a chair.
"I am looking for the fake travel documents I got some months ago but I can't find them" he said. His voice did not sound joyful as usual, and his expression was not even relaxed.
"We need to talk" I said.
"I am all ears".
"You have to be careful, Shay. This is an important task" I began.
"I know. All our tasks are important, Liam"
"This in extra important. You have to be focused day and night once you get there, Shay. Understood?"
"And here it goes the big annoying brother" he grumped.
"Call me as you wish, but heed my words. I will not be there to save your a—e this time, you understand me? If you get in trouble, no one will be there to help you out of it" I said. I have to be calm I reminded myself. If I allowed my instinct to take over, I knew it wouldn't bode well for any of us.
"I will not. Listen. I am not even sure I can talk to you about this" he blurted, stopping his frantic search among the paper and looking at me, "It is a secret mission. I swore not to tell anything to anyone"
"Well, I am not anyone" I snapped, "I have been informed of your departure even before you knew"
"Really? Then why aren't you the one leaving? Can't Achilles do without his guard dog? " he growled, twisting his face in anger, and a moment later in hurt.
I took a deep breath. "Don't be stupid, Shay. Just because you have overheard Adèwalé speaking about the box does not make you an expert on the matter"
"You are only envious. You are furious with me because it is I who is going there. I have been chosen, not you"
"Not at all. I am just here to tell you not to be impulsive, not to rush things, not to act without thinking or without a plan, just as you normally do!" I yelled.
God Almighty. I did sound like an annoying older brother. No, I sounded more like a hopeless prick, but there was some truth in what I said, because Shay lowered his eyes and sighed. In that instant, he appeared so fragile and defenceless to me that I felt like like a worm.
"I am sorry. I should have encouraged you. Instead here I am, telling you off like a heartless bastard" I finally said.
"You are a heartless bastard" he said, but this time there was a smile on his lips.
"I am just worried, Shay, can't you see that? Vendredì has never returned. They haven't even found his body. Who would be searching for you if something happened? No one would care, you would just... be left there, to rot the Lord knows where" I said, my throat suddenly drying up. Just like my father, I would have added if he hadn't closed me in a brotherly embrace.
"You don't have to worry, Liam. Nothing will happen to me. I have gone through much worse, remember?"
" I will be home in no time to annoy you!" Shay laughed while he climbed up the ship's ladder.
I smiled at him and waved back.
That was the last time I ever heard him cheer.